Bottle cap

Abstract

Method for producing a sleeve-shaped bottle cap (100), comprising the steps of inserting (S101) a metallic blank (103) into a tool (105) with a first tool part (111-1) and a second tool part (111-2); and extrusion (S102) of a circumferential side wall (107) of the bottle cap (100) within the tool (105) by moving the first tool part (111-1) in the direction of the second tool part (111-2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sleeve-shaped bottle cap and a sleeve-shaped bottle cap.

[0002] The technical object of the present invention is to improve a method for manufacturing a bottle cap.

[0003] This technical problem is solved by the articles according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0004] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for manufacturing a sleeve-shaped bottle cap, comprising the steps of inserting a metallic blank into a tool with a first tool part and a second tool part; and extrusion of a circumferential side wall of the bottle cap within the tool by moving the first and second tool parts relative to each other. For example, the first tool part can be moved towards the second tool part, or vice versa. This method achieves the technical advantage that the bottle cap can be manufactured from a variety of high-density metals.

[0005] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the blank is made of silver, gold, copper, bi-metal, or tri-metal. This offers the technical advantage, for example, that the bottle cap can be made of corrosion-resistant or antibacterial material. Due to the high quality of the manufacturing material, it does not enter the environment. The initial shape allows for a wide variety of geometric modifications without the sealing surfaces causing leakage problems. Embossing a relief or hologram on the inner or outer side of the bottle cap creates distinctive features that are counterfeit-proof.

[0006] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the first tool part has an outer diameter between 12 mm and 40 mm or between 28 mm and 30 mm. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the bottle cap can be fitted to a large number of conventional bottles.

[0007] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, a circumferential gap with a width between 0.15 mm and 0.5 mm or between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm is formed between the first tool part and the second tool part. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the side wall of the bottle cap can be produced with a small amount of material.

[0008] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the gap has a length between 10 mm and 60 mm or between 30 mm and 40 mm. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the side wall can be extruded to a corresponding length.

[0009] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the mutual distance between the first and second tool parts during movement is at least 1 mm. This distance between the base of one tool part and the tip of the other tool part is not undercut during the movement of the tool parts. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the base of the bottle cap can be manufactured with a sufficient thickness to allow for additional embossing.

[0010] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the base of the second tool part and / or the tip of the first tool part is dome-shaped. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the material being manufactured can be efficiently formed and this shape transferred to the base of the bottle cap. The dome-shaped curvature can be directed inwards or outwards.

[0011] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the first tool part has a convex tip and / or the second tool part has a concave base. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that an additional seal in the form of a stopper can be formed by the domed base. This also results in a heavier bottle cap. A heavier bottle cap serves as protection against foreign objects entering the bottle.

[0012] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the pressing force between the first and second tool parts during extrusion is a maximum of 1400 kN. Generally, the pressing force depends on the diameter, gap, and length of the bottle cap. The pressing force during base embossing is a maximum of 2200 kN. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of producing a flawless bottle cap.

[0013] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, an embossing die is formed in the first and / or second tool part. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the bottle cap can be embossed as a permanent proof of origin or as a motif.

[0014] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the base of the bottle cap is embossed in a subsequent step after extrusion. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the embossing can be produced with high precision.

[0015] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the process, a sealing disc groove is formed in the bottle cap in a further step after extrusion. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the bottle cap seals the bottle in a liquid-tight manner.

[0016] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the thickness of the blank is at least 2 mm. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that sufficient material is available for extrusion.

[0017] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the process, after extrusion, a hand knurling and / or a screw thread is incorporated into a side wall of the sleeve-shaped bottle cap in a further step. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the bottle cap can also be used as a screw cap.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a bottle cap produced using the method described in the first aspect. The bottle cap achieves the same technical advantages as the method described in the first aspect.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a bottle cap; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a tool for making a bottle cap; and Fig. 3 a block diagram of a process for manufacturing a bottle cap.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the bottle cap 100. The cylindrical bottle cap 100 is designed to be placed or screwed onto the neck of a beverage bottle 125 and can be manufactured with or without a thread. Without a thread, it serves as a decorative bottle cap 100 for placement on the neck of a beverage bottle 125.

[0022] The bottle cap 100, for example, has an inner diameter of 29.1 mm. The wall thickness of the surrounding side wall 107 is 0.2 mm. The height of the side wall 107 is, for example, 34.6 mm. The base 119 of the bottle cap 100 has a thickness of at least 1 mm and can be flat (solid line) or domed and convex (dashed line). The domed base 119 is thicker in the middle than at the edges and has a convex shape. In general, however, the bottle cap 100 can also have other dimensions and shapes.

[0023] Unlike standard aluminum caps, the Bottle Cap 100 can have a completely flat interior or a shallow relief to provide a sealing surface for a foamed polyethylene gasket, for example. The Bottle Cap 100 can have an exterior with or without a relief and an interior without any indentation.

[0024] The bottle cap 100 is both a decorative and functional product made of precious metals such as silver or gold. Due to the material, the bottle cap 100 has a significant material value and can be used as a collectible investment.

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a tool 105 for manufacturing the bottle cap 100. The tool 105 comprises a first tool part 111-1 and a second tool part 111-2. A disc-shaped blank 103, a metallic ingot, is inserted between these tool parts 111-1 and 111-2. The two tool parts 111-1 and 111-2 are movable relative to each other, so that pressure can be exerted on the blank 103, resulting in a smooth deformation of the blank 103.

[0026] The dimensions of the tool parts 111-1 and 111-2 are chosen according to the dimensions of the bottle cap 100.

