WO2005002980A2

WO2005002980A2 - Wine bottle screw cap

Info

Publication number: WO2005002980A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/020526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Margarit Slavov Todorov
Original assignee: Seaboard Corporation
Priority date: 2003-06-26
Filing date: 2004-06-25
Publication date: 2005-01-13
Also published as: BG107947A; WO2005002980A3; BG64821B1

Abstract

A wine bottle screw cap for protecting wine in a bottle from oxidation after partial consumption. The wine bottle screw cap includes a hollow cylindrical body (2) an inert gas container (8), a valve (5) and a pressure compensator (17). The screw cap also may include a plastic bung (10) configured for insertion in the bottle neck to tightly plug the latter. The container (8) injects inert gas through the valve (5) into the bottle. The air, displaced by the inert gas, flows through the pressure compensator (17) and discharges into the atmosphere.

Description

WINE BOTTLE SCREW CAP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wine bottle screw caps constructed and configured to prevent wine oxidation after partial consumption. The Prior Art Background A known wine bottle screw cap (Bulgarian Registration. No. 106.561) includes a hollow cylindrical body with a threaded inner circular surface having threads which match the threads of the neck of a conventional bottle. The upper part of the cylindrical body has a bottom with two openings, which bottom is attached to an inert gas container by means of a flexible coupling. The lower part of the container is mounted on an inert gas injection valve in a conventional manner. The valve passes through a guiding hole located inside one of the openings of the bottom, and a safety valve for discharging air into the atmosphere is mounted in the other opening. The safety valve functions as a pressure compensator. A tearing tape is placed between the bottom of the screw cap and the container, and a sealing element is inserted between the bottom of the screw cap and the upper surface of the bottleneck. A lower part of the cylindrical body of the cap is provided with a perforated control tape. The known screw cap embodies complicated technology involving the use of a safety valve having the double function of protecting the liquid in the bottle from spilling during transportation and preventing the creation of excessive pressure in the bottle. Unintentional pressing of the inert gas container could occur during storage and transportation of wine bottles closed with the known screw cap. This could cause distortion of the tearing tape, whereby the inert gas injection valve would open and the gas would flow into the bottle and then, through the safety valve, into the atmosphere. Thus, the consumer would get a bottle of wine with an empty inert gas container, and therefore, in case of partial consumption, the wine would oxidize. The known screw cap is also not useful in connection with bottles which are not threaded. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the concepts and principles of the present invention, a cap assembly is provided that ensures air-tightness of the bottle and is adaptable for both threaded and non-threaded bottles. Thus, the cap assembly includes a hollow cylindrical body having upper and lower ends, a dividing wall positioned between said ends and having a central opening therein, and screw threads on an internal surface of said lower end, said lower end being adapted and configured for connection to a neck of a wine bottle. The assembly also includes an inert gas container located within the upper end of the cylindrical body and having an outlet valve located at the central opening. The inert gas container is pressable to cause inert gas to flow therefrom, through said valve, past the central opening, past the lower end of the cylindrical body and into a wine bottle when the lower end of the body is connected to the neck of the bottle. The assembly of the invention also includes a pressure compensator located at the dividing wall permitting air displaced from the bottle when inert gas is caused to flow into the bottle by pressing on the container to be discharged into the atmosphere surrounding the cylindrical body. When the cap assembly of the invention is designed for a bottle with threads on the outer surface of the neck, then the threads of the lower end of the cylindrical body are configured to match the threads of the neck. In further accordance with the invention, the may assembly include an elongated, downwardly extending chute having an internal passageway. The chute is attached to the dividing wall with the internal passageway in alignment with said central opening in the dividing wall. The upper end of the chute is provided with an enlarged portion and a valve mounted at the lower end of an inert gas container in the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body may desirably have a fitting that is disposed in the enlarged portion of the chute. At least one pressure compensator for discharging air into the atmosphere is placed laterally of the central opening at the dividing wall of the cylindrical body. The pressure compensator could be an opening, an orifice or a valve. hi further accordance with the concepts and principles of the invention, the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body may be in the form of a static plastic body for holding and supporting the inert gas container. The external and the inner surfaces of the static plastic body may desirably be polyhedronical or cylindrical, and guiding ribs inside the body may be positioned to hold the valve of the inert gas container in place. A cap providing an airtight closure for the upper opening of the body may be placed on the upper end of the body. A plastic bung, consisting of a body and a flange, may desirably be mounted at the bottom of the cylindrical body. When the wine bottle is threaded, the body of the plastic bung may be conic, and the same may be supplied with sealing rings, which stick tightly to the inner surface of the bottleneck. The flange may define a blind hole into which the downwardly extending chute of the central opening projects. The flange sticks tightly to the upper surface of the bottleneck and ensures air-tightness. In