WO2004028915A1

WO2004028915A1 - Beverage bottle and tool for opening said bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2004028915A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/010203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Dieter Dubs; Jürgen Soldan
Original assignee: Alcoa Deutschland Gmbh Verpackungswerke
Priority date: 2002-09-19
Filing date: 2003-09-13
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: AR041327A1; JP2005538910A; DE10244478A1; WO2004028915A8; AU2003267355A1; CN1681714A

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage bottle, comprising a bottle body (1) with a bottle opening, a sealing body (30) for sealing the bottle opening and a fixing element (40) with a fastening section (45), permitting the fixing element (40) to be detachably fastened to the bottle body (1), in order to maintain the sealing body (30) that seals the bottle opening at least in an axial and/or radial direction. To simplify the opening of the beverage bottle, at least one projection (46) that juts out in a substantially radial direction is provided on the fastening section (45) of the fixing element (40). The fastening section (45) is detachably connected to the remaining part of the fixing element (40). The invention also relates to a tool (50) for opening the aforementioned beverage bottle.

Description

BEVERAGE BOTTLE AND TOOL TO OPEN THE SAME

description

The invention relates to a beverage bottle, with a bottle body having a bottle opening, a closure body for closing the bottle opening, and with a fixing element which has a fastening section, by means of which the fixing element can be detachably fastened to the bottle body, around the closure body closing the bottle opening at least in to keep an axial and / or radial direction.

Wine bottles are usually closed with natural corks that can be inserted into the bottle opening. For wine producers as well as for consumers, there is a not inconsiderable risk that the natural cork will not seal the bottle completely, so that wine can leak out or air can penetrate. This usually means that the wine spoils inside the bottle, which leads to considerable financial losses, especially for the producer.

To solve this problem, it is known to use closure bodies made of plastic, a composite material or made of plastic-coated cork. However, there is the disadvantage that the plastics used are not free of evaporation that can get into the wine. The alcohol in the wine can also remove components from the composite or plastic material. It is also a crucial disadvantage that such closures at customers who want to enjoy a high-quality natural product, such as wine, find no acceptance.

Glass carafes are known in connection with the consumption of wine, which can be closed with a glass stopper after filling wine from a conventional wine bottle.

In addition, champagne bottle closures are known in which a closure cork is attached to the bottle body with the aid of a wire structure. Before opening the bottle, the wire structure must be removed by hand, with the risk of injury. In addition, accidents can occur if, after an abrupt removal of the wire structure, the cap suddenly shoots out of the bottle neck in an uncontrolled manner due to excess pressure inside the bottle.

The object of the invention is to provide a beverage bottle according to the preamble of claim 1, which can be opened easily and safely. In a beverage bottle according to the invention, the contents of the beverage, in particular sensitive beverages such as wine, but also, for example, vinegar or oil, should be able to be stored safely and reliably over a long period of time and protected from harmful environmental influences.

