[0001] The present invention relates to a device for restraining corks of bottles for sparkling
wines, champagne and the like.
[0002] In the prior art, once the conventional mushroom-shaped cork has been fitted in the
neck of the bottle, a metal cap or plate is placed on the cork and is restrained by
a cage made of twisted wire formed, at the opposite end to the cap, with loops through
which two pieces of wire can extend to form the normal closure of the device on the
neck of the bottle.
[0003] Although cages such as that just described are functionally satisfactory, they have
some disadvantages.
[0004] The formation of the cage with twisted wire presents considerable problems with regard
to production and precision of fitting as well as problems of hygiene since dust may
be introduced between the twists of the wire during storage.
[0005] The amount of twisted wire used is quite large and, moreover, since conventional
cages are standardized and easily available commercially, the caps which normally
bear the trade mark or name of the producing company can be re-used for the bottling
of unauthentic sparkling wine (naturally, this applies to very well-known companies)
thus promoting unauthentic products with the use of a well-known image.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for restraining corks
of sparkling-wine bottles which prevents the aforementioned problems and which is
easy to produce and inexpensive.
[0007] The present invention achieves the aforementioned objects by means of a device for
restraining corks of bottles for sparkling wines and champagne having the specific
characteristics recited in the following claims.
[0008] The present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawing,
provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which the device for restraining
corks for sparkling-wine bottles according to the invention is generally indicated
2; the device 2 comprises a cap or plate 4 having slots or perforated seats 6 in its
peripheral portion. Each perforated seat 6 houses a hooked end 8 of a leg 10 made
of substantially rectangular-sectioned metal tube. The opposite ends of the legs 10
to the hooked ends 8 terminate in rings or partial rings 12 which, in use, can house
an open piece of wire which is twisted to form a joint 14 of known type at one end
and, at the opposite end, is available for forming the normal twisted loop for opening
the retaining device.
[0009] After the hooked ends 8 have been positioned in the slots 6, the portions of the
plate adjacent the slots 6, and hence adjacent the legs 10, are squeezed (compressed)
so as to squash the legs 10 on the sides adjacent the plate 4, enclosing them, so
to speak, in the plate almost irremovably.
[0010] The advantages of a restraining device according to the invention are clear.
[0011] The amount of wire required in comparison with known restraining devices is drastically
reduced.
[0012] The length of the legs is practically always constant and, moreover, the plate cannot
be re-used without quite expensive tooling which in any case is not available on the
market.
[0013] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment
and details of construction may be varied widely without thereby departing from the
scope of the present invention, for example, the legs may be made of metal strap or
band.
1. A device (2) for restraining corks of bottles for sparkling wines and champagne, characterized
in that it comprises a plate (4) having a plurality of peripheral slots (6), and a
number of legs (10) equal to the number of slots (6), each leg (10) having a first
hooked end (8) for engaging in one of the slots (6) and a second end (12) shaped like
a ring or a partial ring for housing at least one piece of wire, the plate (4) having
squashed portions in the regions of the slots (6), and the legs (10) being enclosed
and squashed in the squashed portions of the plate (4).
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the legs (10) are made of metal
tube.
3. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the legs are formed by means
of a metal strap.
4. A device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the legs are made of substantially
rectangular-sectioned metal tube.
