EP3372520A1

EP3372520A1 - Unit comprising a stopper and stopper-locking cap for shipping sparkling wines

Info

Publication number: EP3372520A1
Application number: EP16861651.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Luis Gómez Cao
Original assignee: Enotop Closures SL
Current assignee: Enotop Closures SL
Priority date: 2015-11-03
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Also published as: WO2017077154A1; EP3372520A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a unit (1) comprising a stopper (2) and a cap (3) for locking the stopper (2), for shipping sparkling wines. The stopper (2) comprises a cover part (21) and a securing skirt (22) that extends from the perimeter of the cover part (21), the securing skirt being provided with at least one projection (23) oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into an annular opening (A) of the bottle (B). According to the invention, the cap (3) is a hollow cylinder (31) comprising a sealing ring (4) joined to the hollow cylinder (31) and having continuity with the inner surface of the cap (3), such that the sealing ring can perform the function of locking the securing skirt (22) when the sealing ring (4) is facing the securing skirt (22) after relative rotation and axial displacement between the stopper (2) and the cap (3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a unit comprising a stopper and a cap for locking the stopper for shipping sparkling wines, of the type that are made of plastic for the purpose of replacing cork stoppers and that are also reversible, such that they enable the bottle to be covered again.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The utility model published with number ES 1 035 703 U describes a unit comprising a stopper and a cap for locking the stopper for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle with a finish that has an annular opening on the outer surface thereof.
In the part known as stopper in the present document, there is a cover part and a plurality of flexible tabs that extend from the perimeter of the cover part, the tabs being provided with projections oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into the annular opening in a configuration for locking the unit on the bottle. This is the part intended to cover the mouth of the bottle.
The other part of the unit is the cap, which is a hollow cylinder closed by an upper cover. According to the degree of insertion of the stopper in the cap, two end configurations can be obtained:

∘ a locking configuration wherein one hollow cylinder part surrounds the outer surface of the tabs, such that these tabs cannot be opened;
∘ an unlocking configuration wherein said hollow cylinder part is not facing the outer surface of the tabs, such that these tabs can be deformed, the projections of the opening can be disengaged and the unit can be removed from the bottle.

Thus, it is possible to go from one configuration to another in a reversible manner in order to uncover and cover the bottle.
The relative connection and guiding between the stopper and the cap is performed by means of screwing, such that when rotating one with respect to the other, the cap is screwed or unscrewed on the stopper, causing relative axial displacement between the two. To do so, the two parts have tubular parts provided with complementary threads, that of the stopper extends from the cover of the cap inwards and that of the stopper extends upward towards the cap.
In the present description, the term 'axial' should be understood to refer to the axis of revolution of the stopper, which is also the direction of insertion of the stopper in the bottle.
In the present description, 'upper' and lower', or 'raised part' and lower part', should be understood in relation to the normal vertical arrangement of a bottle, i.e. the base of the bottle is at the bottom and the mouth at the top.
The unit is completed with a sealing ring arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder part and joined to it. In the aforementioned utility model, the sealing ring has a support area in the lower end of the tabs, such that when trying to rotate the stopper, the upper surface of the sealing ring rests on the lower surface of the tab, thereby retaining the cap, such that the retention force is an axial force.
This configuration has certain drawbacks. Firstly, when rotating the stopper, a high axial force can be generated on the joint between the cap and the sealing ring, which can easily break it. This is the principle of most beverages, where this is the effect that is sought. However, since the stopper is for sparkling wine, this effect must be avoided; unsealing the ring with only rotation cannot be allowed.
Another drawback is that the shape of the seal leads to discontinuity with the cylindrical portion of the cap, since two opposite flanges on the sealing ring must be provided: one for the lower support on the tabs and the other for the diameter transition, given that a space must be left for the end of the tab. Furthermore, with regard to appearance, the ring with an increased diameter with respect to the cap is rather unattractive, which is an aspect that is very important to consider when reflecting the type of product for which the unit is intended, which is expensive beverages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a unit comprising a stopper and a cap for locking the stopper for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle with a finish that has an annular opening on the outer surface thereof, wherein:

