WO2006094632A1

WO2006094632A1 - Drink bottle, especially a wine or champagne bottle, and method for closing a drink bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2006094632A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/001590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Querbach
Original assignee: Peter Querbach
Priority date: 2005-03-07
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2006-09-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a drink bottle, especially a wine or champagne bottle, comprising a neck (4) which merges into a pouring opening (6). The aim of the invention is to provide one such drink bottle comprising a closing system (8) which is used to prevent the taste of the drink contained in the bottle from being altered even over a long period of storage time and largely corresponds to the expectations of the consumer. To this end, the pouring opening (6) is closed by a screw closure (10) which is surrounded by a packaging formed from a profiled cap (22) comprising a cylindrical envelope (25), and a capsule (28) surrounding part of the neck (4). Said profiled cap (22) is especially dimensioned in such a way that, when the bottle is closed, the impression of an upper band is created. The invention also relates to a method for closing the drink bottle, which is especially suitable for the application of one such closing system (8). According to said method, the profiled cap (22) is first connected to a capsule (28) and then placed over the pouring opening provided with the screw closure (10). The capsule (28) is shrunk onto the profiled cap opening (22) and the respective part of the neck (4) of the bottle. Optionally, the screw closure (10) and the profiled cap (22) are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner.

Description

description

Beverage bottle, in particular wine or champagne bottle, and method for

Closing a beverage bottle

The invention relates to a beverage bottle, in particular a wine or champagne bottle, with a bottle neck, which opens into a pouring opening. It further relates to a method for closing such a beverage bottle.

In centuries of tradition, a wine bottle or champagne bottle usually as a closure element on a cork or cork stopper, which is introduced into the pouring opening of the bottle neck of the wine bottle. This way of closing wine and champagne bottles has proven to be particularly effective, because cork as a natural substance fulfills the requirements for long-term storage of the wine in the bottle to a very high degree. In particular, in terms of processability and tightness cork is a cost-effective closure material at reasonable production cost. Moreover, due to the long tradition of using cork to seal wine bottles, such a cork stopper is associated with consumers having great experience in wine making. Consequently, the wine offered in such a closed wine bottle usually enjoys a relatively high esteem among consumers.

As an alternative to using cork, a wine bottle can also be equipped with a screw cap. Usually, a metallic closure cap is used, which is screwed onto the bottle neck via a screw thread and thus closes the pouring opening of the wine bottle. A closed with such a screw cap in a conventional manner wine bottle is clearly distinguishable in its external appearance of a sealed with a cork stopper wine bottle. However, closure systems with screw caps are predominantly used for comparatively cheaper and therefore inferior wines. As a result, a wine offered in a wine bottle with a screw cap is also valued less by consumers than a wine offered in a wine bottle closed with a cork stopper. Contrary to consumer appreciation, however, cork stoppers can also adversely affect the wine stored in the closed wine bottle. In particular, a cork stopper may give off flavorings in the wine bottle as a result of contact with the wine stored in the wine bottle and thus impair or falsify the wine taste. Such deterioration of the wine can occur in 10% up to 16% of the thus stored wine. Furthermore, the cork stopper must be adapted for a sufficient sealing effect comparatively accurate to the inner dimension of the bottle neck or the pouring opening and also be thermally treated, which requires a relatively high production cost.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a beverage bottle, in particular a wine or champagne bottle, the above-mentioned type, the closure system on the one hand to avoid taste impairment of the stored beverage even with a long shelf life and on the other hand the appreciation of consumers in particular Dimensions accommodates. Furthermore, a particularly suitable for attaching such a closure system method for closing a beverage bottle should be specified.

With respect to the beverage bottle, this object is achieved according to the invention by the pouring opening is closed with a screw cap, which is surrounded by a formed from a mold cap with a cylindrical jacket and a surrounding this together with a part of the bottle neck capsule outer packaging.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the consideration that a deterioration in the taste of the beverage stored in the beverage bottle, in particular of the wine stored therein, can be avoided by a consistent omission of cork as closure material. To ensure a long shelf life rather the use of a mechanically stable closure element should be provided on a metallic base with plastic seal. For a particularly easy processability 90

- 3 - a screw cap as a closure system is particularly favorable. In order to ensure a high esteem for the good storage characteristics of the customer groups, the beverage or wine bottle should additionally look like a wine bottle closed with a cork stopper. For this purpose, the screw cap is surrounded by an outer packaging, which recreates the appearance of a provided with a cork closure beverage bottle.

