Bottle with improved droplet trap device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a bottle (1) with an improved liquid drop catcher device. The bottle (1) comprises a bottle bottom (2), a bottle body (3), a bottle neck (5) with an upper edge (6) and a liquid drop catcher (10) fixed on the bottle neck (5) of the bottle in an immovable manner, the droplet trap (10) includes a cylindrical sleeve (16) and a ceramic coating layer (15) applied to an outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a bottle with a drop-catcher device, mainly in the field of glass bottles for holding wine, oil or chemical and pharmaceutical products. Background Technology

[0002] As we all know, a bottle consists of a base, a body, and a neck. The neck has a rounded upper edge at the end called the mouth, used for inserting and expelling liquid. A drawback of using these bottles is that when a beverage is served, some drops often don't fall off the neck but remain at the mouth.

[0003] This inevitably means that once the bottle is placed vertically against the bottom surface, the droplets will flow along the outer surfaces of the neck and body of the bottle until they reach the bottom.

[0004] To address this problem, devices that can be detachably applied to bottles are known, designed to ensure that droplets are separated from the bottle neck, thereby preventing droplets from depositing at the neck and inevitably flowing out along the outer side of the bottle.

[0005] The device can also absorb droplets flowing along the bottle, thus preventing droplets from reaching the bottom surface of the bottle.

[0006] FR1105956 describes a droplet trap device consisting of a cylinder applied to the outside of a bottleneck. The cylinder has an upper edge composed of an annular plate that abuts against the upper edge of the bottleneck. The width of the annular plate is equal to or greater than the width of the upper edge of the bottleneck. Such an annular plate is approximately 4-5 mm wide. An annular plate this wide cannot prevent droplets that tend to slide along the annular plate and drip onto the bottleneck.

[0007] WO2014 / 170240A1 discloses a droplet trap device comprising a thin cylindrical sleeve applied to a bottleneck. Advantageously, the cylindrical sleeve can be coated with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to ensure better droplet sliding.

[0008] However, PTFE contains perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Although PTFE is commonly used in food-grade applications, such as coatings for cooking pots, recent studies have shown that PFAS may be harmful to human health, and the use of food-grade PTFE may be banned in the near future.

[0009] Furthermore, experimental tests show that the service life of PTFE-coated droplet traps is limited because PTFE has poor mechanical properties, cannot adhere well to the surface of cylindrical sleeves, is easily scratched, and does not have good thermal shock resistance. Utility Model Content

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a bottle suitable for food with a highly efficient and reliable droplet trap.

[0011] Another objective of this invention is to provide a bottle with a droplet trap device that is robust and durable.

[0012] According to this utility model, these objectives can be achieved by the features listed in the additional technical solution 1.

[0013] Advantageous implementation methods can be seen from other technical solutions.

[0014] Technical solution 1 defines a bottle with a droplet trap according to the present invention.

[0015] A bottle includes a bottom 2, a body 3, a neck 5 having an upper edge 6, and a droplet trap device 10 fixed immovably to the neck 5.

[0016] The droplet trap device 10 includes a cylindrical sleeve 16;

[0017] The droplet trap device 10 has a lower edge 11 and an upper edge 12.

[0018] The droplet trap device 10 is arranged on the outer surface of the neck 5 of the bottle, such that the upper edge 12 of the droplet trap device is flush with the upper edge 6 of the neck.

[0019] The thickness s of the upper edge 12 of the droplet trap device 10 is less than 1.5 mm;

[0020] Its characteristics are,

[0021] The droplet trap device 10 includes a ceramic coating layer 15 applied to the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve 16.

[0022] After numerous experimental tests, the applicant unexpectedly discovered that for cylindrical sleeve-shaped dropper devices with a PTFE coating, the PTFE coating could be replaced with a coating obtained through a layer of ceramic varnish.

[0023] Through experimental and comparative tests, the droplet trap with ceramic paint coating showed excellent performance in preventing droplet adhesion, even better than the droplet trap with PTFE coating.

