WO2001096197A2

WO2001096197A2 - Closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2001096197A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/006716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Utz Kador; Lydia Ellen Neumann
Original assignee: Utz Kador; Lydia Ellen Neumann
Priority date: 2000-06-16
Filing date: 2001-06-13
Publication date: 2001-12-20
Also published as: DE10029760A1; WO2001096197A3; AU2001283859A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device (1) for a container (2) with an opening (3). The device is characterized in that it has a sleeve part (5) that is sealingly placed on the inner wall (9) of the container and has a closing part (6) connected to said sleeve part closing the interior (10) of the container from the outside atmosphere. When inserted, the sleeve part extends from the closing part in the direction of the interior (4) of the container.

Description

NERSCHLUSSEINRICHTUNG

The invention relates to a closing device for containers, in particular for bottles, which are intended to hold liquids or gases, especially wine bottles.

Wine bottles are usually closed with a cork. The cork is a natural product and comes from the cork oak. Natural cork has proven itself over the centuries because it combines a good seal of the contents with a certain gas permeability, which is advantageous for the ripening process of the wine.

Natural cork is disadvantageous because its advantageous properties are lost when it dries up and, on the other hand, complete wetting of the cork also leads to a loss of sealing properties.

A particularly serious disadvantage of natural cork is that it can be attacked by bacteria or fungi by default or later, and these bacteria or fungi pass on to the wine and spoil it. This is particularly the case with soaked corks.

Finally, the question arises whether it is indeed the best way to plant huge cork oak forests only for the purpose of satisfactorily closing simple wine bottles.

The production of the cork from the cork oak bark is complex. In the end, good natural cork is very expensive, even in relation to a quality wine.

The object of the invention is to provide a closure device for containers, in particular bottles for liquids and especially for wine bottles, which are simple to produce, simple to use, and good Seal and - if desired - with definable gas permeability.

The invention is based on the knowledge that this object can be achieved by a closure device in which an inner seal between the closure device and the inner wall of the container is combined by means of a sleeve with a separation between the interior and the exterior by a film or plate. The additional decisive advantage is achieved that the sleeve is pressed against the inner wall of the container by the internal pressure in the container. The higher the pressure in the container, the more pressure there is on the sleeve and the better the sealing takes place. This advantage is not achieved with a conventional cork that has the shape of a plug. In the case of a stopper, increased internal pressure causes liquid or gas to be pressed between the stopper and the inside wall of the bottle, which can lead to liquid leakage and wetting of the cork.

The invention relates to a closure device for containers, in particular bottles, with an opening, which is characterized in that it comprises a sleeve part which lies sealingly against the inner wall of the container and a closure part which is connected to the sleeve part and which separates the interior of the container from the Completes the outside atmosphere.

The closure device lies against the wall of the container in a sealing manner. In the case of bottles, it is placed at the end of the neck-shaped opening, as in a conventional cork. The seal takes place between the outer surface of the sleeve part and the inner surface of the neck-shaped opening of the bottle.

The sleeve part is preferably tubular or cylindrical and has a circular cross section.

The thickness of the sleeve part can be varied within wide limits. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve part is relatively thick-walled, so that the closure device is a stable structure and can be easily inserted into the bottle opening. The wall thickness is, for example, 1 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 6 mm, and in particular 3 to 4 mm. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the sleeve part is very small. This is particularly considered in embodiments in which the interior of the sleeve is filled with another material. In this case the wall thicknesses are preferably between 0.01 mm and 2 mm, in particular 0.1 and 1 mm and preferably 0.2 and 0.6 mm.

The sleeve part can at the upper end, i.e. at the end, which, when inserted, is at the top of the bottle, beveled. This is advantageous for aesthetic reasons, because then little of the sleeve part can be seen in plan view.

Down, i.e. when inserted in the direction of the interior of the container, the wall thickness can decrease, preferably decrease continuously. This has the advantage that the lower thin-walled area of the sleeve part can nestle against the inner wall of the container in a particularly well-sealing manner due to the internal pressure in the container.

The sleeve part is preferably made of plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and other thermoplastic materials. Silicone rubber is also a preferred material.

It goes without saying that the plastic should be toxicologically safe and suitable for food, and should be tasteless and odorless when the closure is used for wine bottles.

