US20120228164A1 - Closure for a product retaining container - Google Patents
Closure for a product retaining container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120228164A1 US20120228164A1 US13/416,006 US201213416006A US2012228164A1 US 20120228164 A1 US20120228164 A1 US 20120228164A1 US 201213416006 A US201213416006 A US 201213416006A US 2012228164 A1 US2012228164 A1 US 2012228164A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- closure
- container
- oxygen
- reservoir
- membrane
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
- B65D1/0207—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
- B65D1/0207—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
- B65D1/0215—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features multilayered
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
- B65D81/2076—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in an at least partially rigid container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
- B65D81/2084—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
- B65D81/3216—Rigid containers disposed one within the other
- B65D81/3222—Rigid containers disposed one within the other with additional means facilitating admixture
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12H—PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- C12H1/00—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages
- C12H1/12—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation
- C12H1/14—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation with non-precipitating compounds, e.g. sulfiting; Sequestration, e.g. with chelate-producing compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12H—PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- C12H1/00—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages
- C12H1/22—Ageing or ripening by storing, e.g. lagering of beer
Definitions
- the disclosure relates to a closure for a product retaining container. Moreover, the disclosure relates to a closure system, a liner for a container closure and to a method of manufacturing said closure and said liner.
- container closures including, for example, screw caps, stoppers, corks and crown caps, or the like.
- products such as vinegar, vegetable oils, laboratory liquids, detergents, honey, condiments, spices, alcoholic beverages, and the like, impose similar requirements on the type and construction of the closure means used for containers for these products.
- wine sold in bottles represents the most demanding product in terms of bottle closure technology, due to the numerous and burdensome requirements placed upon the closures used for wine bottles.
- most wine bottle closures or stoppers have historically been produced from a natural material known as “cork”.
- screw caps contain a liner so as to achieve a substantially airtight, substantially hermetic seal between the closure and the bottle. Such a seal prevents substantially any oxygen transfer through the bottle closure.
- conventional air-tight screw-caps may be the closure of choice, as ingress of oxygen impairs the fresh and fruity appeal of these wines, which are usually meant to be consumed young.
- closure technology allows for controlled ingress of oxygen through microperforated screw cap liners.
- the total amount of oxygen that the bottled wine will be exposed to depends on the elapsed time period before consumption. There may be a great degree of variation depending on whether the wine was consumed early after bottling or was stored for several years before consumption.
- the method of manufacturing said microperforated breathable screw cap liners is quite labor- and cost-intensive.
- the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent.
- oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen.
- the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
- the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure.
- An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
- Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose a closure from a range of distinct and consistent oxygen release rates. This tailoring of the wine closure to the specific oxygen requirements of a particular type of wine, allows wineries to optimize the oxygen-dependent flavor and wine character development for each of their wine product lines and at the same time prevent the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction.
- While embodiments of the present disclosure are well suited for use in the wine industry, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the concepts of the present disclosure can be extended to other containers that have need of an agent released slowly into the product contained within the container.
- the agent may be impregnated within a liner disposed within the container or integrated into the body of the container.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a screw cap type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of the components shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of a cork type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a bag in a box closure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 7 illustrates a rear elevational view of the closure of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 illustrates a bottle having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 9 illustrates a bottle having an impregnated sidewall according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 10 illustrates a bag in a box having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 11 illustrates a bag in a box wherein the bag is impregnated according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 12 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle;
- FIG. 13 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle;
- FIG. 14 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle.
- FIG. 15 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle.
- FIGS. 1 to 15 By referring to FIGS. 1 to 15 , along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction of the closure of the certain embodiments disclosed herein can best be understood.
- the closure of various ones of the embodiments is depicted and discussed as a bottle closure for wine products.
- the various embodiments can be applicable as a closure for use in sealing and retaining any desired product in any desired closure system. Due to the stringent and difficult demands and requirements placed upon closures for wine products, the following detailed disclosure focuses upon the applicability of the synthetic bottle closures as a closure for wine bottles. Nevertheless it is to be understood that this detailed discussion is provided merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended to limit the embodiments disclosed herein to this particular application and embodiment.
- Embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent.
- oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen.
- the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
- closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure.
- An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
- the term “product retaining container” is meant to include bottles, jars, flasks, canisters, tins, vials and the like.
- the product retaining container is a wine bottle.
- the term “closure” as used herein applies to any means for effectively closing product retaining containers in general.
- Such closures include, but are not limited to, screw caps, stoppers, corks, crown caps, latches, seals and lids.
- the closure is selected from the group consisting of a bottle cap, such as a screw cap or a crown cap, and a cylindrically shaped bottle stopper.
- screw caps include, but are not limited to, roll-on pilfer proof screw caps (“ROPP”) and roll-on tamper evident screw caps (“ROTE”).
- the material for the closure may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer material, glass, natural materials such as cork, ceramic, steel, and rubber and combinations thereof.
- the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure.
- Screw cap closures typically comprise a cap having interior threads adapted to interoperate with exterior threads on a container opening (e.g., on the upper opening of a bottle).
- the cap closures typically comprise a seal.
- the interior threads of the cap may, for example, be formed by pressure forming the cap (e.g., a cap made from aluminum metal) onto the exterior threads on the container opening (e.g., on the opening of a bottle during the bottling process).
- Materials for and methods of manufacturing a screw cap closure are known to the person skilled in the art and, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 a screw cap closure 10 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 12 is illustrated.
- the wine bottle 12 includes threads 14 on an upper opening as is well understood.
- the screw cap closure 10 includes an outer metal cap 16 having a head 18 and a skirt 20 , a threaded plastic insert 22 having interior threads 24 and adapted to interoperate with threads 14 of the wine bottle 12 , and possibly a seal 26 , if the plastic insert 22 does not perform the sealing function.
- An advantage of this type of screw cap closure 10 is that the outer metal cap 16 is itself not threaded, which improves the aesthetic quality of the cap.
- the closure of the present disclosure may be a natural or synthetic stopper.
- such stoppers 30 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and substantially flat terminating ends 32 , 34 . They may be made of natural cork and/or of polymer material. According to one embodiment, these stoppers may have a cylindrically shaped core member (not shown) formed from foamed plastic material and at least one independent layer of foamed or non-foamed plastic material (not shown) peripherally surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member with the flat terminating end surfaces 32 , 34 of the core member being devoid of said outer layer.
- foamed or non-foamed plastic material not shown
- the stopper 30 may further include a liner 36 , which may be made from a polymer material.
- exemplary commercially available liners such as Saran liners, Saranex liners, Saran-tin liners or Stelvin liners may form the liner 36 .
- These liners 36 generally combine multiple layers selected from the group consisting of polymer materials such as polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and laminates thereof, saran film, metal foil and wadding material such as foamed polymer material or fiber card (paper).
- the liner 36 may include a deformable composite in which the layers are selected from the group consisting of monolayers or combinations of PVDC, Nylon, filled Nylon, EAA, EVOH, starch, cellulose, PET, PP, PE, EVA, PEO, styrene block copolymers, COC, polystyrene, polycarbonate and silicone and co-polymers of the above polymers.
- the liner 36 may provide for a substantially liquid and/or gas tight, hermetic seal at the interface between the container (e.g., wine bottle 12 ) and the closure or stopper 30 .
- a barrier layer to prevent or reduce permeation of gases through the stopper 30 .
- Such barrier layer may, for example, be a metal film layer selected from the group consisting of an aluminum film layer and a tin film layer.
