Bottle Cap

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure cap for attaching to the neck of a beverage bottle. The object of the invention is to realize a closure cap that bears against the neck of the bottle as a closure seal on the top side. According to the invention, this is achieved by a through-opening on the top side in the closure cap, into which a disc-shaped decorative element inserted on the inside engages, wherein the closure cap at least partially has a retaining projection extending parallel to the top side of the closure cap and protruding into the closure cap, into which a backing plate extending likewise parallel to the top side of the cap and parallel to the decorative element engaged in the top side is inserted. The backing plate fixes the decorative element in place in the top side of the closure cap and bears against the neck of the bottle as a closure seal on the top side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a bottle cap according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Products produced with high quality, such as high-quality wine, require high costs in production and refinement and accordingly lead to high sales prices. Due to the sales prices of the original products and the complicated and specialized production, attempts are increasingly frequently made to place products of significantly lower quality on the market using original packaging and labels, thereby harming the interests of customers.

[0003] The aim is to restore the image of an original product, whereby it is also known that already used bottles of high-quality wine production, for example, are refilled and sealed and thus deceive customers. Therefore, in addition to replicating the packaging, the original packaging is also used again and placed on the market.

[0004] Therefore, it is increasingly important for producers of high-quality products to provide a way to verify whether the original product has been sold and opened or whether it is in its original state. Therefore, currently, extensive research and development activities are being invested in the field of so-called first opening protection to find technical solutions to ensure the integrity of the original packaging.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this development is to enable the buyer to identify whether the product in front of him is the original product or a product that may have been tampered with but is in the original packaging. In addition to protecting the buyer, this is also important for the manufacturer, because if the buyer is damaged due to a poor quality replica in the original packaging, it is difficult for the manufacturer to prove that the product is not an internal product.

[0006] Therefore, the declared goal of manufacturers of high-quality premium products is to enable customers to verify the origin of high-quality original products at the time of purchase and thus avoid buying inferior imitation products. In addition to the mentioned field of high-quality alcoholic beverages, this can also be generally applied to foods as well as pharmaceuticals or perfumes.

[0007] The following will briefly describe the solutions in the prior art, which provide guidance for the protection of such original products:

[0008] From publication EP 3 263 473 A1 a stopper cap for bottles is known, which is characterized in that an NFC chip is integrated in the bottle cap, via which additional information can be retrieved, for example, using a smartphone. Thus, for example, when purchasing such a bottle, the consumer can obtain information about the manufacturer. Furthermore, the product can be tracked, but further information about the product can also be retrieved. In this case, the NFC chip with an additional laying cable and antenna is firmly mounted on the inside of the cap.

[0009] Furthermore, a solution is also known from the publication EP 3 336 011 A1 which provides for installing additional electronic components in a packaging, for example a bottle, which electronic components can contain information, for example.

[0010] Publication CN105923259A discloses a bottle sealing ring, which includes an NFC sensor or AF Idee technology. Its purpose is to verify the sealing ring at the bottle, which prevents counterfeiting of beverage seals. It enables the buyer or dealer to verify whether it is an original sealed bottle, and a smartphone can also be used for this purpose.

[0011] Publication CN106395129A also discloses a solution, the purpose of which is to prevent the counterfeiting of bottle stoppers by means of an NFC tag integrated into the stopper. The additional safety element is destroyed when the bottle is opened. Re-use is excluded. In other words, the bottle is only original if the NFC tag is intact and readable.

[0012] Publication CN206375146U relates to a wine bottle cap with an embedded miniature Bluetooth speaker and an NFC communication element. Sound can be played through the miniature Bluetooth speaker. Additional information should be able to be transmitted through the information stored on the NFC memory chip.

[0013] Publication WO 2018 / 136927 A1 discloses a stopper for a container, which is intended to provide protection against counterfeiting and product piracy. For this purpose, wireless technology should also be integrated into the stopper, which can be accessed, for example, via a mobile phone. Thus, authentication and other beneficial solutions can be implemented via the bottle or bottle stopper, wherein the electronic components are to be installed in the cover.

