BOTTLE WITH AN IMPROVED ANTI-DRIP DEVICE

Abstract

BOTTLE WITH AN IMPROVED ANTI-DRIP DEVICE The invention relates to a bottle (1) comprising a base (2), a body (3), a neck (5), having an upper edge (6), and an anti-drip device (10) fixedly attached to the neck (5) of the bottle; the anti-drip device (10) comprises a cylindrical sleeve (16) and a glass-ceramic layer (15) applied to an outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve (16). Figure to be published: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: BOTTLE COMPRISING AN IMPROVED ANTI-DRIP DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle comprising an anti-drip device and applies to the sector of bottles mainly made of glass intended to contain wine, oil or chemical and medical products.

[0002] As is generally known, a bottle comprises a base, a body and a neck ending in a circular upper edge called a mouthpiece for the introduction and exit of the liquid it contains. A disadvantage of using these bottles is related to the fact that, when the drink is served, drops of drink tend not to detach from the neck, but to remain attached to the bottle at the mouthpiece.

[0003] This inevitably means that, as soon as the bottle is placed in an upright position, resting on its base surface, the drops tend to flow along the external lateral surface of the neck and the body of the bottle until they reach the base.

[0004] To solve this problem, devices are known which can be removably applied to bottles and which are designed to ensure the detachment of drops from the mouth of the bottle, so as to prevent the drops from being deposited on the mouth of the bottle and then inevitably flowing along the external lateral surface of the bottle.

[0005] Devices are also known for absorbing drops flowing along the body of the bottle, in order to prevent these drops from reaching the base surface.

[0006] FRI 105956 describes an anti-drip device consisting of a cylinder which is applied to the outside of the bottle neck. This cylinder has an upper edge consisting of an annular plate which abuts on the upper edge of the bottle neck. This annular plate has a width greater than or equal to that of the upper edge of the bottle neck. Therefore, the width of the annular plate is about 4 to 5 mm. Such a wide annular plate is not able to break up the drops of liquid which tend to slide on the annular plate and drip onto the bottle neck.

[0007] WO2014 / 170240Al discloses an anti-drip device comprising a sleeve thin cylindrical sleeve applied to the neck of the bottle. Advantageously, this cylindrical sleeve can be coated with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to ensure better sliding of the drops.

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

[0009] Furthermore, experimental tests have shown that PTFE-coated drip-stop devices have a limited lifespan because PTFE has poor mechanical properties, does not adhere well to the surface of the cylindrical sleeve, tends to scratch easily, and does not have good thermal shock resistance.

[0010] The present invention aims to resolve the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a bottle comprising an anti-drip device which is both effective and reliable, suitable for food use.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide a bottle comprising an anti-drip device which is resistant and durable.

[0012] These objectives are achieved according to the present invention, which relates to a bottle comprising a base, a body, a neck having an upper edge, and an anti-drip device fixedly attached to the neck of the bottle;

[0013] said anti-drip device comprising a cylindrical sleeve;

[0014] said anti-drip device having a lower edge and an upper edge;

[0015] said anti-drip device being arranged on the outer surface of the neck of the bottle, such that the upper edge of the anti-drip device is flush with the upper edge of the bottle neck;

[0016] the upper edge of the anti-drip device having a thickness(s) less than 1.5 mm;

[0017] characterized by the fact that

[0018] said anti-drip device comprises a glass-ceramic layer applied to an outer surface of said cylindrical sleeve.

[0019] The glass-ceramic layer may have a thickness of 200 to 600 μm.

[0020] The upper edge of the anti-drip device may have a thickness(es) of less than 0.5 mm.

[0021] Said cylindrical sleeve may be made of food-grade aluminum or brass or stainless steel.

[0022] After several experimental tests, the applicant surprisingly discovered that, in the case of a drip-proof device in the form of a cylindrical sleeve with a PTFE coating, the PTFE coating could be replaced by a coating obtained using a glass-ceramic layer.

[0023] After experimental tests and comparative tests, the anti-drip device with a glass-ceramic coating gave excellent results, even better than the anti-drip device with PTFE coating, in terms of non-adhesion of the liquid drop.

[0024] Furthermore, the glass-ceramic coating showed better mechanical resistance than PTFE, resisting abrasion after prolonged use of the anti-drip device.

