WO2021039964A1

WO2021039964A1 - Cork stopper, production method therefor, and packaging using same

Info

Publication number: WO2021039964A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/032603
Authority: WO
Inventors: 彰浩穴吹; 片山　竜雄; 山本　智久; 智明河原; 山崎　智海
Original assignee: 内山工業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-08-30
Filing date: 2020-08-28
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: PT2021039964B; JP2021035846A

Abstract

Provided is a cork stopper having a pattern printed on the surface thereof, which is excellent in terms of durability of the pattern, and in particular, in terms of resistance to alcohol. The invention provides a columnar cork stopper having, printed on the surface thereof, a pattern formed from ethanol-soluble resin and pigment. In addition, the invention involves using an ethanol-soluble resin, a pigment, and an ink containing ethanol to print a pattern on the surface of a cork shaped body to produce the cork stopper.

Description

Cork stopper, its manufacturing method, and packaging using it

The present invention relates to a columnar cork stopper having a pattern printed on its surface and a method for manufacturing the same.

Cork stoppers have been used for a long time as stoppers for sealing beverage containers such as wine bottles because they have excellent sealing properties and a unique texture. Branding iron is generally used as a method for forming patterns such as characters and figures on a cork stopper. However, when a pattern is formed by branding iron, a burning odor may be generated, which may affect the flavor of the contents. In addition, it was difficult to form a delicate pattern by branding iron, and there was a large variation in shades. Furthermore, in the case of high-mix low-volume production, there are cases where costs increase and lead time (the period from ordering to delivery) becomes long, which causes problems.

By the way, a method of printing a pattern on a cork stopper using ink (see Patent Document 1) is also known. According to this method, a delicate pattern can be formed, and a cost increase and a long lead time can be suppressed even in the case of high-mix low-volume production. However, from the viewpoint of safety, the inks that can be used are limited, and there is a problem that the pattern formed by printing comes into contact with the contents and discolors, or the ink components are mixed in the contents. Was there. For these reasons, there has been a demand for a cork stopper printed with a pattern having excellent durability, particularly alcohol resistance.

Jitsukaisho 61-27841

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cork stopper having a pattern printed on its surface, which is excellent in durability, particularly alcohol resistance of the pattern. It is a thing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for manufacturing such a cork stopper.

The above problem is solved by providing a columnar cork stopper in which a pattern formed of an ethanol-soluble resin and a pigment is printed on the surface. At this time, it is preferable that the resin and the pigment are edible. It is also preferable that the resin is a shellac resin. It is also preferable that the pigment is made of carbon powder. It is also preferable that the mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin is 0.1 to 5. It is also preferable that the pigment is present inside the surface of the cork stopper.

A cork stopper for sealing a container for containing an alcoholic beverage is a preferred embodiment of the cork stopper of the present invention. A package obtained by sealing a container containing an alcoholic beverage using the cork stopper is also a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The above problem is also solved by providing a method for producing the cork stopper, which prints a pattern on the surface of a columnar cork molded product using an ethanol-soluble resin, a pigment, and an ink containing ethanol. At this time, it is preferable to print the pattern on the surface of the cork molded product by pad printing.

The pattern printed on the surface of the cork stopper of the present invention is excellent in durability, especially alcohol resistance. Therefore, the cork stopper is suitably used for sealing a container or the like containing an alcoholic beverage. Further, according to the production method of the present invention, such a cork stopper can be easily produced.

FIG. 5 is an external photograph of a cork stopper having a pattern printed on its surface in Example 1. It is an appearance photograph of the cross section (the part including a pattern) of a cork stopper in Example 1. It is an appearance photograph of the cork stopper after being immersed in ethanol in Example 1. FIG.

The cork stopper of the present invention is a columnar one in which a pattern formed of an ethanol-soluble resin and a pigment is printed on the surface.

As the cork molded body used for pattern printing, a columnar molded body obtained by cutting natural cork or a columnar molded body obtained by adhering cork grains with an adhesive is used in terms of cost and environment. From the aspect, the latter is preferable. The method for producing a columnar molded body in which cork grains are adhered with an adhesive is not particularly limited, and for example, the following method is adopted.

