VENTED CLOSURE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a closure for a beverage bottle and more particularly relates to a closure that vents pressurized gases in a controlled manner while being opened.

[0002] Non-carbonated beverages such as waters, teas, juices, sports drinks, and the like may be sold in single serving and multiple serving plastic and glass bottles. Plastic bottles, which are more commonly used, may be made out of a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin. The beverage bottle may be enclosed by a standard screw-off cap or a closure with a pull-up spout that the consumer can open and close with his or her fingers. This type of packaging allows the consumer to open and close the beverage bottle as desired.

[0003] Another known type of bottle closure has a twist-top spout. Instead of pulling the spout up as in the pull-up closures, the consumer simply twists the spout Examples of known twist-top closures are found in U.S. Design Patent Nos. 424,442 and 423,358.

[0004] Certain types of non-carbonated beverage bottles may be pressurized by injecting liquid nitrogen prior to capping. The nitrogen serves to make the bottle itself somewhat stiff. This bottle stiffness assists in labelling efficiency and in vending machine performance. The target internal bottle pressure after capping may be in the range of about ten (10) psi (about 0.7 kg/cm²) to about twenty-five (25) psi (about 1.76 kg/cm²). Known twist-top closures, however, generally are not designed to hold internal bottle pressures. For those closures that are intended or designed to be used with a pressurized bottle, one drawback with these closure designs is that there may be some spraying or squirting of the beverage contained in the bottle when the closure is first opened. This spraying or squirting of the beverage may be caused by the sudden release of the internal pressure when the closure is first opened.

[0005] Known bottle closures also may use an over-cap of some sort to protect the spout itself. The consumer, however, generally removes the over-cap before the consumer opens the spout. The over-cap therefore generally has not provided any protection from the spraying or squirting described above. Further, while certain known over-caps produced by the applicants herein may be re-attachable, such re-attachable over-caps either have not used a frangible line or the frangible line is not readily visible to the consumer once broken. As such, the re-attachable over-caps may not provide immediate visual evidence of tampering.

[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a twist-top, pull-up, or other type of closure for a beverage bottle that holds pressure and provides controlled venting of this pressure during the opening of the bottle so as to eliminate beverage spraying or squirting. The closure and its use should be reasonably inexpensive and should not interfere with existing bottling equipment and methods.

[0007] CH645067A discloses a screw cap in which, in order to prevent the cap from being ejected like a projectile, the screw thread has one or more notches to release gaseous pressure when the cap is removed

[0008] The present invention provides a closure for a bottle wherein, the closure includes a spout neck attached to the bottle and a cap retractably positioned on the spout neck. The spout neck has a sealing lip and the cap has an internal circular vent and an internal body portion. The sealing lip of the spout neck and the body portion of the cap align to seal the bottle at a side seal and an upper seal when the cap is in a first position. The sealing lip of the spout neck and the internal circular vent of the cap align so as to open the side seal and vent the bottle when the cap is moved to a second position. When the cap is moved to a third position the internal circular vent is closed and the upper seal is opened.

[0009] Specific embodiments of the present invention include the spout neck and the cap being made from a substantially rigid thermoplastic. The spout neck may include an extended body portion extending adjacent to the sealing lip. The cap may include a circular rib positioned adjacent to the internal body portion such that the circular rib aligns with the extended body portion of the spout neck when the cap is in the first position and the second position and such that the circular rib aligns with the sealing lip of the spout neck when the cap is in a third position.

[0010] The circular vent may include a number of cut out areas and a number of gaps.

[0011] The circular vent also may include a number of segmented grooves therein. The segmented grooves may include a series of bosses therein.

[0012] The circular vent may have a predetermined diameter such that an air gap is created when the circular vent aligns with the sealing lip.

[0013] The sealing lip of the spout neck may include a spout aperture with a sealing cap positioned therein. The cap may include a top surface with a cap aperture therein. The top surface may include a circular wall surrounding the cap aperture. The circular wall and/or the spout neck may be sized such that circular wall and the sealing cap of the spout neck align to seal the cap aperture when the cap is in the first position and when the cap is moved to the second position. Specifically, the circular wall and the sealing cap of the spout neck align to seal the cap aperture when the cap is moved to the second position and/or the sealing lip of the spout neck and the circular vent of the cap align so as to vent the bottle. The circular wall and the sealing cap of the spout neck may align to open the cap aperture when the cap is moved to a third position.

[0014] The spout neck may include a base that is removably attachable to the bottle. The spout neck may include a number of recesses positioned on the base such that the cap may be positioned within one of the number of recesses. The spout neck may include a channel positioned thereon while the internal body portion of the cap may include a threaded segment thereon such that the segment engages the channel of the spout neck for movement therein.