The object is achieved by a closable beverage bottle according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. The beverage bottle according to the invention has a closure body which can be inserted into the bottle opening and which can consist entirely of glass. However, the closure body can also be formed from plastic or from cork or from a composite material. The fixing element ensures that the closure body is held on or in the bottle body in the axial and / or radial direction. For this purpose, a fastening section is formed on the fixing element, by means of which the fixing element can be detachably fastened to the bottle body. At least one projection, which protrudes outwards, is provided on the fastening section, namely in a substantially radial direction. The outwardly projecting projection forms a surface for a force which is applied to the projection when the beverage bottle is opened, for example with the aid of a suitable tool or by hand, in such a way that the essentially annular fastening section of the fixing element is in contact with the projection of releases the remaining part of the fixing element. For this purpose, the fastening section is detachably connected to the remaining part of the fixing element. The detachable connection between the fastening section and the remaining part of the fixing element is also referred to as the predetermined breaking line and can be realized, for example, by a perforation line. After the fastening section has been separated from the remaining part of the fixing element, the latter can be removed from the closure body, so that the closure body can in turn be removed from the bottle opening. The closure body can also be used together with the remaining part of the fixing elements are removed from the bottle opening. The fastening section separated from the fixing element can either remain on the bottle neck or can also be removed.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the fixing element can be fastened in a form-fitting manner in the axial and / or radial direction to a bottle edge adjoining the bottle opening. As a result, the axial force required for axially fixing the closure body and to be absorbed by the fixing element can be introduced into the bottle body carrying the edge of the bottle.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the fixing element is formed by a cap with an essentially circular-cylindrical jacket-shaped side wall, which at least partially encompasses the closure body and is closed off by a lid which serves to close the closure body on the bottle opening hold. The lid is generally closed, but can also be provided with an opening.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that a predetermined breaking line or perforation line running in the circumferential direction is provided in the side wall, through which the fastening section is divided from the remaining part of the fixing element. Several holes are evenly spaced apart in the side wall along the perforation line. Perforation line is also understood to mean cuts made in the side wall. The holes or cuts can also be spaced unevenly apart. The perforation line is equivalent to a predetermined breaking line.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the bottle rim forms an undercut with the bottle body, on which the fastening section of the side wall engages. As a result, the fixing element is fixed to the bottle mouth with the closure body in the closed state of the beverage bottle.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the cap is a crimp cap or a shrink cap. The fixing element can also be designed as a full tear-off cap with a ring which serves as a securing element and which can be torn off the full tear-off cap in order to detach it from the bottle. If the full tear-off cap is made of metal, preferably aluminum, its axial holding force is sufficient to hold the closure body in sealing contact with the bottle opening. The fixing element can be both ring-shaped and sleeve-shaped. Instead of having a perforation, the fixing element can also be provided with an annular notch or another type of material weakening in order to facilitate opening of the bottle.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that a circumferential projection is provided on the outside of the fastening section of the side wall divided by the predetermined breaking line. The projection is preferably designed as a continuous bead, but can also be interrupted, so that it practically forms a plurality of projections projecting outwards. The circumferential projection forms a contact surface for the fingers of a person who opens the bottle or for a tool for opening the bottle. In the closed state of the bottle, the bottle opening is closed by the closure body, which is fixed relative to the bottle by the fixing element. When opening, the projection is subjected to a force, the line of action of which extends transversely to the predetermined breaking line, such that the fastening section with the projection is severed along the predetermined breaking line.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the cap is formed from metal. The cap is preferably made of aluminum, but can also be made of plastic by injection molding.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that the projection is formed by a bead. The bead has the advantage that it can be introduced into the cap relatively easily and inexpensively.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the beverage bottle is characterized in that a sealing element is arranged between the closure body and the bottle opening. This ensures a high level of tightness of the closure without great manufacturing effort.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a tool for opening the beverage bottle described above, which enables simple and controlled opening of the beverage bottle.

This object is achieved in a tool for opening a beverage bottle described above by a contact surface for the projection on the fixing element. When opening the beverage bottle, the tool is placed on the projection with the contact surface. Then pressure is applied to the tool, which is released via the contact surface to the projection until the fastening section detaches from the remaining part of the fixing element. This considerably simplifies the opening of the beverage bottle.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized by a guide surface which serves to ensure that the tool is applied when a tool is applied

Lead force in the axial direction. The guidance of the tool in the axial direction, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle, prevents the contact surface from slipping off the projection. This ensures a continuous opening process.

