FR2900143A1 - Container e.g. bottle, capsuling method, involves supplying closure cap which comprises shell equipped of head and non threaded insert, and penetrating screw thread of neck in inner apron of closure cap to mouth closed by screw cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying a container (4) equipped with a mouth (40) forming a screw neck (41) which comprises a locking ring delimiting an opening. A closure cap which comprises a metallic shell (2) equipped of a metallic head (20) and an non threaded insert, is supplied. The opening is closed by assembling the seal with the mouth, and a metallic apron (21) of the shell is compressed against the neck by exerting radial compression on the apron. A screw thread (410) of the neck is penetrated in an inner apron of the cap to obtain the mouth closed by a screw cap (1`). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a crown and seal for implementing a container (2) a container closed by a crown and seal (3) a capsuling device for implementing a container capsuling method.

Description

CAPSULING PROCESS AND CORRESPONDING CLOSURE CAPSULE DOMAIN OF

  The invention relates to the field of capping bottles or containers containing alcoholic beverages and typically wine.

10 STATE I) THE TECHNIQUE

  The method of closure of traditional wine bottles comprises the use of a cork and an overcap, typically aluminum, as described for example in the patent application EP-Al-0 363 285.

  Closure of aperitif bottles or alcohols with a threaded neck is also known, with the aid of a closure cap, typically made of aluminum, comprising a threaded insert, as described, for example, in patent application FR-A1. -2 763 046. In this case, the capsule is screwed onto the threaded neck.

  According to another method of closure described in the patent application FR-A-2 179 604, a metal closure cap with a cast seal is crimped on a threaded neck, so as to form a net on the metal skirt of the capsule during its capping on said threaded neck. PROBLEMS POSED

  The problems posed are essentially economic problems, since a more economical method of capping is desired than those known in the prior art, that is to say on the one hand a process using screw caps more economical than traditional screw closure caps, for example those disclosed in FR-Al-2 763 046, and secondly an inherently more performing as traditional processes. By "more efficient" process is meant a process which allows, compared with known methods, a reduction in production costs as regards the capping itself, either because it makes it possible to increase the equipment capping rates. constant, or because it makes it possible to reduce investment or operating costs at the same rate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  In the process of capping a container by a closure cap according to the invention: a) supplying said container, typically a bottle intended to contain wine or an alcoholic beverage, provided with a neck forming a screw ring of capping comprising at least one screw thread on its annular portion and a rim at its upper portion defining an orifice, b) supplying said capping capsule having an axial direction and provided with a sealing means, said capping capsule comprising a metal shell having a metal head and a metal skirt of diameter d and axial height h, and a plastic insert having an inner head and an inner skirt, said insert being integral with said shell metal, c) and said orifice is closed by assembling said capsule to said neck sealingly.

  This method is characterized in that: 1) said annular portion carrying said thread adjoins, typically at its lower part, an adjacent necking zone, so that said thread forms the outermost radial portion of said neck, said annular portion having a height H, a so-called outer diameter D1 with said thread and a so-called inner diameter D2 without said thread, said thread thus having a radial height substantially equal to (D 1 -D 2) / 2, 2) said inner skirt of said insert of said capsule forms a non-threaded inner wall of axial height H, and of diameter D, such that the difference D, -D1 is typically less than 1 mm, said axial height H being typically substantially close to said height H of said annular portion, 3) after placing said capsule on said neck, said metal skirt is compressed against said ring by exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt, typical with the aid of an axial displacement shrinkage die, so as to shrink said metal skirt forming a shrunken metal skirt of diameter d <d, thereby forming an inner skirt having a permanent inner groove, said net of said ring having penetrated forcibly into said inner skirt, and thus to obtain a neck closed off by a screw closure cap, axial compression also being exerted on said cap so that said sealing means of said cap is pressed against said rim to ensure a tight closure of said neck.

  According to the invention, with regard to the container to be capped, it is preferable that the container comprises a glass ring adapted to the invention. Unlike conventional rings - see for example the ring of Figure 3 of the patent application FR-A1-2 179 604 - which comprise a counter-ring located just below the threaded annular portion, the ring according to the invention. does not include a counter ring: the threaded part directly adjoins a narrowed area.

  However, it is possible to use a usual ring with counter-ring. In this particular case, illustrated in Figures 10b and 10c, the counter ring is not used as such for capping.

  Finally, with regard to the actual capping step, one-part, given the relative dimensions of the insert and the threaded neck - said inner skirt of said insert typically having an inner diameter D, close to the outer diameter D1 said neck, or barely greater than this diameter Dl, said capsule can be placed directly on the neck and cover it without special effort, or possibly with a minimal axial force.