[0024] In addition, ceramic coatings have better mechanical resistance than polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and can resist wear and tear after prolonged use of droplet traps.

[0025] According to scientific literature, ceramic coatings do not release toxic substances into food, therefore they can be used in food. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Further features of this utility model will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are of illustrative and non-limiting value only, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the bottle according to this utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Magnified details of the bottle;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of details;

[0030] Figure 4 Is with Figure 2 A similar view, but showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Exploded view of details;

[0032] Figure 6 Is with Figure 3 A similar view, but showing the Bordeaux bottleneck milled to accommodate the droplet trap device; and

[0033] Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 A similar view, but showing the bottleneck, which has a flange extending to the upper edge of the bottleneck, the flange being milled to accommodate the droplet trap device. Detailed Implementation

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The bottle according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Bottle 1 includes:

[0036] -Bottle bottom 2,

[0037] - A roughly cylindrical main body 3, which extends from the base and forms a compartment for containing liquid.

[0038] - Bottleneck 5, its diameter is smaller than that of the main body.

[0039] - A tapered shoulder 4 with a gradually decreasing diameter connects the bottle body and the bottle neck;

[0040] - The upper edge 6 of the bottle neck defines the bottle opening through which liquid in the bottle enters and flows out.

[0041] The bottle's neck is designed to accommodate a cork.

[0042] Optionally, the bottle 1 may include a neck ring 7 projecting radially outward from the neck 5, near the top edge 6 of the neck. The neck ring 7 is typically used as a striker in a bottle opener for removing the cork from the bottle.

[0043] Bottle 1 is equipped with a droplet trap device 10.

[0044] The droplet trap device 10 includes a cylindrical sleeve 16 and a ceramic coating 15 applied to the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve 16.

[0045] The droplet trap device 10 has a lower edge 11 and an upper edge 12. The droplet trap device 10 is attached to the neck 5 of the bottle, such that the upper edge 12 of the droplet trap device is flush with the upper edge 6 of the bottle.

[0046] The cylindrical sleeve 16 of the droplet trap device is fixed immovably to the outer surface of the bottle neck 5, for example by adhesive 100 and / or by press fitting. However, in the case of a glass bottle, the droplet trap device 10 can be incorporated into the glass of the bottle neck 5.

[0047] If bottle 1 has a neck ring 7, then the droplet trap device 10 should be placed on the neck 5 of the bottle, above the neck ring 7. That is, the lower edge 11 of the droplet trap device 10 is in contact with the neck ring 7.

[0048] In this case, refer to Figure 3 The height h of the droplet trap device is equal to the height of the bottle's neck extending from the neck ring to the upper edge 6.

[0049] refer to Figure 3 The upper edge 12 of the droplet trap has a thickness s smaller than the average diameter of the droplet. Therefore, the thickness s of the upper edge of the droplet trap is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. This way, when a droplet encounters the upper edge 12 of the droplet trap, it breaks up and does not deposit on the upper edge 12 of the droplet trap, but drips onto the outer surface of the bottle. Specifically, the upper outer edge of the droplet trap is approximately 90°; this angle allows the droplet to break up and prevents leakage, as in the case of a circular bottle neck.

[0050] Preferably, the droplet trap device 10 has a constant thickness. Furthermore, this thickness s is less than the thickness of the collar 7. It must be considered that the smaller the thickness of the droplet trap 10, the better its performance.

[0051] Advantageously, the cylindrical sleeve 16 is made of a metallic material, and preferably of food-grade aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.

[0052] According to this invention, the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve 16 is coated with a ceramic coating layer 15. The ceramic coating layer is relatively thin, approximately 300-600 μm.

[0053] Ceramic coatings are materials with a lower coefficient of friction compared to droplets, thus helping droplets to detach from the droplet trap device 10 and preventing them from dripping onto the bottle neck. Furthermore, ceramic coatings are suitable for food applications and do not release any toxic substances during prolonged contact with food.

[0054] The ceramic coating layer 15 has better anti-dripping properties because it has very high anti-adhesion properties between the ceramic coating layer and the droplets. In addition, the ceramic coating layer 15 is very wear-resistant while ensuring good grip on the cylindrical sleeve 16.