the stopper comprises a cover part and a securing skirt that extends from the perimeter of the cover part, the securing skirt being provided with at least one projection oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into the annular opening in a configuration for locking the unit on the bottle,
the cap is a hollow cylinder closed by an upper cover, such that according to the degree of insertion of the stopper in the cap, two end configurations can be obtained:
- ∘ a locking configuration wherein one hollow cylinder part surrounds the outer surface of the securing skirt, such that this securing skirt cannot be opened;
- ∘ an unlocking configuration wherein said hollow cylinder part is not facing the outer surface of the skirt, such that this skirt can be deformed, the projection or projections of the annular opening can be disengaged and the unit can be removed from the bottle.

joining means by means of screwing between the stopper and the cap that enable the axial displacement of the cap with respect to the stopper by means of relative rotation between the two.
a sealing ring arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder part and joined to it,

In the present invention it is more difficult to remove the unit without breaking the seal than in the known solutions, such as for example that shown in ES 1 035 703 , since in the case of unscrewing the cap, the securing skirt goes from being enclosed by the hollow cylinder part of the cap to being enclosed by the sealing ring, meaning that the sealing ring not only acts as a seal, or an indicator of opening, but also as a locking element.
In some embodiments, the sealing ring has the same outer and inner diameters as the hollow cylinder part.
This shape of the sealing ring is a simplification with respect to the state of the art, and it especially enables a cap to be made that is easy to remove from the mold in the manufacturing process thereof, and in particular, is much easier to remove from the mold than the stopper disclosed in ES 1 035 703 , the sealing ring of which has a diameter larger than the hollow cylinder part. Furthermore, it has a smooth and attractive outer appearance, which is essential in the presentation of sparkling wines of the cava and champagne variety.
In some embodiments, the unit comprises a joining cord between the sealing ring and the hollow cylinder part, the joining cord being continuous along the entire perimeter.
The continuous seal performs several functions: firstly, with regard to appearance, it is of better quality than a joint with points, which is traditionally associated with water or soft drinks bottles. Moreover, it offers a distributed and homogeneous joint. Another aspect is that is provides a pleasant feeling at the time of unsealing, and furthermore, it does not allow for silent tearing.
In some embodiments, the joining cord is flush with the outer surfaces of the sealing ring and the hollow cylinder part.
This characteristic gives a completely smooth appearance to the visible part of the cap.
In some embodiments, the sealing ring has a weakened line intended to be torn, the sealing ring having a pull element joined at the bottom to the sealing ring and arranged close to the weakened line, such that it enables the easy tearing and removal of the sealing ring.
In some embodiments, the weakened line has three sections: a first oblique section that extends halfway up, a second section contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring and a third oblique section with the same inclination as the first section, the weakened line being thicker in the second section.
This configuration of the line enables the weak points to be distributed along the periphery, in particular making it so that there is only one weak point in each segment parallel to the axis of the ring that is at the level of the weakened line. The section contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring, i.e. the section that follows the perimeter of the ring, enables the user to be notified, by means of an increase in the resistance to breakage, that the first section, i.e. the last section to be torn, will soon be torn, and that the unit is ready to be released, and therefore, it could be ejected at any time.
In some embodiments, the pull element is joined to the sealing ring on both sides of the weakened line, on one side by means of a continuous joint that cannot be torn, and on the other side with a joining point that is thicker than the first and third sections of the weakened line.
The continuous joint enables the ring to be pulled in order to tear it, while the greater thickness of the joining point requires a high force to be exerted in order to start tearing the seal, in order to prevent, for example, the pull element from inadvertently being pulled and the seal being opened during the transport and handling of the bottle prior to the use thereof.
In some embodiments, the sealing ring has a height of 6.5 mm, which is enough for a reduced wall thickness, in order to prevent the tabs from being deformed and the disengagement thereof from the annular opening.
In some embodiments, the securing skirt is continuous. In other embodiments, the securing skirt is discontinuous, such that it has a plurality of tabs, each one having a projection.
In some embodiments, the unit comprises means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper, these means being arranged in the sealing ring, such that when this ring is removed, the relative rotation between the cap and stopper is allowed.
This characteristic prevents the sealing ring from performing the locking function of the tabs when said ring is removed, and therefore, when removing it, the inadvertent unsealing and unlocking of the stopper is produced simultaneously, which can lead to accidents.
In some embodiments, the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper comprise mutual support surfaces, some being located in the securing skirt and the others, complementary to the surfaces located in the securing skirt, are located in the inner surface of the sealing ring, these surfaces being contained on planes, the normal of which has a tangential component, such that the force of resistance to the rotation produced by the means for preventing the relative rotation has a tangential component.
This rotational locking is much more effective than the axial retention mentioned in the prior art, since the retention is tangential and practically parallel and opposite the force exerted by the user when unscrewing. In other words, in this solution, the force is not multiplied if given in axial retention.
Preferably, these means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper comprise projections in the inner surface of the sealing ring, the projections being designed to be arranged between the tabs and rest on the side surfaces of the tabs.
These means enable the locking of the rotation on as many points as there are tabs, since there is a side surface of these tabs for supporting the projections between every two tabs. Preferably, the projections are located on the highest part of the inner surface of the sealing ring, so that the locking is performed as soon as possible when unscrewing the cap.
According to a second variant, a unit is also herein proposed comprising a stopper and a cap for locking the stopper for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle with a finish that has an annular opening on the outer surface thereof, wherein:

joining means by means of screwing between the stopper and the cap that enable the axial displacement of the cap with respect to the stopper by means of relative rotation between the two.
a sealing ring arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder and joined to it.

The unit comprises means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper, these means being arranged in the sealing ring, such that when this ring is removed, the relative rotation between the cap and stopper is allowed, wherein the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper comprise mutual support surfaces, some surfaces being located in the securing skirt and the others, complementary to the surfaces located in the securing skirt, are located in the inner surface of the sealing ring, these surfaces being contained on planes, the normal of which has a tangential component with respect to the perimeter, such that the force of resistance to the rotation produced by the means for preventing the relative rotation has a tangential component.
This rotational locking is much more effective than the axial retention mentioned in the prior art, since the retention is tangential and practically parallel and opposite the force exerted by the user when unscrewing. In other words, in this solution, the force is not multiplied if given in axial retention.
In other embodiments of this second variant, the securing skirt is discontinuous, such that it has a plurality of tabs, each one having a projection. In this case, the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap and the stopper comprise projections in the inner surface of the sealing ring, the projections being designed to be arranged between the tabs and resting on the side surfaces of the tabs.
These means enable the locking of the rotation on as many points as there are tabs, since there is a side surface of these tabs for supporting the projections between every two tabs. Preferably, the projections are located on the highest part of the inner surface of the sealing ring, so that the locking is performed as soon as possible when unscrewing the cap.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the securing skirt is continuous and comprises support notches provided with a surface, the normal of which has a substantially tangential direction for supporting projections of the sealing ring that protrude toward the securing skirt.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the sealing ring has continuity with the inner surface of the cap, such that the sealing ring can perform the function of locking the securing skirt when the sealing ring is facing the securing skirt after relative rotation and axial displacement between the stopper and the cap.
By means of these characteristics, it is more difficult to remove the unit without breaking the seal than in the known solutions, such as for example that shown in ES 1 035 703 , since in the case of unscrewing the cap, the securing skirt goes from being enclosed by the hollow cylinder part of the cap to being enclosed by the sealing ring, meaning that the sealing ring not only acts as a seal, or an indicator of opening, but also as a locking element, in the case that the rotation of the cap is forced.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the sealing ring has the same outer and inner diameters as the hollow cylinder part.
This shape of the sealing ring is a simplification with respect to the state of the art, and it especially enables a cap to be made that is easy to remove from the mold in the manufacturing process thereof, and in particular, is much easier to remove from the mold than the stopper disclosed in ES 1 035 703 , the sealing ring of which has a diameter larger than the hollow cylinder part. Furthermore, it has a smooth and attractive outer appearance, which is essential in the presentation of sparkling wines of the cava and champagne variety.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the unit comprises a joining cord between the sealing ring and the hollow cylinder part, the joining cord being continuous along the entire perimeter. As an alternative, the cord can also be designed by segments or points.
