Cap for preserving, carbonating, or maintaining the carbonation of beverages in a bottle.

Description

1 / 15 Cap for preserving, carbonating, or maintaining the carbonation of beverages in a bottle. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field of carbonation and / or its preservation in bottled beverages, in particular, it relates to a new arrangement of a bottle cap, exemplarily PET bottles, wine bottles, etc. In summary, the invention allows the creation of carbonation in bottled beverages and / or the maintenance of the gas by means of reinjection. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Carbonated bottles, such as soft drinks, commonly suffer from the problem of loss of liquid pressure, promoting decarbonation.

[003] Decarbonation is the process of removing or reducing dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) in a liquid substance, such as water and soft drinks. This process can occur naturally or be induced by specific techniques. The natural process of gas escape, such as CO2, alters the organoleptic characteristics of the beverage.

[004] Gas leakage in PET bottles can represent a significant challenge, especially in carbonated products such as soft drinks and sparkling water. When left uncontrolled, this problem can result in loss of effervescence, compromising product quality and even causing damage to the packaging.

[005] In a second embodiment of the invention, the cap can be used on bottles without a screw thread. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 9 / 30 2 / 15

[006] There is also the possibility of injecting other gases (for example argon) for the preservation of beverages.

[007] Some gases serve only to preserve the beverage and not only to carbonate it and / or preserve carbonation. For example, injecting argon into open bottles of wine and then capping them helps to preserve the wine. This inert gas serves to prevent oxidation, a chemical process that occurs when wine comes into contact with oxygen, resulting in the loss of freshness, aroma and flavor.

[008] For example, argon is a noble gas, denser than oxygen, which allows it to settle on the surface of the wine and create a protective barrier. Because it does not react chemically with the wine, it prevents the oxygen present in the bottle from interacting with the wine's compounds, prolonging its quality for a few days or even weeks, depending on the type of wine.

[009] In the case of CO2, one of the main causes of leakage of this gas, which is dissolved in carbonated beverages (such as soft drinks), is inadequate sealing of the bottle cap. If the cap is not properly sealed, the gas can gradually escape over time. This can happen naturally or due to defects in the cap or PET bottle, such as cracks, deformities, porosity, or even contamination in the production line.

[010] In addition, extreme temperature variations can influence gas leakage. If the cylinders are exposed to very high or very low temperatures, expansion or contraction of the material may occur, compromising the seal. Similarly, pressurization Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 10 / 30 3 / 15 excessive during the bottling process can damage the bottle cap or threads, allowing gas to escape.

[011] An inadequate seal can result in the gradual loss of gas from the beverage, making it flat and “uninteresting”. Therefore, an effective capping device is essential to maintain the sensory quality of the beverage and provide a pleasant experience for the consumer.

[012] The arrangement applied to the bottle cap claimed promotes greater efficiency in maintaining the carbonation of bottles, especially those made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), wine bottles and similar products.

[013] Often, carbonated drinks purchased by users are not consumed instantly, so they are stored in refrigerators and freezers or exposed to varying temperature conditions.

[014] The lid arrangement provides a simple, efficient and low-cost solution, with a small footprint provided by a single piece.

[015] The invention advantageously allows anyone to use a carbonated beverage from a PET bottle or a screwless glass bottle after opening, simply by replacing the original bottle cap with the cap shown here. Thus, the present invention advantageously allows for the fractional consumption of beverages without loss of quality. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, p. 11 / 30 4 / 15

[016] The cap allows for the carbonation of beverages by injecting gas and then agitating the contents. This is not necessary with argon injection.

[017] Advantageously, the arrangement of the bottle cap also allows the gas to be supplied by both more complex devices, with different gases, and by hand pumps, such as any pump for inflating bicycle tires, balloons, etc. This makes preserving the gas in the liquid a very cheap and practical process.

[018] The arrangement of the lid of the present invention is designed to fit the mouth of any bottle, ensuring an airtight seal.

[019] The inside of the cap is equipped with a thread that fits into the inner upper base. Flaps allow for easy and safe opening and closing of bottles. In addition, the cap has a housing for inserting a Schrader valve.

[020] Gas injection via a nozzle fitted with a Schrader valve allows the liquid inside a bottle to retain its original gas, maintaining product quality. STATE OF THE ART

[021] The state of the art discloses some bottle cap solutions, as revealed in patent document KR101689834B1, which discloses a cylindrical PET bottle cap to prevent the dissociation of carbon dioxide from carbonated beverages. The state-of-the-art invention utilizes a mechanism of Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 12 / 30 5 / 15 springs to adjust the pressure of the PET bottle, a more complex and less economical arrangement.

