WO2007125185A1

WO2007125185A1 - Capping method and corresponding stopper cap

Info

Publication number: WO2007125185A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/000634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Granger; Jean Marie Bourreau
Original assignee: Alcan Packaging Capsules
Priority date: 2006-04-24
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: AR060809A1; ATE492487T1; EP2010436A1; FR2900143B1; FR2900143A1; DE602007011420D1; CL2007001164A1; NO20084940L; EP2010436B1

Abstract

Method for capping a container (4) wherein: a) said container is provided fitted with a neck (40) including at least one screwing thread (410) on its outer annular part (411) and a lip (42); b) said stopper cap (1) is provided having an axial direction (10) and fitted with a sealing means (5), said stopper cap (1) including a metal shell (2) fitted with a metal head (20) and a metal skirt (21) and an insert (3) made of a plastic material fitted with an inner head (30) and an unthreaded inner skirt (31); c) said cap (1) is placed on said neck (40); d) said metal skirt (21) is compressed against said bush (41) exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt (21), such that said metal skirt (21) is swaged and a permanent inner groove (320) is formed on the swaged inner skirt (32); said capping method is characterized in that an axial compression is also exerted during step d) on said cap (1) in such a way that said means (5) for sealing said cap is pinned against said lip (42).

Description

CAPSULING PROCESS AND CORRESPONDING CAPSULE

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the field of capping bottles or containers containing alcoholic beverages and typically wine.

STATE OF THE ART

The method of closure of traditional wine bottles comprises the use of a cork and an overcap, typically aluminum oxide, as described for example in the patent application EP-Al-O 363 285.

Closure of aperitif bottles or spirits with a threaded neck is also known, with the aid of a closure cap, typically made of aluminum, comprising a threaded insert, as described, for example, in the FR patent application. In this case, the capsule is screwed onto the threaded neck.

According to another method of closure described in the patent application FR-A 1-2 179 604, a metal closure cap with a cast gasket 0 is crimped on a threaded neck, so as to form a net on the metal skirt of the capsule during its capping on said threaded neck.

U.S. Patent 3,631,650 discloses a method of capping a capsule with a metal shell and a plastic insert on the threaded neck of a container including forming a screw thread in the container. insert: by radial compression of the shell, the insert is pressed against the neck and a screw thread is formed in the insert by indentation of said insert by the thread of the neck. PROBLEMS POSED

The problems posed are essentially problems of an economic nature, since a more economical method of cαpsulαge is sought than those known in the state of the art, ie on the one hand a process using screw caps more economical than traditional screw closure caps, for example those disclosed in the patent application FR-Al-2763046, and secondly a method inherently more efficient than traditional methods.

By "more efficient" process is meant a process which allows, compared with known methods, a reduction in production costs as regards the capping itself, either because it makes it possible to increase the equipment capping rates. constant, or because it makes it possible to reduce investment or operating costs at the same rate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the method of capping a container with a closure cap according to the invention: a) supplying said container having a neck forming a capping screw ring comprising at least one screw thread on its outer annular portion and a water at its upper part delimiting an orifice; typically, said container is a bottle for containing wine or an alcoholic beverage and said outer annular portion has a height H, an outer diameter D1 with said screw thread and an inner diameter D2 without said thread, said thread thus having a radial height substantially equal to (D1-D2) / 2; b) supplying said capping capsule having an axial direction and provided with a sealing means, said closure cap comprising a metal shell having a metal head and a metal skirt of diameter d and a material insert; plastic with a head inner and a non-threaded inner skirt, said insert being integral with said metal shell; typically, said metal skirt has an axial height h and said inner skirt of said insert forms an inner wall of axial height Hi and of diameter Di such that the difference Di - D1 is typically less than 5; 1 mm, said axial height Hi being typically substantially close to the height H of said annular portion; c) placing said capsule on said neck; d) compressing said metal skirt against said ring by exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt, typically with the aid of an axially displaced shrinkage matrix, so that said metal skirt is shrunk to form a shrunken metal skirt of diameter <d, d being sufficiently small that a permanent inner groove is formed on the inner skirt by indentation of the thread of said ring on said inner skirt, so that a neck is obtained thereby closed by a capsule

15 screw closure. In practice, under the effect of the shrinkage of the metal skirt, the inner skirt of the insert is pressed against the outer annular portion of the ring provided with its screw thread and, the plastic material of the insert being less hard than that of the neck (typically the neck is made of glass), an indentation occurs, resulting in a penetration in force of the net of 0 said ring in the inner face of said inner skirt.

This method is characterized in that an axial compression is also exerted during step d) on said capsule, typically with the aid of a support punch whose bearing surface matches a shape complementary to that of , of the metal head of the shell and which exerts said compression

25 axial directly on said metal head, so that said sealing means of said capsule is pressed against said rim. In this way it ensures a tight seal of said neck. Preferably, not only this axial compression is applied after placement of the capsule on

^' - _, the neck but it is also maintained during the shrinkage of the skirt

30 metal. In this way, it is possible to control the overall deformation of the top of the capsule during the shrinkage of the metallic skirt, which makes it possible to better control the overall shape of the capsule after removal of the necking tool.