- Further possible barrier layers may comprise other gas-impermeable materials selected from the group consisting of glass, steel, polymeric materials, PVDC-laminates and the like and also combinations thereof. Liners with such barrier layers are known in the art as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,016 B2, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the oxidant releasing agent may be included in the liner 36 or the seal 26 described above. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to a seal 26 having an oxidant releasing agent. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the seal 26 may include a metal film layer 40 . In the case of a multilayer closure element, the oxidant releasing agent is preferentially contained in one of the innermost element or layers 42 facing the interior of the product retaining container. A thin polymer film 44 or the like can be used to prevent the oxidant releasing agent to come into direct contact with the bottle content.
- liner 36 or seal 26 which includes the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of the entire closure, an area defining part of the closure, a liner that can be fitted between container and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner.
- said element of polymer material may comprise foamed polymer material.
- the concepts of the present disclosure may be applied to other wine containers, such as the proverbial “bag in a box” wine container.
- “Bag in box” containers generally comprise a flexible bag made of one or several layers of plastic film or metallised film.
- the bag is constructed for storage of liquids, such as wine, and is typically provided with a dispensing unit such as an airtight tap 50 (illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for dispensing of the stored liquid.
- the bag is seated inside a box, typically inside a cardboard box or inside a corrugated fiberboard box.
- Tap 50 may be a conventional tap having a spigot 52 , dispensing lever 54 , and flange 56 disposed outside the box.
- Plug 58 with ridge 60 may be disposed inside the box and engage the bag as is well understood.
- a ring or loop 62 may fit around the plug 58 .
- the ring or loop 62 is annular, but otherwise constructed in a fashion similar to the seal 26 or liner 36 and performs the same function.
- the ring or loop 62 may alternatively be disposed inside the plug 58 . Regardless of position, the ring or loop 62 should be in contact with the interior portion of the bag so that the oxygen releasing agent within the ring or loop 62 is allowed to interact with the space within the bag. While a ring or loop 62 is specifically contemplated, the element may take other shapes as needed or desired and still perform the same function.
- the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a chemical, a catalyst or an enzyme capable of releasing an oxidant into the interior of the product retaining container.
- the oxidant releasing agent should satisfy common food safety regulations.
- the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxides, superoxides, ozonides, chlorates, perchlorates, borates, perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, perpyrophosphates, persilicates, persulfates, thiosulfates, peroxydisulfates, peroxy compounds, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof.
- said oxidant releasing agent can be selected from the group consisting of inorganic, organic and polymeric compounds, and combinations thereof.
- said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of superoxides and peroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and combinations thereof.
- said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium superoxides and magnesium superoxides, and combinations thereof.
- said oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxycarboxylic acids and sulfone peroxycarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof.
- Possible further oxidant releasing agents can be inorganic or organic oxides and hydroxides such as for example magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide.
- foamed material may constitute the oxidant releasing agent.
- the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of catalysts and enzymes catalyzing reaction releasing oxidant molecules, and combinations thereof.
- said catalysts or enzymes may generate oxidants by conversion of a precursor substance.
- the released oxidant itself is selected from the group consisting of molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, and combinations thereof.
- the oxidant releasing agent releases oxidant only after exposure to an activator, being substantially inactive prior to this exposure.
- an activator may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of moisture, acidic solution, basic solution, vapor, liquid, temperature change, and light, and combinations thereof.
- temperature change pertains to heat or cold.
- said activator may be released by the product contained in the container.
- the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined rate of oxidant release from the screw cap closure 10 over a defined period of time so as to result in a defined total amount of oxidant released.
- a screw cap closure 10 comprising an oxidant releasing agent, which ensures a slow, substantially constant and well defined oxygen release rate over a defined period of time, so as to prevent reduction while maintaining consistency. It is expected that the amount of oxidant released will go to zero in a certain period of time.
- the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve the oxygen release rate going to zero after a period selected from the group consisting of 10, 5, 4, 3, 2 years and 1 year.
- the concentration of oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material.
- concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from close to 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 2% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 1% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 0.1% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material. There may also be circumstances where concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material are desirable that range from close to 0% by weight to about 1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.5% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.01% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material.
- the amount and type of oxidant releasing agent may be selected based on the oxygen requirements associated with the wine being closured.
- the two types of screw cap liners currently most used in the wine industry are foil/PVDC laminates and PVDC laminates.
- a standard 30 mm diameter foil cap liner when well sealed to a bottle, has an oxygen diffusion rate of approximately 0.0002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours.
- a well sealed 30 mm PVDC cap liner has a diffusion rate of approximately 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours. Recent studies appear to show that the oxygen diffusion rate of top quality natural cork stoppers falls between that of the foil and PVDC liner containing screw cap closures.
- Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose screw cap closures 10 containing oxidant releasing agents that feature customized oxygen release rates for their closures that fall between these values.
- a winemaker bottling a white wine may desire a screw cap closure 10 according to an embodiment with an oxygen release rate into the interior of the bottle of approximately 0.0005 cc per 750 mL bottle per day.
- the winemaker may select a screw cap closure 10 made using the technology having an oxygen release rate in the range of, for example, about 0.0004 to 0.0006 cc oxygen per screw cap closure 10 per 24 hours.
- oxygen release rates of the closure 10 into the bottle interior can be 0.00005-0.002, 0.00005-0.001, 0.00005-0.0005, 0.00005-0.0002, 0.00005-0.0001, and 0.0001-0.002 cc oxygen or oxidant per 24 h per 750 mL bottle.
- oxygen release rates higher than 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours are desirable.
- a closure 10 may further comprise oxygen scavenging agents. Said oxygen scavenging agent can effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen concentration immediately after bottling.
- the oxidant releasing agent present in the closure 10 would nonetheless ensure a defined amount of oxygen to be consistently released into the container interior over a defined period of time.
- the oxygen scavenging agent could also be used to antagonize and fine-tune the amount of oxygen present in the bottle, which may have been actively released by the oxidant releasing agent or may have passively permeated through the bottle closure.
- Said oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in an element of the closure selected from the group consisting of the element of polymer material comprising the oxidant releasing agent, the entire closure 10 , an area defining part of the closure, a seal 26 or liner 36 that can be fitted between container (e.g., wine bottle 12 ) and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner.
- the oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in the same or in a different element of the closure 10 than that containing the oxygen releasing agent (e.g., in layer 42 or some other element).
- Possible oxygen scavenger agents are selected from the group consisting of ascorbates, sulfites, EDTA, hydroquinone, tannins and the like, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof.
- the oxygen scavenger agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfite and potassium EDTA, iron or other metal based scavengers, and combinations thereof.
- Embodiments disclosed herein also encompass a closure system comprising a product retaining container and a closure 10 as defined above, e.g., a wine bottle sealed with a closure 10 according to the embodiments disclosed herein.
- the embodiments disclosed herein can specifically include the use of an oxidant-releasing agent containing closure 10 as described above for delivering a predefined amount of oxygen to the interior of a product retaining container over a defined period of time.
- the closure can be manufactured by methods known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable methods of manufacture may comprise the step of introducing an oxidant releasing agent into a closure 10 .
- the manufacturing steps are selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof. This is particularly the case when the oxidant releasing agent is comprised in a liner 36 .
- a method for manufacturing said liner 36 may comprise manufacturing steps being selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof.
- a closure 10 can also be manufactured by applying an element of thin polymer film 44 containing an oxidant-releasing agent to a closure 10 or a portion thereof by means of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to a method of manufacturing a closure comprising an oxidant-releasing agent.
- a screw cap closure is produced, consisting of a liner 36 , an outer metal cap 16 and a surrounding metal skirt 20 .
- the oxidant releasing agent is contained in the liner 36 , which is built up of the following layers from bottom (facing the contained product) to top (contacting the lid of the screw cap):
- a very thin first polymer film layer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 44 LDPE
- a bather layer 40 disposed on said polymer layer 42 , that includes a polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) laminate in combination with a metal foil (typically aluminum or tin) disposed on the PVDC layer; fiber card (paper) or polymer foam and a second LDPE polymer film layer.