[0014] Other publications are document WO 2018 / 172964A1, which relates to protecting containers by sensor technology to check whether the container has been opened. Wireless communication, for example, by means of a near field communication sensor is also proposed.

[0015] Document WO 2013 / 122363 A1 discloses a similar solution, in which, for example, a sensor with wireless near-field communication technology is likewise to be used, wherein said sensor is to be located as a label on the bottle.

[0016] From publication WO 2017 / 211890 A1 it is again known that a chip for near field communication is integrated into the base of the bottle. The chip should be integrated with the beverage dispenser Communication, in which the bottle can be adjusted. Communication between the beverage dispenser and the inserted bottle should be possible.

[0017] Publication WO 2017 / 184603 A1 discloses a novel device that can check bottles with respect to their original, undamaged stoppers. For this purpose, an electronic sensor device having an antenna, a circuit and a sensor line is mounted on the bottle so that it is arranged at the bottle stopper via a fold line. In this way, it should be possible to detect whether the bottle has been opened.

[0018] Publication WO 2016 / 179537 A2 also aims at a similar effect, for which purpose circuits and sensors are installed in the lid of a medical container. They are intended to interact with a weight sensor. Therefore, removal from the container should be electronically detectable and verifiable.

[0019] The integrity of the bottle stopper should be checked by the publication WO2018 / 001572A1 Here too, a transponder with an antenna and a circuit is integrated into the housing of the bottle stopper in the region of the surrounding opening section. The circuit is to be destroyed when the bottle is opened and thus be able to provide information about the integrity of the seal and the bottle stopper electronically.

[0020] An electronic device is also known from publication WO 2016 / 116672 A1, the purpose of which is to electronically detect the breakage of a bottle stopper and present it in a readable manner through a memory chip. For this purpose, the cap is configured as a strip and is inserted into another cap in the bottle.

[0021] Publication WO2017 / 161098A1 discloses a container having an electronic display on which information can be displayed. The electronic display can also be integrated into the bottle stopper or into the container itself.

[0022] Publication WO 2016 / 151434 A1 relates to an electronic device at the bottle, which is arranged at the bottleneck by means of a fixing element. In this way, for example, the temperature of the beverage contained in the bottle should be detected and determined by sensor technology. In addition, wireless communication with the electronic data processing unit should also be possible.

[0023] Publication WO 2018 / 199844A1 relates to a seal at a bottle stopper. This device should also be used to prevent counterfeiting and forgery of the product. There should also be a password protection device that can protect the bottle stopper through a corresponding stopper device. For this purpose, a button can be integrated in the cover.

[0024] The prior art has in common that the sensor is used in particular to detect to what extent the bottle has been opened. It should also be possible to provide additional information about the sensor and the memory chip contained in the label or bottle cap.

[0025] However, the prior art lacks a solution for integrating such a component in a bottle cap in a structurally and visually functional manner. Summary of the invention

[0026] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to convert the authenticity test performed by means of a readable storage medium into a In combination with the structurally and visually effective structure of the closure cap, it is ensured that the closure cap can be produced and installed economically and also in mass production. At the same time, the attractive appearance and added value of the closure cap should stimulate purchase.

[0027] This is achieved according to the invention by a closure cap for attaching to the neck of a beverage bottle having the features characterized in claim 1 .

[0028] Advantageous embodiments of the closure cap are the subject matter of the further claims.

[0029] The solution according to the invention provides that the closure cap can not only have a memory chip, which can be read out, for example, as an NFC or RFID chip, by approaching it, for example with a smartphone. In addition, the closure cap is designed, on the one hand, in a form that enables standardized use of the closure cap, for example in automated filling lines, and, on the other hand, an aesthetically pleasing additional component is added to the closure cap, which usually stimulates purchase but can also be seen in combination with readable information.

[0030] For this purpose, the invention provides, in terms of structure, that a closure cap is provided with a through-opening on the top side, into which a disc-shaped decorative element inserted into the closure cap on the inside engages. On the one hand, an indication of a special closure cap is already given by the decorative disc inserted into the cap, wherein the decorative element visible in the cap can already give an indication of the readability of the memory chip.

