FR2811298A1 - CAPPING CAP WITH PLEATED SKIRT AND GASKET FOR Fizzy Drink Bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

The capsule (13') for sealing a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine has an internal lining (14') made from an elastomer. This extends across its whole surface, covering the top of the cork and the neck down to the level of its lower collar (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a closure cap with a pleated skirt and

  gasket for soft drink bottle. It has applications in the field of sealing of soft drink bottles and more particularly in the champagne and sparkling wine industry. The sealed bottles which contain carbonated drinks and in particular champagne or sparkling wines are subjected to very high pressures of the order of 8 to 9 bars under extreme conditions. The bottles and the associated sealing devices must therefore be particularly resistant. As a safety measure these containers are checked

up to a pressure of 11 bars.

  It is also essential that the sealing device be tight as well to liquids as to gases and this to all

  stages of "foaming" and maturing of the drink.

  The increase in pressure is due to carbon dioxide which is produced by a fermentation process initiated by the introduction into a

  white wine called "still wine", sugar, yeast and bentonite.

  This process which ends when the yeasts have consumed the sugar, leaves in the bottle a residue in the form of a deposit or lees. The sealing device must therefore be tight both at the start of fermentation in order to prevent oxygen or other substances from the environment from entering the bottle, until after the pressure build-up, in order to 'Avoid that the carbon dioxide and / or the liquid cannot escape or that the oxygen cannot penetrate by permeability of the obturation device. This sealing must also be able to be ensured over periods of time which can be very long, the bottles being able to be

stored for ten years or more.

  In the previously described method, deposits or lees must be removed before marketing the drink. However, in the Champagne method, wine should not leave the bottle until it reaches the consumer. Closing devices have therefore been proposed ensuring both

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  sufficient tightness and resistance to pressure as well as

  allowing a simplified elimination of the lees.

  There is thus known a closure device of the metal capsule or crown cap type with a pleated skirt and which is crimped onto the ring of the neck of the bottle. The capsule also has internally a seal. We also associate with the capsule a plastic cover or "bidule" coming to be placed in the neck. However, this type of device does not make it possible to obtain an optimum seal since the contact area between the seal and the neck is reduced. On the other hand, even if the "bidule" facilitates the elimination of the lees during a so-called disgorging or disgorging operation and using a cryogenic process consisting in immersing the neck of the bottle placed upside down in a liquid cooled to -27 C on a height of about 4cm to freeze the lees in the "contraption", its effectiveness is not optimal because the cold must "pass through" the plastic to ensure

freezing of lees.

  The present invention therefore proposes to improve the characteristics of known devices with a sealing cap for sealing an opening of a neck of a bottle of carbonated beverage, the neck having an external surface with a circular edge surrounding the opening, a ring and a counter ring, the capsule comprising a bottom and, at the periphery of said bottom, a pleated crimp skirt extending in a crown between said bottom and a free edge, said bottom having an internal surface intended to come opposite the opening and the circular edge of the neck and said skirt having an internal surface intended to come opposite the external surface of the neck after crimping of the capsule on the neck, the seal being disposed between

the capsule and the neck.

  According to the invention, once the capsule has been crimped onto the neck, the skirt has a length such that it extends to the level of the counter-ring covering the ring, and the seal is made of elastomeric material, the arrangement of the elastomeric material at the bottom and the skirt being such that the seal is applied

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  over the entire external surface of the neck up to at least the

level of the free edge of the skirt.

  In various embodiments of the invention, the following means can be combined according to all the technically possible possibilities, are used: - the amount of elastomeric material is such that the seal fills the entire volume delimited by the external surface of the neck and the internal surface of the skirt up to at least its free edge, the folds of the skirt being filled with material; - The amount of elastomeric material is such that the seal extends beyond the free edge of the skirt when the capsule is crimped onto the neck; the thickness of elastomeric material of the seal is reduced at the bottom of the capsule in the seal area which is not intended to come into contact with the external surface of the neck; the thickness of the elastomeric material of the seal is reduced at the bottom of the capsule in the area opposite the opening of the neck; - The shape of the surface of the seal opposite the external surface of the neck, before crimping, is bypassed according to the shape of the neck; - the bottom of the capsule is flat; - the bottom of the capsule is curved outwards to form a receptacle to be able to collect the lees; - the capsule is metallic; the metal of the capsule is chosen from aluminum alloys, flexible ferrous metals which may or may not be stainless; - the capsule is produced from a thin sheet; - The elastomeric material is chosen from elastomers for food contact, rubbers or silicones; - in the case of a bottle arranged vertically with a neck having an opening with a diameter of 17.4 mm +/- 0.3 mm, an edge with a width along the horizontal of 4.1 mm +/- 0.1 mm, a vertical height ring of 3.85 mm +/- 0.15 mm and a vertical height counter ring of 7 mm +/- 0.1 mm, the

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  against ring being located at a distance from the edge along the vertical of about 10 mm, the bottom of the capsule has a diameter along the horizontal of 26.6 mm +/- 0.3 mm and the skirt has a height according to the vertical between 12 mm and 13 mm +/- 0.3 mm; - in the case of a capsule comprising a domed bottom, said domed bottom defines an approximate volume of between 2 and 3 milliliters; - the soft drink is a champagne or champagne wine; - the soft drink is a sparkling wine prepared according to the

Champagne method.

