FR3059309A1 - COMPRESSIBLE CIRCULAR CLOSURE ORGANS IN LIEGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a circular closure member (10, 10 ') made of cork is its production method. It is intended to plug the opening (52, 52 ') of a receptacle (48, 48') delimited by an inner rim (50, 50 '). It comprises a gripping portion (22, 22 ') having a gripping face (30, 30') and a gripping edge (26, 26 '), and a closing portion (24, 24') having a face of capping (32, 32 ') and a capping wafer (28, 28') for engaging said inner rim (50, 50 '), said capping face (32, 32') and said capping wafer ( 28, 28 ') defining a common circular edge (34, 34') having a closure radius Rb. Said plugging portion (24, 24 ') has a recess (38, 38') opening axially into said plugging face (32, 32 ') and extending radially to a maximum radius Rm less than said plugging radius Rb .

Description

059 309

61731 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number:

(to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 65 D 39/00 (2017.01)

PATENT INVENTION APPLICATION

A1

©) Date of filing: 30.11.16. © Applicant (s): AU LIEGEUR-ETS J.PONTNEAU (© Priority: DENIS Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): GARCIA-CUENCA ENRIQUE. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 01.06.18 Bulletin 18/22. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): AU LIEGEUR-ETS J.PONTNEAU DENIS related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): CABINET FEDIT LORIOT.

CIRCULAR CLOSURE ORGANS COMPRESSIBLE IN CORK.

FR 3 059 309 - A1 tür) The invention relates to a circular corking member (10, 10 ′) made of cork and its production method. It is intended to plug the opening (52, 52 ') of a receptacle (48, 48') delimited by an internal border (50, 50 '). It comprises a gripping part (22, 22 ') having a gripping face (30, 30') and a gripping edge (26, 26 '), and a plugging part (24, 24') having a gripping face stopper (32, 32 ') and a stopper wafer (28, 28') intended to come into engagement with said internal edge (50, 50 '), said stopper face (32, 32') and said stopper wafer ( 28, 28 ') defining a common circular edge (34, 34') having a sealing radius R _b . Said plugging part (24, 24 ') has a recess (38, 38') opening axially in said plugging face (32,32 ') and extending radially up to a maximum radius R _m smaller than said plugging radius R _b .

Compressible circular corks in cork

The present invention relates to a circular corking member intended to plug a receptacle.

A field of application envisaged is in particular, but not exclusively, that of the storage of foodstuffs which it is advisable to preserve with respect to the air outside the receptacle.

Known circular corking members make it possible to plug, for example, glass jars containing condiments. Also, the neck of the glass jar has a conical lapping and the closure member is also of conical shape to come to engage in the conical lapping and thus seal the neck relatively tightly.

The plugging member comprises on the one hand a large diameter gripping part having a gripping face and on the other hand a smaller diameter plugging part having a plugging face opposite to the gripping face. The edges, for gripping the gripping part and for plugging the plugging part, are conical in shape and defined by the same conical surface.

Thus, the closure member is gripped by its gripping portion so as to be able to engage the closure portion inside the conical lapping of the neck of the glass jar. The dimensions of the conical sealing member are adapted vis-à-vis those of the conical running-in to prevent it from completely penetrating the interior of the pot. The closure member then gets stuck in the neck as it engages and comes to close it relatively tightly.

However, the variability of the dimensions of the cork stoppering elements of the same production series, inherent in the machining of cork, or else in its drying, has no effect on the quality of the corking of a series of pots. in glass of a determined running-in diameter, because the tightness is obtained, thanks to the taper, by more or less pressing the stopper member into the neck.

However, when the closure part is of cylindrical symmetry, for example, for glass jar necks with cylindrical lapping, the variability of the dimensions of the diameter of this cylindrical part leads to a more or less tight sealing.

In addition, in certain circumstances, glass jars whose walls are rigid are used, but boxes made of a cellulose material for which the dimensions of the neck for a series of boxes have a relatively appreciable standard deviation. . Consequently, in such a circumstance, the two dimensional variability combined lead to non-leaky closings among the series of matched boxes and closers.

Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a closure member which allows to overcome the dimensional variability of a series of this closure member and those of the containers it is intended for. to be closed if necessary.

To this end, there is proposed, according to a first aspect, a circular corking member intended to plug the opening of a receptacle delimited by an internal border, said capping member comprising on the one hand a gripping part. having a gripping face and a gripping edge, and on the other hand a plugging part having a plugging face opposite to said gripping face and a plugging slice intended to come into engagement with said internal edge, said plugging face and said stopper edge defining a common circular edge having a stopper radius R _b . Said plugging part has a recess opening axially in said plugging face and extending radially up to a maximum radius R _m smaller than said plugging radius R _b , so as to release a free radially deformable circular wing.

