EP1220791B1 - Bonded cork stopper and method for making same - Google Patents
Bonded cork stopper and method for making same Download PDFInfo
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- EP1220791B1 EP1220791B1 EP00967947A EP00967947A EP1220791B1 EP 1220791 B1 EP1220791 B1 EP 1220791B1 EP 00967947 A EP00967947 A EP 00967947A EP 00967947 A EP00967947 A EP 00967947A EP 1220791 B1 EP1220791 B1 EP 1220791B1
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- binder
- cork
- stopper
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- 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
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- 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 caps based on agglomerated cork particles intended in particular for corking wines or bottled spirits.
- the manufacturing process for such closures uses either extrusion continuously, either by unit molding.
- This type of semi-synthetic stopper has a drawback main. Indeed, if we want the mechanical properties of the plug are sufficient, in particular 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 caps, making this type of cap bad suitable for use for aging wines.
- the manufacture of the cap requires a lower quantity of material, and therefore proportionally, of binder, and this results, in the end, in cork with a density close to that of natural cork.
- the purpose of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a technique for manufacturing a cork agglomerated by an organic binder, having a homogeneous alveolar architecture similar to that of natural cork.
- the invention relates to a plug of the type consisting of a agglomerate of natural cork particles and an organic binder, characterized by what the binder is in the form of an open cell alveolar structure.
- an extrusion is carried out, the sausage obtained later being cut.
- an imprint of a mold the quantity necessary to obtain a cap and wear said mold at a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C for a period between 10 and 30 minutes, then unmold the cap.
- the binder comprises a basic polymer constituted by a polyurethane prepolymer and a foaming agent consisting of water.
- the cap after removing the cap from the mold, it is stabilized thermally by bringing it to a temperature between 100 and 150 ° C. for about 30 to 90 minutes, then at temperature between 30 and 90 ° C for a period between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining organoleptic properties appropriate and more particularly of neutrality with regard to the liquid as well mouth.
- Such a cap has the remarkable property of having a homogeneous open alveolar architecture, i.e. similar for the part cork on the one hand and for the binding part on the other hand, the assembly thus having a architecture similar to that of natural cork.
- 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 under form of a powder of a basic polymer consisting of an assembly of macromolecules with molar masses between 150 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 to electrophilic and / or nucleophilic molecule and / or macromolecule with which said polymer is capable of reacting respectively.
- said base polymer is a prepolymer of polyurethane and the foaming agent is water.
- the binder and the cork thus have conformations and properties equivalent physical.
- FIG. 1 Illustrated in FIG. 1, the structure of a plug according to the invention, which includes 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% of the total mass.
- the cork particles have two particle sizes different to obtain a more uniform cap.
- the cork part includes flour and granules, in proportion of about a third of flour for two thirds of granules.
- a surfactant such as a silicone for example, is added to the binding part for the purpose of forming an alveolar structure more homogeneous and with better sliding properties for the stopper.
- a plasticizing agent of the polymer type for example a natural or synthetic latex.
- mixing is carried out at temperature ambient, all the constituents of the reaction.
- a suitable release agent for a period between 10 and 30 minutes.
- This final stabilization step is important because, in its absence, unused reagents, remaining in the cap, could possibly go into alcohol and give it an unwanted taste.
- the starting mixture is shaped by extrusion at a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C, the rod obtained being maintained at a temperature for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then cut to obtain the desired plugs
- the plug according to the invention may possibly be partially or completely coated with a gliding aid or sealing, chosen from those usually used for this purpose.
- FIG. 2A graphs of comparative tests of compression of three kinds of caps with the same diameter of 22 mm and 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 according to respectively compression to 10% of the length of the plugs at the length reduction speed of 10 mm per minute and compression at 50% of said length at the speed of 200 mm per minute.
- FIG. 2B are graphs of elastic recovery of these same caps A, B and C after compression.
- the areas in fine hatching indicate the maximum force in Newton to compress each plug to 50%, while the areas in thicker hatching indicates the value of the expansion force exerted by each plug compressed after 5 minutes of 50% compression.
- the force necessary to compress to 50% the plug is about 480 N, substantially identical to that necessary to compress plug A.
- the elastic return force of the plug C, measured at the the measuring device is of the order of 250 N.
- the plug C according to the invention lies in a very good average hardness and of elasticity and practically does not deform under compression, while by example, cap B is harder and less easy to bottle.
- the invention is obviously not limited to the modes of implementation work described above, but on the contrary covers all its variants, particularly with regard to the nature and proportions of the constituents of the cork part (1) and 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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Abstract
Description
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 caps based on agglomerated cork particles intended in particular for corking wines or bottled spirits.