addition, the lower end of the cylindrical body is initially covered with a punched tape, which proves that the bottle has not been opened. When the wine bottle is not threaded, the plastic bung is an open cylindrical body that is separated into two parts by the flange. Sealing rings, which stick tightly to the inner surface of the bottleneck, are mounted on the outer surface of the lower part of the open cylindrical body. The upper part of the plastic bung terminates with a male thread which matches the female thread of the hollow cylindrical body. The advantages of the invention are that the screw cap is compact, user- friendly, and protective of the wine from oxidation after partial consumption. The cap could be an integral part of the bottle or an accessory to the bottle. The plastic body protects the inert gas container from damage and unintentional pressing during storage and transportation of the bottle. Airproofing of the bottle is ensured. The plastic bung prevents spilling of wine from the bottle during transportation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention is described in more details in the enclosed figures, where: Figure 1A is a front, partially cross-sectional, elevational view illustrating a wine bottle screw cap that embodies the concepts and principles of the invention when used to close a threaded bottle; Figure IB is a perspective view illustrating the bung associated with the wine bottle screw cap of Fig. 1A; Figure 1C is a cross-sectional, elevational view further illustrating the bung of Fig. IB; Figure ID is a front elevational view illustrating the static plastic body associated with the wine bottle screw cap of Fig. 1A; Figure 2A is a front, partially cross-sectional elevational view illustrating a wine bottle screw cap that embodies the concepts and principles of the invention when used to close a non-threaded bottle; Figure 2B is a cross-sectional, elevational view illustrating the bung associated with the wine bottle screw cap of Fig. 2 A; and Figure 2C is a front elevational view of the wine bottle screw cap of Fig. 2 A and further illustrating the static plastic body associated with the wine bottle screw cap of Fig. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The screw cap shown in FigJA includes a hollow cylindrical body 2, having a dividing wall 6 in its upper end and a thread 3 on the inner circular surface of its lower end which matches the thread on the outer surface of the bottleneck 1. The dividing wall 6, which is mounted at the lower end of inert gas container 8, has a central opening 7 including a downwardly extending chute and an upper portion in which a valve 5 mounted at the lower end of inert gas container 8 is positioned. At least one pressure compensator 17 designed to discharge the air into the atmosphere is positioned laterally of the central opening 7 in dividing wall 6. As shown in Fig. 1 A, the pressure compensator is in the form of a pair of openings extending through dividing wall 6; however, in accordance with the concepts and principles of the invention, other pressure variants could be used such as an orifice or a valve. A plastic bung 10, which is positioned beneath dividing wall 6, includes a conical body 11 and flange 13. The conical body 11 is provided with sealing rings 12, which press tightly against the inner surface of the bottleneck 1 to provide an airtight seal. The details of plastic bung 10 are shown clearly in Figs. IB and lC. As can be seen in Figs. 1A and 1C, the bung 10 provides a blind hole 14, into which the downwardly extending chute of the central opening 7 extends. Flange 13 sticks tightly to the upper surface of the bottleneck 1 and ensures air-tightness. A static plastic body 4, which carries inert gas container 8, is fixed to the upper part of the dividing wall 6. Both the external and the inner surfaces of the body 4 can be a polyhedronical or a cylindrical. And a plurality of guiding ribs are provided on the inner surface of the body 4, to hold valve 5 in its correct operational position. A cap 16, located at the upper end of the body 4, provides an airtight closure for the opening at the upper end of body 4. As shown in the drawings, the cap 16 is screwed to the body 4 by means of thread 15. However, in a variant embodiment where the pressure compensator is a valve, the cap 16 does not need to provide an airtight closure for the opening at the upper end of body 4, because the valve would in this case guarantee the air-tightness of the partially consumed bottle. The lower part of the cylindrical body 2 is initially coupled with a perforated tape 9, the integrity of which proves that the bottle has not been opened. In the variant shown on Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C, the plastic bung is in the form of an open cylindrical body 3, which is separated into two parts by flange 6. Sealing rings 4, which press tightly against the inner surface of the bottleneck 1, are carried on the external surface of the lower part of the open cylindrical body. The upper part of the bung 3 of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C ends with a male thread 5, which matches the female thread at the lower end of the hollow cylindrical body. Application of the Invention The screw cap shown on FigsJA, IB, 1C and ID is applicable for wine bottles with a male thread at the upper part of the neck. In this case the wine bottle may sell together with the screw cap of the invention as a single sales unit. When the bottled is opened for the first time, the perforated control tape 9 separates from the cylindrical body 2 and the cap is unscrewed. Then the screw cap 10 is removed and the wine is poured. The bung 10 may be discarded at this point since it no longer is needed. When unconsumed wine remains in the bottle 1, the cap is screwed back onto the neck of the bottle. The cap 16 is unscrewed and removed and this ensures access to the inert gas container 8. By applying slight pressure at the top of container 8, the valve 5 opens and the inert gas flows into the bottle, thus displacing any air that remains in the bottle. The displaced air flows through the pressure compensator, shown in this case as two openings 17, and enters the body 4 and then, due to the removal of cap 16, discharges into the atmosphere.

