Methods and combinations for sealing corked bottles

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and combinations for sealing corked bottles according to the preambles of claims 1, 2 or 3 and 19, 20 or 21, respectively, and in particular for sealing corked bottles containing beverages including wines.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Existing methods of sealing corked bottles have several disadvantages. One current method of sealing corked bottles requires the use of thin metal foils containing lead, which are now widely believed to leave traces of harmful lead particles on the glass surface of the bottle after removal. In view of the recent bans in many states on the use of lead, this method is undesirable.

[0003] Another conventional method utilizes seals made of plastic. This is undesirable for many products because plastic seals are not considered suitable for premium beverages, including higher-priced wines.

[0004] Current methods have also attempted to employ wax seals. However, the current method as described e.g. in the FR-A-1 094 743 involves forming wax seals by dipping the opening and neck of the bottle in wax. This method has the disadvantages of requiring the bottle to be inverted during the sealing process and of leaving a messy residue of wax 25 when the bottle is opened.

[0005] There is also known a method of sealing corked wine bottles by injecting a liquid sealing wax into the cylindrical neck of the bottle on the top surface of the cork as shown in the product catalogue of the Weingut Georg Messer, Weisenheim am Berg, 1988.

[0006] All of the conventional sealing methods described above result in seals which cover all or most of the exterior of the glass neck of the bottle with the sealing material.

[0007] In contrast to the existing sealing methods, this invention will not leave any harmful or messy residue on the exterior of the bottle neck, will produce an elegant seal suitable for use on premium beverage bottles, including higher-priced wines, and will leave the entire exterior surface of the glass neck of the bottle exposed. It will also allow for the use of embossing on the wax seal.

[0008] It will also allow for the use of embossing on the paper or plastic cover.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the invention there is provided a method comprising the features of claims 1, 2 or 3, and a combination comprising the features of claims 19, 20 or 21.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] 

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a neck of a conventional corked bottle showing a cork and the disc positioned therein according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the disc of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the disc of the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 1-3, the same reference numerals are being used to refer to the same elements shown in different views.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a neck of a corked bottle showing a cork and the disc positioned therein according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a disc having a frusto conical configuration in accordance with the second embodiment. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 4 are used in FIG. 5 to refer to the same elements.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a neck of a corked bottle showing a cork, the disc and a cover layer positioned therein according to one embodiment. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 4 are used in FIG. 6 to refer to the same elements.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a neck of a corked bottle showing a cork and the thermoplastic seal layer positioned therein and further showing a groove for receiving the cover.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0011] The present invention is directed to a method for sealing a corked bottle. As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, this sealing method utilizes a cylindrical disc 10 of a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the bottle neck 12 into which it will be placed, measured at the point in the bottle neck at which the top of the cork 14 lies. The disc 10, according to FIG. 3, is flat on the bottom and may be crowned or flat on the top, with a total height 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the height 20 of the disc is selected so that when the disc 10 is partially melted and removably secured to the top of the cork 14 and the interior surface 16 of the bottle neck, all of the disc material is contained entirely within the bottle neck. This alleviates the messy or harmful residue on the exterior of the bottle that occurs when bottles are sealed according to the current methods. The preferred embodiment of the claimed method utilizes a disc with a total height 20 of 2 to 3 mm. In this preferred embodiment, the disc 10 resides entirely below the mouth of the bottle neck 12. This permits shipping of the bottles upside down without damaging the top of the wax chip.

[0012] The disc is made of a thermoplastic material, which will melt and seal inside of the bottle neck under temperature conditions compatible with beverage manufacture and handling. A suitable melting point is between 26 and 82° C (80° and 180° F). The thermoplastic material should also be chosen in light of prevailing standards for the contact of materials by foods and beverage products. Non-toxic, substantially inert materials are preferred for this application. The disc should also be made of a thermoplastic material which will cleanly release its seal when it is removed from the bottle neck with the cork. Ideally, the thermoplastic material will not crumble or substantially fracture when pierced with a cork screw.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the disc is comprised of a material which can accept and hold an embossed design on the top of the disc, for example, a logo or design embossed on the disc.

[0014] There is a large number of thermoplastic materials, both natural and organically synthesized, which will fit the above-noted criteria for the disc. Natural beeswax is a preferred material because of its demonstrated compatibility with food and beverage products. One disadvantage, however, of beeswax is its low melting point which make handling and storage difficult. Another preferred wax is granulate which would be suitable for high speed assembly line use of the disc.

[0015] In the selection of a thermoplastic material for the disc, the ability of the disc to retain an embossed design after heating to create the seal should be considered. In other words, a material should be selected which can be sealed by contact with a heated bottle neck but which will not lose the pre-embossed design under these temperature conditions. For this reason, it is conceived that an aggregation or combination or mixture of materials may provide a suitable disc construction.

