Bottle cap for soft drinks

Abstract

A bottle cap for a carbonated beverage comprising a lower part (1) intended to cooperate hermetically with the internal surface (2a) of the neck (2) of said bottle, surmounted by an upper part (3) overhanging the rim (2b) of the neck, characterized in that the lower part (1) is formed by a closed tubular nozzle (4), made of elastically compressible material, secured at its open end to an external annular mount (5) which has claws (6) extending around the nozzle (4) and elastically deformable between a distant resting position and an active position close to the nozzle, and in that the upper part (3) is skirt-shaped (3b) and comprises a central tubular punch (7), slidably mounted in the mount (5) between two stops (3a, 8), adapted to penetrate the nozzle (4) to distend its diameter, said skirt surrounding the claws (6) so as, during the aforementioned sliding in the direction of penetration,forcing them to move from their resting position to their active position. FIGURE IN ABRIDGED DIAGRAM: [Fig.1]

Description

Title of the invention: Bottle cap for carbonated beverage BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a stopper for carbonated beverage bottles, in particular for champagne bottles.

[0002] There are various devices for sealing a bottle of carbonated beverage. These include, but are not limited to, the crown cap, the screw cap, and the wire cage. With the exception of the screw cap and, confidentially, mechanical stoppers, none of these devices are reusable, and sealing an opened bottle requires the use of a secondary stopper. For various reasons related to custom and tradition, champagne is exclusively sealed with a specific and easily recognizable cork, which it would not be advisable to replace with a screw cap.

[0003] Besides the fact that the traditional cork stopper is not perfect from an organoleptic point of view, there is a need for novelty and change in the field of champagne, namely to implement materials more suitable for the preservation of the drink which, in the long term, will have to prevail given the scarcity of cork, while preserving the external appearance of the bottle. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a bottle cap for a carbonated beverage comprising a lower part intended to cooperate in a hermetic manner with the internal surface of the neck of said bottle surmounted by an upper part extending beyond the rim of the neck, characterized in that the lower part is formed by a closed tubular tip made of elastically compressible material, joined at its open end to an external annular mount which has claws extending around the tip and elastically deformable between a distant resting position and an active position close to the tip and in that the upper part has a central tubular punch, mounted to slide in the mount between two stops, capable of penetrating the tip to distend its diameter, carried by a skirt-shaped support surrounding the claws so as, during the aforementioned sliding, to force them to move from their resting position to their active position.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular tip is closed at its end by a spherical cap.

[0006] Furthermore, the outer surface of the nozzle has sealing ridges designed to compress against the inner surface of the bottle neck when the punch is driven in. Each end of the claw, opposite the mount, is, in the standby position, held away from the nozzle by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the neck plus that of the ridge present in carbonated beverage bottles.

[0007] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description given below of examples of embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0008] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which:

[0009] [Fig-1] is a cross-sectional view of the stopper according to the invention placed on the neck of a bottle before it is corked

[0010] [Fig.2] is a half-section view of the stopper sealing the neck of the bottle,

[0011] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the various components of the cap before their assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A traditional cork stopper, for champagne, sparkling wine, cider, etc. bottles, is mushroom-shaped and thus comprises a lower part which is inserted into the neck of the bottle, pre-compressed to ensure by expansion its airtight contact with the internal surface of the neck and an upper part in the shape of a substantially spherical head which overhangs the rim of the neck.

[0013] By the invention, we wish to be as close as possible to the traditional form so as not to disturb the clientele of these drinks which remains very conservative, especially with regard to champagne.

[0014] With reference to these three figures, the stopper according to the invention comprises, like conventional stoppers, a lower part 1, intended to cooperate in a hermetic manner with the internal surface 2a of the neck 2 of said bottle, surmounted by an upper part 3, overflowing from the rim 2b of the neck 2.

[0015] According to the invention, the lower part 1 is formed by a closed tubular nozzle 4 made of elastically compressible material, attached at its open end to an annular outer mount 5. This nozzle has external ridges 4a and 4b. It is closed by a hemispherical cap 4c to withstand, without deformation, the pressure in the neck of the bottle. The mount 5 has claws 6 extending around the nozzle 4 and elastically deformable between a standby position (away from the nozzle) and an active position (close to the nozzle 4).

