Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
'7(~
The present invention generally relates to stoppering
bottles with pressurized, carbonated, water-based liquid con-
tents and, more particularly, to a plastic one-piece corking
means for stoppering bottles with elongated necks having two
annular flanges on said neck close to the mouth.
It long has been recognized that bottles with pres-
surized, carbonated contents present a hazard. When these
bottles are opened by a user, oftentimes the cork will be
ejected from the bottle with a degree of force capable of
10 causing injury to people. Facial and eye injuries have been
known to occur when a cork is propelled out of a bottle with
considerable force.
A number of different closure arrangements for bottles
with pressurized, carbonated contents have been utilized in
the prior art. USLP 3,986,627 describes a stoppering system
for bottles and discloses a cap portion which is attached to
a securing ring on the bottle through a flexible bridging
member. The cap portion is not inserted into the neck of the
bottle. USLP 4,054,221 also discloses a oapping device in
20 which the cap is attached to a ring on the bottle by a strap
portion. This patent, as did the foregoing, discloses a
stopperin~ device that is not inserted into the neck of the
bottle. ~JSLP ~773,345 discloses a multi-part stoppering system
ln which the cork portion lS attached~ to a loop around the bot-
; tle necX via a chain or wire. ~ ~
USI.P 1,265,263 discloses a stoppering system in whicha cork portion is secured to a bottle via~ a rope or wire loop
system. This is a multi-part device.
British patent no. 1526)7 discloses a multi-part
30 corking device in which the cork is secured to the bottle via
a chain. West German patent no. 2,200,857 also discloses a
multi-part corking devis:!e in which the cork portion is secured
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.71~2~4
to the bottle neck via a tether. Swiss patent no. 338,108
discloses a bottle stoppering system in which a cap portion
is secured to a bottle via a tether. This stoppering system
utilizes a capping, and not a corking device. The tether
extends hori~ontally outward of the outer surface of the
bottle. The corking device is of a one-piece plastic con-
struction.
Although all of these closure arrangements appear
to be satisfactory for their intended purposes, they have
drawbacks for use in stoppering bottles with pressurized,
carbonated, water-based liquid contents. Due to the existence
of an outwardly extending tether on some of the prior art
arrangements, wiring of the bottles after corking is difficulto
It is also difficult to pack large numbers of stoppered bottles.
In the prior art arrangements that have multi-part
corking portions, problems arise in assembly and inventory
which add to the total cost of stoppering the bottles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide
a closure arrangement for stoppering of bottles with pres-
- .:
surized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents whlch is not
subject to the drawbacks of the prior art closures.
~ It is another object of this invention to provide
a safè system for stoppering the afore-described bottles.
It LS yet another object of this lnvention to pro-
vide a closure arrangement of the character described which
conslsts of few parts and is easy to assemble.
StilI another object of this invention is to provide
an inexpensive closure arrangement of the character described.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide
a closure arrangement of the character described which is
capable of being easily inventoried.
It is yet another object of this invention to pro-
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1.~L'7(.~
vide a closure arrangement of the character described which
allows stoppering of bottles by unskilled laborers.
It is still another object of this invention to
provide a method of stoppering bottles with liquid, water-based,
pressurized, carbonated contents which is both inexpensive
and efficient.
Still another object of this invention is to provide
an appaxatus for closing bottles whose contents are liquid,
water-based, pressurized and carbonated, which allows inex-
pensive, efficient stoppering of such bottles.
Other objects of the invention in part will be ob-
vious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.
In keeping with these objectives, and others which
will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of this invention
resides, briefly stated, in a closure arrangement for stop-
pering bottles with pressurized, carbonated, water-based liquid
contents which consists of a bottle having an elongated neck
portion, a mouth portion, a body portion, two axially spaced
annular flanges on the neck portion adjacent to the mouth
portion, and a one-piece corking means for stoppering said
bottle.