Another preferred embodiment of the

The tool is characterized in that the contact surface has at least one elevation. The provides the advantage that the force when opening is initially only applied to part of the interface between the fastening section and the remaining part of the fixing element. As a result, only part of the predetermined breaking line is destroyed. For this partial separation of the predetermined breaking line, much less force is required than would be required for separating the complete predetermined breaking line and for releasing the complete fastening section from the remaining part of the fixing element.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized in that, starting from the elevation, the contact surface is at least partially ramp-shaped. The shape of the ramp means that when a compressive force is applied to the tool, the predetermined breaking line is continuously, little by little destroyed or separated. The connecting material between the fastening section and the remaining part of the fixing element is therefore not cut through all at once, but rather in sections along the predetermined breaking line or perforation line. It is therefore sufficient if a relatively small force is applied uniformly by the tool over the contact surface to the preferably circumferential projection.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized in that the contact surface is essentially undulating. The alternation of wave valleys and wave crests enables a relatively quick but not abrupt cut through of the predetermined breaking line. A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized by an essentially circular cylinder-shaped base body, the inside of which forms the guide surface and the front surface of which the contact surface is arranged. This shape of the tool leads to an attractive optical appearance and also ensures easy handling of the tool.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized in that the base body is closed on the other end face by a cover. The lid can be closed continuously or can be provided with at least one opening. The inside of the cover forms a stop for the tool when a pressure force is applied to the projection. The stop ensures that the fastening section separated from the remaining part of the fixing element is no longer subjected to a force by the tool.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized by a recess, the dimensions of which are somewhat larger than the cross section of the fastening section. The recess on the tool serves to destroy the fastening section detached from the remaining part of the fixing element, which sits loosely on the bottle neck as a ring, at at least one point, so that it can be removed from the bottle neck. Alternatively, the height of the base body can also be chosen so that the contact surface with one further lowering of the tool presses the separated fastening section against a stop or against the expanding bottle neck so long that it tears at least at one point and falls down or can be removed from the bottle neck.

Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the tool is characterized in that the recess is arranged in a collar which is formed on the tool. At the same time, the waistband forms a possibility for the hand of a person to open the bottle with the tool.

The object of the invention is also to provide a fixing element for a previously described beverage bottle, which enables the bottle to be opened easily.

This object is achieved in a previously described fixing element in that at least one projection projecting outward in a substantially radial direction is provided on the fixing section of the fixing element, and in that the fixing section is detachably connected to the remaining part of the fixing element. The advantages of the fixing element according to the invention result from the advantages given for the beverage bottle described above.

The object of the invention is also to create a system or set with a previously described beverage bottle which enables the beverage bottle to be opened easily. This object is achieved by a system or set with a previously described beverage bottle and / or with a previously described tool and / or with a previously described fixing element.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a partial section in the longitudinal direction through a beverage bottle according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2 shows the view of a section through a sealing element;

FIG. 3 shows the view of a longitudinal section through a closure body;

FIG. 4 shows the view of a longitudinal section through a fixing element;

^"Figure 5 shows the view of a longitudinal section through a tool according to a first exemplary form of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through a bottle neck, which is closed with the aid of a fixing element by a closure body with a sealing element, wherein a

Opening tool is attached to the bottle; 7 shows the view of a longitudinal section through a tool according to a further embodiment and

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the tool shown in section in Figure 7.

In Figure 1, a section of a bottle body 1 is shown in longitudinal section. The part of the bottle shown comprises in particular a bottle neck 2. A bottle rim 3 projecting radially outwards is formed on the bottle neck 2. The peripheral surface of the bottle rim 3 comprises three different areas. A cylindrical region 5, which extends over a substantial part of the height of the bottle rim 3 and can serve as a contact surface for the fixing element (shown in FIG. 4). Towards the free end of the bottle neck, area 5 is adjoined by a second area 6, which is rounded in order to avoid a sharp edge, which on the one hand harbors the risk of injury and on the other hand breaks off slightly on impact.

A further area 7 is provided below the cylindrical area 5, which is also rounded and merges into the bottle neck located below the bottle rim 3, so that an undercut is formed, which is also designated by 7.

The bottle opening, at the end of which the bottle mouth 12 is arranged, is indicated by dashed lines 9 and 10. The one shown in FIG. put bottle body 1 is shown on a different scale than the objects shown in Figures 2 to 5. In reality, the bottle body 1 shown in FIG. 1 is so large that the seal shown in FIG. 2 and the closure body shown in FIG. 3 can at least partially be inserted into the bottle opening 9.

FIG. 2 shows a sealing element 20 which has a section 21 which is essentially cylindrical. The outside diameter of the section 21 is selected such that the section 21 can be inserted into the bottle opening 9. At one end of section 21, a flange 22 is formed which is placed on the bottle neck.