[0025] It appears from the scientific literature that glass ceramic does not release toxic substances into food and can therefore be used for food purposes.

[0026] Other characteristics of the invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, which have only an illustrative and non-limiting value.

[0027] In these drawings:

[0028] [Fig.l] is an axial sectional view of a bottle according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is an enlarged detail of the bottle of [Fig.l];

[0030] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the detail of [Fig.2];

[0031] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.2], but illustrating a second mode of realization of the invention;

[0032] [Fig.5] is an exploded view of the detail of [Fig.4];

[0033] [Fig.6] is a view similar to [Fig.3], but illustrating a bottle neck of Bordeaux which is milled to receive the anti-drip device; and

[0034] [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.6], but illustrating a bottle neck having an edge extending to the upper edge of the bottle neck, which is milled to receive the anti-drip device.

[0035] If we refer to Figures 1 to 3, we can see that the bottle according to the invention is represented there, designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1.

[0036] Bottle 1 includes:

[0037] - a base 2;

[0038] - a substantially cylindrical body 3, which extends from the base and defines a compartment intended to contain a liquid;

[0039] - a neck 5 having a diameter smaller than that of the body;

[0040] - a conical shoulder 4 having a decreasing diameter which connects the body to the neck; And

[0041] - an upper edge 6 of the neck which defines a mouth of the bottle, by which the liquid contained in the bottle enters and exits.

[0042] The mouth of the bottle is designed to receive a stopper.

[0043] Optionally, the bottle 1 may comprise a collar 7 projecting radially outwards from the neck 5, close to the upper edge 6 of the neck. The collar 7 generally serves as a striker for a corkscrew used to remove the cork from the bottle.

[0044] An anti-drip device 10 is applied to the bottle 1.

[0045] The anti-drip device 10 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 16 and a glass-ceramic layer 15 applied to the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve 16.

[0046] The anti-drip device 10 has a lower edge 11 and an upper edge 12. The anti-drip device 10 is attached to the neck 5 of the bottle, such that the upper edge 12 of the anti-drip device is flush with the upper edge 6 of the bottle.

[0047] The cylindrical sleeve 16 of the anti-drip device is fixedly attached to the external surface of the neck 5 of the bottle, for example by means of adhesive glues 100 and / or by press-fitting. However, in the case of a glass bottle, the anti-drip device 10 could be incorporated into the glass of the neck 5.

[0048] If the bottle 1 has a collar 7, the anti-drip device 10 is placed on the neck 5 of the bottle, above the collar 7. In other words, the lower edge 11 of the anti-drip device 10 comes into contact with the collar 7.

[0049] In this case, with reference to [Fig. 3], the anti-drip device has a height (h) equal to the height of the part of the neck of the bottle which extends from the collar to the upper edge 6.

[0050] With reference to [Fig. 3], the upper edge (12) of the anti-drip device has a thickness (s) less than the average diameter of a drop. Therefore, the thickness (s) of the upper edge of the anti-drip device is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. In this way, the drop of liquid, when it meets the upper edge 12 of the anti-drip device, breaks and does not deposit on the upper edge 12 of the anti-drip device, dripping onto the external surface of the bottle. In particular, the upper external edge of the anti-drip device is substantially equal to 90°; this angle makes it possible to break the drop and prevent it from flowing, as in the case of rounded necks.

[0051] Preferably, the anti-drip device 10 has a constant thickness (s). In addition, this thickness (s) is less than the thickness of the collar 7. It should be considered that the lower the thickness of the anti-drip device 10, the better its performance.

[0052] Advantageously, the cylindrical sleeve 16 is made of a metallic material and preferably aluminum for food use or brass or stainless steel.

[0053] According to the invention, the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve 16 is covered with the glass-ceramic layer 15. The glass-ceramic layer has a thin thickness of the order of 300 to 600 μm.

[0054] A glass ceramic is a material with a low coefficient of friction compared to a drop of liquid, which facilitates the detachment of the drop of liquid from the anti-drip device 10, preventing the drop of liquid from dripping onto the neck of the bottle. In addition, the glass ceramic is suitable for food use and does not release toxic agents in case of prolonged contact with food products.