The properties of the plastic are to be selected so that a good seal between the sleeve part and the container, ie between the outer surface of the sleeve part and the inner wall of the container, takes place. For this reason, a soft, elastic, pliable plastic can be preferred. A suitable surface treatment to improve the sealing properties can also be considered. In addition to the sealing properties, the friction between the sleeve part and the container is also important. Less friction makes it easier to pull the closure device out of the container. The plastics for the production of the sleeve part can be selected appropriately in this regard. Also suitable are plastics that are easily deformable at a slightly elevated temperature and that are good Allow to be inserted into the container opening, but then be stable at room temperature and fit well against the inner surface of the container.

The sleeve part is preferably designed aesthetically. This is achieved by coloring, decorations, lettering, etc. on the outer surface.

The length of the sleeve part depends primarily on the fact that the necessary seal between the sleeve part and the container is guaranteed in all cases. Preferred lengths are between 0.5 and 6 cm, preferably 1 to 4 cm, and in particular 2 to 3 cm.

The sleeve part extends further from its connection to the end part, in the inserted state in the direction of the container interior. This feature is essential because only then can an improved sealing effect be achieved, which is based on the fact that the increased internal pressure in the container, which can be a few bar for wine bottles, presses the sleeve part against the inner wall of the container, thereby increasing the seal. The higher the internal pressure, the more pressure on the sleeve part and the better seal.

The sleeve part preferably extends 10 to 95%, preferably 20 to 90%, in particular 30 to 80% further in the direction of the container interior.

It is also preferred that the sleeve part extends further in the direction of the outside atmosphere. This has the advantage that the end part, especially if it consists of a film, does not come to rest on the upper edge of the container opening and can therefore be better protected. This is also advantageous for aesthetic reasons, because a cover plate can then be provided or the outer sleeve interior is filled with another material. Both alternatives provide protection for the film and, by appropriate design, can make the appearance of the closure device particularly advantageous. The sleeve part extends from the end part further towards the outside atmosphere, preferably in a length of 10 to 50%, in particular 20 to 30%, of the total length of the sleeve part. The end part separates the interior of the container from the outside atmosphere. This end part is connected in a sealing manner to the sleeve part, and can optionally be connected in a sealing manner.

The sleeve part and the end part can consist of the same materials, in particular plastic, or different materials. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve part and the end part are formed in one piece.

In a preferred embodiment, a film is used as the end part. Nature also prefers to use a film or membrane to separate two rooms. The permeability or permeability of a membrane with respect to liquids and gases can be varied within wide limits. This is of particular importance for closure devices for wine bottles, since films can be selected which do not allow liquid to pass through and in which, on the other hand, the gas permeability can be set to certain values. This preferred embodiment is described in more detail below.

The entire inner cross section of the sleeve is spanned by the film.

This inner cross section of the sleeve is freely selectable. It depends on the diameter of the opening of the container, but can be reduced as desired by the thickness of the sleeve wall or the design of the sleeve part. These variation options on the one hand provide different design options with regard to the sealing properties and strength of the closure device, and on the other hand the gas permeability in particular can be set to the desired values.

It is also possible to design the sleeve part so that it not only has a usually cylindrical interior, but is designed as a cylindrical solid body with several passages, which among other things. has the advantage that foils with a smaller diameter can be used, which withstand the overpressure better.

Similar considerations apply to the foils when selecting the material as for the sealing part. Here too, properties such as non-toxic, taste-neutral, food-safe, are advantageous. In particular plastics, but also metals, such as aluminum, come into consideration as material. Suitable plastics are polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester.

Polyfluorotetraethylene is particularly preferred. This polymer is characterized by particular inertness and hydrophobicity.

Polyfluorotetraethylene can be stretched, and in this way porous, in particular microporous, membranes are obtained. These membranes, as they are known under the brand name GORETEX, are characterized by gas permeability on the one hand, but no liquid permeability on the other. For the preferred field of application of the closure device, namely for wine bottles, this can optimally ensure that on the one hand the bottle is securely closed and no wine emerges from the bottle, but on the other hand the desired gas exchange can take place between the environment and the bottle.

The production of expanded, porous polyfluorotetraethylene is described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 3,953,566 and 4,187,390. We expressly refer to the content of these documents.