[0027] The first tool part 111-1 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the bottle cap 100. The second tool part 111-2 is cup-shaped and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the bottle cap 100. A circumferential gap 113 runs between the first tool part 111-1 and the second tool part 111-2. During extrusion, the material of the blank 103 penetrates this gap, forming the cylindrical side wall 107 of the bottle cap 100. The gap 113 has, for example, a width between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm and a length between 30 mm and 40 mm.

[0028] The distance 109 between the tip 117 of the first tool part 111-1 and the center of the second tool part 111-2 is, for example, at least 1 mm. In this way, the base 119 of the bottle cap 100 can be produced with a sufficient thickness to be suitable for further embossing.

[0029] The base 123 of the second tool part 111-2 is dome-shaped, so that the base 119 of the bottle cap 100 forms with a corresponding shape. This allows for double-sided forming, which can be adapted to different bottles or designs, for example by means of sealing lips, plugs and / or recesses for sealing inserts.

[0030] In addition, an embossing die 115 can be arranged in the first and / or second tool part 111-1, 111-2, so that the base 119 of the bottle cap 100 can be provided with a corresponding embossing at the same time.

[0031] The tool material of the first and / or second tool part 111-1 and 111-2 is, for example, tool steel. Tool steel is a hard, tough steel that withstands high pressures without deforming. The dies are polished to a mirror finish. This allows for the creation of smooth surface qualities, which are of paramount importance for further processing. The tools are coated using physical vapor deposition (PVD), which reduces friction and increases the service life of the heavily stressed surfaces.

[0032] The temperatures during the production of the bottle cap 100 are, for example, above 400 °C, preferably between 400 °C and 800 °C. The blank 103 can be heated before being placed in the tool 105, for example, to a temperature above 400 °C, preferably between 400 °C and 800 °C. The tool 105 or the first and / or second tool part 111-1, 111-2 can also be heated before the blank 103 is formed, for example, to a temperature above 400 °C, preferably between 400 °C and 800 °C. The blank 103 is then formed in the heated state and / or with the heated tool 105. This increases the formability of the blank 103 during extrusion.

[0033] For example, blank 103 has a diameter of 29.2 mm and a thickness of 2.5 mm. However, blank 103 can generally have other dimensions. Blank 103 is extruded using tool 105 to form bottle cap 100 with an outer diameter of 29.5 mm and a side wall thickness of 0.2 mm. The thickness at the base of the bottle cap 100 is 1.0 mm and may have an excess of material on the outside.

[0034] The metallic disc 103, for example, is made of silver, gold, copper, bimetal, or trimetal. Precious metals, such as silver, have an antibacterial effect due to silver ions (Ag+). In the case of multiple materials, such as a bimetal made of silver and gold, a marbled effect is created in the side wall 107 through extrusion.

[0035] However, the high density of the manufacturing material presents a particular challenge during processing. Precious metals represent a tangible asset, serving as an investment and also reducing waste through the bottle cap 100.

[0036] Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a process for manufacturing the bottle cap 100. The process comprises step S101, in which the metallic blank 103 is inserted into the tool 105 with the first tool part 111-1 and the second tool part 111-2. In step S102, the circumferential side wall 107 of the bottle cap 100 is extruded within the tool 105 by moving the first tool part 111-1 towards the second tool part 111-2.

[0037] After the bottle cap 100 has been extruded, a sealing disc groove and / or hand knurling can be applied. The sealing disc groove is a circumferential annular recess in the base 119 inside the bottle cap 100. A corresponding sealing ring for closing the beverage bottle 125 can be placed in this annular recess.

[0038] Furthermore, a screw thread can be attached to the bottle cap 100, and a one-sided or two-sided relief can be embossed into the base of the bottle cap 100. The tarnish guards on the side wall can be further refined. The bottle cap 100 can be painted or printed in various colors or additionally electroplated. For certain applications, a polymer ring can also be inserted into the bottle cap 100.

[0039] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the object according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0040] All process steps can be implemented by devices suitable for executing the respective process step. All functions performed by tangible features can constitute a process step of a process.

[0041] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 bottle caps 103 Rounds 105 tools 107 Side wall 109 distance 111 Tool part 113 gap 115 embossing dies 117 top 119 Floor 123 Floor 125 beverage bottle

Claims

[1] Method for manufacturing a sleeve-shaped bottle cap (100), comprising the steps: - Inserting (S101) a metallic disc (103) into a tool (105) with a first tool part (111-1) and a second tool part (111-2); and - Extrusion (S102) of a circumferential side wall (107) of the bottle cap (100) within the tool (105) by moving the first tool part (111-1) and the second tool part (111-2) against each other. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the blank (103) is made of silver, gold, copper, bi-metal or tri-metal. [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first tool part (111-1) has an outside diameter between 12 mm and 40 mm or between 28 mm and 30 mm. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a circumferential gap (113) with a width between 0.15 mm and 0.5 mm or between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm is formed between the first tool part (111-1) and the second tool part (111-2). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the gap (113) has a length between 10 mm and 60 mm or between 30 mm and 40 mm. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mutual distance (109) when moving the first tool part (111-1) and the second tool part (111-2) is at least 1 mm. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom (119) of the second tool part (111-2) and / or a tip (117) of the first tool part (111-1) is dome-shaped. [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first tool part (111-1) has a convex tip (117) and / or the second tool part (111-2) has a concave bottom (123). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in extrusion the pressing force between the first tool part (111-1) and the second tool part (111-2) is a maximum of 1400 kN. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a die (115) is formed in the first and / or second tool part (111-1, 111-2). [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom (119) of the bottle cap (100) is provided with an embossing in a further step after extrusion. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, after extrusion, a sealing disc groove is formed in the bottle cap (100) in a further step. [13] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the disc (103) is at least 2 mm. [14] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, after extrusion, a hand knurling and / or a screw thread is incorporated into a side wall of the sleeve-shaped bottle cap (100) in a further step. [15] Bottle cap (100) manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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