With regard to the container to be sealed, it is preferable that the container comprises a ring adapted to the invention, that is to say made of a material harder than that of the insert, typically a glassware ring. in glass, and with an outer annular portion (carrying said net) adjoining, at its lower part, a narrowed zone adjacent, so that said thread forms the outermost radial portion of said neck. Unlike conventional rings - see for example the ring of Figure 3 of the patent application FR-A1-2 179 604 - which comprise a counter-ring located just below the annular threaded portion, the ring according to the invention. does not include a counter ring: the threaded part directly adjoins a narrowed area. However, it is possible to use a usual ring with counter ring. In this particular case, illustrated in Figures 10b and 10c, the counter-ring is not used as such for capping.

Finally, as regards the actual capping step, on the one hand, given the relative dimensions of the insert and the threaded neck - said inner skirt of said insert typically having an inner diameter Di neighbor of the outer diameter D1 of said neck, or barely greater than this diameter Dl (typically the difference Di - Dl is less than 1 mm), said capsule can be placed directly on the neck without special effort, or possibly with a minimal axial force.

On the other hand, once the capsule is in place, as observed by the applicant, it suffices to use a capping head comprising a necking matrix and a central punch sliding in the necking matrix and to make a return trip. , the central punch initially axially compressing the capsule on the neck, then the descending necking matrix to shrink the metal skirt corresponding to a decrease in its diameter d can typically range from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. It has been observed that such a decrease in diameter, on the one hand, does not modify the external appearance of the capsule, and in particular does not lead to any formation of folds, which would be unacceptable, and other on the other hand, although relatively weak, assures a sufficient penetration of the threads of the neck into said inner skirt for the formation of an imprinted groove on the inner surface of said inner skirt.

Finally, axial compression is exerted during step d) on said capsule so that the sealing means of said capsule is pressed against the rim. This compression makes it possible to control the overall deformation of the top of the capsule during the shrinkage. According to a preferred embodiment, the axial compression is exerted after said capsule has been placed on said neck, with the aid of an axially displaced pressing punch placed in contact on the head of the shell of said capsule. While maintaining said axial compression on said head, said metal skirt is compressed against said ring by exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt by means of a necking die whose axial displacement is coaxial with said punch, so as to shrink said metal skirt forming a narrowed metallic skirt.

A simple axial movement back and forth of the necking matrix is sufficient without the need to use a rotating part as in the state of the art, which is very advantageous both with regard to the rate of production than the cost of the investment.

In view of the foregoing, the combination of means described above solves the problems of the invention, both because the

- _., Method according to the invention can use short skirt cap caps and therefore not greedy metal, and not threaded, so cheaper to manufacture than capsules with long skirt and threaded insert, and because the step it can be performed at high speed - without the use of a rotational and screwing movement, and with a very economical capping device.

r

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All Figures 1 to 10c relate to the invention. These figures are axial views along the axis (10) of symmetry of the capsules:

or axial sections in the case of FIGS. 3a, 4a, 6a, 7a, 8a and 9, or axial half-sections in the case of FIGS. 2a, 5a, 10a, 10b and 10c.

- Or side views parallel to the axial direction (10): la, Ib, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b.

Figure 1a shows a partial view of a bottle (4 ¹ ) whose neck (40) is provided with a screw ring (41) as shown, in an enlarged manner, in Figure 1b.

FIG. 1c is a diagrammatic representation, in a transverse plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10), of two successive screw threads (410), one in solid line, the other in dashed line, corresponding substantially to those of FIG. 1b, each thread (410) extending over an angular range β of approximately 120 °, two successive threads being angularly offset by 72 ° (36075), the number N of threads (410) being equal to 5 .

FIGS ^. 2a to 4b relate to a modality of the invention in which the closure cap (1) comprises a guarantee band (60) as a first opening detection means (6).

The screw ring (41) adapted to this type of capsule (1) is shown in Figure 2a by its profile, and in Figure 2b in side view.

^{"" •} The capsule (1) with warranty tape (60) is shown in Figures 3a (axial section) and 3b (side view).

Figures 4a and 4b show the capsule (1) closing the neck (40), the capsule being attached to the glass ring by the capping operation according to the invention.

FIGS. 5a to 7b relate to another embodiment of the invention in which the closure cap (1) does not include a guarantee strip.

The screw ring (41) adapted to this type of capsule (1) is shown in Figure 5a by its profile, and in Figure 5b in side view.

The capsule (1) without warranty tape is shown in Figures 6a (axial section) and 6b (side view). FIGS. 7a and 7b, similar respectively to FIGS. 4a and 4b, show the capsule (1) closing the neck (40), the capsule (1) being fixed to the screw ring (41) by the capping operation according to FIG. 'invention.