The continuous seal performs several functions: firstly, with regard to appearance, it is of better quality than a joint with points, which is traditionally associated with water or soft drinks bottles. Moreover, it offers a distributed and homogeneous joint. Another aspect is that is provides a pleasant feeling at the time of unsealing, and furthermore, it does not allow for silent tearing.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the joining cord is flush with the outer surfaces of the sealing ring and the hollow cylinder part.
This characteristic gives a completely smooth appearance to the visible part of the cap.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the sealing ring has a weakened line intended to be torn, the sealing ring having a pull element joined at the bottom to the sealing ring and arranged close to the weakened line, such that it enables the easy tearing and removal of the sealing ring.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the weakened line has three sections: a first oblique section that extends halfway up, a second section contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring and a third oblique section with the same inclination as the first section, the weakened line being thicker in the second section.
This configuration of the line enables the weak points to be distributed along the periphery, in particular making it so that there is only one weak point in each segment parallel to the axis of the ring that is at the level of the weakened line. The section contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring, i.e. the section that follows the perimeter of the ring, enables the user to be notified, by means of an increase in the resistance to breakage, that the first section, i.e. the last section to be torn, will soon be torn, and that the unit is ready to be released, and therefore, it could be ejected at any time.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the pull element is joined to the sealing ring on both sides of the weakened line, on one side by means of a continuous joint that cannot be torn, and on the other side with a joining point that is thicker than the first and third sections of the weakened line.
The continuous joint enables the ring to be pulled in order to tear it, while the greater thickness of the joining point requires a high force to be exerted in order to start tearing the seal, in order to prevent, for example, the pull element from inadvertently being pulled and the seal being opened during the transport and handling of the bottle prior to the use thereof.
In some embodiments of this second variant, the sealing ring has a height of 6.5 mm, which is enough for a reduced wall thickness, in order to prevent the tabs from being deformed and the disengagement thereof from the annular opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

As a complement to the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a practical embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of figures constituting an integral part thereof, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following:

Figure 1 is a cross section according to a plane that passes through the axis of the bottle and the stopper.
Figure 2 is an elevation view.
Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views that show a preferred configuration of the anti-rotation means between the cap and stopper.
Figure 5 is a view according to a lower axial direction of the unit that shows the spaces between the tabs and the fitting of the projections in these spaces.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As seen in the Figure 1, the invention generally relates to a unit 1 comprising a stopper 2 and a cap 3 for locking the stopper 2 for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle B with a finish that has an annular opening A on the outer surface thereof.
According to a preferred embodiment, the stopper 2 comprises a cover part 21 and a plurality of flexible tabs 22 with a height h that extend from the perimeter of the cover part 21 and are provided with projections 23 oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into the annular opening A in a configuration for locking the unit 1 on the bottle B, which is the configuration represented in Figure 1. The tabs can be replaced by a securing skirt that is continuous, although in this case, the unlocking force to be applied by the user would be greater.
The cap 3 is a hollow cylinder 31 closed by a rounded upper cover 32.
The stopper is inserted into the hollow part of the stopper, such that according to the degree of insertion of the stopper 2 in the cap 3, two end configurations can be obtained:

