RU220984U1 - BOTTLE CAP - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to closures, in particular, to polymer stoppers for bottles of strong alcoholic beverages without significant excess pressure in the bottle.

A stopper for a bottle with a strong alcoholic drink, comprising a stopper body with a cavity open towards the external environment, and a cap, wherein the stopper body contains a first part inserted into the neck of the bottle, and a second part remaining outside the bottle, and the cap is attached to the second part . The body of the plug is made of a material based on one or more polyolefins. The cap is made of a material based on one or more polyolefins, either polystyrene or styrene copolymer, or polyamide. The cap can also be made of metal or a metal-polymer composite. Cork is cheap, easy to manufacture, environmentally friendly, can be easily reused and is easy to recycle. 21 salary f-ly, 14 ill.

Description

Field of technology to which the utility model relates

The utility model relates to closures, in particular, to polymer stoppers for bottles of strong alcoholic beverages without significant excess pressure in the bottle.

State of the art

Traditionally, bottles of spirits were sealed with stoppers made from cork oak bark and other similar natural materials. As polymer chemistry has developed, natural materials for making bottle caps have increasingly been replaced by food-grade plastics.

In particular, stoppers for bottles of wine, cognac, brandy, vodka, etc., made from foamed thermoplastic copolymer based on styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and similar compositions are now widely used . Such corks generally have mechanical properties comparable to corks made from solid or agglomerated cork oak bark, but are free from the specific disadvantages inherent in natural materials and associated with microbiological reasons (the so-called “bark disease”) and with the variation in the oxygen permeability of such corks.

Corks made of polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene) are chemically more inert than corks made of complex copolymers and are widely used for capping bottles of champagne and sparkling wines, but their design is adapted to significant excess pressure in the bottle and to the use of mechanical means of holding the cork (muselet) for counteract this pressure. Polyethylene stoppers are well known for bottles with food liquids (for example, table vinegar) and for vials with medical compositions. The use of these materials for capping bottles of spirits is rare due to mechanical reasons (polyethylene and polypropylene usually have a rather slippery surface) and aesthetic reasons (polyethylene stoppers are usually produced colorless).

From patent document EA 004183 B1 there is known a polymer bottle stopper having a hollow body in which the cavity is open to the outside.

This type of stopper requires the use of an additional external cap that is placed on the neck of the bottle.

From patent document EA 022140 B1 there is known a polymer bottle stopper having a solid body and a cap connected to it.

From patent document EA 030550 B1 there is known a polymer bottle stopper having a solid body or a hollow body in which the cavity is open towards the internal volume of the bottle.

From patent document EP 2028121 A2, a polymer bottle stopper is known, having a hollow body in which the cavity is open to the outside, and a cap connected to it, and to provide holding force, a spacer element is used, inserted into the cavity of the stopper body.

From patent document RU 73653 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body integrated with a cap equipped with a metal shell.

From patent document RU 84004 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a hollow body and a cap connected to it, in which the cavity is open to the outside. This type of stopper requires the use of an additional external cap that is placed on the neck of the bottle.

From patent document RU 92410 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body integrated with a cap equipped with a fixing sleeve and a tear-off belt attached to it.

From patent document RU 94958 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known, having a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside, integrated with a cap equipped with a fixing sleeve and a tear-off belt attached to it.

From patent document RU 98177 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body integrated with a cap equipped with a metal shell.

From patent document RU 132782 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body, a cap connected to it and an outer lid with a tamper-evident device.

From patent document RU 133516 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body, a cap connected to it and an outer lid with a tamper-evident device.

From patent document RU 134157 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body, a cap connected to it, and an outer lid with a means for limiting the reverse movement.

From patent document RU 134158 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body, a cap connected to it and an outer lid with a tamper-evident device.

From patent document RU 146054 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body integrated with a cap equipped with a metal shell.

From patent document RU 176388 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known, having a hollow body in which the cavity is open to the outside, and a cap connected to it, and to provide holding force, a spacer element is used, inserted into the cavity of the cork body.

From patent document RU 186872 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body made of foam material and a cap made of low-density polyethylene connected to it, to which a cap made of foam material is additionally attached.

From patent document RU 187605 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body and a cap connected to it, forming the side surface of the part of the cork protruding from the bottle.

From patent document RU 190995 U1, a polymer bottle cap is known that has a solid body and a cap connected to it, forming the side surface of the part of the cork protruding from the bottle, while the body of the cork and the cap are connected through the interaction of depressions and protrusions.

