Screw Cap Closure With Removable Seal Disk for Oxygen Barrier Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for wine bottles, such as cork and synthetic seals, face challenges in gas exchange rates, oxidation, and contamination issues, particularly with compounds like TCA, which affect wine quality and taste, and are not suitable for vertical storage.
Innovation Solution
A screw cap device system with a polymer base and a removable seal disk made of natural cork or food-compatible polymer, allowing for adjustable gas barrier properties and easy exchange, suitable for vertical storage, and compatible with recyclable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cork stoppers are used, then gas barrier properties and oxidation protection are improved, but manufacturing consistency and quality control deteriorate due to natural variability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining natural cork particles or granules with binding agents to create stoppers with consistent properties. This allows maintaining the gas barrier benefits of cork while achieving manufacturing consistency through controlled composition ratios and standardized production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of cork by treating it with various substances (waxes, resins, polymers) to modify its gas barrier properties, elasticity, and consistency. These parameter changes enable standardized performance characteristics while retaining cork's beneficial oxidation protection.
2Manufacturing precision
If synthetic polymer seals are used, then manufacturing precision and consistency are improved, but gas barrier properties and odor protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates composite stoppers that combine synthetic polymers with natural cork particles, achieving both manufacturing consistency from the synthetic component and superior gas barrier properties from the cork component. The composite structure allows optimization of both aspects simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different materials to different parts of the stopper or creates localized zones within the stopper structure. For example, using cork in specific regions for gas barrier functions while using synthetic materials in other regions for structural consistency and sealing properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If screw caps with removable seal disks are used, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the closure system into separable components: a reusable screw cap body and replaceable seal disks. This segmentation allows the seal disk to be exchanged based on specific wine requirements while keeping the cap structure simple and standardized, actually reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal screw cap body that can accommodate different types of seal disks for various wine applications. The standardized cap interface allows one cap design to serve multiple functions with different seal disks, reducing the need for multiple cap variants and simplifying production.
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 system provides effective gas and odor barrier properties, reduces oxidation, minimizes 'cork taint', and supports recyclability, while maintaining sealing integrity and versatility for different beverages.
Implementation Method 1
designed to provide the barrier effect needed for the gas exchange referred above
Implementation Method 2
This oxidation can be a consequence of the oxygen from the air that remains trapped inside the container after filling or of the oxygen released through the closure into the container
Implementation Method 3
To protect the wine against oxidation and microbiologic growth, wine producers add chemical compounds like sulphites that can be reduced by the oxygen released into the container through the closure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a screw cap device system type of closure for containers (2) with a threaded neck finish for alcoholic beverages, such as wine, or other beverages, comprising two or more parts, one part is a screw cap (1) and another part is a removable seal disk (3) made of natural cork or a food compatible polymer. One part allows the closing of the container (2) by simple hand turning and the other part seals the container (2). The screw cap device can be provided with a skirt (5).