Glass bar top stopper with mechanically coupled cladding

Abstract

A glass stopper (1b) having a polymer cladding element (20), wherein said cladding element is anchored to the stopper body (110) by means of a mechanical restraint composed of teeth (111) implemented in two curved opposing faces (111a, 111b) of the stopper body, including: - Glass stopper head (10), being the section that allows the user to grip the stopper; - Flange (100), acting as a mechanical stop device, preventing excessive insertion of the stopper into the bottle mouth; - Body (100) of rectangular cross-section, with two opposing flat faces (112a, 112b) and two opposing curved faces (111a, 111b) having retaining teeth (1110) implemented along an arc segment, aligned in parallel along the vertical axis of said curved faces, which allow mechanical anchorage of a cladding element made of a polymeric material or of other materials. - Cladding (20) element made of a polymeric material.

Description

[0001] This invention concerns a glass stopper, including a head and a body of monolithic rectangular form, with two opposing flat faces and two opposing curved faces having retaining teeth implemented along an arc segment, aligned in parallel on the vertical axis of said curved faces, such that allow mechanical anchoring of a cladding element made of polymeric material or of other materials.Scope

[0002] It is known that glass stoppers, such as glass bar top stoppers, are made in various types, styles, and materials, and in most cases they have a cylindrical body. These stoppers are used in preference for still and sparkling wine, liqueurs, spirits, oils, vinegars, perfumes, pharmaceutical or homoeopathic medicines and other products. They may be of different shapes and for specific uses depending on the bottle type.

[0003] Some glass stoppers are composed of several parts, including the head, being the section designed to allow the user to grip the stopper, the flange, which acts as a mechanical stop device, effectively a travel limit stop, preventing the stopper from being inserted too far into the bottle neck, and the stopper body, which seals the bottle mouth. Due to its configuration, the stopper body, which is also called the leg, is accommodated entirely inside the bottle neck, with its radial wall pressing against the bottle neck inner surface. Known art also includes claddings implemented in correspondence with the stopper body or a part of the glass stopper, functionally designed to exploit mechanical means to improve hermetic tightness, sealing, and protection of the bottle contents. Materials commonly employed for the cladding element include polymers, such as food grade silicone, resins, and other materials capable of assuring a hermetic seal and offering the required elasticity.Prior art

[0004] A patent literature search was carried out in consideration of the above matters, resulting in the identification of at least the following documents: D1 RU2013140859A (Stiller) D2 EP2692659 (B1) (Ledun Audrey [Fr]; Langelaan Pieter Henderikus [Fr]; Van Der Molen Peter-Jan [NI]; Helmig Reinhard Josef [De])

[0005] D1 describes an adjustable glass stopper designed to seal bottles having a neck that is of circular or non-circular shape. The stopper incorporates a head portion, whose outside dimension is greater than or equal to the size of the bottle neck, and a tapered portion inserted into the bottle neck, located immediately behind the head portion. The tapered portion includes a fixing groove that holds an adjustable sealing element. The sealing element includes a supporting part, at least two seal rings located on the main section of the gasket, and a guide portion. The design allows the stopper to adapt to and effectively seal bottles having non-circular openings.

[0006] D2 describes a bottle stopper for commercial bottling of beverages or liquid foods, such as wine, and a sealing element separate from the bottle to provide the sealing function. The stopper includes a part insertable into the bottle neck and a larger diameter upper portion, which remains outside the bottle. The insertable part includes an interlocking mechanism that connects to the corresponding mechanism of the sealing element which, once forced against the bottle mouth inner wall, creates a sealed connection through friction. The seal can be inactivated by turning the stopper with respect to the bottle, allowing the sealing element to be released.

[0007] It is thus reasonable to consider as known art: Glass stoppers. Glass stoppers with claddings made of polymeric or other materials, anchored by means of adhesive to the stopper body. Glass stoppers with a tapered body for adaptation to the bottle neck. Glass stoppers of various shapes and sizes. Drawbacks

[0008] The current state of the art of closures and seals by means of stoppers is characterised by a series of drawbacks and problems that this invention seeks to resolve with a rational solution.

[0009] A first technical problem of commonly employed glass stoppers is that their polymer cladding element, anchored to the stopper body by means of adhesive, may deteriorate due, for example, to temperature gradients. Such deterioration impairs adhesion between the stopper body and the cladding, resulting in seal loss and possible contamination of the product in the bottle.

[0010] A second problem is that sensitivity to temperature gradients can result in different rates of thermal expansion between the cladding element and the glass stopper body, impairing the adhesive bond and therefore causing loss of adherence of the cladding element to the stopper body.

