EP1220791A1 - Bonded cork stopper and method for making same - Google Patents

Bonded cork stopper and method for making same

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Publication number
EP1220791A1
EP1220791A1 EP00967947A EP00967947A EP1220791A1 EP 1220791 A1 EP1220791 A1 EP 1220791A1 EP 00967947 A EP00967947 A EP 00967947A EP 00967947 A EP00967947 A EP 00967947A EP 1220791 A1 EP1220791 A1 EP 1220791A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
binder
cork
temperature
stopper
plug
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00967947A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1220791B1 (en
Inventor
Christian Delage
Pierre Dalet
José Alcorta
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LES BOUCHAGES DELAGE
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LES BOUCHAGES DELAGE
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.)
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Publication date
Application filed by LES BOUCHAGES DELAGE filed Critical LES BOUCHAGES DELAGE
Publication of EP1220791A1 publication Critical patent/EP1220791A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1220791B1 publication Critical patent/EP1220791B1/en
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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
    • B65D39/00—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers
    • 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
    • B65D39/00—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers
    • B65D39/0005—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers made in one piece
    • B65D39/0011—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers made in one piece from natural or synthetic cork, e.g. for wine bottles or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the manufacture of stoppers based on agglomerated cork particles intended in particular for corking wines or strong alcohols in bottles.
  • the manufacture of the stopper requires a lower amount of material, and therefore proportionally, of binder, and this results, at the end, a stopper whose density is close to that of natural cork.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a technique for manufacturing a cork stopper agglomerated with an organic binder, having a homogeneous honeycomb architecture similar to that of natural cork.
  • the subject of the invention is a stopper of the type consisting of an agglomerate of natural cork particles and an organic binder, characterized in that the binder is in the form of an alveolar structure with open cells.
  • the invention also relates to a process for obtaining such a stopper, characterized in that it consists in: - mixing a cork part and a binder part, at a rate of 50 to
  • said binder part consisting of a polymer formed by an assembly of molar masses of between 1 50 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, by chain, at least one reactive function of the nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type and of a foaming agent with a molecule and / or macromolecule of the electrophilic and / or nucleophilic type with which said polymer is capable of reacting chemically respectively, and
  • an extrusion is carried out, the rod obtained being subsequently cut.
  • the quantity necessary for obtaining a stopper is placed in an imprint of a mold and the said mold is brought to a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C. for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then unmold the cap.
  • the binder comprises a base polymer constituted by a polyurethane prepolymer and a foaming agent constituted by water.
  • the binder further comprises a surfactant, in particular a silicone, and a polymeric plasticizer, such as natural or synthetic latex, the percentages by mass of the total of the binder being respectively: - polyurethane: between 40 and 80%
  • the cap after demolding the cap, it is thermally stabilized by bringing it to a temperature between 1 00 and 1 50 ° C for about a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C for a period of between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining appropriate organoleptic properties and more particularly of neutrality with regard to the liquid thus blocked.
  • Such a plug has the remarkable property of having a homogeneous open cellular architecture, that is to say similar for the cork part on the one hand and for the binding part on the other hand, the assembly thus having an architecture analogous to that of natural cork.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing in a simplified manner the structure of a plug according to the invention.
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b respectively represent compression graphs and elastic return graphs after compression of three plugs, namely a plug according to the invention, a molded plug of the prior art and an extruded plug of the prior art .
  • the process of the invention consists in its general principle of mixing, on the one hand, natural cork in particulate form, on the other hand, a binder in the form of a powder of a basic polymer consisting of an assembly of macromolecules with molar masses between 1 50 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, per chain, at least one reactive function of nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type to which is added a foaming agent with electrophilic and / or nucleophilic molecule and / or macromolecule with which said polymer is capable of reacting respectively.
  • said base polymer is a polyurethane prepolymer and the foaming agent is water.
  • the foaming agent is water.
  • FIG. 1 the structure of a stopper according to the invention, which comprises particles 1 of natural cork, scattered and embedded in a cellular mass of binder 2.
  • a stopper which comprises particles 1 of natural cork, scattered and embedded in a cellular mass of binder 2.
  • the cork part of the cork represents between 50 and 70% approximately of the total mass.
  • the cork particles have two different particle sizes in order to obtain a more uniform plug.
  • the cork part comprises flour and granules, in proportion approximately one third of flour for two thirds of granules.
  • a surfactant such as a silicone for example, is added to the binder part in order to form a more homogeneous cellular structure and a better gliding property for the stopper.
  • a plasticizing agent of the polymer type for example a natural or synthetic latex.
