NZ528837A - A bottle stopper being an arrangement of a metallic cap and an aluminium cover having a plastic cap to hold the metallic cap in place - Google Patents

Abstract

A bottle stopper comprises: a metallic twist off cap having an internal plastic lining to seal about the mouth of a complementary bottle when the cap is fitted to the bottle; a locking member that is fitted over the cap in use; an external cover that is fitted over the locking member in use; a first locking means that acts between the cap and the locking member to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the locking member is fitted over the cap and a second locking means that acts between the locking member and the cover to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the cover is fitted over the locking member.

Description

528 8 3 7 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION BOTTLE STOPPER We, OMAR ALCIDES GARCIA, an Argentinian citizen of Marmol 50, Buenos Aires, Argentina; ANTONIO NAVASCUES, an Argentinian citizen of Azara 90, Buenos Aires, Argentina; and JULIO CESAR NICIEZA, an Argentinian citizen of Zapiola 180, Chivilcoy, Pcia de Bs As, Argentina, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by page la) BOTTLE STOPPER nr 1\P -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED Field of Invention: This invention involves a new stopper that is especially useful for closing containers holding different types of beverages, mainly bottles of beverages such as wine, cider, champagne, etc. More specifically, this invention makes reference to a bottle stopper offering several advantages and allowing for traditional closure means to be replaced, as is the case of the wine cork stopper, and serving the same purpose.

Background of Invention: In the beverages industry, a great number of stoppers and bungs are known for containers, particularly for bottles, since these are the containers most commonly used in order to hold beverages of all kinds. For the sole purpose of mentioning just a few examples of the most widely known stoppers, we may begin by referring to the crown cap which, although it offers many functional advantages, such as prevention of leakage and safety, it is not an adequate stopper, from the aesthetic point of view, for the purpose of closing more expensive beverages, such as wine or champagne; additionally, it lacks certain relevant features for this kind of beverages, as is the case of safety mechanisms.

Another kind of stopper very commonly used in the market is the so-called "pilfer-proof', which serves the purpose of prevention of leakage, safety and security, but presents the drawback of its high cost and, thus, it can only be used in those cases where so justified by the price of the beverage concerned.

In the particular case of wines, there are basically two types of stoppers for bottles: for lower-price wines, agglomerated cork is normally used, and for more expensive 2 pEU&07gPERTV °FRCE 1 -7 APR 2005 1 RE C F 1V E P — ones, premium cork is preferred. As it is known, cork is a natural material obtained from the cork oak which, although offering the product an excellent aesthetic look, involves countless problems. In fact, cork must be adequately shaped and placed; otherwise, it may affect the beverage. Moreover, it is known that most types of cork, since they are of a vegetal origin, interact with the wine contained in the bottle during storage prior to sale. Finally, cork is a high-price stopper; therefore, in the case of low-price beverages, second-class cork, called agglomerated cork, is used, which consists of small pieces of cork compacted and bound; this type of cork is not adequate for high-quality beverages.

Another type of stopper for cider, champagne and some kinds of wine bottles are plastic stoppers commonly used to close cider bottles. However, they are not good for high-price beverages, since they pose countless inconveniences, especially due to inadequate adjustments between the stopper and the inner surface of the bottle neck, as well as the difficulty of their removal.

As a consequence of the foregoing, the stopper involved in this invention has been developed; it combines several features which result in a novel stopper serving an excellent purpose, and the advantages of at least preferred embodiments of which are as follows. a) It offers total closure thus preventing the entry of oxygen, as well as airtightness, and it is capable of tolerating internal pressures, such as those generated by beverages like sodas, sparkling wines, beer, cider, champagne, etc. b) It has a highly competitive price, as compared to other types of multi-functional stoppers, for example cork stoppers. 3 c) When the bottle is to be opened, the stopper may be easily removed, without requiring the aid of any external device, such as corkscrews and the like. d) It has an aesthetically appealing look that is comparable to that of the highest detail, found in fine wines.

Brief Description of the Invention: In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a bottle stopper comprising: a metallic twist-off cap having an internal plastic lining to seal about the mouth of a complementary bottle when the cap is fitted to the bottle; a locking member that is fitted over the cap in use; an external cover that is fitted over the locking member in use; a first locking means that acts between the cap and the locking member to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the locking member is fitted over the cap; and a second locking means that acts between the locking member and the cover to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the cover is fitted over the locking member.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a bottle stopper comprising: a metallic cap having an internal plastic lining so as to attain airtight closure of a mouth of a bottle when fitted to the bottle, the cap having screw threads engageable with complementary threads about the mouth of the bottle to provide a twist-off cap system; a substantially cylindrical plastic locking member having internal recessed locks that coincide with and engage with external protruding locks on the cap, and having an :NTEU£C)UAi. PSOPEHTV JFFICJ. ■sV HI - 3 MAY 2005 RECEIVED 0FlCEi -7 APR 2005 received external perimeter with substantially vertical grooves that allow for an anti-turn locking mechanism when placed inside an external cover; and said external cover, the cover being made of aluminum and having an internal diameter that locks with the grooves in the outside of the locking member in a cylinder-like and closed manner.