a locking configuration wherein one hollow cylinder part 31 (corresponding to the height h in Figure 1) surrounds the outer surface of the tabs 22, such that these tabs cannot be opened;
an unlocking configuration wherein said hollow cylinder part 31 is not facing the outer surface of the tabs 22, such that these tabs can be deformed, the projections 23 of the annular opening can be disengaged and the unit can be removed from the bottle B.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the unit comprises joining means by means of screwing between the stopper 2 and the cap 3 that enable the axial displacement of the cap 3 with respect to the stopper 2 by means of relative rotation between the two. The joining means are similar to those described in the utility model ES 1 035 703 U , i.e. two mutually complementary screwed parts.
In particular, the cap 3 screws inside the tubular part that comes from the cover part 21. In turn, a tubular extension 26 of the cover part 21 has a radially outward flange (not shown) in the upper part thereof. This flange or protrusion aims to retain a complementary flange belonging to a second tubular casing part 33 with a larger diameter belonging to the cap 3. This tubular casing part 33 is designed as three cylinder sectors, such that they can be deformed to clasp the tubular extension 26 of the cover part. Thus, axial retention stop means are incorporated between the two parts of the unit. Since it is undesirable for the two parts of the unit to become disconnected from each other when a greater force is applied, it is envisaged that these connecting means are completed with a sliding ring (having the number 13 in the aforementioned utility model) but not shown in the figures of the present document, which aims to prevent the outward radial deformation of the aforementioned cylinder sectors once they have clasped the tubular part of the cover part.
The cover part further comprises a tubular part 25 oriented at the bottom and intended to enter into the mouth of the bottle and exert pressure on the inner walls of the neck, for which reason it has a diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the neck of the bottle, at least in one section thereof, in order to contribute to the sealing.
Lastly, the unit comprises a sealing ring 4 arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder part 31 and it is joined to it. This ring has the same outer and inner diameters as the hollow cylinder part 31, for which reason it geometrically forms an extension of the hollow cylinder part of the stopper.
The ring 4 and the cap are joined by means of a joining cord 5 between the sealing ring 4 and the hollow cylinder part. This joining cord 5 is continuous along the entire perimeter and it is preferably flush with the outer surfaces of the sealing ring 4 and the hollow cylinder part 31. Even if it is preferably continuous, the cord may also be discontinuous, by segments or points.
As shown in Figure 2, the sealing ring 4 has a weakened line 6 intended to be torn to open the stopper. The sealing ring 4 has a pull element or tongue 7 joined at the bottom to the sealing ring 4 and arranged close to the weakened line 6, such that it enables the easy tearing and removal of the sealing ring 4.
It can also be seen that the weakened line 6 has three sections 41, 42, 43: a first oblique section 41 that extends halfway up, a second section 42 contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring and a third oblique section 43 with the same inclination as the first section 41, the weakened line 6 being thicker in the second section 42.
The pull element is joined to the sealing ring 4 on both sides of the weakened line 6, on one side by means of a continuous joint that cannot be torn, which will be on the side where one will start to remove the sealing.
On the other side, the pull element 7 is joined to the sealing ring with only one joining point 8 which is thicker than the first and third sections of the weakened line 6. This joining point must be sufficiently resistant to withstand possible forces exerted accidentally on the pull element during the transport and handling thereof prior to opening the bottle.
According to the preferred embodiment and as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the unit comprises means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap 3 and the stopper 2. These means are arranged in the sealing ring 4, such that when this ring is removed, the relative rotation between the cap 3 and the stopper 2 will be enabled.
These means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap 3 and the stopper 2 comprise projections 44 in the inner surface of the sealing ring 4, the projections being designed to be arranged in the space 45 existing between the tabs 22 and resting on the side surfaces 46 of the tabs 22.
Thus, tangential support between projections 44 and tabs is achieved, which confers an anti-rotational locking force that is much greater than the resistance achieved in the sealings based on axial retention.
In this text, the word "comprises" and its variants (such as "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense, i.e. they do not exclude the possibility of that which is described including other elements, steps, etc.
Also, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather encompasses the variations that one skilled in the art could make (e.g. in terms of choice of materials, dimensions, components, design, etc.), within the scope of what may be deduced from the claims.

