Improved aluminum bottle

Abstract

An aluminum bottle (10) in use for sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and similar fizzy drinks, comprising a neck (12) which is joined in continuity to a bottle body (14) through a shoulder (13), the bottle body (14) extending towards a bottom (15) and which comprises, at an end of the neck (12) opposite the connection end to the bottle body (14), a mouth (16) made in a seamless single body with the bottle, functional to the insertion of the liquid / drink inside the bottle body (14) and defining a seat for the insertion of a stopper (18) and for the clamping of a cage (20), said mouth comprising abutment means for the stopper (18) and means for clamping / locking the cage (20) fitted onto said stopper (18).

Description

[0001] IMPROVED ALUMINUM BOTTLE

[0002] The present invention relates to an improved aluminum bottle.

[0003] Specifically, the present invention relates to an aluminum bottle of the type used for sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and similar sparkling drinks, which need to be closed with a cork (or plastic) stopper provided with related cage which prevents the stopper from "popping off" the final part of the neck of a bottle due to the effect of the thrust exerted by the carbon dioxide and bubbles contained in sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and the like.

[0004] Even more specifically, the present invention relates to an outline of a blank made of extruded aluminum, drawn or deep-drawn, functional to the application of a closing stopper with the related safety cage.

[0005] As known, sparkling wine, prosecco, champagne and other types of fizzy wines are traditionally contained in glass bottles which, given the fizzy nature of the wine contained therein, have a generally higher weight than that of traditional glass bottles.

[0006] The bottles for containing fizzy wines and, in particular, bottles for sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and the like have closures that comprise a stopper typically made of cork and a metal cage fitted onto said stopper and stabilized with respect to the neck of the bottle; the cage has the function of making the closing stopper safe by preventing it "popping off" due to the thrust of the carbon dioxide contained in the bottle causing potential risks to the safety of the person opening the bottle and also the people nearby and, further, the same cage has the function of allowing better preservation of the wine contained in the bottle.

[0007] However, in recent times, it has become more common to use bottles made of metal material and, more in particular, aluminum as it is more sustainable than plastic material, more easily recyclable, characterized by emission values of carbon dioxide into the environment which are lower than those of plastic materials.

[0008] Further, aluminum has a lower weight than glass.

[0009] Aluminum is very common for producing bottles suitable to contain drinks such as beer, soft drinks, sports drinks and the like, such bottles being made to have a suitable shape for the application of a closing stopper that may be of the crown type, threaded or "pull off".

[0010] As described above, glass bottles for fizzy wines have a specific type of closure whose application is particularly complex in the case of aluminum bottles.

[0011] In fact, in traditional glass bottles the neck of the bottle is shaped to define a flange projecting with respect to which the portion of the cage opposite the one in contact with the part of the stopper projecting externally to the neck of the bottle is anchored and, to reproduce such a flange on aluminum bottles, solutions have been developed comprising a shaped sleeve element fitted onto the neck of the bottle and stabilized with respect to the end edge of the neck itself and which is bent to define a neck with respect to which the portion of stopper projecting externally with respect to the bottle itself enters into abutment.

[0012] This sleeve is shaped to define a flange projecting externally with respect to the outer profile of the neck of the bottle so as to define an anchoring means for the cage. However, such an embodiment has drawbacks connected with the fact that it is a closure support structure not in a single body but which comprises an accessory / additional element which must be shaped and constrained with respect to the neck of the bottle and this implies more processing during the process for forming the bottle and, thus, longer cycle times and higher related production costs.

[0013] A further drawback is represented by the fact that this known solution in "two pieces" is not very attractive due to the fact that the additional sleeve interrupts the continuity and uniformity of the shape of the aluminum bottle which aims to fully reproduce the features of a traditional glass bottle.

[0014] It is the object of the present invention to obviate the drawbacks disclosed above.

[0015] More in particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an aluminum bottle suitable for storing sparkling wine, prosecco, champagne and similar fizzy wines.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is that of providing an aluminum bottle made in a single piece and without any accessory elements for the application of the closing stopper made of cork with a cage.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is that of providing an aluminum bottle which allows the correct corking and uncorking of the bottle.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is that of providing an aluminum bottle which allows the correct and optimal pressure to be maintained even after years.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide users with an improved aluminum bottle adapted to ensure increased reliability and durability over time and such as to be advantageously made affordably as well.

[0020] These and other objects are achieved by the invention having the features outlined in claim 1.

[0021] According to the invention, an aluminum bottle is provided in use for sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and similar fizzy drinks, comprising a neck which is joined in continuity to a bottle body through a shoulder, the bottle body extending towards a bottom and comprising, at an end of the neck opposite the connection end to the bottle body, a mouth made in a seamless single body with the bottle, functional to the insertion of the liquid / drink inside the bottle body and defining a seat for the insertion of a stopper and for the clamping of a cage, said mouth comprising abutment means for the stopper and means for clamping / locking the cage fitted onto said stopper. Advantageous embodiments of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0022] The construction and functional features of the improved aluminum bottle of the present invention may be better understood from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment thereof given by way of explanation and not by way of limitation, and in which:

[0023] Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a front view of an improved aluminum bottle according to the invention provided with a closing stopper and related safety cage; Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates an exploded axonometric view of the bottle of the invention with a representation of the stopper and the cage separated from the bottle itself;

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the bottle of the invention without a closing stopper and safety cage;

[0025] Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates an enlarged detail (indicated with "A") of the portion of mouth of the bottle of the invention in Figure 3.

