Metallic Screw Cap With Cork Section for Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metallic screw caps for bottles lack effective sealing and resistance to pressure and temperature variations, leading to issues like sporadic oxidation of wine and limited product lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A metallic screw cap with a truncated cone cork section and a cylindrical cork layer, joined to the inner surface using a food-grade adhesive, enhances sealing and resistance while allowing micro oxygenation, utilizing agglomerated cork and a polymeric sealant for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional polyethylene sealing disc is used in a metallic screw cap, then the cap can be easily manufactured and applied, but the sealing properties are insufficient and the cap cannot resist variations in pressure and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aluminum (metallic cap), cork (natural material with micro-oxygenation properties), and polyethylene (sealing material) into a multi-layered structure. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by providing both superior sealing properties and resistance to pressure/temperature variations while maintaining ease of manufacture through established bottling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cork section inside the metallic cap and the polyethylene disc at the base of the cork section. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional layers to be integrated within the cap structure, improving sealing and durability without significantly increasing external dimensions or complicating the application process.
2Strength
If a metallic screw cap with basic polyethylene sealing is used, then the bottling process remains simple, but the cap lacks resistance to pressure and temperature variations leading to product oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific functions to different parts of the cap: the aluminum cap provides structural strength and pressure resistance, the cork section provides thermal resistance and micro-oxygenation control, and the polyethylene disc provides sealing. This localized functional distribution enhances overall strength while maintaining ease of manufacture through a modular assembly that integrates into existing bottling processes.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional sealing materials are used, then the cap structure remains simple, but the sealing effectiveness is insufficient for long-term product preservation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with the cork section providing long-term preservation through its natural properties including micro-oxygenation control and humidity regulation, while the polyethylene disc provides immediate sealing. This composite structure extends product lifespan by addressing both short-term sealing and long-term preservation needs, with the multi-layered composition integrating seamlessly into standard cap manufacturing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a metallic cap without cork section is used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the cap cannot provide micro oxygenation and natural cork properties beneficial for wine evolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the cork section to simultaneously provide: (1) micro-oxygenation for wine evolution, (2) thermal insulation against temperature variations, (3) structural support within the cap, and (4) a barrier to oxidation. This universal approach allows a single cap component to deliver multiple benefits, enhancing adaptability while the modular design keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cap provides a superior seal, extends the product lifespan by promoting natural cork properties, reducing oxidation, and facilitating micro oxygenation, thus improving the storage and transport of beverages like wine.
Implementation Method 1
a cork section with truncated cone shape joined to the inner surface of the upper end of said cap
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric sealing layer on the inner surface of the top end of the said cap between the cork section with truncated cone shape and the cap
Implementation Method 3
agglomerated cork in cork granules with a particle size distribution between 0.2 - 5 mm
Implementation Method 4
agglomerated cork in cork granules with a particle size distribution between 0.2 - 5 mm
Implementation Method 5
the cylindrical layer of cork of the described metallic screw cap is joined to the inner surface of the top end of said cap by means of an adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present application describes a metallic screw cap (1) for bottles that comprises a cork section (3) with truncated cone shape joined to the inner surface of the upper end of said cap. The metallic screw cap for bottles described in this invention allows easy implementation, i.e. it does not change the bottling process of bottles with metallic caps; it further enhances the sealing properties of the cap and promotes an increase of resistance of the metallic cap thereby allowing the already bottled bottle with the cap to be subjected to greater variations of pressure and temperature. The present invention is useful for bottling bottles of wine, spirit drinks, beer, sparkling wine, among others.