US20110108511A1

US20110108511A1 - Sturdy but flexible wine stop normally used as a wine stop, but works on all bottles

Info

Publication number: US20110108511A1
Application number: US12/590,491
Authority: US
Inventors: Thompson Weaver McKinney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-09
Filing date: 2009-11-09
Publication date: 2011-05-12

Abstract

The invention presented describes a closure which can be made of various silicones or polymers with uses and sealing capabilities better than others currently on the market for reasons that follow. This invention can be used in any circumstance in which a cork might be used. The present invention is a stopper for wine, soda and most other disposable bottles used by a home consumer. The present invention is a bottle stopper produced by a thermal molding method using silicones or materials with similar characteristics. A varying taper and descending rib system allows the stopper to tightly seal and yet be easily removed.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bottle stopper used as a closure which can be made of various silicones or polymers. The invention can be used in any circumstances in which a cork might be used. The present invention is a stopper for wine, soda and most other disposable bottles used by the home consumer.

BACKGROUND ART

The common material that has been used as a bottle closure is cork because of its' ability to generally remain intact. Cork can also remain in its' original form which has made it a reliable sealer. However, man-made materials have advantages over those that occur naturally. Substances that occur in nature can have many variances in consistency. A molding process guarantees uniformity. A natural cork can dry out and begin to break apart. These pieces can find their way into the liquid inside the bottle. With the pressure exerted to press and seal, corks can be difficult to remove and may break, leaving a portion of cork inside the bottle.
Synthetic wine stoppers are already available. The flexibility of silicone material used ensures ease of sealing and removal. The color and fleck added make the present invention's “glitz” a feature that makes this stopper even more desirable. The matching colors to seasons and wine varieties, in addition to low cost, make the stopper welcome with wines of all values.
There are existing patents that allow the addition of chemicals and cause the stoppers to expand. Gaseous agents and remnants thereof can make the liquids break down.
Any inscription or mark to be added to the stoppers can be done during molding and not as a separate process.
A demand exists for synthetic bottle stoppers which perform in the same manner as cork. Unlike cork, the present invention can be easily removed with minor back and forth motion with the first and second fingers. Prior art has the disadvantage of being difficult to remove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem by providing a bottle sealing device having the characteristics previously described above.
With a bottle sealing device made of silicones or materials with similar characteristics as described in the attached claims, the problem is solved.
The present invention will be further clarified with references to the drawings.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the present invention of the stopper in perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the stopper in side view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the stopper in top view.

FIG. 4 is the present invention in tilted view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION IN MORE DETAIL

The stopper in FIG. 1 is the present invention. It is generally tapered with the dimensions noted in FIG. 2.
The tapers in FIG. 2 are shown in descending straight line order. The flexible ribs with sizes that also descend in size from top to bottom act to make the stopper body appear to be conical. The body of the stopper generally does not produce the sealing of the bottle. The body provides stability. It is the descending diameters of the ribs that create the ability to seal bottles tightly. The flexibility of silicone in combination with the rib system allows much less pressure to seal and remove the stopper. That allows the present invention stopper to be removed more easily than any other wine stop that provides a reusable seal. One twist in any direction at an angle of approximately 30 degrees and another twist in the opposite direction at the same angle and the stopper is loose.
FIG. 3 shows all dimensions of the present invention. This view can be shown with either a hollow or solid core of the body.
The present stopper invention is made of silicone which has the mechanical characteristic of being able to maintain its' original molded shape after each mold compression.
Silicones are the preferred material, but may be molded with other materials that may be discovered to have the same characteristics. Example of silicone preferred is RHODORSIL R V-3040. This family of silicones is common and has no toxic disadvantages. Another advantage of these silicones is speed in the setting process.
This type of silicone can withstand cold to −65 degrees (F) and also heat up to 400 degrees (F) and is approved for food contact.
The method to manufacture the present invention stopper is as follows: 90% of silicone is added to 10% of hardener and then mixed. This combination is then placed into an injection mold until the molding process is complete. Each cycle takes approximately 35 seconds. The injected material is water cooled. The stoppers are molded under 125 tons of pressure. The use of a blow mold is also possible.
The present invention can change with the addition of various different pigments or silica flecks that will alter the visual effect for greater desirability. These custom colors, when added, cause no deterioration of the stopper.

Claims

1. A bottle stop for most standard drink bottles whether collectible or disposable, specifically wine bottles. The stopper presented is made of RHODORSIL R V-3040 silicone or equivalent. The pliability of this material allows for a tight seal and also easy removal.

2. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, by which materials used allow for flexibility and a tight seal. Stopper is for re-sealing after opening only.

3. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, of which the hardener is 10% of its' total weight.

4. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, by which the addition of no more than 2% of color does not change the flexibility or sealing qualities.

5. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, by which the material can be molded into a solid or hollow core bottle stop.

6. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, which allows the components to be mixed with a variance of + or − 3% and remain reliable.

7. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 1, which is made of material that is safe for food.

8. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles, by which the ribbing system allows the stopper to seal various sizes of bottles.

9. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 8, which has at least (4) outside ribs of varying diameters descending in size, top to bottom, from a largest of which is twice the smallest diameter of the base to a smallest which is 1 & ¼ of the diameter of the base.

10. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 8, that is a generally conical stopper with distinct sections divided by varying size ribs. This feature allows further insertion of the stopper into the bottle to create greater sealing ability.

11. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 10, which has a body that is round that tapers visually but actually descends with symmetrical uniformity.

12. A bottle stop for wine, disposable or collectible bottles according to claim 11, where the body and the outside ribs are all rounded.