Summarizing, we can say that this invention involves a stopper for bottles holding beverages in general, particularly wine, champagne, cider, sodas, and the like, which preferably comprises: 1) a metallic cap with internal plastic plastering (liner) in order to attain airtight closure and a "twist-off' threaded system or the like that allows for a quick opening; 2) a plastic cube of adequate hardness, with negative impression or locks that hold and coincide with the external locks of the metallic cap, and the external diameter of which has certain vertical grooves that allow for an anti-turn lock mechanism, when placed inside the external aluminum cover; 3) the said plastic cube, in turn, has a projecting circular part intended to affix the metallic cap onto the referred plastic lock when the system is opened; 4) an external aluminum cover, the internal diameter of which locks with the outside of the said plastic cube, in a cylinder-like and closed manner in one end on which are set the two parts referred to above. It may have different width and length, according to the purpose it is intended to serve, and it holds circular threads or frangible bridges in order to guarantee the safety of the content.

Brief Description of the Figures: The improvements referred to above are only some of the most remarkable ones of this invention, which will be explained in detail throughout this description that is to be made in accordance with the drawings attached hereto, for the purposes of illustration only, and without restricting the invention in any manner, pursuant to the following.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section illustrating the proposed stopper that is already placed on, for example, a glass wine bottle.

Figure 1A is an alternative embodiment of Figure 1 including screw threads. Figure 2 shows an exploded view illustrating the component parts of the referred stopper.

Figure 2A is an alternative embodiment of Figure 2 including screw threads. Figure 3 shows a lateral elevation view of the full stopper placed on the bottle. Figure 4 show an alternative for the stopper's frangible bridge.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section illustrating an alternative design for short screw caps.

Figure 6 shows another alternative for the design of the stopper, with frangible bridges and riveted cover on the glass of the bottle.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative design especially adequate for champagne bottles with full aluminum cover, frangible bridges and riveted cover on the mouth.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED 6 Detailed Description of the Invention: In accordance with the foregoing description and illustration provided by the figures attached hereto, we can see that a stopper, pursuant to this invention, indicated by number reference 1, comprises a metallic stopper 2 with internal plastic lining 3 in order to attain airtight closure between the upper edge 4 of the mouth in bottle 5. Furthermore, the said upper edge of the mouth 4 has some protruding ribs that define a so-called "twist-off" system 22 or screw threads, while interacting with the thread of the stopper, thus allowing for a quick opening. This system shall not be described in detail due to the fact that it is well known in the state of the art, and it is not novel (see Figures 1 and 1 A).

The above-referred metallic stopper is set inside locking member 6, which defines the shape of a stopper that presents, on its exterior, an upper flat surface 7 and a perimetric wall 8 (see Figure 2), while inside it has a hollow space having a shape resembling that of the metallic stopper. Once the stopper 2 is affixed inside the member 6, they define an indivisible body that works like a twist-off stopper, while avoiding the look of the traditional metallic stopper that would detract from the appearance of the pieces thus assembled.

Member 6 referred to above is defined by a plastic "cylinder" having appropriate hardness, with internal recessed locks 9 that hold and coincide with external protruding locks 10 in the metallic stopper (the locks 9 and 10 providing a first locking means), and the external perimeter of which has a number of vertical grooves allowing for an anti-turn lock mechanism (a second locking means) in its joint with cover 11.

The assembly is completed by an external aluminum cover 11, the internal perimeter of which locks with the external perimeter of the referred plastic member 6, in a cylinder-like and closed manner at one end in which are set the two parts 2 and 6 indicated above. This cover may be of different width and length, accor&^g^ftfe? iPSSfW® dfci OF M.7 -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED 7 intended to serve, and it contains a safety device in order to avoid tampering with the content of the bottle that, depending on the type of design, may have the form of circular threads or frangible bridges, so as to guarantee the security of the content, as will be explained below.

Figures 3 and 4 show two different types of manufacturing, in one of which (Figure 3) it is shown that the external aluminum cover 11 has two frangible lines 12 that between them define a security strip 13 that presents, as it is already known, a tear tab 14 that is to be held by user and, when pulled, thus removes strip 13 from the body of cover 11. On the other hand, in the alternative design shown by Figure 4, we can see a series of aligned perforations 15 which define frangible bridges 16 that are to be broken by a user in order to release the content in the bottle. In the alternative design of Figure 3, cover 11 has internal anti-turn locks that coincide with the locks in the bottle that hold cover 11 in relation to the mouth, and thus prevent it from turning.