  The present invention therefore makes it possible to improve the resistance and the tightness of the closure thanks to the increase in the contact surface between the seal and the external surface of the neck and thanks to the use of an elastomeric material which has qualities

  particularly interesting mechanical and chemical inertia.

  The use of metal to make the capsule is particularly advantageous in the case of a dished base and for the application of cryogenic techniques for solidification and elimination of deposits or lees because the metal is a good thermal conductor. In addition, the volume of drink that is

  eliminated with the lees is reduced and the losses thus reduced.

  The present invention will be better understood on reading nonlimiting examples of implementation o: FIGS. 1A and 1B represent a sealing device known from the state of the art; Figure 2 shows a flat bottom capsule according to the invention and set on a neck; Figure 3 a dished cap according to the invention and crimped on a neck; Figure 4 a flat bottom capsule according to the invention and before crimping. Figures 1A and 1B show a sealing device known from the state of the art. This device is a capsule 6 with a pleated skirt intended to be crimped onto a neck 1 of a bottle

2811298

  in order to close the opening 5 of said bottle. The neck 1 is conventionally formed of an external surface comprising several contiguous parts which are, from the opening 5 of the neck, a circular edge 2 surrounding the opening 5, continuing with a ring 3 then with a counter-ring 4. The capsule 6 is formed of a metal shell 7 comprising two main parts: a bottom 11 and a pleated skirt 12. The bottom 11 is intended to come opposite the opening 5 and the circular edge 2. The bottom 11 is continues peripherally by a pleated skirt 12 which is intended to come opposite the ring 3. The capsule 6 has internally at the bottom 11 a joint 8 of agglomerated cork covered with a layer 9 of material or "spot". In the case where the sealing device is intended to be used for sealing a bottle of a champagne method drink or more generally in which deposits or lees are to be eliminated, a plastic cover called " widget "10 is also used. The "bidule" 10 is intended to receive deposits or lees when the bottle is turned over and stored, neck down. FIG. 1B represents the capsule and the "bidule" of FIG. 1A positioned on the neck of a bottle in order to ensure that it is closed. It can be seen that in this device of the prior art, the contact area between the seal and the neck is essentially reduced to the circular edge 2 surrounding the opening 5 and that the pleated skirt 12 is crimped onto the ring 3 of the neck 1. As an indication and comparison, a skirt of the state of the art has a height of approximately 7 mm while the skirt according to the invention can, for example, have a height comprised

between 12 and 13 mm.

  In Figure 2 is shown a capsule 13 according to a first mode of implementation with a flat bottom 16 and which is crimped onto a neck 1 of the bottle. This capsule 13 which is produced from a metal shell 17, has a pleated skirt 14 whose end

  free device descends to the level of the counter ring 4.

  A seal 15 of elastomeric material disposed on the internal surface of the capsule 13 ensures sealing by contact on the surface

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  external of the neck to the level of the free edge, or even overflow, of the pleated skirt 14. Unlike the capsule known from the state of the art, the contact area between the neck and the seal is particularly large and also relates to the circular edge 2 as well as the ring 3 and the counter-ring 4. The seal 15 made of elastomeric material is therefore compressed by the capsule 13 against the external surface of the neck 1 and more particularly against the

  circular edge 2, ring 3 and counter ring 4.

  As shown, the elastomeric material also covers the internal surface area of the bottom opposite the opening 5 in order to avoid direct contact between the metal of the capsule and the drink. However, and in order to save material, the thickness of elastomeric material is smaller in the area of the inner surface of the bottom opposite the opening 5 and which is not compressed against the outer surface of the neck. Before crimping, in the simplest form of implementation, the seal does not need to have a particular shape, it must essentially be bulky so as to be able, after crimping the capsule, to compress on the external surface of the neck and seal. However, a joint of a particular shape is envisaged and, for example, an approximate imprint shape

ring and counter ring.

  Such a capsule can also be used with the

  "widget" known from the state of the art.

  In a second embodiment of the invention with a convex bottom shown in FIG. 3, the capsule 13 'crimped on a neck is shaped so as to include a lees reservoir. To this end, the capsule 13 ′ has a bottom 16 ′ that is curved outward relative to the neck. As before, the capsule 13 ′ is produced from a metal shell 17 ′. The bottom 16 'delimiting the lees reservoir continues at the periphery by a pleated skirt 14' of a height such that its free peripheral end reaches the counter-ring 4 of the neck 1. A seal 15 'of elastomeric material is placed on the inner surface of the capsule 13 ′ in order to ensure the tightness of the assembly. As before, the

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  joint 15 ′ is compressed by the capsule 13 ′ against the external surface of the neck and more particularly against the circular edge 2, the ring 3 and the counter-ring 4. In this embodiment,

  the elimination of lees does not require the use of a "contraption".