FIG. 3 shows a closure body in the form of a stopper 30. The closure body 30 has a flange 31, the outer diameter of which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the bottle rim 9 shown in FIG. 1. The

-Flange 31 merges into a shaft 32, which is a free part after a cylindrical part 33

End tapered portion 34 has. However, the shaft 32 can also be completely cylindrical.

FIG. 4 shows a fixing element 40 with a side wall 41 in the form of a cylindrical cylinder in longitudinal section. The side wall 40 is closed on one side by a cover 42. In the example shown, the cover 42 is in one piece formed with the side wall 41. A perforation line 44 runs in the side wall 41 in the circumferential direction, which is also referred to as a predetermined breaking line. A fastening section 45 is separated from the side wall 41 by the predetermined breaking line 44. The fastening section 45 has the shape of a circular cylinder jacket in which a circumferential projection 46 is formed in the vicinity of the perforation line 44. The circumferential projection 46 is formed as a bead in the present example.

FIG. 5 shows a tool 50 which serves to separate the fastening section 45 from the fixing element 40 along the predetermined breaking line 44.

For this purpose, the tool 50 is equipped with a base body 51 in the form of a cylindrical cylinder, the inside diameter of which is somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the side wall 41 of the fixing element 40. However, the inner diameter of the base body 51 is smaller than the outer diameter of the circumferential projection 46. The inner surface area of the base body 51 forms a guide surface 52 which serves to guide the tool 50 when it is placed on the fixing element 40. An end face of the base body 51 forms a contact surface 54, which comes into contact with the projection 46 when the tool 50 is placed on the fixing element 40. On the other end face, the base body 51 is closed by a cover 53, the inside of which forms a stop surface for the cover 42 of the fixing element 40. The contact surface 54 on the one end face of the base body 51 is not flat but is wave-shaped with two elevations 55 and 56, which are also referred to as wave crests. When the tool 50 is placed on the fixing element 40, the elevations 55 and 56 come into contact with the circumferential projection 46 first. If further pressure is exerted on the tool 50, the predetermined breaking line 44 is cut first at the locations where the elevations 55 and 56 are in contact with the circumferential projection 46. If the tool 50 is lowered further, the rest of the predetermined breaking line 44 is also separated by the wave troughs formed between the wave crests 55 and 56 until the fastening section 45 is completely separated from the rest of the side wall 41 of the fixing element 40.

In an extension of the cover 53, a collar 57 is formed on the base body 51, which forms an engagement surface for the hand of a person using the tool 50. In the present example, the cover 53 is provided with an opening 58, which allows air to escape from the interior of the base body 51 when the tool 50 is placed on the fixing element 40. The cover 53 can, however, also be closed if, for example, there is sufficient play between the base body 51 of the tool 50 and the side wall 41 of the fixing element 40 in order to allow the otherwise enclosed air to escape.

A summary of Figures 1 to 5 can also be an exploded view of the inventive water bottle can be viewed. Apart from the fact that FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 to 5 are based on different scales, it can be seen from the summary of FIGS. 1 to 5 that the bottle body 1, the sealing element 20, the closure body 30, the fixing element 40 and the tool 50 are closed belong to a system which is shown, for example, in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a bottle body 1 with a bottle neck 2, on the bottle edge 3 of which a sealing element 20 and a sealing plug 30 are placed. The stopper 30 lies with its flange 31 with the interposition of the seal 20 on the end face of the bottle rim 3.

The closure body 30 and the seal 20 are fixed by the fixing element 40 relative to the bottle rim 30. For this purpose, the fastening section 45 of the fixing element 40 is crimped around the circumferential undercut 7. In the closed state, the fastening section 45 is firmly connected to the remaining part of the fixing element 40 via the predetermined breaking line 44.

To open the beverage bottle, the tool 50, which is only partially shown in the figure, is placed on the fixing element 40 from the outside until the contact surface 54 comes into contact with the circumferential projection 46. If pressure is then exerted on the tool 50 from above, the predetermined breaking line 44 is gradually separated until the fastening section 45 detaches from the rest of the fixing element 40 and the fixing element 40 for opening the Bottle can be removed. Depending on the application, the fixing element 40 can be removed together with the closure body 30 and possibly with the seal 20 or alone from the bottle rim 3.