From patent document RU 2673607 C2, a polymer bottle cap is known, which has a solid body made of foam material and a cap connected to it made of a whiter rigid polymer material with a tamper-evident device.

From patent document SU 189699 there is known a polymer stopper for a bottle of champagne wines and other carbonated drinks, which has a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside, and a cap connected to it that closes this cavity from above.

US Pat. No. 6,168,036 B1 discloses a polymer bottle stopper having a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside and a pull-out insert connected to the stopper body by a stopper pin.

From patent document US 6536618 B1, a polymer bottle stopper is known, having a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside, and a cap connected to the cavity, and to provide holding force, a spacer element is used, inserted into the cavity of the stopper body.

From patent document US 6915920 B2 there is known a polymer bottle stopper having a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside, and a cap connected to the cavity, and to provide holding force, a spacer element is used that is inserted into the cavity of the stopper body.

From patent document WO 9901354 A1, a polymer bottle stopper is known, which has a hollow body with a cavity open to the outside, and a cap connected to the cavity, which extends into the cavity and fills the entire cavity.

Polymer bottle caps with a solid body of thermoplastic elastomer foam are available on the market with metal caps (Fig. 1), plastic caps (Fig. 2) and without caps, more precisely, with an extended upper part of the stopper body acting as a cap (Fig. 3) .

Hollow body polyolefin bottle caps are also available on the market for sealing bottles without internal overpressure (FIG. 4) and under overpressure (FIG. 5).

Thus, the prior art does not disclose or place on the market stoppers for bottles of spirits that are made from polyolefin-based materials (in particular polyethylene or polypropylene) but have closure properties similar to those of natural stoppers and stoppers. from foamed thermoplastic elastomers. At the same time, polyethylene and polypropylene stoppers are cheap, easy to manufacture, environmentally friendly (do not contain phthalates), can be easily reused (for example, to seal an open bottle if its contents were not immediately consumed) and are relatively easy to recycle.

Disclosure of utility model

For capping bottles (primarily bottles with strong alcoholic drinks), a bottle stopper is implemented, containing a stopper body and a cap. Unlike well-known polyethylene champagne corks, the cavity in the body of the cork is open towards the outside environment. The body of the stopper contains a first part inserted into the neck of the bottle, and a second part remaining outside the bottle, while the cap is attached to the second part and is not separated from the body of the stopper during operation of the stopper.

The body of the plug may be made of a material based on one or more polyolefins (for example, polyethylene or polypropylene). The cap may also be made from a material based on one or more polyolefins. In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the cap can be made of a material based on polystyrene or styrene copolymer, or from a material based on polyamide.

The cap and the plug body may contain fixing elements that ensure that the cap is held on the plug body when a rotational force is applied to the plug around the axis of the plug. In addition, the cap and the plug body may contain fixing elements that ensure that the cap is held on the plug body when a force is applied to the plug in the direction of the plug axis.

In yet another embodiment of the utility model, the cap may be made of metal (for example, an aluminum-based alloy) or a metal-polymer composite. A metal-polymer composite may, for example, consist of alternating layers of metal and polymer. The metal in a metal-polymer composite can be ferrous or non-ferrous metal. The polymer in a metal-polymer composite can be any thermoplastic or elastomer suitable for mechanical, chemical and operational properties. For example, this polymer may be the same as that used to make the body of the cork. In another example, the polymer may be a material with an increased coefficient of surface friction to provide better adhesion of the outer surface of the cap to the user's hand. In particular, such a polymer can be a rubber-based polymer, for example, butyl rubber or ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM).

The metal or metal-polymer cap may be attached to the plug body by mechanically deforming the cap material to resist displacement of the cap relative to the plug body in the direction of the plug axis and/or in the direction of rotation about the plug axis. Mechanical deformation of the cap material may involve rolling of the edge of the cap onto the body of the plug. Alternatively, mechanical deformation of the cap material may involve the formation of projections and/or indentations on the surfaces of the cap mating to the surface of the plug body in any suitable manner, for example, by crimping the cap externally after it has been installed on the plug body.

The plug according to the utility model has a reduced material consumption compared to bulk plugs, and the materials for its manufacture are available on the market and are relatively cheap. Cork is simple and technologically advanced to produce; its design makes it possible to automate production processes and, therefore, reduce the labor intensity of production. The cork is environmentally friendly (does not contain phthalates), does not create an aftertaste in the contents of the bottle and is practically impermeable to oxygen. In addition, the cork can be easily reused and is easy to dispose of after its intended use.

