Bottle cap seal

Abstract

To provide a functional and reliable bottle cap seal that can eliminate contamination caused by plastic components. [Solution] The bottle cap seal (10) is a tubular body with a closed top. The tubular body is made of a layered sheet material in which at least one outer layer (14) and at least one inner layer (16) are bonded together. The outer layer (14) is an aluminum layer, and the inner layer (16) is a paper layer. The aluminum outer layer (14) has a thickness of 20 μm to 30 μm, and the paper inner layer (16) has a thickness of 80 μm to 100 μm. Furthermore, the paper inner layer (16) is made of an extensible paper material with an elongation percentage of 8% or more. The outer layer (14) and the inner layer (16) are bonded together via at least one intermediate layer (18) formed of a water-based acrylic adhesive and having a thickness of 1 μm to 5 μm.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap seal for a bottle, and more particularly to a cap seal for covering a bottle containing sparkling wine or other effervescent wine. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of so-called mushroom-shaped stoppers to seal bottles of sparkling wine and other effervescent wines is well known. When such stoppers, made of cork or various polymeric materials, are used on bottles, a wire hood is typically placed over the bottle's neck. The wire hood is used to prevent the contents from leaking out due to pressure buildup inside the bottle. The wire hood comprises a machined metal disk, called a cap, that fits over the stopper to hold it in place on the bottle, and a metal wire that is attached to the enclosed bottle to secure the combined cap and stopper assembly.

[0003] The bung and its wire hood are usually covered by a cap seal, which also wraps around the bottle neck. The main function of this cap seal is to protect the bung from dirt, dust and bacteria, preventing deterioration or damage to the bung itself. Another function of the cap seal is aesthetic: it usually represents the brand of the wine-making company and makes the bottle, as a whole, more elegant.

[0004] Some bottle cap seals on the market are made from metal sheets, sometimes made entirely of aluminum. However, these cap seals are not widely used because they require a large amount of aluminum to manufacture and are expensive.

[0005] In contrast, cap seals made of three different layers of materials are widespread and are the standard in the current market. Specifically, these cap seals have an Al-PE-Al structure, i.e., an outer layer made of aluminum (Al), a middle layer made of polyethylene (PE), and an inner layer made of aluminum (Al). These cap seals also have a circular top plate made entirely of aluminum. The ratio of materials used to manufacture these cap seals is typically about 60% aluminum and about 40% polyethylene.

[0006] Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023 / 1606 provides some recommendations on the restriction of the use of cap seals for bottles containing sparkling wines. The purpose of this Delegated Regulation is to reduce the overall costs of bottle production and subsequent bottling, in particular to avoid the generation of plastic (polyethylene) waste.

[0007] Over the past few years, various attempts have been made to eliminate plastic components in cap seals by providing cap seals using a paper-aluminum construction for bottles, with the aluminum layer on the outside acting as a barrier against liquids and moisture, extending the useful life of the cap seal compared to cap seal products constructed solely from paper, which is not waterproof.

[0008] However, such a cap seal using a conventional paper-aluminum structure was functionally insufficient, mainly due to the inappropriate selection of the paper type and thickness characteristics of each layer. In particular, the selected paper type was a porous long-fiber type with an elongation rate of 9%, while the selected aluminum thickness was about 20 μm to about 25 μm. When the cap seal was attached to the bottle, the yield strength of the aluminum was maximized to offset the elastic return of the paper, thereby maintaining the final shape. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bottle cap seal which overcomes the above-mentioned problems of the prior art in an extremely simple, economical and, above all, functional manner.

[0010] In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a cap seal for a bottle that can eliminate contamination by plastic components in accordance with the European Union Delegated Regulation No. 2023 / 1606.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap seal for a bottle that is more functional and reliable than known cap seals of the same type. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a cap seal for a bottle as set forth in claim 1.

[0013] Further structural features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims which form an integral part of this description.

[0014] The structural features and unique advantages of the bottle cap seal of the present invention will become more apparent from the following illustrative and non-limiting description taken in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of one preferred embodiment of a bottle cap seal according to the present invention, highlighting one of the top components; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the bottom of the bottle cap seal shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main components of the bottle cap seal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial perspective view showing a sheet roll material used to manufacture the bottle cap seal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1 and 2, there is shown one preferred embodiment of a bottle cap seal according to the present invention. The bottle cap seal is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The bottle cap seal 10 is typically mushroom-shaped and is intended to cover a stopper (not shown) of a bottle containing sparkling wine or other effervescent wine.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the cap seal 10 comprises a tubular body with a closed top 12. The tubular body is manufactured from a layered sheet roll material (see Figure 3) in which at least one outer layer 14 and at least one inner layer 16 are bonded together. The outer layer 14 of the cap seal 10 is an aluminum layer, while the inner layer 16 of the cap seal 10 is a paper layer. At least one paper disk 20 may be attached to the top 12 of the tubular body.

[0018] In the present invention, the aluminum outer layer 14 has a thickness of 20 μm to 30 μm. Preferably, the aluminum outer layer 14 has a thickness of 25 μm. Furthermore, the aluminum outer layer 14 is preferably made from a material selected from the list below. 1200 aluminum alloy 8021 aluminum alloy 8079 aluminum alloy

[0019] The aluminum outer layer 14 may be made of alloys similar in composition and function to those listed above without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] The inner paper layer 16 has a thickness of 80 μm to 100 μm. Preferably, the inner paper layer 16 has a thickness of 90 μm. Furthermore, the inner paper layer 16 is made of an extensible paper material having an elongation of 8% or more.