[0031] However, the decorative element also has the advantage of stimulating purchases, since the decorative element can be used by the manufacturer as a collectible, a valuable sign or the like, for example, in order to establish a customer connection. This advantage will be discussed in detail below.

[0032] It is also relevant to the invention in terms of structure that the cover has at least partially a retaining projection which projects into the cover. The retaining projection is arranged in a manner extending parallel to the top side of the cover.

[0033] The arrangement of the inwardly protruding retaining projections provides a structural fixing possibility for additional functional elements inserted into the closure cap. According to the invention, the functional elements are inserted into the head of the closure cap one above the other, wherein the lining forms a closure facing the bottle neck in a closed manner. The arrangement of the inwardly protruding retaining projections, or rather of the circumferential retaining projections, makes it possible for the lining to be pressed in over the retaining projections and thus form a closure in the head of the closure cap.

[0034] According to the invention, the backing plate is designed in terms of its dimensions and the materials used to ensure a reliable engagement and thus pressing of functional elements such as decorative elements or NFC chips. The backing plate thus engages the retaining projection at the bottom and causes, for example, the decorative element to be pressed into the through-opening on the top side of the closure cap. However, at the same time, it is also achieved that the backing plate is attached to the neck of the bottle as a sealed closure and that in this way, for example, a filling process and a closing process of a beverage bottle according to conventional method steps can be further achieved.

[0035] In this case, it is advantageously provided in terms of process technology that the retaining projection is punched into the closure cap in a circumferential manner, i.e., when constructed, for example, from an aluminum sheet, the retaining projection is pressed in a circumferential manner as a circumferential groove-like recess on the outer shell of the closure cap. In this way and method, the mass production of closure caps with the retaining projection according to the invention can be achieved in a particularly simple manner in terms of process technology, and at the same time, the retaining projection is a circumferential retaining projection which ensures a secure retention of the liner in the head of the closure cap.

[0036] An advantageous embodiment of the closure cap according to the invention provides that a raised annular step is arranged on the top side of the closure cap provided with the through-opening so as to protrude beyond the top side of the closure cap. The step offset upward thus forms an annular flange, wherein the surface of the cap, viewed from the outer edge of the cap, has two planes arranged parallel to one another, which are connected to one another by the step. The edge region close to the edge of the closure cap is lower than the inner region offset toward the through-opening in the center of the closure cap, which is slightly raised by the step.

[0037] The advantage of this structure is that it has the possibility of realizing other orientations and alignments of the decorative element in the head of the closure cap. According to the invention, it is provided that the decorative element also has a corresponding step on its surface and thus engages with a similar step in a corresponding step in the top side of the closure cap.

[0038] In this respect, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the decorative element also has a top-side step which, starting from a higher level in the region where the decorative element passes through the through-opening in the top side of the closure cover, has a step down towards the edge region of the closure cover.

[0039] This design is provided with the step of the decorative plate, which is inserted in the corresponding gradient in the closure cap. In this regard, in this solution, the diameter of the decorative plate is smaller than the diameter of the closure cap itself or the lining plate.

[0040] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the closure cap provides that the top-side through-opening is circular and positioned in the center of the top side of the closure cap. This corresponds to a disc-shaped decorative element which also has a centrally located and circular raised center surface which engages completely in the through-opening of the closure cap. It is particularly advantageous in this solution that, during assembly of the functional structural element, the decorative element is automatically introduced into the central through-opening in the closure cap into the correct position by being guided in the cylindrical closure cap. In this respect, no special orientation is required during assembly of the individual components.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the decorative element protruding from the through-opening on the top side of the closure cap may also have a flat projection which is not circular but, for example, angular, oval or designed in any other shape. However, this requires a precise orientation of the decorative element when inserting it into a through-opening in the top side of the closure cap which is to be similarly shaped, so that, for example, a triangular projection in the decorative element is inserted into a correspondingly triangular through-opening in the top side of the closure cap.

[0042] According to the invention, for example, an NFC chip is arranged as a data storage chip with additional information on the backing plate itself or on an additional carrier. It is advantageous here that the NFC chip can be placed on an additional thin carrier, which in terms of its size (Abmaβ) follows the structural design of the backing plate or is constructed to be slightly smaller.