  • the binder can thus consist of the following components:
  • - latex at a rate of approximately 0 to 25% of the total mass of binder
  • - water at a rate of approximately 5 to 15% of the total mass of binder.
  • all the constituents of the reaction are mixed at ambient temperature. Is deposited in each individual imprint of a mold the amount of product necessary for the manufacture of a stopper which has been incorporated in the known manner an appropriate release agent and the mold is brought to a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C, for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes.
  • the plug is stabilized in the process, to complete the reaction, by bringing the plug to a temperature between 100 and 150 ° C., for a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C, for a period between 48 hours and 7 days.
  • the starting mixture is shaped by extrusion at a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C, the roll obtained being maintained at a temperature for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then sectioned to obtain the desired plugs
  • the plug according to the invention may optionally be partially or completely coated with an agent facilitating sliding or sealing, chosen from those usually used for this purpose.
  • FIG. 2A graphs have been shown of comparative compression tests of three kinds of plugs with the same diameter of 22 mm and of the same length, namely a plug A according to FR 2 672 002, a plug B of the extruded type of the prior art mentioned above and a plug C according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates the behavior of these three plugs respectively according to a compression at 10% of the length of the plugs at the speed of reduction of length of 10 mm per minute and a compression to 50% of said length at the speed of 200 mm per minute.
  • FIG. 2B are graphs of elastic recovery of these same plugs A, B and C after compression.
  • the thin hatched areas indicate the maximum force in Newton to compress each plug to 50%, while the thicker hatched areas indicate the value of the expansion force exerted by each plug compressed after 5 minutes of compression to 50 %.
  • the force necessary to compress the stopper to 50% is approximately 480 N, substantially identical to that necessary to compress the stopper A.
  • the elastic return force of the plug C measured at the level of the measuring device, is of the order of 250 N.
  • the plug C according to the invention is located in a very good average of hardness and elasticity and hardly deforms under compression, while for example the cap B is harder and less easy to bottle.
  • the invention is obviously not limited to the modes of implementation described above, but on the contrary covers all the variants thereof, in particular as regards the nature and the proportions of the constituents of the cork part (1). and of the binder part (2), as well as the operating methods, in particular the temperatures and the durations of the shaping process.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Dry Formation Of Fiberboard And The Like (AREA)
  • Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
  • Compounds Of Unknown Constitution (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a stopper formed by bonded natural cork particles (1) and an organic binder (2), characterised in that the binder (2) is in the form of a cellular structure with open cells. The invention is applicable to stoppers designed for closing bottles of wine and spirit.

Description

BOUCHON EN LIEGE AGGLOMERE ET SON PROCEDE D'OBTENTION AGGLOMERATED CORK CAP AND PROCESS FOR OBTAINING SAME
La présente invention a trait à la fabrication de bouchons à base de particules de liège agglomérées destinés en particulier au bouchage de vins ou d'alcools forts en bouteille.The present invention relates to the manufacture of stoppers based on agglomerated cork particles intended in particular for corking wines or strong alcohols in bottles.
L'augmentation de la consommation de vins et d'alcools fait qu'il n'y a pas assez de liège naturel pour fabriquer des bouchons présentant les qualités physiques, notamment l'étanchéité vis-à-vis des liquides mais pas vis-à-vis des gaz, ainsi que les qualités mécaniques, telles que la souplesse et le retour élastique, qui sont indispensables à un tel usage.The increase in the consumption of wines and alcohols means that there is not enough natural cork to make corks with the physical qualities, in particular the seal against liquids but not against -vis gases, as well as mechanical qualities, such as flexibility and elastic return, which are essential for such use.
On a dû se rabattre sur du liège de qualité inférieure présentant des défauts de surface et de structure. Les bouchons fabriqués avec un tel liège doivent être "colmatés" par une surfaçage par un mélange de poudre de liège et caoutchouc en solution organique, pour pouvoir être utilisés. Le résultat est loin d'être aussi performant que celui obtenu par les bouchons dits "naturels". On a mis au point par ailleurs des bouchons entièrement synthétiques, tels que ceux réalisés conformément au brevet canadien N ° 1 1 77 600, en matière plastique moulée, par exemple un copolymère d'acétate d'éthylène-vinyle, qui présentent une imperméabilité totale aux gaz et qui, de ce fait, empêchent la "respiration" des alcools.We had to fall back on inferior quality cork with surface and structural defects. Corks made with such cork must be "plugged" by surfacing with a mixture of cork powder and rubber in organic solution, in order to be used. The result is far from being as efficient as that obtained by so-called "natural" stoppers. In addition, fully synthetic stoppers have been developed, such as those produced in accordance with Canadian Patent No. 1,177,600, of molded plastic material, for example an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which have total impermeability. to gases and which, therefore, prevent the "breathing" of alcohols.