[0026] With reference to the mentioned figures, the improved aluminum bottle of the present invention, indicated overall by the number 10 in the figures, is suitable to contain liquids / drinks such as sparkling wine or champagne, prosecco and similar drinks / fizzy wines and comprising a neck 12 which is joined in continuity to a bottle body 14 through a shoulder 13, said bottle body 14 extending towards a bottom 15.

[0027] At one end of the neck 12, opposite the connection end to the bottle body 14 by the shoulder 13, a mouth 16 is formed which constitutes a compartment for introducing the liquid / drink into the bottle body 14 and which, at the same time, constitutes a compartment for inserting a stopper 18 and for clamping a cage 20 as will be described in more detail below.

[0028] The bottle body 14 extends in height, from the bottom 15 towards the neck 12, with a length LI and a diameter DI which is joined to said neck by the shoulder 13 which extends for a length L2 with a radius of curvature R1 (at the bottle body) and a radius of curvature R2 (at the bottle neck), with R1 greater than R2 (as depicted in Figure 3); the dimensional values of LI, DI and L2 are a function of the capacity of the bottle according to the amount of drink contained therein.

[0029] The neck 12 extends in height for a length L3 from the shoulder 13 in the direction of the mouth 16 which extends for a length L4 less than the length L3; these elements of the bottle substantially have the same dimensions for the different bottle formats.

[0030] The length L3 of the neck 12 is preferably comprised between 30 mm and 75 mm and has an inner diameter D2 comprised between 27 mm and 29 mm and preferably equal to 27.5 mm.

[0031] The length L4 of the mouth 16 is comprised between 16 mm and 17 mm and, preferably, is equal to 16.7 mm.

[0032] The mouth 16 comprises two portions defined by a first portion 21 which extends from the end of the neck 12 defining an externally projecting protuberance 21' with a circumferential extension and a frustoconical portion 21'' which extends (starting from said externally projecting protuberance 21') with gradually decreasing diameters towards a free end (opposite the connecting end with respect to the end of the neck 12) and a second portion 22 which extends starting from an end of the frustoconical portion 21'' and comprises a bent edge defining a neck 22' with a circumferential extension and a circular section and defining an open mouth for the introduction of liquid into the bottle body.

[0033] The progression of the inner profile of the mouth corresponds to that of the outer profile described above, i.e. it follows the same shape as the outer profile (as indicated by the broken line in Figure 4); in fact, the mouth is formed in a seamless single body with the neck 12 of the bottle.

[0034] The externally projecting protuberance 21' of the first portion 21 of the mouth 16 extends starting from the end of the neck 12 (opposite the bottom 15) with a first section extending externally with respect to said end of the neck 12 with progressively increasing diameters and with an angle of inclination a comprised between 12° and 20° and, preferably, equal to 15° and with a second section extending from said first section to be connected to the frustoconical portion 21'', said second section connecting to the first section with a radius R3, preferably equal to 1 mm and to the frustoconical portion with a radius R4 greater than R3 and preferably equal to 2.5 mm.

[0035] The externally projecting protuberance 21' has a height defined by a length L6 of 1.5 mm.

[0036] The frustoconical portion 21'' of the first portion 21 of the mouth 16 extends, continuously, starting from the externally projecting protuberance 21' with gradually decreasing diameters starting from a maximum diameter D4 comprised between 31 mm and 32 mm and, preferably of 31.4 mm, to reach a diameter D3 comprised between 22.5 mm and 23 mm (preferably 22.8 mm) at a diameter D5 comprised between 21.2 mm and 21.8 mm (preferably 21.6 mm) at the end of edge 22 bent to define the neck 22' with a radius of curvature R5 greater than R4 and, preferably, equal to 15.8 mm.

[0037] The first portion 21 of the mouth 16 has an extension in height L5 comprised between 12.5 mm and 13 mm and, preferably, equal to 12.8 mm.

[0038] The ranges of dimensional values described above, with particular reference to the mouth 16, are critical as values outside the described ranges imply a series of problems connected with the fact that, if greater, they cause expansion of the stopper (when inserted) also due to the effect of the gases present in the bottle which determines the impossibility to take out the stopper (uncorking) and values below the ranges considered not problematic from the point of view of the mechanical deformation processing of aluminum and, also, cause problems during the insertion of the stopper and the clamping of the cage which does not have sufficient coupling surfaces (the pressure of the liquid inside the bottle can cause an unwanted ejection of the stopper due to lack of hold of the cage).

[0039] The neck 22' of the edge 22 comprises an outer diameter D6 comprised between 28.5 mm and 29.5 mm and, preferably, equal to 29 mm and a height L7 comprised between 3.5 mm and 4 mm and, preferably, equal to 3.85 mm.

