[go: up one dir, main page]

US20120228164A1 - Closure for a product retaining container - Google Patents

Closure for a product retaining container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20120228164A1
US20120228164A1 US13/416,006 US201213416006A US2012228164A1 US 20120228164 A1 US20120228164 A1 US 20120228164A1 US 201213416006 A US201213416006 A US 201213416006A US 2012228164 A1 US2012228164 A1 US 2012228164A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
closure
container
oxygen
reservoir
membrane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/416,006
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Olav Marcus Aagaard
Katherine Campbell Glasgow
Malcolm Joseph Thompson
Marco Josef Otto Kirch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vinventions LLC
Original Assignee
Nomacorc LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nomacorc LLC filed Critical Nomacorc LLC
Priority to US13/416,006 priority Critical patent/US20120228164A1/en
Assigned to NOMACORC LLC reassignment NOMACORC LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THOMPSON, MALCOLM JOSEPH, KIRCH, MARCO JOSEF OTTO, AAGAARD, OLAV MARCUS, GLASGOW, KATHERINE CAMPBELL
Publication of US20120228164A1 publication Critical patent/US20120228164A1/en
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT reassignment GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: NOMACORC, LLC
Priority to US14/263,473 priority patent/US9511912B2/en
Assigned to ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT reassignment ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS RETIRING AGENT
Assigned to VINVENTIONS USA, LLC reassignment VINVENTIONS USA, LLC RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 029486/FRAME 0124 Assignors: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, SUCCESSOR AGENT TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
    • B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0207—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0207—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
    • B65D1/0215—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features multilayered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B65D81/2076—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in an at least partially rigid container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B65D81/2084—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3216—Rigid containers disposed one within the other
    • B65D81/3222—Rigid containers disposed one within the other with additional means facilitating admixture
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12H—PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
    • C12H1/00—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages
    • C12H1/12—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation
    • C12H1/14—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation with non-precipitating compounds, e.g. sulfiting; Sequestration, e.g. with chelate-producing compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12H—PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
    • C12H1/00—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages
    • C12H1/22—Ageing or ripening by storing, e.g. lagering of beer