- PVDC polyvinylidene chloride
- the metal film of the barrier laminate has a very low oxygen diffusion rate, and thereby prevents oxygen from diffusing through the cap liner into the bottle and product contained therein.
- the oxidant releasing agent in the liner 36 releases in a low but constant rate hydrogen peroxide into the headspace of the wine bottle 12 .
- the hydrogen peroxide spontaneously decomposes to free oxygen and water.
- the thus generated oxygen dissolves into the wine, where it prevents reduction of the latter and promotes the maturation of the desired wine flavor characteristics.
- a synthetic wine closure such as stopper 30 of substantially cylindrical shape consisting of a foamed polymer core member and an outer skin is produced by means of coextrusion.
- a thin polymer film 36 containing an oxidant releasing agent is affixed to the substantially flat terminating ends of the stopper.
- the thus obtained closure 30 is used for the bottling of red wines.
- the oxygen released by the liner 36 ensures optimal flavor development and prevents the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction.
- a bottle 70 may incorporate the present technology.
- the bottle 70 has a sidewall 71 delimiting the interior 72 .
- a liner 73 is positioned within the interior 72 and impregnated with the oxygen releasing agent as previously discussed.
- the bottle 70 has a sidewall 74 with the oxygen releasing agent embedded therewithin.
- a bag in a box container 75 may include a sidewall 76 that forms the box. Inside the sidewall 76 is a bag 77 . A liner 78 is positioned inside the bag 77 . The liner 78 has an oxygen releasing agent impregnated therein as previously described.
- FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment, wherein the bag 79 is constructed such that the oxygen releasing agent is embedded directly into the bag.
- the closure may comprise a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- the gas containing reservoir is designed so as to allow a controlled exchange of gas from the inside of the reservoir into the inside of said container, i.e., for example into the empty space in the container between the product and the closure (head space).
- the exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation.
- the exchange of gas may also take place by other means, for example by means of microperforation.
- the gas containing reservoir may also comprise an oxidant releasing agent as defined herein.
- Suitable gases that may be contained in the reservoir include, but are not limited to, air, oxygen, ozone, nitrogen, sulfur oxides (in particular: sulfur dioxide), carbon oxides (in particular: carbon dioxide) and mixtures thereof.
- the reservoir is filled with air.
- the gas containing reservoir may extend into the inside of the container, which may, for example, be a wine bottle.
- the reservoir reduces the headspace above the filling level of the container.
- the reservoir is adapted to be located in the inside of the container whereby the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner wall of the container.
- the reservoir may be adapted to be located within the mouth of the bottle while the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle.
- the reservoir may be adapted to be located in the inside of the container so that it does not effect a seal with an inner surface of the container (e.g., with an inner surface of the mouth of a bottle).
- effecting a seal may in particular be avoided during insertion and/or extraction of the reservoir into the container (e.g., into a mouth of a bottle).
- the reservoir may have any desired volume and shape. Suitable shapes of the reservoir may include, but are not limited to, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially half spherical shape, or a substantially dome shape. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the reservoir may have a substantially cylindrical shape. According to another aspect of the disclosure the reservoir may be substantially in alignment with a portal forming neck of the container, i.e., for example, with the portal forming neck of a wine bottle.
- the reservoir may contain a gas volume of 0.01 to 30 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of 0.1 to 15 cc, or 0.5 to 10 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
- the membrane is constructed so as to allow an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of the reservoir and the inside of the container.
- exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation through the membrane.
- the membrane may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic material.
- the membrane may be a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection molded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like.
- the membrane may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- the membrane may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate plastic film arranged at or affixed to the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- the membrane may have an oxygen permeation of about 0.00001 to about 0.1 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0.00005 to about 0.05 cc/day per container, or 0.0001 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or 0.0005 to about 0.005 cc/day per container.
- Air as used herein is defined to contain approximately 20.8 vol. % oxygen.
- the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the barrier layer.
- the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is greater than that of the barrier layer.
- the barrier layer is constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir.
- the barrier layer may for example be constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir by means of permeation.
- the barrier layer may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic material, laminated plastic material and metalized plastic material.
- the barrier layer may be a metal film, a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection moulded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like.
- the barrier layer may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- the barrier layer may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate film arranged at or affixed to the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation of about 0 to about 0.05 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.002 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.001 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
- the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the membrane.
- the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is smaller than that of the membrane.
- the barrier layer and the membrane may have about the same oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
- the closure may further comprise a body made of metal or polymer material, or a combination thereof.
- Suitable metals for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, aluminum, tin, and/or alloys thereof.
- Suitable polymers for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, PE, PP, PET, LDPE, styrene block copolymers, EVA, and/or HDPE, and/or mixtures thereof.
- the disclosure relates to a closure system comprising a closure as described herein and a product retaining container.
- the product retaining container may be of any desired shape, size and material.
- the product retaining container may be a wine bottle.
- the disclosure relates to a container comprising: (1) a closure as described herein; and (2) a product.
- the container may be wholly or partially filled with any kind of product, in particular with foodstuffs, for example with liquids (e.g., wine or spirits) or solids (e.g., spices).
- the container is a wine bottle made of glass or plastic that is wholly or partially filled with wine and sealed with a closure as described herein.
- the disclosure relates to a method of adjusting the oxygen content in a container (e.g., a wine bottle) over a defined period of time comprising: (1) filling the container with a defined quantity of product (e.g., with wine), and (2) closing the container with a closure as described herein, so that oxygen is allowed to be released from the reservoir into the head space of the container or into the product (e.g., into the wine).
- a container e.g., a wine bottle
- a defined quantity of product e.g., with wine
- closing the container with a closure as described herein so that oxygen is allowed to be released from the reservoir into the head space of the container or into the product (e.g., into the wine).
- the defined period of time may vary depending on the nature and/or quantity of product contained in the container. For example, if wine is used as product, the defined period of time may vary between about 1 day and about 10 years, more particularly between about 30 days and about 5 years, or between about 60 days and about 3 years, or between about 90 days and about 2.5 years, or between about 180 days and about 2 years.
- the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the membrane at that time.
- the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the barrier layer at that time.
- the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure.
- a screw cap closure 80 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 81 is illustrated.
- the wine bottle 81 includes threads 82 on an upper opening as is well understood.
- the wine bottle 81 is filled with wine 96 up to a certain fluid level 95 .
- the screw cap closure 80 includes an outer metal cap 83 having a head 84 and a skirt 85 , interior threads 86 adapted to interoperate with threads 82 of the wine bottle 81 and a seal 87 .
- the screw cap closure 80 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 having a membrane 91 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 and a barrier layer 92 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 90 .
- the inside 93 of reservoir 90 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
- the membrane 91 allows permeation of gases between the inside 93 of reservoir 90 and the head space 94 above the fluid level 95 of the wine bottle 81 filled with wine 96 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 94 of the wine bottle 81 for a defined period of time.
- a screw cap closure 180 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 181 is illustrated.
- the wine bottle 181 includes threads 182 on an upper opening as is well understood.
- the wine bottle 181 is filled with wine 196 up to a certain fluid level 195 .
- the screw cap closure 180 includes an outer metal cap 183 having a head 184 and a skirt 185 , interior threads 186 adapted to interoperate with threads 182 of the wine bottle 181 and a seal 187 .
- the screw cap closure 180 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 having a membrane 191 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 .
- the outer metal cap 183 forms the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 190 and serves as a barrier layer.
- the inside 193 of reservoir 190 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
- the membrane 191 allows permeation of gases between the inside 193 of reservoir 190 and the head space 194 above the fluid level 195 of the wine bottle 181 filled with wine 196 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 194 of the wine bottle 181 for a defined period of time.