  On the other hand, once the capsule in place, as observed by the plaintiff, it is sufficient to use an ultrasimple capping head comprising a necking matrix and a central punch sliding in the necking matrix and to make a go-in. return, the central punch initially axially compressing the capsule on the neck, then the descending necking matrix to shrink the metal skirt corresponding to a decrease in its diameter d can typically range from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. It has been observed that such a decrease in diameter, on the one hand, does not modify the external appearance of the capsule, and in particular does not lead to any formation of folds, which would be unacceptable, and other on the other hand, although relatively low, provided sufficient penetration of the neck threads into said inner skirt for the formation of an imprinted groove on the inner surface of said inner skirt. A simple axial movement back and forth of a necking matrix is sufficient without the need to use a rotating part as in the state of the art, which is very advantageous both in terms of production rate as the cost of the investment.

  In view of the above, the combination of means 1) to 3) above according to the invention therefore solves the problems of the invention, both because the method according to the invention can use capsules of short skirt clogging and therefore not very greedy metal, and not threaded, so cheaper to manufacture than capsules with long skirt and threaded insert, and because the capping step itself can be performed at high speed - without setting in a movement of rotation and screwing, and with a very economical capping device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

  All Figures 1a to 1c are relative to the invention. These figures are axial views 25 along the axis (10) of symmetry of the capsules: either axial sections in the case of FIGS. 3a, 4a, 6a, 7a, 8a and 9-that is, axial half-sections in the case Figures 2a, 5a, 10a, 10b and 10e are side views parallel to the axial direction (10): 1a, 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b. Figure 1a shows a partial view of a bottle (4 '), the neck (40) of which is provided with a screw ring (41) as shown enlarged in Figure 1b. 3o Figure 1c is a schematic representation, in a transverse plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10), of two successive screw threads (410), one in solid line, the other in dashed line, corresponding substantially to those of FIG. 1b, each thread (410) extending over an angular range f3 of approximately 120, two successive threads being angularly offset by 72 (360/5), the number N of threads (410) being equal to 5 .

  Figures 2a to 4b relate to a modality of the invention in which the closure cap (1) comprises a guarantee band (60) as first opening detection means (6). The screw ring (41) adapted to this type of capsule (1) is shown in Figure 2a by its profile, and in Figure 2b in side view. The capsule (1) with guarantee strip (60) is shown in Figures 3a (axial section) and 3b (side view).

  Figures 4a and 4b show the capsule (1) closing the neck (40), the capsule being attached to the glass ring by the capping operation according to the invention.

  Figures 5a to 7b relate to another embodiment of the invention in which the closure cap (1) does not include a warranty band.

  The screw ring (41) adapted to this type of capsule (1) is shown in Figure 5a by its profile, and in Figure 5b in side view. The capsule (1) without warranty tape is shown in Figures 6a (axial section) and 6b (side view). FIGS. 7a and 7b, similar respectively to FIGS. 4a and 4b, show the capsule (1) closing the neck (40), the capsule (1) being fixed to the screw ring (41) by the capping operation according to FIG. 'invention.

  FIGS. 8a and 8b, similar to FIGS. 4a and 4b, show another embodiment of cap (1) with a domed head. FIG. 9 illustrates the capping device (8) represented at the end of capping of a capping cap (1) according to FIGS. 2a to 4b on a neck (40), this device (8) comprising a support punch ( 81) exerting axial pressure directly on the metal head (23), and a necking die (80) whose lower end (800) is flared to facilitate insertion of said capsule (1) into said die shrinks (80).

  FIGS. 10a to 10c illustrate a sealing means (5) for a closure cap (1) not including a guarantee strip (60), this sealing means comprising a seal (50) cooperating with a lip sealing (51). FIG. 10a relates to a capsule (1) provided with this sealing means (5). Figure 10b illustrates the closure of a standard neck (40 ') provided with a screw ring (41') and a counter-ring (47) by the closure cap (1) according to Figure 10a. Figure 10e illustrates the case where the closure cap (1) of Figure 10b is covered by an overcap (63) forming an insert (62). said overcap (63) comprising two spaced apart lines of weakness (631) delimiting between them a tear strip (630) so as to form said first opening visual detection means (6). Figure 10d is similar to the right half-portion of Figure 4 and differs therefrom in that the metal skirt (21) includes a free lower end (210 ') which masks the guarantee strip (60).