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to a closure for a product retaining container. Moreover, the disclosure relates to a closure system, a liner for a container closure and to a method of manufacturing said closure and said liner.
  • container closures including, for example, screw caps, stoppers, corks and crown caps, or the like.
  • products such as vinegar, vegetable oils, laboratory liquids, detergents, honey, condiments, spices, alcoholic beverages, and the like, impose similar requirements on the type and construction of the closure means used for containers for these products.
  • wine sold in bottles represents the most demanding product in terms of bottle closure technology, due to the numerous and burdensome requirements placed upon the closures used for wine bottles.
  • most wine bottle closures or stoppers have historically been produced from a natural material known as “cork”.
  • screw caps contain a liner so as to achieve a substantially airtight, substantially hermetic seal between the closure and the bottle. Such a seal prevents substantially any oxygen transfer through the bottle closure.
  • conventional air-tight screw-caps may be the closure of choice, as ingress of oxygen impairs the fresh and fruity appeal of these wines, which are usually meant to be consumed young.
  • closure technology allows for controlled ingress of oxygen through microperforated screw cap liners.
  • the total amount of oxygen that the bottled wine will be exposed to depends on the elapsed time period before consumption. There may be a great degree of variation depending on whether the wine was consumed early after bottling or was stored for several years before consumption.
  • the method of manufacturing said microperforated breathable screw cap liners is quite labor- and cost-intensive.
  • the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent.
  • oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen.
  • the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
  • the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
  • closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure.
  • An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose a closure from a range of distinct and consistent oxygen release rates. This tailoring of the wine closure to the specific oxygen requirements of a particular type of wine, allows wineries to optimize the oxygen-dependent flavor and wine character development for each of their wine product lines and at the same time prevent the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction.
  • While embodiments of the present disclosure are well suited for use in the wine industry, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the concepts of the present disclosure can be extended to other containers that have need of an agent released slowly into the product contained within the container.
  • the agent may be impregnated within a liner disposed within the container or integrated into the body of the container.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a screw cap type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of the components shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of a cork type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a bag in a box closure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a rear elevational view of the closure of FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a bottle having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a bottle having an impregnated sidewall according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a bag in a box having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a bag in a box wherein the bag is impregnated according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 12 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle;
  • FIG. 13 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle;
  • FIG. 14 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle.
  • FIG. 15 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle.
  • FIGS. 1 to 15 By referring to FIGS. 1 to 15 , along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction of the closure of the certain embodiments disclosed herein can best be understood.
  • the closure of various ones of the embodiments is depicted and discussed as a bottle closure for wine products.
  • the various embodiments can be applicable as a closure for use in sealing and retaining any desired product in any desired closure system. Due to the stringent and difficult demands and requirements placed upon closures for wine products, the following detailed disclosure focuses upon the applicability of the synthetic bottle closures as a closure for wine bottles. Nevertheless it is to be understood that this detailed discussion is provided merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended to limit the embodiments disclosed herein to this particular application and embodiment.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
  • the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent.
  • oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen.
  • the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
  • closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure.
  • An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
  • the term “product retaining container” is meant to include bottles, jars, flasks, canisters, tins, vials and the like.
  • the product retaining container is a wine bottle.
  • the term “closure” as used herein applies to any means for effectively closing product retaining containers in general.
  • Such closures include, but are not limited to, screw caps, stoppers, corks, crown caps, latches, seals and lids.
  • the closure is selected from the group consisting of a bottle cap, such as a screw cap or a crown cap, and a cylindrically shaped bottle stopper.
  • screw caps include, but are not limited to, roll-on pilfer proof screw caps (“ROPP”) and roll-on tamper evident screw caps (“ROTE”).
  • the material for the closure may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer material, glass, natural materials such as cork, ceramic, steel, and rubber and combinations thereof.
  • the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure.
  • Screw cap closures typically comprise a cap having interior threads adapted to interoperate with exterior threads on a container opening (e.g., on the upper opening of a bottle).
  • the cap closures typically comprise a seal.
  • the interior threads of the cap may, for example, be formed by pressure forming the cap (e.g., a cap made from aluminum metal) onto the exterior threads on the container opening (e.g., on the opening of a bottle during the bottling process).
  • Materials for and methods of manufacturing a screw cap closure are known to the person skilled in the art and, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 a screw cap closure 10 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 12 is illustrated.
  • the wine bottle 12 includes threads 14 on an upper opening as is well understood.
  • the screw cap closure 10 includes an outer metal cap 16 having a head 18 and a skirt 20 , a threaded plastic insert 22 having interior threads 24 and adapted to interoperate with threads 14 of the wine bottle 12 , and possibly a seal 26 , if the plastic insert 22 does not perform the sealing function.
  • An advantage of this type of screw cap closure 10 is that the outer metal cap 16 is itself not threaded, which improves the aesthetic quality of the cap.
  • the closure of the present disclosure may be a natural or synthetic stopper.
  • such stoppers 30 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and substantially flat terminating ends 32 , 34 . They may be made of natural cork and/or of polymer material. According to one embodiment, these stoppers may have a cylindrically shaped core member (not shown) formed from foamed plastic material and at least one independent layer of foamed or non-foamed plastic material (not shown) peripherally surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member with the flat terminating end surfaces 32 , 34 of the core member being devoid of said outer layer.
  • foamed or non-foamed plastic material not shown
  • the stopper 30 may further include a liner 36 , which may be made from a polymer material.
  • exemplary commercially available liners such as Saran liners, Saranex liners, Saran-tin liners or Stelvin liners may form the liner 36 .
  • These liners 36 generally combine multiple layers selected from the group consisting of polymer materials such as polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and laminates thereof, saran film, metal foil and wadding material such as foamed polymer material or fiber card (paper).
  • the liner 36 may include a deformable composite in which the layers are selected from the group consisting of monolayers or combinations of PVDC, Nylon, filled Nylon, EAA, EVOH, starch, cellulose, PET, PP, PE, EVA, PEO, styrene block copolymers, COC, polystyrene, polycarbonate and silicone and co-polymers of the above polymers.