- a screw cap closure 280 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 281 is illustrated.
- the wine bottle 281 includes threads 282 on an upper opening as is well understood.
- the wine bottle 281 is filled with wine 296 up to a certain fluid level 295 .
- the screw cap closure 280 includes an outer metal cap 283 having a head 284 and a skirt 285 , interior threads 286 adapted to interoperate with threads 282 of the wine bottle 281 and a seal 287 .
- the screw cap 280 further includes a foamed backing 288 .
- the screw cap closure 280 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 having a membrane 291 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 and a barrier layer 292 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 290 .
- the inside 293 of reservoir 290 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
- the membrane 291 allows permeation of gases between the inside 293 of reservoir 290 and the head space 294 above the fluid level 295 of the wine bottle 281 filled with wine 296 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 294 of the wine bottle 281 for a defined period of time.
- a screw cap closure 380 adapted to fit on a wine bottle 381 is illustrated.
- the wine bottle 381 includes threads 382 on an upper opening as is well understood.
- the wine bottle 381 is filled with wine 396 up to a certain fluid level 395 .
- the screw cap closure 380 includes an outer metal cap 383 having a head 384 and a skirt 385 , interior threads 386 adapted to interoperate with threads 382 of the wine bottle 381 .
- the screw cap 380 further includes a foamed backing 388 .
- the screw cap closure 380 further includes a cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 having a membrane 391 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 and a barrier layer 392 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shaped reservoir 390 .
- the inside 393 of reservoir 390 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen.
- the membrane 391 allows permeation of gases between the inside 393 of reservoir 390 and the head space 394 above the fluid level 395 of the wine bottle 381 filled with wine 396 , thus replenishing oxygen into the head space 394 of the wine bottle 381 for a defined period of time.
- the screw cap closure 380 further includes a plastic insert 397 extending radially downward into the neck of wine bottle 381 .
- the uppermost part of the plastic insert 397 also serves the function of a seal.
- the plastic insert 397 is equipped with an oxygen scavenging agent. Such oxygen scavenging agent may effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen
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Abstract
Description
- The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/451,192 filed Mar. 10, 2011, entitled CLOSURE FOR A PRODUCT RETAINING CONTAINER, and claims the benefit of and priority to this application.
- The present application also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/538,242, filed Sep. 23, 2011, entitled CLOSURE FOR A PRODUCT RETAINING CONTAINER.
- The applications identified above are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- 1. Field of the Disclosure
- The disclosure relates to a closure for a product retaining container. Moreover, the disclosure relates to a closure system, a liner for a container closure and to a method of manufacturing said closure and said liner.
- 2. Technical Background
- In view of the wide variety of products that are dispensed from containers, numerous constructions have evolved for container closures, including, for example, screw caps, stoppers, corks and crown caps, or the like. Generally, products such as vinegar, vegetable oils, laboratory liquids, detergents, honey, condiments, spices, alcoholic beverages, and the like, impose similar requirements on the type and construction of the closure means used for containers for these products. However, wine sold in bottles represents the most demanding product in terms of bottle closure technology, due to the numerous and burdensome requirements placed upon the closures used for wine bottles. In an attempt to best meet these demands, most wine bottle closures or stoppers have historically been produced from a natural material known as “cork”.
- While natural cork still remains a dominant material for wine closures, synthetic wine closures have become increasingly popular over the last years, largely due to the shortage in high quality natural cork material and the problem of wine spoilage as a result of “cork taint”, a phenomenon that is associated with natural cork materials. In addition, next to synthetic cork stoppers, there has recently been a growing acceptance and use of screw caps as closures for wine bottles. These caps are particularly advantageous due to their relatively low cost, the avoidance of “cork taint” with this type of bottle closure, and the possibility to achieve an airtight, hermetic seal.
- Most screw caps contain a liner so as to achieve a substantially airtight, substantially hermetic seal between the closure and the bottle. Such a seal prevents substantially any oxygen transfer through the bottle closure. For certain types of wines, especially white wines, conventional air-tight screw-caps may be the closure of choice, as ingress of oxygen impairs the fresh and fruity appeal of these wines, which are usually meant to be consumed young. However, for other types of wines, such as premium class red wines, it is desirable to strike a delicate balance between tightly sealing the bottle content to prevent leakage, avoid contaminants, counteract degradation and spoilage by oxidation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, permitting a restricted amount of oxygen to enter the container, so as to ensure full maturation of the wine flavor characteristics and prevent the formation of unpleasant aromas. Recent scientific studies appear to confirm what was already accepted empirical knowledge in the traditional art of winemaking: that oxygen is intimately involved in the aging and maturation process of wine. If certain types of wines are completely starved of oxygen for long periods of time, a process known as reduction may give rise to malodorous sulfur compounds such as certain sulphides, thiols and mercaptans. To prevent reduction over the entire period of wine aging and maturation, a minute but constant concentration of oxygen within the container interior is necessary. The olfactory defect occurring otherwise is sometimes referred to as reduced character and can be readily identified by the presence of odors reminiscent of rotten egg, garlic, stagnant water, burnt rubber, struck matches and/or cooked cabbage. Even at low concentrations, these odors may completely ruin a wine's character.
- Therefore, bottle closures that ensure a hermetic seal, such as crown or screw caps, are usually not recommended for bottling of wines which require a certain amount of oxygen (from an organoleptic point of view) to diffuse into the interior of the closed bottle. This is the reason why natural cork stoppers—and not screw caps—have been used as closures of choice by many generations of winemakers. Conventional screw caps on the other hand, are used preferentially for bottling wines that are intended for more immediate consumption, in which this aging period is not required or desired. As mentioned hereinbefore, the use of hermetic, airtight closures for wines intended for long periods of aging in the bottle may give rise to reduction processes, which may compromise the organoleptic properties of the wine.
- To be able to leverage the advantages of using screw caps also when closing higher quality wines, which need limited oxidation for full organoleptic maturation, closure technology has been developed that allows for controlled ingress of oxygen through microperforated screw cap liners. The total amount of oxygen that the bottled wine will be exposed to depends on the elapsed time period before consumption. There may be a great degree of variation depending on whether the wine was consumed early after bottling or was stored for several years before consumption. Moreover, the method of manufacturing said microperforated breathable screw cap liners is quite labor- and cost-intensive.
- There is a need for closures with a defined amount of oxygen being supplied to the bottle content without running the risk of spoilage by either uncontrolled oxidation or complete lack of oxygen, i.e., reduction.
- Embodiments disclosed herein provide for closures for containers. In one embodiment, the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent. Such oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen. According to another embodiment, the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
- In yet another embodiment, the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- While the closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure. An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
- Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose a closure from a range of distinct and consistent oxygen release rates. This tailoring of the wine closure to the specific oxygen requirements of a particular type of wine, allows wineries to optimize the oxygen-dependent flavor and wine character development for each of their wine product lines and at the same time prevent the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction.
- While embodiments of the present disclosure are well suited for use in the wine industry, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the concepts of the present disclosure can be extended to other containers that have need of an agent released slowly into the product contained within the container. The agent may be impregnated within a liner disposed within the container or integrated into the body of the container.