[022] Patent document GB2162158A also discloses a cap for a pressurized container, such as a beverage bottle. The invention differs in that a gas is inserted by means of an injection needle. The claimed arrangement surpasses that document because it allows for easier and more convenient gas injection by means of a valve, which is more easily used, without needing to pierce or mechanically penetrate an elastic material.

[023] The claimed invention surpasses the state of the art by promoting an arrangement that uses a Schrader valve, and gas injection can even be manual.

[024] To ensure the bottle is sealed, no alternative device is needed, such as a sealing joint like an O-ring. The valve's own design ensures the seal. This is achieved by the contact of the valve's inner part with the bottle's nozzle at an angle that prevents carbon dioxide (CO2) leakage. This further reduces costs. The arrangement of the present invention can even be a disposable object due to its extremely low cost. The arrangement is formed in a single piece. This greatly facilitates the production process, as there is only one mold for injecting the part. The manufacturing process can be different from injection molding, while still maintaining the same simplicity of manufacturing a single piece. The only additional component is the Schrader valve, and the only additional production step is screwing the Schrader valve onto the single piece. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 13 / 30 6 / 15

[025] The invention offers several benefits, such as: practicality in handling bottles, hermetic sealing for preservation and maintenance of carbonation, low manufacturing cost and simplicity for use in both industrial and, especially, domestic settings. The present invention has the potential to initiate a new way of consuming carbonated beverages, as its simplicity allows it to easily become popular.

[026] The seal provided by the lid ensures the necessary seal to preserve the effervescence and freshness of beverages even after opening for any use, whether domestic or commercial. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[027] The present invention discloses a cap for preserving, carbonating or preserving the carbonation of beverages in a bottle.

[028] The cap is fitted with a Schrader valve, fixed in a sealing housing; the cap is also fitted with a nozzle that projects from the outer portion of the upper base of the cap; the nozzle is also fitted with internal threads for threading the Schrader valve; a channel inside the cap connects the outlet of the Schrader valve to an inner portion of the cap by means of an orifice located in a lower base.

[029] The cap nozzle is equipped with external threads for fitting a gas filling connection or a protective cover for the Schrader valve.

[030] The cap is fitted with a male thread, the substantially cylindrical cap being fitted with a female thread which is coupled with the male thread of the Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 14 / 30 7 / 15 of the bottle cap; the inner portion of the cap is formed by means of a cylindrical cavity equipped with female thread fillets, the lower base is also equipped with a concentric and protruding annular ridge, forming an annular cavity between the walls of the inner portion and the peripheral portion of the annular ridge.

[031] The outer side portion of the lid is fitted with fins.

[032] The cap is equipped in its inner portion with a concentric helical compression spring to the sealing housing; the upper end of the helical compression spring rests on the inner portion of the upper base and the lower end of the helical compression spring rests on the inner portion of the lower base, the lower base also being movable in the longitudinal direction; the cap is also equipped with two identical diametrically opposed latches that each connect to the cap by means of two shafts located on the outer lateral portion of the cap; the latches are also equipped with straps that connect to the bottle retaining ring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[033] Figure 1 illustrates the perspective view of the bottle cap in an embodiment of the invention.

[034] Figure 2 shows the top view of the bottle cap with the AA cut indicated, in an embodiment of the invention.

[035] Figure 3 illustrates the side view of section AA of the bottle cap in an embodiment of the invention. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 15 / 30 8 / 15

[036] Figure 4a shows section AA again, but with the area indicated in detail by figures 4b and 4c.

[037] Figure 4b shows details of the Schrader valve housing (15), in an embodiment of the invention.

[038] Figure 4c illustrates the connection details of the inner portion of the lid, in an embodiment of the invention.

[039] Figure 5 represents a Schrader valve to be inserted into the cap (100), in an embodiment of the invention.

[040] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[041] Figure 7 shows the front view and representation of the CC section of the lid in one embodiment of the present invention.

[042] Figure 8 shows the CC section of the lid in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[043] The invention discloses an arrangement applied to a bottle cap (100), particularly applicable to bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glass due to the popularity of these materials in the manufacture of beverage bottles.

[044] The bottle caps of the prior art commonly used are simply provided with a seal to indicate whether or not the cap has been tampered with. The cap arrangement (100) can replace any cap of any bottle for storing carbonated liquids. In one application of the present invention, the carbonated liquids already Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 16 / 30 9 / 15 could even be marketed in bottles with the cap of the present invention.

[045] A carbonated beverage may be any liquid carbonated for consumption, which undergoes a natural or artificial process of injection or formation of carbon dioxide (CO2), such as, for example, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, juices and water.

[046] The cap (100) ensures the bottle is sealed at high pressure and provides adequate pressurization to prevent gas leaks and maintain the integrity of the beverage inside the bottle. The cap (100) is able to withstand the pressure required to keep carbon dioxide (CO2) inside a bottle without leaking.