  • the liner 36 may provide for a substantially liquid and/or gas tight, hermetic seal at the interface between the container (e.g., wine bottle 12 ) and the closure or stopper 30 .
  • a barrier layer to prevent or reduce permeation of gases through the stopper 30 .
  • Such barrier layer may, for example, be a metal film layer selected from the group consisting of an aluminum film layer and a tin film layer.
  • Further possible barrier layers may comprise other gas-impermeable materials selected from the group consisting of glass, steel, polymeric materials, PVDC-laminates and the like and also combinations thereof. Liners with such barrier layers are known in the art as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,016 B2, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the oxidant releasing agent may be included in the liner 36 or the seal 26 described above. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to a seal 26 having an oxidant releasing agent. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the seal 26 may include a metal film layer 40 . In the case of a multilayer closure element, the oxidant releasing agent is preferentially contained in one of the innermost element or layers 42 facing the interior of the product retaining container. A thin polymer film 44 or the like can be used to prevent the oxidant releasing agent to come into direct contact with the bottle content.
  • liner 36 or seal 26 which includes the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of the entire closure, an area defining part of the closure, a liner that can be fitted between container and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner.
  • said element of polymer material may comprise foamed polymer material.
  • the concepts of the present disclosure may be applied to other wine containers, such as the proverbial “bag in a box” wine container.
  • “Bag in box” containers generally comprise a flexible bag made of one or several layers of plastic film or metallised film.
  • the bag is constructed for storage of liquids, such as wine, and is typically provided with a dispensing unit such as an airtight tap 50 (illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for dispensing of the stored liquid.
  • the bag is seated inside a box, typically inside a cardboard box or inside a corrugated fiberboard box.
  • Tap 50 may be a conventional tap having a spigot 52 , dispensing lever 54 , and flange 56 disposed outside the box.
  • Plug 58 with ridge 60 may be disposed inside the box and engage the bag as is well understood.
  • a ring or loop 62 may fit around the plug 58 .
  • the ring or loop 62 is annular, but otherwise constructed in a fashion similar to the seal 26 or liner 36 and performs the same function.
  • the ring or loop 62 may alternatively be disposed inside the plug 58 . Regardless of position, the ring or loop 62 should be in contact with the interior portion of the bag so that the oxygen releasing agent within the ring or loop 62 is allowed to interact with the space within the bag. While a ring or loop 62 is specifically contemplated, the element may take other shapes as needed or desired and still perform the same function.
  • the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a chemical, a catalyst or an enzyme capable of releasing an oxidant into the interior of the product retaining container.
  • the oxidant releasing agent should satisfy common food safety regulations.
  • the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxides, superoxides, ozonides, chlorates, perchlorates, borates, perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, perpyrophosphates, persilicates, persulfates, thiosulfates, peroxydisulfates, peroxy compounds, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof.
  • said oxidant releasing agent can be selected from the group consisting of inorganic, organic and polymeric compounds, and combinations thereof.
  • said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of superoxides and peroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and combinations thereof.
  • said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium superoxides and magnesium superoxides, and combinations thereof.
  • said oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxycarboxylic acids and sulfone peroxycarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof.
  • Possible further oxidant releasing agents can be inorganic or organic oxides and hydroxides such as for example magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide.
  • foamed material may constitute the oxidant releasing agent.
  • the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of catalysts and enzymes catalyzing reaction releasing oxidant molecules, and combinations thereof.
  • said catalysts or enzymes may generate oxidants by conversion of a precursor substance.
  • the released oxidant itself is selected from the group consisting of molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, and combinations thereof.
  • the oxidant releasing agent releases oxidant only after exposure to an activator, being substantially inactive prior to this exposure.
  • an activator may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of moisture, acidic solution, basic solution, vapor, liquid, temperature change, and light, and combinations thereof.
  • temperature change pertains to heat or cold.
  • said activator may be released by the product contained in the container.
  • the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined rate of oxidant release from the screw cap closure 10 over a defined period of time so as to result in a defined total amount of oxidant released.
  • a screw cap closure 10 comprising an oxidant releasing agent, which ensures a slow, substantially constant and well defined oxygen release rate over a defined period of time, so as to prevent reduction while maintaining consistency. It is expected that the amount of oxidant released will go to zero in a certain period of time.
  • the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve the oxygen release rate going to zero after a period selected from the group consisting of 10, 5, 4, 3, 2 years and 1 year.
  • the concentration of oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material.
  • concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from close to 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 2% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 1% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 0.1% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material. There may also be circumstances where concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material are desirable that range from close to 0% by weight to about 1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.5% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.01% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material.
  • the amount and type of oxidant releasing agent may be selected based on the oxygen requirements associated with the wine being closured.
  • the two types of screw cap liners currently most used in the wine industry are foil/PVDC laminates and PVDC laminates.
  • a standard 30 mm diameter foil cap liner when well sealed to a bottle, has an oxygen diffusion rate of approximately 0.0002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours.
  • a well sealed 30 mm PVDC cap liner has a diffusion rate of approximately 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours. Recent studies appear to show that the oxygen diffusion rate of top quality natural cork stoppers falls between that of the foil and PVDC liner containing screw cap closures.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose screw cap closures 10 containing oxidant releasing agents that feature customized oxygen release rates for their closures that fall between these values.
  • a winemaker bottling a white wine may desire a screw cap closure 10 according to an embodiment with an oxygen release rate into the interior of the bottle of approximately 0.0005 cc per 750 mL bottle per day.
  • the winemaker may select a screw cap closure 10 made using the technology having an oxygen release rate in the range of, for example, about 0.0004 to 0.0006 cc oxygen per screw cap closure 10 per 24 hours.
  • oxygen release rates of the closure 10 into the bottle interior can be 0.00005-0.002, 0.00005-0.001, 0.00005-0.0005, 0.00005-0.0002, 0.00005-0.0001, and 0.0001-0.002 cc oxygen or oxidant per 24 h per 750 mL bottle.
  • oxygen release rates higher than 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours are desirable.
  • a closure 10 may further comprise oxygen scavenging agents. Said oxygen scavenging agent can effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen concentration immediately after bottling.