- Further features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of some of its embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a screw cap type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of the components shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of a cork type closure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a bag in a box closure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7 illustrates a rear elevational view of the closure ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 illustrates a bottle having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 9 illustrates a bottle having an impregnated sidewall according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 10 illustrates a bag in a box having a liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 11 illustrates a bag in a box wherein the bag is impregnated according to still another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle; -
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle; -
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle; and -
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal-section schematic view of a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fitted on a wine bottle. - By referring to
FIGS. 1 to 15 , along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction of the closure of the certain embodiments disclosed herein can best be understood. - In these Figures, as well as in the following detailed disclosure, the closure of various ones of the embodiments is depicted and discussed as a bottle closure for wine products. However, the various embodiments can be applicable as a closure for use in sealing and retaining any desired product in any desired closure system. Due to the stringent and difficult demands and requirements placed upon closures for wine products, the following detailed disclosure focuses upon the applicability of the synthetic bottle closures as a closure for wine bottles. Nevertheless it is to be understood that this detailed discussion is provided merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended to limit the embodiments disclosed herein to this particular application and embodiment.
- Embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent. Furthermore, embodiments disclosed herein provide for a closure for a product retaining container wherein the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- Embodiments disclosed herein provide for closures for containers. In one embodiment, the closure comprises an oxidant releasing agent. Such oxidant may, for example, be oxygen, in which case the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a peroxide compound that is able to release oxygen. According to another embodiment, the amount of the oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined release of oxidant over a defined period of time.
- While the closure may, in principle, relate to any kind of closure, due to the special requirements in the wine industry, the closure of the present disclosure is particularly useful as a closure for wine bottles such as, for example, a natural or synthetic cork stopper or a screw-cap closure. An alternate embodiment includes a bag in a box wine container such as where the liner of a bag in a box wine container contains an oxidant releasing agent.
- As used herein the term “product retaining container” is meant to include bottles, jars, flasks, canisters, tins, vials and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the product retaining container is a wine bottle. The term “closure” as used herein applies to any means for effectively closing product retaining containers in general. Such closures include, but are not limited to, screw caps, stoppers, corks, crown caps, latches, seals and lids. According to one embodiment, the closure is selected from the group consisting of a bottle cap, such as a screw cap or a crown cap, and a cylindrically shaped bottle stopper. Examples for screw caps include, but are not limited to, roll-on pilfer proof screw caps (“ROPP”) and roll-on tamper evident screw caps (“ROTE”). According to an embodiment, the material for the closure may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer material, glass, natural materials such as cork, ceramic, steel, and rubber and combinations thereof.
- According to an exemplary embodiment, the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure. Screw cap closures typically comprise a cap having interior threads adapted to interoperate with exterior threads on a container opening (e.g., on the upper opening of a bottle). In addition, the cap closures typically comprise a seal. The interior threads of the cap may, for example, be formed by pressure forming the cap (e.g., a cap made from aluminum metal) onto the exterior threads on the container opening (e.g., on the opening of a bottle during the bottling process). Materials for and methods of manufacturing a screw cap closure are known to the person skilled in the art and, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,173 B1, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , ascrew cap closure 10 adapted to fit on awine bottle 12 is illustrated. In this embodiment, thewine bottle 12 includesthreads 14 on an upper opening as is well understood. Thescrew cap closure 10 includes anouter metal cap 16 having ahead 18 and askirt 20, a threadedplastic insert 22 havinginterior threads 24 and adapted to interoperate withthreads 14 of thewine bottle 12, and possibly aseal 26, if theplastic insert 22 does not perform the sealing function. An advantage of this type ofscrew cap closure 10 is that theouter metal cap 16 is itself not threaded, which improves the aesthetic quality of the cap. - In an alternate embodiment, the closure of the present disclosure may be a natural or synthetic stopper. Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 such stoppers 30 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and substantially flat terminating ends 32, 34. They may be made of natural cork and/or of polymer material. According to one embodiment, these stoppers may have a cylindrically shaped core member (not shown) formed from foamed plastic material and at least one independent layer of foamed or non-foamed plastic material (not shown) peripherally surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member with the flat terminating end surfaces 32, 34 of the core member being devoid of said outer layer. Such synthetic stoppers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,451 B1, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - The
stopper 30 may further include aliner 36, which may be made from a polymer material. Exemplary commercially available liners such as Saran liners, Saranex liners, Saran-tin liners or Stelvin liners may form theliner 36. Theseliners 36 generally combine multiple layers selected from the group consisting of polymer materials such as polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and laminates thereof, saran film, metal foil and wadding material such as foamed polymer material or fiber card (paper). According to a particular embodiment, theliner 36 may include a deformable composite in which the layers are selected from the group consisting of monolayers or combinations of PVDC, Nylon, filled Nylon, EAA, EVOH, starch, cellulose, PET, PP, PE, EVA, PEO, styrene block copolymers, COC, polystyrene, polycarbonate and silicone and co-polymers of the above polymers. - According to yet another aspect, the
liner 36 may provide for a substantially liquid and/or gas tight, hermetic seal at the interface between the container (e.g., wine bottle 12) and the closure orstopper 30. This may be achieved, for example, by having theliner 36 include a barrier layer to prevent or reduce permeation of gases through thestopper 30. Such barrier layer may, for example, be a metal film layer selected from the group consisting of an aluminum film layer and a tin film layer. Further possible barrier layers may comprise other gas-impermeable materials selected from the group consisting of glass, steel, polymeric materials, PVDC-laminates and the like and also combinations thereof. Liners with such barrier layers are known in the art as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,016 B2, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - According to another aspect, the oxidant releasing agent may be included in the
liner 36 or theseal 26 described above. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to aseal 26 having an oxidant releasing agent. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , theseal 26 may include ametal film layer 40. In the case of a multilayer closure element, the oxidant releasing agent is preferentially contained in one of the innermost element or layers 42 facing the interior of the product retaining container. Athin polymer film 44 or the like can be used to prevent the oxidant releasing agent to come into direct contact with the bottle content. - In another embodiment,
liner 36 orseal 26, which includes the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of the entire closure, an area defining part of the closure, a liner that can be fitted between container and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner. Furthermore, said element of polymer material may comprise foamed polymer material. - In an alternate embodiment, the concepts of the present disclosure may be applied to other wine containers, such as the proverbial “bag in a box” wine container. “Bag in box” containers generally comprise a flexible bag made of one or several layers of plastic film or metallised film. The bag is constructed for storage of liquids, such as wine, and is typically provided with a dispensing unit such as an airtight tap 50 (illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for dispensing of the stored liquid. The bag is seated inside a box, typically inside a cardboard box or inside a corrugated fiberboard box.Tap 50 may be a conventional tap having aspigot 52, dispensinglever 54, andflange 56 disposed outside the box.Plug 58 withridge 60 may be disposed inside the box and engage the bag as is well understood. A ring orloop 62 may fit around theplug 58. The ring orloop 62 is annular, but otherwise constructed in a fashion similar to theseal 26 orliner 36 and performs the same function. The ring orloop 62 may alternatively be disposed inside theplug 58. Regardless of position, the ring orloop 62 should be in contact with the interior portion of the bag so that the oxygen releasing agent within the ring orloop 62 is allowed to interact with the space within the bag. While a ring orloop 62 is specifically contemplated, the element may take other shapes as needed or desired and still perform the same function. - The oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be a chemical, a catalyst or an enzyme capable of releasing an oxidant into the interior of the product retaining container. In a preferred embodiment the oxidant releasing agent should satisfy common food safety regulations. According to the embodiments, the oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxides, superoxides, ozonides, chlorates, perchlorates, borates, perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, perpyrophosphates, persilicates, persulfates, thiosulfates, peroxydisulfates, peroxy compounds, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof. Moreover, said oxidant releasing agent can be selected from the group consisting of inorganic, organic and polymeric compounds, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of superoxides and peroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment said oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium superoxides and magnesium superoxides, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, said oxidant releasing agent may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of peroxycarboxylic acids and sulfone peroxycarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof. Possible further oxidant releasing agents can be inorganic or organic oxides and hydroxides such as for example magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide. Moreover, foamed material may constitute the oxidant releasing agent. In another embodiment the oxidant releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of catalysts and enzymes catalyzing reaction releasing oxidant molecules, and combinations thereof. In particular, said catalysts or enzymes may generate oxidants by conversion of a precursor substance.