[0016] The selection of thermoplastic materials suitable for the disc from among organic polymer thermoplastic materials and from among naturally occurring wax materials is within the skill of the ordinary artisan.

[0017] One potential disadvantage of this method using a bottle with a straight interior neck surface 16, as seen in FIG. 1, is that when the disc 10 is inserted into the mouth 18 of the bottle by hand or by automatic dispenser, the disc 10 may get hung up on the interior neck surface 16 so that the disc 10 is oriented at an angle to the cork 14 top surface. This misplacement may prevent the disc from forming a moisture resistant seal with the interior surface 16 of the bottle neck 12. To avoid this potential problem, the sealing method of the present invention, according to a second embodiment, utilizes a bottle as shown in FIG. 4, in which the interior neck surface 36 near the mouth 38, is beveled at an obtuse angle 44 measured from the horizontal axis of the neck 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the disc 30 utilized in this embodiment has a frusto conical configuration where the obtuse angle 44 is substantially equivalent to the obtuse angle 44 of the beveled interior neck surface 36. This is so the disc 30 will tend to center itself above the cork 34 when inserted into the bottle mouth 38 by hand or by automatic dispenser. The frusto conical disc 30 has a flat bottom with either a flat top, a crowned top or any shape desired by the bottle sealer. The disc 30 is fabricated from a thermoplastic material such as those described above the reference to the first embodiment.

[0018] In FIG. 4, the length 46 of the beveled interior. neck surface 36, measured from the mouth 38 of the bottle to the top of the cork 34, may vary depending upon the obtuse angle 44 of the beveled interior neck surface 36. For example, the interior neck surface 36 may be beveled at an obtuse angle 44 of 100 degrees with the length of the beveled surface 46 approximately 4 millimeters. The selection of the bevel angle is determined by the overall bottle design. The magnitude of this angle is not critical to the practice of the present invention.

[0019] In practicing a preferred embodiment of the claimed method, as seen in FIG. 4, the cork 34 is inserted into the bottle neck 38 so that the distance 40 from the top of the cork 34 to the top edge of the mouth 38 of the bottle is at least 1 millimeter greater than the height 42 of the disc 30. The advantages of this are twofold. First, this prevents any of the disc material from melting over the mouth 38 of the bottle and onto the exterior of the bottle neck during the sealing process. Second, this permits the bottles to be stored and shipped upside down with each bottle supported on the edge of the opening of the bottle neck without putting pressure on the disc 30.

[0020] There are two ways of performing the claimed method. One way is to insert the disc into the bottle neck so it rests upon the cork top surface before heating the bottle neck. The bottle neck is then heated for a period of time so that the interior surface of the bottle neck and the top surface of the cork are hot enough to partially melt the outer surface of the disc, causing it to adhere to the interior neck surface of the bottle neck and the top surface of the cork. This method may require the use of a disc with a composite structure so that the application of heat after the insertion of the disc will not cause the embossed design to melt and to obscure. This method, however, may be used when no embossing is present.

[0021] Alternatively, and preferably, the bottle neck is heated before the disc is inserted therein, so that any brand identification embossed on the top of the disc is preserved without damage.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6, an additional cover layer 48 may be used to cover the top of the disc 30 in both cylindrical and frusto conical disc embodiments. This additional cover layer 48 protects the disc 30 inside the bottle neck. The cover layer 48 also presents unlimited opportunity for design and decoration since the top of the cover layer 48 may be plain, embossed, printed or otherwise. The cover layer 48 may be made of paper of various weights or plastic.

[0023] There are various ways of securing the cover layer 48 to the top of the disc 30. If a hard wax is used, the cover layer 48 may be adhered to the disc 30, partially melted according to either of the heating methods described above. Thus, while the disc 30 is partially melted, the cover layer 48 may be placed upon the top surface of the disc 30 by hand or automatic dispenser so that when the disc 30 hardens, the cover layer 48 will be adhered to the top surface of the disc 30. Alternatively, a non-toxic adhesive can be used after the disc 30 is inserted into the bottle neck, heated and cooled.

[0024] If a soft, sticky waxy is used, no partial melting of the disc or use of adhesives will be necessary. The cover layer 48 may simply be pressed onto the top surface of the disc 30 by hand or machine.

[0025] The selection of methods of adhering the cover layer to the top of the disc is within the skill of the ordinary artisan.

[0026] In practicing a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention, as seen in FIG. 6, the height 50 of the cover layer 48 may be selected so that the cover layer 48 is displaced entirely within the bottle neck. Ideally, the height 50 of the cover layer 48 is less than 1 mm. This permits the bottles to be stored and shipped upside down with each bottle suppported on the edge of the opening of the bottle neck without putting pressure on the cover layer 48. Although this is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the cover layer 48 may also be selected such that the cover layer 48 extends beyond the edge of the bottle opening.

