DE2341728A1 - METHOD OF CLOSING A BOTTLE OR SIMILAR CONTAINER AND DEVICE FOR SELLING IT - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys

Dr. Dieter F. M ο rf

Dr. Hans-A. Brauns U \ ^ ^{mst 1973}

8 Münsiiö.r. iiü, r.oHsariauerütr. 28

RAYCHEM LIMITED
Moor House, London V / all, London EC2, England

Method for closing a bottle or a similar container and device therefor,

The invention relates to closures for bottles and the like.

Closing of bottles has hitherto been carried out using metal caps, generally are provided with cork inlays and which are on during the bottling process and before pasteurization the bottle necks are pressed open.

This method has several disadvantages.

First, this process requires a very high level of uniformity in the shape and size of the bottle necks (a typical oil balance is about 0.75 mm (0.030 ")) If the neck is too wide, it can be broken by the pressing force »In other cases, none will get tighter Obtained closure, resulting in fungal growth on the

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Cork inlay can lead, especially if the pasteu-. the process is imperfect.

Another disadvantage of such metal fasteners is that once they have been removed can no longer be used as a sealing cap for the bottle, which means that, for example, carbonated drinks very quickly become "stale" and unpalatable.

These problems were to some extent due Plastic closures that have been in use for a relatively short time, §but these are not always released designed so that they can withstand the pasteurization process and the internal pressure in the bottle can, especially if they are sufficiently flexible, to meet larger tolerances in the bottle size to become.

In the method according to the invention for closing a bottle or similar container is made of a crosslinked cap! polymeric material on the neck the bottle or container pressed while the material is above its crystalline melting point and then the cap is cooled below its crystal melting point or left to cool so that it shrinks and grips the neck or container tightly,

In practice it has been found that the normal comparatively low temperature of the bottle and the Contents of the same rapidly lower the temperature of the cap below its crystalline melting point.

The invention is also directed to a device for

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Carrying out the above-mentioned procedure directed and has means by which a cap of crosslinked polymeric material over their Crystal melting point can be brought about by means of pressing the cap over in this state the neck of a bottle and optionally a means for cooling the pressed-on cap below its crystal melting point

Suitable materials from which the caps can be molded include polyvinyl chloride and Polyolefins, especially polyethylene.

The caps can be molded by normal compression molding techniques are and are preferably through high-energy radiation, e.g. through beta or gamma radiation, cross-linked, although chemical methods, e.g. the use of peroxides, are also effective. Networking can done during or after compression molding.

The degree of crosslinking should be such that the caps have sufficient median strength and elastomeric properties above the crystalline melting point so that they conform tightly to the overall shape of the top of the bottle. As it cools, further heat shrinkage takes place, which increases the grip of the cap on the bottle. The appropriate degree of crosslinking for any given polymeric material and for any particular application can be readily determined by experiment. In the case of polyethylene is an initial material density of not less than 0.915 and appropriate elastic modulus at 150 ⁰ C of not less than about 2, 80 kgf / cm (about 40 psi) at 100% elongation, in general.

The caps generally have initial dimensions slightly smaller than those of the tops of the bottle

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are over which they are to be pressed. The caps can of course have design features that enhance their grip or the effectiveness of the seal will. For example, they can have a bead around their inner edge and / or a downward one directional inner circular flange to hold the bracket and seal together with the inside to support the bottleneck.

A cap according to the invention can of course be used for large Differences in the size of the bottle necks and fairly large irregularities used in their design become, which is not possible with a similar metal shutter. Another important benefit of the caps is to remove it by conventional means, such as a bottle opener, and then to replace it Closing the bottle can be brought back into place. In addition, they can do the proportionately withstand the high temperatures used in pasteurization, as well as those within internal pressures of the bottle.

The invention is described in more detail below, for example in conjunction with the accompanying drawing namely show:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a cap;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the use of the cap for · Closing a bottle;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the finished closure; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a further embodiment

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the cap and
FIG. 5 is a view of the cap according to FIG. H from below.

In Fig. 1, a cap 1 is shown, for example molded from polyethylene and crosslinked. The cap has an inner bead on its lower edge 2 provided.

In FIG. 2, the cap 1 is arranged above a bottle neck 3 with an outer bead H. A stamp 5 is used to heat the cap 1 above the crystalline melting point of the material and to press it into place. The finished closure is shown in FIG. As can be seen the inner bead 2 of the cap 1 interacts with the outer bead U of the neck 3 to facilitate locking, when the cap is removed / put back on the bottle.

Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of a Cap 6, which is formed with a downwardly directed circular flange 7, to the assembly and sealing to facilitate inside the bottle neck. The cap 6 is also provided with a bead 8 on its lower edge.

The stamp or the expansion device 5 can, for example act as follows. The caps 1 are heated to a temperature higher than their crystal melting point is, and are then sorted so that they can be handled by a simple device and accurately on the top

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End of the container to be sealed can be arranged. The cap is designed so that the pressure of the stamp 1 on the top causes the cap to expand through the neck of the container and automatically attach Shaped on the spot.

In one attempt, caps were crosslinked! High-density polyethylene with four different wall thicknesses pressed onto the bottles. In any case, the caps held at 70 ⁰ C at a pressure stand, resulting in a typical PasteurxsierungsVorgang at this temperature.

It can be advantageous to have a fusible insert or a sealing ring inside the caps according to the invention to be provided.

A fusible insert can be used for this purpose, for example to form a bond between the cap and the glass or metal surface of the bottle. A sealing ring or a flexible insert can be used to allow for sharp changes in the size and shape of the container to be sealed into account.

The invention is of course also applicable to the closure of containers other than bottles, for example on mason jars, cosmetic and pharmaceutical containers etc..

409008/0965

Claims (1)

436 _Λ ,, ίο 17 AUG. ^? ³ Claims Learn how to close a bottle or, one Similar container, characterized in that a cap made of a cross-linked polymeric material is pressed over the neck of the bottle or container while the temperature of the material is above its crystal melting point, whereupon the Cap cooled to below its crystal melting point or is left to cool, so that it shrinks and the bottle or container tightly encompasses. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap made of crosslinked polyvinyl chloride or crosslinked polyolefin is produced. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the crosslinked polyolefin is crosslinked polyethylene is. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the polyethylene has an initial material density of not less than 0, SE and an elasticity 409808/0965 436 modulus at 150 ° of no less than about 2.80 kgf / cm (about UO psi) at 100% elongation. 5ο method according to claims 1 - U, characterized in that that the cap is beaded around its inner edge. 6. The method according to claims 1-5, characterized in that the cap with a downwardly directed circular inner flange is provided. 7. The method according to claims 1-6, characterized in that that the initial dimensions of the cap are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the neck of the The bottle or the container. 8. The method according to claims 1-7, characterized in that the inside of the cap with a fusible Insert or is provided with a sealing ring. 9. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1, characterized by a device by what a cap from networked! polymeric material can be brought above its crystal melting point, a device by which the cap in this state is placed on the neck of the bottle or other Container can be pressed and optionally one A09808 / 0966 436 Device for cooling the pressed-on cap below its crystal melting point, ΙΟ »Cap for a bottle or other container, characterized in that it consists of a networked polymeric material has been produced. 409808/0965 Blank page