  • the oxidant releasing agent present in the closure 10 would nonetheless ensure a defined amount of oxygen to be consistently released into the container interior over a defined period of time.
  • the oxygen scavenging agent could also be used to antagonize and fine-tune the amount of oxygen present in the bottle, which may have been actively released by the oxidant releasing agent or may have passively permeated through the bottle closure.
  • Said oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in an element of the closure selected from the group consisting of the element of polymer material comprising the oxidant releasing agent, the entire closure 10 , an area defining part of the closure, a seal 26 or liner 36 that can be fitted between container (e.g., wine bottle 12 ) and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner.
  • the oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in the same or in a different element of the closure 10 than that containing the oxygen releasing agent (e.g., in layer 42 or some other element).
  • Possible oxygen scavenger agents are selected from the group consisting of ascorbates, sulfites, EDTA, hydroquinone, tannins and the like, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof.
  • the oxygen scavenger agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfite and potassium EDTA, iron or other metal based scavengers, and combinations thereof.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein also encompass a closure system comprising a product retaining container and a closure 10 as defined above, e.g., a wine bottle sealed with a closure 10 according to the embodiments disclosed herein.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein can specifically include the use of an oxidant-releasing agent containing closure 10 as described above for delivering a predefined amount of oxygen to the interior of a product retaining container over a defined period of time.
  • the closure can be manufactured by methods known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable methods of manufacture may comprise the step of introducing an oxidant releasing agent into a closure 10 .
  • the manufacturing steps are selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof. This is particularly the case when the oxidant releasing agent is comprised in a liner 36 .
  • a method for manufacturing said liner 36 may comprise manufacturing steps being selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof.
  • a closure 10 can also be manufactured by applying an element of thin polymer film 44 containing an oxidant-releasing agent to a closure 10 or a portion thereof by means of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to a method of manufacturing a closure comprising an oxidant-releasing agent.
  • a screw cap closure is produced, consisting of a liner 36 , an outer metal cap 16 and a surrounding metal skirt 20 .
  • the oxidant releasing agent is contained in the liner 36 , which is built up of the following layers from bottom (facing the contained product) to top (contacting the lid of the screw cap):
  • a very thin first polymer film layer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 44 LDPE
  • a bather layer 40 disposed on said polymer layer 42 , that includes a polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) laminate in combination with a metal foil (typically aluminum or tin) disposed on the PVDC layer; fiber card (paper) or polymer foam and a second LDPE polymer film layer.
  • PVDC polyvinylidene chloride
  • the metal film of the barrier laminate has a very low oxygen diffusion rate, and thereby prevents oxygen from diffusing through the cap liner into the bottle and product contained therein.
  • the oxidant releasing agent in the liner 36 releases in a low but constant rate hydrogen peroxide into the headspace of the wine bottle 12 .
  • the hydrogen peroxide spontaneously decomposes to free oxygen and water.
  • the thus generated oxygen dissolves into the wine, where it prevents reduction of the latter and promotes the maturation of the desired wine flavor characteristics.
  • a synthetic wine closure such as stopper 30 of substantially cylindrical shape consisting of a foamed polymer core member and an outer skin is produced by means of coextrusion.
  • a thin polymer film 36 containing an oxidant releasing agent is affixed to the substantially flat terminating ends of the stopper.
  • the thus obtained closure 30 is used for the bottling of red wines.
  • the oxygen released by the liner 36 ensures optimal flavor development and prevents the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction.
  • a bottle 70 may incorporate the present technology.
  • the bottle 70 has a sidewall 71 delimiting the interior 72 .
  • a liner 73 is positioned within the interior 72 and impregnated with the oxygen releasing agent as previously discussed.
  • the bottle 70 has a sidewall 74 with the oxygen releasing agent embedded therewithin.
  • a bag in a box container 75 may include a sidewall 76 that forms the box. Inside the sidewall 76 is a bag 77 . A liner 78 is positioned inside the bag 77 . The liner 78 has an oxygen releasing agent impregnated therein as previously described.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment, wherein the bag 79 is constructed such that the oxygen releasing agent is embedded directly into the bag.
  • the closure may comprise a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
  • the gas containing reservoir is designed so as to allow a controlled exchange of gas from the inside of the reservoir into the inside of said container, i.e., for example into the empty space in the container between the product and the closure (head space).
  • the exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation.
  • the exchange of gas may also take place by other means, for example by means of microperforation.
  • the gas containing reservoir may also comprise an oxidant releasing agent as defined herein.
  • Suitable gases that may be contained in the reservoir include, but are not limited to, air, oxygen, ozone, nitrogen, sulfur oxides (in particular: sulfur dioxide), carbon oxides (in particular: carbon dioxide) and mixtures thereof.
  • the reservoir is filled with air.
  • the gas containing reservoir may extend into the inside of the container, which may, for example, be a wine bottle.
  • the reservoir reduces the headspace above the filling level of the container.
  • the reservoir is adapted to be located in the inside of the container whereby the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner wall of the container.
  • the reservoir may be adapted to be located within the mouth of the bottle while the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle.
  • the reservoir may be adapted to be located in the inside of the container so that it does not effect a seal with an inner surface of the container (e.g., with an inner surface of the mouth of a bottle).
  • effecting a seal may in particular be avoided during insertion and/or extraction of the reservoir into the container (e.g., into a mouth of a bottle).
  • the reservoir may have any desired volume and shape. Suitable shapes of the reservoir may include, but are not limited to, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially half spherical shape, or a substantially dome shape. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the reservoir may have a substantially cylindrical shape. According to another aspect of the disclosure the reservoir may be substantially in alignment with a portal forming neck of the container, i.e., for example, with the portal forming neck of a wine bottle.
  • the reservoir may contain a gas volume of 0.01 to 30 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of 0.1 to 15 cc, or 0.5 to 10 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
  • the membrane is constructed so as to allow an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of the reservoir and the inside of the container.
  • exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation through the membrane.
  • the membrane may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic material.
  • the membrane may be a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection molded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like.
  • the membrane may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
  • the membrane may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate plastic film arranged at or affixed to the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
  • the membrane may have an oxygen permeation of about 0.00001 to about 0.1 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0.00005 to about 0.05 cc/day per container, or 0.0001 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or 0.0005 to about 0.005 cc/day per container.
  • Air as used herein is defined to contain approximately 20.8 vol. % oxygen.
  • the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the barrier layer.
