Device for gripping a wire loop or a string

Abstract

The device 20 aims to facilitate the gripping of a device for holding a cap in a bottle neck. The device comprises a cover 50 made at least partly of ferromagnetic material and a magnet 52 magnetically fixed to the cover, the cover 50 and the magnet 52 delimiting between them an annular housing 62 inside which a part of the holding device is intended to be mounted, at least one of the cover and the magnet comprising a through opening 60 and opening into the housing for the passage of said part of the holding device. Figure for the abstract: Fig 6

Description

Title of the invention: Device for gripping a wire loop or a string

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bottles containing drinking liquids, in particular effervescent drinking liquids.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for facilitating the gripping of a wire-cage loop or string which is used to hold the stopper of a bottle neck, in particular a bottle for sparkling drinks, for example Champagne wine.

[0003] For such effervescent drinks, a strap can be used to prevent the cap from being expelled under the pressure of the liquid contained inside the bottle. The strap is provided with a plurality of branches and a belt connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle.

[0004] To prevent the cork from being expelled under the pressure of the liquid contained inside the bottle, a wire cage can also be used.

[0005] The wire cage is generally made from metal wires designed to rest against the head part of the cork and comprises vertical branches connected to a belt which is twisted until it tightens under a counter-ring for attaching the neck of the bottle. Once twisted, the belt locally reveals a ring or loop called an uncorking loop, also called an eyelet.

[0006] In order to make the release of the cap possible, this loop must be untwisted by the end user to loosen the belt from the neck of the bottle. Depending on the size of the uncorking loop, a grip by the user may be tricky.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to improve the grip of such a loop provided on the belt of the wire cage for the purpose of uncorking the bottle.

[0008] In the case of tying, there is a need to improve the grip of the latter for uncorking the bottle.

[0009] The present invention relates to a device for facilitating the gripping of a device for holding a stopper in a bottle neck.

[0010] According to a general characteristic, the device comprises a cover made at least partly of ferromagnetic material and a magnet magnetically fixed to the cover.

[0011] By "ferromagnetic material" is meant a material against which the magnet manages to adhere without additional means.

[0012] The cover and the magnet delimit between them at least in part an annular housing inside which a part of the holding device is intended to be mounted.

[0013] At least one of the cover and the magnet comprises at least one through opening which opens into the housing for the passage of said part of the holding device.

[0014] When the device is mounted on a wire cage which forms the holding device, this makes it possible to increase the surface area intended to be held by the consumer to untwist the belt in order to uncork the bottle.

[0015] This device constitutes a separate element from the wire cage on which it can be mounted after the operation of placing the wire cage on the cap, or before the operation of placing the wire cage on the cap when a buckle preform is already formed on the belt.

[0016] When the device is mounted on a string which forms the holding device, the device also makes it possible to increase the surface area intended to be held by the consumer to remove the string. The device constitutes an element separate from the string on which it can be mounted after the operation of placing it on the cap.

[0017] The magnetic attachment of the magnet and the cap allows the device to be mounted and held on the holding device in a simple and secure manner. Furthermore, after uncorking the bottle, the magnet and the cap can easily be separated by the consumer if he wishes to retrieve them, for example, to store and collect them.

[0018] According to a particular design, the cover comprises a stud against which an inner main face of the magnet bears. This ensures good relative positioning of the cover and the magnet.

[0019] Alternatively, the inner main face of the magnet may be equipped with a stud against which the cover bears. In another variant, it is possible not to provide a stud on the cover and the magnet.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cover comprises a peripheral centering skirt against which an outer surface of the magnet bears. This ensures that the magnet is centered relative to the cover. The centering skirt may also be provided with a shoulder forming a stop surface for the magnet. When the cover is equipped with a stud, the shoulder and the free end of this stud are preferably coplanar.

[0021] The hood may comprise a front wall from which the centering skirt extends. When the hood is equipped with a stud, this may also extend from the front wall.

[0022] In one embodiment, an outer main face of the magnet is flush with the free end of the centering skirt. This provides a compact device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the device is formed by the cover and the magnet.

[0024] In another embodiment, the device may further comprise a plate made at least in part of ferromagnetic material and fixed to the magnet on the side opposite the cover. The annular housing is delimited by the cover, the magnet and the plate.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a wire hood system for holding a stopper in a bottle neck comprising a wire hood provided with a plurality of branches and a continuous belt connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle, locally forming a loop, and a gripping device as defined above mounted on the loop of the belt of the wire hood. The loop is mounted inside the housing delimited by the cap and the magnet. The through opening of at least the cap and the magnet allows the passage of the belt of the wire hood.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to a tying system for holding a stopper in a bottle neck comprising a tying provided with a plurality of branches and a belt connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle, and a gripping device as defined previously mounted on the tying, in particular on the branches of the tying.