- Preferably, the released oxidant itself is selected from the group consisting of molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, and combinations thereof.
- According to another embodiment, the oxidant releasing agent releases oxidant only after exposure to an activator, being substantially inactive prior to this exposure. This embodiment allows the oxidant releasing capability of the closure to remain dormant throughout the bottling process until the oxidant releasing mechanism is triggered by the activator. According to another embodiment, said activator may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of moisture, acidic solution, basic solution, vapor, liquid, temperature change, and light, and combinations thereof. In particular, temperature change pertains to heat or cold. In yet another embodiment, said activator may be released by the product contained in the container.
- According to yet another aspect, the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve a defined rate of oxidant release from the
screw cap closure 10 over a defined period of time so as to result in a defined total amount of oxidant released. In general one or more embodiments disclosed herein provides ascrew cap closure 10 comprising an oxidant releasing agent, which ensures a slow, substantially constant and well defined oxygen release rate over a defined period of time, so as to prevent reduction while maintaining consistency. It is expected that the amount of oxidant released will go to zero in a certain period of time. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, the amount of oxidant releasing agent may be selected so as to achieve the oxygen release rate going to zero after a period selected from the group consisting of 10, 5, 4, 3, 2 years and 1 year. In the case that the oxidant releasing agent is comprised in an element of polymer material, according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the concentration of oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material. Possible other concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material can range from close to 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 2% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 1% by weight or 0.01% by weight to about 0.1% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material. There may also be circumstances where concentrations for the oxidant releasing agent in the polymer material are desirable that range from close to 0% by weight to about 1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.5% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.1% by weight or from close to 0% by weight to about 0.01% by weight based on the weight of the polymer material. - According to yet another aspect, the amount and type of oxidant releasing agent may be selected based on the oxygen requirements associated with the wine being closured. The two types of screw cap liners currently most used in the wine industry are foil/PVDC laminates and PVDC laminates. Typically, a standard 30 mm diameter foil cap liner, when well sealed to a bottle, has an oxygen diffusion rate of approximately 0.0002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours. Typically, a well sealed 30 mm PVDC cap liner has a diffusion rate of approximately 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours. Recent studies appear to show that the oxygen diffusion rate of top quality natural cork stoppers falls between that of the foil and PVDC liner containing screw cap closures. Embodiments disclosed herein enable winemakers to choose
screw cap closures 10 containing oxidant releasing agents that feature customized oxygen release rates for their closures that fall between these values. A winemaker bottling a white wine, for instance, may desire ascrew cap closure 10 according to an embodiment with an oxygen release rate into the interior of the bottle of approximately 0.0005 cc per 750 mL bottle per day. Accordingly, the winemaker may select ascrew cap closure 10 made using the technology having an oxygen release rate in the range of, for example, about 0.0004 to 0.0006 cc oxygen perscrew cap closure 10 per 24 hours. Similarly, a heavy red wine, which the winemaker wants to age in the bottle, will require more oxygen and could be capped with aclosure 10 having release rates in the range of, for example, about 0.0007 to 0.0015 cc oxygen per bottle per 24 hours. In a further embodiment oxygen release rates of theclosure 10 into the bottle interior can be 0.00005-0.002, 0.00005-0.001, 0.00005-0.0005, 0.00005-0.0002, 0.00005-0.0001, and 0.0001-0.002 cc oxygen or oxidant per 24 h per 750 mL bottle. There may also be circumstances in which oxygen release rates higher than 0.002 cc oxygen per 750 mL bottle per 24 hours are desirable. - During the bottling process there is a high chance that oxygen is trapped in the headspace between the bottle content and the
closure 10. Moreover, it appears that immediately after closing wine bottles with natural or synthetic cork stoppers, off-gassing of air from the compressed cork material further contributes to an initially high local oxygen concentration in the bottle interior. To counteract the initially high oxygen concentration, which could lead to uncontrolled oxidation of the wine, aclosure 10 may further comprise oxygen scavenging agents. Said oxygen scavenging agent can effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen concentration immediately after bottling. During long term bottle storage, the oxidant releasing agent present in theclosure 10 would nonetheless ensure a defined amount of oxygen to be consistently released into the container interior over a defined period of time. - In a further embodiment, the oxygen scavenging agent could also be used to antagonize and fine-tune the amount of oxygen present in the bottle, which may have been actively released by the oxidant releasing agent or may have passively permeated through the bottle closure. Said oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in an element of the closure selected from the group consisting of the element of polymer material comprising the oxidant releasing agent, the
entire closure 10, an area defining part of the closure, aseal 26 orliner 36 that can be fitted between container (e.g., wine bottle 12) and the remainder of the closure and a layer defining part of said liner. According to the other embodiments disclosed herein, the oxygen scavenging agent may be contained in the same or in a different element of theclosure 10 than that containing the oxygen releasing agent (e.g., inlayer 42 or some other element). Possible oxygen scavenger agents are selected from the group consisting of ascorbates, sulfites, EDTA, hydroquinone, tannins and the like, and their salts and precursors, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the oxygen scavenger agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfite and potassium EDTA, iron or other metal based scavengers, and combinations thereof. - Embodiments disclosed herein also encompass a closure system comprising a product retaining container and a
closure 10 as defined above, e.g., a wine bottle sealed with aclosure 10 according to the embodiments disclosed herein. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein can specifically include the use of an oxidant-releasingagent containing closure 10 as described above for delivering a predefined amount of oxygen to the interior of a product retaining container over a defined period of time. - The closure can be manufactured by methods known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable methods of manufacture may comprise the step of introducing an oxidant releasing agent into a
closure 10. In a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing steps are selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof. This is particularly the case when the oxidant releasing agent is comprised in aliner 36. A method for manufacturing saidliner 36 may comprise manufacturing steps being selected from the group consisting of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming, and combinations thereof. Suitable methods of manufacturing aliner 36 for wine bottle closures are known to the person skilled in the art and for example described in detail in previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,016 B2. Aclosure 10 can also be manufactured by applying an element ofthin polymer film 44 containing an oxidant-releasing agent to aclosure 10 or a portion thereof by means of coating, spray deposition, injection molding, extrusion, co-extrusion and foaming. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein also relate to a method of manufacturing a closure comprising an oxidant-releasing agent. - Hereinafter, certain exemplary embodiments are described in more detail and specifically with reference to the examples, which, however, are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
- A screw cap closure is produced, consisting of a
liner 36, anouter metal cap 16 and a surroundingmetal skirt 20. The oxidant releasing agent is contained in theliner 36, which is built up of the following layers from bottom (facing the contained product) to top (contacting the lid of the screw cap): A very thin first polymer film layer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 44; apolymer layer 42 containing the oxidant releasing agent; abather layer 40 disposed on saidpolymer layer 42, that includes a polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) laminate in combination with a metal foil (typically aluminum or tin) disposed on the PVDC layer; fiber card (paper) or polymer foam and a second LDPE polymer film layer. The metal film of the barrier laminate has a very low oxygen diffusion rate, and thereby prevents oxygen from diffusing through the cap liner into the bottle and product contained therein. The oxidant releasing agent in theliner 36 releases in a low but constant rate hydrogen peroxide into the headspace of thewine bottle 12. The hydrogen peroxide spontaneously decomposes to free oxygen and water. The thus generated oxygen dissolves into the wine, where it prevents reduction of the latter and promotes the maturation of the desired wine flavor characteristics. - Synthetic Stopper with Oxygen Releasing Polymer Film Affixed Thereto
- A synthetic wine closure such as
stopper 30 of substantially cylindrical shape consisting of a foamed polymer core member and an outer skin is produced by means of coextrusion. In a subsequent step, athin polymer film 36 containing an oxidant releasing agent is affixed to the substantially flat terminating ends of the stopper. The thus obtainedclosure 30 is used for the bottling of red wines. As these require a period of aging with a certain amount of oxygen present for the full maturation of the wine's flavor characteristics, the oxygen released by theliner 36 ensures optimal flavor development and prevents the formation of unpleasant aromas associated with reduction. - The technology described herein is not restricted to closures but may also be applied to packages in general. Furthermore, the technology may be incorporated into a liner associated with the package or incorporated directly into the package. For example, as illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9 , abottle 70 may incorporate the present technology. InFIG. 8 , thebottle 70 has asidewall 71 delimiting the interior 72. Aliner 73 is positioned within the interior 72 and impregnated with the oxygen releasing agent as previously discussed. In contrast, inFIG. 9 , thebottle 70 has asidewall 74 with the oxygen releasing agent embedded therewithin. - Similarly, the concepts of the present disclosure may be extended to bag in a box containers. As illustrated in
FIG. 10 , a bag in abox container 75 may include asidewall 76 that forms the box. Inside thesidewall 76 is abag 77. Aliner 78 is positioned inside thebag 77. Theliner 78 has an oxygen releasing agent impregnated therein as previously described. Similarly,FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment, wherein thebag 79 is constructed such that the oxygen releasing agent is embedded directly into the bag. - In another alternate embodiment the closure may comprise a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, said membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of said reservoir and the inside of said container, and said barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of said closure and the inside of said reservoir.
