Bottle stopper for bottle

Abstract

A stopper (1) for a bottle (100) comprises: a pourer (2) associable with a neck (101) of the bottle (100), the pourer (2) comprising at least an upper portion (7) located at an opening (102) of the bottle (10) and a fastening portion (8) externally locked on the neck (101); a tubular element (9) externally fastened to the fastening portion (8) of the pourer (2) in order to lock the fastening portion on the neck (101); a lid (10) reversibly connected to the pourer (2) to seal the pourer (2); the fastening portion (8) of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments (20) extending parallel to the central axis (A), each segment (20) being removable from the neck (101) after removal of the tubular element (9) to allow removal of the pourer (2) from the bottle (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle stopper for a bottle, in particular for a bottle having a neck with an opening and an edge defining an annular abutment surface near the opening. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, there are bottle stoppers for bottles of the above type. One such example is described and illustrated in Italian patent IT 20150224 of the same applicant.

[0003] The existing type of bottle stopper comprises a tubular element extending longitudinally between an upper end and a lower end. Such bottle stopper also comprises a pouring body and a cap. The cap is usually connected to the upper end of the tubular element via a weakened area. The weakened area is configured to break when the existing type of bottle stopper is opened for the first time.

[0004] It is reported that the bottle stopper also includes a tubular insert for fixing the bottle stopper on the bottle. This tubular insert is located inside the tubular element and is rigidly and irreversibly connected to the pouring body and the tubular element. In fact, once the safety bottle stopper is assembled, it is impossible to separate the tubular insert from the tubular element and / or the pouring body without destroying these parts.

[0005] The bottle stopper disclosed in EP 2548811 A1 is also known to the skilled person. Specifically, the document shows a bottle stopper comprising a pourer having a fastening portion adapted to be locked from the outside on the neck of the bottle. In more detail, the fastening portion is defined by a plurality of sections separated by grooves. EP'811 states that the groove has the function of allowing the user to remove the pourer.

[0006] In order to fix the pourer on the bottle, the bottle stopper of EP'811 is provided with a cylindrical sealing ring, which is fastened to the fastening part from the outside. The cylindrical sealing ring is connected to the cover by a breakable seal, which breaks when the user opens it for the first time. Therefore, when connected to the cover, the cylindrical sealing ring only remains in place and falls off when it is opened for the first time. Then, after the bottle stopper is opened for the first time, the cylindrical sealing ring no longer fixes the fastening part on the bottle. On the contrary, the durability of the pourer on the bottle depends on the inherent elasticity of the fastening part of the pourer.

[0007] Problems with existing technology

[0008] The different parts of the existing types of bottle stoppers are usually made of different materials. This feature of the existing bottle stoppers makes the recycling of the bottle stoppers themselves inconvenient and complicated. In fact, for recycling, it is necessary to separate the various parts of such bottle stoppers. Since the tubular insert, the tubular element and the pouring body are irreversibly connected to each other, the disassembly process of these parts is laborious. Therefore, such bottle stoppers are not easy to recycle and are usually disposed of as non-recyclable waste. Summary of the invention

[0009] In this case, the technical task of the present invention is to propose a bottle stopper for bottles that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0010] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a bottle stopper whose components can be easily disassembled and recycled.

[0011] The technical tasks and the stated objectives are basically achieved by a bottle stopper comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0012] Specifically, the bottle stopper according to the present invention is suitable for being applied to a bottle with an open neck.

[0013] The bottle stopper comprises a pourer with a central axis, which can be associated with the neck of the bottle. The pourer comprises at least one upper portion configured to be located at the opening. The pourer also comprises a fastening portion suitable for locking on the neck of the bottle from the outside.

[0014] The bottle stopper further comprises a tubular element which is fastened from the outside to the fastening portion of the pourer, the tubular element having the function of locking the fastening portion on the neck of the bottle.

[0015] The bottle stopper also includes a cap that is reversibly connected to the pourer to sealingly close the pourer.

[0016] According to the invention, the exterior of the pourer is defined by a plurality of sections extending parallel to the central axis.After removing the tubular element, each section can be removed from the neck to allow the pourer to be taken out from the bottle.

[0017] The tubular element comprises a frangible portion configured to be torn apart by a user, in particular after first opening the bottle stopper. The tubular element is configured to remain fastened to the fastening portion from the outside when the bottle stopper is first opened.

[0018] Advantages of the present invention

[0019] The invention solves the technical problem. In fact, once the tubular element locking the pourer to the bottle has been removed, the segments can even be slightly separated and then easily removed from the bottle. This allows to easily disassemble the cork, separate its components and then treat each component separately. The cork is therefore easy to recycle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative and non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a stopper for bottles, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] - Figure 1 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view of a bottle stopper for a bottle according to the present invention, the bottle stopper being adapted for the neck of the bottle; and

[0022] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Detail of the bottle stopper in transverse section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] With specific reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 indicates a bottle stopper for a bottle according to the present invention. The bottle is indicated by numeral 100 and comprises a neck 101 with an opening 102.