Thus, a characteristic of the invention resides in the implementation of a recess of a given depth in the plugging part making it possible to release a circular free wing deformable in a radial direction, compared to a full cylinder much less compressible. In this way, provision is made for the production of plugging members the dimensions of the plugging part of which are substantially greater on average, compared with those of the opening of the receptacle. In other words, the sealing radius R _b of the circular edge is substantially greater than that of the opening of the receptacle. And when the plugging part is forcibly engaged inside the opening, the circular free wing tends to deform radially as it is inserted. It thus deforms radially more or less depending on the difference between the actual dimensions of the closure part and the dimensions provided with respect to the dimensions of the opening of the receptacle. Indeed, cork is a living material and the parts of a series machined in this material have variable dimensions around an average, and this of a greater amplitude than another wood for example. These dimensional variations are also linked to the ambient humidity and the initial drying of the cork.

In addition, when the receptacle is for example a cylindrical box made of cellulosic material, and in this case of cardboard, the diameter of the opening of a series of these boxes is also variable around an average value. And consequently, the mean plugging radius of the plugging part is significantly increased. It is also possible, in order to obtain the same result, to plan to substantially reduce the diameter of the openings in the series of boxes. This gives a significantly smaller average diameter of the box series, which allows a perfect fit of the closure part inside the opening in all circumstances.

Furthermore, and according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said recess extends radially between a minimum radius R, and said maximum radius R _m . Thus, the recess does not extend throughout the plugging part so that the plugging member retains its mechanical strength.

Advantageously, said plugging portion has a circular groove of minimum radius R, and of maximum radius R _m forming said recess. In this way, the radial deformation of the circular free wing, towards the center of the plugging part is controllable. In fact, depending on the depth of the circular groove, and also on its width, which then defines two opposite edges, the free circular wing can be deformed until it abuts against the other groove edge, the most central. Thus, by modulating the depth and the width of the circular groove, the amplitude of deformation of the free deformable wing is delimited. And in addition, by adjusting the value of the maximum radius R _m, the width of the free deformable wing is determined and therefore its resistance to deformation. Indeed, for a given groove depth, the greater the thickness of the deformable free wing, the greater its mechanical resistance. And conversely, the smaller the width of the free deformable wing and the lower its mechanical resistance to deformation.

îo According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plugging member comprises a shoulder between said plugging part and said gripping part. The diameter of the gripping part is thus larger than that of the plugging part, the two parts being coaxial. Thus, the shoulder of the closure member can come to bear against the edge of the opening of the receptacle.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said closure wafer has a groove. Thus, for example, the receptacle comprises a circular bulge which projects in projection from the internal border along the edge of the opening, and when the closure member is applied to the receptacle, the closure portion engaged with the internal border, the bulge engages in the throat.

It will be observed that the engagement of the bulge in the groove is facilitated by the implementation of the recess according to the invention because it allows the mobility of the circular free wing. Thus, during insertion, the free circular wing deforms radially in contact with the bulge and then returns to its initial position when the groove reaches the level of the bulge.

The cooperation of the bulge and the groove makes it possible to improve the connection between the plugging member and the receptacle, but also to improve the seal. Thanks to the invention, these two characteristics are improved for a series of sealing members and receptacles by providing a sealing radius substantially greater than the radius of the internal border of the opening.

Advantageously, said common circular edge has a chamfer. The latter makes it easier to engage the plugging part inside the opening, especially when the internal border has a bulge.

According to another object, a method is proposed for producing a circular corking member of the type comprising the following steps: a cork board is provided; a straight circular cylindrical body is formed in said cork board comprising, on the one hand a first portion intended to form a gripping part having a gripping face and a gripping edge, and on the other hand a second portion intended to form a plugging part having a plugging face opposite to said gripping face and a plugging edge, said plugging face and said plugging edge defining a common circular edge having a plugging radius R _b ; and, in addition, a recess is formed in said plugging part opening axially in said plugging face and extending radially up to a maximum radius R _m smaller than said plugging radius R _b , so as to release a deformable circular free wing. radially.

A closure member obtained by such a method has the advantages described above.

Preferably, said recess is made by extending it radially between a minimum radius R, and said maximum radius R _m . In this way, a small part of the material is removed from the closure part. And preferably, a circular groove with a minimum radius R, and a maximum radius R _{m is provided} in said plugging part in order to make said recess. Thus, a minimum quantity of material is removed from the closure part allowing a free deformable wing to be released, while retaining the general mechanical properties of the closure member.