The closure process for this design of the stopper must be carried out in two closing stages. In the first one, the metallic stopper is placed on the bottle and, in the second one, the metallic stopper is placed in the bottle external cover 11 that carries plastic locking member 6. The said cover 11, while being placed on the mouth of the bottle, previously closed with the metallic stopper 2, allows for the locking mechanism between pieces 6 and 2, and the stopper-placing machine rivets at 18 the referred cover 11 in under strip 13 or, in the alternative, in under the perforations 15. It should be noted that the skirt in cover 11 has anti-turn locks 20 that allow for the referred cover to be locked onto the bottle (alternative 3) and prevent the cap from being inadvertently turned with respect to the bottle.

Furthermore, in the case of designs shown by Figures 3 and 4, it may be seen that external cover 11 has a lower skirt 17 that, on the one side helps improve its appearance, since on its external face it may have applied a certain label and/or{[^^t^fii^{]|^|vtfjpigijier | ' "of M.Z -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED 8 hand, it presents middle notch 18 that maintains the assembly on the mouth of the bottle, while guaranteeing its safety.

The design in Figure 5 shows another stopper similar to the ones described above, although this time the external cover lacks the referred lower skirt, but has a shorter one, and the middle notch in this case is replaced by mortise 19 that affixes the assembly to the mouth of the bottle.

The design illustrated by Figure 6 is similar to that of Figure 5, although in this case the body in cover 11 has a series of perforations 20 that define frangible bridges 21, which guarantee the safety of the stopper.

Finally, Figure 7 shows another design similar to that of Figure 6, although in this case the shape of cover 11 has a convexity that provides it with an adequate appearance for it to be used on champagne, cider, sparkling wine bottles, etc.

It should be noted that the surface on cover 11 may be fully printed, whether it be by painting it in different colors, lacquering or polishing it, printing reliefs, etc.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that, when the stopper is used on champagne bottles, it may be given the shape illustrated by Figure 7 so as to resemble traditional stoppers, whereas in the case of sodas, beer, and the like, the designs of Figures 5 and 6 may be used because the external appearance of the stopper is similar to that of traditional ones.

It may be concluded from the foregoing that by means of an ingenious combination of elements it is achieved a highly functional and inexpensive stopper, allowing for minor alterations to be made on it without deviating from the invention proposed that is clearly defined by the claims attached hereto. 'ii^ErLECTilAL '^OPFRTV QF'CE Of M.7 -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED

Claims (12)

9 What we claim is:

1. A bottle stopper comprising: a metallic twist-off cap having an internal plastic lining to seal about the mouth of a complementary bottle when the cap is fitted to the bottle; a locking member that is fitted over the cap in use; an external cover that is fitted over the locking member in use; a first locking means that acts between the cap and the locking member to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the locking member is fitted over the cap; and a second locking means that acts between the locking member and the cover to prevent relative rotation therebetween when the cover is fitted over the locking member.

2. A bottle stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap is a crown cap or similar cap with screw threads.

3. A bottle stopper as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member has a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior open at one end to enable the locking member to be fitted over the cap.

4. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking means comprises internal recessed locks in the locking member and external protruding locks on the cap, the locks of the locking member engaging with the locks of the cap when the locking member is fitted over the cap. INTtLLEC ftJALF^DPHRTy 0FFir":l OF N.Z. I - 3 MAY 2005 iBHC- AJjBCfcC.wT - . 10

5. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second locking means comprises substantially vertical grooves in an external perimeter of the locking member and an internal perimeter of the cover which locks with these external grooves when the cover is fitted over the locking member.

6. A bottle stopper comprising: a metallic cap having an internal plastic lining so as to attain airtight closure of a mouth of a bottle when fitted to the bottle, the cap having screw threads engageable with complementary threads about the mouth of the bottle to provide a twist-off cap system; a substantially cylindrical plastic locking member having internal recessed locks that coincide with and engage with external protruding locks on the cap, and having an external perimeter with substantially vertical grooves that allow for an anti-turn locking mechanism when placed inside an external cover; and said external cover, the cover being made of aluminum and having an internal diameter that locks with the grooves in the outside of the locking member in a cylinder-like and closed manner.

7. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover has a lower skirt with a series of anti-turn locks to prevent the cap from being inadvertently turned in respect of the bottle.

8. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover has a series of aligned perforations that define pull-off frangible bridges that must be broken to allow removal of the stopper from the bottle. — | INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF W2 -7 APR 2005 RE.CEI V ED 11

9. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover has two parallel frangible lines that define a strip of material that includes a tear tab, and pulling of the tear tab and removal of the strip being necessary to remove the stopper from the bottle.

10. A bottle stopper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover has a convex external shape which makes it resemble traditional champagne stoppers.

11. A bottle stopper according to claim 1 or 6, and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.

12. A bottle stopper substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. INTFLLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE 0^ H7. -7 APR 2005 RECEIVED