[0043] Thus, in a suitable embodiment of the invention, three functional elements are provided, for example, which are introduced into the closure cap in a manner lying one above the other and begin with a decorative element lying on the upper side with an upper projection, below which, for example, a carrier disk of approximately the same size as the backing plate is arranged, on which, for example, an NFC chip is arranged. Finally, the backing plate is introduced into the closure cap as the bottom layer and is pressed by the retaining projection and thus fixed in a detachable manner in the head of the closure cap.

[0044] With reference to the dimensions of the structural elements of the closure, the following size ranges are considered valid:

[0045] The height of the circumferential protruding step on the closure cap top side can vary between 0.2 mm and approximately 0.8 mm. It has been shown that the height of the closure cap step can be realized in a tool and material technology-advantageous manner and at the same time demonstrates a visually effective solution.

[0046] The central center region of the decorative element, which extends as a section of the projection through the through-opening in the top side of the closure cap, should have a diameter of approximately 20 millimeters.

[0047] The lowered edge region of the decorative element, from which the protruding central region begins, should have a width of 2 to 6 millimeters. On the one hand, in this way and with the method, the formation of a corresponding receptacle in the top side of the closure cap can be achieved in a method-technically advantageous manner. On the other hand, a secure retention of the decorative element in the closure cap can thus be achieved. This is ultimately also a solution that proves to be visually advantageous.

[0048] The retaining projections in the closure cap can be arranged approximately between 0.4 cm and 1.5 cm below the upper edge of the closure cap. This ensures that the disc-shaped decorative element as well as the backing plate and any structural elements for the carrier of the storage chip, which are retained in the projections, are located in the space in the head of the closure cap. In the case of a correspondingly thinner design of the structural elements, the retaining projections can also be extended closer to the upper edge of the cap.

[0049] The closure cap according to the invention combines the proven advantages of a standardized closure cap, for example 30x60 mm long, with the advantageous function of integrating a memory chip, for example an NFC chip, in a technically simple and at the same time visually effective manner, which can be used without problems by all common smartphone systems. In addition to stimulating purchases and attracting customers, the combination with a decorative element also has the following advantages in the following areas:

[0050] Combating Product Piracy:

[0051] - Fighting fraud

[0052] - Tamper-proof

[0053] -Prevent counterfeiting

[0054] -Brand certification

[0055] Brand Marketing:

[0056] - Improved branding and purchasing experience

[0057] - Improve consumer comfort through reliable, fast and simple system

[0058] -Interesting and interactive use

[0059] - Improve customer loyalty

[0060] - Trust in the brand

[0061] - Collection possibility

[0062] Full transparency of the supply chain:

[0063] - Life cycle control from production to market and back to production

[0064] -consumer

[0065] -Added market information

[0066] - Complete traceability and recordable control of the supply chain

[0067] Specifications:

[0068] - e.g. 30mm diameter (30x60mm) aluminum screw plug

[0069] - Neck paint for BVS / BVP 30 H and GPI-1680

[0070] - Different lining options depending on application, e.g. up to 50% alcohol

[0071] -PVC-free and PVDC-free lining ensures optimal sealing performance BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The present invention is described in detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] In the attached picture:

[0074] Figure 1 A perspective view of a section showing the closure cap 1 and the functional components arranged in the closure cap 1 is shown in an exploded view;

[0075] Figure 2 A perspective view of the closure cap 1 is shown;

[0076] Figure 3A top view of the top side of the closure cover 1 is shown;

[0077] Figure 4 A side view of the closure cap 1 is shown;

[0078] Figure 5 A sectional view showing the structural form of a closure cover having a decorative element 5 and a lining plate 7 according to the present invention;

[0079] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the decorative element 5 is shown;

[0080] Figure 7 A bottom view of the decorative element 5 is shown;

[0081] Figure 8 A top view of the decorative element 5 is shown and

[0082] Fig. 9 A further embodiment of a closure cap 1 according to the invention is shown in cross-section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] Figure 1 The arrangement of the closure element 5 , the carrier 6 with the storage medium 8 and the closed cover 7 as functional components arranged in the cut-away closure cap 1 is shown in an exploded view.