[0016] The upper part 3 comprises a central tubular punch 7, open to the atmosphere at its upper end and to the nozzle at its lower end. This punch 7 is slidably mounted in the frame 5 between two stops. The upper stop is formed by the bell-shaped bottom 3a of the part 3, defining a skirt 3b surrounding the punch 7. The other stop is formed by a ring 8 attached by welding or bonding to the lower end of the punch after the latter has been inserted into the frame 5. The punch, and more specifically the ring 8, is able to penetrate the nozzle 4 to expand its diameter. The skirt 3b carries the punch 7 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the claws 6 in their waiting state so that when the punch slides relative to the ring, this skirt 3b forces the claws 6 to approach elastically the punch 7.

[0017] In [Fig. 1], the stopper is in a ready position to seal the neck 2 of the bottle. In this state, the skirt 3b is in contact by its lower edge with the claws 6, which are also in their ready position, away from the punch 7. It should be noted in this regard that the distance of the claws from the punch, and therefore from the tip 4, is greater than the outer diameter of the neck 2. The mount 5 is then in contact with the ring 8, or very close to it, by the contact of the elastic claws with the lower edge of the skirt 3b.

[0018] The stopper rests by means of the mount 5 on the rim 2a of the neck 2, with the nozzle 4 freely inserted into said neck. It should be noted that the contact of the mount 5 on the rim 2a of the neck is not airtight, so as to allow leakage during uncorking, as described below. To cork the bottle, the upper part 3 of the stopper is pushed towards the neck. The nozzle 4 is locked in place, and the ring 8 of the punch 7 penetrates the nozzle 4, expanding it. The internal channel of the tubular punch, which opens at the top of the upper part 3, maintains the ambient pressure in the nozzle during insertion. The ridges 4a and 4b are compressed against the internal surface 2a of the neck 2. In the same movement, the skirt 3b forces the claws 6 to move closer to the punch.At the end of the insertion, part 3 rests by its base 3a on the mount 5 which itself rests on the rim 2a of the neck and the end of the claws 6 is housed behind the ridge 2c which is usually present on the neck of a soft drink bottle.

[0019] Fig. 2 illustrates the installed plug.

[0020] To uncork, part 3 should be pulled upwards, similar to uncorking a bottle of champagne. The ring 8 is gradually withdrawn from the spout 4, causing a leak between the spout's ridges and the inner surface of the neck, and between the mount 5 and the rim 2a of the neck 2. The upward sliding of the skirt 3b allows the prongs 6 to move away from the neck 2, after the leak has occurred and the pressure inside the bottle has therefore decreased. Thanks to this sequence, which results from the relative dimensions of the various components of the stopper, the complete removal of the stopper occurs without any force, thus avoiding the problems associated with carbonated beverage bottles still under internal pressure.

[0021] The stopper, after opening, is in the state shown in [Fig. 1]. It is then ready to reseal the bottle, which, by assumption, remains partially used. It can also serve as a resealable stopper for any other bottle whose original stopper is unusable.

[0022] The external shape of part 3 (the materials used for this stopper are of course one and / or plastic materials) can be varied infinitely and either imitate that of traditional stoppers and, in this case, be equipped with a wire cage, or affect any other form of fancy, which may even be the support for additional decoration.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates the various components of this plug. It can be seen that their construction and assembly are very simple. Thus, after sliding the mount 5 onto the punch 7, the ring 8 is attached to this mount, for example by welding, and then the tip 4 is attached, which includes all appropriate means (flange, indentations, etc.) that can be engaged in corresponding means provided in the mount.

Claims

Demands

1. . A bottle cap for a carbonated beverage comprising a lower part (1) intended to cooperate hermetically with the internal surface (2a) of the neck (2) of said bottle, surmounted by an upper part (3) overhanging the rim (2b) of the neck, characterized in that the lower part (1) is formed by a closed tubular nozzle (4), made of elastically compressible material, secured at its open end to an external annular mount (5) which has claws (6) extending around the nozzle (4) and elastically deformable between a distant resting position and an active position close to the nozzle, and in that the upper part (3) is skirt-shaped (3b) and comprises a central tubular punch (7), slidably mounted in the mount (5) between two stops (3a, 8), adapted to penetrate the nozzle (4) to distend its diameter, said skirt surrounding the claws (6) so as, during the aforementioned sliding in the direction of penetration,force them to move from their resting position to their active position.

2. . Bottle cap for carbonated beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular nozzle (4) is closed at its end by a hemispherical cap (4c).

3. A cap for a carbonated beverage bottle according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the outer surface of the nozzle (4) has sealing ridges (4a,4b) intended to be crushed against the inner surface (2a) of the neck (2) of the bottle when the punch (7) is driven in.

4. A cap for a soft drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each end of the claw (6), opposite the mount (5), is, in standby position, separated from the nozzle (4) by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the neck (2) plus that of the bead (2c) present in soft drink bottles.

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