[0027] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sealing a corked bottle. As shown in FIG.7, this sealing method utilizes a thermoplastic material which is injected into the mouth of a corked bottle neck 110 to form a thermoplastic layer 112 on top of the cork 114.

[0028] In carrying out the method of the present invention, the thermoplastic material in liquified form is injected into the mouth of a corked bottle to form a layer on top of the cork 114. When the thermoplastic material hardens, the outer surface of the layer 112 forms a moisture resistant seal with the interior surface 116 of the bottle neck 110 and the bottom surface of the layer 112 forms a moisture resistant seal with the top surface of the cork 114. The amount of the liquified thermoplastic material to be injected is selected so that when the thermoplastic layer 112 is formed and removably secured to the top of the cork 114 and to the interior surface 116 of the bottle neck, all of the thermoplastic material is contained entirely within the bottle neck. This alleviates the messy or harmful residue on the exterior of the bottle that occurs when bottles are sealed according to the current methods.

[0029] The preferred embodiment of the claimed method utilizes 0.05 to 0.15g (approximately 1 to 3 drops) of liquified thermoplastic material. In this preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic layer 112 resides entirely below the mouth of the bottle neck 110. This permits shipping of the bottles upside down without damaging the top of the thermoplastic layer.

[0030] The thermoplastic material is selected such that it will melt and seal the inside of the bottle neck under temperature conditions compatible with beverage manufacture and handling. A suitable melting point is between 26 and 82° C (80° and 180° F). The thermoplastic material should also be chosen in light of prevailing standards for the contact of materials by foods and beverage products. Non-toxic, substantially inert materials are preferred for this application. The thermoplastic material should also be able to cleanly release its seal when it is removed from the bottle neck with the cork. Ideally, the thermoplastic material will not crumble or substantially fracture when pierced with a cork screw.

[0031] There is a large number of thermoplastic materials, both natural and organically synthesized, as well as aggregations or combinations or mixtures of materials, which will fit the above-noted criteria. Natural beeswax is a preferred material because of its demonstrated compatibility with food and beverage products. One disadvantage, however, of beeswax is its low melting point which make handling and storage difficult. Another preferred wax is granulate which would be suitable for high speed assembly line use of the thermoplastic layer.

[0032] The selection of thermoplastic materials suitable for the thermoplastic layer from among organic polymer thermoplastic materials and from among naturally occurring wax materials is within the skill of the ordinary artisan.

[0033] As further seen in FIG. 7, the present invention utilizes a circular cover 122 over the thermoplastic layer 112, which is removably secured in a groove 124 around the interior surface 116 of the bottle neck 110. The groove 124 is positioned above and adjacent to the thermoplastic layer 112 and has a depth 126 for receiving the outer edge 132 of the cover 122. This holds the cover 122 tightly in place on top of and adjacent to the thermoplastic layer 112 which in turn, helps to retain the cork in place.

[0034] The diameter of the cover 122 is slightly larger than the diameter of the interior surface 116 of the bottle neck. Thus, when the cover 122 is inserted into the mouth 120 of the bottle neck and pressed down into place on top of the thermoplastic layer 112, the outer edge 132 of the cover 122 snaps into the groove 124 around the inside of the bottle neck 110. The width 120 of the groove will vary depending upon the thickness of the cover 122 used. The advantage of using the groove 124 for securing the cover 122 is that it avoids the use of adhesives.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the inside diameter of the bottle neck is approximately 9.5 mm (12/32 of an inch) and the diameter of the cover 122 is approximately 10.3 mm (13/32 of an inch), with the groove 124 having a depth 126 of approximately 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch) and a width 130 of approximately 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch). The preferred thickness 128 of the cover 122 is approximately 0.8 to 0.4 mm (1/32 to 1/64 of an inch).

[0036] The cover 122 may be made of plastic or rigid paper of various weights and must be capable of being pierced by a cork screw. The cover layer 122 presents unlimited opportunity for design and decoration since the top of the cover layer 122 may be plain, embossed, printed or otherwise.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the claimed method, as seen in FIG. 7, the cork 114 is inserted into the bottle neck 110 so that when the thermoplastic layer 112 and cover 122 are positioned therein, the distance 118 from the top of the cover 122 to the top edge of the mouth 120 of the bottle is at least 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch). The advantages of this are twofold. First, this prevents any of the disc material from melting over the mouth 120 of the bottle and onto the exterior of the bottle neck during the sealing process. Second, this permits the bottles to be stored and shipped upside down with each bottle supported on the edge of the opening of the bottle neck without putting pressure on the thermoplastic layer 112 or the cover 122.