[0027] The invention also relates to a bottle containing a drinking liquid, in particular an effervescent liquid, comprising a stopper and the aforementioned wire cage system or tying system.

[0028] The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] is a view illustrating a wire cage system mounted on a bottle neck and comprising a gripping aid device according to an example of the invention,

[0030] [Fig.2] is a partial sectional view of [Fig.l],

[0031] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig.l],

[0032] [Fig.4] is an exploded perspective view of the device of [Fig.l],

[0033] [Fig.5] is a front view of the device of [Fig.l],

[0034] [Fig.6] is a sectional view along the VLVI axis of [Fig.5],

[0035] [Fig.7] is a top view of a wire cage system and a feeding aid device. gripping according to another example of the invention, and

[0036] [Fig.8] is an exploded perspective view of a gripping aid device according to another example of the invention.

[0037] In [Fig.l], a wire-hood system 10 is shown in a position where it is mounted on the neck 12 of a bottle 14, with an axis 15. The system 10 is shown in a position assumed to be vertical.

[0038] The wire cage system 10 comprises a wire cage 16 allowing the retention of a stopper 18 partially pushed inside the neck 12, and a device 20 aimed at make it easier to grip the wire cage for uncorking the bottle, which will be described in more detail later.

[0039] The stopper 18 comprises a lower closure part pressed into the inside of the neck 12 of the bottle and extended by an upper head part 22 against which the wire cage 16 bears by means of a wire cage plate 24. The plate 24 is interposed axially between the wire cage 16 and the head part 22 of the stopper and bears on said head part.

[0040] The wire cage 16 is made from metal wires and here comprises four vertical branches 26 attached at a lower end to a continuous belt 28 of said wire cage surrounding the neck 12 of the bottle and bearing against the lower surface of a counter-ring 30 of said neck. The branches 26 of the wire cage 16 comprise double twisted parts 32 continuing at an upper end by portions of unitary wire in the shape of an arc of a circle forming a loop 34 bearing against the plate 24 of the wire cage.

[0041] The wire cage plate 24 may be made of metal or synthetic material by molding or thermoforming. The plate 24, of circular shape, has a spherical cap-shaped portion 36 and an annular peripheral rim 38 connected to said cap. The wire cage plate 24 is further provided with grooves 40 provided on the periphery of the rim 38 and spaced apart in order to receive the upper ends of the twisted portions 32 of the branches 26 of the wire cage. In an alternative embodiment, it could be possible to mount the wire cage 16 bearing directly against the head portion 22 of the cap 18, therefore without a wire cage plate.

[0042] To obtain the locking of the wire cage 16 under the counter-ring 30 of the bottle, the belt 28 is twisted until it tightens on the neck 12. Once twisted, the belt 28 locally reveals a loop 42 ([Fig.2]) called an uncorking loop.

[0043] The device 20 is provided to facilitate the gripping of this loop 42 of the belt 28 of the wire hood in order to loosen said belt from the neck 12 of the bottle and to be able to remove the wire hood 16.

[0044] As illustrated more visibly in Figures 2 to 5, the device 20 comprises a cover 50 and a magnet 52 which is fixed on the cover. The cover 50 is made of ferromagnetic material and the magnet 52 is fixed to the cover by magnetic attraction.

[0045] The cover 50 may for example be made of iron, cobalt or nickel. The cover 50 is preferably made in a single piece. The cover 50 comprises a front wall 54 and a peripheral skirt 56 which extends the front wall 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 54 has a curved shape. Alternatively, the front wall 54 could be flat. The skirt 56 extends a large diameter edge of the front wall 54. The peripheral skirt 56 is annular in shape.

[0046] The cover 50 also comprises a central stud 58 which extends from the front wall 54 on the same side as the peripheral skirt 56. The stud 58 extends orthogonally from the front wall 54. The skirt 56 surrounds the stud 58 while remaining at a distance from it. The stud 58 remains set back towards the inside of the cover relative to the free end 56a of the skirt. The stud 58 here has a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the stud 58 could have other shapes, for example square, hexagonal, etc.

[0047] The skirt 56 has an internal annular shoulder 56b which is offset on the side of the front wall 54 relative to the free end 56a of the skirt. The shoulder 56b is oriented on the side of the free end 56a. The shoulder 56b is coplanar with the free end of the stud 58.

[0048] The cover 50 also comprises a through opening 60 formed in the thickness of the skirt 56. As will be described in more detail later, the opening 60 is intended to allow the passage of the belt of the wire hood towards the outside of the device 20. The opening 60 here opens onto the free end 56a of the skirt. Alternatively, the opening 60 could remain at a distance from this free end 56a.

[0049] The magnet 52 has an outer main face 52a, and an inner main face 52b opposite the outer main face 52a. The outer 52a and inner 52b main faces delimit the thickness of the magnet. The magnet 52 also has an outer surface 52c which connects to the main faces 52a, 52b.