In order to maintain a particularly high dimensional stability even with different handling steps, the outer packaging comprises a mold cap with a cylindrical jacket. This, together with a part of the neck of the bottle, is surrounded by an envelope called a capsule, as might be the case with a bottle of wine or champagne bottle closed conventionally with cork stoppers. The capsule extends beyond the mold cap and also continues to surround an upper part of the bottle neck of the beverage bottle. Precisely because of a considered inferior screw cap near-appearing appearance of the beverage bottle is particularly avoided.

A particularly high-quality impression in the appearance is achievable by the mold cap is expediently dimensioned such that, taking into account the dimensioning of the bottle neck the impression of a so-called upper band mouth for the beverage bottle is created. In the case of a top-level orifice, the bottle at the bottleneck has a broad circumferential bead which is flush with the pouring spout. The appropriate dimensioning ensures in a particularly favorable manner that the same esteem for a bottle of beverage, in particular a wine bottle, that is sealed in this way can be achieved with a wine bottle traditionally closed with a cork stopper.

The closure system for the beverage bottle can be designed such that after the first opening, so after removing the capsule, the mold cap is also removed and separated from the screw cap. For reclosing the already opened bottle while the screw cap can be used. T / EP2006 / 001590

- 4 -

However, in such a concept, at least when reclosing the bottle due to the recognizability of the screw cap, an inferior impression could arise. To avoid this and even to ensure a particularly high-quality impression for the resealed bottle, the closure system is designed in an advantageous embodiment such that when opening and also when resealing the screw cap is handled together with the mold cap and remains firmly connected to this. For this purpose, the mold cap is in such an advantageous embodiment so rigidly connected to the screw that results in a rotationally fixed connection. This ensures that when opening the beverage bottle, the mold cap can be rotated together with the screw cap, so that a decrease in the lid of the bottle without detachment of the mold cap is possible. The preparation of the pressure-resistant connection can be carried out according to any suitable concept; however, one of the following possibilities is preferred:

On the one hand, the end face of the screw cap can be expediently equipped on its outer side with an adhesive bond, which additionally stabilizes its seat in the mold cap. To produce the adhesive bond, double-sided adhesive tape may preferably be provided which can be applied to the screw cap prior to the application of the molding cap in the manner of an etching.

On the other hand, the non-rotatable connection between the screw cap and the mold cap can alternatively or additionally advantageously be produced by snap-in elements molded into the mold cap, which engage in a corrugation already present on the outside of the screw cap.

Furthermore or additionally, the rotationally fixed connection can be provided in a particularly advantageous manner by a suitable dimensioning of the mold cap in relation to the screw cap. For this purpose, its inner diameter and its material is preferably selected in terms of its elasticity such that upon application to the screw cap, a bias arises, which causes a frictional connection between the screw cap and mold cap. Here, the inner diameter of the cylindrical shell of the mold made of elastic material cap is something P2006 / 001590

- 5 - chosen smaller than the outer diameter of the screw cap, so that there is a frictional connection in the attached to the screw cap cap by the resulting static friction forces. The material and the thickness of the wall of the cylindrical shell of the mold cap are preferably dimensioned such that the thread of the screw cap does not appear to the outside, but rather the coat appears smooth from the outside. This preserves a shape that approximates the visual impression of a cork-sealed beverage bottle. This reflects the high esteem of the customers.

On the one hand to facilitate the opening of the beverage bottle and on the other hand, in particular to allow unhindered common twisting of the mold cap with the screw cap, the capsule advantageously has a circumferential tear strip. This is expediently incorporated directly into the capsule and can be designed in particular as aluminum strips or strips of other suitable material or as well as in the capsule incorporated perforation. The positioning of the wrecking tape is preferably chosen such that even when reclosing the already opened bottle creates a high-quality impression. The tear-off edge resulting from the removal of the wipe-off tape in the capsule should thus be located so that it only marginally affects the appearance, in particular in the area of the capsule surrounding the bottleneck and preferably in the vicinity of the lower edge of the attached one molded cap.

For a particularly durable and stable storage while maintaining a high density of the screw is preferably made of metal. To ensure a particularly high density of the screw cap is provided in another or alternative advantageous embodiment on its side facing the bottle interior with a seal made of plastic. As a sealing material is preferably provided as LD-PE designated low density polyethylene. For use in large numbers and a particularly low production cost, the mold cap is preferably also made of plastic, in particular polypropylene. The capsule is preferably made of plastic, in particular of polyethylene foil laminated on both sides with aluminum, or of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film.

With regard to the method for closing a beverage bottle, the stated object is achieved by first of all inserting the mold cap into the capsule and firmly connecting it to the capsule. The capsule is then placed over the pouring opening provided with the screw cap. Then the capsule is shrunk.