In accordance with another feature of this invention
the corking means has an annular ring which is receivable
between the annular fIanges of the neck portion, a stoppering
portion which is receivable within the mouth portion, an
elongated flexible tether which is in folded state prior to the
corking of the bottle and whlch lS capable of unfolding
slightly as the bottle is corked and further unfolding as
the bottle is opened, and a plurality of frangible bridges
which connect the stoppering portion to the ring in order to
hold the parts of the cor~ing means ln proper alignment with
one another before assembly on the bottle neck so as to
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efficiently stopper the bottle.
Another feature of the present invention resides
in forming the flexible elongated tether so that it does not
extend beyond the external periphery of the annular ring. In
this manner, wiring of the bottles, which is standard practice
for bottles with pressuriæed contents, is facilitated as is
also the storing of large numbers of stoppered bottles.
A further feature of the invention resides in the
connection between the corking means and the bottle provided
by the flexible tether in its unfolded condition which pre-
vents possible injury from a cork forcefully propelled out of
a bottle~
Still a further feature of this invention resides in
an apparatus for stoppering bottles of the character described
with a corking means of the character described. The stoppering
apparatus has a means for holding the corking means in proper
position and orientation above an opened bottle and a driving
means for driving the stoppering portion into the mouth
portion of the bottle and for concomitantly forcing the
annular ring between the two annular flanges.
In this manner the bottle can be stoppered in an
efficient and inexpensive manner.
The novel features which are considered character-
istic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its con-
struction and its method of operation, together with additional
objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from
the following description of a specific embodiment when read
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In one aspect of the present invention there is
provided for stoppering a bottle with pressurized ~arbonated
water-based li~uid contents, which bottle has a neck and
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includes an annular flange below the mouth of the bottle, a
corking means including a stopper having a generally circularly
cylindrical portion insertable with frictional engagement into
the mouth of the bottle, a flexible elongated tether, means
for attaching the tether adjacent one end thereof to the
stopper, an elastomeric ring, means for attaching the ring
to the tether remote from its attachment to the stopper, the
ring having an internal diameter slightly less than the ex-
ternal diameter of the flange so that the ring can be forced
down over the flange, expanding as it does so and constricting
after it is has passed the flange whereby to captively retain
the ring to the bottle, the bottle having a shape and size be-
low the flange which inhibits downward movement of the ring,
the tether being long enough to permit the cork to be withdrawn
from the mouth of the bottle while the ring is captive on the
bottle and to be moved far enough away therefrom to permit
pouring of liquid contents from the bottle, the tether being
in folded condition, close to the bottle below the mouth
thereof before the stopper is withdrawn from said mouth,
being below the bottle mouth at such time, and, furthermore,
at such time, being oriented circumferentially of the longi-
: tudinal axis of the stopper at a radius not exceeding that of
ring, the stopper, the tether and the ring being molded in
one piece of plastic.
In a further aspect of the present invention thereis provided a closure arrangement for stoppering bottles with
pressurized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents, said
closure arrangement compris.ing;~a bottle having a mouth; a
corking means of a molded one-piece elastomeric plastic con-
~ struction including; an elongated, generally circularly cylin-
drical stopper, insertable with frictional engagement into the
mouth of the bottle, and a head connected to the stopper: a
,)Z~
flexible elongated tether; means for attaching a first portion
of the tether to the bottle at a point on the bottle below
the mouth; means for attaching a second portion of the tether
to the corking means, said second portion being remote from
the first portion; the tether including an intermediate portion
between the first portion and the second portion; the length
of the intermediate portion of the tether between the first
and second portions being substantially greater than the dis-
tance between the points of attachment of the first and second
portions to the bottle and to the corking means, respectively,
such length of the intermediate portion being sufficient to
permit the corking means to be withdrawn from the mouth of
the bottle and to fly away therefrom for a short limited dis- ;
tance, a substantial length of the intermediate portion being
in a folded state so as to reduce the effective length of
the intermediate portion, and means to maintain said folded
length of the intermediate portion in folded condition close
to the bottle, below the mouth thereof, before the cork is
withdrawn from the mouth, being below the bottle mouth at such
tim~, and, furthermore, at such time, being oriented cir-
cumferentially of the longitudinal axis of the stopper at a
radius not exceeding that of the attaching means ~d), said
stopper and tether being molded in one-plece.