On a également pensé à fabriquer des bouchons dits "agglomérés" consistant à mélanger des particules de liège avec un liant organique et à durcir l'ensemble thermiquement.We have also thought of making so-called "agglomerated" caps consisting of mixing cork particles with an organic binder and thermally hardening the whole.
Le processus de fabrication de tels bouchons fait appel soit à l'extrusion en continu, soit au moulage à l'unité. Ce type de bouchon semi-synthétique présente un inconvénient principal. En effet, si l'on veut que les propriétés mécaniques du bouchon soient suffisantes, en particulier absence d'émiettement et de perte de matière à l'utilisation ou manipulation, le pourcentage de liant doit être très important. Ceci a des conséquences néfastes sur l'étanchéité au gaz ; le résultat est proche de celui des bouchons synthétiques, rendant ce type de bouchon mal approprié à l'utilisation pour les vins de garde.The manufacturing process for such plugs uses either continuous extrusion or unit molding. This type of semi-synthetic stopper has a main drawback. Indeed, if one wants the mechanical properties of the plug to be sufficient, in particular the absence of crumbling and loss of material during use or handling, the percentage of binder must be very high. This has harmful consequences on gas tightness; the result is close to that of synthetic corks, making this type of cork unsuitable for use in keeping wines.
De même, l'apport de la masse de liant augmente considérablement la densité du bouchon et diminue les propriétés mécaniques de celui-ci notamment le retour élastique. Ce manque d'élasticité est un problème important pour l'étape de mise en bouteille.Likewise, the addition of the binder mass considerably increases the density of the plug and reduces the mechanical properties of the latter, in particular the elastic return. This lack of elasticity is a major problem for the bottling stage.
Afin de diminuer la densité des bouchons et d'augmenter les propriétés mécaniques, on a proposé dans le brevet français N ° 2 672 002 d'introduire des billes expansibles dans le mélange liant / liège. Au cours du moulage en température, l'agent expansible contenu dans les billes augmente le volume en même temps que les parois thermoplastiques des billes se ramollissent. Il en résulte, au refroidissement, un gain important du volume des billes.In order to reduce the density of the plugs and to increase the mechanical properties, it has been proposed in French Patent No. 2,672,002 to introduce expandable beads into the binder / cork mixture. During the temperature molding, the expanding agent contained in the balls increases the volume at the same time as the thermoplastic walls of the balls soften. This results in cooling, a significant gain in the volume of the balls.
De ce fait, la fabrication du bouchon nécessite une quantité plus faible de matière, et donc proportionnellement, de liant, et il en résulte, à la fin, un bouchon dont la densité est proche de celle du liège naturel.Therefore, the manufacture of the stopper requires a lower amount of material, and therefore proportionally, of binder, and this results, at the end, a stopper whose density is close to that of natural cork.
Cette méthode artificielle de fabrication de bouchons agglomérés présente toutefois deux inconvénients.This artificial method of manufacturing agglomerated corks, however, has two drawbacks.
Malgré leur faible densité, du fait de la pression due à l'expansion, les bouchons ainsi fabriqués ont une compacité trop importante, ce qui a des conséquences sur ses propriétés mécaniques, en particulier un retour élastique insuffisant.Despite their low density, due to the pressure due to expansion, the plugs thus produced have too high a compactness, which has consequences on its mechanical properties, in particular an insufficient elastic return.
D'autre part, l'utilisation de billes a pour résultat que la structure issue de l'agglomération des sphères à l'intérieur de la structure alvéolaire du liège, est assez éloignée, du fait de son inhomogénéité, de celle du liège naturel. Il s'ensuit que les propriétés physiques et mécaniques de ces structures diffèrent. Le but de la présente invention est de pallier ces inconvénients en proposant une technique de fabrication d'un bouchon en liège aggloméré par un liant organique, présentant une architecture alvéolaire homogène similaire à celle du liège naturel. A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un bouchon du type constitué d'un agglomérat de particules de liège naturel et d'un liant organique, caractérisé en ce que le liant est sous forme d'une structure alvéolaire à cellules ouvertes.On the other hand, the use of balls has the result that the structure resulting from the agglomeration of the spheres inside the honeycomb structure of the cork, is quite distant, due to its inhomogeneity, from that of natural cork. It follows that the physical and mechanical properties of these structures differ. The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a technique for manufacturing a cork stopper agglomerated with an organic binder, having a homogeneous honeycomb architecture similar to that of natural cork. To this end, the subject of the invention is a stopper of the type consisting of an agglomerate of natural cork particles and an organic binder, characterized in that the binder is in the form of an alveolar structure with open cells.