[0015] The closure may further include an over-cap positioned over the cap. The over-cap may include a flexible thermoplastic. The over- cap may include an internal surface with a raised over-cap rib. The cap may include an exterior surface with a raised cap rib such that the raised over-cap rib and the raised cap rib align to secure the over-cap on the cap. The spout may include an over-cap recess for positioning the over-cap therein. The over-cap may include a frangible line. The frangible line may be positioned below the raised spout rib but above the over-cap recess when the over-cap is positioned therein such that the raised spout rib and the raised cap rib may align to secure the over-cap on the spout while the frangible line is visible.

[0016] The method of the present invention provides for venting the internal pressure of a bottle with a beverage therein. The bottle has a twist -top closure with a spout neck and a twist cap. The spout neck and the twist cap form an upper seal and a side seal. The method includes the steps of twisting the twist cap such that the side seal opens while the top seal remains closed, venting the internal pressure through the side seal, and twisting the twist cap further such that the side seal closes and the top seal opens to permit the beverage to flow out of the bottle.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the closure of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the spout neck and the base of the closure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the twist cap of the closure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the over-cap of the closure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the twist cap of the closure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the sealed position.

Fig. 7 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the sealed position with the gas stream shown.

Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the venting position.

Fig. 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the venting position with the gas stream shown.

Fig.10 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the venting position with the gas stream shown.

Fig. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the dispensing position.

Fig. 12 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in the dispensing position with the gas stream shown.

Fig. 13 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the over-cap positioned on the spout base.

Fig. 14 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the over-cap being removed from the spout base. 25

[0018] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals referred to like parts throughout the several views, Figs. 1-5 show a 30 bottle closure 100 of the present invention. The bottle closure 100 may be in the form of a twist-top closure as is described in more detail herein. The bottle closure 100 also may take the form of a pull-top closure or similar designs as are known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, U.S. Patent No. 6,135,329 shows a closure base that may be used with a twist-top or a pull- top closure.

[0019] The closure 100 may include a base 110. The base 110 may be made from a substantially rigid thermoplastic such as polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, high-density polyethylene, or similar types of materials. The base 110 may be made in an injection molding process or by similar manufacturing processes. The base 110 is sized to accommodate a conventional threaded neck 120 of a conventional beverage bottle 130. The bottle 130 may be made from PET or similar types of flexible thermoplastic materials. The base 110 may include internal threads 140 to mate with the threaded neck 120 of the beverage bottle 130. The base 110 also may include a ribbed portion 150 about its exterior so as to assist in removing the bottle closure 100 from the bottle 130 if desired. The dimensions of the closure 100 will depend upon the size of the bottle 130. For example, the base 110 may have a diameter of about 1.25 inches (about 3.18 cm) so as to accommodate a conventional twenty (20) fluid ounce (about 0.6 liters) bottle 130.

[0020] Positioned on a top portion 155 of the base 110 may be an annular rib 160. The annular rib 160 may define two annular recesses, an over-cap recess 170 and a twist-top cap recess 180. The over-cap recess 170 is sized to accommodate an over-cap as explained in more detail below. Likewise, the twist-top cap recess 180 is sized to accommodate a twist-top cap or other type of cap as described in more detail below.

[0021] Positioned on the top portion 155 of the base 110 also may be a spout neck 200. The spout neck 200 may be integrally formed with the base 110 and may be made out of the same materials and through the same processes. The spout neck 200 may include a spout base 210 with one or more channels 215 formed therein. For use with the bottle 130 and the base 110 described above, the spout base 210 may be about 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) in length and about 0.6 inches (about 1.52 cm) in diameter. For use with a twist-top cap, the channel 215 may advance up the spout base 210 in a spiral fashion. The channel 215 may be similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,967,941.

[0022] The spout neck 200 also may include a venting area 220 positioned on top of the threaded base 210. The venting area 220 may include a bottom flange 230 and a sealing lip 240. An extended neck portion 250 may separate the bottom flange 230 and the sealing lip 240. The bottom flange 230 may be about 0.05 inches (about 0.127 cm) in length and may have an upper diameter of about 0.5 inches (about 1.27 cm). The sealing lip 240 may be about 0.1 inches (about 0.25 cm) in length and may have a maximum diameter of about 0.55 inches (about 1.44 cm). The extended neck 250 portion may be a substantially smooth surface with a length of about 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) and a diameter of about 0.5 inches (about 1.27 cm).

