BOTTLE CAPSULES

Abstract

BOTTLE CAP OVERCAP An overcap (10) for bottles is described, consisting of a tubular body closed at one of its head ends (12). The tubular body is made from a laminated sheet material comprising at least one outer layer (14) and at least one inner layer (16) bonded together. The outer layer (14) is an aluminum layer and the inner layer (16) is a paper layer. The outer aluminum layer (14) has a thickness of between 20 microns and 30 microns and the inner paper layer (16) has a thickness of between 80 microns and 100 microns. The inner paper layer (16) is further made from a stretchable paper material, with an elongation percentage greater than or equal to 8%.The coupling between the outer layer (14) and the inner layer (16) is achieved by means of at least one intermediate layer (18) comprising a water-based acrylic adhesive and having a thickness between 1 micron and 5 microns. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Bottle Cap

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an over-corking capsule for bottles and, in particular, to an over-corking capsule for the closing stopper of bottles containing sparkling or semi-sparkling wines.

[0002] To hermetically seal bottles containing sparkling or semi-sparkling wines, the use of so-called "mushroom" stoppers is well known. Each of these stoppers, generally made of cork or various polymer materials, is usually fitted onto the bottle with a metal cage. The cage prevents the stopper from popping out due to overpressure inside the bottle. The cage comprises a shaped metal disc, called a "cap," which sits atop the stopper to hold it in place on the bottle, and a braided wire, fixed under the neck of the bottle to secure the stopper and cap assembly to the bottle itself.

[0003] The cork and its respective cage are typically covered by an overcorking capsule, which also encloses part of the neck of the bottle. The main function of this overcorking capsule is to protect the cork from dust, dirt, and bacteria, thus preventing the cork itself from deteriorating or being damaged. Another function of the overcorking capsule is essentially aesthetic: these overcorking capsules usually bear the winery's mark and, in general, make the bottle look more elegant.

[0004] Some bottle caps currently on the market are made from a metal strip. This metal strip may be made entirely of aluminum. However, aluminum bottle caps are not very widespread because they require large quantities of aluminum to manufacture, which makes them expensive.

[0005] Overcaps made from three layers of different materials are, however, more widespread and therefore constitute what is currently available on the market. In particular, these overcaps comprise a wall made of an A1-PE-A1 composite, that is, an outer layer of aluminum (Al), an intermediate layer of polyethylene (PE), and an inner layer also of aluminum (Al). These overcaps also include a cap disc made entirely of aluminum. The percentages of the materials The materials used to manufacture these overcaps are typically about 60% aluminum and about 40% polyethylene.

[0006] European Union Delegated Regulation No. 2023 / 1606 contains several recommendations aimed at limiting the use of screw caps for bottles containing sparkling or semi-sparkling wines. The objective of the regulation is to achieve savings in the overall cost of manufacturing the bottles and their subsequent bottling, but above all to avoid the formation of plastic (polyethylene) waste.

[0007] Attempts have therefore been made in recent years to produce bottle caps using a paper-aluminum composite, in order to avoid plastic components in the cap. The aluminum layer is located on the outside and acts as a barrier against liquids and moisture, thus extending the operational life of the bottle cap compared to a similar product made solely of untreated paper designed to resist water.

[0008] These foil-aluminum overcaps are not, however, fully operational, primarily due to an incorrect choice of paper type and layer thickness characteristics. In particular, the paper chosen is a long-porous fiber type, stretchable up to 9%, while the aluminum thickness is between approximately 20 and 25 microns, to allow the overcap to be applied to the bottle, maintaining its final shape while exploiting the elastic limit of the aluminum to prevent the paper from springing back.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to produce an overcap for bottles capable of resolving the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional way.

[0010] In more detail, an object of the present invention is to produce an overcap for bottles which, in accordance with European Union delegated regulation no. 2023 / 1606, is free from polluting plastic components.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to produce a bottle cap that is more functional and reliable compared to similar caps of known type.