[0084] It can be seen here that a through-opening 3 is provided on the top side in the closure cover 1, through which the decorative element 5 partially protrudes from the closure cover 1. In this embodiment, a disc-shaped carrier 6 is arranged between the decorative element 5 and the closed backing plate 7, on which a memory chip 8, in this case an NFC chip, is arranged. Thus, the memory chip 8 is applied between the closed decorative element 5 and the built-in backing plate 7.

[0085] In addition to the through-opening 3 on the top side, the closure cap 1 also has a special configuration located below the top side 2 of the closure cap 1. In this embodiment, it is a retaining projection 4, which is arranged in an annular manner around the top side 2 of the closure cap 1. Here, the retaining projection 4 is arranged staggered in depth on the housing of the closure cap 1 so that the combination of the functional element decoration 5, the carrier 6 and the lining plate 7 is received in the head of the closure cap 1 in such a way that its thickness is completely above the retaining projection 4.

[0086] Here, the retaining projection 4 is arranged in the closure cap 1 in an inwardly stamped manner and is cut so deep that the lining plate 7 must be pushed over it and, after elastic deformation of the lining plate 7, it is located under the lining plate 7 and the lining plate is fixed in place in the head of the closure cap 1.

[0087] Figures 2 to 4It is now shown how such an exemplary closure cap 1 can be mounted, for example, on a wine bottle. In the various views, it can be seen that the central region of the decorative element 5 is on the top side and protrudes out of the closure cap 1. This central region is formed by Figure 6 The step 11 shown is higher than the same step of the decorative element 5. Figure 6 The surrounding edge 9 is shown.

[0088] This is especially true in Figure 4 2, the decorative element 5 can be seen here on the top side 2 of the closure cap 1. The retaining projection 4 can also be seen in the figure, which extends below the top side 2 of the closure cap 1 and the decorative element 5 and at least the lining plate 7 are fixed as functional elements in the head of the closure cap.

[0089] exist Figure 5 The structural form of the closure cap 1 in its upper region is shown in section. It can also be seen here that the retaining projections 4 are arranged in the housing of the closure cap 1 in order to fix the combination of the backing plate 7 and the decorative element 5 in place. The bottle neck 16 is also shown here, onto which the closure cap 1 has been crimped in this case, so that the bottle neck thread 15 can be seen here. In this embodiment, the retaining projections 4 are located above this thread and thus the backing plate 7 is fixed to the bottle neck 16, which, when closing a wine bottle, for example, rests firmly on the bottle neck and thus seals the bottle.

[0090] In this embodiment it can be seen that the decorative element 5 is not designed as a component with a flat, planar surface, but is provided with a step 11, as can be seen in FIG. Figure 6 . On the one hand, the decorative element 5 is characterized by a bottom side which, in the present embodiment, has a gently extending recess 12. The recess serves to spatially accommodate an NFC memory chip 8 which may be located between the backing plate 7 and the decorative element 5. The effect here is that the pressure exerted on the NFC memory chip 8 is not such that the functionality of the memory chip 8 is impaired or it is destroyed.

[0091] In this exemplary embodiment, the decorative element 5 has a continuous, lowered edge region 9 at the edge, which is raised to a higher level in the center plane 10 via a step 11. This is the region that is to protrude from the through-opening 3 in the top side 2 of the closure cap 1. The surrounding edge region 9 engages the top side of the closure cap laterally below the through-opening 3 and thus fixes the decorative element 5 in the through-opening 3.

[0092] Figure 7 and Figure 8 On the one hand, a view is shown of the underside of the decorative element 5 with the flat recess 12, as has already been described with reference to FIG. Figure 6 In addition, Figure 8 On the other hand, the top view in FIG. 5 shows the raised central region 10 and the lowered edge region 9 of the decorative element 5, which are connected to each other via an obliquely extending step 11. The flanks 11 can have different height dimensions, which is particularly a matter of appearance, since this determines how much the central region 10 protrudes from the through-opening 3 in the top side 2 of the closure lid 1.