L'invention a également pour objet un procédé d'obtention d'un tel bouchon, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste : - à mélanger une partie liège et une partie liant, à raison de 50 àThe invention also relates to a process for obtaining such a stopper, characterized in that it consists in: - mixing a cork part and a binder part, at a rate of 50 to
70 % environ en masse de liège par rapport à la masse totale du bouchon, ladite partie liant étant constituée d'un polymère formé d'un assemblage de masses molaires comprises entre 1 50 g / mol et 500.000 g / mol présentant, par chaîne, au moins une fonction réactive de type nucléophile et / ou électrophile et d'un agent moussant à molécule et / ou macromolécule de type électrophile et / ou nucléophile avec lequel ledit polymère est susceptible de réagir chimiquement respectivement, etApproximately 70% by mass of cork relative to the total mass of the stopper, said binder part consisting of a polymer formed by an assembly of molar masses of between 1 50 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, by chain, at least one reactive function of the nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type and of a foaming agent with a molecule and / or macromolecule of the electrophilic and / or nucleophilic type with which said polymer is capable of reacting chemically respectively, and
- à mettre en forme le mélange en le maintenant à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes.- Shaping the mixture by maintaining it at a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C for a time between 10 and 30 minutes.
Suivant un premier mode opératoire, on effectue une extrusion, le boudin obtenu étant ultérieurement tronçonné.According to a first operating mode, an extrusion is carried out, the rod obtained being subsequently cut.
Suivant un second mode opératoire, on place dans une empreinte d'un moule la quantité nécessaire pour l'obtention d'un bouchon et on porte ledit moule à une température comprise entre 120 et 1 60°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, puis on démoule le bouchon.According to a second operating mode, the quantity necessary for obtaining a stopper is placed in an imprint of a mold and the said mold is brought to a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C. for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then unmold the cap.
Avantageusement, le liant comprend un polymère de base constitué par un prépolymère de polyuréthane et un agent moussant constitué par de l'eau.Advantageously, the binder comprises a base polymer constituted by a polyurethane prepolymer and a foaming agent constituted by water.
De préférence, le liant comprend en outre une agent tensioactif, notamment un silicone, et un plastifiant polymère, tel que du latex naturel ou synthétique, les pourcentages en masse du total du liant étant respectivement : - polyuréthane : entre 40 et 80 %Preferably, the binder further comprises a surfactant, in particular a silicone, and a polymeric plasticizer, such as natural or synthetic latex, the percentages by mass of the total of the binder being respectively: - polyurethane: between 40 and 80%
- eau : entre 5 et 1 5 %- water: between 5 and 1 5%
- agent tensioactif : entre 5 et 1 5 %- surfactant: between 5 and 1 5%
- plastifiant polymère : entre 5 et 25 %. Avantageusement, après démoulage du bouchon, on le stabilise thermiquement en l'amenant à une température comprise entre 1 00 et 1 50°C pendant environ une durée comprise entre 30 et 90 minutes, puis à une température comprise entre 30 et 90°C pendant une durée comprise entre 48 heures et 7 jours, à des fins d'obtention de propriétés organoleptiques appropriées et plus particulièrement de neutralité à l'égard du liquide ainsi bouché.- polymeric plasticizer: between 5 and 25%. Advantageously, after demolding the cap, it is thermally stabilized by bringing it to a temperature between 1 00 and 1 50 ° C for about a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C for a period of between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining appropriate organoleptic properties and more particularly of neutrality with regard to the liquid thus blocked.
Un tel bouchon présente la propriété remarquable de posséder une architecture alvéolaire ouverte homogène, c'est-à-dire similaire pour la partie liège d'une part et pour la partie liant d'autre part, l'ensemble ayant ainsi une architecture analogue à celle du liège naturel.Such a plug has the remarkable property of having a homogeneous open cellular architecture, that is to say similar for the cork part on the one hand and for the binding part on the other hand, the assembly thus having an architecture analogous to that of natural cork.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages ressortiront de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention, description donnée à titre d'exemple uniquement et en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels : - la figure 1 est un schéma représentant de manière simplifiée la structure d'un bouchon selon l'invention, etOther characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows of an embodiment of the method of the invention, description given by way of example only and with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a diagram showing in a simplified manner the structure of a plug according to the invention, and
- les figures 2a et 2b représentent respectivement des graphes de compression et des graphes de retour élastique après compression de trois bouchons, à savoir un bouchon selon l'invention, un bouchon moulé de l'art antérieur et un bouchon extrudé de l'art antérieur.- Figures 2a and 2b respectively represent compression graphs and elastic return graphs after compression of three plugs, namely a plug according to the invention, a molded plug of the prior art and an extruded plug of the prior art .