[0050] The magnet 52 is centered in the bore of the skirt 56 of the cover. The skirt 56 fulfills a function of centering the magnet 52. The outer surface 52c comes to bear against the bore of the skirt 56.

[0051] The magnet 52 is also mounted to bear against the stud 58 and the shoulder 56b of the skirt of the hood. The inner main face 52b of the magnet is mounted to bear against the stud 58 and the shoulder 56b. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer main face 52a of the magnet is flush with the free end 56a of the skirt. Alternatively, the outer main face 52a of the magnet could be set back or protrude relative to the free end 56a of the skirt.

[0052] As indicated previously, the magnet 52 and the cover 50 are secured by magnetic fixing. The relative fixing of the magnet 52 and the cover 50 is not ensured by other additional means provided on the magnet and / or the cover.

[0053] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.6], the magnet 52 and the cover 50 delimit between them an annular housing 62 inside which the wire cage loop is intended to be mounted as will be described in more detail later.

[0054] The housing 62 is delimited by the skirt 56 and the stud 58 of the cover. More precisely, the housing 62 is delimited between the bore of the skirt 56 and the outer surface of the stud 58 of the cover.

[0055] The housing 62 is also delimited between the magnet 52 and the cover 50. More precisely, the housing 62 is also delimited between the inner main face 52b of the magnet 52 and the front wall 54 of the cover. The housing 62 allows the insertion of the loop 42 ([Fig.2]) of the wire cage belt 28 inside the device. The loop 42 bears against the bore of the skirt 56 of the cover.

[0056] The opening 60 of the skirt of the hood opens into the housing 62. The circumferential dimension of the opening 60 is chosen so as to obtain, when the belt 28 of the wire hood is untwisted, a sufficient spacing of the portion forming the loop 42 so that the belt can pass the counter-ring 30 of the neck of the bottle when the consumer wishes to remove the wire hood 16. As an indication, this dimension can for example be of the order of 2 to 3 mm.

[0057] The cover 50 and the magnet 52 are magnetically assembled after having previously placed the loop 42 of the belt of the wire hood around the stud 58. After assembly, the loop 42 of the belt of the wire hood is blocked inside the device 20.

[0058] The mounting of the device 20 on the loop 42 of the wire hood can be carried out easily after the operation of capping the neck of the bottle and after the operation of positioning the wire hood 16. After mounting, the device 20 is hooked onto the loop 42 for uncapping the belt 28 of the wire hood and located in the vicinity of the neck 12 and the possible covering cap which may cover the wire hood 16 while leaving the device 20 visible or not from the outside.

[0059] Alternatively, it is possible to provide for mounting the device 20 on the wire cage before the operation of placing the wire cage on the cap and the operation of muzzling the neck of the bottle. In this case, as illustrated in [Fig.7] in which the identical elements bear the same references, the belt of the wire cage can be provided with a buckle preform 42b for mounting the device 20.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 20 comprises the cover 50 and the magnet 52. Alternatively, as illustrated in [Fig.8] in which the identical elements bear the same references, the device 20 comprises the cover 50, a magnet 72 and a plate 74.

[0061] The cover 50 differs from the previous embodiment only in that it is devoid of the central stud.

[0062] The magnet 72 is fixed to the front wall 54 of the cover by magnetic attraction. The magnet 72 remains radially spaced from the skirt 56 of the cover. The magnet 72 remains set back towards the inside of the cover relative to the free end 56a of the skirt.

[0063] The magnet 72 has a main face 72a, and a main face 72b opposite the main face 72a and which is fixed to the front wall 54 of the cover. The main face 72a is here coplanar with the shoulder 56b of the skirt of the cover. The outer 72a and inner 72b main faces delimit the thickness of the magnet.

[0064] The magnet 72 also has an outer surface 72c which connects to the main faces 72a, 72b. The outer surface 72c remains radially at a distance from the skirt 56 of the cover.

[0065] The plate 74 is made of ferromagnetic material and the magnet 52 is fixed to the plate by magnetic attraction. The plate 74 can for example be made of iron, cobalt or nickel. The plate 74 is preferably made in a single piece.

[0066] The plate 74 is fixed to the magnet 72 on the side opposite the cover 50. The plate 74 is mounted to bear against the main face 72a of the magnet. The plate 74 is also mounted to bear against the shoulder 56b of the skirt of the cover. The plate 74 is centered in the bore of the skirt 56 of the cover. The outer surface of the plate 74 bears against the bore of the skirt 56.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 74 is flush with the free end 56a of the skirt. Alternatively, the plate 74 could be set back or protrude relative to the free end 56a of the skirt.