[0023] Positioned within the sealing lip 240 may be an aperture 260. The aperture 260 may have a diameter of about 0.5 inches (about 1.27 cm). Positioned within the aperture 260 may be a sealing cap 270. The sealing cap 270 may be a raised circular structure. The sealing cap 270 may have a diameter of about 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) and a height of about 0.09 inches (about 0.23 cm) to about 0.10 inches (about 0.25 cm). The height of the sealing cap 270 is generally about 0.02 inches (about 0.05 cm) to about 0.03 inches (about 0.076 cm) longer than known devices produced by the applicants herein so as to accommodate the twist-top or other type of cap as described in more detail below, although other variations may be used. The sealing cap 270 may be attached to the spout neck 200 via a plurality of ribs 280 or by similar types of structures.

[0024] The bottle closure 100 also may include a twist-top cap 300. The twist-top cap 300 may be a separate element from the spout neck 200. The twist-top cap 300, however, may be made from the same materials and through the same processes as the spout neck 200, although high-density polyethylene is preferred. The twist-top cap 300 may be a substantially hollow structure. The twist-top cap 300 may include a base section 310. The base section 310 may have an interior surface 320 and an exterior surface 330. The base section 310 may have a wall thickness that is sized to fit and rotate within the twist-top cap recess 180 of the base 110. The interior surface 320 of the base section 310 may have a height of about 0.3 inches (about 0.76 cm) while the exterior surface 330 may have a height of about 0.2 inches (about 0.5 cm).

[0025] The interior surface 320 of the base section 310 may have one or more thread segments 340 formed thereon. The thread segments 340 are designed to cooperate with the channel 215 of the spout base 210. Specifically, the thread segments 340 fit within the channel 215 so as to elevate the twist-top cap 300 when twisting in one direction and return the twist-top cap 300 to its starting position when twisting in the opposite direction.

[0026] Positioned above the exterior surface 330 of the base section 310 may be a raised spout rib 350. The raised spout rib 350 may be substantially oval in shape. The raised spout rib 350 may extend along the short ends 360 of the twist-top cap 300. The raised spout rib 350 may be substantially eliminated along the long ends 370 so as to form a smooth area 375 on both sides of the cap 300. These smooth areas 375 along the long ends 370 may assist the consumer grasping and turning the twist-top cap 300.

[0027] Positioned above the raised spout rib 350 on the twist-top cap 300 may be a cap body 380. Similar to the raised spout rib 350, the cap body 380 may be largely oval in shape. Positioned about the short ends 360 of the cap body 380 above the raised spout rib 350 may be a number of raised ribs 390. The raised ribs 390 also may assist the consumer in opening the twist-top cap 300. The area around the long ends 370 of the cap body 380 may be largely smooth and an extension of the smooth areas 375.

[0028] Positioned on the cap body 380 may be a cap top 400. The cap top 400 may be a substantially flat surface with an aperture 410 positioned therein. The aperture 410 may be sized to accommodate the sealing cap 270 of the spout neck 200. The aperture 410 may be largely circular in shape. The aperture 410 may define a circular wall 440. The circular wall 440 may have a length of about 0.06 inches (about 0.15 cm) to about 0.10 inches (about 0.25 cm) so as to cooperate with the sealing cap 270 of the spout neck 200. It is understood that the length of the circular wall 440 and/or the length of the sealing cap 270 may be varied such that the two elements interact so as to form a seal of sufficient length as described in more detail below. The cap top 400 also may have arrow 405 or some other sort of indicia printed or formed thereon to indicate the twisting direction of the twist-top cap 300.

[0029] Positioned above the interior surface 320 of the base section 310 of the twist-top cap 300 may be a circular rib 450. The circular rib 450 may have a length of about 0.02 (about 0.05 cm) to about 0.05 inches (about 0.127 cm). The circular rib 450 may have a diameter to accommodate the elements of the spout neck 200 in the sealing and the venting positions as described in more detail below. Specifically, the circular rib 450 may be positioned against the bottom flange 230 of the spout neck 200 in the closed position and then may rise up the extended neck 250 portion as the twist-top cap 300 is turned.

[0030] Positioned above the circular rib 450 may be a first circular band 460. The first circular band 460 may have a length of about 0.05 inches (about 0.127 cm) to about 0.06 inches (about 0.152 cm) and a diameter to accommodate the elements of the spout neck 200 in the sealing and the venting positions as described in more detail below. Specifically, the first circular band 460 largely corresponds to the position of the extended neck 250 of the spout neck 200 in the closed position and then may rise up the extended neck 250 portion and the sealing lip 240 as the twist top cap 300 is turned.