FIGS. 8a and 8b, similar to FIGS. 4a and 4b, show another embodiment of cap (1) with a domed head.

FIG. 9 illustrates the capping device (8) represented at the end of capping of a capping cap (1) according to FIGS. 2a to 4b on a neck (40), this device (8) comprising a support punch ( 81) exerting axial pressure directly on the metal head (23), and a necking die (80) whose lower end (800) is flared to facilitate insertion of said capsule (1) into said die shrinks (80).

FIGS. 10a to 10c illustrate a sealing means (5) for a closure cap (1) not including a guarantee strip (60), this sealing means comprising a seal (50) cooperating with a lip sealing

(51).

Figure 10a relates to a capsule (1) with this sealing means -. (5). FIG. 10b illustrates the closure of a standard neck (40 ') provided with a screw ring (4T) and a counter-ring (47) by the closure cap (1) according to the Figure 10a.

Fig. 10c illustrates the case where the closure cap (1) of Fig. TOb is covered by an overcap (63) forming an insert (62), said overcap (63) comprising two spaced apart lines (631) defining between them a tear strip (630) so as to form said first opening visual detection means (6).

FIG. 10d is analogous to the right half-portion of FIG. 4 and differs in that the metal skirt (21) comprises a free lower end (210 ') which masks the guarantee strip (60).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With regard to the neck (40) and its screw ring (41), said screw ring (41) may comprise N threads (410), with N typically ranging from 2 to 6, two threads

(410) being angularly offset by 360 ° / N, each thread (410) extending over an angular range G typically ranging from 60 ° to 360 ° depending in particular on the diameter of said neck (40), as illustrated in FIG.

I c which illustrates the arrangement of two successive threads (410) of the ring screw screw (41 of Figure I b.

On all the rings shown in the figures, there are 5 threads (N = 5) and a rotation of 120 ° ensures the unscrewing of the capsule (β = 120 °).

In general, the height H of said annular portion (41 1) can range from 4 mm to 30 mm.

The height H may range from 4 mm to 12 mm, in the case where the neck (40) is of the "low ring" type, and preferably from 6 to 8 mm. The height H can range from 12 mm to 30 mm in the case where the neck (40) is of the "high ring" type. In the figures have been represented only rings "low".

According to the invention, said threads (410) may have a radius of curvature RI ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, and typically a radius of curvature ranging from 0.4 to 0 _. 5 mm, the radial height of said threads (410) ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, and typically being 0.5 mm ± 0.1 mm, while the radial height of the threads varies from 0.85 mm to 1, 3 mm in standard screw rings.

Thus, it has been found that these values of radius of curvature and net depth (410) are compatible both with the manufacturing constraints of these rings and with the object of the present invention: namely to allow the penetration of these threads in the insert by a simple axial displacement of a necking matrix (80), and thus the formation of a permanent inner groove (320) so as to transform the capping capsule (1) into a capping capsule screw (T) having the properties or technical performance of traditional screw caps.

Advantageously, and as illustrated in Figures 2a and 5a, said rim (42) may have a slope oriented towards the inside of said neck with an angle of between 10 and 45 °, and typically close to 20 °.

Preferably, said rim (42) can be connected to said annular portion (41 1) by an upper sealing edge (45) forming an arc (46) with an angle of 90 ° -a and a radius of curvature R2. ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and preferably from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

Indeed, such a drink has a double advantage:

- on the one hand, as will be explained in more detail, it can facilitate

^'Sealing insofar as the contact area between the seal (50) and the rim is limited to an arc shape having one end - or connects with a vertical wall (460) and the other end form or connect with a wall (461) inclined inward of said angle a,

- On the other hand, it can facilitate the flow of the contents of the container (4) or the bottle (4 '), making this flow less turbulent, so as to, if not avoid, at least reduce the risk of seeing drops of wine form and project ^" out of the main flow.In addition, the nets (410) have an angular profile that contributes greatly to this effect" anti-gout ".

Typically, said inner diameter D2 can range from 22 to 36 mm.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, this inside diameter D 2 was taken to be equal to 31.5 mm in the case, illustrated in FIGS. 2 a to 4 b, where a capsule (1) comprising a guarantee strip is used. (60). It was taken equal to

33 mm in the case illustrated in Figures 5a to 7b, where using a capsule (1) devoid of warranty tape.

According to the invention, said narrowed zone (44) may have a diameter D3 <D2 such that D2-D3 typically ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, said orifice (43) having a diameter D4 <D3 such that D3-D4 is typically from 5 mm to 10 mm.

Thus, the difference D2-D3 corresponds to twice the radial depth of the narrowed zone (44), while the difference D3-D4 corresponds to twice the thickness of the wall forming the neck or neck of the bottle.

With such a depth, the narrowed zone allows, in the case where the capsule comprises for example a guarantee strip, a clear axial separation of the guarantee strip after a first opening, the narrowed zone forming the neck of the bottle being narrowed on a height sufficient for this, and typically at a height of at least 20 mm, or even much more in the case of the bottle shown in Figure 1a.

