Sealing disc for a container closure cap

0001The invention relates to a washer for a closure cap for containers, in particular for bottle closures for oxygen reactive Substances, alcoholic drinks or wines.

0002Washers are known in various embodiments. For the Use in bottle caps are made in a corresponding size, For example, with diameters from 16.6 to 45.0 mm or 12.0 to 115.0 mm. The small washers are in, for example, aluminum caps, the larger in plastic caps, screw tops inserted for the bottles.

0003From US-PS 4,818,577 and US-PS 4,930,646 it is known a gasket from a top layer of polyethylene foam and a arranged underneath layer of "Saran", ie a polyvinylidene chloride provide. There is a barrier action against the escape of gaseous Ingredients sought from the bottle interior.

0004From DE-GM 72 40 238 it is known a gasket of a Layer of polyolefin, especially polyethylene foam, and a Layer of a gas-tight plastic, in particular a composite layer of polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to manufacture. Latter Layer is back as a diffusion barrier with the PVC layer to the container opening arranged to provide a seal against outgassing of carbon dioxide, for example, prevent or diffusion of oxygen into a container.

0005From EP 0332725 A1 a is in a closure of a polyolefin, for For polypropylene, cast sealing disc with a container for content directed layer of organosol over a metal foil, a Layer of Polyolefincarboxylsäure and a layer of thermoplastic polyolefin, for example polypropylene, is known. These Sealing washer should be heat-resistant and resistant to pasteurization and allow the passage of liquid, in particular for vacuum and pressure filling be suitable.

0006EP 0328336 A is a sealing disk, a deoxidizer substance includes known.

0007For sealing wine bottles or bottles of sparkling wine, it is known, cork to use. The corks were in former times usually with a lead or tin existing capsule coated. Nowadays, instead of lead usually an aluminum layer or PVC shrink capsule used. often proves the use of cork for sealing wine or Champagne bottles to be disadvantageous, since at the bottom of the cork on the Wine or champagne side facing forming mold-like bacteria. These Publication is the wine or champagne quality from very detrimental. About that addition, the use of cork for sealing wine or champagne bottles at current 1000-piece price of DM 200 with good qualities a not insignificant cost factor. For this reason and out For ease of opening and the possibility of resealing be with an upward trend in recent years Aluminiumschraubverschlüsse used for wine bottles. made the washers such as polyethylene foam.

0008The invention has the object of providing a relatively inexpensive Washer for a closure cap for containers, in particular for Bottle closures for oxygen reactive substances, alcoholic to provide drinks or wines which the disadvantages of the known Cork avoids and the container contents safe from loss of quality, in particular by the container with entrapped oxygen, protects.

0009This object is achieved with a sealing washer for a cap for dissolved containers, comprising a layer of an oxygen-substance and a layer of a deoxidizing substance on the the Container capacity made facing side has.

0010Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

0011This is a gasket, in particular for bottle closures for oxygen reactive substances, alcoholic drinks or wines created the one hand, for example, the alcoholic in the beverage or Wine contained gasfömigen part of the alcohol from passing through the Washer prevents outward and on the other the entry of oxygen or other undesirable gases prevented in the bottle interior.

0012A while capping bottles between bottle and closure Contents inevitably trapped amount of oxygen by the deoxidation Substance, for example Daraform added. Thereby is the component which is an open wine after a short time inedible makes withdrawn from the still unopened wine bottle. Of the Wine is therefore more durable and not subject to quality losses. The The action of oxygen in the wine, in conjunction with the storage time and temperature to undesirable changes in taste of wine lead. The most commonly used as increasingly health concerns encounters Sulphiting of wine may be restricted or . omitted The washer also contributes to the hygiene aspirations For example, the European Community. can to her no bacteria fix that, like the European of conventional cork, on the Prohibited List are.

0013Seen in relation to Cork, is also to point out the significant cost advantage, with improved functionality.

0014In principle, a sealing disc for a closure cap for containers, in particular for bottle closures for oxygen reactive substances alcoholic drinks or wines, created, in which the sealing disc a layer of an oxygen-substance and a Layer of a deoxidizing substance on the contents of the container has made facing side of the washer.

0015Preferably, it has, above a further layer of polyethylene foam the layer of the oxygen-impermeable substance. The sealing washer is on the side of its first layer of polyethylene foam advantageously covered by a Aluminiumschraubverschluß. The Polyethylene film is full surface on its underside of the layer of the oxygen impermeable substance, preferably polyvinylidene chloride, covered. The layer of the oxygen-impermeable substance is of the Layer of a deoxidizing substance covered on its underside. With its underside is the layer of the deoxidizing substance facing the contents of container.

0016The deoxidizer substance is preferably of the type that they only operates under certain external conditions in this capacity, about under pressure or at a certain moisture content of the environment. This allows the handling, manufacture of the sealing disc, storage and also attaching under normal external conditions, ie in the presence the usual oxygen in the ambient air. Only in the filled container is then due to the resulting over-pressure and / or moisture content of the unfolds deoxidizer effect.