In a still further aspect of the present:invention
there is provided a method of stoppering a bottle with pres-
surized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents, said method
comprising the steps:of; providing a bottle having a body
portion and a mouth; providing a corking means of a molded
one-piece elastomeric construction having an elongated, gener-
ally circularly cylindrlcal stopper, insertable with frictionalengagement into the mouth of the bottle, and a head connected to
the stopper, a flexible elongated folded tether having means for
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~ 11'7(~
attaching a first portion of the tether to the bottle below
the mouth and means for attaching a second portion of the
tether to the corking means, inserting the stopper into the
mouth of the bottle; the length of the intermediate portion of
the tether between the first portion and the second portion
being substantially greater than the distance between the
points of attachment of the attaching means to the corking
means and the bottle, a substantial part of the length of the.
intermediate portion being in collapsed condition and being
maintained in that condition close to the bottle whereby when
the corking means is withdrawn from the bottle and starts to
move rapidly away therefrom under the pressure of gas accumu-
lated in the bottle, its flight from the bottle will be
-6a-
restrained to a short distance.
In a still further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method of stoppering a bottle with pres-
surized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents; said method
comprising the steps of; providing a bottle having a body
portion, an elongated neck portion; and, a mouth portion;
said neck portion having two relatively axially proximate,
circumferential, squat, annular flanges spaced apart long-
itudinally of the neck and adjacent to the mouth; providing
a corking means of a molded one-piece elastomeric plastic
construction ha~ing; an elongated, generally circularly cylin-
drical stopper, insertable with frictional engagement into
the mouth portion of the bottle, a head connected to the
stopper; an annular, circumferential ring, dimensioned and
shaped for reception between the two annular flanges of the
bottle neck: said annular ring being positioned and spaced
below the head as molded and being concentric with the
stopper, said ring being below the head a distance and then
the ring is below the head when assembled on the bottle; aflex-
~ lble, elongated folded tether having one end connected to thering and the other end connected to the head, said tether
being in a folded state as molded and having a length sub-
; stantially greater than the distance~between said one:end and
said other end; and a plurality of short frangible bridges,
circumferentially spaced apart of each other; said frangible
~ bridges connecting the head to the ring; and concomitantly
: inserting the stopper portion of the stopper into the mouth
portion of the bottle with a die and forclng the annular ring
portion of the corking means downwardly with a second die,
3~0 said annular ring constricti~vely engaging between the twoanuular flanges of the bottles whereby the frangible bridges
hold the stopper and annular ring ln proper position with
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~17~
respect to one another for concomitant insertion and
reception respectively in and around the bottle neck; said
frangible bridges breaking when the annular ring is forced
into place between the flanges.
In a still further aspect of the present invention,
there is provied an apparatus for stoppering a bottle having
an elongated neck portion with two relatively axially prox-
imate annular flanges thereon, and a mouth portion, utilizing
a molded one-piece elastomeric plastic corking means having
a stopper poxtion, insertable with frictional engagement into
the mouth portion of the bottle, a head and an annular ring - ;
capable of reception between the two annular flanges of the
neck portion of the bottle; said stoppering apparatus compris-
ing; means for holding the corking means in proper position
and orientation above an open bottle for stoppering of said
bottle; and means for driving the stopper into the mouth
portion of the bottle and for concomitantly forcing the annular
ring downwardly relative to the head and between the two
annular flanges.
In a still further aspect of the present invention,
:: there is provided a closure arrangement for stoppering bottles
: with pressurized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents,
said closure arrangement comprising, a bottle having a mouth;
a corking means of a molded one-piece elastomeric plastic
construction including; an elongated, generally circularly
cylindrical stopper, insertable with:frictional engagement into
the mouth of the bottle; and a head connected to the stopper;
a flexible elongated tether; means for attaching a first
portion of the tether to the bottle at a point on the bottle
below the mouth, means for attaching a second portion of the
. tether to the corking means, said second portion being remote
from the first portion, the tether including an intermediate
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portion between the first portion and the second portion; the
length of the intermediate portion of the tether between the
first and second portions being substantially greater than
the distance between the points of attachment of the first
and second portions to the bottle and to the corking means,
respectively, such length of the intermediate portion being
suffic.ient to permit the corking means to be withdrawn from
the mouth of the bottle and to fly away therefrom for a short
limited distance, a substantial length of the intermediate
portion being in a folded state so as to reduce the effective
length of the intermediate portion, and means to maintain said
folded length of the intermediate portion in folded condition.