Thus the inert gas, which is heavier than air, superposes in a layer right on top of the wine surface and blocks the access of oxygen. Then the lid 16 is screwed back onto the body 4, thus preventing any contact between the atmosphere and the empty space inside the partially consumed bottle of wine. This ensures air-tightness of the bottle 1. The plastic body 4 protects the container 8 from damage and pressing during storage and transportation of the bottles. The screw cap shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C may sell as a separate article from the bottle of wine and is applicable for all types of bottles with cylindrical or slightly conical necks, and which are not threaded and are closed with a cork, a plastic bung or with a bung made of another material. In this case, the originally closed bottle is opened and wine is poured. In case unconsumed wine remains in the bottle, the screw cap of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C is inserted in the bottle 1 so that the lower part of the open cylindrical body 3 of the plastic bung plugs tightly into the bottleneck 1 as shown in Fig. 2A. The flange 6 and the sealing rings 4 ensure good air-tightness. After that the cap 16 is unscrewed and removed, thus providing access to the container 8. The valve 5 is opened by applying a slight pressure to the container 8, and the inert gas is injected into the bottle 1 through the central opening 7. Air displaced by inert gas flows through the pressure compensator, which is shown as two openings 17, and enters the body 4 and hence discharges into the atmosphere. The cap 16 is then screwed tightly back onto the top of the container, thus stopping the contact between the atmosphere and the empty space inside the partially consumed bottle 1. The cap of the invention remains on the bottle until all of the wine is consumed. As explained above, when the pressure compensator is a valve, air-tightness of the bottle is ensured and it is therefore not necessary to have an airtight closure between the upper opening of the body 4 and the cap 16.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cap assembly for a wine bottle to prevent oxidation of wine in the bottle after the bottle has been opened, said cap comprising: a hollow cylindrical body having upper and lower ends, a dividing wall positioned between said ends and having a central opening therein, and screw threads on an internal surface of said lower end, said lower end being adapted and configured for connection to a neck of a wine bottle; an inert gas container located within said upper end of the cylindrical body and having an outlet valve located at said central opening, said inert gas container being pressable to cause inert gas to flow therefrom, through said valve, past said central opening, past said lower end of the cylindrical body and into a wine bottle when the lower end of the body is connected to the neck of the bottle; and a pressure compensator located at said dividing wall permitting air displaced from the bottle to be discharged into the atmosphere surrounding the cylindrical body when inert gas is caused to flow into the bottle by pressing on the container.

2. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included guiding ribs at the lower end of the hollow cylindrical body positioned for contacting the valve and holding the latter in an aligned positioned relative to said central opening.

3. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a bung element having an elongated hollow body portion that is adapted and configured to be received in the open neck of a wine bottle to provide an airtight seal extending along an outer periphery of the hollow body portion, and a laterally extending flange which is adapted and configured to be disposed between the dividing wall and an upper edge at the neck of a bottle to provide a laterally extending airtight seal.

4. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bung element has a second elongated hollow body portion that is disposed on an opposite side of the flange from the first mentioned elongated hollow body portion, said second elongated hollow body portion having screw threads on an external surface thereof configured and adapted for threadable engagement with the screw threads on said internal surface of the lower end of the hollow cylindrical body.

5. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said compensator is spaced laterally of said central opening and is in the form of at least one opening extending through the dividing wall, an orifice or a valve.

6. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included an elongated chute extending downwardly from said dividing wall and including a central passageway in fluid communication with said central opening.

7. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said chute has an enlarged portion at an upper end of the chute and said valve has a fitting that is received within said enlarged portion.

8. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve has a fitting that is received within said central opening.

9. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included a screw cap for closing an opening at an upper extremity of the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body.

10. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said elongated hollow body portion provides a blind hole for sealing the wine bottle prior to use, said bung being discardable after the bottle is opened.

11. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said elongated hollow body portion is open at opposite ends thereof to provide intercommunication between the inside of the bottle and said central opening.

12. A cap assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the neck of said bottle is provided with external screw threads, and the internal screw threads of the lower end of the cylindrical body match the screw threads of the bottle neck.