[0024] In more detail, the bottle stopper 1 comprises a pourer 2 having a central axis "A" and capable of being at least partially inserted into the neck 101 of the bottle 100. The pourer 2 comprises an inner portion 3 capable of being associated with the neck 101 of the bottle 100 through an opening 102. In the embodiment described, the pourer 2 is at least partially inserted into the neck 101 of the bottle 100, however, in an alternative embodiment, the pourer 2 can also be completely located outside the neck 101.

[0025] The inner part 3 of the pourer 2 is provided with a passage 19 for the contents of the bottle 1 and comprises an inner cylindrical wall 4 provided with a sealing device 5 on its outer surface 4a. The inner part 3 of the pourer 2 also comprises a flange 6 adapted to rest on the edge of the opening 102. The inner part 3 of the pourer 2 also comprises an outer cylindrical wall 18. This outer cylindrical wall 18 is formed on the flange 6 on the opposite side relative to the bottle 100 and extends away from the flange. An anti-filling valve 17 known per se can be inserted into the passage 19 of the inner part 3 of the pourer 2.

[0026] The pourer 2 also comprises an upper part 7 configured to be located at the opening 102. Such upper part 7 comprises: a central area 11, which is located at the central axis "A"; and a peripheral wall 12, which is located outside the central area 11 and is specifically sealed closed on the outer cylindrical wall 18 of the inner part 3. The opening 13 is defined between the central area 11 and the peripheral wall 12 and is suitable for allowing the contents of the bottle 100 to escape and / or for allowing air to enter. The structure of the central area 11 and the structure of the peripheral wall 12 are known per se to the person skilled in the art and will not be described further.

[0027] The pourer 2 also comprises a fastening portion 8 suitable for being locked on the neck 101 of the bottle 100 from the outside.

[0028] Specific reference Figure 1It should be noted that the bottle stopper 1 comprises a tubular element 9 which is fastened from the outside to the fastening portion 8 of the pourer 2 so as to lock the fastening portion on the neck 101 of the bottle 100. More details about the tubular element 9 will be provided below within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] In more detail, the fastening portion 8 of the pourer is defined by a plurality of sectors 20. Such sectors 20 extend parallel to the central axis "A". Each sector 20 is arranged to be able to be removed from the neck 101 of the bottle 100 after the removal of the tubular element 9, thereby allowing the pourer 2 to be taken out of the bottle 100. Each sector 20 has an inner surface 20a facing the neck 102 of the bottle 100 and an outer surface 20b opposite to the inner surface 20a.

[0030] In more detail, the pourer 2 comprises a plurality of articulation areas 21. Each segment 20 is connected to the upper part by a respective articulation area 21 so as to be able to rotate in a direction transverse to the central axis "A" and move away from the neck 101 of the bottle 100. According to the invention, each segment 20 is spaced apart from the adjacent segments 20, thereby allowing the segments 20 to be spread apart so as to separate the stopper 1 from the neck 101 of the bottle 100, for example Figure 2 shown.

[0031] It should be noted that the fastening portion 8 is preferably integrally formed with the upper portion 7 of the pourer 2. In other words, the upper portion 7 and the segment 20 are integrally formed. Thus, the hinge area 21 is also integrally formed with the segment 20 and the upper portion 7.

[0032] It should be noted here that each segment 20 includes a first fastening element 22 configured to lock the segment on the neck 101 of the bottle 100 along the central axis "A". Specifically, the neck 101 is provided with an annular recess 103 that receives the first fastening element 22 of the segment 20 and secures it by interference. The first fastening element 22 is preferably embodied in a first internal protrusion 23 and extends away from the inner surface 20a of the segment 20.

[0033] Each segment 20 is also provided with a second fastening element 24 configured to lock the rotation of the fastening portion 8 of the pourer 2 about the central axis "A". In the embodiment described, the neck 101 is provided with a knurled area 104, which is specifically defined at a lower height relative to the annular recess 103. The second fastening element 24 is arranged to interfere with the knurled area 104 to lock the tangential sliding of the segment 20. In more detail, the second fastening element 24 is embodied in a second internal protrusion 25, which also extends from the inner surface 20a of the segment 20. In particular, the second internal protrusion 25 is oriented parallel to the central axis "A" so as to be inserted into a corresponding recess defining the knurled area 104.

[0034] Specific reference Figure 1 It should be noted that each segment 20 comprises an external protrusion 26 formed in particular on the outer surface 20b. In use, the external protrusion 26 of the segment 20 interferes with the annular protrusion 27 formed inside the tubular element 9. Advantageously, this allows preventing the tubular element 9 from being exceeded by the pourer 2 unless the user intervenes destructively.