0017The deoxidizer layer has advantageously, the deoxidizer Substance Polyolefincarboxylsäure on, especially as a copolymer in conjunction with other polyolefins. A traded under the brand name product Daraform is particularly suitable. Alternatively, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or other such material may be used. To the Applying to the layer of polyvinylidene chloride, the Daraform layer made extrudable. Thereby, it has a clean, solid consistency.

0018Daraform is sensory properly, ie taste occurs no influence the bottle contents a, ie in particular of wine, in the rest of - About optical - remains unaffected.

0019The layer of polyethylene foam preferably has a density of 250 g / m²and a thickness of 2 mm, the layer of polyvinylidene chloride preferably a thickness of 19 microns and the layer of a thickness of 0.25 to Daraform 0.5 mm.

0020The sealing disc is manufactured in a process in which first the first layer of polyethylene foam with the second layer of an oxygen- Substance on its underside covered the entire surface and with this is adhered to. The third layer of a deoxidizing Substance is then applied to the underside of the second layer or foamed and connected thereto.

0021The gasket can be either before Crackin of Aluminiumschraubverschlusses in the cap inserted or otherwise be attached to the underside of the third layer on the container edge. For example, they can also first be placed on a neck of a bottle opening, inserted in particular to the third layer in the container mouth, and Aluminiumschraubverschluß are then placed over it. By the Crackin, rolling on or otherwise attaching the Aluminiumschraubverschlusses on the bottle neck is a load at the same time as Compressive load applied. This causes the sealing disc to a smaller thickness than compressed corresponding manufacturing thickness.

0022It is particularly preferred if the layer of a deoxidizer Substance a smaller surface diameter than the other layers of the having sealing washer, in particular a surface diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the associated container mouth to be sealed.

0023This additionally has the advantage that after the application of the container closure with the sealing disc the layer with the deoxidizer Substance only and exclusively with the container contents or the gaseous Share below the shutter comes in contact, but not with the Ambient atmosphere, which otherwise still within the Veschlusses could reach some extent to the edge of this layer.

0024The layer of polyvinylidene chloride has a double function. On the one hand prevents she gaseous components, such as alcohol, the passage from the bottle interior through the sealing disc to the outside. To the other it prevents the entry of oxygen or other gases in the field of Daraformschicht. Preferably over the polyvinylidene chloride layer provided polyethylene foam layer provides compression force (With elastic elastic recovery) for the corresponding clamping pressure and thus for a seal. Through the thickness of the layer and its elastic design tolerances are the closures and bottle necks balanced. For example, will any liquid (also in Vapor) that could penetrate from the outside into the bottle, from entering prevented. In addition, the polyethylene foam layer of the seal disc gives due to its significantly greater thickness compared to the other two Layers stability and a particularly good handleability.

0025For further explanation of the invention are hereinafter more embodiments described by sealing washers using the drawings.

0026These show in:<dl tsize="7" compact="compact"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a perspective view of a bottle with a closure cap with inventive gasket,</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>a perspective view of the seal disk of the invention according to FIG. 1,</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>a perspective view of a second embodiment of a Gasket according to the invention and</dd><dt>figure 4</dt><dd>a sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention Sealing washer.</dd></dl>

0027<b>Fig. 1</b> shows a perspective view of a bottle 1 with a closure cap 2 with a washer 3. The cap 2 is a screw cap. It is to illustrate the inner gasket 3 shown partly broken. The cap 2 is for example, Aluminum.

0028The sealing disc 3 consists of three layers. The uppermost, with the closure cap 2 bonded layer 4 is made of polyethylene foam. Below the layer 4, a layer 5 is provided from polyvinylidene chloride. Underneath the layer 5, and thus directly to the bottle neck rim adjacent and on whose opening auflagernd, is a layer 6 of a deoxidizer Substance, for example Daraform provided.

0029The layer 6 of Daraform escapes the closed bottle, the during the filling the example alcoholic beverage, in particular wine, the in the bottle with oxygen introduced. The in conventional wine bottle closures, especially cork, but also with screw caps with conventional sealing discs with entrapped oxygen can the so-called "Tilting" of the wine lead. However, there may be changes in taste the wine coming. The Daraformschicht 6 removes this Oxygen and thus makes possible the consistent quality of the bottle contents, in particular wine.

0030by covering the layer 6 of the layer 5 by Daraform Polyvinylidene chloride it is ensured that only the oxygen from the bottom, absorbed namely from the inside of the bottle, by the Daraformschicht 6 , but will not. From the outside around the bottle The amount of such peeled and soaked up oxygen is therefore manageable and is relatively low. The Daraformschicht 6 therefore should not of a once open and then re-sealed bottle to the opening process and partial Emptying the bottles penetrated oxygen from this again remove and make the bottle contents preserved, but it is only the originally penetrated touch with the bottle filling oxygen, as well as the possibly still emerging from the wine oxygen.