[0055] The glass-ceramic layer 15 ensures better anti-drip performance, due to the very high anti-adhesion between the glass-ceramic and the drop. In addition, the glass-ceramic layer 15 is very resistant to abrasion and at the same time ensures a good grip on the cylindrical sleeve 16.

[0056] Glass-ceramic has excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, without negative effects over time; glass-ceramic resists temperatures above 1000°C and thermal shock, with corrosion resistance superior to other coatings such as PTFE. Glass-ceramic resists corrosive agents, such as gasoline, solvents and acids, maintaining its dense and compact color.

[0057] Furthermore, the glass ceramic has a very wide color range, which covers practically all existing shades. In this way, the anti-drip device 10 can be supplied in any color, depending on the aesthetic needs of the bottle manufacturer.

[0058] To prevent the formation of drops on the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck, the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck can advantageously be flared, i.e. the upper edge 6 of the neck has a conical portion 60 having a decreasing thickness going upwards. In this way, the upper edge 6 of the neck has a minimum thickness which causes the breakage of the drop of liquid. However, if the anti-drip device 10 is sufficiently thin, it fulfills its function even with a rounded upper edge of the bottle neck, as is the case in conventional bottles.

[0059] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the invention is described, in which identical or corresponding elements are indicated by the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted.

[0060] In this second embodiment, the collar 7 has been removed from the neck 5 of the bottle, for example by milling, so as to obtain an upper part 50 of the bottle neck with a smaller diameter, which generates a stepped radial stop 51.

[0061] In this case, the cylindrical sleeve 16 of the anti-drip device 10 has a non-constant thickness, comprising a collar 13 which projects radially outwards and has substantially the same dimensions as the collar 7 typical of the bottle neck. The collar 13 is arranged in correspondence with the lower edge 11 of the anti-drip device.

[0062] In this way, the lower edge 11 of the anti-drip device 10 rests on the stop stage 51 of the neck and the collar 13 of the anti-drip device perfectly simulates the collar 7 typical of bottle necks.

[0063] [Fig.6] illustrates a bottle neck 5 with a conventional collar. In this case, the bottle neck is milled externally in a portion 50 highlighted in [Fig.6] by dots, above the collar 7. During the milling, a thickness of glass (s) equal to the thickness of the anti-drip device 10 is removed. In this way, when applying the anti-drip device 10, the aesthetic appearance of the initial bottle is not altered. Milling the bottle neck has the further advantage of creating a seat in which the anti-drip device 10 fits perfectly, without friction interference. [Fig.7] illustrates a bottle neck 5 with an edge 70 that extends to the upper edge 6 of the bottle neck. In this case, the edge 70 is milled externally in a part 71 marked in [Fig.7] by dots, so as to generate a stop stage 72 on which the lower edge 11 of the anti-drip device 10 will rest.During milling, glass is removed from the neck of the bottle to a thickness (s) equal to the thickness (s) of the anti-drip device 10. In this way, when the anti-drip device 10 is applied, the outer surface of the anti-drip device 10 is flush with the outer surface of the edge 70 that has not been removed and the aesthetic appearance of the initial bottle is not altered. Milling the edge 70 of the bottle further has the advantage of creating a seat in which the anti-drip device 10 is perfectly coupled without friction interference.

Claims

Claims

1. Bottle (1) comprising a base (2), a body (3), a neck (5) having an upper edge (6), and an anti-drip device (10) fixedly attached to the neck (5) of the bottle; said anti-drip device (10) comprising a cylindrical sleeve (16); said anti-drip device (10) having a lower edge (11) and an upper edge (12); said anti-drip device (10) being arranged on the outer surface of the neck (5) of the bottle, such that the upper edge (12) of the anti-drip device is flush with the upper edge (6) of the bottle neck; the upper edge (12) of the anti-drip device (10) having a thickness (s) less than 1.5 mm; characterized in that said anti-drip device (10) comprises a glass-ceramic layer (15) applied to an outer surface of said cylindrical sleeve (16).

2. Bottle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said vitroceramic layer (15) has a thickness of 200 to 600 μm.

3. Bottle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper edge (12) of the anti-drip device (10) has a thickness (s) less than 0.5 mm.

4. Bottle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said cylindrical sleeve (16) is made of aluminum for food use or brass or stainless steel.