[0012] These goals and others according to the present invention are achieved by producing a bottle cap as described in the independent claims.

[0013] Other features of the invention are highlighted in the dependent claims, which form an integral part of this description.

[0014] The characteristics and advantages of a bottle cap according to the present invention will become clearer from the description the following, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the bottle cap according to the present invention, where one of its upper components is particularly highlighted;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the bottom part of the bottle cap of [Fig.1];

[0017] [Fig.3] is a view of the fundamental components of the bottle cap of [Fig.1]; and

[0018] [Fig.4] is a perspective view showing a roll of sheet material that can be used for manufacturing the bottle cap of [Fig.1].

[0019] With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the bottle overcorking capsule according to the present invention is shown. The bottle overcorking capsule is designated collectively by reference number 10. The overcorking capsule 10 is designed for overcoring the closure stopper (not shown), usually of the "mushroom" type, of bottles containing sparkling or semi-sparkling wines.

[0020] As shown in [Fig. 1], the overcap 10 consists of a tubular body closed at one of its head ends 12. The tubular body is made from a laminated sheet material comprising at least one outer layer 14 and at least one inner layer 16 bonded together (see [Fig. 2]). The outer layer 14 of the overcap 10 is an aluminum layer. The inner layer 16 of the overcap 10, on the other hand, is a paper layer. At least one paper disc 20 can also be applied to the head end 12 of the tubular body.

[0021] According to the invention, the outer aluminum layer 14 has a thickness of between 20 microns and 30 microns. Preferably, this outer aluminum layer 14 has a thickness of 25 microns. Also preferably, this outer aluminum layer 14 can be made of one of the following materials:

[0022] - aluminium alloy 1200;

[0023] - aluminium alloy 8021;

[0024] - 8079 aluminium alloy.

[0025] The outer layer 14 of aluminium can in any case be made with other alloys, similar in composition and behaviour to those listed above, without going out of the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The inner paper layer 16 has a thickness of between 80 microns and 100 microns. Preferably, this inner paper layer 16 has a thickness of 90 microns. The inner 16-layer paper is further manufactured from a stretch paper material, with an elongation percentage greater than or equal to 8%.

[0027] The coupling between the outer layer 14 and the inner layer 16 of the overcap 10 is achieved by means of at least one intermediate layer 18 comprising a water-based acrylic adhesive (see [Fig. 3]). The intermediate layer 18 of water-based acrylic adhesive has a thickness of between 1 micron and 5 microns. Preferably, this intermediate layer 18 of water-based acrylic adhesive has a thickness of 3 microns.

[0028] The outer aluminum layer 14, the inner paper layer 16, and the intermediate adhesive layer 18 of the overcap 10 can be obtained, for example, from a roll of sheet material such as that illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In this figure, the aluminum layer of the roll that will form the outer layer 14 of the overcap 10 is indicated by reference number 140, while the paper layer of the roll that will form the inner layer 16 of the overcap 10 is indicated by reference number 160. Preferably, in the overcap 10, the inner paper layer 16 can have a basis weight of between 60 g / m² and 75 g / m². Even more preferably, this inner paper layer 16 can have a basis weight of 70 g / m².

[0029] By way of further example, the roll of sheet material usable to obtain the outer layer 14 of aluminum, the inner layer 16 of paper and the intermediate layer 18 of adhesive of the overcap 10 can have the following composition:

[0030] [Tables 1] MATERIALS WEIGHT (g / m²) THICKNESS (sq m) Aluminum 68 ± 8% 25% Adhesive 1.5 ± 25% Paper 70 + 8%

[0031] The outer aluminum layer 14 can be either shiny or opaque.

[0032] The choice of this specific arrangement for the overcap 10 This allows for decoration by rotogravure printing, and can be formed using existing forming machines normally designed for forming traditional laminate or pure aluminum. This specific overcap 10 is also applicable to the respective bottle via standard bottling lines already available on the market, which are also designed to work with traditional laminate. Therefore, it is not necessary to design specific machines or custom solutions to use the overcap 10 according to the present invention.