First, the cork grains and the adhesive are mixed to obtain a mixture. As the raw material cork granules, cork granules obtained by crushing the cork structure of the bark of cork oak, which is generally used in the production of pressed cork stoppers, are used. The cork grains may be crushed scrap generated during the production of natural cork stoppers. A cylindrical cork molded product is obtained by filling the mixture in a cylindrical mold and then squeezing the mixture.

A pattern formed of an ethanol-soluble resin and pigment is printed on the surface of the columnar cork molded product thus obtained. As a method for producing a cork stopper of the present invention, a method of printing the pattern on the surface of a cork molded product using an ethanol-soluble resin, a pigment and an ink containing ethanol is preferable. When a cork stopper is used as a stopper for a beverage container, etc., the ink that can be used is limited from the viewpoint of safety, and the pattern formed by printing may come into contact with the contents and discolor, or the ink component may be discolored. This has been a problem due to problems such as being mixed in the contents. In particular, when a cork stopper is used as a stopper for a container for alcoholic beverages or the like, such a problem is likely to occur. As a result of diligent studies to improve the durability of the pattern formed on the cork molded product, especially the alcohol resistance, the present inventors have surprisingly used an ethanol-soluble resin together with the pigment. It has been found that a pattern having excellent durability, particularly alcohol resistance, is formed.

Although the reason why a pattern having excellent alcohol resistance is formed despite the fact that the resin contained in the ink is ethanol-soluble, it is not clear why the ink contains ethanol and has a low surface tension. It is considered that it easily penetrates into the cork molded body. Then, it is considered that the alcohol resistance of the pattern is improved by the pigment entering the inside of the surface of the cork stopper together with the ethanol containing the dissolved resin.

The resin contained in the ink is not particularly limited as long as it is soluble in ethanol, and examples thereof include shellac resin and hydroxypropyl cellulose, and shellac resin is preferable. From the viewpoint of safety, it is also preferable that the ethanol-soluble resin is edible.

The pigment contained in the ink is not particularly limited, but carbon powder such as bamboo charcoal is preferable. From the viewpoint of safety, it is also preferable that the pigment is edible.

The average particle size of the pigment is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 20 μm. If the average particle size is less than 0.5 μm, it may be difficult to handle the pigment. On the other hand, when the average particle size exceeds 20 μm, the pattern printed on the cork molded product may be easily discolored.

The total content of the resin and pigment in the ink is preferably 1 to 60% by mass. If the content exceeds 60% by mass, it may be difficult to uniformly transfer the ink to the surface of the cork molded product. The content is more preferably 50% by mass or less. On the other hand, if the content is less than 1% by mass, the formed pattern may become unclear. The content is more preferably 2% by mass or more, further preferably 5% by mass or more.

The mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin in the ink is preferably 0.1 to 5. If the mass ratio (pigment / resin) is less than 0.1, the formed pattern may become unclear. On the other hand, when the mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin exceeds 5, the pigment may be mixed in the content when the formed pattern and the content come into contact with each other. The mass ratio (pigment / resin) is more preferably 3 or less, and even more preferably 1 or less.

The ink may contain an ethanol-soluble resin, the pigment, and other components other than ethanol as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of other components contained in the ink include surface tension adjusting agents, wetting agents, surfactants, viscosity adjusting agents and the like. The content of the other components in the ink is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, still more preferably 20% by mass or less.

The ink is produced by mixing the ethanol-soluble resin, the pigment, ethanol, and if necessary, other additives. The mixing method at this time is not particularly limited as long as the resin can be dissolved. For example, a method of mixing the ethanol-soluble resin, the pigment, ethanol, and if necessary, other additives using a mixer or the like can be mentioned.

Print a pattern on the surface of the cork molded product using the obtained ink. The printing method at this time is not particularly limited, but pad printing, inkjet printing, and the like are adopted, and pad printing is particularly preferable.

As a method for producing a cork stopper of the present invention, a method of printing a pattern on the surface of the cork molded body by pad printing using the ink is more preferable. Hereinafter, the pad printing method will be specifically described. For pad printing, a flexible pad made of an elastomer such as a silicone elastomer is usually used, and a pad made of a silicone elastomer is particularly preferable. By using a flexible pad made of an elastomer, the ink can be uniformly transferred even to an uneven portion such as a side surface of a columnar cork molded product.