In a still further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of stoppering a bottle with pres- -
surized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents, said method
comprising the steps of; providing a bottle having a body
portion and a mouth; providing a corking means of a molded
one-piece elastomeric construction having7 an élongated
generally circularly cylindrical stopper, insertable with
frlctional engagement into the mouth of the bottle; and a
head connected to the stopper, a flexible elongated folded tether
having means for attaching a first portion of the tether to
the bottle below the mouth and means for attaching a second
portion of the tether to the corking means; inserting the ~ ~
stopper into the mouth of the bottle; the length of the inter- -
mediate portion of the folded tether between the first portion and
the second portion being substantlally greater than the distance
between the points of attachment of the attaching means to the
corking means and the bottle: a substantial part of the
length of the intermediate portion being in folded condition
and being maintained in that condition close to the bottle
whereby when the corking mean~ is withdrawn from the bottle
:
and starts to move rapidly away therefrom under the pressure
of gas accumulated in the bottle, its flight from the bottle
will be restralned to a short distance.
In a still further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided for stoppering a bottle with pressurized
carbonated water-based liquid contents, which bottle has a
neck and includes an annular flange below the mouth of the
bottle, a corking means including a stopper having a generally
circularly cylindrical portion insertable with frictional
engagement into the moutk of the bottle, a flexible elongated
folded tether, means for attaching the tether adjacent one
end thereof to the stopper, an elastomeric ring, means for
attaching the ring to the tether remote from its attachment
to the stopper, the ring having an internal diameter slightly
less than the external diameter of the flange so that the ring
can be forced down over the flange, expanding as it does so
and constricting after it has passed the flange whereby to
captively retain the ring to the bottle, the bottle having a
shape and size below the flange which exceeds the outer dia-
meter of the ring, the tether being long enou0h to permitthe cork to be withdrawn from the mouth of the bottle w~ile
the ring is captive on the bottle and to be moved far enough
away therefrom to permit pouring of the liquid contents from
the bottle, the tether being in folded conditlon, close to
the bottle below the mouth thereof before the stopper is with-
drawn from the mouth being below the bottle mouth at such time,
and, furthermore, at such t1me, being oriented circumferentially
of the longitudinal ax:is of the stopper at a radius not ex-
ceeding that of the ring, the stopper, the tether and the ring
being molded in one-piece of plastic.
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In a still further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided for use with a tethered cork having a
flexible elongated folded tether connected adjacent one end
to the cork, an elastomeric ring including means for connection
to the tether adjacent its other end, and a bottle adapted to
contain pressurized carbonated water-based liquid contents,
said bottle having a finish at its neck which includes an
annular flange the outer diameter of which is slightly larger
than the inner diameter of the ring so that the ring can be
pushed down over the flange, expanding as it does so and con-
stricting after i passes the flange whereby to captively re-
tain the ring to the bottle and thereby captively retain the
cork to the bottle when the cork is pulled out of the mouth of
the bottle and tends to fly away therefrom, the length of the
tether between connections being enough to permit the cork to
; be withdrawn from the bottle while the rlng is captive on the
bottle, and to be moved away therefrom far enough to permit
pouring of the liquid contents from the bottlel the tether
being in folded condition, close to the bottle below the mouth
: 20~ thereof before the cork is withdrawn~from the mouth, being~be-
: :: low the bottle m~uth at such time, and, furthermore, at such
time,~belng oriented clrcumferentlaIly of the longitudinal
axis of the cork at a radius not exc~eeding that o~ the ring, ~
: the cork, the tether and the ring being molded in one-piece
:
of plastic. ~ :
: ~ In a still further aspect of:the present invention,
there is provided a bottle for~use with a tethered, headed cork
having a flexible, elongated, folded:tether connected adjacent
one end to the head of~the cork, said tether lying substantially
within the confines of the periphery of the head of the cork,
an elastomeric ring including means for connection to the tether