Le procédé de l'invention consiste dans son principe général à mélanger, d'une part, du liège naturel sous forme particulaire, d'autre part, un liant sous forme d'une poudre d'un polymère de base constitué d'un assemblage de macromolécules de masses molaires comprises entre 1 50 g / mol et 500 000 g / mol présentant, par chaîne, au moins une fonction réactive de type nucléophile et / ou électrophile à laquelle est adjoint un agent moussant à molécule et / ou macromolécule de type électrophile et / ou nucléophile avec lequel ledit polymère est susceptible de réagir respectivement.The process of the invention consists in its general principle of mixing, on the one hand, natural cork in particulate form, on the other hand, a binder in the form of a powder of a basic polymer consisting of an assembly of macromolecules with molar masses between 1 50 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, per chain, at least one reactive function of nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type to which is added a foaming agent with electrophilic and / or nucleophilic molecule and / or macromolecule with which said polymer is capable of reacting respectively.
Avantageusement, ledit polymère de base est un prépolymère de polyuréthane et l'agent moussant est de l'eau. La mise en contact des produits ci-dessus, préalablement placés suivant un mode de mise en œuvre, dans un moule aux formes et dimensions du ou des bouchons à obtenir puis portés à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, conduit à la formation d'une polyurée moussée. Le dégagement de gaz carbonique consécutif à la réaction avec l'eau des terminaisons de type isocyanate du prépolymère de polyuréthane, reste piégé dans la réaction de formation du liant en lui conférant une structure alvéolaire à cellules ouvertes, proche de celle du liège naturel. Il est à noter que ce gaz est inerte et totalement alimentaire. Le liant et le liège ont ainsi des conformations et des propriétés physiques équivalentes.Advantageously, said base polymer is a polyurethane prepolymer and the foaming agent is water. The contacting of the above products, previously placed according to an embodiment, in a mold with the shapes and dimensions of the plug (s) to be obtained and then brought to a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C for a period between 10 and 30 minutes, leads to the formation of a foamed polyurea. The release of carbon dioxide following the reaction with water of the isocyanate-type terminations of the polyurethane prepolymer remains trapped in the reaction of formation of the binder by giving it an alveolar structure with open cells, close to that of natural cork. It should be noted that this gas is inert and completely edible. The binder and the cork thus have equivalent conformations and physical properties.
On a illustré sur la figure 1 , la structure d'un bouchon selon l'invention, laquelle comprend des particules 1 de liège naturel, disséminées et noyées dans une masse alvéolaire de liant 2. On passe ainsi d'une structure alvéolaire à cellules ouvertes de type liège (1 ) à une structure alvéolaire à cellules ouvertes de type liant (2), en sorte que l'on se trouve dans une structure d'ensemble véritablement homogène, c'est-à-dire sans solution de continuité puisque les deux milieux (1 et 2) sont intimement mêlés. La partie liège du bouchon représente entre 50 et 70 % environ de la masse totale.Is illustrated in Figure 1, the structure of a stopper according to the invention, which comprises particles 1 of natural cork, scattered and embedded in a cellular mass of binder 2. We thus pass from an open cell cellular structure of the cork type (1) to an open cell structure of the binder type (2), so that one finds oneself in a truly homogeneous overall structure, that is to say without a solution of continuity since the two environments (1 and 2) are intimately mixed. The cork part of the cork represents between 50 and 70% approximately of the total mass.
De préférence, les particules de liège ont deux granulométries différentes afin d'obtenir un bouchon plus homogène.Preferably, the cork particles have two different particle sizes in order to obtain a more uniform plug.
Par exemple, la partie liège comprend de la farine et des granules, en proportion environ d'un tiers de farine pour deux tiers de granules. Avantageusement, un agent tensioactif, tel qu'un silicone par exemple, est ajouté à la partie liant à des fins de formation d'une structure alvéolaire plus homogène et d'une meilleure propriété de glisse pour le bouchon.For example, the cork part comprises flour and granules, in proportion approximately one third of flour for two thirds of granules. Advantageously, a surfactant, such as a silicone for example, is added to the binder part in order to form a more homogeneous cellular structure and a better gliding property for the stopper.