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  With regard to the neck (40) and its screw ring (41), said screw ring (41) may comprise N threads (410), with N typically ranging from 2 to 6, two successive threads (410) being offset angularly 360 / N, each thread (410) extending over an angular range 13 typically ranging from 60 to 360 depending in particular on the diameter of said neck (40), as illustrated in Figure lc which illustrates the arrangement of two successive nets (410) of the screw ring (41 of FIG. 1b). On all the rings shown in the figures, there are 5 threads (N = 5) and a rotation of 120 'ensures the unscrewing of the capsule (13 = 120 ).

  In general, the height H of said annular portion (411) can range from 4 mm to 30 mm.

  The height H may range from 4 mm to 12 mm, in the case where the neck (40) is of the "low ring" type, and preferably from 6 to 8 mm. The height H can range from 12 mm to 30 mm in the case where the neck (40) is of the "high ring" type.

  In the figures have been represented only rings "low".

  According to the invention, said threads (410) may have a radius of curvature RI ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, and typically a radius of curvature ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 mm, the radial height of said threads ( 410) ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, and typically ranging from 0.5 mm to 0.1 mm, while the radial height of the threads varies from 0.85 mm to. 1.3 mm in standard screw rings. Thus, it has been found that these values of radius of curvature and net depth (410) are compatible both with the manufacturing constraints of these rings and with the object of the present invention: namely to allow the penetration of these threads in the insert by a simple axial displacement of a necking matrix (80), and thus the formation of a permanent inner groove (320) so as to transform the capping capsule (1) into a capping capsule screw (1 ') having the properties or technical performance of traditional screw caps.

  Advantageously, and as illustrated in Figures 2a and 5a, said rim (42) may have a slope facing inwardly of said neck with an angle of between 10 and 45, and typically close to 20. Preferably, said rim (42) can be connected to said annular portion (411) by an upper sealing lip (45) forming an arc (46) of angle equal to 90-a and of radius of curvature R2 ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and preferably from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. Indeed, such a rim has a dual advantage: - on the one hand, as will be explained in more detail, it can facilitate sealing in that the contact area between the seal (50) and the drinking water is limited to one whose one end forms - or connects with a vertical wall (460) and whose other end forms or connects with a wall (461) inclined inwardly of said angle a - other on the other hand, it can facilitate the flow of the contents of the container (4) or the bottle (4 '), making this flow less turbulent, so as to, if not avoid, at least reduce the risk of seeing drops of wine form and project out of the main stream. Moreover, the threads (410) have an angular profile which greatly contributes to this "anti-drop" effect. Typically, said inside diameter D2 can range from 22 to 36 mm.

  In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, this inner diameter D 2 was taken as equal to 31.5 mm in the case, illustrated in FIGS. 2 a to 4 b, where a capsule (1) comprising a guarantee strip is used. (60). It has been taken equal to 33 mm in the case illustrated in Figures 5a to 7b, where a capsule (1) is used without warranty tape.

  According to the invention, said narrowed zone (44) may have a diameter D3 <D2 such that D2-D3 typically ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, said orifice (43) having a diameter D4 <D3 such that D3-D4 is typically from 5 mm to 10 mm. Thus, the difference D2-D3 corresponds to twice the radial depth of the necking zone (44), whereas the difference D3-D4 corresponds to twice the thickness of the wall forming the neck or neck of the bottle. With such a depth, the narrowed zone allows, in the case where the capsule comprises for example a guarantee strip, a clear axial separation of the guarantee strip after a first opening, the narrowed zone forming the neck of the bottle being narrowed. on a height sufficient for this, and typically over a height of at least 20 mm ,. or even much more in the case of the bottle shown in Figure 1a.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 6a and 10a, said capsule (1) may comprise a seal (50) forming said sealing means (5), said seal being typically in the form of a pellet placed therein said insert against said inner head. This seal (50) may be a compressible seal typically chosen in a multilayer material, a layer of which is formed of cellular or elastomeric material, for example an expanded PE forming a foam with a density of from 0.25 to 0.5, and typically of in the order of 03. Such joints may comprise at least one barrier layer, for example a tin metal layer and / or a PVDC layer. The compression of the seal (50) can be seen in Figures 4a, 7a and 9.

  It may be advantageous for said insert (3) to comprise at least one: sealing lip (51) carried by said inner head (30) and / or said inner skirt (31, 32), so as to form all or part of said sealing means (5), said lip (51) possibly cooperating with said seal (50).