adjacent its other end, said bottle adapted to contain pressur-
-8c-
,
ized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents, said bottle hav-
ing a neck with a finish which includes a pair of annular
flanges closely spaced toget`her near the mouth of the bottle,
the outer diameter of the flange closest to the mouth being
slightly larger than the inner diameter of the ring so that
the ring can be pushed down over this flange expanding as it
does so and constricting after it passes such flange and being
able to be pushed manually over the next flange, the second
flange having a diameter which is large enough to check down-
ward movement of the rin~, but small enough to permit the ring
to be pushed manually over it, the cork, the tether and the
ring being molded in one-piece of plastic.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in
the accompanying drawings wherein:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the corking means,
one of the componente of the present invention, said means
being shown prior to assembly on the bottle;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantiall~
along the line ~--2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially
along the line 3--3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 lS a partially broken way front view of
an apparatus for stoppering bottles in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cor~ing means
: of the present invention after it is in place on the bottle
of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially
along the line 6--6 of Figure 5,
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially
along the line 7--7 of Figure 5;
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Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially
along the line 8--8 of Figure 5, and
Figure 9 is a front view of the corking means and
bottle of the present invention after the bottle has been
uncorked.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference
numeral 10 denotes the corking means of the present invention.
As best seen in Figures 4 and 9, the corking means
10 is used to stopper bottles 12 with pressurized, carbonated,
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water-based liquid contents. The bottles 12 are discussed
in detail hereinafter but generally consist of a body portion
(not pictured); an elongated neck portion 14 with two annular
flanges 16, 18 thereon, and a mouth portion 20, the flanges
being parallel to one another, close to one another and near
the mouth portion.
The corking means 10 is a one-piece molded plastic
unit constructed of elastomeric material. Preferably the
corking means is constructed of a high density polyethylene,
but any other appropriate elastomeric material may be used.
As best seen in Figures 1-3, the corking means in-
cludes an elongated stopper 22. The stopper 22 is capable
of being inserted with frictional engagement into the mouth
portion 20 o~ the bottle 12. The stopper 22 is generally
cylindrical. As best seen in Figure 9, in a preferred embodi-
ment, the stopper portion has on it a plurality of integral
concentric annular ribs 24. The ribs 24 increase the amount
of friction between the stopper 22 and the mouth portion 20
thereby providing a tighter closure for the bottle 12. They
also improve the seal effected by the stopper.
The corking means 10 also has an enlarged head -
portion 26 which is integral to the stopper 22. The head
is provided with evenly spaced longitudinal wedges 28. The
wedges 28 provide a user with a better grip on the head portion
26 at the time the corking means 10 is removed from the bottle
12.
The corking means 10 is further provided with an
annular circumferential ring 30. The annular circumferential
ring 30 is dimensioned and shaped for snug reception between
the two annular flanges ~6, 18 of the neck portion 14 of the
bottle 12. The annular circumferential ring is positioned
and spaced below the head portion 26 and is concentric with
_9_
the stopper 22; it is parallel to the lower surface of the
head portion and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the stopper.
The corking means 10 has a flexible, slender elong-
ated tether 32. One end 34 of the tether 32 is integrally
connected to the bottom of the head portion 26 and the other
end 36 of the tether 32 is integrally connected to the top of
the annular circum~erential ring 30. The tether 32 is in a
folded state before the corking means 10 is inserted in the
bottle 12. In other words, the length of the folded tether
32 is substantially greater than the distance between ends 34
and 36. The tether 32 serves to join the head 26 to the ring
30. The reaches of the folded tether are disposed in the
space between the head and the ring and are oriented circum-
ferentially of the longitudinal axis of the stopper at a rad-
ius approximately to that of the ring.