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 spirits means that there is not enough natural cork to make corks with the qualities physical, in particular sealing against liquids but not vis-à-vis gas, as well as mechanical qualities, such as flexibility and return elastic, 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° 1 177 600, 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 from such cork must be "clogged" by surfacing with a mixture of cork powder and rubber in organic solution, to be able to be used. The result is far from being as efficient as that obtained by so-called "natural" stoppers. We have also developed fully synthetic caps, such as those produced in accordance with Canadian Patent No. 1,177,600, in molded plastic, for example an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which are completely impermeable to gases and therefore prevent the "breathing" of alcohol.
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 also thought of making so-called "agglomerated" caps consisting of mixing cork particles with an organic binder and thermally harden.
Le processus de fabrication de tels bouchons fait appel soit à l'extrusion en continu, soit au moulage à l'unité. The manufacturing process for such closures uses either extrusion continuously, either by unit molding.
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.This type of semi-synthetic stopper has a drawback main. Indeed, if we want the mechanical properties of the plug are sufficient, in particular 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 caps, making this type of cap bad suitable for use for aging 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 decreases its mechanical properties especially the elastic return. This lack of elasticity is a problem important 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 decrease the density of the caps and to increase the properties mechanical, it has been proposed in French Patent No. 2,672,002 to introduce expandable beads in the binder / cork mixture. During molding in temperature, the expanding agent contained in the beads increases the volume in as the thermoplastic walls of the balls soften. It results, upon 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 cap requires a lower quantity of material, and therefore proportionally, of binder, and this results, in the end, in cork with a density close to that of natural cork.
Cette méthode artificielle de fabrication de bouchons agglomérés présente toutefois deux inconvénients.This artificial method of making agglomerated corks has two drawbacks, however.
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 pressure due to expansion, the caps thus manufactured have too large a compactness, which has consequences on its mechanical properties, in particular elastic return insufficient.
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. On the other hand, the use of beads results in that the structure resulting of the agglomeration of the spheres inside the honeycomb structure of the cork, is quite distant, due to its inhomogeneity, from that of natural cork. he it follows that the physical and mechanical properties of these structures different.
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.The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a technique for manufacturing a cork agglomerated by an organic binder, having a homogeneous alveolar architecture similar to that of natural cork.
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.To this end, the invention relates to a plug of the type consisting of a agglomerate of natural cork particles and an organic binder, characterized by what the binder is in the form of an open cell alveolar structure.
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 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 150 g / mol et 500.000 g / mol présentant, par chaíne, 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
- à mettre en forme le mélange en le maintenant à une température comprise entre 120 et 160°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes.
- mixing a cork part and a binder part, 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 by an assembly of molar masses between 150 g / mol and 500,000 g / mol having, per chain, at least one reactive function of nucleophilic and / or electrophilic type and of a foaming agent with molecule and / or macromolecule of electrophilic and / or nucleophilic type with which said polymer is likely to react chemically respectively, and
- shaping the mixture while maintaining it at a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C for a period of 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 sausage obtained later being 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 160°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, puis on démoule le bouchon.According to a second operating mode, an imprint of a mold the quantity necessary to obtain a cap and wear said mold at a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C for a period 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 basic polymer constituted by a polyurethane prepolymer and a foaming agent consisting of 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 %
- eau : entre 5 et 15 %
- agent tensioactif : entre 5 et 15 %
- plastifiant polymère : entre 5 et 25 %.
- polyurethane: between 40 and 80%
- water: between 5 and 15%
- surfactant: between 5 and 15%
- polymeric plasticizer: between 5 and 25%.
Avantageusement, après démoulage du bouchon, on le stabilise thermiquement en l'amenant à une température comprise entre 100 et 150°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.Advantageously, after removing the cap from the mold, it is stabilized thermally by bringing it to a temperature between 100 and 150 ° C. for about 30 to 90 minutes, then at temperature between 30 and 90 ° C for a period between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining organoleptic properties appropriate and more particularly of neutrality with regard to the liquid as well mouth.
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 cap has the remarkable property of having a homogeneous open alveolar architecture, i.e. similar for the part cork on the one hand and for the binding part on the other hand, the assembly thus having a architecture similar 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, et
- 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.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing in a simplified manner the structure of a plug according to the invention, and
- 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 150 g / mol et 500 000 g / mol présentant, par chaíne, 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 under form of a powder of a basic polymer consisting of an assembly of macromolecules with molar masses between 150 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 to 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.Advantageously, said base polymer is a prepolymer of polyurethane and the foaming agent is water.