  • the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is greater than that of the barrier layer.
  • the barrier layer is constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir.
  • the barrier layer may for example be constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir by means of permeation.
  • the barrier layer may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic material, laminated plastic material and metalized plastic material.
  • the barrier layer may be a metal film, a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection moulded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like.
  • the barrier layer may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
  • the barrier layer may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate film arranged at or affixed to the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
  • the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation of about 0 to about 0.05 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.002 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.001 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
  • the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the membrane.
  • the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is smaller than that of the membrane.
  • the barrier layer and the membrane may have about the same oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
  • the closure may further comprise a body made of metal or polymer material, or a combination thereof.
  • Suitable metals for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, aluminum, tin, and/or alloys thereof.
  • Suitable polymers for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, PE, PP, PET, LDPE, styrene block copolymers, EVA, and/or HDPE, and/or mixtures thereof.
  • the disclosure relates to a closure system comprising a closure as described herein and a product retaining container.
  • the product retaining container may be of any desired shape, size and material.
  • the product retaining container may be a wine bottle.
  • the disclosure relates to a container comprising: (1) a closure as described herein; and (2) a product.
  • the container may be wholly or partially filled with any kind of product, in particular with foodstuffs, for example with liquids (e.g., wine or spirits) or solids (e.g., spices).
  • the container is a wine bottle made of glass or plastic that is wholly or partially filled with wine and sealed with a closure as described herein.
  • the disclosure relates to a method of adjusting the oxygen content in a container (e.g., a wine bottle) over a defined period of time comprising: (1) filling the container with a defined quantity of product (e.g., with wine), and (2) closing the container with a closure as described herein, so that oxygen is allowed to be released from the reservoir into the head space of the container or into the product (e.g., into the wine).
  • a container e.g., a wine bottle
  • a defined quantity of product e.g., with wine
  • closing the container with a closure as described herein so that oxygen is allowed to be released from the reservoir into the head space of the container or into the product (e.g., into the wine).
  • the defined period of time may vary depending on the nature and/or quantity of product contained in the container. For example, if wine is used as product, the defined period of time may vary between about 1 day and about 10 years, more particularly between about 30 days and about 5 years, or between about 60 days and about 3 years, or between about 90 days and about 2.5 years, or between about 180 days and about 2 years.
  • the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the membrane at that time.
  • the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the barrier layer at that time.
  • the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure.
  • a screw cap closure 80 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 81 is illustrated.
  • the wine bottle 81 includes threads 82 on an upper opening as is well understood.
  • the wine bottle 81 is filled with wine 96 up to a certain fluid level 95 .
  • the screw cap closure 80 includes an outer metal cap 83 having a head 84 and a skirt 85 , interior threads 86 adapted to interoperate with threads 82 of the wine bottle 81 and a seal 87 .
  • the screw cap closure 80 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 having a membrane 91 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 and a barrier layer 92 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 .
  • the inside 93 of reservoir 90 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
  • the membrane 91 allows permeation of gases between the inside 93 of reservoir 90 and the head space 94 above the fluid level 95 of the wine bottle 81 filled with wine 96 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 94 of the wine bottle 81 for a defined period of time.
  • a screw cap closure 180 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 181 is illustrated.
  • the wine bottle 181 includes threads 182 on an upper opening as is well understood.
  • the wine bottle 181 is filled with wine 196 up to a certain fluid level 195 .
  • the screw cap closure 180 includes an outer metal cap 183 having a head 184 and a skirt 185 , interior threads 186 adapted to interoperate with threads 182 of the wine bottle 181 and a seal 187 .
  • the screw cap closure 180 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 having a membrane 191 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 .
  • the outer metal cap 183 forms the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 and serves as a barrier layer.
  • the inside 193 of reservoir 190 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
  • the membrane 191 allows permeation of gases between the inside 193 of reservoir 190 and the head space 194 above the fluid level 195 of the wine bottle 181 filled with wine 196 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 194 of the wine bottle 181 for a defined period of time.
  • a screw cap closure 280 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 281 is illustrated.
  • the wine bottle 281 includes threads 282 on an upper opening as is well understood.
  • the wine bottle 281 is filled with wine 296 up to a certain fluid level 295 .
  • the screw cap closure 280 includes an outer metal cap 283 having a head 284 and a skirt 285 , interior threads 286 adapted to interoperate with threads 282 of the wine bottle 281 and a seal 287 .
  • the screw cap 280 further includes a foamed backing 288 .
  • the screw cap closure 280 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 having a membrane 291 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 and a barrier layer 292 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 .
  • the inside 293 of reservoir 290 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
  • the membrane 291 allows permeation of gases between the inside 293 of reservoir 290 and the head space 294 above the fluid level 295 of the wine bottle 281 filled with wine 296 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 294 of the wine bottle 281 for a defined period of time.
  • a screw cap closure 380 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 381 is illustrated.
  • the wine bottle 381 includes threads 382 on an upper opening as is well understood.
  • the wine bottle 381 is filled with wine 396 up to a certain fluid level 395 .
  • the screw cap closure 380 includes an outer metal cap 383 having a head 384 and a skirt 385 , interior threads 386 adapted to interoperate with threads 382 of the wine bottle 381 .
  • the screw cap 380 further includes a foamed backing 388 .
  • the screw cap closure 380 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 having a membrane 391 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 and a barrier layer 392 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 .
  • the inside 393 of reservoir 390 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
  • the membrane 391 allows permeation of gases between the inside 393 of reservoir 390 and the head space 394 above the fluid level 395 of the wine bottle 381 filled with wine 396 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 394 of the wine bottle 381 for a defined period of time.
  • the screw cap closure 380 further includes a plastic insert 397 extending radially downward into the neck of wine bottle 381 .
  • the uppermost part of the plastic insert 397 also serves the function of a seal.
  • the plastic insert 397 is equipped with an oxygen scavenging agent. Such oxygen scavenging agent may effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
US13/416,006 2011-03-10 2012-03-09 Closure for a product retaining container Abandoned US20120228164A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/416,006 US20120228164A1 (en) 2011-03-10 2012-03-09 Closure for a product retaining container
US14/263,473 US9511912B2 (en) 2011-03-10 2014-04-28 Closure for a product-retaining container