- The gas containing reservoir is designed so as to allow a controlled exchange of gas from the inside of the reservoir into the inside of said container, i.e., for example into the empty space in the container between the product and the closure (head space). According to one embodiment of the disclosure the exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation. Alternatively, the exchange of gas may also take place by other means, for example by means of microperforation. According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure the gas containing reservoir may also comprise an oxidant releasing agent as defined herein.
- Suitable gases that may be contained in the reservoir include, but are not limited to, air, oxygen, ozone, nitrogen, sulfur oxides (in particular: sulfur dioxide), carbon oxides (in particular: carbon dioxide) and mixtures thereof. According to one aspect of the invention the reservoir is filled with air.
- According to another aspect of the disclosure the gas containing reservoir may extend into the inside of the container, which may, for example, be a wine bottle. By extending into the inside of the container, the reservoir reduces the headspace above the filling level of the container. Thus, in the case of a wine bottle, by extending into the portal forming neck of the wine bottle the reservoir reduces the headspace above the fluid level of the wine bottle. According to another aspect of the disclosure, the reservoir is adapted to be located in the inside of the container whereby the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner wall of the container. Thus, in the case of a wine bottle, the reservoir may be adapted to be located within the mouth of the bottle while the outer walls of the reservoir are devoid of contact with an inner surface of the mouth of the bottle. In another aspect of the disclosure the reservoir may be adapted to be located in the inside of the container so that it does not effect a seal with an inner surface of the container (e.g., with an inner surface of the mouth of a bottle). In this aspect of the disclosure effecting a seal may in particular be avoided during insertion and/or extraction of the reservoir into the container (e.g., into a mouth of a bottle).
- The reservoir may have any desired volume and shape. Suitable shapes of the reservoir may include, but are not limited to, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially half spherical shape, or a substantially dome shape. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the reservoir may have a substantially cylindrical shape. According to another aspect of the disclosure the reservoir may be substantially in alignment with a portal forming neck of the container, i.e., for example, with the portal forming neck of a wine bottle.
- According to another aspect of the disclosure, the reservoir may contain a gas volume of 0.01 to 30 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of 0.1 to 15 cc, or 0.5 to 10 cc at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
- The membrane is constructed so as to allow an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of the reservoir and the inside of the container. By way of example, such exchange of gas may take place by means of permeation through the membrane. The membrane may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic material. For example, the membrane may be a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection molded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like. The membrane may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir). Alternatively, the membrane may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate plastic film arranged at or affixed to the bottom flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- According to one aspect of the disclosure the membrane may have an oxygen permeation of about 0.00001 to about 0.1 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0.00005 to about 0.05 cc/day per container, or 0.0001 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or 0.0005 to about 0.005 cc/day per container. Air as used herein is defined to contain approximately 20.8 vol. % oxygen. According to another aspect of the disclosure, the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the barrier layer. According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the membrane may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is greater than that of the barrier layer.
- The barrier layer is constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir. In particular, the barrier layer may for example be constructed so as to at least partially prevent exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir by means of permeation. The barrier layer may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic material, laminated plastic material and metalized plastic material. For example, the barrier layer may be a metal film, a plastic film, a laminated film, a multi-layer film, a metalized plastic film, an injection moulded plastic part, an extruded plastic part, a co-extruded plastic part, a vacuum-formed plastic part, a blow-molded plastic part, a deep-drawn plastic part or the like. The barrier layer may form an integral part of the reservoir (e.g., the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir). Alternatively, the barrier layer may form a separate part of the closure (e.g., a separate film arranged at or affixed to the top flat terminating end of a cylindrically shaped reservoir).
- According to one aspect of the disclosure the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation of about 0 to about 0.05 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature, in particular of about 0 to about 0.01 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.002 cc/day per container, or of about 0 to about 0.001 cc/day per container in 100% air at ambient pressure and ambient temperature. According to another aspect of the disclosure the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is different from that of the membrane. According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the barrier layer may have an oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature that is smaller than that of the membrane. According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the barrier layer and the membrane may have about the same oxygen permeation at ambient pressure and ambient temperature.
- According to another aspect of the disclosure, the closure may further comprise a body made of metal or polymer material, or a combination thereof. Suitable metals for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, aluminum, tin, and/or alloys thereof. Suitable polymers for the body may include, but are not limited to, for example, PE, PP, PET, LDPE, styrene block copolymers, EVA, and/or HDPE, and/or mixtures thereof.
- According to yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a closure system comprising a closure as described herein and a product retaining container. The product retaining container may be of any desired shape, size and material. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the product retaining container may be a wine bottle.
- According to yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a container comprising: (1) a closure as described herein; and (2) a product. The container may be wholly or partially filled with any kind of product, in particular with foodstuffs, for example with liquids (e.g., wine or spirits) or solids (e.g., spices). According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the container is a wine bottle made of glass or plastic that is wholly or partially filled with wine and sealed with a closure as described herein.
- According to yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of adjusting the oxygen content in a container (e.g., a wine bottle) over a defined period of time comprising: (1) filling the container with a defined quantity of product (e.g., with wine), and (2) closing the container with a closure as described herein, so that oxygen is allowed to be released from the reservoir into the head space of the container or into the product (e.g., into the wine).
- In such method, the defined period of time may vary depending on the nature and/or quantity of product contained in the container. For example, if wine is used as product, the defined period of time may vary between about 1 day and about 10 years, more particularly between about 30 days and about 5 years, or between about 60 days and about 3 years, or between about 90 days and about 2.5 years, or between about 180 days and about 2 years.
- According to a further embodiment of the disclosure, at the beginning of the defined period of time the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the membrane at that time. According to yet another embodiment of the disclosure, at the end of the defined period of time, the oxygen permeation rate into the headspace of the container or into the product may be substantially equal to the permeation rate of oxygen through the barrier layer at that time.