^'As shown in Figures 3a, 6a and 10a, said capsule (1) may include a seal (50) forming said sealing means (5), said seal being typically in the form of a pellet placed inside said insert against said head interior.

This seal (50) may be a compressible seal typically selected from a multilayer material having a layer formed of cellular or thermomeric material, for example an expanded PE forming a foam having a density of 0.25 to 0.5, and typically of the order of 0.3. Such joints may comprise at least one barrier layer, for example a tin metal layer and / or a PVDC layer. The compression of the seal (50) can be seen in Figures 4a, 7a and 9.

It may be advantageous for said insert (3) to comprise at least one sealing lip (51) carried by said inner head (30) and / or said inner skirt (31, 32), so as to form all or part of said means seal (5), said lip (51) possibly cooperating with said seal (50).

The case where the sealing means is formed only by one or more sealing lips is part of the invention although it has not been illustrated by a figure.

FIGS. 4a and 7a illustrate the case where is present a lip (33) whose role can be double: on the one hand, it can ensure the maintenance of the seal (50) at the bottom of the insert (3), as can be seen for example in Figure 3a, on the other hand, it may possibly participate in the radial seal either by direct contact against the vertical wall (460) of the arc (46) forming the upper rim of sealing (45), or by participating more directly in the radial compression of the seal, thereby forming a sealing lip (51) as shown in Figures 10b and 1 Oc.

According to the invention, said capsule (1) can comprise a means of visual detection of a first opening (6), so as to guarantee the integrity of the content (9) of the container (4). This detection means (6) can be formed by a weakening line or a guarantee strip (60) typically connected by bridges (61) to said metal skirt (21) and / or to said inner skirt (31). said insert (3), said bridges (61) forming a weakening line, said guarantee band (60) being retained by said narrowed zone (44) of the neck (40) during said first opening, the unscrewing of said metal skirt (22) and said inner skirt (32) leading to a rupture of said bridges (61). See for example Figure 3a.

But, according to an alternative embodiment, said guarantee strip (60) can be connected to said metal skirt (21) and / or to said inner skirt (31) not by bridges but by a weakened or thinned radial zone.

Advantageously, said guarantee strip (60) can form a one-piece piece with said insert (3) and is integral with said inner skirt (31) via said bridges, said guarantee strip (60) typically comprising a heel of hooking (600) intended to cooperate with said narrowed zone (44).

Similarly, said guarantee strip (60) can form a one-piece piece with said metal shell (2), said guarantee strip comprising a lower edge (601) crimped under the shoulder of said narrowed zone (44).

The invention may also include the case where the detection means is formed by a weakening line carried by said metal skirt (21), and in this case, the lower end of said metal skirt can be crimped in the shrink zone. (44). This modality - not shown in a figure - may be an alternative to that shown in FIG. 3a in which the means of

•. detection is carried by the insert (3); however this alternative involves crimping typically using a roller or a rotating wheel. According to the invention, said first opening visual detection means (6) can be formed by an insert (62), typically by assembly, by use of a heat-shrinkable sheath or by an overcap (63), as illustrated in Figure 10c.

Typically, said metal shell (2) and said inserf (3) can be secured typically by sealing, gluing, crimping or press fitting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 6a, 8a and 10a, said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) can be secured by crimping, said metal skirt (21) comprising a lower end (210) typically crimped at a lower end. (310) of said inner skirt (31), as illustrated in FIG. 3a.

According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 3a, said inner skirt (31) of said insert (2) may have a thickness Ep ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm, and preferably ranging from 0.5 mm to 1, 5 mm.

Thus, in the case of a capsule with a guarantee strip, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 4a, the thickness Ep is 1.3 mm, whereas it is 0.5 mm in the case of a capsule without a warranty band, as shown in Figures 6a and 7a.

According to an alternative embodiment, said insert (3) may be formed by a two-layer material, with an inner layer adapted to be deformed by said threads during said radial compression, an outer layer solidarisant said insert to said metal shell. In this case, said inner layer may be chosen so as to form said seal and replace it.

According to the invention, said difference Di-D1 may be less than 0.8 mm, said difference typically being typically between 0.7 mm and 0.3 mm, so as to have a clearance between capsule (1) and neck (40) sufficient to facilitate the placement of said capsule (1) on said neck (40), said clearance being small enough so that the difference dd 'is typically less than 1 , 5 mm and that the formation of said permanent inner groove (320) requires a low -retracted d / d said metal skirt (21) typically between 1.04 and 1.02.