[0093] Now Fig. 9 Other variations are shown, wherein reference is made to Figure 5 The descriptions of still apply to a large extent. However, the design of the top side 2 of the closure cap 1 has changed, since it now also has a further step 13, whereby the top side 2 has a lower edge region which rises via the step 13 to a higher annular region 14 which leads into the through-opening 3. This means that the raised annular region 14 starts from the through-opening 3 and receives the lowered edge region 9 of the decorative element 5 in the embodiment of the invention shown.

[0094] The advantage of this design is that the position of the decorative element is again more precisely integrated into the corresponding receiving portion of the top side 2 of the closure cover 1, because the lining plate 7 rests directly on the closure cover relative to the edge area of ​​the top side 2 of the closure cover 1 and the decorative element 5 is also completely assembled in the top side 2 in a precisely matching manner.

Claims

1. A closure cap (1) for attaching to the neck of a beverage bottle, the closure cap (1) having a top side (2), wherein: - the top side (2) of the closure cap (1) has a through-opening (3), - a disc-shaped decorative element (5) inserted into the closure cap (1) on the inside engages in the through-opening, the closure cap (1) at least partially has a retaining projection (4) extending parallel to the top side of the closure cap (1) and protruding into the closure cap (1), It is characterized in that - the closure cap (1) further comprises a lining plate (7) which is inserted into the retaining projection (4) and also extends parallel to the top side (2) of the closure cap and parallel to the decorative element (5) engaged in the top side, the lining plate (7) resting on the top side against the bottle neck (16) as a closure seal, and - the top side (2) of the closure cap (1) has a step (13) which rises in annular manner relative to the base surface of the top side (2) and is intended to receive the decorative element (5), the step leading to a raised annular area (14) which starts from the through-opening (3) and receives a lowered edge area (9) of the periphery of the decorative element (5); The top side (2) has a flat edge area as the base surface and a higher and flat raised annular area (14), wherein the flat edge area is raised to the raised annular area (14) via the step (13), so that the top side (2) of the closure cap has two planes which are parallel to each other and connected to each other via the step (13). The decorative element (5) has a lowered edge region (9) extending toward an outer edge of the decorative element (5) and a central region (10) configured to protrude relative to the lowered edge region (9), which are connected to each other via a step (11) on the top side, and The decorative element (5) is fixed in place in the top side of the closure lid (1) by clamping the lowered edge area (9) of the decorative element (5) between the raised annular area (14) of the top side (2) and the backing plate (7) and by abutting the flat edge area of ​​the top side (2) against the backing plate (7).

2. The closure cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The retaining projection (4) is arranged in a circumferential manner in the closure cap (1), wherein the retaining projection (4) is designed as a concave deformation as a circumferential recess originating from the closure cap (1) itself.

3. Closure cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The central area (10) of the decorative element (5) engages in a precisely fitting manner in the through-opening (3) of the top side (2) of the closure cover (1) and protrudes from the through-opening (3) beyond the plane of the top side (2) of the closure cover (1).

4. Closure cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The through-opening (3) is circular and arranged in the center of the top side (2) of the closure cap, and correspondingly the protruding central area (10) of the decorative element (5) is circular and centrally designed.

5. Closure cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that An NFC memory chip or another data storage chip (8) is arranged on the backing plate (7) or a separate carrier (6), and the NFC memory chip or another data storage chip can be read out by a reading device by approaching, wherein the carrier (6) is arranged between the backing plate (7) and the decorative element (5).

6. Closure cap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The circumferentially protruding step (13) on the top side (2) of the closure cap (1) has a height of 0.2 to 0.8 millimeters, into which the lowered edge region (9) of the decorative element (5) engages.

7. Closure cap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The protruding central area (10) on the decorative element (5) has a diameter of 20 mm.

8. Closure cap (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The circumferential lowered edge region (9) of the decorative element (5) has a width of 2 to 6 millimeters.

9. Closure cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The retaining projection (4) is arranged 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm below the upper edge of the closure cap (1) and in a circumferential manner parallel to the upper edge.

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