La mise en contact des produits ci-dessus, préalablement placés suivant un mode de mise en oeuvre, dans un moule aux formes et dimensions du ou des bouchons à obtenir puis portés à une température comprise entre 120 et 160°C pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, conduit à la formation d'une polyurée moussée.The contacting of the above products, previously placed according to a mode of implementation, in a mold with the shapes and dimensions of the or plugs to be obtained and then brought to a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, leads to the formation of a foamed polyurea.
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.The release of carbon dioxide following the reaction with water isocyanate-type terminations of the polyurethane prepolymer, remains trapped in the binder formation reaction by giving it a structure open cell alveolar, close to that of natural cork. Note that this gas is inert and totally edible.
Le liant et le liège ont ainsi des conformations et des propriétés physiques équivalentes.The binder and the cork thus have conformations and properties equivalent physical.
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.Illustrated in FIG. 1, the structure of a plug according to the invention,
which includes
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.We thus move from an open-cell type alveolar structure cork (1) with an alveolar structure with open cells of the binder type (2), so that we find ourselves in a truly comprehensive structure homogeneous, that is to say without a solution of continuity since the two media (1 and 2) are intimately intertwined.
La partie liège du bouchon représente entre 50 et 70 % environ de la masse totale.The cork part of the cork represents between 50 and 70% 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 particle sizes different to obtain a more uniform cap.
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. For example, the cork part includes flour and granules, in proportion of about a third of flour for two thirds of 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.Advantageously, a surfactant, such as a silicone for example, is added to the binding part for the purpose of forming an alveolar structure more homogeneous and with better sliding properties 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 advantageous to reinforce the flexibility of the network. alveolar 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 :
- polyuréthane : à raison de 40 à 80 % environ de la masse totale de liant,
- silicone : à raison de 5 à 15 % environ de la masse totale de liant,
- latex : à raison de O à 25 % environ de la masse totale de liant,
- eau : à raison de 5 à 15 % environ de la masse totale de liant.
- polyurethane: at a rate of approximately 40 to 80% of the total mass of binder,
- silicone: at a rate of approximately 5 to 15% of the total mass of binder,
- 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.
Pour la mise en oeuvre 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 120 et 160°C, pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes.For the implementation of the process, mixing is carried out at temperature ambient, all the constituents of the reaction. We deposit in each individual mold imprint the quantity of product necessary for manufacture of a stopper to which has been incorporated in the known manner a suitable release agent and the mold is brought to a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C, for a period 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 150°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, we unmold and, preferably, we stabilize in stride the stopper, to complete the reaction, by bringing the stopper to a temperature between 100 and 150 ° C, for a period between 30 and 90 minutes, then at a temperature between 30 and 90 ° C, for a duration 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. This final stabilization step is important because, in its absence, unused reagents, remaining in the cap, could possibly go into alcohol and give it an unwanted taste.
Suivant une variante opératoire le mélange de départ est mis en forme par extrusion à une température comprise entre 120 et 160°C, le boudin obtenu étant maintenu à une température pendant une durée comprise entre 10 et 30 minutes, puis tronçonné pour obtenir les bouchons désirésAccording to an operating variant, the starting mixture is shaped by extrusion at a temperature between 120 and 160 ° C, the rod obtained being maintained at a temperature for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, then cut to obtain the desired plugs
Il 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.It should be noted that the plug according to the invention may possibly be partially or completely coated with a gliding aid 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 of comparative tests of
compression of three kinds of caps with the same diameter of 22 mm and
same length, namely a plug A according to
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 10 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 according to respectively compression to 10% of the length of the plugs at the length reduction speed of 10 mm per minute and compression at 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 caps 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 areas in fine hatching indicate the maximum force in Newton to compress each plug to 50%, while the areas in thicker hatching indicates the value of the expansion force exerted by each plug compressed after 5 minutes of 50% compression. AT Illustrative title, for the plug C of the invention, the force necessary to compress to 50% the plug is about 480 N, substantially identical to that necessary to compress plug A. After 5 minutes of compression, the elastic return force of the plug C, measured at the 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. From the examination of the graphs of FIGS. 2A, 2B, it appears that the plug C according to the invention lies in a very good average hardness and of elasticity and practically does not deform under compression, while by example, cap B is harder and less easy to bottle.
Enfin, l'invention n'est évidemment pas limitée aux modes de mise en oeuvre 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.Finally, the invention is obviously not limited to the modes of implementation work described above, but on the contrary covers all its variants, particularly with regard to the nature and proportions of the constituents of the cork part (1) and the binder part (2), as well as the operating methods, in particular the temperatures and the durations of the shaping process.