[0031] Positioned above the first circular band 460 may be a circular vent 470. The circular vent 470 may have a number of cut out areas 480 separated by a number of gaps 490. The cut out areas 480 may include a series of segmented grooves 500 therein. The segmented grooves 500 may be in the form of a series of bosses within the cut out area 480. The circular vent 470 may have a length of about 0.03 inches (about 0.076 cm) to about 0.04 inches (about 0.102 cm) and a diameter to accommodate the elements of the spout neck 200 in the sealing and the venting positions as described in more detail below. Specifically, the circular vent 470 may align substantially beneath the sealing lip 240 of the spout neck 200 when the twist-top cap 300 is in the closed position, with the sealing lip 240 as the twist-top cap 300 begins to turn, and above the sealing lip 240 when the twist-top cap 300 is fully turned. The cut out areas 480 may have a diameter of sufficient depth such that an air gap is created therebetween when the cut out areas 480 align with sealing lip 240.

[0032] Positioned above the circular vent 470 may be a second circular band 520. The second circular band 520 may have a length of about 0.07 inches (about 0.178 cm) to about 0.08 inches (about 0.203 cm) and about the same diameter as the first circular band 460. The second circular band 520 may align substantially with the sealing lip 240 of the spout neck 200 when the twist-top cap 300 is in the closed position.

[0033] The bottle closure 100 also may include an over-cap 550. The over-cap 550 may be made from a flexible thermoplastic such as polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, high density polyethylene, The over-cap 550 may be made in an injection molding process. The over-cap 550 is designed to fit within the over-cap recess 170 of the base 110.

[0034] As is shown in Figs. 13-14, the over-cap 550 may have a circumferential projection 570 positioned within the over-cap recess 170 and a main body 580 extending out of the over-cap recess 170. Positioned slightly above the circumferential projection 570 may be a frangible line 590. The frangible line 590 permits the separation of the main body 580 of the over-cap 550 from the circumferential projection 570. The circumferential projection 570 may still be visible when the over-cap 550 has been removed. The design of the over-cap 550 may be similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,829,611.

[0035] The over-cap 550 also may have an interior surface 600. The interior surface 600 may have a raised rib 610 therein. The raised rib 610 may encircle the interior surface 600. The raised rib 610 is positioned such that it may catch the raised rib 350 of the twist-top cap 300 when the over-cap 550 is repositioned thereon. The over-cap 550 also may have an arrow 615 or some other type of indicia printed or formed thereon to indicate the twisting direction of the over-cap 550.

[0036] In use, the bottle closure 100 is positioned upon the neck 120 of the beverage bottle 130. As described above, the beverage bottle 120 may be slightly pressurized in the range of about ten (10) psi (about 0.7 kg/cm²) to about twenty-five (25) psi (about 1.76 kg/cm²). To open the bottle 130, the consumer first removes the over-cap 550. Removal of the over-cap 550 results in a break in the frangible line 590. Once the over-cap 550 is removed, the consumer may still be able to see the circumferential projection 570 as an indication that the over-cap 550 has been removed.

[0037] The sealed position of the bottle 130 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Any pressurized gases within the bottle 130 may be sealed within the bottle closure 100 at two primary seal points. A first seal point 620 may exist between the sealing cap 270 of the spout neck 200 and the circular wall 440 of the aperture 410 of the twist-top cap 300. The second seal point 630 may exist between the sealing lip 240 of the spout neck 200 and the second circular band 520 of the twist-top cap 300.

[0038] The consumer may then twist the twist-top cap 300. As the twist-top cap 300 is rotated and rises up the spout neck 200, the circular vent 470 moves into alignment with the sealing lip 240 of the spout neck 200. This orientation opens the second seal 630 and allows pressurized gases to pass through the cut out areas 480 or the segmented grooves 500 of the circular vent 570. Figs. 8-10 show the bottle closure 100 in the venting position. The majority of the gas pressure may escape through the circular vent 470. Although the gases may be vented through the circular vent 470, the first seal 620 about the aperture 410 of the twist top cap 300 is still closed with respect to the sealing cap 270 and the circular wall 440. The first seal remains closed due to the prolonged contact between the sealing cap 270 and the circular wall 440 due to the extended length of the sealing cap 270, the circular wall 440, and/or both. As such, pressure only vents via the side of the bottle closure 100.

