MX2010012008A - Composite interlocking stopper and method of manufacture. - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite synthetic cork is provided, wherein the synthetic cork is operatively coupled with a cap via an interlocking contour. In an exemplary embodiment, the interlocking contour(s) is molded on an otherwise flat bottom portion of the cap. In other exemplary embodiments, the cap and the cork are assembled via co-injection molding.

Description

CLOSURE CAP COMPOUND MATERIAL AND PROCEDURE OF MANUFACTURING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to container closure devices that include a closed cork material with a handle or lid (referred to herein as a lid).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Producers of liquid consumable products, such as wine, liquor and other products, which are sold in bottles or other containers that are traditionally sealed and sealed with cork stoppers have long been concerned about the reliability and structural integrity of the cork and the top, particularly along the interface of the two. Traditional models use glue to attach the cork to the lid. However, breakage of the union remains a major concern in the industry.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry to obtain a more reliable connection between the cork and the lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present plug comprises a cork part which is joined to a lid part by a closing interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the cork material is a synthetic cork material. In another exemplary embodiment, the cork material is injection molded onto a part of the lid, the part of which includes a surface contouring that provides more surface area for the attachment of the cork to the lid.

In another exemplary embodiment, a first cap part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists relative movement of the cork and the cap in a first direction. In another exemplary embodiment, a second cap part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists relative movement of the cork and cap in a second direction.

In other examples of embodiments, a first lid part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists the separation of the cork and the lid. In other exemplary embodiments, a first cap part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists rotation of the cork relative to the cap. In other examples of embodiments, a first cap part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists the separation of the cork and the cap, and the rotation of the cork relative to the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Referring now to the drawings, in which like elements are numbered in the same way in the following FIGURES: FIGURE 1 is the perspective view of a cover by way of example; FIGURE 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary lid of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the exemplary lid of FIGURE 1; Y FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a plug as an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As indicated above, the present disclosure relates to a plug, comprising a cork part that is attached to a lid part by a closing interface.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary cap is generally shown at 12. The cap includes a handle portion 14 and a cork interface portion, shown generally at 16. as illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, the cork interface portion includes at least one contour that provides more surface area for the attachment of the cork to the lid. The cork interface part illustrated by way of example includes a contour with pins 18, a contour with grooves 20 on the contour with pins 18, a contour with holes 22 within the contour with pins 18, and a plurality of finned contours 24 inside the contour with grooves. The handle portion includes a generally planar surface 26 configured to connect with the cork material in circumstances in which the diameter of the cork exceeds the diameter of the groove contour 20.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, an exemplary plug is generally illustrated with the 10. The exemplary plug includes the exemplary elements of FIGURES 1-3 with a cork material 30 attached thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the cork material is a synthetic cork material. In another exemplary embodiment, the cork material is injection molded onto the cork interface part. In another exemplary embodiment, the lid and the cork material are injected together during assembly. In the molding of certain contours of the lid part (for example, grooves, holes, or fins), sliding guides can be used in the mold to release such contours. However, in some embodiments, the slide guides are not necessary for the molding of the lid part (e.g., with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 2, the material of the contour with pins is disposed so that a mold would not require sliding guides to generate the contours with holes).

In another exemplary embodiment, a first cap part contour creates a mechanical seal that resists relative movement of the cork and cap in a first direction. It should be noted that each of the contours described resists the relative movement of the cork and the lid in at least one direction. For example, the contour with pins 18 resists the bending of the cork material 30 off its longitudinal axis. The grooved contour 20 further resists bending of the cork material by incorporating into the groove 20 the cork material beyond the flat surface 26 of the handle part. The finned contours 24 within the groove 20 increase the bonding area between the cap and the cork and resist the rotation of the cork 30 on the contour with pins 18. The contours with holes 22 resist both the action of pulling the cork 30 off the end portion 26 of the lid 12 as the rotation of the cork 30 over the contour of pins 18. Thus, various contours of the lid portions create a mechanical seal that resists the relative movement of the cork and the layer in at least one direction .

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and variations may be made to the synthetic cork and the method of preparation described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. the invention. For example, contour repeats, which include projections and gaps, are not limiting. The lid interface part may include a single contour or a combination of contours that provide a mechanical seal. Additionally, various amounts of cork (eg, widths) may be used in such a manner that the cork covers only a part or, for example, the entire final surface of the lid handle. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been described by way of illustration and are not limiting.

Claims (7)

1 . A stopper, characterized in that it comprises: a lid, including a handle part, a final part and, at least, contour dependent on said final part, contour that provides increased surface area relative to said final part; Y a part of cork that is joined to a lid part by means of a closing interface provided by said contour, closing interface that resists the relative movement of the lid and the cork assembled in, at least, one direction.

2. A plug according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a second lid part contour configured to create a second mechanical seal that resists the relative movement of the cork and the lid in a second direction.

3. A plug according to claim 1, characterized in that in said mechanical seal it resists the separation of the cork and the lid.

4. A plug according to claim 1, characterized in that in said mechanical seal it resists the rotation of the cork in relation to the lid.

5. A plug according to claim 1, characterized in that in said mechanical seal it resists the separation of the cork and the lid and the rotation of the cork in relation to the lid.

6. A plug according to claim 1, characterized in that said cork material is a synthetic cork material.

7. A method for manufacturing a stopper, characterized in that it comprises: injection molding of a lid, including a handle part, a final part and, at least, contour dependent on said end part, contour that provides increased surface area relative to said final part; Y injection molding of a cork part around said cork interface part of said lid for attaching said cork to the lid part by means of a closure interface provided by said contour, closing interface that resists the relative movement of the lid and the cork assembled in, at least, one direction.