  The case where the sealing means is formed only by one or more sealing lips is part of the invention although it has not been illustrated by a figure. FIGS. 4a and 7a illustrate the case where is present a lip (33) whose role can be double: on the one hand, it can ensure the maintenance of the seal (50) at the bottom of the insert (3), as can be seen for example in Figure 3a, on the other hand, it may possibly participate in the radial seal either by direct contact against the vertical wall (460) of the arc (46) forming the upper sealing flange (45), or by participating more directly in the radial compression of the seal, thereby forming a sealing lip (51) as shown in Figures 10b and 10e.

  According to the invention, said capsule (1) may comprise a visual detection means of a first opening (6), so as to guarantee the integrity of the contents (9) of said container (4). Said detection means (6) can be formed by a weakening line or a guarantee strip (60) typically connected by bridges (61) to said metal skirt (21) and / or to said inner skirt (31). ) of said insert (3), said bridges (61) forming a line of weakness, said guarantee band (60) being retained by said narrowed zone (44) of the neck (40) during said first opening, the unscrewing of said metal skirt (22) and said inner skirt (32) leading to a rupture of said bridges (61). See for example Figure 3a.

  But, according to an alternative embodiment, said guarantee strip (60) can be connected to said metal skirt (21) and / or to said inner skirt (31) not by bridges but by a weakened or thinned radial zone.

  Advantageously, said guarantee strip (60) can form a one-piece piece with said insert (3) and is integral with said inner skirt (31) via said bridges, said guarantee strip (60) typically comprising a heel of hooking (600) intended to cooperate with said narrowed zone (44).

  Similarly, said guarantee strip (60) can form a one-piece piece with said metal shell (2), said guarantee strip comprising a lower edge (601) crimped under the shoulder of said narrowed zone (44). The invention may also include the case where the detection means is formed by a weakening line carried by said metal skirt (21), and in this case, the lower end of said metal skirt can be crimped in the shrink zone. (44). This modality - not shown in a figure - may be an alternative to that shown in FIG. 3a in which the detection means is carried by the insert (3); however this alternative involves crimping typically using a roller or a rotating wheel.

  According to the invention, said first opening visual detection means (6) can be formed by an insert (62), typically by assembly, by use of a heat-shrinkable sheath or by an overcap (63), as illustrated in Figure 10e.

  Typically, said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) can be secured typically by sealing, gluing, crimping or press fitting. As illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 6a, 8a and 10a, said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) can be secured by crimping, said metal skirt (21) comprising a lower end (210) typically crimped at a lower end. (310) of said inner skirt (31), as shown in Figure 3a.

  According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 3a, said inner skirt (31) of said insert (2) may have a thickness Ep ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm, and preferably ranging from 0.5 mm to 1, 5 mm. Thus, in the case of a capsule with a guarantee strip, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 4a, the thickness Ep is 1.3 mm, whereas it is 0.5 mm in the case of a capsule without a warranty band, as shown in Figures 6a and 7a.

  According to an alternative embodiment, said insert (3) may be formed by a bilayer material, with an inner layer adapted to be deformed by said threads during said radial compression, an outer layer solidarisant said insert to said metal shell. In this case, said inner layer may be chosen so as to form said seal and replace it.

  According to the invention, said difference D, -D 1 may be less than 0.8 mm, said difference typically being typically between 0.7 mm and 0.3 mm, so as to have a gap between capsule (1) and neck (40) sufficient to facilitate the placement of said capsule (1) on said neck (40), said clearance being small enough that the difference dd 'is typically less than 1.5 mm and the formation of said permanent inner groove (320) requires a low shrinkage rate d / d said metal skirt (21) typically between 1.04 and 1.02.

  Another object of the invention is constituted by the closure cap (1) intended for carrying out the process according to the invention. In this capsule (1), said metal shell (2) can be typically aluminum or alloy with a thickness ranging from 100 lam to 350 m, and preferably from 150 m to 250 m, so that said radial compression of said metal skirt is both possible and irreversible. Said thickness can range from 195 lam to 230 m. The thickness chosen in the exemplary embodiments is 210 μm, which corresponds substantially to the thickness typically required to maintain the insert (3) in the necking state (3) despite the radial forces due in particular to a certain elasticity of the insert (3 ') or axial compression of the capsule (1'). However, it is possible to have a thickness of metal ranging from 100 to 200 gm as soon as the mechanical stresses decrease, in particular because the capping conditions make it possible to use a thickness and / or characteristics insert. less mechanical.