The ink is filled in the concave portion of the plate on which the concave pattern is formed. Then, the pad is pressed against the plate to attach the ink to the surface of the pad. The shape of the concave portion formed on the plate may be determined according to the shape of the pattern printed on the cork molded body. The depth of the pattern (concave portion) formed on the plate may be appropriately adjusted according to the target ink transfer amount, but is usually 5 to 150 μm. The type of pattern formed on the cork stopper is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include characters, figures, and symbols. These may be alone or in combination. A pattern may be formed to color at least a part of the surface of the cork stopper, and the shape of the pattern printed on the surface of the cork stopper is not particularly limited.

The pattern is printed on the surface of the cork molded body by pressing the pad against the cork molded body and transferring the ink adhering to the pad to the cork molded body. The pattern may be printed on any of the side surface, the upper surface (the surface that does not come into contact with the contents), and the lower surface of the cork molded product, but it is preferable to print on the upper surface or the side surface, and it is possible to print on the side surface. More preferred. Since the pattern formed on the cork stopper of the present invention has excellent durability, even if the content permeates between the cork stopper and the container and comes into contact with the pattern printed on the side surface, the resin discolors or the resin on the content. And the contamination of the pigment is prevented.

The method for volatilizing the ethanol in the ink transferred to the surface of the cork molded product is not particularly limited, and the ethanol may be volatilized in the air at room temperature, or the ethanol may be volatilized by heating or reducing the pressure. You may let me.

From the viewpoint of further improving the durability of the pattern, it is preferable that the pigment is present inside the surface of the cork stopper. From the same viewpoint, it is also preferable that the resin is present inside the surface of the cork stopper.

The mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin in the pattern on the surface of the cork molded product is preferably 0.1 to 5. If the mass ratio (pigment / resin) is less than 0.1, the formed pattern may become unclear. On the other hand, when the mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin exceeds 5, the pigment may be mixed in the content when the formed pattern and the content come into contact with each other. The mass ratio (pigment / resin) is more preferably 3 or less, and even more preferably 1 or less.

The cork stopper of the present invention thus obtained is suitably used as a stopper for sealing a container for containing beverages, foods, chemicals, etc. because the pattern printed on the surface thereof has excellent durability. Among them, since the pattern is excellent in alcohol resistance, the cork stopper of the present invention is particularly preferably used as a stopper for sealing a container for containing alcoholic beverages such as wine, whiskey, sake, and shochu. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a package obtained by sealing a container containing contents using the cork stopper. At this time, beverages, foods, and chemicals are suitable as the contents. Among them, as the content, a beverage is more preferable, and an alcoholic beverage is further preferable.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples.

Example 1
As a columnar cork molded body, a pressed cork stopper (trade name: SSS) manufactured by Uchiyama Kogyo Co., Ltd. having a diameter of 23.5 mm, a length of 38 mm, and a density of 0.3 g / cm ^{3 was prepared.}

20 parts by mass of edible shellac resin, 10 parts by mass of edible bamboo charcoal powder (particle size 0.5 to 20 μm) and 40 parts by mass of ethanol are stirred with a mixer until the shellac resin is completely dissolved. An ink in which shellac powder was dispersed in ethanol in which a resin was dissolved was prepared. The ink was filled in the concave portion of the plate on which the concave (depth 100 μm) pattern was formed. The ink was adhered to the surface of the pad by pressing a pad made of a dome-shaped silicone elastomer against the plate. Then, the pad is pressed against the side surface of the cork molded product, the ink adhering to the pad is transferred to the side surface of the cork molded product, and then ethanol transferred to the cork molded product at room temperature in the air is applied. Volatilized. In this way, a pattern [mass ratio (pigment / resin) of 0.5] formed of shellac resin and bamboo charcoal powder was printed on the side surface of the cork molded product. FIG. 1 shows an external photograph of a cork stopper having a pattern printed on its surface. In addition, FIG. 2 shows an external photograph of a cross section of the cork stopper (a portion including the pattern). As shown in FIG. 2, the ink component 2 (pigment and resin) was present inside the surface 3 of the cork stopper 1.