- According to an exemplary embodiment, the closure may, for example, be a screw cap closure. Referring now to
FIG. 12 , ascrew cap closure 80 adapted to fit on awine bottle 81 is illustrated. In this embodiment, thewine bottle 81 includesthreads 82 on an upper opening as is well understood. Thewine bottle 81 is filled withwine 96 up to acertain fluid level 95. In fitted position, thescrew cap closure 80 includes anouter metal cap 83 having a head 84 and askirt 85,interior threads 86 adapted to interoperate withthreads 82 of thewine bottle 81 and aseal 87. Thescrew cap closure 80 further includes a cylindrically shapedreservoir 90 having amembrane 91 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 90 and abarrier layer 92 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 90. The inside 93 ofreservoir 90 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen. Themembrane 91 allows permeation of gases between the inside 93 ofreservoir 90 and thehead space 94 above thefluid level 95 of thewine bottle 81 filled withwine 96, thus replenishing oxygen into thehead space 94 of thewine bottle 81 for a defined period of time. - Referring now to
FIG. 13 , an alternate exemplary embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment, ascrew cap closure 180 adapted to fit on awine bottle 181 is illustrated. Thewine bottle 181 includesthreads 182 on an upper opening as is well understood. Thewine bottle 181 is filled withwine 196 up to acertain fluid level 195. In fitted position, thescrew cap closure 180 includes anouter metal cap 183 having ahead 184 and askirt 185,interior threads 186 adapted to interoperate withthreads 182 of thewine bottle 181 and aseal 187. Thescrew cap closure 180 further includes a cylindrically shapedreservoir 190 having amembrane 191 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 190. In this embodiment, theouter metal cap 183 forms the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 190 and serves as a barrier layer. The inside 193 ofreservoir 190 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen. Themembrane 191 allows permeation of gases between the inside 193 ofreservoir 190 and thehead space 194 above thefluid level 195 of thewine bottle 181 filled withwine 196, thus replenishing oxygen into thehead space 194 of thewine bottle 181 for a defined period of time. - Referring now to
FIG. 14 , a further alternate exemplary embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment, ascrew cap closure 280 adapted to fit on awine bottle 281 is illustrated. Thewine bottle 281 includesthreads 282 on an upper opening as is well understood. Thewine bottle 281 is filled withwine 296 up to acertain fluid level 295. In fitted position, thescrew cap closure 280 includes anouter metal cap 283 having ahead 284 and askirt 285,interior threads 286 adapted to interoperate withthreads 282 of thewine bottle 281 and aseal 287. Thescrew cap 280 further includes a foamedbacking 288. Thescrew cap closure 280 further includes a cylindrically shapedreservoir 290 having amembrane 291 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 290 and abarrier layer 292 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 290. The inside 293 ofreservoir 290 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen. Themembrane 291 allows permeation of gases between the inside 293 ofreservoir 290 and thehead space 294 above thefluid level 295 of thewine bottle 281 filled withwine 296, thus replenishing oxygen into thehead space 294 of thewine bottle 281 for a defined period of time. - Referring now to
FIG. 15 , a further alternate exemplary embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment, ascrew cap closure 380 adapted to fit on awine bottle 381 is illustrated. Thewine bottle 381 includesthreads 382 on an upper opening as is well understood. Thewine bottle 381 is filled withwine 396 up to acertain fluid level 395. In fitted position, thescrew cap closure 380 includes anouter metal cap 383 having ahead 384 and askirt 385,interior threads 386 adapted to interoperate withthreads 382 of thewine bottle 381. Thescrew cap 380 further includes a foamedbacking 388. Thescrew cap closure 380 further includes a cylindrically shapedreservoir 390 having amembrane 391 forming the bottom flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 390 and abarrier layer 392 forming the top flat terminating end of the cylindrically shapedreservoir 390. The inside 393 ofreservoir 390 is filled with a gas such as, for example, air or oxygen. Themembrane 391 allows permeation of gases between the inside 393 ofreservoir 390 and thehead space 394 above thefluid level 395 of thewine bottle 381 filled withwine 396, thus replenishing oxygen into thehead space 394 of thewine bottle 381 for a defined period of time. Thescrew cap closure 380 further includes aplastic insert 397 extending radially downward into the neck ofwine bottle 381. The uppermost part of theplastic insert 397 also serves the function of a seal. Theplastic insert 397 is equipped with an oxygen scavenging agent. Such oxygen scavenging agent may effectively antagonize and decrease the initially high oxygen concentration immediately after bottling. - It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently obtained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method without departing from the scope of this disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it should be understood that the details of the disclosure described in the foregoing detailed description are not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings but are rather meant to apply to the disclosure in general as outlined in the summary and in the claims.
- It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the disclosure herein described, and all statements of the scope of the disclosure which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
Claims (45)
Priority Applications (2)
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US13/416,006 US20120228164A1 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2012-03-09 | Closure for a product retaining container |
US14/263,473 US9511912B2 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2014-04-28 | Closure for a product-retaining container |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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US201161451192P | 2011-03-10 | 2011-03-10 | |
US201161538242P | 2011-09-23 | 2011-09-23 | |
US13/416,006 US20120228164A1 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2012-03-09 | Closure for a product retaining container |
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US14/263,473 Active US9511912B2 (en) | 2011-03-10 | 2014-04-28 | Closure for a product-retaining container |
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US (2) | US20120228164A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2683620B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN106043939B (en) |
AR (1) | AR088776A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2012224574B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2829257A1 (en) |
CL (2) | CL2013002585A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2708935T3 (en) |
PT (1) | PT2683620T (en) |
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Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20110253666A1 (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-10-20 | Keller Timothy P | Liner-stretching bottle closure body recess and reinforcing insert |
USD740741S1 (en) | 2013-11-26 | 2015-10-13 | Chad C. Wheeler | Storage tube |
US20170101227A1 (en) * | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-13 | Nomacorc Llc | Closure for a product retaining container |
US20190359472A1 (en) * | 2018-05-28 | 2019-11-28 | Biab Holdings Inc. | Food grade disposable container with a one ounce (1 oz.) or one-and-a-half ounce (1.5 oz.) tap for pouring alcohol with a countertop dispensing stand device, system, and method |
EP3665258A4 (en) * | 2017-08-09 | 2021-05-12 | Ball Corporation | Beverage containers with controlled oxygen transmission features |
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CA2855255A1 (en) | 2011-11-11 | 2013-05-16 | Nomacorc Llc | Closure for a product retaining container |
AU2013204663B2 (en) | 2012-06-08 | 2015-07-02 | Nomacorc Llc | Method of preparing a closure for a product-retaining container |
AU2013205007B2 (en) | 2013-02-02 | 2016-05-26 | Nomacorc Llc | Closure for a product-retaining container |
AU2013204542A1 (en) | 2013-04-05 | 2014-10-23 | Nomacorc Llc | Closure for a Product-Retaining Container |
CN106103303A (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2016-11-09 | 三菱瓦斯化学株式会社 | Container |
CN107618747B (en) * | 2017-07-24 | 2021-11-02 | 湖南千山制药机械股份有限公司 | Combined cover and sealed container with same |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN106043939A (en) | 2016-10-26 |
CL2013002585A1 (en) | 2014-04-25 |
CA2829257A1 (en) | 2012-09-13 |
NZ615220A (en) | 2015-05-29 |
CL2015002424A1 (en) | 2016-09-23 |
ES2708935T3 (en) | 2019-04-12 |
AU2012224574A1 (en) | 2013-05-09 |
EP2683620A1 (en) | 2014-01-15 |
CN106043939B (en) | 2019-05-17 |
US9511912B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 |
AU2012224574B2 (en) | 2016-09-22 |
WO2012120109A1 (en) | 2012-09-13 |
CN103502107A (en) | 2014-01-08 |
US20140231430A1 (en) | 2014-08-21 |
AR088776A1 (en) | 2014-07-10 |
EP2683620B1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
PT2683620T (en) | 2019-02-06 |
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