[0040] The neck 12 including the mouth 16 and the collar 22' of the edge 22 define the seat for housing and the abutment position on the edge or neck of a stopper 18 (preferably made of cork).

[0041] The externally projecting protuberance 21' defines a clamping / locking seat of the cage 20 fitted onto the stopper 18 and stabilized at the bottom to said externally projecting protuberance 21' at the first section with gradually increasing diameters and an angle of inclination a of 15° of the first portion 21 of the mouth itself.

[0042] The advantages achieved by the aluminum bottle of the invention are apparent from the foregoing description.

[0043] The improved aluminum bottle of the present invention, suitable for storing sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and similar fizzy wines, is made as a single body and without any accessory elements coupled to the neck of the bottle for applying the cork closing stopper with related cage.

[0044] A further advantage is represented by the fact that the aluminum bottle of the invention has the same characteristics as a traditional glass bottle with reference to the corking methods and the type of stoppers used.

[0045] A further advantage of the present invention is represented by the fact that the aluminum bottle allows for correct corking and uncorking of the bottle; in fact, the shape of the mouth 16 allows a stable support / coupling element to be externally defined for the cage fitted onto the stopper, as a safety element.

[0046] Further advantages of the improved aluminum bottle of the invention are linked to the type of material of the bottle itself and are illustrated below.

[0047] One advantage is represented by the fact that the aluminum bottle is entirely recyclable for infinite times, without any loss of quality.

[0048] A further advantage is represented by the fact that the aluminum bottle is lighter and, thus, allows a better and more contained weight / volume ratio with respect to a traditional glass bottle (with the same capacity).

[0049] A further advantage of the aluminum bottle of the invention is represented by the fact that it is unbreakable, allows the contents to be protected against gas, water vapor and UV (ultraviolet) rays and, also, cools down quickly allowing the contents to be kept cool for a long time.

[0050] A further advantage of the bottle of the invention is of the esthetic type and is linked to the fact that it allows design elements to be created on the entire surface of the bottle and not only on the label, said elements being applicable to the bottle without having to add any labels or stickers for that purpose.

[0051] Although the invention was described above with particular reference to an embodiment thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example, several modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above description. Therefore, the present invention aims to encompass all modifications and variants falling within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aluminum bottle (10) in use for sparkling wines, prosecco, champagne and similar sparkling drinks, comprising a neck (12) which is joined in continuity to a bottle body (14) through a shoulder (13), the bottle body (14) extending towards a bottom (15) and characterized in that it comprises, at an end of the neck (12) opposite the connection end to the bottle body (14), a mouth (16) made in a seamless single body with the bottle, functional to the insertion of the liquid / drink inside the bottle body (14) and defining a seat for the insertion of a stopper (18) and for the clamping of a cage (20), said mouth comprising two portions defined by a first portion (21) which extends starting from the end of the neck (12) and a second portion (22) which defines an open mouth for the introduction of liquid into the bottle body (14) and which extends from an end of said first portion (21), the first portion (21) comprising an externally projecting protuberance (21') with a circumferential extension and a frustoconical portion (21'') extending from said externally projecting protuberance (21') with gradually decreasing diameters in the direction of a free end opposite the connecting end with respect to the end of the neck (12) and the second portion (22) extending from an end of the frustoconical portion (21'') from the first portion (21) and comprising an edge bent to define a neck (22') with a circumferential extension and a circular section, said first (21) and second (22) portions defining, respectively, means for clamping / locking the cage (20) fitted onto said stopper (18) and abutment means for the stopper (18), the externally projecting protuberance (21') of the first portion (21) extends, from the end of the neck (12) with a first section extending externally with respect to said end of the neck (12) with gradually increasing diameters and an angle of inclination a comprised between 12° and 20° andwith a second section extending from said first section to connect to the frustoconical portion (21''), said second section connecting to the first section with a radius R3, preferably, equal to 1 mm and to the frustoconical portion with a radius R4 greater than R3 and, preferably, equal to 2.5 mm .

2. An aluminum bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the externally projecting protuberance (21') constitutes a clamping / locking means for the cage (20) fitted onto the stopper (18).

3. An aluminum bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the neck (22') constitutes an abutment means for the stopper (18).

4. An aluminum bottle according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the inner profile of the mouth (16) corresponds to the one of the outer profile of the same.

5. An aluminum bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination a is equal to 15°.

6. An aluminum bottle according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the frustoconical portion (21'') of the first portion (21) of the mouth (16) extends, continuously, starting from the externally projecting protuberance (21') with gradually decreasing diameters starting from a maximum diameter D4 to reach a diameter D3 smaller than D4 and a diameter D5 smaller than D3 at the end of the edge (22) bent to define the neck (22'), the frustoconical portion (21'') extending with a radius of curvature R5 greater than R4.

7. An aluminum bottle according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the neck (22') of the edge (22) comprises an outer diameter D6 smaller than diameter D4 and greater than diameters D3 and D5 and a height L7 greater than length L6.

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