Prior to insertion in the bottle, the corking means
includes a plurality of frangible bridges 38 which connect
the bottom of the head 26 to the top of the ring 30. The
frangible bridges break when the annular ring 30 is forced
between the two flanges 16, 18 as best shown in Figures S, 6,
7 and 9. ~ -
The bottle 12 whose contents are pressurized and car-
bonated as mentioned heretofore has a mouth portion 20, a body
portion (not depicted) and a neck portion 14 with t,wo annular
~langes 16 and 18 thereon.
The two annular flanges 16 and 18 are relatively
axially proximate. Further, flanges 16 and 18 are circumfer-
ential and squat. The flanges 16 and 18 are spaced apart
longitudinally of the neck portion 14 and lie adjacent to
the mouth portion 20.
The bottle 12 may be made of any appropriate
,, --10-
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material. As the bottle will contain pressurized, carbonated
contents, the bottle 12 must be constructed so that it can
withstand the pressure of the contents. Further as the con-
tents of the hottle will usually be champagne, the bottle
in a preferred embodiment is made of a colored glass and is
shaped and constructed to augment the feelings of celebration
and wealth that people usually associate with champagne con-
sumption.
The diameter of the upper annular neck flange 16 is
slightly greater than the diameter of the lower annular neck
flange 18. Further, the inner diameter of the annular ring
30 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the upper
annular neck flange 16. In a preferred embodiment the outer
diameter of the upper annular neck flange 16 is about one
millimeter more than the outer diameter of the lower annular
neck flange 18 and the inner diameter of the annular ring 30
is about 1.5 millimeters less than the outer diameter of the
upper annular neck flange 16. The inner diameter of the an-
nular ring 30 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter
of the lower annular neck flange 16. In the~preferred embodi-
ment as above described, this respective dimensioning of the
two annular neck flanges 16 and 18 and the annular ring 30
permits the annular ring 30 to be pushed down mechanicall~
over the upper neck flange, expanding as it does so, and then
constrict and come to rest between the two neck flanges 16 and
18 and further permits the annular ring 30 to be reversibly
releaseable from its~position betwee~ the two flanges 16 and
18 by manual pressure in a downward direction to expand over
the lower neck flange. This is desirable to facilitate pouring
of the bottle contents after removal of the stopper from the
bottle 12.
The neck portlon 14 of the bottle 12 is straight in
7(:~2~l4
shape for a few inches and then flares outwardly at a small
angle. In a preferred embodiment the neck portion 14 is
straight for approximately two to three inches below the
mouth and then flares outwardly approximately 2 - 3.
The flexible tether 32 is approximately 1/16 of an
inch to a side in square cross-section providing a proper
amount of flexibility for said tether to perform all of the
functions required of it.
As the corking means 10 is assembled with the ~ottle
12, various changes occur in some of its component parts.
As best seen in Figurés 5, 6, 7, the frangible
bridges 38 are broken when the corking means is assembled with
the bottle. The frangible bridges will stretch and break when
the annular ring 30 is forced down between the two annular
flanges 16 and 18 inasmuch as the axial distance between the
head and ring of the corking means as molded is less than the
distance between these elements as mounted on the bottle. This
leaves the flexible tether 32 as the sole connection between
the annular ring 30 and the head portion 26.
As the corking means 10 is positioned on~the bot*le
:
12, the flexible tether 32 partially unfolds.
Due to the material and dimensions of said flexible
tether 32 it is capable of the aforementioned partial unfolding
during placement of the corking means 10 on the bottle 12.
:
Additionally, as best seen in Figure 9, the flexible
tether 32 is capable of additi~onal unfolding when the corking
means 10 is removed from the bottle 12 prior to pouring of
the contents of the bottle. In this manner the flexible
tether 32 continuously provldes a means for joining together
the head portion 26 and the annular ring 30. The flexible
,
tether retains the~corking means 10 attached to the bottle
12 when the bottle i3 open and thus prevents the injuries
-12-
that might occur when the cork of the bottle with pressurized
contents is propelled from such a bottle.
The flexible tether 32 in its unfolded condition is
of sufficient length to allow the corking means lO to be so
placed in relationship to the bottle that the corking means
10 does not interfere with the decanting of the bottle contents.