Preferably, a hole saw is provided for making said recess. In this way, the recess is made very easily at low cost. According to another embodiment, said recess is practiced by means of a drill bit.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view in axial section of a circular closure member according to the invention, according to a first embodiment;

- Figure 2 is a schematic bottom view along arrow II of the circular closure member shown in Figure 1;

îo - Figure 3 is a schematic view in axial section of a circular closure member according to a second embodiment; and,

- Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the method for producing a closure member according to the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a cork closure member 10 of circular axis of symmetry A intended to seal a receptacle 12. We will first describe with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 4, the method of making the circular cork stopper 10.

According to a first step 14, cork boards are provided having two opposite faces which are substantially parallel and a constant thickness at least equal to the thickness E of the closure member shown in FIG. 1. The cork boards can be made from cork natural or agglomerated cork. Then, according to a second step 16, a straight circular cylindrical body with a diameter D at least equal to the diameter of the plugging member 10 shown in Figure 1 is produced by means of a cookie cutter by tubing. right cylindrical then defines a mean plane dividing it into two substantially identical circular portions.

According to a first alternative embodiment, and in accordance with a third step 18, the edge of one of these two circular portions is machined, so as to bring its diameter to a smaller diameter d. A shoulder 20 is then provided in the plugging member 10. This shoulder delimits an upper gripping part 22 of a lower plugging part 24. The upper gripping part 22 has a gripping edge 26, while the lower part closure has a closure edge 28. This lower closure portion 24 delimited by its closure edge 28 then defines a closure radius R _b . In addition, the upper gripping part 22 defines an upper gripping face 30, while the lower plugging part 24 defines a plugging face 32 opposite the gripping face 30.

Found in Figure 2 in bottom view, the plugging member 10. The upper gripping portion 22 has the upper diameter D, while the lower plugging portion 24 has the lower diameter d. îo The shoulder 20 then appears between the gripping part 22 and the plugging part 24. Also, the plugging face 32 and the plugging edge 28 of the plugging part 24 meet and define a stop forming a common circular edge. 34. This circular edge 34 also has the sealing radius R _b .

Also, according to the sequence of steps represented in FIG. 4, during a fourth step 36, a circular groove 38 is formed, at a distance from the circular edge 34 and which is found in Figures 1 and 2. This circular groove 38 is advantageously produced by means of a hole saw suitable for cork. Thus, the hole saw is equipped with diamonds to be able to cut the cork easily.

The circular groove 38 then defines a recess which extends axially and which is delimited radially by two opposite edges, 40, 42 whose maximum radius R _m is less than the blocking radius R _b , and whose minimum radius R, is itself - even less than the maximum radius R _m .

In this way, a circular free wing 44 radially deformable is thus formed.

It will be observed in FIG. 1 that the circular groove 38 has a depth substantially close to the thickness ep of the plugging part 24.

According to a final optional step 46, the common circular edge 34 is chamfered so as to facilitate the implementation of the plugging member 10 which will be described below.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a cylindrical receptacle 48 made of a cellulosic material and having a receptacle edge 49 and an internal border 50, running along the edge 49 and delimiting an opening 52. The internal diameter of the opening 52 is then substantially less than the lower diameter d of the closure part 24 of the closure member 10.

Also, when one comes to forcefully engage the plugging part 24 inside the opening 52, the common circular edge 34 comes to bear on the receptacle edge 49, while the free circular wing 44 is deformed radially towards the center C of the plugging member 10 as the plugging part 24 penetrates inside the receptacle 48 and the plugging edge 28 is driven axially in friction against the internal edge 50.

Thus, concentric radial forces R are exerted on the closure edge 28 of the closure portion 24 via the internal edge 50 of the receptacle 48. Conversely, the circular free wing 44 which deforms radially exerts itself in return a centrifugal force. This effort makes it possible to obtain a better seal of receptacle 48. It also makes it possible to facilitate the closing of receptacle 48.

It is understood that in the absence of a circular groove 38, and in the case where the internal diameter of the opening 52 is substantially less than the smaller diameter d of the plugging part 24, the radial compressibility of the plugging part does not is not sufficient to authorize its engagement inside the opening 52.

Thus, thanks to the circular groove 38, it is possible to accept a greater dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the openings 52 of the receptacles 48.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 illustrating according to a second embodiment, a sealing member 10 'intended to come and stop a container 48'. Elements similar to those in Figure 2 and playing the same role have the same reference with a sign '' >>. Additional elements are assigned a reference taken from the series of references already assigned.