When using porous, in particular microporous membranes, the porosity is preferably designed such that no liquid but also no solid particles, such as dust, fungi, bacteria and viruses, can get through the membrane.

Other porous membranes, such as membranes made of polyurethane, can also be used.

The membranes can be self-supporting or laminated to another large-pore support, such as a fabric.

The films are preferably made hydrophobic if they are not inherently.

Films with a thickness of 0.01 to 3 mm, in particular 0.1 to 2 mm, and particularly preferably 0.2 to 1 mm, are preferred.

The advantages of using a film over a natural cork are, inter alia, that no consideration is given to storage during storage Cork must be taken. The bottles can be stored horizontally or upright, since neither drying out nor moistening the film is possible.

The films are preferably arranged in the body at a certain distance from the upper edge, so that slight damage to the film by mechanical influences is avoided. On the other hand, it can be advantageous to arrange the film close to the upper edge, because a lower overpressure then arises when the closure device is introduced into the container.

Preferably only one film is used. However, it is also possible to arrange two or more foils at a distance from one another in order to ensure special properties of the closure device in this way. In particular, a liquid passage can be reliably avoided. The gas permeability can also be varied with several films.

When storing wine, the gas permeability of the film is of particular importance, especially when it comes to red wines that have been stored for many years. The gas permeability can be set to optimum values by a variety of possible variations.

First, the cross-sectional area of the film is crucial. The maximum area corresponds to that of the container opening. If the film is arranged at an angle, it can even be larger. A reduction in the cross-sectional area is possible in a simple manner in that the sleeve part as a whole or only that part which is connected to the film has a greater wall thickness.

Second, two or more foils can be arranged one above the other. This also has the advantage mentioned that if a film leaks, at least one of the other films seals.

Thirdly, the gas permeability can be determined by the configuration of the film itself, namely its thickness, the average pore diameter and the number of pores. The film is preferably welded to the sleeve part. Alternatively, a clamp connection or gluing can be considered.

The open internal cross-section of the sleeve part, if a large cross-section is desired, can be over 70% of the cross-section of the opening of the container, preferably between 80 and 95%, while alternatively, if a small cross-section is desired, ranges from 5 to 30%, preferably 10 to 20% can be provided.

The film is preferably designed in such a way, in particular, of such strength and thickness that it can be pierced by hand, which should be done with a simple hand tool.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the end part is plate-like or body-like. This embodiment is particularly suitable when gas permeability through the closure device is not desired. In this case, the design of the end part as a plate makes sense, because a plate-like design does not pose any problems with an increased internal pressure, which can be a few bar. If necessary, the closing part can also be designed to be body-shaped in order to give the closing device more the appearance of a conventional cork. Even with this embodiment, however, there always remains, at least in the lower part, i.e. towards the inside of the bottle, a sleeve part. This is necessary according to the invention, since this sleeve part is largely responsible for the good seal, since the internal container pressure acts on this sleeve part and increases the seal.

In this embodiment with a plate-like or body-like end part, a one-piece design made of plastic is particularly suitable.

A stop can be provided on the upper part of the closure device, which prevents the closure device from being pressed too deep into the container opening when the closure device is introduced into the container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the interior of the sleeve part is completely or partially filled with another material. For example, the outer sleeve interior can preferably be filled with a material that is particularly aesthetically pleasing. For example with cork material to give the closure device the appearance of a natural cork, or with wax, for example, or a plastic material in which indentations and elevations can be impressed in order to increase the aesthetic impression or to apply company logos.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve interior is filled with material. This has the advantage that the closure device has the appearance of a conventional plug-shaped coke. In this embodiment, however, it must be ensured that the material provided in the inner sleeve space is porous, so that the internal pressure of the container presses on the sleeve part. For example, a porous cork granulate or an open-cell plastic foam can be considered for such a material.

A cover plate can be provided on the side facing away from the container, connected to the sleeve part and / or the end part.

This cover plate can serve aesthetic purposes, and it can therefore be made from appropriately decorated or colored.

The cover plate can optionally seal tightly, or if gas permeability is desired, be provided with suitable openings, such as with a central bore, or be designed in the form of a grid.

The cover plate also serves to protect the film.