[047] In summary, the arrangement is applied to a threaded cap (100) for carbonation or maintenance of carbonation of beverages in bottles in general, particularly in PET bottles.

[048] Figure 1 shows the external structures of the lid (100) claimed by the present invention. Figure 2 shows the top view of said lid (100).

[049] The bottle (not shown) must have a male thread, like the carbonated beverage bottles commonly found on the market, or a ring like wine or beer bottles.

[050] The cap (100) has a substantially cylindrical shape and is equipped with a female thread (17) which is coupled with the respective male thread of the bottle that is to be pressurized or maintained with gas. The female thread (17) is detailed in figure 4c. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 17 / 30 10 / 15

[051] In one embodiment of the invention, the cap (100) is advantageously a one-piece piece, manufactured in one go, provided with a nozzle (2) that projects from the outer portion of the upper base (6). In one embodiment the cap is manufactured by means of the injection molding process.

[052] The nozzle (2) is responsible for the entry of gas through the cap (100), for this purpose, the nozzle (2) forms a housing (9) to accommodate a Schrader valve (15) (figure 4a and 4b).

[053] The term housing (9) refers to the cavity designed in the cover (100) to accommodate a Schrader valve (15) in a safe and effective manner. This area is specifically sized and shaped to allow the installation of the Schrader valve (15), ensuring its correct operation and providing a proper seal.

[054] The housing (9) for the valve ensures a proper fit guaranteeing a perfect seal between the Schrader valve (15) and the cover (100), preventing unwanted gas leaks. Furthermore, the housing was designed concentrically to guide and align the Schrader valve (15) properly, facilitating its installation and ensuring its correct positioning in relation to other arrangements of the cover (100). In summary, the housing for the Schrader valve (15) plays a fundamental role in the integrity and efficiency of the cover (100) in which it is inserted, providing a safe and suitable environment for the installation and operation of the Schrader valve (15). Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 18 / 30 11 / 15

[055] The nozzle (2) is also equipped with external threads (3) for fitting a valve or gas filling connection.

[056] The nozzle (2) is also equipped with internal threads (7) for threading the Schrader valve (15). Thus, the only production step is threading the Schrader valve (15) through the upper portion of the nozzle (2). The nozzle is detailed in figures 4a and 4b.

[057] A channel (8) inside the cover (100) connects the outlet (151) of the Schrader valve (15) to an internal portion (11) of the cover (100) by means of an orifice (10) disposed in a lower base (5). Thus, gas flow is promoted in one direction only, i.e., from outside to inside.

[058] The inner portion (11) of the cap (100) is formed by means of a cylindrical cavity provided with threads (16) of the female thread (17). This arrangement allows the connection and sealing of the cap (100) to the bottle. The threads (16) of the female thread (17) are represented by figure 4c.

[059] The connection between the male thread of a bottle and the female thread of its cap can be technically described as a threaded joint or threaded coupling. This term describes the union between the threads of the bottle and the cap, which are designed to fit perfectly together, ensuring a hermetic and secure closure of the container.

[060] The male thread (not shown) has protruding threads that fit into the receiving threads (16) of the female thread on the cover (100). This fitting is designed to Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 19 / 30 12 / 15 provides an effective seal against leaks, keeping the bottle's contents protected from external elements and preserving its integrity.

[061] The lower base (5) is also provided with a concentric and protruding annular projection (14), forming an annular cavity (13) between the walls (12) of the inner portion (11) and the peripheral portion (19) of the annular projection (14). The upper portion of the cylindrical wall of the bottle neck is accommodated in the annular cavity (13) assisting in sealing. At the same time, the lower base (5) projects into the interior of the bottle neck promoting communication with the outside environment, through the orifice (10), allowing the entry of pressurized gas for carbonation or maintenance of the carbonation of the beverage.

[062] In order to facilitate screwing on and removing the cap (100), fins (4) are provided on the outer side portion (20) of the cap (100). The fins (4) allow for tightening by hand with greater torque in order to ensure a perfect seal between the cap (100) and the bottle, as shown in figure 1 and figure 2.

[063] The outer portion of the upper base (6) has a cylindrical upper base projection (1) from which the nozzle (2) projects. The upper base projection (1) serves to provide structural reinforcement to the nozzle (2), ensuring the integrity of the cap (100) and using less material.

[064] Figure 3 shows all the internal and external structures of the lid (100). Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 20 / 30 13 / 15

[065] The present invention also discloses a simplified method for manufacturing the lid (100) consisting of only two steps: - injection of the lid (100) as a single, integral piece and - threading the Schrader valve (15) through the upper portion of the nozzle (2).

[066] Figure 5 illustrates the method of manufacturing the cap (100), in which the Schrader valve (5) is screwed onto a cap (100) manufactured in one piece.