[0021] The outer layer 14 and inner layer 16 of the cap seal 10 are bonded to each other via at least one intermediate layer (18) made of a water-based acrylic adhesive (see FIG. 3). The intermediate layer 18 made of a water-based acrylic adhesive has a thickness of 1 μm to 5 μm. The intermediate layer 18 made of a water-based acrylic adhesive preferably has a thickness of 3 μm.

[0022] The aluminum outer layer 14, the paper inner layer 16, and the adhesive-formed intermediate layer 18 of the cap seal 10 can be obtained, for example, from a sheet roll material as shown in Fig. 4. In this figure, reference numeral 140 denotes the aluminum layer of the sheet roll material that will form the outer layer 14 of the cap seal 10, and reference numeral 160 denotes the paper layer of the sheet roll material that will form the inner layer 16 of the cap seal 10. In the cap seal 10, the paper inner layer 16 is made of a material having a weight of 60 g / m 2 ~75g / m 2 More preferably, the paper inner layer 16 has a weight of 70 g / m 2 is.

[0023] By way of example, a sheet roll material that can be used to provide the aluminum outer layer 14, the paper inner layer 16, and the adhesive middle layer 18 of the cap seal 10 may have the following composition:

[0024] TIFF0003254229000002.tif44170

[0025] The aluminum outer layer 14 may be either bright or matte.

[0026] The detailed configuration of the cap seal 10 is selected to allow the cap seal to be decorated by rotogravure printing, and the cap seal can be formed using existing forming machines that are normally designed to form known laminates or pure aluminum. The cap seal 10 of the present invention is applicable to bottles that use bottling systems on the market and can also be used with existing laminates. Therefore, there is no need to develop special machines or dedicated solutions to be used with the cap seal 10 of the present invention.

[0027] Thus, with the cap seal 10 of the present invention, it is possible to "decorate" a bottle while maintaining the shape of the cap seal, for example, by breaking the cap seal, preventing the cap seal from being damaged by the elastic return of the paper material, and avoiding the cap seal being damaged by the wire hood (a common problem even with current laminates). To be able to apply and manufacture the cap seal 10 of the present invention, adjustments need to be kept to a minimum, but there is no need to slow down the processing speed of all processing lines (printing, lamination, bottling).

[0028] Another advantage of the cap seal 10 of the present invention is that the aluminum outer layer 14 and the paper inner layer 16 can be easily separated. This reduces the complexity of disposal compared to similar known cap seals. To the consumer, the aesthetic appeal of the cap seal 10 remains unchanged, maintaining the prestige and recognizability of the winery's brand.

[0029] Preferably, the amounts of materials used to form the outer layer 14, inner layer 16, and intermediate layer 18 are as follows, in percentage proportions: Paper: 48% Aluminum: 44% Adhesive: 8%

[0030] The Italian recycling code for Cap Seal 10 has changed from the previous C / Alu 90 to the new C / PAP 82, and according to this composition, consumers can dispose of this product in the paper waste bin.

[0031] More preferably, the 8% amount of adhesive includes the amount of ink typically used to print indicia and / or logos onto the outer layer 14 of the cap seal 10 as well as optionally onto the paper disc 20 .

[0032] Therefore, it can be seen that the cap seal achieves the above-mentioned objectives and, in particular, provides the following unique effects. This invention can be applied to a standard bottling system, allowing for fast attachment to the bottle. This product does not use plastic. Official analysis suggests it could reduce the carbon footprint by around 30%. It is possible to apply different processing.

[0033] The bottle cap seal thus devised according to the present invention may be modified and changed in various ways while remaining within the scope of protection set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the specific invention features described above may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In fact, the materials used, including the shape and size, must comply with the technical requirements.

[0034] The scope of protection of the invention is defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A tubular body with a closed top (12), The tubular body is fabricated from layered sheets of material having at least one outer layer (14) and at least one inner layer (16) bonded together; the at least one outer layer (14) is an aluminum layer, and the at least one inner layer (16) is a paper layer; the at least one outer layer (14) made of aluminum has a thickness of 20 μm to 30 μm, and the at least one inner layer (16) made of paper has a thickness of 80 μm to 100 μm; The at least one inner paper layer (16) is made of an extensible paper material having an elongation of 8% or more; The at least one outer layer (14) and the at least one inner layer (16) are joined to each other via at least one intermediate layer (18), which is formed of a water-based acrylic adhesive and has a thickness of 1 μm to 5 μm.

2. 2. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outer layer (14) made of aluminum has a thickness of 25 μm.

3. 3. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one outer layer (14) made of aluminum is made from a material selected from the following list of materials: 1200 aluminum alloy 8021 aluminum alloy 8079 aluminum alloy

4. 2. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inner paper layer (16) has a thickness of 90 μm.

5. The at least one inner paper layer (16) has a weight of 60 g / m ２ ~75g / m ２ The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1,

6. The at least one inner paper layer (16) has a weight of 70 g / m ２ The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 5,

7. 2. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate layer (18) formed of the water-based acrylic adhesive has a thickness of 3 μm.

8. 2. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one paper disk (20) is attached to the top (12).

9. 2. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the amounts of materials used to form the at least one outer layer (14), the at least one inner layer (16), and the at least one intermediate layer (18) are as follows, in percentage terms: Paper: 48% Aluminum: 44% Adhesive: 8%

10. 10. The bottle cap seal (10) according to claim 9, wherein the amount of 8% of the adhesive includes a predetermined amount of ink used for printing indicia and / or logos on the at least one outer layer (14).

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