  According to the invention, said metal shell (2) may have an h / d ratio of less than 1.10, and typically less than 1, d and h respectively denoting the outside diameter of said typically cylindrical metallic skirt (21), and the height of said metal shell (2), the height h being typically greater than the height H of said annular portion (411). This h / d ratio of said metal shell (2) of the capsule (1) can range from 1/3 to 1/10 and preferably from 1/4 to 1/7.

  Thus, this ratio is about 1 / 4.5 in the case of capsules (1) of Figure 3a or Figure 6a.

  The capsules (1) illustrated by the figures and serving as exemplary embodiments correspond to non-limiting methods of capsules with an ultra-short skirt. In this case, the diameter d of the metal shell (2) can typically range from 22 to 40 mm, and the height h of the metal shell (2) can range from 5 to 12 mm, the difference hH being typically less than 5 mm. mm. It may be noted that the screw capping cap after capping (1 ') has a height h'> h, such that the difference h'-h ranges from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm depending on the diameter of the capsule . This is a height h (or h ') that is small relative to its diameter d, with a ratio h / d much less than 1, while the ratio h / d for the screw cap capsules, as illustrated for example in the abstract figure of the patent application FR • A1-2 763 046 is of the order of 1.5 to 2. According to the invention, the axial height h of said metal skirt (21) may be at least equal to the axial height H, of the inner skirt (31) of said insert (3), as shown in Figures 3a, 6a and 10a. On the other hand, as can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 8a, the guarantee strip (60) can be arranged below said metal skirt (21) and thus visible externally. However, according to one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10d, said metal skirt (21) may comprise a free bottom end (210 ') not crimped under the lower end (310) of said insert (3), of length sufficient to mask said guarantee strip (60) before said first opening, said guarantee strip becoming visible after said first opening by detaching from the insert (3) and falling on the neck (40). Advantageously, said insert (3) may be typically a molded or thermoformed insert based on polyolefin, typically PE or PP.

  According to an advantageous embodiment of capsule (1) according to the invention, and as already mentioned and illustrated by way of example in FIG. 10b, said sealing means (5) may comprise said seal (50), said insert (3 ) comprising a means of radial compression of said seal, typically by means of a sealing lip (51), so that, after capping said capsule (1) on said neck (40), a peripheral portion (500) of said seal (50) is applied against said arc curve (46) of said rim (42) and thus subjected to a permanent radial compression to ensure sealing of said capping in any circumstance, even in case of variation of an axial compression of the seal.

  According to another embodiment of capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 9, said metal head (20) may be a domed head (23), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a domed inner head (34) comprising a curved upper wall (340) having a curvature corresponding substantially to that of said curved head (23), and vertical partitions (341) typically circular forming between them recesses (342) and having a lower end (343) forming a support for said seal (50). The radius of curvature of the curved upper wall (23) can typically be from 30 mm to 70 mm and be 50 mm as shown in Figure 8a. However, as illustrated in Figures 6a and 7a, said metal head (20) may be a flat head (24), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a planar inner head (35).

  Another object of the invention is constituted by a container, typically a bottle of wine, sealed with a capsule (1) according to the invention and by implementing the capping method according to the invention.

  Another object of the invention is the use of capsule (1) according to the invention for the capping of bottles (4 ') containing an alcoholic beverage, and typically wine (90). Indeed, if the use of traditional closure caps 30 is known for the packaging of wine in traditional glass ring bottles, the use of the capsules (1) is not known, whether on a glassware ring. according to the invention or even traditional glass ring according to Figure 10b.

  Another object of the invention is constituted by the capping device intended to implement the method according to the invention, this device (8) comprising, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a displacement punch (81) with displacement axial shaft for compressing the head of the capsule (1) on the neck (40) to be encapsulated, and a shrinkage matrix (80) coaxially displaced to said punch (81) for shrinking said metal skirt (21) to form a skirt shrunken metal (22) as well as said inner skirt (31) to form a narrowed inner skirt (32), so as to form on the inner surface of said inner skirt a permanent inner groove (320) by radial compression of said inner skirt ( 31) of said insert against said screw thread (410) of the screw ring (41) of the neck (40).

  EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS All the figures constitute exemplary embodiments of capsules (1) according to the invention and of the process according to the invention.