Brief description of drawings

In fig. 1 shows well-known polymer bottle caps with a solid body made of foamed thermoplastic elastomer with metal caps.

In fig. 2 shows well-known polymer bottle caps with a solid body made of foamed thermoplastic elastomer with plastic caps.

In fig. Figure 3 shows well-known polymer bottle caps with a solid body made of foamed thermoplastic elastomer and an expanded upper part of the cork body that acts as a cap.

In fig. 4 shows well-known polymer bottle caps with a hollow body made of polyolefins, intended for sealing bottles without internal excess pressure.

In fig. 5 shows well-known polymer bottle caps with a hollow body made of polyolefins, intended for sealing bottles with internal excess pressure (for example, for champagne and sparkling wines and other highly carbonated drinks).

In fig. Figure 6 shows the first version of the assembled polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 7 shows the body of the first version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 8 shows the lid of the first version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 9 shows the second version of the assembled polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 10 shows the body of the second version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 11 shows the lid of the second version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 12 shows the third version of the polymer plug assembly according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 13 shows the body of the third version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

In fig. Figure 14 shows the lid of the third version of the polymer plug according to the utility model.

Implementation of a utility model

In fig. 6-8 shows the first version of the polymer plug assembly according to the utility model. The plug (1) contains a cap (2) attached to the plug body (3). Fastening of the cap (2) to the plug body (3) is ensured by fixing elements (4) that prevent rotational displacement of the cap (2) relative to the plug body (3), and fixation elements (5) that prevent axial displacement of the cap (2) relative to the body (3) traffic jams. The fixing elements (4) are complementary projections and grooves formed on the surfaces of the cap (2) and the plug body (3) facing each other and located essentially vertically when the plug (1) is in a vertical operating position.

In the embodiment of the utility model shown in FIG. 7, the elements (4) of fixation on the body (3) of the plug are implemented in the form of protrusions pointed upward, evenly spaced along the circle formed by the outer surface of the upper part of the body (3) of the plug. However, it should be clear that the fixation elements (4) on the plug body (3) may have a different shape and may be located differently, while maintaining their function - preventing rotational displacement of the cap (2) relative to the plug body (3), including when applying a rotating force to the cap (1) while uncorking the bottle.

In the embodiment of the utility model shown in FIG. 8, the fixation elements (4) on the cap (2) are formed by pairs of ribs (6), which are the stiffening elements of the cap (2), connecting the cylindrical part of the cap (2) with the guide collar (7). However, it should be clear that the fixing elements (4) on the cap (2) may have a different shape and may be located differently, while maintaining their function - eliminating rotational displacement of the cap (2) relative to the body (3) of the plug, in including when applying a rotating force to the cap (1) while uncorking the bottle.

The fixing elements (5) are also complementary projections and grooves formed on the mutually facing surfaces of the cap (2) and the plug body (3) and located essentially horizontally when the plug (1) is in a vertical operating position.

In the examples of implementation of the utility model presented in Fig. 6, 7, 8, the fixation elements (5) are annular irregularities located along the circle formed by the outer surface of the upper body (3) of the plug and the inner surface of the cylindrical part of the cap (2). In these examples, the mating surfaces of the fixation elements (5) have a rounded cross-section. However, it should be clear that the mating surfaces of the fixation elements (5) can have a different shape (for example, a sinusoidal or trapezoidal shape in cross section) and can be located differently, while maintaining their function - eliminating the axial displacement of the cap (2) relative to the body (3) of the stopper, including when a pulling force is applied to the stopper (1) while uncorking the bottle.

Near the fixation elements (5) on the plug body (3) a compensation element (10) is formed to ensure elastic deformation of the part of the plug body (3) mated to the cap (2) by means of the fixation elements (5).

In the embodiment of the utility model shown in FIG. 6, the compensation element (10) is an annular groove with a rounded bottom in cross section, allowing the lower part of the plug body (3) to elastically deviate towards the axis of the plug (1) when putting the cap (2) on the plug body (3) and providing tension connection between the cap (2) and the body (3) of the plug. However, it should be clear that the compensation element (10) can have a different shape (for example, sinusoidal, trapezoidal or rectangular in cross section) and can be located differently, while maintaining its function of providing elastic deformation of the body part (3 ) plug when connecting it to the cap (2).