The cover plate is preferably made of plastic, with the same plastics as for the sleeve part being made of cork, wax or metal.

The closure device according to the invention is preferably produced by injection molding; when using a film, the prefabricated film disc is preferably encapsulated with the plastic in the injection mold. Alternatively, it is possible to connect extruded pipe pieces to the film.

One embodiment consists in providing an outer tube and a two-part inner tube, the film coming to rest between the two inner tubes and being held in a sealing manner by these. The inner and outer tubes can be welded afterwards by heating. The two inner tube parts can be very short, i.e. annular, are formed.

It is also possible to use different plastics for the inner tube and outer tube. Thus, the outer tube can preferably consist of elastic, well-sealing plastic, while the short inner tube ensures the strength and rigidity of the closure device.

There are various possibilities for removing the closure device or for opening the container, in particular the bottle. The first option is to simply pierce the film with a simple tool, such as a stylus. It is particularly advantageous to use a tool that creates a star-shaped crack in the film because it makes pouring out easier.

The second option is to punch out and remove the film.

A third possibility is to use suitable tools, such as a screwdriver-like device, to pull the closure device out of the container.

Another variant is to pierce the film with a pouring device which remains in the closure device for pouring.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows preferred embodiments:

Show it:

1 shows a cross section of a bottle with the closure device inserted. Figure 2 shows the closure device in a perspective sectional view.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 and 6 cross sections of various preferred embodiments of the closure device.

In Figure 1, the closure device 1 is shown inserted into a bottle 2. The closure device 1 consists of a sleeve part 5, which lies sealingly against the inner wall 9 of the container 2. The end part 6, in this case a film, is connected to the sleeve part 5. The cover plate 8 forms the upper part of the closure device 1.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the closure device 1 with two foils 6, 6 ', which are sealingly connected to the sleeve part 5 and cover the entire inner cross section of the sleeve part 5.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment in which the wall thickness of the sleeve part 5 is significantly increased in the area in which it is connected to the film 6. Furthermore, the upper edge of the sleeve part 5 is provided with a bevel 12.

A preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve part 5 having a much thicker wall thickness in the upper region, in order in this way to offer protection for the film.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment in which the sleeve part consists of an outer tube 10 and a two-part inner tube 11, 11 '. The film is held sealingly between the two inner tubes 11, 11 '. Inner tube 11, 11 'and outer tube 10, which preferably consist of different plastics, are sealingly connected to one another, preferably welded to one another.

A preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, in which the end part 6 is designed like a plate. A stop 14 is provided at the upper edge. In the case of the sleeve part 5, the wall thickness tapers downwards. The closure device is formed in one piece.

FIG. 7 shows a further preferred embodiment, the sleeve part 5 and the end part 6 also being formed in one piece. The outer shell The interior is completely filled with another material. This is particularly useful for aesthetic purposes.

The inner sleeve interior is also filled with another material. However, this material must be of such consistency or be arranged so that the internal pressure of the container acts on the sleeve part 5 through the material 15. This configuration gives the closure device the appearance of a conventional cork. However, very significant advantages are achieved by the features according to the invention, namely in particular a high sealing effect and the complete elimination of the problem of drying out or wetting the natural cork material.

Claims

claims

1. Closure device (1) for a container (2), in particular a bottle, with an opening (3), characterized in that it has a sleeve part (5) which lies sealingly against the inner wall (9) of the container (2), and one with the sleeve part (5) connected closing part (6), which closes the interior (10) of the container (2) from the outside atmosphere, and the sleeve part (5) from the closing part (6), in the inserted state, towards the container interior (4), extends further.

2. Vers closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of plastic.

3. Closure device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end part (6) consists of a film.

4. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end part (6) consists of a plurality of spaced films.

5. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the end part (6) is gas-permeable but not liquid-permeable.

6. Closure device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end part (6) is plate-like.

7. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sleeve part (5) and the end part (6) are integrally formed.

8. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the inner sleeve interior (7) is filled with porous material.

9. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sleeve part (5) from the end part (6) extends further on both sides.

10. Closure device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sleeve part (5) from the end part (6), in the inserted state towards the container interior (4) in a length of 20 to 90%, based on the total length of the Sleeve part (5), extends further.