[0055] Ceramic coatings possess excellent mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, without any negative effects over time. They can withstand temperatures exceeding 1000°C and thermal shock, and their corrosion resistance surpasses that of other coatings such as PTFE. Ceramic coatings are resistant to corrosive agents such as gasoline, solvents, and acids, maintaining their dense and compact color.

[0056] Furthermore, the ceramic coating offers a very wide range of colors, covering almost any existing hue. This allows the droplet trap device 10 to be supplied in any color, tailored to the aesthetic needs of bottle manufacturers.

[0057] To prevent droplets from forming on the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck, it is best to spread the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck, i.e., to have a tapered portion 60 with the thickness decreasing upwards. This minimizes the thickness of the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck, thus preventing droplet breakage. However, if the droplet trap device 10 is thin enough, it can function like a conventional bottle even if the upper edge of the bottle neck is circular.

[0058] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second embodiment of the present invention is described herein, wherein the same or corresponding elements are indicated by the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted.

[0059] In this second embodiment, the neck ring 7 has been removed from the bottle neck 5, for example by milling, to obtain the upper part 50 of the neck with a smaller diameter, which produces a stepped radial stop 51.

[0060] In this configuration, the cylindrical sleeve 16 of the droplet trap device 10 has a non-constant thickness and is provided with a radially outwardly projecting collar 13, the size of which is substantially the same as that of a typical collar 7 of the bottleneck. The collar 13 is positioned corresponding to the lower edge 11 of the droplet trap device.

[0061] In this way, the lower edge 11 of the droplet trap device 10 rests on the stop step 51 of the bottleneck, and the collar 13 of the droplet trap device perfectly simulates the typical collar 7 of the bottleneck.

[0062] refer to Figure 6 The diagram shows a bottle neck 5 with a conventional neck ring. In this case, the bottle neck is externally milled in the dotted protrusion 50 above the neck ring 7. During the milling process, a layer of glass s of equal thickness to the droplet trap device 10 is removed. This way, the aesthetics of the original bottle are not altered when the droplet trap device 10 is applied. Another advantage of milling the bottle neck is that a bottle bottom can be formed, in which the droplet trap device 10 can be perfectly fixed without frictional interference. (Reference) Figure 7 The image shows the bottle neck 5, with its flange 70 extending to the upper edge 6 of the neck. In this case, the flange 70 is externally milled in the dotted marking portion 71, forming a stop step 72 on which the lower edge 11 of the droplet trap device 10 rests. During milling, the thickness s of the glass is equal to the thickness of the droplet trap 10 removed. Thus, when the droplet trap device 10 is applied, the outer surface of the droplet trap device 10 remains flush with the outer surface of the unremoved flange 70, without altering the aesthetics of the original bottle. Another advantage of milling the flange 70 of the bottle is that it allows for the creation of a bottle bottom in which the droplet trap device 10 can be perfectly coupled with frictional interference.

Claims

1. A bottle (1) comprising a bottle bottom (2), a bottle body (3), a bottle neck (5) having an upper edge (6), and a droplet trap device (10) fixed immovably to the bottle neck (5); The droplet trap device (10) includes a cylindrical sleeve (16); The droplet trap device (10) has a lower edge (11) and an upper edge (12) of the droplet trap device; The droplet trap device (10) is arranged on the outer surface of the bottle neck (5) such that the upper edge (12) of the droplet trap device is flush with the upper edge (6) of the bottle neck. The thickness (s) of the upper edge (12) of the droplet trap device (10) is less than 1.5 mm; Its characteristics are, The droplet trap device (10) includes a ceramic coating layer (15) applied to the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve (16).

2. The bottle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the ceramic coating layer (15) is 200-600 μm.

3. The bottle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The thickness (s) of the upper edge (12) of the droplet trap device (10) is less than 0.5 mm.

4. The bottle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cylindrical sleeve (16) is made of food-grade aluminum, brass, or stainless steel.

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