The part (8) of the plug body (3) inserted into the bottle may contain one or more gas outlet channels (9). The gas outlet channel (9) is designed to remove fluid from the bottle during the process of capping the bottle in order to avoid the development of significant excess pressure in the bottle. The part of the cork (1) inserted into the bottle occupies a volume comparable to the volume of air or other gas filling the upper part of the neck of the bottle. Since the plug (1), according to the utility model, has an end surface at the lower (in the vertical working position of the plug) end, its insertion into the neck of the bottle during capping creates excess pressure in the bottle due to gas compression. This may be undesirable for spirits, whose organoleptic properties may be sensitive to the composition of the gas dissolved in the drink. The presence of a gas outlet channel (9) allows you to remove most of the gas replaced by the volume of the stopper (1) when capping the bottle. If the presence of any gas between the stopper (1) and the liquid in the bottle is undesirable or unacceptable, then the bottle can be completely filled with the drink (to the top of the neck) before capping. In this case, the presence of a gas outlet channel (9) allows excess liquid to be removed from the bottle during the capping process.

The shape, dimensions, number and position of gas outlet channels (9) depend on the problem being solved. In the embodiment of the utility model shown in FIG. 7, one gas outlet channel (9) is implemented, the upper end of which is located at a distance of approximately 70% of the length of the part of the stopper (1) inserted into the bottle from the lower end of the stopper (1). However, it should be clear that in another embodiment of the utility model, the upper end of the gas outlet channel (9) may be located at a different distance from the lower end of the plug (1). In yet another embodiment of the useful model, there may be several gas outlet channels (9) in the plug (1), and their upper ends can be located at different distances from the lower end of the plug (1).

When assembling the plug (1) according to the utility model, the cap (2) is put on the plug body (3) so that the fixation elements (4) on the plug body (3) are located relative to the fixation elements (4) on the cap (2) according to Fig. 6, ensuring a tight fit of their side surfaces to each other. In this case, the narrowed or pointed shape of the upper part of the fixation elements (4) on the plug body (3) facilitates the correct positioning of the cap (2) relative to the plug body (3) during the assembly of the plug (1). After the cap (2) is put on the body (3) of the plug in the correct position, it is fixed on the body (3) of the plug by pressing all the way, while the fixing elements (5) on the cap (2) and on the body (3) of the plug interact, ensuring the fixation of the cap (2) on the body (3) of the plug in the assembled position of the plug (1).

The guide collar (7) also ensures that the cap (2) is in the correct position relative to the plug body (3) during plug assembly (1). In addition, it provides additional pressure of the cap (2) to the upper part of the body (3) of the plug from the inside.

In fig. 9-11 shows the second version of the polymer plug assembly according to the utility model. The plug (1) contains a cap (2) attached to the plug body (3). Fastening of the cap (2) to the plug body (3) is ensured by fixing elements (4) that prevent rotational displacement of the cap (2) relative to the plug body (3), and fixation elements (5) that prevent axial displacement of the cap (2) relative to the body (3) traffic jams.

The structure of the plug according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9-11 is generally similar in structure to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6-8. The main difference is that instead of a compensation element (10) in the body (3) of the plug, gaps are used, located in the cap between the ribs (6) (see Fig. 9). These gaps provide additional ability of the material of the cap (2) to elastic deformation when putting the cap (2) on the body (3) of the plug during the assembly of the plug (1) and contribute to the tight coverage of the body (3) of the plug by the cap (2) in the assembled state of the plug ( 1). Due to the above-mentioned gaps, the plug according to the second embodiment of the utility model can have a larger outer diameter than the plug according to the first embodiment of the utility model. This increases the convenience and reliability of gripping the cork by hand when uncorking the bottle. An additional difference is the lower height of the guide collar (7). This increases the manufacturability of production and reduces material consumption.

The surface of the cap (2) in the first and second embodiments of the utility model can be made rough or can have knurling, corrugation, etc. or may contain other elements and/or coatings that improve grip on the user's hand.

The design of the plug according to the third embodiment of the utility model shown in FIG. 12-14, differs to a greater extent from the first and second embodiments of the utility model.

In the third embodiment of the utility model, a metal cap (2) is used, installed on top of the plug body (3) and rolled from the bottom side. The required adhesion of the cap (2) to the body (3) of the plug is ensured by one or more of the following technical solutions: (a) interference fit (when the outer size of the upper part of the body (3) of the plug is slightly larger than the internal size of the cap (2) and the adhesion is ensured by due to the elastic deformation of the material of the body (3) of the plug), (b) the use of glue connecting the mating surfaces of the cap (2) and the body (3) of the plug and (c) rolling of the edge (11), which also prevents axial displacement of the cap (2) relative to body (3) of the cork when removing the cork (1) from the bottle.