  In all cases, the following procedure was followed: A) The capping capsules (1): Al 2 were first produced by manufacturing the components of the capsule, namely: the different types of metal shells (2) aluminum by stamping aluminum strip 0.21 mm thick, -the different types of inserts (3) made of PE by molding, -swings of seal of diameter close to Dl, by cutting in a multilayer strip typically consisting of EPE / PE / Adh / PVDC / Adh / PE where EPE denotes an expanded PE layer, and where Adh is an adhesive layer, PE and PVDC designating a PE layer and a PVDC layer. A2 - assembling the three constituent elements obtained in Al, namely: - by placing the seal at the bottom of the insert, - and fixing the metal shell (2) of aluminum on the insert (3), typically by crimping, so as to obtain a capsule (1) according to the invention. B) Glass bottles (4 ') according to FIGS. 1a and 1b have been manufactured by a glassmaker, and according to each of the methods according to FIGS. 2a and 5a.

  C) After having developed the capping device (8) comprising a necking matrix (80) and a sliding pressing punch (81), as shown in FIG. 9 in the lower position, the capsules (1 ) obtained according to A) on the bottles (4 ') obtained according to B) previously filled with wine. The tests were carried out with an axial force F1 of about 120 daN applied to the support punch thanks to a calibrated spring secured to the necking matrix, an axial force F2 of about 60 daN being applied to the necking matrix. , by a crank connecting rod assembly associated with a flywheel.

  A necking die with a smooth or corrugated surface was used to form a crenellated metal skirt and thus to facilitate the grip during the first opening. The capping rate has been varied and it has been observed that it is possible to perform the capping operation at a rate of up to 10,000 bottles per hour, a rate of about 500% higher than the rate of capping. traditional capping rate of aperitif bottles with capping capsules. The bottles thus encapsulated were stored and tested in the usual manner, as regards their sealing as well as their opening and closing by screwing and subsequent reopening. All the tests carried out made it possible to verify that the encapsulated bottles were in accordance with what was expected and what was typically obtained with traditional screw-sealing capsules for wines or alcohols.

  ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The invention has many advantages. The method according to the invention makes it possible to use capsules provided with a non-threaded insert, which is already economically advantageous and to secure these capsules to a threaded neck by a simple axial movement of a necking die. a capping device, and this without having to use a tool in rotation, so as to obtain at high speed capsulated bottles with a shrink-free capsule without wrinkles and retaining the attractive appearance of the original original capsule necking.

  In addition to the advantages already mentioned, relating to the cost of the capsule (1), and those relating to the capping itself (high rates, low investment and operating costs), it is important to mention the new possibilities offered. by the invention to radically renew the offer on the wine packaging market in particular. In particular, the invention makes it possible to substitute, on a large scale, the traditional closure by the assembly "cork stopper + overcap capsule" with the closure cap according to the invention, and this at a competitive cost, the capping capsules with screw not being adapted to the mass market of wine, perhaps for reasons of tradition, but especially for reasons of cost. For the end consumer, this substitution has two important advantages: - on the one hand, it can be very useful, and not only for the elderly, not to have to exert a significant pulling force on a corkscrew, this which happens fairly regularly when the cap sticks to the neck, - secondly, it is obvious that the removal of the cap, allowed by the capsule (1) according to the invention, ipso facto removes all the problems known as "cork" encountered quite frequently, and which render the wine more or less unfit for consumption. Indeed, cork being a natural product, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to ensure a regularity of closure, contrary to what allows the present invention.

  LIST OF INFORMATION Buffer capsule supplied 1 Capsule screw cap after capping ... 1 'Axis of symmetry - axial direction 10 Metal shell 2 Metal head 20 Metal skirt 21 Lower end crimped 210 Metallic shrunk skirt 22 Domed metal head 23 Metallic head plane 24 Insert 3 Inner head 30 Inner skirt 31 Lower end 310 Smooth inside wall of diameter D, ...

311 Inside shrink skirt 32 Permanent inner groove 320 Holder lip 50 33 Curved head 34 Curved upper wall 340 Partitions 341 Holes 342 Lower end of 331 343 Flat head 35 Container 4 Bottle 4 'Neck 40 Standard neck 40' Screw ring 41 Ring screw 40 '41' Screw thread 410 Ring part 411 Drinking 42 Port 43 Swage zone 44 Upper sealing edge 45 Curved arc of 42 or 45 46 Vertical wall 450 Sloped wall 461 Counter ring of 40 '47 Medium d sealing 5 Gasket 50 Peripheral portion 500 Sealing lip 51 Visual detection means of the opening phase 6 Warranty strip 60 Clamping heel 600 Crimped lower edge 601 Bridges 61 Inserts 62 Overcap caps 63 Overcap caps 7 Capping device 8 Shrinkage die 80 Sliding bearing pin 81 Container contents 9

Claims (34)