De même, on peut avantageusement renforcer la souplesse du réseau alvéolaire en ajoutant un agent plastifiant de type polymère, par exemple un latex naturel ou synthétique.Likewise, it is advantageously possible to strengthen the flexibility of the cellular network by adding a plasticizing agent of the polymer type, for example a natural or synthetic latex.
A titre indicatif, le liant peut ainsi être constitué des composants ci-après :As an indication, the binder can thus consist of the following components:
- polyuréthane : à raison de 40 à 80 % environ de la masse totale dé liant,- polyurethane: at a rate of approximately 40 to 80% of the total binder mass,
- silicone : à raison de 5 à 1 5 % environ de la masse totale de liant,- silicone: at a rate of approximately 5 to 15% of the total mass of binder,
- latex : à raison de 0 à 25 % environ de la masse totale de liant, - eau : à raison de 5 à 1 5 % environ de la masse totale de liant. Pour la mise en œuvre du procédé, on mélange, à température ambiante, l'ensemble des constituants de la réaction. On dépose dans chaque empreinte individuelle d'un moule la quantité de produit nécessaire à la fabrication d'un bouchon à laquelle on a incorporé à la manière connue un agent de démoulage approprié et on porte le moule à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C, pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes.- latex: at a rate of approximately 0 to 25% of the total mass of binder, - water: at a rate of approximately 5 to 15% of the total mass of binder. For the implementation of the process, all the constituents of the reaction are mixed at ambient temperature. Is deposited in each individual imprint of a mold the amount of product necessary for the manufacture of a stopper which has been incorporated in the known manner an appropriate release agent and the mold is brought to a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C, for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes.
Puis, on démoule et, de préférence, on stabilise dans la foulée le bouchon, pour achever la réaction, en portant le bouchon à une température comprise entre 100 et 1 50°C, pendant une durée comprise entre 30 et 90 minutes, puis à une température comprise entre 30 et 90°C, pendant une durée comprise entre 48 heures et 7 jours.Then, it is removed from the mold and, preferably, the plug is stabilized in the process, to complete the reaction, by bringing the plug to a temperature between 100 and 150 ° C., for a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C, for a period between 48 hours and 7 days.
Cette étape finale de stabilisation est importante car, en son absence, des réactifs non utilisés, et subsistant dans le bouchon, pourraient éventuellement passer dans l'alcool et lui conférer un goût non désiré. Suivant une variante opératoire le mélange de départ est mis en forme par extrusion à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C, le boudin obtenu étant maintenu à une température pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, puis tronçonné pour obtenir les bouchons désirés II est à noter que le bouchon selon l'invention peut éventuellement être revêtu partiellement ou totalement d'un agent facilitant la glisse ou l'étanchéité, choisi parmi ceux habituellement utilisés à cet effet.This final stabilization step is important because, in its absence, unused reagents, which remain in the stopper, could possibly pass into the alcohol and give it an undesired taste. According to an operating variant, the starting mixture is shaped by extrusion at a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C, the roll obtained being maintained at a temperature for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then sectioned to obtain the desired plugs It should be noted that the plug according to the invention may optionally be partially or completely coated with an agent facilitating sliding or sealing, chosen from those usually used for this purpose.
Sur la figure 2A, on a représenté des graphes de tests comparatifs de compression de trois sortes de bouchons d'un même diamètre de 22 mm et de même longueur, à savoir un bouchon A selon FR 2 672 002, un bouchon B du type extrudé de l'art antérieur rappelé plus haut et un bouchon C selon l'invention.In FIG. 2A, graphs have been shown of comparative compression tests of three kinds of plugs with the same diameter of 22 mm and of the same length, namely a plug A according to FR 2 672 002, a plug B of the extruded type of the prior art mentioned above and a plug C according to the invention.
La figure 2A illustre le comportement de ces trois bouchons suivant respectivement une compression à 10 % de la longueur des bouchons à la vitesse de réduction de longueur de 1 0 mm par minute et une compression à 50 % de ladite longueur à la vitesse de 200 mm par minute.FIG. 2A illustrates the behavior of these three plugs respectively according to a compression at 10% of the length of the plugs at the speed of reduction of length of 10 mm per minute and a compression to 50% of said length at the speed of 200 mm per minute.
Sur la figure 2B sont représentés des graphes de reprise élastique de ces mêmes bouchons A, B et C après compression.In FIG. 2B are graphs of elastic recovery of these same plugs A, B and C after compression.