Such a sequence makes a particularly time-saving and effective production process achievable. In particular, the mold cap can be arranged in the manner of a pre-assembly in the capsule. The capsule is dimensioned such that the tear strip is placed either on the mold cap or advantageously on the bottleneck. The existing capsule and mold cap intermediate product can then be placed in a simple manner over the screw cap already closing the pouring opening, in particular conventional, already widely used capsule applicator can be used. Subsequently, a shrinkage of the capsule to the mold cap and to the upper part of the bottle neck, whereby a particularly uniform and thus high-quality impression of the closure system is formed. In this sequence, the beverage bottle as such is exposed to the closure measures only for a comparatively short period of time, so that comparatively high throughput rates can be achieved.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the combination of a metallic closure element with a surrounding mold cap on the one hand, a high-quality closure with high sealing effect and on the other hand also a comparatively traditional design in optical terms. It is also ensured that the impression of a beverage bottle or wine bottle with a top-band orifice is conveyed by enclosing the shape cap with a cylindrical jacket and the upper part of the bottle neck with a common, continuous capsule. Wise appreciation is associated with the beverage thus presented. The tear-off band allows for easy separation of the capsule when opening the beverage bottle. Due to the non-rotatable connection between screw cap and mold cap, the mold cap need not be removed when opening the beverage bottle, but can be screwed together with the screw cap. By taking place in the manner of a pre-assembly introduction of the mold cap in the capsule also conventional capsule applicators can be used even better than before, since the mold cap acts as a spacer and the capsule can be better isolated in the capsule setting machine

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

1 shows a wine bottle with a closure system,

FIG. 2 shows in section the closure system of the wine bottle according to FIG. 1,

Figure 3 bottleneck and screw cap in section according to Figure 2, and

Figure 4 in section and in bottom view of a mold cap.

The same parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

The wine bottle 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a bottle body 2, on which a flap neck 4 is formed. Instead of the wine bottle 1, it could also be a champagne bottle. The bottleneck 4 opens into a pouring opening 6, not visible in FIG. 1, which is closed by a closure system 8. The closure system 8 is in terms of its visual impression, ie in particular with regard to its dimensioning taking into account the dimensioning of the bottle neck 4, designed such that for a customer or consumer the impression of a so-called upper band mouth arises. In this case, the closure system 8 makes the outside impression of a arranged on the bottle neck 4, circumferential bead 9, which is flush with the pouring opening 6. The closure system 8 is designed such that, even with a long storage period, an impairment of the stored beverage, in particular of the wine stored in the wine bottle 1, is excluded in terms of taste. For this purpose, the closure system 8 is designed with the consistent omission of a cork stopper. Instead, the closure system 8, as shown in cross section in FIG. 2, comprises a screw cap 10 which closes the pouring opening 6 of the wine bottle 1. This comprises a screw cap 12 which is screwed onto a screw thread 14 of the wine bottle 1.

The screw cap 12 is provided in an inner region 16 on its side facing the bottle interior with a sealing element 18. The sealing element 18 is dimensioned in its dimensions such that it completely covers the pouring opening 6. When screwed onto the screw 14 screw cap 12, the sealing element 18 is fully pressed against the peripheral edge of the pouring opening 6, so that it is completely sealed. In this case, the stored in the wine bottle 1 drink, in particular the wine stored therein, only come into contact with the material of the sealing element 18 in contact. Thus, an impairment of the stored wine, especially in terms of taste, by entry of example cork material safely excluded.

In order to improve the mechanical protection and to largely exclude the screw cap 10 from external interference, for example during storage, the screw cap 10 is surrounded by a mold cap 22 with a cylindrical casing 25 when the wine bottle 1 is completely closed. When the wine bottle 1 is completely closed, it is slipped over the screw cap 12 and dimensioned such that it forms a casing which completely surrounds the screw cap 12 and thus excludes any direct mechanical contact with foreign parts.

In the exemplary embodiment, the closure system of the wine bottle 1 is designed such that even when reclosing a particularly high-quality impression remains. For this purpose, it is provided that even when reclosing the screw cap 12 remain hidden and should be surrounded by the mold cap 22. This is the mold cap 22 rotatably connected to the screw 12, so that when opening or closing the wine bottle 1 of the screw 12 is rotated together with the mold cap 22.

To produce this rotationally fixed connection, the screw cap 12 has an adhesive connection 15 on the side facing away from the bottle neck 4, by means of which the screw cap 12 is rigidly connected to the mold cap 22. As a result, the beverage bottle 1 can be screwed on and screwed onto the cylindrical jacket 25 of the mold cap 22 without additional pressure. In addition, the mold cap 22 is provided in the exemplary embodiment with latching elements 26, which engage a ribbing 12 provided on the screw cap 12 in any case and thus produce or reinforce the rotationally fixed connection.