It should be noted that rolling the edge (11) is not the only possible way to mechanically secure the cap (2) to the body (3) of the plug. It is quite possible that other methods of securing the cap (2) to the body (3) of the plug due to mechanical deformation of the material of the cap (2), for example, using ridges, ridges, corrugations and other local protrusions and/or recesses, in particular, implemented by crimping cap (2) after its installation on the body (3) of the plug.

Like the polymer cap (2) in the first and second embodiments of the utility model, the metal cap (2) may also have a rough surface provided by its appropriate molding and/or coating. The coating may be polymeric and may have a significant thickness. Coated metal, the thickness of which is comparable to the thickness of the metal, can be considered as a metal-polymer composite.

Methods for installing a stopper (1) in a bottle during the capping process are known to those skilled in the art and are not discussed here for the sake of brevity.

When uncorking a bottle, the user clasps the cap (2) with the fingers of one hand and, holding the bottle with the other hand, simultaneously provides rotational movement around the axis of the cap and translational movement along the axis of the cork in the direction from the bottle. In this case, the fixing elements (4) and (5) prevent rotation and/or slipping of the cap (2) relative to the body (3) of the plug, and the cap (2), due to its essentially cylindrical shape and the roughness of its outer cylindrical surface and/or other optional elements that improve the grip of the cork with the hand, it is held comfortably and securely in the hand.

The composition of polymer materials for the manufacture of plugs according to the utility model is known to specialists in the field of technology, however, as an example of such materials, in particular polyolefins, one can cite high-density polyethylene, described in patent EA 024389 B1 or in patent EA 201900122 A1.

It should be noted that the above embodiments of the utility model are described separately for the convenience of understanding the essence of the utility model and that the practical embodiment of the utility model may contain any combination of parts, elements, shapes, materials, technologies and other features of several embodiments of the utility model, if they are not contradict each other.

Claims (22)

1. A stopper for a bottle, comprising a stopper body with a cavity open towards the external environment, and a cap, wherein the stopper body contains a first part inserted into the neck of the bottle, and a second part remaining outside the bottle, and the cap is permanently attached to the second part, characterized in that the cap and the body of the plug contain pre-formed complementary fixation elements that ensure the retention of the cap on the body of the plug. 2. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that it is intended for sealing a bottle of strong alcoholic beverage. 3. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the plug is made of a material based on one or more polyolefins. 4. The plug according to claim 3, characterized in that the polyolefin is polyethylene. 5. The plug according to claim 3, characterized in that the polyolefin is polypropylene. 6. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of a material based on one or more polyolefins. 7. The plug according to claim 6, characterized in that the polyolefin is polyethylene. 8. The plug according to claim 6, characterized in that the polyolefin is polypropylene. 9. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of a material based on polystyrene or styrene copolymer. 10. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of a polyamide-based material. 11. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing elements ensure that the cap is held on the body of the stopper when a rotational force is applied to the stopper around the axis of the stopper. 12. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing elements ensure that the cap is held on the body of the stopper when a force is applied to the stopper in the direction of the stopper axis. 13. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixation elements are protrusions and/or recesses on the mating surfaces of the cap and the body of the plug. 14. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of metal. 15. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of a metal-polymer composite. 16. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 14, 15, characterized in that the cap is attached to the plug body due to mechanical deformation of the cap material to counteract the displacement of the cap relative to the plug body in the direction of the plug axis. 17. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 14, 15, characterized in that the cap is attached to the plug body due to mechanical deformation of the cap material to counteract the displacement of the cap relative to the plug body in the direction of rotation around the axis of the plug. 18. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 16, 17, characterized in that the mechanical deformation of the cap material is a rolling of the edge of the cap on the body of the plug. 19. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 16, 17, characterized in that the mechanical deformation of the cap material is the formation of protrusions and/or depressions on the surfaces of the cap mating with the surface of the plug body. 20. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 14, 15, characterized in that the cap is attached to the body of the plug by pressing. 21. Stopper according to any one of paragraphs. 14, 15, characterized in that the cap is additionally attached to the body of the plug by gluing. 22. The plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the plug contains at least one gas outlet channel.

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