[0011] Furthermore, the adhesive used to glue the cladding element to the stopper body may be incompatible with the cladding polymer, resulting in deterioration and loss of seal.

[0012] Moreover, the polymer cladding element is not easily replaceable and will tend to deteriorate through time, thus limiting its durability and impairing sealing capacity.

[0013] An additional technical problem encountered in glass stoppers equipped with a polymer cladding element and / or gasket is the tendency to break or suffer loss of adhesion of the cladding element or gasket due to the twisting moment imparted by the user in order to remove the stopper. This can lead to breakage of the stopper or detachment of the cladding element, impairing closure effectiveness and product quality.

[0014] Commonly used glass stoppers often feature a sub-optimal proportional division between stopper body and head, with consequent reduced body strength. This may involve a risk of breakage of the stopper body during its removal, because the body tends to break when force is applied. This problem is due to the fact that, during the design process, priority is awarded to style with respect to structural robustness.

[0015] One aim of this invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.Summary of the invention

[0016] This and other aims are accomplished with this solution in accordance with the characteristics set down in the annexed claims, rectifying the outlined problems by means of a glass stopper having a polymeric cladding element, wherein said cladding element is anchored to the body by means of mechanical retention achieved by retaining teeth fashioned in two opposing curved faces of the stopper body, including: Glass stopper head, being the section that allows the user to grip the stopper; Flange, acting as a mechanical stop device, preventing excessive insertion of the stopper into the bottle mouth; Body of rectangular form, with two opposing flat faces and two opposing curved faces having retaining teeth implemented along an arc segment, aligned in parallel along the vertical axis of said curved faces, which allow mechanical anchorage of a cladding element made of a polymeric material or of other materials. Cladding element made of a polymeric material or of other materials. Aims

[0017] A first aim of this invention is mechanical anchoring of the cladding element to the stopper body without using adhesives, by means of retaining teeth implemented on two opposing curved faces of the stopper body.

[0018] A further benefit is that the cladding element is less sensitive to temperature gradients. In adhesive-free conditions, the polymer can expand with less risk of breakage thanks to its elasticity, avoiding the problems linked to the use of adhesives.

[0019] The particular shape of the stopper body, combined with the retaining teeth for securing the cladding element in polymeric material or in other materials, guarantees inviolability of the stopper, also when it is fitted with the cladding element. Thanks to the absence of adhesives, the toothed stopper body prevents any loss of adherence between cladding element and stopper body, also during the twisting and rotation movements required to remove the stopper. This guarantees greater durability and security of the cladding element, eliminating the risk of detachment or deterioration and conserving the functional and aesthetic integrity of the stopper.

[0020] A further benefit of the invention is that the stopper cladding element is fully recyclable and reusable. This is made possible by its monolithic glass structure and by the toothed stopper body, which removes the need for adhesives. If the cladding becomes worn, this allows it to be removed without affecting the stopper's functional efficiency. Consequently, the stopper can be reused multiple times, providing a sustainable and ecological solution and extending the product life cycle.

[0021] Moreover, the body of the glass stopper of this invention has optimal proportions to guarantee robustness and functionality, without being fragile. The ideal ratio between width and thickness assures mechanical resistance to stress, during both stopper insertion and stopper removal from the bottle neck.

[0022] These and other benefits will be revealed or suggested by the following detailed description of a preferential construction solution, with the aid of the annexed drawings.Contents of the drawings

[0023] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the glass stopper without the polymeric cladding element; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the stopper. showing one of the two flat faces of the body without the polymeric cladding element; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the glass stopper; Figure 4 is a general view of the stopper, including the polymeric cladding element; Figure 5 is an axonometric view of the glass stopper with the polymeric cladding element inserted into a bottle neck. Practical implementation of the invention

[0024] Considering the preceding matters, there follows a description of the monolithic glass bar top stopper, having a silicone type cladding element (1a-1b) (figs. 1 and 4) covering at least part of the body (110), and wherein the stopper (1a) includes a cylindrically shaped head (10) and a body (110) extending perpendicularly from the head, having a cross section in the form of a rectangle with, respectively, two flat faces (112a, 112b) and two curved faces (111a, 111b). Cross sections other than those of the described shapes, and in particular of both the head and the body, are deemed to be equivalent. In correspondence with the curved faces (111a, 111b) of said body (110), there are implemented three protruding retaining teeth (111), on each curved face (111a, 111b), which follow an arc shape along a portion of said curved faces (111a, 111b), and wherein said retaining teeth (111) are aligned in parallel and equidistant, along the vertical axis of said curved faces (111a, 111b). Moreover, they allow mechanical anchorage of a surface cladding element made of polymeric material, such as silicone for example, or of other materials.