Alternatively or additionally, the inner diameter of the jacket 25 of the mold cap 22 may be dimensioned such that by pushing the mold cap 22 on the screw 12 in the manner of a press fit, a bias and thus a frictional connection is formed, which also favors the rotationally fixed connection.

The mold cap 22 is substantially dimensioned such that it can be pushed over the screw cap 10 on the one hand, and that, on the other hand, with regard to the size relationships, taking into account the dimensioning of the bottleneck 4, the impression of a top band mouth of the wine bottle 1 arises.

The mold cap 22 is made of plastic, namely polypropylene. The cylindrical jacket 25 of the shaping cap 22 is enclosed by a capsule 28 together with an upper part 27 of the neck 4. The capsule 28 may be made of a polyethylene film laminated on both sides with aluminum foil or of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, also referred to as "Duplo foil." The mold cap 22 and the capsule 28 together form a repacking surrounding the screw cap 10. Capsule 28 resembles the design of a bottle cap usually used for a wine bottle closed with cork stoppers, so that the impression of a conventionally closed with cork stoppers, in particular with regard to the selected dimensions of the mold cap 22 and the neck 4 for the completely closed wine bottle 1 Wine bottle yields formed closure system 8 thus not only allows a high-quality storage of the wine without taste impairment even with long storage time, but also ensures a special appreciation of the customers by the optical design.

For closing the wine bottle 1, the pouring opening 6 is closed with the screw 10 in a first step. In a parallel or temporally offset further step, the mold cap 22 is first introduced into the capsule 28 and firmly connected thereto. Subsequently, the capsule 28 provided with the mold cap 22 is placed in the manner of an intermediate product over the screw closure 10 optionally provided with the adhesive connection and the pouring opening 6 closed by the latter. Finally, the capsule 28 is brought by shrinking with the mold cap 22 and with the upper part 27 of the bottle neck 4 in firm contact.

In order to enable a simple opening of the thus closed wine bottle 1 and subsequently also a simple reclosing with a high-quality visual impression, the capsule 28 has an integrated tear strip 30. This is configured in the embodiment as aluminum band; Alternatively, however, it may also be formed, for example, by a perforation suitably introduced into the capsule 28. After a separation of the capsule 28 by removing the wrecking tape 30, the mold cap 22 - among other things, due to their suitably chosen dimensions - are rotated together with the screw 12, so that provided with the mold cap 22 screw 12 is available for resealing again.

The wine bottle 1 thus has a closed state even with a long storage time corrosion-resistant closure system 8, on the one hand reliably avoids deterioration of the tightness of the screw cap 10 and on the other hand gives the buyer a high-quality overall impression. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

wine bottle

bottle body

bottleneck

pouring

locking system

bead

screw

screw thread

adhesive bond

interior

sealing element

Mold cap cylindrical jacket

Locking element upper part

capsule

demolition tape

Claims

claims

1. Beverage bottle, especially wine or champagne bottle, with a bottleneck

(4), which opens into a pouring opening (6), wherein the pouring opening (6) with a screw cap (12) is closed, the one of a mold cap (22) with a cylindrical shell (25) and one of these together with a Part of the bottleneck (4) enclosing capsule (28) formed surrounding packaging is surrounded.

2. beverage bottle according to claim 1, the mold cap (22) is dimensioned such that, taking into account the dimensioning of the bottle neck (4) creates the impression of a top muzzle.

3. beverage bottle according to claim 1 or 2, which has a rotationally fixed connection between the screw cap (12) and the mold cap (22).

4. beverage bottle according to claim 3, wherein the rotationally fixed connection between the screw cap (12) and mold cap (22) is made by an adhesive connection.

5. beverage bottle according to claim 3, wherein the rotationally fixed connection between

Screw cap (12) and mold cap (22) is produced by a latching between formed in the mold cap locking elements and a corrugation at the top of the screw.

6. beverage bottle according to claim 3, wherein the mold cap (22) is dimensioned such that when on the screw cap (12) applied to form cap (22) creates a frictional connection.

7. beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the capsule (28) has a circumferential tear strip (30).

8. beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the screw cap (12) on its side facing the bottle interior end face with a sealing element (18) made of plastic, in particular made of low density polyethylene.

9. beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mold cap (22) made of plastic, in particular polypropylene, is produced.

10. beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 9, the capsule (28) is made of plastic.

11. A method for closing a beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein first the mold cap (22) introduced into the capsule (28) and this is then placed over the screw cap (12) provided pouring opening (6) and shrunk ,