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161451192P 2011-03-10 2011-03-10
US201161538242P 2011-09-23 2011-09-23
US13/416,006 US20120228164A1 (en) 2011-03-10 2012-03-09 Closure for a product retaining container

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/263,473 Division US9511912B2 (en) 2011-03-10 2014-04-28 Closure for a product-retaining container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120228164A1 true US20120228164A1 (en) 2012-09-13

Family

ID=45812784

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/416,006 Abandoned US20120228164A1 (en) 2011-03-10 2012-03-09 Closure for a product retaining container
US14/263,473 Active US9511912B2 (en) 2011-03-10 2014-04-28 Closure for a product-retaining container

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/263,473 Active US9511912B2 (en) 2011-03-10 2014-04-28 Closure for a product-retaining container

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (2) US20120228164A1 (es)
EP (1) EP2683620B1 (es)
CN (2) CN106043939B (es)
AR (1) AR088776A1 (es)
AU (1) AU2012224574B2 (es)
CA (1) CA2829257A1 (es)
CL (2) CL2013002585A1 (es)
ES (1) ES2708935T3 (es)
PT (1) PT2683620T (es)
WO (1) WO2012120109A1 (es)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110253666A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-10-20 Keller Timothy P Liner-stretching bottle closure body recess and reinforcing insert
USD740741S1 (en) 2013-11-26 2015-10-13 Chad C. Wheeler Storage tube
US20170101227A1 (en) * 2015-10-13 2017-04-13 Nomacorc Llc Closure for a product retaining container
US20190359472A1 (en) * 2018-05-28 2019-11-28 Biab Holdings Inc. Food grade disposable container with a one ounce (1 oz.) or one-and-a-half ounce (1.5 oz.) tap for pouring alcohol with a countertop dispensing stand device, system, and method
EP3665258A4 (en) * 2017-08-09 2021-05-12 Ball Corporation BEVERAGE CONTAINERS WITH REGULATED OXYGEN TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013068473A1 (en) * 2011-11-11 2013-05-16 Nomacorc Llc Closure for a product retaining container
AU2013204663B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2015-07-02 Nomacorc Llc Method of preparing a closure for a product-retaining container
AU2013205007B2 (en) 2013-02-02 2016-05-26 Nomacorc Llc Closure for a product-retaining container
AU2013204542A1 (en) 2013-04-05 2014-10-23 Nomacorc Llc Closure for a Product-Retaining Container
WO2015141558A1 (ja) * 2014-03-17 2015-09-24 三菱瓦斯化学株式会社 容器
CN107618747B (zh) * 2017-07-24 2021-11-02 湖南千山制药机械股份有限公司 组合盖及具有该组合盖的密封容器