[0025] In greater detail, the bar top stopper (1a), having overall height of 31 mm (figs. 1, 2), has a profile composed of a circular head (10), whose dimensions are, in the considered case, 29 mm in diameter and 15 mm in height. The perimeter of said head (10) provides a convenient gripping means for the user and features a flange side (100), functioning as a mechanical stop device to prevent excessive insertion of the stopper (1b) into the bottle neck (2) (fig. 5). The head (10) of the stopper (1a) is integral with the body (110), which is 16 mm in height, and is shaped in accordance with a cross section in the form of rounded rectangle (fig. 3). Said body (110) includes two opposing flat faces (112a, 112b) and two opposing curved faces (111a, 111b). For the purposes of this invention, considering the shape of a cross section of the body (110) which is in the form of a rounded rectangle (Fig. 3), the distance measured between the two flat faces (112a, 112b), is 8 mm, while the diameter, measured in correspondence with the curved faces (111a, 111b) equipped with retaining teeth (111), is 14.10 mm.

[0026] On the flange side (100) (fig. 3), of said head (10) of the stopper (1a) the distance of the curved face (111a, 111b) of the stopper body (110), measured from the side of the curved and toothed surface to the peripheral extremity of the flange side (100), is 9.25 mm. The distance measured from one of the two flat faces (112a, 112b) to the peripheral extremity of the flange side (100) of the head (10), is 10.5 mm. In its vertical elevation, the stopper body (110) is 16 mm in height and has a maximum diameter of 14.10 mm and the shape of a rounded rectangular (fig. 3); it follows that it has four faces. Two of said faces, as shown, are opposing flat surfaces (112a, 112b) 8 mm apart, while the other opposing faces have a curved surface (111a, 111b) with a diameter of 10.5 mm. The curved surfaces (111a, 111b) of the body (110) of the stopper, have retaining teeth (111) in the shape of an arc, with overall diameter, including the core of the body, of 14.10 mm. Concerning the retaining teeth (111), these are aligned in parallel on the vertical axis of the curved faces (111a, 111b), with the first being located 4 mm below the flange side (100), while the following teeth are positioned at 5 mm intervals. The retaining teeth (111) on the stopper body (110) allow mechanical anchorage, i.e. application, of a polymeric cladding element (20), as described, made for example of food grade silicone or of other materials, without requiring the use of adhesive materials. Moreover, the inner surface of the cladding element (20) wrapped around the stopper body (110) has a negative profile with respect to the shape of the positive profile of the stopper body (110). This characteristic makes the stopper body (110) and the cladding element (20) conjoined, guaranteeing an inviolable system resistant to twisting or rotation movements during extraction of the stopper (1b) from the bottle neck (2), simultaneously guaranteeing unprecedented sealing effectiveness. Finally, with regard to the thickness of the head (10), i.e. the width measured between the upper flat side of the head and the flange side (100) of the head (10), this measurement may vary also in relation to the geometrical shape of the stopper. The aforementioned measurements can be considered with tolerances of ± 0.15 mm.

[0027] Consequently, all and any such modifications are to be intended as falling within the context of this invention. Other replacements, modifications, changes and omissions can be made to the design, to the operating conditions, to the set of requirements and other example forms of construction, without thereby departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0028] Finally, it shall be understood that any shapes proposed and / or described herein can be combined with other shapes to form equivalent configurations or configurations included within the context of this description. The example structures and procedures appearing in this description are for illustration purposes and cannot be interpreted as limitations.

Claims

1. glass stopper (1a, 1b) with a profile that includes: - a head (10); - a flange (100); - a stopper body (110); - and wherein the stopper body (110) is clad with polymeric material; characterised in that the stopper body (110) is of a rounded rectangular form, with two flat faces (112a, 112b) and two curved faces (111a, 111b); wherein said faces are equipped with retaining teeth (111) for mechanical anchorage of the polymeric cladding element (20).

2. Glass stopper (1a, 1b), according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining teeth (111) are located in an arc along a portion of said curved faces (111a, 111b), and wherein said retaining teeth (111) are aligned in parallel and equidistant, along the vertical axis of said curved faces (111a, 111b).

3. Glass stopper (1a) according to claim 1 and 2, characterised in that the stopper body (110) in said curved faces is equipped with at least one retaining tooth (111) for mechanical anchorage of polymeric claddings (20).

4. Glass stopper (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterised in that the inner surface of the cladding element (20) that embraces the stopper body (110) has a negative profile with respect to the shape of the positive profile of the stopper body (110).

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