  On the other hand, the use of such a capsule with the cryogenic method consisting in freezing the lees is particularly advantageous because the cold is much more efficiently transmitted by the metal shell to the lees and to the liquids located in the bottom 16 'forming lees tank compared to the devices known from the state of the art where the cold must also pass through the neck 1 and the "bidule" which is made of plastic and therefore not very conductive

heat.

  The reservoir cap of Figure 3, which is shown in section, allows to visualize a reservoir which has substantially flat faces which can facilitate the holding of the bottle, upside down, vertically or inclined along the plane of the face of the reservoir. implemented. However, other shapes are envisaged, including a cylindrical tank shape with a hemispherical cap. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the reservoir allows its introduction into the base of another bottle in order to be able to "thread"

  bottles inside each other.

  Figure 4 shows an uncrimped capsule 13 and

  corresponding to the crimped capsule shown in Figure 2.

  In a preferred embodiment of the various embodiments, the seal 15 has a greater thickness of material opposite the zones of contact with the neck and in particular at the level of the circular edge 2 of the ring 3 and of the counter ring 4 of the neck 1, with respect to the zone of the facing bottom

of the opening.

  In a preferred embodiment of the various embodiments, the folds of the pleated skirt 14 are filled with elastomeric material. Such a case can arise for a seal which is manufactured in situ in the capsule. However, it is contemplated that the joint, although continuous and in continuous contact with the surface

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  external of the neck, does not fill all the space between the internal surface of the capsule and the neck, that is to say that the folds are not necessarily filled with elastomeric material. Such a case can arise for an attached seal which is introduced into the metal shell. Finally, before crimping, the surface of the seal facing the external surface of the neck, the two surfaces coming into contact after crimping of the capsule, can be circumvented. In other words, this joint surface can have the general shape of the neck and / or have zones where the material is more or less thick depending on the stresses which will be created there after crimping. Indeed, the skirt having a general shape substantially in a truncated cone after crimping and the external surface of the neck being bypassed, the distribution of the stresses in the material

  elastomeric may be irregular.

  In addition, the dimensions indicated in this document are to be compared to the dimensions of a standard neck as defined in the document of the National Institute of Bottling dated March 31, 1986 page 4 in the documentary file concerning the ring crown 29 Champagne. They are therefore indicative and

  depend on the dimensions of the neck which receives the capsule.

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Claims (10)

  1. Sealing cap (13, 13 ') for sealing an opening (5) of a neck (1) of a bottle of carbonated beverage, the neck having an external surface with a circular edge (2) surrounding the opening, a ring (3) and a counter ring (4), the capsule comprising a bottom and, on the periphery of said bottom, a pleated crimp skirt extending in a crown between said bottom and a free edge, said bottom having an internal surface intended to come opposite the opening (5) and the circular edge (2) of the neck and said skirt having an internal surface intended to come opposite the external surface of the neck after crimping the cap on the neck, the seal being arranged between the capsule and the neck, characterized in that, once the capsule is crimped onto the neck, the skirt (14, 14 ') to a length such that it extends to the level of the counter-ring covering the ring, and in that the seal (15) is made of elastomeric material, the arrangement ition of the elastomeric material at the bottom and the skirt being such that the seal is applied over the entire external surface of the neck up to at least the level of the free edge of the skirt.   2. Capsule according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of elastomeric material is such that the seal (15) fills the entire volume delimited by the external surface of the neck and the internal surface of the skirt until at least its free edge, folds   of the skirt being filled with material.   3. Capsule according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the quantity of elastomeric material is such that the joint extends beyond the free edge of the skirt when the capsule is crimped onto the neck.   4. Capsule according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the thickness of elastomeric material of the seal is reduced at the bottom of the capsule in the seal area which is not intended to come into contact with the external surface of the neck. 2811298   5. Capsule according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the bottom (16) of the capsule (13 " is flat.   6. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 4   characterized in that the bottom (16 ') of the capsule (13') is curved outwards in order to form a receptacle for being able to harvest the lees.   7. Capsule according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that it is metallic.   8. Capsule according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the elastomeric material is chosen from elastomers for food contact, rubbers or silicones.   9. Capsule according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that in the case of a bottle arranged vertically with a neck having an opening with a diameter of 17.4 mm +/- 0.3 mm, an edge of width along the horizontal of 4.1 mm +/- 0.1 mm, a vertical height ring of 3.85 mm +/- 0.15 mm and a vertical height counter ring of 7 mm +/- 0.1 mm, the counter ring being located at a distance from the edge along the vertical of approximately 10 mm, the bottom of the capsule has a diameter along the horizontal of 26.6 mm + / 0.3 mm and the skirt has a height along the vertical of between 12 mm and 13 mm +/- 0.3 mm.   10. Capsule according to any one of claims   previous characterized in that in the case of a capsule (13 ') having a curved bottom (16'), said curved bottom defines a   approximate volume between 2 and 3 milliliters.