In its folded and also in its partially unfolded
condition, the flexible tether 32 extends circumferentially
below the head 26 and does not extend beyond the external
peripheries of said head 26 and said annular ring 30. This is
particularly advantageous in that it prevents interference by
the tether 32 with the wire 40 that is wrapped about the bottle
12 after the corking means is positioned therein. -
Wrapping of bottles which contain champagne with
wire 40 is a standard practice for both safety and aesthetic
reasons. It is thus important that the corking means 10 con-
tains no elements which would interfere with the placement of
the wire 40 about the closed bottle.
The corking means lO may, in addition to the parts
heretofore described, contain at least one frangible connecting
element (E) for connecting the flexible tether 32 to at least
one other element of the corking means;~lO. ~In a preferred
embodiment the corking means has three such fxangible connecting
elements, connectlng the tether 32 to the annular ring 30, the
frangible bridges 38 and the head 26. Although all of the
parts of the corking means~will stay in proper alignment to
each other without these frangible connecting elements, the
frangible connecting elements provide, if desired, extra
stability to the corking means 10 and further provide addition-
al means to keep all~other elements of said corking means inproper alignment to one another prior to assembly with the
bottle.
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. .
'~~` ~t7(~z ~ ~
As can be seen from Figure 4, the present invention
provides both a method of and apparatus for stoppering bottles
12 with pressurized, carbonated, water-based contents.
The bottle provided in the method of this invention,
is the bottle 12, heretofore described. The corking means 10
heretofore described is also provided, as molded, for stop-
pering the bottle. In accordance with the method of the pres-
ent invention, the stopper portion 22 of the corking means is
inserted into the mouth portion 20 of the bottle 12, and the
annular ring 30 is concomitantly forced downward until it
engages the neck of the bottle between the two annular flanges
16, 18. The wire 40 then is wrapped around the corXing means
and the bottle. The wire contains a seal (not depicted) to
indicate that'the bottle has not been opened previously. As
is standard in the bottling of champagne and sparkling wines,
the corked and wired bottle may be wrapped with a foil-type
paper (not depicted).
The wire 40 used for wrapplng the corked bottle is
a thin soft steel wlre which lS standard in the art.
An apparatus 41 for stoppering~the bottle 12 with
the,corking means 10 also is provided.
The apparatus includes a ~locating means 42 for hold-
ing the as-mold corking means 10 in proper position and orien-
tation above an open bottle 12 with the stopper directed down-
'
wardly directly above the bottle mouth. The locating means
may be any appropr1ate means for so holdlng the cork1ng means
in place. Appropriately lt~may include plates capable of
moving outwardly away from the center of the corking means
lO~to allow the corking means to be posltioned in the bottle.
The apparatus 41 further includeq a ram 44 for driving
the stopper portion 22 into the mouth portion 20 o the ~ottle
12 and for concomitantly forcing the annular ring 30 between
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the two annular flanges 16,18. In a preferred embodiment,
there are two auxiliary driving means, namely a sleeve 46 and
a plunger 48.
The plunger 48 is attached to the ram by a resilient
lost motion means 50 which in a preferred embodiment is a
compressible spring for yieldingly driving the stopper portion
22 into the mouth portion 20 of the bottle. The spring is used
because after the stopper portion 22 is driven into the mouth
20 by the plunger 48, the sleeve 46 continues to move down-
wardly, forcing the annular ring 30 between and over theannular flange 16 to come to rest between the flanges 16, 18.
The plunger 48 drives the stoppering portion 22 into the mouth
portion 20 a split-second before the sleeve 46 forces the
annular ring 30 between the flanges 16, 18. The frangible
bridges 38 and elements E break as the sleeve forces the an-
nular ring between the annular flanges 16, 18.
The sleeve 46 is dimensioned, shaped and guided to
accurately drive the annular ring 30 into position, and the
plunger 48 is dimensioned, shaped and guided for accurate
driving of the stoppering portion 22 into the mouth portion
20.
As various possible embodiments might be made of the
above invention, and as various changes might be made in the
embodiment set forth, it is to be understood that all matters
herein~described and shown in the accompanying drawings are to
be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.