[0039] As the consumer continues to turn the twist-top cap 300, the circular rib 450 of the twist top cap 300 aligns with or below the sealing lip 240 of the spout neck 200. This alignment effectively closes the circular vent 470 and forms a third seal 640. As this point, the circular wall 440 about the aperture 410 of the twist-top cap 300 has cleared the sealing cap 270 of the spout neck 200 such that the first seal 620 is open. The beverage within the bottle 130 is now accessible via the bottle closure 100. The circular vent 470 is closed, however, so as to prevent liquid from leaking therethrough and along the sides of the closure 100. The consumer can thus enjoy the beverage within the bottle 130 via the closure 100. The dispensing position is shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

[0040] Turning the twist-top cap 300 in the reverse direction may close the beverage bottle 100. The sealing cap 270 of the spout neck 200 effectively fills the aperture 410 of the twist-top cap 300 so as to reform a substantially liquid tight seal. The bottle closure 100 also may form an airtight seal, but such may not be necessary once the initial pressure within the bottle 130 has been released.

[0041] The over-cap 550 also may be placed back onto the spout neck 200. In doing so, the raised rib 610 of the over-cap 550 may catch on the raised rib 350 of the twist-top cap 300 so as to secure the over-cap 550 thereon. The over-cap 550 can be removed and replaced multiple times. Although the over-cap 550 may be removed multiple times, it is still apparent that the frangible line 590 has been broken. The use of the over-cap 550 thus provides for easy access to the beverage and also provides sanitary access. The use of the over-cap 550 in this manner also acts as a further means for preventing the spraying of the liquid therein.

Claims

1. A closure (100) for a bottle (130), comprising:

a spout neck (200) attached to said bottle (130);

said spout neck (200) comprising a sealing lip (240); and

a cap (300) positioned for movement on said spout neck (200);

said cap (300) comprising an internal circular vent (470) and an internal body portion (520) such that said sealing lip (240) of said spout neck (200) and said body portion (520) of said cap (300) align to seal said bottle (130) at a side seal (630) and an upper seal (620) when said cap (300) is in a first position, such that said sealing lip (240) of said spout neck (200) and said internal circular vent (470) of said cap (300) align so as to open the side seal (630) and vent said bottle (130) when said cap (300) is moved to a second position while said upper seal (620) remains closed, and such that said internal circular vent (470) is closed and said upper seal (620) is opened when said cap (300) is moved to a third position.

2. The closure for a bottle of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a twist cap (300) rotatably positioned on said spout neck (200).

3. The closure for a bottle of claim 1 or 2, wherein said spout neck (200) and said cap (300) comprise a substantially rigid thermoplastic.

4. The closure for a bottle of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said spout neck (200) comprises a base (210) such that said base is removably attachable to said bottle (130).

5. The closure for a bottle of claim 4, wherein said spout neck (200) comprises a plurality of recesses positioned on said base (210) such that said cap (300) may be positioned within one of said plurality of recesses.

6. The closure for a bottle of any preceding claim, wherein said spout neck (200) comprises a channel (215) positioned thereon.

7. The closure for a bottle of claim 6, wherein said internal body portion (520) of said cap (300) comprises a threaded segment thereon such that said segment engages said channel (215) of said spout neck (200) for movement therein.

8. The closure for a bottle of any preceding clam, wherein said spout neck (200) comprises an extended body portion (250) extending adjacent to said sealing lip (240).

9. The closure for a bottle of claim 8, wherein said cap (300) comprises a circular rib (450) positioned adjacent to said internal body portion (520) such that said circular rib aligns with said extended body portion (250) of said spout neck (200) when said cap is in said first position and said second position and such that said circular rib aligns with said sealing lip (240) of said spout neck when said cap is in the third position.

10. The closure for a bottle of any preceding claim, wherein said internal circular vent (470) comprises a predetermined diameter such that an air gap is created therebetween when said internal circular vent aligns with said sealing lip (240).

11. The closure for a bottle of any preceding claim, wherein said internal circular vent (470) comprises a plurality of cut out areas therein.

12. The closure for a bottle of any preceding claim, wherein said sealing lip (240) of said spout neck (200) comprises a spout aperture (260) therein.

13. The closure for a bottle of claim 12, wherein said spout aperture (260) comprises a sealing cap (270) positioned therein.

14. The closure for a bottle of claim 13, wherein said cap (300) comprises a top surface (400) and wherein said top surface comprises a cap aperture (410) therein.

15. The closure for a bottle of claim 14, wherein said cap aperture (410) comprises a circular wall (440) and wherein said circular wall is sized such that said circular wall and said sealing cap (270) of said spout neck (200) align to seal said cap aperture when said cap (300) is in said first position and when said twist cap is moved to said second position.

16. The closure for a bottle of claim 14, wherein said cap aperture (410) comprises a circular wall (440) and wherein said sealing cap (270) is sized such that said circular wall and said sealing cap of said spout neck (200) align to seal said cap aperture when said cap (300) is in said first position and when said twist cap is moved to said second position.