Claims

A unit (1) comprising a stopper (2) and a cap (3) for locking the stopper (2) for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle (B) with a finish that has an annular opening (A) on the outer surface thereof, wherein:
- the stopper (2) comprises a cover part (21) and a securing skirt (22) that extends from the perimeter of the cover part (21), the securing skirt being provided with at least one projection (23) oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into the annular opening (A) in a configuration for locking the unit (1) on the bottle (B),

- the cap (3) is a hollow cylinder (31) closed by an upper cover (32), such that according to the degree of insertion of the stopper (2) in the cap (3), two end configurations can be obtained:
∘ a locking configuration wherein one hollow cylinder part (31) surrounds the outer surface of the securing skirt (22), such that this securing skirt cannot be opened;

∘ an unlocking configuration wherein said hollow cylinder part (31) is not facing the outer surface of the securing skirt (22), such that this securing skirt can be deformed, the projection or projections (23) of the annular opening (A) can be disengaged and the unit can be removed from the bottle (B);

the unit (1) comprising:
- joining means by means of screwing between the stopper (2) and the cap (3) that enable the axial displacement of the cap (3) with respect to the stopper (2) by means of relative rotation between the two;

- a sealing ring (4) arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder part (31) and joined to it;
characterized in that the sealing ring (4) has continuity with the inner surface of the cap (3), such that the sealing ring can perform the function of locking the securing skirt (22) when the sealing ring (4) is facing the securing skirt (22) after relative rotation and axial displacement between the stopper (2) and the cap (3).
The unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing ring (4) has the same outer and inner diameters as the hollow cylinder part (31).
The unit according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a joining cord (5) between the sealing ring (4) and the hollow cylinder part (31), the joining cord (5) being continuous along the entire perimeter.
The unit according to claim 3, wherein the joining cord is flush with the outer surfaces of the sealing ring (4) and the hollow cylinder part (31).
The unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing ring (4) has a weakened line (6) intended to be torn, the sealing ring (4) having a pull element (7) joined at the bottom to the sealing ring (4) and close to the weakened line (6), such that it enables the easy tearing and removal of the sealing ring (4).
The unit according to claim 5, wherein the weakened line (6) has three sections (41, 42, 43): a first oblique section (41) that extends halfway up, a second section (42) contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring and a third oblique section (43) with the same inclination as the first section (41), the weakened line (6) being thicker in the second section (42).
The unit according to claim 6, wherein the pull element is joined to the sealing ring (4) on both sides of the weakened line (6), on one side by means of a continuous joint that cannot be torn, and on the other side with a joining point (8) that is thicker than the first and third sections of the weakened line (6).
The unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing ring (4) has a height (h) of 6.5 mm.
The unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the securing skirt (22) is continuous.
The unit according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the securing skirt (22) is discontinuous, such that it has a plurality of tabs, each one having a projection (23).
The unit according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2), these means being arranged in the sealing ring (4), such that when this ring is removed, the relative rotation between the cap (3) and stopper (2) is allowed.
The unit according to claim 11, wherein the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2) comprise mutual support surfaces, some being located in the securing skirt (22) and the others, complementary to the surfaces located in the securing skirt (22), are located in the inner surface of the sealing ring (4), these surfaces being contained on planes, the normal of which has a tangential component, such that the force of resistance to the rotation produced by the means for preventing the relative rotation has a tangential component.
The unit according to claim 10 and 11, wherein the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2) comprise projections (44) in the inner surface of the sealing ring (4), the projections (44) being designed to be arranged between the tabs (22) and resting on the side surfaces of the tabs (22).
A unit (1) comprising a stopper (2) and a cap (3) for locking the stopper (2) for shipping sparkling wines, configured to be applied to a bottle (B) with a finish that has an annular opening (A) on the outer surface thereof, wherein:
- the stopper (2) comprises a cover part (21) and a securing skirt (22) that extends from the perimeter of the cover part (21), the securing skirt being provided with at least one projection (23) oriented radially inwards and intended to fit into the annular opening (A) in a configuration for locking the unit (1) on the bottle (B),