Les zones en fines hachures indiquent la force maximale en Newton pour comprimer chaque bouchon à 50 %, cependant que les zones en hachures plus épaisses indiquent la valeur de la force d'expansion exercée par chaque bouchon comprimé au bout de 5 minutes de compression à 50 %. A titre illustratif, pour le bouchon C de l'invention, la force nécessaire pour comprimer à 50 % le bouchon est d'environ 480 N, sensiblement identique à celle nécessaire pour comprimer le bouchon A. Au bout de 5 minutes de compression, la force de retour élastique du bouchon C, mesurée au palier de l'appareil de mesure, est de l'ordre de 250 N.The thin hatched areas indicate the maximum force in Newton to compress each plug to 50%, while the thicker hatched areas indicate the value of the expansion force exerted by each plug compressed after 5 minutes of compression to 50 %. By way of illustration, for the stopper C of the invention, the force necessary to compress the stopper to 50% is approximately 480 N, substantially identical to that necessary to compress the stopper A. After 5 minutes of compression, the elastic return force of the plug C, measured at the level of the measuring device, is of the order of 250 N.
De l'examen des graphes des figures 2A, 2B, il ressort que le bouchon C selon l'invention se situe dans une très bonne moyenne de dureté et d'élasticité et ne se déforme pratiquement pas à la compression, alors que par exemple le bouchon B est plus dur et est moins facile à embouteiller. Enfin, l'invention n'est évidemment pas limitée aux modes de mise en œuvre décrits ci-dessus, mais en couvre au contraire toutes les variantes, notamment en ce qui concerne la nature et les proportions des constituants de la partie liège (1 ) et de la partie liant (2), ainsi que les modalités opératoires, notamment les températures et les durées du processus de mise en forme. From the examination of the graphs of FIGS. 2A, 2B, it appears that the plug C according to the invention is located in a very good average of hardness and elasticity and hardly deforms under compression, while for example the cap B is harder and less easy to bottle. Finally, the invention is obviously not limited to the modes of implementation described above, but on the contrary covers all the variants thereof, in particular as regards the nature and the proportions of the constituents of the cork part (1). and of the binder part (2), as well as the operating methods, in particular the temperatures and the durations of the shaping process.

Claims

yR E V E N D I C A T I O N S yR EVENDICATIONS
1 . Bouchon du type constitué d'un agglomérat de particules de liège naturel (1 ) et d'un liant organique (2), caractérisé en ce que le liant (2) est sous forme d'une structure alvéolaire à cellules ouvertes.1. Cap of the type consisting of an agglomerate of natural cork particles (1) and an organic binder (2), characterized in that the binder (2) is in the form of an alveolar structure with open cells.
2. Procédé d'obtention du bouchon selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste :2. Method for obtaining the plug according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists:
- à mélanger une partie liège (1 ) et une partie liant (2), à raison de 50 à 70 % environ en masse de liège par rapport à la masse totale du bouchon, ladite partie liant étant constituée d'un polymère formé d'un assemblage de masses molaires comprises entre 1 50 g / mol et 500.000 g / mol présentant, par chaîne, au moins une fonction réactive de type nucléophile et / ou électrophile et d'un agent moussant à molécule et / ou macromolécule de type électrophile et / ou nucléophile avec lequel ledit polymère est susceptible de réagir chimiquement respectivement, et- mixing a cork part (1) and a binder part (2), at a rate of approximately 50 to 70% by mass of cork relative to the total mass of the stopper, said binder part consisting of a polymer formed from an assembly of molar masses of between 1 50 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, per chain, at least one reactive function of the nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type and of a foaming agent with a molecule and / or macromolecule of the electrophilic type and / or nucleophile with which said polymer is capable of reacting chemically respectively, and
- à mettre en forme le mélange en le maintenant à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C pendant une durée comprise entre 1 0 et 30 minutes.- Shaping the mixture by maintaining it at a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C for a time between 1 0 and 30 minutes.
3. Procédé suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la mise en forme consiste en une extrusion, le boudin obtenu étant ensuite tronçonné.3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaping consists of an extrusion, the strand obtained then being cut.
4. Procédé suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la mise en forme consiste à placer dans une empreinte d'un moule la quantité nécessaire pour l'obtention d'un bouchon et à porter ledit moule à une température comprise entre 1 20 et 1 60°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, puis à démouler le bouchon4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaping consists in placing in an imprint of a mold the quantity necessary for obtaining a stopper and in bringing said mold to a temperature between 1 20 and 1 60 ° C for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then unmolding the cap
5. Procédé suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le liant comprend un polymère de base constitué par un prépolymère de polyuréthane et un agent moussant constitué par de l'eau.5. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the binder comprises a base polymer consisting of a polyurethane prepolymer and a foaming agent consisting of water.