Thus, the plugging member 10 'has a gripping part 22' and a plugging part 24 'delimited by a shoulder 20'. The plugging portion 24 'is delimited by its plugging edge 28' in which a groove 54 is formed. The plugging portion 24 'has a plugging face 32' defining with the plugging edge 28 'a circular edge 34'.

In addition, the plugging portion 24 'has a circular groove 38' forming a recess and opening axially in the plugging face 32 '. The circular groove 38 'extends radially up to a maximum radius R' _m îo smaller than the sealing radius R ' _b , so as to release a circular free wing 44' radially deformable. In contrast, the circular groove 38 'extends radially towards the center C' of the closure member 10 'up to a minimum radius R' ,.

As for the receptacle 48 ', it is also made of a cellulosic material and it has a receptacle edge 49' and an internal border 50 ', running along the edge 49' and delimiting an opening 52 '. In addition, the receptacle 48 'has a bulge 56 projecting from the internal edge 50' along the receptacle edge 49 '. The bulge 56 is made of a rolled rolled of the receptacle 48 '.

Thus, thanks to the circular groove 38 ', when the plugging part 24' is engaged through the opening 52 ', the free circular wing 44' which it delimits will be able to easily deform radially in order to facilitate engagement complete with the plugging part 24 ′ inside the receptacle 48 ′, while the bulge 56 engages in the groove 54 and the circular free wing 44 ′ is substantially relaxed. In addition, the shoulder 20 'is supported on the receptacle edge 49' so as to complete the seal.

In this second embodiment also, thanks to the circular groove 38 ’, it is possible to accept a greater dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the openings 52 ′ of the receptacles 48’. And thus, provision is made to provide series of receptacles whose opening diameter is on average smaller than the diameter theoretically required so as to be able to ensure the perfect sealing of the closure of all the receptacles of the series.

Claims (10)

1. Circular closure member (10, 10 ’) made of cork intended to seal the opening (52, 52’) of a receptacle (48, 48 ’) delimited by a 5 internal border (50, 50 '), said closure member (10, 10') comprising on the one hand a gripping part (22, 22 ') having a gripping face (30, 30') and a slice of gripping (26, 26 '), and on the other hand a plugging part (24, 24') having a plugging face (32, 32 ') opposite said gripping face (30, 30') and a slice of closure (28, 28 ') intended to come into engagement with said internal border (50, 50'), said closure face (32, 32 ') and said closure edge (28, 28') defining a common circular edge (34, 34 ') having a sealing radius R _b ; characterized in that said closure part (24, 24 ’) has a recess (38, 38’) opening axially in said closure face (32, 15 32 ') and extending radially to a maximum radius R _m smaller than said sealing radius R _b , so as to release a deformable circular free wing (44, 44') radially. 2. Closure member according to claim 1, characterized in that said recess (38, 38 ’) extends radially between a minimum radius R, and said 20 maximum radius R _m . 3. Closure member according to claim 1, characterized in that said closure portion (24, 24 ') has a circular groove of minimum radius R, and maximum radius R _m forming said recess (38, 38'). 4. Corking device according to any one of claims 1 to 25 3, characterized in that it comprises a shoulder (20, 20 ’) between said plugging part (24, 24’) and said gripping part (22, 22 ’). 5. Corking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said closure wafer (28 ’) has a groove (54). 30 6. Corking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said common circular edge (34, 34 ’) has a chamfer. 7. Method for producing a circular closure member (10, 10 ′) of cork of the type comprising the following steps: - we supply a cork board; - A straight circular cylindrical body 5 is formed in said cork board comprising, on the one hand, a first portion intended to form a gripping part (22, 22 ′) having a gripping face (30, 30 ') and a gripping edge (26, 26'), and on the other hand a second portion intended to form a plugging part (24, 24 ') having a plugging face (32, 32') opposite said face gripping (30, 30 ') îo and a stopper edge (28, 28'), said stopper face and said stopper edge defining a common circular edge (34, 34 ') having a stopper radius R _b ; characterized in that in addition in said plugging part (24, 24 ’) a recess (38, 38’) opens axially in said face of Plugging (32, 32 ') and extending radially up to a maximum radius R _m smaller than said plugging radius R _b , so as to release a radially deformable free circular wing (44, 44'). 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said recess (38, 38 ’) is practiced by extending it radially between a minimum radius R, and Said maximum radius R _m . 9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a circular groove (38, 38 ') of minimum radius R and of maximum radius R _{m is formed} in said plugging part (24, 24') for making said recess . 10. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, 25 characterized in that a hole saw is provided for making said recess (38, 38 ’). 1/2 2/2 y y Ξ y