0031The layer 5 of polyvinylidene chloride thus makes a possible gas passage in the interior of the bottle and from the bottle interior to the outside. Out the bottle interior can not particularly of alcohol as a gaseous take part to the outside. Oxygen from the environment of the bottle can not inside in the region of the Daraformschicht or therethrough reach.

0032The layer 4 of polyethylene foam is used both as a means of connecting the two other layers with the sealing cap 2. In place of the polyethylene foam layer but may also be a layer of another material having features that can be selected.

0033In <b>FIG. 2</b> is a perspective view of the sealing washer according to the invention 3 shown in FIG. 1. The top layer 4 of polyethylene foam for example, has a density of 250 g / m² on. The thickness of the Layer is for example 2 mm. The top 7 of the layer 4 of polyethylene foam superimposed after insertion into the cap 2 directly the inside and is held in a retaining bead in the closure. they can, however, also be attached by an adhesive in the closure. Partially already extends the own adhesion or adhesion of the layer for securing in the cap 2 from.

0034From its underside 8 establishes the layer 4 of polyethylene foam is full surface 5 covered by the middle layer of polyvinylidene chloride. polyvinylidene chloride is a double chloride, also referred to as PVDC film becomes. The Dow Chemical Company provides polyvinylidene under the brand name "Saran" ago. The thickness of the layer 5 of polyvinylidene chloride is, for example, at 19 microns. This very small thickness of the layer 5 is sufficient for deployment of the blocking effect, in particular for the gaseous alcohol and against the entry of the gaseous oxygen.

0035At the bottom 9 of the layer 5, the bottom layer 6 is from the deoxidizer Substance Daraform provided. Under the product name Daraform from Grace Chemicals hides chemically a mixture of Polyolefincarboxylsäure with other polyolefins, represented as copolymers. Daraform is completely PVC-free and binds oxygen. The third layer 6 from Daraform is for example, about 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm thick. To apply is on the underside 9 of the middle layer 5 of polyvinylidene chloride the bottom layer 6 extruded from Daraform. She gets by a clean, solid consistency.

0036The total thickness of the sealing disk 3 is for the Top Include the three layers 4, 5, 6 is about 2.3 mm. The washer 3 is either previously inserted into a prefabricated aluminum cap 2 and fixed therein or pinched. The three layers 4, 5, 6 of the gasket 3 stick it to each other already. When roll-on process or other fastening the aluminum cap 2 on the bottle neck is this addition burdened with a load of 120 to 180 kg. The lying in the closure Seal disc 3 is thereby compressed to approximately 1 mm thickness. The interior of the bottle is characterized by the airtight seal disc 3 and the closure cap 2 closed.

0037Depending on the field of application for the gasket 3 may be suitably be, the layer 6 of Daraform in anything other than the aforementioned to finished thickness. The washer 3 is not just for closures Wine bottles or other alcoholic beverages used, but everywhere where a container interior with enclosed, unwanted oxygen should be withdrawn.

0038The underside 10 of the bottom layer 6 of Daraform is in direct contact with the bottle interior, so the trapped there oxygen. Daraform is resistant to alcohol, tartaric acid and other substances in the food industry be used, and is beyond sensory properly. When using a different deoxidizer substance as Daraform it should be ensured that these other substance not from the contents of the bottle can be attacked. The substance should at wine bottles so be resistant, for example, alcohol and tartaric acid.

0039<b>Fig. 3</b> shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a Washer inventive 3. The gasket 3 has a upper layer 5 made of polyvinylidene chloride and a lower layer 6 of a deoxidizer substance, for example Daraform on. While it would be possible only produce the washer 3 from Daraform. This would however comparatively expensive because Daraform multiples of polyethylene foam costs. Apart from this single layer would consist Daraform not only absorb the oxygen from the bottle interior, but also the oxygen from the environment of the bottle and suck suck. Therefore, it is much cheaper, the Daraformschicht 6 on its upper surface 13 with the obstructing layer of polyvinylidene chloride cover. A cap 2 can then directly over this layer 5 of polyvinylidene chloride be provided.

0040<b>Fig. 4</b> shows a view in section of a third Auführungsform an inventive Washer 3. Here is below the upper layer 4 Polyethylene foam middle layer 5 of polyvinylidene chloride and including a lower layer 6 can be seen from Daraform. While the comprise layers 4 and 5 same area diameter, the layer 6 is smaller.

0041If one imagines the disc now in a cap and this on a Container mouth as shown in Fig. 1 before, so protrudes the layer 6 of Daraform below the container mouth slightly into the container interior while the Layer 5 rests precisely on the container mouth. This makes cooperation with the container from each Sauestoffzutritt, so that the layer 6 alone with the Oxygen is faced inside the container.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

0042<dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>bottle</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>cap</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>sealing washer</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>Layer of polyethylene foam</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>Layer of polyvinylidene chloride</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>Layer of oxygen-removing substance / Daraform</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>top</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>bottom</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>bottom</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>bottom</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>top</dd></dl>