Another object of the invention is constituted by the closure cap (1) intended for the implementation of the method according to the invention. This capsule is intended to seal a container with a neck with a rim and comprises a metal shell with a metal head and a metal skirt and an insert. It is characterized in that it is provided with a sealing means comprising a peripheral portion forming an outer edge covering at least the sealing rim of the rim of the container and in that said metal shell is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. aluminum, its thickness ranging from 100 μm to 350 μm, and preferably from 150 μm to 250 μm, so that said radial compression of said metal skirt is irreversible. More preferably, said thickness can range from 195 μm to 230 μm.

The thickness chosen in the exemplary embodiments is 210 μm, which corresponds substantially to the thickness typically required to maintain the insert (3) in the narrowed state (3) despite the radial forces due in particular to some elasticity of the insert (3 ') or axial compression of the capsule (V).

However, it is possible to have a metal thickness ranging from 100 to 200 microns from the mechanical stresses decrease, especially ^{'• •} because conditions capping make possible the use of a thick insert and / or with less mechanical characteristics. According to the invention, said metal shell (2) may have an h / d ratio of less than 1, 10, and typically less than 1, d and h respectively denoting the outside diameter of said typically cylindrical metal skirt (21), and the height of said metal shell (2), the height h being typically greater than the height H of said annular portion (41 1).

This h / d ratio of said metal shell (2) of the capsule (1) can range from 1/3 to 1/10 and preferably from 1/4 to 1/7.

Thus, this ratio is about 1 / 4.5 in the case of capsules (1) of Figure 3a or Figure 6a.

0}

The capsules (1) illustrated by the figures and serving as exemplary embodiments correspond to modalities - not limiting - capsules skirt ultrashort. In this case, the diameter d of the metal shell (2) can typically range from 22 to 40 mm, and the height h of the metal shell (2) can range from 5 to 12 mm, the difference hH being typically lower at 5 mm.

It may be noted that the screw capping capsules after capping (V) have a height h '> h, such that the difference h'-h ranges from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm depending on the diameter of the capsule. This is a height h (or h ') low 0 with respect to its diameter d, with a ratio h / d much less than 1, while the ratio h / d for screw closure capsules, as illustrated for example in the abstract figure of the patent application FR-A1 -2 763 046 is of the order of 1, 5 to 2.

According to the invention, the axial height h of said metal skirt (21) may be at least equal to the axial height Hi of the inner skirt (31) of the insert (3), as illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 6a and 10a. . On the other hand, as can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 8a, the guarantee strip (60) can be arranged

^'• . below said metal skirt (21) and thus externally visible.

However, according to one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10d, said metal skirt (21) may comprise a free lower end (21O ¹ ) not crimped under the lower end (310) of said insert (3), of sufficient length to mask said guarantee strip (60) before said first opening, said guarantee strip becoming visible after said first opening by detaching from the insert ( 3) and falling on the neck (40).

Advantageously, said insert (3) may be typically a molded or thermoformed insert based on polyolefin, typically PE or PP.

The insert may have an inner head having a central orifice so that its peripheral portion resting directly on the rim of the neck constitutes said sealing means. But according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insert is equipped with a seal so that said sealing means comprises said seal, the latter being in the form of a tablet placed inside said insert against said inner head, said seal comprising a peripheral portion forming an outer edge covering at least the sealing rim of the container rim.

In another embodiment, already mentioned and illustrated by way of example in FIG. 10b, said insert (3) comprises a means of radial compression of said seal, typically by virtue of a sealing lip (51), so that after capping said capsule (1) on said neck (40), a peripheral portion (500) of said seal (50) is applied against said curve arc (46) of said rim (42) and thus subjected to permanent radial compression to ensure the sealing of said capping in all circumstances, even in case of variation of an axial compression of the seal.

According to another embodiment of capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 9, said metal head (20) can be a curved party (23), said lower head (30) of said insert (3) forming a domed inner head (34) comprising a curved upper wall (340) having a curvature substantially corresponding to that of said curved head (23), and vertical partitions (341) typically circular forming between them recesses (342) and having a lower end (343) forming a support for said seal (50). The radius of curvature of the curved upper wall (23) can typically be from 30 mm to 70 mm and be 50 mm as shown in Figure 8a.

However, as illustrated in Figures 6a and 7a, said metal head (20) may be a flat head (24), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a planar inner head (35).

Another object of the invention is constituted by a container, typically a bottle of wine, closed with a capsule (1) according to the invention and by implementing the capping process according to the invention.

Another object of the invention is the use of a capsule (1) according to the invention for the capping of bottles (4 ') containing an alcoholic beverage, and typically wine (90). Indeed, if the use of traditional corking caps is known for the packaging of wine in conventional glass bottle bottles, the use of the capsules (1) is not known, whether on glass ring according to the invention or even traditional glass ring according to Figure 10b.

Another object of the invention is constituted by the capping device intended to implement the method according to the invention, this device (8) comprising, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a displacement punch (81) with displacement axial shaft for compressing the head of the capsule (1) on the neck (40) to be encapsulated, and a shrinkage matrix (80) coaxially displaced to said punch (81) for shrinking said metal skirt (21) to form a skirt shrunken metal (22) and said inner skirt (31) to form a

^'• inner skirt necking (32), so as to form on the inner surface of said internal skirt a permanent internal groove (320) by radial compression of said internal skirt (31) of said insert against said screw thread (410) of the screw ring (41) of the neck (40).