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3344093A (en) * 1963-10-29 1967-09-26 Rosen And Strickman Resinous composition and methods of making and foaming the same
US4197955A (en) * 1978-10-26 1980-04-15 Ethyl Products Company Tamper-proof closure
US5381914A (en) * 1991-05-09 1995-01-17 Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd. Container closure with liner
US5806681A (en) * 1996-10-09 1998-09-15 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Article for scavenging oxygen from a container
US5904965A (en) * 1997-04-24 1999-05-18 Nomaco, Inc. Synthetic closure
US6394264B2 (en) * 1999-03-05 2002-05-28 Firmenich Sa Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container
US6511726B1 (en) * 2000-09-27 2003-01-28 Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. Flavor retention and release system
US6997336B2 (en) * 2002-09-23 2006-02-14 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Plastic cafare
US7159374B2 (en) * 2003-11-10 2007-01-09 Inoflate, Llc Method and device for pressurizing containers
US20120118764A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2012-05-17 Ronald James Valus Scavenging oxygen
US8365946B2 (en) * 2008-11-20 2013-02-05 Inoflate, Llc Device with expandable chamber for pressurizing containers
US8524157B2 (en) * 2010-03-12 2013-09-03 Amcor Limited Container having an oxygen scavenging activation system

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3325035A (en) * 1963-10-29 1967-06-13 Rosen And Strickman Container closures
US5407685A (en) * 1986-02-06 1995-04-18 Steris Corporation Controlled oxygen/anti-microbial release films
US5332113A (en) * 1989-11-30 1994-07-26 Elan Pharmaceutical Research Corporation Cap assembly
GB9405249D0 (en) * 1994-03-17 1994-04-27 Smithkline Beecham Plc Container
US6057013A (en) * 1996-03-07 2000-05-02 Chevron Chemical Company Oxygen scavenging system including a by-product neutralizing material
US6221451B1 (en) 1997-04-24 2001-04-24 Nomacorc, Llc Synthetic closure
FR2763046B1 (fr) 1997-05-12 1999-06-04 Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire Capsule metallique de bouchage a insert plastique
US6371318B1 (en) 1997-12-24 2002-04-16 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. Plastic closure with compression molded sealing/barrier liner
US6689438B2 (en) * 2001-06-06 2004-02-10 Cryovac, Inc. Oxygen detection system for a solid article
JP2003002350A (ja) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-08 Masayuki Makita 原料及び圧力気体の収容室を備えたボトルキャップ
ITVI20010180A1 (it) 2001-08-30 2003-03-02 Marco Musaragno Tappo per l'imbottigliamento di vini pregiati, particolarmente adattoalla conservazione ed all'affinamento del prodotto
SE0200434D0 (sv) * 2002-02-13 2002-02-13 Modulpac Ab Plastkapsyl och sätt att tillverka denna
AT412867B (de) * 2003-04-03 2005-08-25 Gregor Nechutny Kunststoff-kork für weinflaschen, der selbsttätig beim öffnen einen dekantier-vorgang auslöst
US20060191419A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Spoljaric Edward S Wine vessel system
MX2007009634A (es) 2007-08-09 2009-02-26 Ct De Investigacion En Aliment Envase activo con liberacion controlada de tocoferol.
CN201296459Y (zh) * 2008-07-21 2009-08-26 南京泽朗医药科技有限公司 一种具有抗氧化功能的真空包装袋
US9051098B2 (en) * 2009-10-19 2015-06-09 Inoflate, Llc Method for pressurizing containers with nitrogen