17. The closure for a bottle of claim 14, wherein said cap aperture (410) comprises a circular wall (440) and wherein said circular wall and said sealing cap (270) are sized such that said circular wall and said sealing cap of said spout neck (200) align to seal said cap aperture when said cap (300) is moved to said second position and said sealing lip of said spout neck and said internal circular vent (470) of said cap align so as to vent said bottle (130).

18. The closure for a bottle of claim 17, wherein said circular wall (440) and said sealing cap (270) of said spout neck (200) align to open said cap aperture (410) when said cap (300) is moved to the third position.

19. The closure for a bottle of any preceding claim, further comprising an over-cap (550) positioned over said cap (300).

20. A method for venting an internal pressure of a bottle (130) with a beverage therein, said bottle having a twist-top closure (100) with a spout neck (200) and a twist cap (300), said spout neck and said twist cap forming an upper seal (620) and a side seal (630), said method comprising the steps of:

twisting said twist cap (300) such that said side seal (630) opens while said upper seal (620) remains closed;

venting said internal pressure through said side seal (630), and

twisting said twist cap (300) further such that said side seal (630) closes and said upper seal (620) opens to permit said beverage to flow out of said bottle.

Ansprüche

1. Verschluss (100) für eine Flasche (130), umfassend:

einen Tüllenhals (200), der an der Flasche (130) angebracht ist;

wobei der Tüllenhals (200) eine Dichtungslippe (240) umfasst; und

eine Kappe (300), die zur Bewegung auf dem Tüllenhals (200) positioniert ist;

wobei die Kappe (300) eine innere kreisförmige Lüftung (470) und einen inneren Körperteil (520) umfasst, so dass sich die Dichtungslippe (240) des Tüllenhalses (200) und der Körperteil (520) der Kappe (300) ausrichten, um die Flasche (130) bei einer seitlichen Dichtung (630) und einer oberen Dichtung (620) zu dichten, wenn sich die Kappe (300) in einer ersten Position befindet, so dass sich die Dichtungslippe (240) des Tüllenhalses (200) und die innere ringförmige Lüftung (470) der Kappe (300) ausrichten, um die seitliche Dichtung (630) zu öffnen und die Flasche (130) zu entlüften, wenn die Kappe (300) zu einer zweiten Position bewegt wird, während die obere Dichtung (620) geschlossen bleibt, und so dass die innere kreisförmige Lüftung (470) geschlossen wird und die obere Dichtung (620) geöffnet wird, wenn die Kappe (300) zu einer dritten Position bewegt wird.

2. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Kappe eine Drehkappe (300) umfasst, die drehbar auf dem Tüllenhals (200) positioniert ist.

3. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem der Tüllenhals (200) und die Kappe (300) einen im Wesentlichen harten Thermoplast umfassen.

4. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, bei dem der Tüllenhals (200) eine Basis (210) umfasst, so dass die Basis an der Flasche (130) entfernbar anbringbar ist.

5. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 4, bei dem der Tüllenhals (200) eine Mehrzahl von Aussparungen umfasst, die auf der Basis (210) positioniert sind, so dass die Kappe (300) in einer von der Mehrzahl von Aussparungen positioniert werden kann.

6. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, bei dem der Tüllenhals (200) einen Kanal (215), der darauf positioniert ist, umfasst.

7. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 6, bei dem der innere Körperteil (520) der Kappe (300) ein Gewindesegment darauf umfasst, so dass das Segment mit dem Kanal (215) des Tüllenhalses (200) für eine Bewegung darin in Eingriff tritt.

8. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, bei dem der Tüllenhals (200) einen verlängerten Körperteil (250) umfasst, der sich benachbart zu der Dichtungslippe (240) erstreckt.

9. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die Kappe (300) eine kreisförmige Rippe (450) umfasst, die benachbart zu dem inneren Körperteil (520) positioniert ist, so dass sich die kreisförmige Rippe mit dem verlängerten Körperteil (250) des Tüllenhalses (200) ausrichtet, wenn sich die Kappe in der ersten Position und der zweiten Position befindet, und so dass sich die kreisförmige Rippe mit der Dichtungslippe (240) des Tüllenhalses ausrichtet, wenn sich die Kappe in der dritten Position befindet.

10. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, bei dem die innere kreisförmige Lüftung (470) einen vorbestimmten Durchmesser umfasst, so dass ein Luftspalt dazwischen erzeugt wird, wenn sich die innere kreisförmige Lüftung mit der Dichtungslippe (240) ausrichtet.

11. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, bei dem die innere kreisförmige Lüftung (470) eine Mehrzahl von Ausschnittsbereichen darin umfasst.

12. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, bei dem die Dichtungslippe (240) des Tüllenhalses (200) eine Tüllendurchgangsöffnung (260) darin umfasst.

13. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 12, bei dem die Tüllendurchgangsöffnung (260) eine Dichtungskappe (270), die darin positioniert ist, umfasst.

14. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 13, bei dem die Kappe (300) eine obere Oberfläche (400) umfasst und bei dem die obere Oberfläche eine Kappendurchgangsöffnung (410) darin umfasst.

15. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 14, bei dem die Kappendurchgangsöffnung (410) eine kreisförmige Wand (440) umfasst und bei dem die kreisförmige Wand so dimensioniert ist, dass sich die kreisförmige Wand und die Dichtungskappe (270) des Tüllenhalses (200) ausrichten, um die Kappendurchgangsöffnung zu dichten, wenn sich die Kappe (300) in der ersten Position befindet und wenn die Drehkappe zu der zweiten Position bewegt wird.

16. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 14, bei dem die Kappendurchgangsöffnung (410) eine kreisförmige Wand (440) umfasst und bei dem die Dichtungskappe (270) so dimensioniert ist, dass sich die kreisförmige Wand und die Dichtungskappe des Tüllenhalses (200) ausrichten, um die Kappendurchgangsöffnung zu dichten, wenn sich die Kappe (300) in der ersten Position befindet und wenn die Drehkappe zu der zweiten Position bewegt wird.

17. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 14, bei dem die Kappendurchgangsöffnung (410) eine kreisförmige Wand (440) umfasst und bei dem die kreisförmige Wand und die Dichtungskappe (270) so dimensioniert sind, dass sich die kreisförmige Wand und die Dichtungskappe des Tüllenhalses (200) ausrichten, um die Kappendurchgangsöffnung zu dichten, wenn die Kappe (300) zu der zweiten Position bewegt wird, und sich die Dichtungslippe des Tüllenhalses und die innere kreisförmige Lüftung (470) der Kappe ausrichten, um die Flasche (130) zu entlüften.

18. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach Anspruch 17, bei dem sich die kreisförmige Wand (440) und die Dichtungskappe (270) des Tüllenhalses (200) ausrichten, um die Kappendurchgangsöffnung (410) zu öffnen, wenn die Kappe (300) zu der dritten Position bewegt wird.

19. Verschluss für eine Flasche nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, weiter umfassend eine Überkappe (550), die über der Kappe (300) positioniert ist.

20. Verfahren zum Entlüften eines Innendrucks einer Flasche (130) mit einem Getränk darin, wobei die Flasche einen Twist-Top-Verschluss (100) mit einem Tüllenhals (200) und einer Drehkappe (300) aufweist, wobei der Tüllenhals und die Drehkappe eine obere Dichtung (620) und eine seitliche Dichtung (630) bilden, wobei das Verfahren die Schritte umfasst:

Drehen der Drehkappe (300), so dass sich die seitliche Dichtung (630) öffnet, während die obere Dichtung (620) geschlossen bleibt;

Entlüften des Innendrucks durch die seitliche Dichtung (630); und

Weiterdrehen der Drehkappe (300), so dass sich die seitliche Dichtung (630) schließt und sich die obere Dichtung (620) öffnet, um zu ermöglichen, dass das Getränk aus der Flasche herausfließt.

Revendications

1. Fermeture (100) pour une bouteille (130) comportant :

un bec verseur (200) fixé sur ladite bouteille (130);

ledit bec verseur (200) comportant une lèvre d'étanchéité (240); et

un bouchon (300) positionné pour un mouvement sur ledit bec verseur (200); ledit bouchon (300) comportant une mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) et une partie de corps interne (520) de telle sorte que ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240) dudit bec verseur (200) et ladite partie de corps (520) dudit bouchon (300) s'alignent afin d'obturer ladite bouteille (130) au niveau d'un joint latéral (630) et d'un joint supérieur (620) lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est dans une première position, de telle sorte que ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240) dudit bec verseur (200) et ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) dudit bouchon (300) s'alignent de façon à ouvrir le joint latéral (630) et mettre à l'air libre ladite bouteille (130) lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est déplacé vers une deuxième position alors que ledit joint supérieur (620) reste fermé, et de telle sorte que ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) est fermée et ledit joint supérieur (620) est ouvert lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est déplacé vers une troisième position.

2. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit bouchon comprend un bouchon rotatif (300) positionné de façon rotative sur ledit bec verseur (200).

3. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle ledit bec verseur (200) et ledit bouchon (300) comportent une matière thermoplastique sensiblement rigide.

4. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans laquelle ledit bec verseur (200) comprend une base (210) de telle sorte que ladite base est fixée de façon amovible sur ladite bouteille (130).

5. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit bec verseur (200) comprend une multiplicité de renfoncements positionnés sur ladite base (210) de telle sorte que ledit bouchon (300) peut être positionné à l'intérieur d'un renfoncement de ladite multiplicité de renfoncements.

6. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit bec verseur (200) comprend un canal (215) positionné dessus.

7. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ladite partie de corps interne (520) dudit bouchon (300) comprend un segment fileté de telle sorte que ledit segment engage ledit canal (215) dudit bec verseur (200) pour un mouvement à l'intérieur.

8. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit bec verseur (200) comprend une partie de corps prolongé (250) s'étendant de façon adjacente à ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240).

9. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle ledit bouchon (300) comprend une nervure circulaire (450) positionnée de façon adjacente à ladite partie de corps interne (520) de telle sorte que ladite nervure circulaire s'aligne avec ladite partie de corps prolongé (250) dudit bec verseur (200) lorsque ledit bouchon est dans ladite première position et ladite deuxième position et de telle sorte que ladite nervure circulaire s'aligne avec ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240) dudit bec verseur lorsque ledit bouchon est dans la troisième position.

10. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) comprend un diamètre prédéterminé de telle sorte qu'un espace d'air est créé entre elles lorsque ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne s'aligne avec ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240).

11. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) comprend une multiplicité de zones découpées.

12. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite lèvre d'étanchéité (240) dudit bec verseur (200) comprend une ouverture verseuse (260).

13. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle ladite ouverture verseuse (260) comprend un bouchon d'obturation (270) positionné dedans.

14. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 13, dans laquelle ledit bouchon (300) comprend une surface supérieure (400) et dans laquelle ladite surface supérieure comprend une ouverture de bouchon (410).

15. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle ladite ouverture de bouchon (410) comprend une paroi circulaire (400) et dans laquelle ladite paroi circulaire est dimensionnée de telle sorte que ladite paroi circulaire et ledit bouchon d'obturation (270) dudit bec verseur (200) s'alignent afin d'obturer ladite ouverture de bouchon lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est dans ladite première position et lorsque ledit bouchon rotatif est déplacé vers ladite deuxième position.

16. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle ladite ouverture de bouchon (410) comprend une paroi circulaire (440) et dans laquelle ledit bouchon d'obturation (270) est dimensionné de telle sorte que ladite paroi circulaire et ledit bouchon d'étanchéité dudit bec verseur (200) s'alignent afin d'obturer ladite ouverture de bouchon lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est dans ladite première position et lorsque ledit bouchon rotatif est déplacé vers ladite deuxième position.

17. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle ladite ouverture de bouchon (410) comprend une paroi circulaire (440) et dans laquelle ladite paroi circulaire et ledit bouchon d'obturation (270) sont dimensionnés de telle sorte que ladite paroi circulaire et ledit bouchon d'obturation dudit bec verseur (200) s'alignent afin d'obturer ladite ouverture de bouchon lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est déplacé vers ladite deuxième position et ladite lèvre d'étanchéité dudit bec verseur et ladite mise à l'air libre circulaire interne (470) dudit bouchon s'alignent de façon à mettre à l'air libre ladite bouteille (130).

18. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon la revendication 17, dans ladite paroi circulaire (440) et ledit bouchon d'obturation (270) dudit bec verseur (200) s'alignent afin d'ouvrir ladite ouverture de bouchon (410) lorsque ledit bouchon (300) est déplacé vers la troisième position.

19. Fermeture pour une bouteille selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant en outre un bouchon supérieur (550) positionné sur ledit bouchon (300).

20. Procédé de mise à l'air libre d'une pression interne d'une bouteille (130) avec une boisson à l'intérieur, ladite bouteille ayant une fermeture supérieure rotative (100) avec un bec verseur (200) et un bouchon rotatif (300), ledit bec verseur et ledit bouchon rotatif formant un joint supérieur (620) et un joint latéral (630), ledit procédé comportant les étapes consistant à :

tourner ledit bouchon rotatif (300) de telle sorte que ledit joint latéral (630) s'ouvre alors que ledit joint supérieur (620) reste fermé;

mettre à l'air libre ladite pression interne à travers ledit joint latéral (630), et

tourner ledit bouchon rotatif (300) de manière supplémentaire de telle sorte que ledit joint latéral (630) se ferme et ledit joint supérieur (620) s'ouvre pour permettre à ladite boisson de s'écouler hors de ladite bouteille.

Drawing