[0033] The overcap 10 according to the present invention thus makes it possible to "coat" the bottle while preventing breakage at the level of the metal closure cage (a fairly common problem, even with traditional laminates), as well as maintaining the shape, preventing the elastic return of the paper from compromising it, for example by reopening the folds. All converting lines (printing, forming, bottling) must not reduce operating speed, while requiring minimal adjustments to manufacture and then apply the overcap 10 according to the present invention.

[0034] Another feature of the overcap 10 according to the present invention is the facilitated separation of the two outer layers 14 of aluminum and inner 16 of paper. This allows, compared to similar overcaps of known type, for less complicated waste management. For the consumer, the aesthetics of the overcap 10 remain unchanged, preserving the distinction and prestige of the winery's brand.

[0035] Preferably, the quantities of materials, as a percentage, used to manufacture the outer layer 14, the inner layer 16 and the intermediate layer 18 are as follows:

[0036] - 48% paper;

[0037] - 44% aluminium;

[0038] - 8% adhesive.

[0039] Thanks to this particular composition, the Italian recycling code for the 10 overcap changes from the original C / ALU 90 to the new C / PAP 82, allowing the consumer to throw the waste in the paper collection.

[0040] Preferably, a predefined quantity of ink, which is normally used to print inscriptions and / or logos on the outer layer 14 of the overcap 10, but possibly also on the paper disc 20, is also included in the quantity of 8% adhesive.

[0041] It has thus been noted that the bottle cap according to the present invention achieves the objectives previously highlighted, in particular obtaining the following advantages:

[0042] - it can be applied to the bottle using the bottling lines normal, even at high speed;

[0043] - it does not contain plastic;

[0044] - based on a certified analysis, it reduces the carbon footprint by approximately 30%;

[0045] - it is designed to be transformed later.

[0046] The bottle cap of the present invention thus designed is susceptible in any case to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the same inventive concept; moreover, all the details are replaceable by elements technically equivalent. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, can be anything depending on the technical requirements.

[0047] The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Bottle cap (10), consisting of a tubular body closed at one of its head ends (12), wherein said tubular body is made from a laminated sheet material comprising at least one outer layer (14) and at least one inner layer (16) bonded together, wherein said at least one outer layer (14) is an aluminum layer and said at least one inner layer (16) is a paper layer, wherein said at least one outer aluminum layer (14) has a thickness of between 20 microns and 30 microns and said at least one inner paper layer (16) has a thickness of between 80 microns and 100 microns, wherein said at least one inner paper layer (16) is made from a stretchable paper material, with an elongation percentage greater than or equal to 8%,and wherein the coupling between said at least one outer layer (14) and said at least one inner layer (16) is achieved by means of at least one intermediate layer (18) comprising a water-based acrylic adhesive and having a thickness between 1 micron and 5 microns.

2. Overcap (10) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one outer layer (14) of aluminum has a thickness of 25 microns.

3. Overcap (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one outer layer (14) of aluminum is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: - aluminum alloy 1200; - aluminum alloy 8021; - aluminum alloy 8079.

4. Overcap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one inner layer (16) of paper has a thickness of 90 microns.

5. Overcap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one inner layer (16) of paper has a basis weight between 60 g / m2 and 75 g / m2.

6. Overcap (10) according to claim 5, wherein said at least one inner layer (16) of paper has a basis weight of 70 g / m2.

7. Overcap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one intermediate layer (18) of water-based acrylic adhesive has a thickness of 3 microns.

8. Overcap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one disc (20) made of paper is applied to said head end (12).

9. Overcap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the quantities of materials, in percentage, used to manufacture said at least one outer layer (14), said at least one inner layer (16) and said at least one intermediate layer (18) are as follows: - 48% paper; - 44% aluminum; - 8% adhesive.

10. Overcap (10) according to claim 9, wherein a predefined quantity of ink used to print inscriptions and / or logos on said at least one outer layer (14) is also included in said quantity of 8% adhesive.

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