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3344093A (en) * 1963-10-29 1967-09-26 Rosen And Strickman Resinous composition and methods of making and foaming the same
US4197955A (en) * 1978-10-26 1980-04-15 Ethyl Products Company Tamper-proof closure
US5381914A (en) * 1991-05-09 1995-01-17 Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd. Container closure with liner
US5806681A (en) * 1996-10-09 1998-09-15 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Article for scavenging oxygen from a container
US5904965A (en) * 1997-04-24 1999-05-18 Nomaco, Inc. Synthetic closure
US6394264B2 (en) * 1999-03-05 2002-05-28 Firmenich Sa Perfuming device for perfuming the headspace of a container
US6511726B1 (en) * 2000-09-27 2003-01-28 Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. Flavor retention and release system
US6997336B2 (en) * 2002-09-23 2006-02-14 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Plastic cafare
US7159374B2 (en) * 2003-11-10 2007-01-09 Inoflate, Llc Method and device for pressurizing containers
US8365946B2 (en) * 2008-11-20 2013-02-05 Inoflate, Llc Device with expandable chamber for pressurizing containers
US20120118764A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2012-05-17 Ronald James Valus Scavenging oxygen
US8524157B2 (en) * 2010-03-12 2013-09-03 Amcor Limited Container having an oxygen scavenging activation system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110253666A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-10-20 Keller Timothy P Liner-stretching bottle closure body recess and reinforcing insert
USD740741S1 (en) 2013-11-26 2015-10-13 Chad C. Wheeler Storage tube
US20170101227A1 (en) * 2015-10-13 2017-04-13 Nomacorc Llc Closure for a product retaining container
EP3665258A4 (en) * 2017-08-09 2021-05-12 Ball Corporation BEVERAGE CONTAINERS WITH REGULATED OXYGEN TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS
US11225635B2 (en) 2017-08-09 2022-01-18 Ball Corporation Beverage containers with controlled oxygen transmission features
US20190359472A1 (en) * 2018-05-28 2019-11-28 Biab Holdings Inc. Food grade disposable container with a one ounce (1 oz.) or one-and-a-half ounce (1.5 oz.) tap for pouring alcohol with a countertop dispensing stand device, system, and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20140231430A1 (en) 2014-08-21
AR088776A1 (es) 2014-07-10
CL2015002424A1 (es) 2016-09-23
CA2829257A1 (en) 2012-09-13
AU2012224574A1 (en) 2013-05-09
CL2013002585A1 (es) 2014-04-25
CN103502107A (zh) 2014-01-08
EP2683620B1 (en) 2018-10-31
CN106043939A (zh) 2016-10-26
AU2012224574B2 (en) 2016-09-22
NZ615220A (en) 2015-05-29
CN106043939B (zh) 2019-05-17
WO2012120109A1 (en) 2012-09-13
ES2708935T3 (es) 2019-04-12
US9511912B2 (en) 2016-12-06
PT2683620T (pt) 2019-02-06
EP2683620A1 (en) 2014-01-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9511912B2 (en) Closure for a product-retaining container
US4892230A (en) Carbonated beverage bottle
EP2397419B9 (en) Hydrogen generating, oxygen scavenging closure cap
CN104220341B (zh) 用于产品保持容器的封堵件
US20090123766A1 (en) Modified barrier layers in liners for container closures, capable of providing varible, controlled oxygen ingress
US11225635B2 (en) Beverage containers with controlled oxygen transmission features
US20160251104A1 (en) Bottle with expansion chamber and pinch grips
EP3362374B1 (en) Closure for a product retaining container and method for manufacturing therefor
HUP0203048A2 (hu) Zárósapka és tartály zárósapkával
GB2412368A (en) Closure with integral gas barrier
JP2008280057A (ja) 容器入り飲料水及び容器に飲料水を充填する方法。
AU2013204681A1 (en) Closure for a product retaining container
NZ615220B2 (en) Closure for a product retaining container
GB2205295A (en) Plastics bottles & method of reducing gas permeability
JP6041652B2 (ja) キャップ用ライナー及びライナー付きキャップ並びにキャップ付き容器
AU2012265562A1 (en) Closure and bottle or other vessel comprising a closure
KR200359480Y1 (ko) 음료용기
KR200396029Y1 (ko) 가스 누출 방지 마개
AU2016201915A1 (en) Closure and bottle or other vessel comprising a closure
WO2000058176A1 (en) Closed and filled container with reduced headspace
AU2003203439A1 (en) Alcoholic Beverage Container

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NOMACORC LLC, NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:AAGAARD, OLAV MARCUS;GLASGOW, KATHERINE CAMPBELL;THOMPSON, MALCOLM JOSEPH;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20120508 TO 20120522;REEL/FRAME:028272/0152

AS Assignment

Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT, CO

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:NOMACORC, LLC;REEL/FRAME:029486/0124

Effective date: 20121214

Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:NOMACORC, LLC;REEL/FRAME:029486/0124

Effective date: 20121214

AS Assignment

Owner name: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS RETIRING AGENT;REEL/FRAME:036776/0443

Effective date: 20150821

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: VINVENTIONS USA, LLC, NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 029486/FRAME 0124;ASSIGNOR:ANTARES CAPITAL LP, SUCCESSOR AGENT TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:045472/0816

Effective date: 20180228