6. Procédé suivant la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit liant (2) comprend en outre une agent tensioactif, notamment un silicone, et un plastifiant polymère, tel que du latex naturel ou synthétique, les pourcentages en masse du total du liant étant respectivement :6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said binder (2) further comprises a surfactant, in particular a silicone, and a polymeric plasticizer, such as natural or synthetic latex, the percentages by mass of the total of the binder being respectively:
- polyuréthane : entre 40 et 80 %- polyurethane: between 40 and 80%
- eau : entre 5 et 1 5 % - agent tensioactif : entre 5 et 1 5 %- water: between 5 and 1 5% - surfactant: between 5 and 1 5%
- plastifiant polymère : entre 5 et 25 %.- polymeric plasticizer: between 5 and 25%.
7. Procédé suivant la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'après démoulage du bouchon, on le stabilise thermiquement en l'amenant à une température comprise entre 1 00 et 1 50°C pendant une durée comprise entre 30 et 90 minutes, puis à une température comprise entre 30 et 90°C pendant une durée comprise entre 48 heures et 7 jours, à des fins d'obtention de propriétés organoleptiques appropriées.7. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that after demolding the plug, it is thermally stabilized by bringing it to a temperature between 1 00 and 1 50 ° C for a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C for a period of between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining appropriate organoleptic properties.
8. Procédé suivant l'une des revendications 2 à 7, caractérisé en ce que la partie liège (1 ) comprend des particules de deux granulométries différentes. 8. Method according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the cork part (1) comprises particles of two different particle sizes.
9. Procédé suivant la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la partie liège (1 ) comprend environ un tiers de farine de liège pour deux tiers de granules de liège. 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the cork part (1) comprises approximately one third of cork flour for two thirds of cork granules.
EP00967947A 1999-10-05 2000-10-04 Bonded cork stopper and method for making same Expired - Lifetime EP1220791B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9912724A FR2799183B1 (en) 1999-10-05 1999-10-05 AGGLOMERATED CORK CAP AND PROCESS FOR OBTAINING SAME
FR9912724 1999-10-05
PCT/FR2000/002759 WO2001025103A1 (en) 1999-10-05 2000-10-04 Bonded cork stopper and method for making same

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP1220791A1 true EP1220791A1 (en) 2002-07-10
EP1220791B1 EP1220791B1 (en) 2003-07-30

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EP (1) EP1220791B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE246126T1 (en)
AU (1) AU7793500A (en)
DE (1) DE60004252D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2204702T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2799183B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1220791E (en)
WO (1) WO2001025103A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2905626B1 (en) * 2006-09-13 2012-08-31 Ardennes Chirorees PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A PRODUCT IN AGGLOMERATED LIEGE
BRPI0604459B1 (en) 2006-10-03 2014-04-15 Jose Norberto Pinto Coelho STOPPING PROCESS FROM AGLOMERATION OF MIXED MATERIALS
PT103591B (en) * 2006-10-17 2010-03-23 Inst Superior Tecnico PROCESS OF PRODUCTION OF CYLINDRICAL BODIES OF CORK COMPOSITE MATERIAL, INTENDED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ROLLS FOR PRESSURE WINES, AS WELL AS THE ROLLS PRODUCED BY THIS PROCESS
EP2776334B1 (en) 2011-11-11 2018-10-24 Vinventions USA, 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
EP3494169A1 (en) * 2016-08-02 2019-06-12 Vinventions USA, LLC Closure for a product-retaining container
WO2019094776A1 (en) 2017-11-09 2019-05-16 Vinventions Usa, Llc Method for manufacturing coated particles
US20190135499A1 (en) 2017-11-09 2019-05-09 Vinventions Usa, Llc Thermoplastic material and use thereof in the production of a cork composite material
EP3707077B1 (en) 2017-11-09 2023-12-27 Vinventions USA, LLC Method for manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container
WO2019094756A1 (en) 2017-11-09 2019-05-16 Vinventions Usa, Llc Particulate material for use in the production of a cork composite material or an article of manufacture comprising cork
US11565853B2 (en) 2017-11-09 2023-01-31 Vinventions Usa, Llc Method for manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container
WO2020046528A1 (en) 2018-08-31 2020-03-05 Vinventions Usa, Llc Decorative closure for a container

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Publication number Publication date
ATE246126T1 (en) 2003-08-15
DE60004252D1 (en) 2003-09-04
WO2001025103A1 (en) 2001-04-12
FR2799183B1 (en) 2001-12-14
ES2204702T3 (en) 2004-05-01
FR2799183A1 (en) 2001-04-06
EP1220791B1 (en) 2003-07-30
AU7793500A (en) 2001-05-10
PT1220791E (en) 2003-12-31

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