The obtained cork stopper was immersed in ethanol (purity 99% by mass), wine or water for 24 hours. A photograph of the appearance of the cork stopper after being immersed in ethanol is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the pattern remained clearly on the surface of the cork molded product even after being immersed in ethanol. Moreover, the pattern remained clearly on the surface of the cork molded product even after being immersed in wine or water (not shown).

Example 2
On the side surface of the molded body by pad printing in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a pressed cork stopper manufactured by AMORIM (trade name: Neuro cork, the dimensions are the same as the cork molded body of Example 1) was used as the cork molded body. The pattern was printed. The obtained cork stopper was immersed in ethanol (purity 99% by mass) for 24 hours. The pattern remained clearly on the surface of the cork molded product even after being immersed in ethanol (not shown).

Comparative Example 1
A cork stopper having a pattern formed was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a black dye ink (“FAN-01BK” manufactured by Union Chemiker Co., Ltd.) was used as the ink. When the obtained cork stopper was immersed in ethanol or wine, the pattern on the surface of the cork molded product completely disappeared. When the obtained cork stopper was immersed in water, a part of the pattern on the surface of the cork molded product remained, but the color was significantly discolored.

Reference example 1
The ink prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 was applied to the surface of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film to form a coating film. The PET film was immersed in ethanol (purity 99% by mass), wine or water for 24 hours. When the PET film was immersed in ethanol, the coating film on the surface of the PET film completely disappeared. When the PET film was immersed in wine, the coating film on the surface of the PET film remained, but partly disappeared. When the PET film was immersed in water, the coating film on the surface of the PET film did not disappear and remained.

Reference example 2
A dye ink similar to that of Comparative Example 1 was applied to the surface of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film to form a coating film. The PET film was immersed in ethanol (purity 99% by mass), wine or water for 24 hours. When the PET film was immersed in ethanol, wine or water, the coating film on the surface of the PET film completely disappeared.

As described above, the patterns (Examples 1 and 2) formed on the surface of the cork molded product using the ink containing shellac resin, bamboo charcoal powder and ethanol can be obtained even when immersed in ethanol, wine or water. The pattern remained clearly on the surface of the cork molded product, and it had high durability against alcohol and water. On the other hand, the pattern formed by using the dye ink (Comparative Example 1) disappeared when immersed in ethanol, wine or water, and had low durability against alcohol and water.

For reference, when the coating film formed on the surface of the PET film was immersed in ethanol or wine using an ink containing shellac resin, bamboo charcoal powder and ethanol, the coating film disappeared (Reference Example 1). As described above, the pattern formed of the shellac resin soluble in ethanol is originally not sufficiently durable against alcohol. Nevertheless, as shown in FIG. 2, the pattern printed on the cork molded product was highly durable against ethanol and wine because the ink component 2 (pigment) was inside the surface 3 of the cork stopper 1. And resin) is considered to be one of the causes. Since the ink contains ethanol and has a low surface tension, it is considered that the ink penetrates into the cork molded product.

This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-157788, which is a Japanese patent application filed on August 30, 2019, and is a Japanese patent application, Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-157788. The entire contents of the issue will be incorporated into this international application.

The above description of a particular embodiment of the present invention is presented for illustration purposes. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention in its entirety. It is self-evident to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and changes are possible in the light of the above description.

1 Cork stopper 2 Ink component 3 Cork stopper surface

Claims

A columnar cork stopper with a pattern formed of ethanol-soluble resin and pigment printed on the surface.
The cork stopper according to claim 1, wherein the resin and the pigment are edible.
The cork stopper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resin is shellac resin.
The cork stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pigment is made of carbon powder.
The cork stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mass ratio (pigment / resin) of the pigment to the resin is 0.1 to 5.
The cork stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pigment is present inside the surface of the cork stopper.
The cork stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, for sealing a container for containing an alcoholic beverage.
The method for producing a cork stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a pattern is printed on the surface of a columnar cork molded product using an ethanol-soluble resin, a pigment, and an ink containing ethanol.
The method for manufacturing a cork stopper according to claim 8, wherein a pattern is printed on the surface of the cork molded product by pad printing.
A package obtained by sealing a container containing an alcoholic beverage using the cork stopper according to claim 7.