  1. A method of capping a container (4) by a closure cap (1) wherein: a) supplying said container (4), typically a bottle (4 ') intended to contain wine or an alcoholic beverage, with a neck (40) forming a screw ring (41) capping comprising at least one screw thread (410) on its annular portion (411) and a rim (42) at its upper portion defining an orifice (43). b) supplying said capping capsule (1) having an axial direction (10) and provided with sealing means (5), said capping cap (1) comprising a metal shell (2) provided with a metal head (20) and a metal skirt (21) of diameter d and axial height h, and a plastic insert (3) having an inner head (30) and an inner skirt (31). ), said insert (3) being integral with said metal shell (2), c) and said orifice (43) is closed by assembling said capsule (1) to said neck (40) in a sealed manner, said method being characterized in that: 1) said annular portion (411) carrying at least said net (410) adjoins, typically at its lower part, a narrowed zone (44) adjacent, so that said thread (410) forms the outermost radial portion of said neck (40), said annular portion (411) having a height H, an outer diameter D1 with said thread (410) and an inner diameter D2 without said thread (410 ), said net (410) thus having a radial height substantially equal to (D1-D2) / 2,   2) said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) of said capsule (1) forms a non-threaded inner wall (311) of axial height H, and of diameter D, such that the difference D, - D1 is typically less than 1 mm, said axial height Hi being typically substantially close to said height H of said annular portion (411),   3) after placing said capsule (1) on said neck (40), said metal skirt (21) is compressed against said ring (41) by exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt (21), typically with the aid of an axially displaceable shrinkage die (80) for shrinking said metal skirt (21) into a shrunken metallic skirt (22) having a diameter of <d, thereby forming an inner skirt (32) having a permanent inner groove (320), said thread (410) of said ring (41) having penetrated forcefully into said inner skirt (31), and thereby obtaining a neck (40) closed off by a screw cap (1 '), axial compression being also exerted on said capsule (1) so that said sealing means (5) of said capsule (2) is pressed against said rim (42) to ensure a tight seal said neck (40). 2. Method according to claim 1 to 3 wherein said screw ring (41) comprises N threads (410), with N typically ranging from 2 to 6, two successive threads (410) being angularly offset by 360 / N, each thread (410) extending over an angular range (3 typically ranging from 60 to 360 depending in particular on the diameter of said neck (40) 3. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein said height H of said annular portion ( 411) ranges from 4 mm to 30 mm.   4. The method of claim 3 wherein said height H is from 4 mm to 12 mm, in the case where the neck (40) is of "low ring" type, and preferably from 5 to 9 mm.   5. The method of claim 3 wherein said height H is from 12 mm to 30 mm in the case where the neck (40) is of type "high ring".   6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said threads (410) have a radius of curvature R1 ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm.   The method of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said radial height of said threads (410) ranges from 0.3 mm to 1 mm.   8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said rim (42) has a slope facing inwardly of said neck with an angle u. between 10 and 4: 5, and typically 20, said angle u. being considered with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10).   9. The method of claim 8 wherein said rim (42) is connected to said annular portion (411) by an upper sealing edge (45) forming a 90-a angle arc and a radius of curvature R2 ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and preferably from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said inside diameter D2 is from 22 to 36 mm, and wherein said constricted zone (44) has a diameter D3 <D2 such that D2-D3 typically ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, said orifice (43) having a diameter D4 <D3 such that D3-D4 typically ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm.   11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said capsule (1) comprises a seal (50) forming said sealing means (5), said seal being typically in the form of a tablet placed inside. said insert against said inner head, said seal (50) optionally comprising a peripheral portion (500) forming an outer edge covering at least said sealing flange (45).   12. The method of claim 11 wherein said seal (50) is a compressible seal typically selected from a multilayer material having a layer formed of cellular or elastomeric material.   13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said insert (3) comprises at least one sealing lip (51) carried by said inner head (30) and / or said inner skirt (31, 32), to form all or part of said sealing means (5), said lip (51) possibly cooperating with said seal (50).   14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said capsule (1) comprises means for visually detecting a first aperture (6), so as to ensure the integrity of the contents (9) of said container (4). ).   15. The method of claim 14 wherein said detecting means (6) is formed by a weakening line or a guarantee strip (60) typically connected by bridges (61) to said metal skirt (21). said metal shell (2), and / or said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3), said bridges (61) forming a weakening line, said guarantee strip (60) being retained by said narrowed zone (44). ) of the neck (40) during said first opening, the unscrewing of said metal skirt (22) and said inner skirt (32) causing a rupture of said bridges (61).   16. The method of claim 15 wherein said guarantee strip (60) is connected to said metal skirt (21) and / or said inner skirt (31) not by bridges but by a weakened or thinned radial zone.   17. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said guarantee strip (60) forms a one-piece piece with said insert (3) and is secured to said inner skirt (31) via said bridges, said strip warranty typically comprising a hooking heel (600) for cooperating with said narrowed zone (44).   18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said guarantee strip (60) forms a one-piece piece with said metal shell (2), said guarantee strip (60) comprising a lower edge (601) crimped under the shoulder of said narrowed zone (44).   19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said first aperture visual detection means (6) is formed by an insert (62), typically by joining, using a heat-shrinkable sheath or by a overcap (63).   20. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) are secured typically by sealing, gluing, crimping or press fitting.   21. The method of claim 20 wherein said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) are secured by crimping, said metal skirt (21) comprising a lower end (210) typically crimped at a lower end (310) of said inner skirt (31). 30   22. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) has a thickness Ep ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm, and preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.   23. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said insert (3) is formed by a two-layer material, with an inner layer adapted to be deformed by said threads (410) during said radial compression, an outer layer solidarisant said insert (3) to said metal shell (2).   24. The method of claim 23 wherein said inner layer is selected so as to form said seal and replace it.   25. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said difference D, -D1 is less than 0.8 mm, said difference typically being typically between 0.7 mm and 0.3 mm, so as to have a play. between capsule (1) and neck (40) sufficient to facilitate the placement of said capsule (1) on said neck (40), said clearance being small enough that the difference dd 'is typically less than 1, 5 mm and that the forming said permanent inner groove (320) requires a low shrinkage rate d / d said metal skirt (21) typically between 1.04 and 1.02. Plugging capsule (1) intended for carrying out the process according to any one of Claims 1 to 25, in which said metal shell (2) is typically made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with a thickness ranging from 100 μm to 350 μm. and preferably from 150 μm to 250 μm, so that said radial compression of said metal skirt is irreversible. 27. The closure capsule of claim 26 wherein said thickness is from 1195 to 230 μm. 28. Closure capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 27 wherein said metal shell (2) has a h / d ratio less than 1.10, and typically less than 1, d and h respectively denoting the outer diameter of said skirt 10metal (21), typically cylindrical, and the height of said metal skirt (21), the height h being typically greater than the height H of said annular portion (411). 29. Capsule according to claim 28 wherein the h / d ratio of said metal shell (2) ranges from 1/3 to 1/1 and preferably from 1/4 to 1/7. 30. Capsule according to claim 29 wherein the diameter d is from 22 to 40 mm, and wherein the height h is from 5 to 12 mm, said capsule being in this case ultra-short skirt, the difference hH being typically lower at 5 mm. 31. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 30 wherein the axial height h of said metal skirt (21) is at least equal to the axial height H of the inner skirt (31) of said insert (3). 15 32. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 31 wherein said insert (3) is a molded or thermoformed insert based on polyolefin, typically PE or PP. 33. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 32 wherein said sealing means (5) comprises said seal (50) and wherein said insert comprises a means of radial compression of said seal, typically through a sealing lip (51), so that, after capping said capsule (1) on said neck (40), a peripheral portion (500) of said seal (50) is applied against said curve arc (46) of said mouth (42). ) and thus subjected to a permanent radial compression to ensure the sealing of said capping in any circumstance, even in case of variation of an axial compression of the seal. 34. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein said metal head (20) is a domed head (23), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) fi) rmant a domed inner head (34) comprising a curved upper wall (340) having a curvature corresponding substantially to that of said curved head (23), and vertical partitions (341) typically circular forming between them recesses (342) and having a lower end (343) forming a support for said seal (50) .535. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein said metal head (20) is a flat head (24), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a planar inner head (35). 36. A container closed with a capsule (1) according to any one of claims 26 to 35 and implementing the capping method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, 37. Using a capsule ( 1) according to any one of claims 26 to 35 for the closure of bottles (4 ') containing an alcoholic beverage, and typically wine (90). 38. A capping device (8) for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 comprising an axially displaced pressing punch (81) for compressing the capsule head (1) on the neck (40) to be encapsulated, and a narrowing die (80) coaxially displaced to said punch (81) for necking said metal skirt (21) to form a narrowed metallic skirt (22) and said inner skirt (31) to form a narrowed inner skirt (32), so as to form on the inner surface of said inner skirt a permanent inner groove (320) by radial compression of said inner skirt (31) of said insert against said screw thread (410) of the screw ring (41) of the neck (40).