FIG. 7 shows a tool 70 which is similar to the tool 50 from FIG. 5. The tool 70 comprises a base body 71 in the form of a cylindrical cylinder, the inside of which forms a guide surface 72. The base body 71 is closed on one end by a cover 73. On the other end face, a contact surface 74 is formed, which has two elevations 75 and 76. The cover 73 continues outwards in a collar 77, in which a recess 80 is provided. The recess 80 serves to enclose the substantially annular fastening section 45 after it has been separated from the rest of the fixing element 40, and to cut through the latter by rotating the tool 70 at least at one point transversely to its circumferential direction. The fastening section or fastening ring cut through in this way can then be removed from the bottle neck without any problems. In the plan view, the recess 80 has the shape of an elongated hole, from the one long side of which a rectangular opening extends outwards.

Claims

Expectations

1. beverage bottle with a bottle opening (9, 10) having a bottle body (1), a closure body (30) for closing the bottle opening (9, 10), and with a fixing element (40) having a fastening section (45) , with the aid of which the fixing element (40) can be detachably fastened to the bottle body (1) in order to hold the closure body (30) closing the bottle opening (9, 10) at least in an axial and / or radial direction, characterized in that that at least one projection (46) projecting outward in a substantially radial direction is provided on the fastening section (45) of the fixing element (40), and in that the fastening section (45) is detachably connected to the remaining part of the fixing element (40) is.

2. Beverage bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element (40) can be positively attached in an axial and / or radial direction to a bottle edge (3) adjoining the bottle opening (9, 10).

3. Beverage bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (40) is formed by a cap with a substantially circular-cylindrical side wall (41) which at least partially surrounds the closure body (30) and by a lid (42 ) is completed, which serves to lock the keep body (30) on the bottle opening (9,10).

4. A beverage bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that a predetermined breaking line or perforation line (44) extending in the circumferential direction is provided in the side wall (41), through which the fastening section (45) is divided from the remaining part of the fixing element (40) ,

5. Beverage bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that the bottle rim (9, 10) forms an undercut (7) with the bottle body (1), on which the fastening section (46) of the side wall (41) engages.

6. Beverage bottle according to claim 5, characterized in that the cap (40) is a crimp cap

Wire mesh or a shrink cap.

7. beverage bottle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that on the fastening portion

(45) of the side wall (41) is provided on the outside with a circumferential projection (46).

8. beverage bottle according to claim 7, characterized in that the cap (40) is formed from metal.

9. Beverage bottle according to claim 8, characterized in that the projection (46) is formed by a bead.

10. Beverage bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between a sealing element (20) is arranged on the closure body (30) and the bottle opening (9, 10).

11. Tool (50; 70) for opening a beverage bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a contact surface (54; 74) for the projection (46) on the fixing element (40).

12. Tool according to claim 11, characterized by a guide surface (52; 72) which serves to guide the tool (50; 70) when applying a force in the axial direction.

13. Tool according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the contact surface (54; 74) has at least one elevation (55, 56; 75, 76).

14. Tool according to claim 13, characterized in that the contact surface (54; 74), starting from the elevation (55, 56; 75, 76), extends at least partially essentially in a ramp shape.

15. Tool according to one of claims 11-14, characterized in that the contact surface (54; 74) is substantially undulating.

16. Tool according to one of claims 11-15, characterized by a substantially circular-cylindrical jacket-shaped base body (51; 71), the inside (52; 72) of which forms the guide surface, and on one end face of which the contact surface (54; 74) is arranged.

17. Tool according to claim 16, characterized in that the base body (51; 71) on the other Front side is closed by a cover (53; 73).

18. Tool according to one of claims 11-17, characterized by a recess (80), the dimensions of which are somewhat larger than the cross section of the fastening section (46).

19. Tool according to claim 18, characterized in that the recess (80) is arranged in a collar (70) which is formed on the tool (70).

20. Fixing element for a beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 10.

21. System or set with a beverage bottle according to one of claims 1 to 10 and / or with a tool according to one of claims 11 to 19 and / or with a fixing element according to claim 20.