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT; ^•

All the figures are exemplary embodiments of capsules (1) according to the invention and method according to the invention.

In all cases, the following procedure was followed: A) The closure capsules (1) were first made: Al - by making the components of the capsule, namely:

the different types of aluminum shells (2) made of aluminum by stamping 0.21 mm thick aluminum strip,

the different types of inserts (3) made of PE by molding, seal washers of diameter close to Dl, by cutting in a multilayer strip typically made of EPE / PE / Adh / PVDC / Adh / PE where EPE designates a expanded PE layer, and wherein Adh is an adhesive layer, PE and PVDC designating a PE layer and a PVDC layer. A2 - by assembling the three constituent elements obtained in Al, namely: by placing the seal at the bottom of the insert,

- And fixing the metal shell (2) of aluminum on the insert (3), typically by crimping, so as to obtain a capsule (1) according to the invention.

B) Glass bottles (4 ') according to FIGS. 1a and 1b were made by a glassmaker, and according to each of the methods according to FIGS. 2a and 5a.

C) after having developed the capping device (8) comprising a necking matrix (80) and a sliding bearing punch (81), as

^'• shown in Figure 9 in the lowered position, it has encapsulated the capsules (1) obtained according to A) on bottles (4') obtained according to B) previously filled with wine. The tests were carried out with an axial force F1 of about 120 daN applied to the support punch thanks to a calibrated spring secured to the necking matrix, an axial force F2 of about 60 daN being applied to the necking matrix. , by a crank connecting rod assembly associated with a flywheel.

A necking die with a smooth or corrugated surface was used to form a crenellated metal skirt and thus to facilitate the grip during the first opening.

The capping rate has been varied and it has been observed that it is possible to perform the capping operation at a rate of up to 10,000 bottles per hour, a rate of about 500% higher than the rate of capping. traditional capping rate of aperitif bottles with capping capsules.

Bottles thus encapsulated were stored and tested in the usual manner, both with regard to their sealing and their opening and closing by screwing and subsequent reopening.

All the tests carried out made it possible to verify that the encapsulated bottles were in accordance with what was expected and what was typically obtained with traditional screw stoppers for wines or alcohols.

ADVANTAGES OF L ¹ INVENTION

The invention has many advantages.

^{"• •} The method of the invention allows the use of capsules with non-threaded insert, which is already advantageous economically and interlock these capsules on a threaded neck with a simple axial movement of a matrix shrinking of a cαpsulαge device, and this without having to use a rotating tool, so as to obtain at high speed capsulated bottles with a shrink-free capsule devoid of wrinkles and maintaining the attractive appearance of the capsule of origin before shrinking. Here are more advantages, already mentioned, relating to the cost of the capsule (1), and those related to capping itself (high rates, low investment and operating costs), it is important to mention the new possibilities offered. by the invention to radically renew the offer on the wine packaging market in particular. In particular, the invention makes it possible to substitute, on a large scale, the traditional closure by the assembly "cork stopper + overcap capsule" with the closure cap according to the invention, and this at a competitive cost, the capping capsules with screw not being adapted to the mass market of wine, perhaps for reasons of tradition, but especially for reasons of cost.

For the end consumer, this substitution has two important advantages:

- on the one hand, it can be very useful, and not only for the elderly, not to have to exert a significant pulling force on a corkscrew, which happens quite regularly when the cap sticks to the neck,

- On the other hand, it is obvious that the removal of the cap, allowed by the capsule (1) according to the invention, ipso facto removes all the so-called "cork" problems encountered quite frequently, and which make the wine more or less unfit for human consumption. Indeed, cork being a natural product, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to ensure a regularity of closure, contrary to what allows the present invention. LIST OF REFERENCES

Capsule corking stocked 1

Screw capping capsule after capping ... T

Axis of symmetry - axial direction 10 Metal shell 2

Metallic head 20

Metal skirt 21

Lower end set with 210

Metallic shrunk skirt 22 Domed metal head 23

Flat metal head 24

Insert 3

Inner head 30

Inner skirt 31 Inferior end 310

Smooth inner wall of diameter Di ... 31 1

Inner tight skirt 32

Permanent inner groove 320

Keeping lip 50 33 Curved head 34

Curved upper wall 340

Partitions 341

Recesses 342

Bottom end of 331 343 Flat head 35

Container 4

4 'bottle

Neck 40

Standard neck 40 'Screw ring 41

Screw ring 40 '41' Screw thread 410

Annular part 41 1

Drinking 42

Hole 43, r Shrink Zone 44

Upper edge sealing 45

Curve arc of 42 or 45 46

Vertical wall 460

Inclined wall 461 Counter ring 40 '47

Sealing medium 5

Seal 50

Peripheral portion 500

Sealing lip 51 Visual detection medium of 1st opening ... 6

Guarantee band 60

600 hooking heel

Lower edge set with 601

Bridges 61 Patch 62

Overcap Capsule 63

Overcap Capsule 7

Capping device 8

Die crimped 80 Sliding bearing punch 81

Container contents 9

Claims

1. Method of cαpsulαge a container (4) by a closure cap (1) wherein: a) supplying said container with a neck (40) forming a 5 V ring (S (41) capping comprising at least one screw thread (410) on its outer annular portion (41 1) and a rim (42) at its upper portion delimiting an orifice (43); b) supplying said capping cap (1) having a direction axial (10) and provided with a sealing means (5), said closure cap