[0068] As indicated previously, the magnet 72 and the cover 50 are secured by magnetic fixing, and the magnet 72 and the plate 74 are also secured by magnetic fixing. The relative fixing of the magnet 72, the cover 50 and the plate 54 is not ensured by other additional means provided on the magnet and / or on the cover and / or on the plate 74.

[0069] The magnet 72 and the cover 50 delimit between them the annular housing inside which the wire cage loop is intended to be mounted. The housing is delimited by the skirt 56 of the cover and the outer surface 72c of the magnet.

[0070] The housing is also delimited between the plate 74 and the cover 50. More precisely, the housing is also delimited between the front wall 54 of the cover and the plate 74.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiments, the gripping device is mounted on a wire cage made in particular with a metal wire, some parts of which are twisted in double. Of course, it is possible to use a wire cage of a different design, for example comprising a greater or lesser number of branches but nevertheless retaining, after clamping on the neck of the bottle, a part intended for uncorking, advantageously made in the form of a loop, allowing the device to be mounted. It is also possible to associate the device with a wire cage which is made of a single metal wire forming the branches and the belt in a single piece.

[0072] The device forms a device for covering and gripping the eyelet or loop of the belt of the wire cage formed during its twisting on the neck of the bottle which has an increased surface area compared to that offered by the loop for easier handling.

[0073] As indicated previously, in the illustrated embodiments, the device 20 is mounted on the loop of the wire cage, the wire cage forming a device for holding the cap in the neck of the bottle.

[0074] Alternatively, the device 20 could be mounted on a string which then forms the device for holding the cap in the neck of the bottle.

[0075] In a similar manner to the wire cage, the tying is provided with a plurality of branches and a belt connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle. The device 20 can be mounted on one of the branches of the tying, or on two branches of the tying below the counter-ring of the bottle. When the device 20 is mounted on one or two branches of the tying, the latter can be provided with a second opening provided for example on the cover 50 and which is diametrically opposite the opening 60 for the passage of the branch or branches at the outlet of the device.

[0076] The device 20 may also contain an electronic chip capable of emitting a characteristic signal allowing the identification of the bottle or a chip which, as long as it has not been deactivated, triggers an alarm when passing the detectors placed at the exit of the store checkout to thus prevent the theft of bottles equipped with the device 20. The device 20 may also contain an RFID type chip.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiments, the magnet 52 or the plate 74 of the device fits into the skirt 56 of the cover. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other assemblies. For example, the magnet 52 or the plate 74 could be provided with a circumferential slot inside which the skirt 56 of the cover engages.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiments, the cover 50 is entirely made of ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, only the part of the cover 50 against which the magnet 52 bears could be made of ferromagnetic material, the other part(s) being able to be made of other materials, for example synthetic material.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiments, the cover 50 and the magnet 52, or the cover 50 the magnet 52, and the plate 74 have a generally cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the cover 50 and the magnet 52, or the cover 50 the magnet 52, and the plate 74 could have other shapes, for example hexagonal, elliptical, polygonal such as square or rectangular.

[0080] The device can also be used to form on the cap and / or on the magnet an advertising space allowing the display of brands, logos or coats of arms of the brand marketing the bottle.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (20) for facilitating the gripping of a device (16) for holding a stopper in a bottle neck, characterized in that the device is formed by a cover (50) made at least partly of ferromagnetic material and by a magnet (52) magnetically fixed to the cover, the cover (50) and the magnet (52) delimiting between them at least partly an annular housing (62) inside which is intended to be mounted a part (42) of the holding device (16), at least one of the cover and the magnet comprising at least one through opening (60) opening into the housing (62) for the passage of said part (42) of the holding device, the cover (50) comprising a peripheral centering skirt (56) against which an outer surface (52c) of the magnet bears.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the cover (50) comprises a stud (58) against which an inner main face (52a) of the magnet bears.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the centering skirt (56) is provided with a shoulder (56b) forming a stop surface for the magnet (52).

4. Device according to claim 3 dependent on claim 2, in which the shoulder (56b) and the free end of the stud (58) are coplanar.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, in which an outer main face (52a) of the magnet is flush with the free end (56a) of the centering skirt.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (50) comprises a front wall (54) from which the centering skirt (56) extends.

7. Wire hood system for holding a cork in a bottle neck comprising a wire hood (16) provided with a plurality of branches (26) and a continuous belt (28) connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle, locally forming a loop (42), and a device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims mounted on the loop (42) of the belt of the wire hood.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the belt (28) of the wire cage is provided with a buckle preform (42b) before tightening onto the neck of the bottle.

9. A tying system for holding a stopper in a bottle neck comprising a tying provided with a plurality of branches and a belt connecting said branches and designed to tighten on the neck of the bottle, and a device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 mounted on the tying.

10. Bottle containing a drinking liquid, in particular an effervescent liquid, comprising a stopper and a wire cage or tying system according to claim 8 or 9.

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