- the cap (3) is a hollow cylinder (31) closed by an upper cover (32), such that according to the degree of insertion of the stopper (2) in the cap (3), two end configurations can be obtained:
∘ a locking configuration wherein one hollow cylinder part (31) surrounds the outer surface of the securing skirt (22), such that this securing skirt cannot be opened;

∘ an unlocking configuration wherein said hollow cylinder part (31) is not facing the outer surface of the securing skirt (22), such that this securing skirt can be deformed, the projection or projections (23) of the annular opening (A) can be disengaged and the unit can be removed from the bottle (B);

the unit (1) comprising:
- joining means by means of screwing between the stopper (2) and the cap (3) that enable the axial displacement of the cap (3) with respect to the stopper (2) by means of relative rotation between the two;

- a sealing ring (4) arranged in the lower extension of the hollow cylinder part (31) and joined to it;
characterized in that it comprises means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2), these means being arranged in the sealing ring (4), such that when this ring is removed, the relative rotation between the cap (3) and stopper (2) is allowed, wherein the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2) comprise surfaces of mutual support, some surfaces being located in the securing skirt (22) and the others, complementary to the surfaces located in the securing skirt (22), are located in the inner surface of the sealing ring (4), these surfaces being contained on planes, the normal of which has a tangential component with respect to the perimeter, such that the force of resistance to the rotation produced by the means for preventing the relative rotation has a tangential component.
The unit according to claim 14, wherein the securing skirt (22) is discontinuous, such that it has a plurality of tabs, each one having a projection (23).
The unit according to claim 15, wherein the means for preventing the relative unscrewing rotation between the cap (3) and the stopper (2) comprise projections (44) in the inner surface of the sealing ring (4), the projections (44) being designed to be arranged between the tabs (22) and resting on the side surfaces of the tabs (22).
The unit according to claim 14, wherein the securing skirt (22) is continuous and comprises support notches provided with a surface, the normal of which has a substantially tangential direction for supporting projections of the sealing ring (4) that protrude toward the securing skirt (22).
The unit according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the sealing ring (4) has continuity with the inner surface of the cap (3), such that the sealing ring can perform the function of locking the securing skirt (22) when the sealing ring (4) is facing the securing skirt (22) after relative rotation and axial displacement between the stopper (2) and the cap (3).
The unit according to claim 18, wherein the sealing ring (4) has the same outer and inner diameters as the hollow cylinder part (31).
The unit according to any of claims 14 to 19, which comprises a joining cord (5) between the sealing ring (4) and the hollow cylinder part (31), the joining cord (5) being continuous along the entire perimeter.
The unit according to claim 20, wherein the joining cord is flush with the outer surfaces of the sealing ring (4) and the hollow cylinder part (31).
The unit according to any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the sealing ring (4) has a weakened line (6) intended to be torn, the sealing ring (4) having a pull element (7) joined at the bottom to the sealing ring (4) and arranged close to the weakened line (6), such that it enables the easy tearing and removal of the sealing ring (4).
The unit according to claim 22, wherein the weakened line (6) has three sections (41, 42, 43): a first oblique section (41) that extends halfway up, a second section (42) contained in the median plane perpendicular to the axial axis of the ring and a third oblique section (43) with the same inclination as the first section (41), the weakened line (6) being thicker in the second section (42).
The unit according to claim 23, wherein the pull element (7) is joined to the sealing ring (4) on both sides of the weakened line (6), on one side by means of a continuous joint that cannot be torn, and on the other side with a joining point (8) that is thicker than the first and third sections of the weakened line (6).
The unit according to any claims 14 to 24, wherein the sealing ring (4) has a height (h) of 6.5 mm.