OJ (1) comprising a metal shell (2) having a metal head (20) and a metal skirt (21) of diameter d and a plastic insert (3) having an inner head (30) and an inner skirt (31) unthreaded, said insert being integral with said metal shell; c) placing said capsule (1) on said neck (40);

D) compressing said metal skirt (21) against said ring (41) by exerting a radial compression on said metal skirt (21), so that said metal skirt (21) is narrowed, typically to the using a shrinkage matrix (80) with axial displacement, forming a shrunken metallic skirt (22) with a diameter of <d, d being sufficiently small that a permanent inner groove (320) is formed on the internal shrouded skirt (32) by indentation of the thread (410) of said ring (41) on said inner skirt, so that a neck closed by a screw closure cap [2V) is thus obtained; said capping process being characterized in that axial compression is also exerted during step d) on said capsule (1) so that said sealing means (5) of said capsule is pressed against said rim (42) for sealing said neck (40).

^The method of claim 1 wherein said axial compression is

Applied after placing said capsule (1) on said neck (40) and is maintained during the necking of said metal skirt (21), typically at the αide of a bearing punch (81) whose bearing surface matches a shape complementary to that of the metal head (20, 23, 24) of said metal shell (2) and which exerts said axial compression directly on said metal head.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said outer annular portion (41 1) adjoins at its lower part a narrowed zone (44) adjacent, so that said thread (410) forms the outermost radial portion of said neck.

IO

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said screw ring (41) comprises N threads (410), with N typically ranging from 2 to 6, two successive threads (410) being angularly offset by 360 ° / N, each thread (410) extending over an angular range β typically ranging from 60 ° to 360 ° in

In particular the diameter of said neck (40).

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said metal skirt (21) has an axial height h substantially close to the height H of said outer annular portion (41 1) and an inner diameter Di 0 near the outer diameter D1 (net included) neck, the difference Di-Dl being typically less than 1 mm.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) has a thickness ranging from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said threads (410) have a radius of curvature R1 ranging from 0.3 mm to 1 mm and the

The radial height of said threads (410) ranges from 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

30

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said rim (42) has a slope oriented towards the inside of said neck with an angle of between 10 and 45 °, and typically close to 20 °, said angle a being considered with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to said s axial direction (10).

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said rim (42) is connected to said outer annular portion (41 1) by an upper sealing edge (45) forming an arc angle of 90 ° - a and radius of curvature R2 from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and preferably from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said outer annular portion (411) has a said inner diameter D2 (excluding said thread) which ranges from 22 to 36 mm, and wherein said narrowed zone (44) has a

Diameter D3 <D2 such that D2-D3 typically ranges from 3 mm to 6 mm, said orifice (43) having a diameter D4 <D3 such that D3-D4 typically ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm.

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said capsule (1) comprises a seal (50) forming said sealing means (5), said seal being typically in the form of a tablet placed at interior of said insert against said inner head, said seal (50) optionally comprising a peripheral portion (500) forming an outer edge covering at least said sealing flange (45). 5

12. The method of claim 1 1 wherein said seal (50) is a compressible seal typically selected from a multilayer material having a layer is formed of cellular or elastomeric material.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said insert (3) comprises at least one sealing lip (51) carried by said head interior (30) and / or said inner skirt (31, 32), so as to form all or part of said sealing means (5), said lip (51) possibly cooperating with said seal (50).

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said capsule (1) comprises means for visually detecting a first opening (6), so as to guarantee the integrity of the contents (9) of said container (4).

The method of claim 14 wherein said detecting means (6) is formed by a weakening line or a guarantee strip (60) typically connected by bridges (61) to said metallic skirt (21). said metal shell (2), and / or said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3), said bridges (61) forming a weakening line, said guarantee strip (60)

15 being retained by said narrowed zone (44) of the neck (40) during said first opening, the unscrewing of said metal skirt (22) and said inner skirt (32) causing a rupture of said bridges (61).

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said guarantee strip 0 (60) is connected to said metal skirt (21) and / or said inner skirt (31) not by bridges but by a weakened or thinned radial zone.

17. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said guarantee strip (60) forms a one-piece piece with said insert (3) 5 and is integral with said inner skirt (31) through said bridges, said strip warranty typically comprising a hooking heel (600) for cooperating with said narrowed zone (44).