[067] The simplicity in the manufacture of the cap (100) allows it to be extraordinarily low cost, which provides the possibility of it even being a disposable cap or a cap already sold with the bottle.

[068] In one embodiment of the invention, the lid (100) is provided in its inner portion with a helical compression spring (21), as exemplified in figures 6, 7 and 8.

[069] The helical compression spring (21) has an upper end (23) that rests on the inner portion of the upper base (22) and the lower end (24) of the helical compression spring (21) rests on the inner portion (25) of the lower base (5), the lower base (5) also being movable in the longitudinal direction of the cover (100).

[070] In this way, the helical compression spring (21) works in the longitudinal direction pressing the lower base (5) against a retaining ring located in the neck of the bottle.

[071] The pressure exerted by the helical compression spring (21) allows the cap (100) to be fixed to the bottle. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 21 / 30 14 / 15 by means of two latches (26) which are articulated by means of shafts fixed to the cap (100), providing an articulation of the latches (26), more specifically rotational movement which causes the latches (26) to rise rationally and close to meet the retaining ring of a bottle. The latches also have two semicircular bands (29) that project inwards which engage with the sealing ring of the bottle, producing the seal.

[072] The cap (100) is attached to the bottle by means of the helical compression spring (21) which presses against the lower base (5). The user must then apply slight pressure to the cap (100) against the neck of the bottle. The lower base (5) will then push the helical compression spring (21) which will press against the bottle's retaining ring. When the spring deforms sufficiently, the user lowers the latches (26). The straps (29) will then be positioned below the retaining ring. The user then reduces the pressure on the cap (100) and the straps (26) meet the bottom of the bottle retaining ring locking the cap (100) to the bottle.

[073] At the base of the lower (5) there is a hole (10) through which the channel (8) passes when the helical compression spring (21) is deformed. Thus, this deformation causes the straps (26) to exert a force against the retaining ring of the bottle which promotes the fixing of the cap (100) to the bottle.

[074] List of references: 100 - Lid; — Protrusion of the upper base; Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 22 / 30 15 / 15 - Nozzle; - External fillets of the neck; - Fins; - Bottom base; - Outer portion of the upper base; - Internal fillets; - Channel; - Accommodation; - Hole; - Inner portion; - Wall of the inner portion; - Annular cavity; - Annular projection; - Schrader valve; 151 - Valve outlet; - Thread fillet; - Female thread; - Peripheral portion; - Outer side portion of the lid; - Helical compression spring; - Inner portion of the upper base; - Upper end of the spring; - Lower end of the spring; - Inner portion of the lower base; - Lock; - Axles; - Belt. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, p. 23 / 30

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. A cap (100) for the preservation, carbonation or preservation of carbonation of beverages in a bottle characterized by having a Schrader valve (15), fixed in a sealing housing (9); the cap (100) is further provided with a nozzle (2) projecting from the outer portion of the upper base (6) of the cap (100); the nozzle (2) is further provided with internal threads (7) for threading the Schrader valve (15); a channel (8) inside the cap (100) connects the outlet (151) of the Schrader valve (15) to an inner portion (11) of the cap (100) by means of an orifice (10) disposed in a lower base (5).

2. The cap (100) for the preservation, carbonation or preservation of the carbonation of beverages characterized by the spout (2) having external threads (3) for fitting a gas filling connection or a protective cover for the Schrader valve (15).

3. The cap (100) for the preservation, carbonation or preservation of the carbonation of beverages, characterized by the bottle being equipped with a male thread, said cap (100) being substantially cylindrical in shape and equipped with a female thread (17) which is coupled with the male thread of said cap (100); the inner portion (11) of the cap (100) is formed by means of a cylindrical cavity equipped with threads (16) of the female thread (17), the lower base (5) is also equipped with a concentric and protruding annular projection (14), forming an annular cavity (13) between the walls (12) of the inner portion (11) and the peripheral portion (19) of the annular projection (14). Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 24 / 30 2 / 2 4. The lid (100) for preserving, carbonating or preserving the carbonation of beverages, according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer lateral portion (20) of the lid (100) is provided with fins (4).

5. The cap (100) for preserving, carbonating or preserving the carbonation of beverages, according to claim 1, characterized by having in its inner portion a helical compression spring (21) concentric to the sealing housing (9); the upper end (23) of the helical compression spring (21) rests on the inner portion (22) of the upper base and the lower end (24) of the helical compression spring (21) rests on the inner portion (25) of the lower base (5), the lower base (5) being movable in the longitudinal direction; the cap (100) is also provided with two identical diametrically opposed latches (26) which each connect to the cap (100) by means of two shafts (27) arranged on the outer lateral portion (20) of the cap (100); the latches (26) are also provided with straps (29) which connect to the retaining ring of the bottle. Petition 870250004432, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, p. 25 / 30

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