Claims (9)
- A stopper of the type comprising an agglomeration of natural cork particles (1) and an organic binder (2), characterised in that the binder (2) is in the form of an alveolar structure with open cells.
- A method of obtaining the stopper according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises:mixing a cork part (1) and a binder part (2), with approximately 50% to 70% by weight of cork with respect to the total weight of the stopper, said binder part comprising a polymer formed by an assembly of molar masses of between 150 g/mol and 500,000 g/mol having, per chain, at least one reactive function of the nucleophilic and/or electrophilic type and a foaming agent with a molecule and/or macromolecule of the electrophilic and/or nucleophilic type with which said polymer is able to react chemically respectively, andshaping the mixture while maintaining it at a temperature of between 120 and 160°C for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes.
- A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the shaping comprises an extrusion, the extrusion product obtained then being cut up.
- A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the shaping comprises placing in a mould cavity the quantity necessary for obtaining a stopper and raising said mould to a temperature of between 120 and 160°C for a period of between 10 and 30 minutes, and then removing the stopper from the mould.
- A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the binder comprises a base polymer formed from a prepolymer of polyurethane and a foaming agent consisting of water.
- A method according to claim 5, characterised in that said binder (2) also comprises a surfactant, in particular a silicone, and a polymeric plasticiser such as natural or synthetic latex, the percentages by weight of the total binder being respectively:polyurethane: between 40% and 80%water: between 5% and 15%surfactant: between 5% and 15%polymeric plasticiser: between 5% and 25%.
- A method according to claim 4, characterised in that, after the stopper is removed from the mould, it is stabilised thermally by taking it to a temperature of between 100 and 150°C for a period of between 30 and 90 minutes, and then to a temperature of between 30 and 90°C for a period of between 48 hours and 7 days, for the purpose of obtaining suitable organoleptic properties.
- A method according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the cork part (1) comprises particles with two different granulometries.
- A method according to claim 8, characterised in that the cork part (1) comprises approximately one third cork flour to two thirds cork granules.
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 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1220791A1 EP1220791A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 |
| EP1220791B1 true EP1220791B1 (en) | 2003-07-30 |
Family
ID=9550847
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP00967947A Expired - Lifetime EP1220791B1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2000-10-04 | Bonded cork stopper and method for making same |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Families Citing this family (14)
| 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 |
| PT2776334T (en) | 2011-11-11 | 2019-01-30 | 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 |
| AU2018365001A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2020-05-14 | Vinventions Usa, Llc | Method for manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container |
| US20190136063A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2019-05-09 | Vinventions Usa, Llc | Particulate material for use in the production of a cork composite material or an article of manufacture comprising cork |
| 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 |
| WO2019094806A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2019-05-16 | Vinventions Usa, Llc | Method for manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container |
| CN112805225B (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2024-01-16 | 唯万盛美国有限责任公司 | Decorative closure for container |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2040889B (en) * | 1979-01-30 | 1983-01-26 | Metal Box Co Ltd | Closures for containers for wine or wine-based products |
| US4363849A (en) | 1980-10-30 | 1982-12-14 | The Coca-Cola Company | Foamed thermoplastic resin cork having a natural cork-like appearance and a method of injection molding the cork |
| FR2672002B1 (en) | 1991-01-25 | 1995-05-24 | Sabate Sa Bouchons Champagne | COMPOSITION FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF A CAP AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE. |
| US5904965A (en) * | 1997-04-24 | 1999-05-18 | Nomaco, Inc. | Synthetic closure |
| AUPO832997A0 (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1997-08-28 | Southcorp Australia Pty Ltd | Polymeric closure |
| DE19849149A1 (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 1999-09-16 | Gefinex Benelux S A | Plastic foam stopper for containers, especially bottles |
-
1999
- 1999-10-05 FR FR9912724A patent/FR2799183B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-10-04 DE DE60004252T patent/DE60004252D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-04 AT AT00967947T patent/ATE246126T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-10-04 PT PT00967947T patent/PT1220791E/en unknown
- 2000-10-04 WO PCT/FR2000/002759 patent/WO2001025103A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-10-04 ES ES00967947T patent/ES2204702T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-04 EP EP00967947A patent/EP1220791B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-04 AU AU77935/00A patent/AU7793500A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE60004252D1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
| AU7793500A (en) | 2001-05-10 |
| ATE246126T1 (en) | 2003-08-15 |
| WO2001025103A1 (en) | 2001-04-12 |
| FR2799183B1 (en) | 2001-12-14 |
| ES2204702T3 (en) | 2004-05-01 |
| FR2799183A1 (en) | 2001-04-06 |
| EP1220791A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 |
| PT1220791E (en) | 2003-12-31 |
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