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said guarantee strip (60) forms a one-piece piece with said shell metαllique (2), said guarantee strip (60) comprising a lower edge (601) crimped under the shoulder of said narrowed zone (44).

The method of any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said first aperture visual detection means (6) is formed by an insert (62), typically by joining, using a heat shrinkable sheath or a capsule overcap (63).

20. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) are secured typically by sealing, gluing, crimping or press fitting.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said metal shell (2) and said insert (3) are secured by crimping, said metal skirt (21) comprising a lower end (210) typically crimped at a lower end (310) of said inner skirt (31).

22. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) has a thickness Ep ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm, and preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. mm.

23. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said insert (3) is formed by a two-layer material, with an inner layer adapted to be deformed by said threads (410) during said radial compression, an outer layer solidarisant said insert (3) to said metal shell (2).

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said inner layer is selected so as to form said seal and replace it.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said difference Di-D1 is less than 0.8 mm, said difference being typically typically between 0.7 mm and 0.3 mm, so as to have a clearance between capsule (1) and neck (40) sufficient to facilitate the placement of said capsule (1) on said neck (40), said play being it is so small that the difference dd 'is typically less than 1.5 mm and the formation of said permanent inner groove (320) requires a low shrinkage rate d / d of said metal skirt (21) typically between 1 , 04 and 1, 02.

26. Capsule closure (1) for closing a container with a neck (40) provided with a rim (42) by implementing the capping process according to

/ o any one of claims 1 to 25, said capsule comprising a metal shell (2) provided with a metal head (20) and a metal skirt (21) and an insert (3) characterized in that it is provided with a sealing means comprising a peripheral portion (500) forming an outer edge covering at least the sealing flange (45) of the rim (42) of the

/ 5 container (4) and in that said metal shell (2) is aluminum or aluminum alloy, its thickness ranging from 100 microns to 350 microns, preferably from 150 microns to 250 microns, more preferably from 195 microns at 230 μm, so that said radial compression of said metal skirt is irreversible.

The closure cap of claim 26 wherein said sealing means comprises a seal (50) in the form of a pellet placed inside said insert against said inner head, said seal (50) comprising a portion peripheral (500) forming an outer edge covering at least the sealing rim (45) of the rim (42) of the container (4) 5

28. Capsule cap according to any one of claims 26 to 27 wherein said metal shell (2) has an h / d ratio less than 1, 10, and typically less than 1, d and h respectively denoting the outer diameter of said skirt metal (21), typically cylindrical, and the height 30 of said metal skirt (21), the height h being typically greater than the height H of said annular portion (411).

29. Capsule according to claim 28 wherein the ratio h / d of said metal shell (2) ranges from 1/3 to 1/10 and preferably from 1/4 to 1/7.

3Q. The capsule of claim 29 wherein the diameter d is from 22 to 40 mm, and wherein the height h is from 5 to 12 mm, said capsule being in this case ultra-short skirt, the difference hH being typically less than 5 mm.

31. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 30 wherein the axial height h of said metal skirt (21) is at least equal to the axial height Hi of the inner skirt (31) of said insert (3).

32. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 31 wherein said insert (3) is a molded or thermoformed insert based on polyolefin, typically PE or PP.

33. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 32 wherein said sealing means (5) comprises said seal (50) and wherein said insert comprises a radial compression means of said seal, typically through a sealing lip ( 51), so that, after capping said capsule (1) on said neck (40), a peripheral portion (500) of said seal (50) is applied against said curve arc (46) of said rim (42) and thus subjected to a permanent radial compression to ensure the sealing of said capping in all circumstances, even in case of variation of an axial compression of the seal.

34. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein said metal head (20) is a domed head (23), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a domed inner head (34) comprising a top wall curved (340) having a corresponding curvature substantially to that of said curved head (23), and vertical walls (341) typically circular forming between them recesses (342) and having a lower end (343) forming a support for said seal (50).

35. Capsule according to any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein said metal head (20) is a flat head (24), said inner head (30) of said insert (3) forming a planar inner head (35).

36. Container sealed with a capsule (1) according to any one of claims 26 to 35 and implementing the capping process according to any one of claims 1 to 24,

37. Use of a capsule (1) according to any one of claims 26 to 35 for the closure of bottles (4 ') containing an alcoholic beverage, and typically wine (90).

38. Capping device (8) for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 comprising an axially displaceable bearing punch (81) for compressing the head of the capsule (1) on the neck ( 40), and a shrinkage die (80) coaxially displaced to said punch (81) for shrinking said metal skirt (21) to form a shrunken metallic skirt (22) and said inner skirt (31) to form a inner shrunk skirt (32), so as to form on the inner surface of said inner skirt a permanent inner groove (320) by radial compression of said inner skirt (31) of said insert against said screw thread (410) of the inner ring; screw (41) of the neck (40).