[0035] According to the invention, the tubular element 9 can be destructively removed from the pourer 2, in particular after the first opening of the cork 1. In the context of this specification, "first opening" means the moment when the cap 10 (which is usually made as part of the cork 1 and stably fastened to other parts of the cork 1 itself) is destructively removed by the user, for example by exerting force on a weakened area designed for this purpose. Once the cork 1 has been opened, the cap 10 can usually be repositioned to its position to better preserve the remaining contents of the bottle 100, but the integrity of the cork 1 can no longer be restored.

[0036] Advantageously, according to the invention, the tubular element 9 is configured to remain fastened from the outside to the fastening portion 8 after the first opening, thereby fixing the pourer 2 in place.

[0037] The removal of the tubular element 9 can be performed by any means available to the user. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular element 9 is provided with a frangible portion 14, which can be easily torn apart by the user. Such a frangible portion 14 is defined by at least one weakening line 15, which is parallel to the central axis of the pourer and extends along the entire length of the tubular body 9. Merely as an example, the frangible portion 14 can be defined by a pair of weakening lines 15 and a strip contained between them. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the frangible portion can be made in any other way known to those skilled in the art, as long as it prevents the integrity of the tubular element 9 from being restored and even makes its partial opening more obvious.

[0038] The bottle stopper 1 also comprises the aforementioned cap 10, which is reversibly connected to the pourer 2 so as to seal the pourer. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 10 is connected to the tubular element 9 in a breakable manner. In other words, the cap 10 and the tubular element 9 are integrally formed and separated when first opened. The pourer 2 (particularly the upper part 7) is provided with a thread 28, which engages on a counter-thread 29 made in the cap.

[0039] The bottle stopper 1 may also comprise a top cap 16, which is fastened in a manner known per se to the cap 10. The top cap 16 advantageously allows a better grip on the cap 10, so as to make it easier to open the bottle stopper 1, and may also be more aesthetically pleasing.

Claims

1. A bottle stopper (1) for a bottle (100) having a neck (101) with an opening (102), the bottle stopper (1) comprising: a pourer (2) having a central axis (A) and capable of being associated with the neck (101) of the bottle (100), the pourer (2) comprising at least an upper portion (7) configured to be located at the opening (102) and a fastening portion (8) suitable for being locked from the outside on the neck (101) of the bottle (100); - a tubular element (9) fastened from the outside to the fastening portion (8) of the pourer (2) in order to lock the fastening portion on the neck (101) of the bottle (100); - a cover (10) reversibly connectable to the pourer (2); wherein the fastening portion (8) of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments (20) extending parallel to the central axis (A), each segment (20) being removable from the neck (101) of the bottle (100) after the removal of the tubular element (9) to allow the pourer (2) to be removed from the bottle (100); characterized in that the tubular element (9) comprises a frangible portion (14) which is configured to be torn apart by a user, in particular after the first opening of the cork (1); and the tubular element (9) is configured to remain fastened to the fastening portion (8) from the outside when the cork (1) is first opened.

2. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular element (9) is configured to be removed by a destructive action on the fragile portion (14) after the bottle stopper (1) is opened for the first time.

3. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pourer (2) comprises a plurality of hinged areas (21), each segment (20) being connected to the upper part (7) via a corresponding hinged area (21) so as to rotate in a direction transverse to the central axis (A) and away from the neck (101) of the bottle (100).

4. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section (20) is spaced apart from an adjacent section (20).

5. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section (20) comprises a first fastening element (22), which is configured to lock the corresponding section (20) on the neck (101) of the bottle (100) along the central axis (A); and a second fastening element (24), which is configured to lock the rotation of the fastening part (8) of the pourer (2) around the central axis (A).

6. A bottle stopper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the neck (101) of the bottle (100) has an annular recess (103) near the opening (102), and the first fastening element (22) includes a first internal protrusion (23), which is defined on each section (20) and is configured to engage in the annular recess (103).

7. A bottle stopper (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the neck (102) of the bottle (100) has a knurled area (104) provided with a recess, and the second fastening element (24) includes a second internal protrusion (25), which is arranged parallel to the central axis (A) and is configured to be inserted into the recess to prevent rotational movement around the central axis (A).

8. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper part (7) and the section (20) of the pourer (2) are integrally formed.

9. The bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular element (9) can be removed from the pourer (2) in a destructive manner.

10. A bottle stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fragile portion (14) is defined by at least one weakening line (15), which is parallel to the central axis (A) of the pourer (2) and extends along the entire length of the tubular element (9).

11. Bottle stopper (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said frangible portion (14) is defined by a pair of weakening lines (15) and a strip between said weakening lines (15).

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