[0038] Once the cork is in place in the bottle neck, thermoplastic material in liquid form is injected on to the top surface of the cork 114 where it hardens to form a moisture resistant seal with the interior surface 116 of the bottle neck 110 and the top surface of the cork 114. Once the thermoplastic layer 112 is formed, a cover 122 is inserted into the mouth 120 of the bottle on to the top of the thermoplastic layer 112. By pressing down on the center of the cover 122, the outer edge of the cover 122 will move radially outward from the center of the cover until snapping into place in the groove 124. When properly snapped into place in the groove 124, the cover 122 will lay flat on top of the thermoplastic layer 112.

[0039] In practicing a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention, as seen in FIG. 7, the thickness 128 of the cover layer 112 may be selected so that the cover layer 122 is displaced entirely within the bottle neck. This permits the bottles to be stored and shipped upside down with each bottle supported on the edge of the opening of the bottle neck without putting pressure on the cover layer 122. Although this is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the cover layer 122 may also be selected such that the cover layer 122 extends beyond the edge of the bottle opening.

[0040] While the present invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of sealing a corked bottle comprising the steps of:

a) providing a corked bottle having:

i) a cylindrical neck (32) terminating in a mouth (38) having a top edge, said neck (32) having a cylindrical interior surface (36);

ii) a cylindrical cork (34), having a top flat surface and a bottom surface;
characterized by the interior surface (36) being partially beveled near said mouth (38) to form an obtuse angle (44) measured from a horizontal axis of said neck (32) and the cylindrical, cork (34) being displaced entirely within said neck below said beveled interior surface;

b) inserting a frusto conical disc (30) having a top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a beveled outer surface, into said beveled interior bottle neck surface (36), wherein said disc bottom surface rests on said cork top surface, wherein said disc beveled outer surface is adjacent to but does not substantially contact said beveled interior neck surface (36) and wherein said disc outer surface is beveled at an obtuse angle (44) measured from the horizontal plane of the said disc bottom surface which angle is substantially equivalent to said beveled interior surface obtuse angle (44); and

c) heating said neck (32) so that said beveled interior surface and said cork top surface reach a temperature sufficient to partially melt said outer and bottom surfaces of said disc (30) so as to form a moisture resistant seal between said cork (34), said interior neck surface (36) and said disc (30).

2. A method of sealing a corked bottle, comprising the steps of

a) providing a corked bottle comprising:

i) a cylindrical neck (12) terminating in a mouth (18) having a top edge, said neck (12) having a cylindrical interior surface (16) and an inside diameter;

ii) a cylindrical cork (14), having a top flat surface and a bottom surface, displaced entirely within said neck (12);

characterized by

b) inserting a cylindrical disc (10) having an outside diameter less than said inside diameter of said neck (12), an outer surface, a top surface, and a flat bottom surface, into said neck (12) such that said disc bottom surface rests on said cork top surface such that said disc outer surface is adjacent to but does not substantially contact said interior neck surface (16); and

c) heating said mouth so that said neck interior surface (16) and said cork top surface reach a temperature sufficient to partially melt said outer and bottom surfaces of said disc (10) so as to form a moisture resistant seal between said cork (14), said interior neck surface (16) and said disc (10).

3. A method of sealing a corked bottle, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a corked bottle comprising:

i) a cylindrical neck (110) terminating in a mouth (120) having a top edge, said neck (110) having a cylindrical interior surface (116) and an inside diameter and

ii) a cylindrical cork (114), having a top flat surface and a bottom surface, displaced entirely within said neck (110),

characterized by

b) the neck of the corked bottle provided in step a) also comprising a groove (124) near said top edge of said mouth (120), said groove (124) having a depth (126);

c) injecting a liquified thermoplastic material into said neck on top of said cork top surface such that when said thermoplastic material hardens, it forms a moisture resistant seal with said cork top surface and said interior neck surface (116); and

d) inserting a circular cover (122) having a diameter and an outer edge (132), on top of said thermoplastic layer (112) such that said edge (132) snaps into said groove (124).

4. The method according to one of claim 1 to 3 further comprising the step of adhering a cover layer (48) on said disc top surface.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said heating step (c) is performed before said inserting step (b).

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said cork (34) is displaced in said neck (32) such that the distance (40) from said cork top surface to said top edge of said mouth (38) is at least 1 mm greater than the height (42) of said disc (30).

7. The method according to one of claim 1 to 6 wherein the height of said disc (30) is between 2 and 3 mm.

8. The method according to one of claim 1 or 7 wherein said beveled interior surface obtuse angle (44) is 100 degrees.

9. The method according to one of claim 1 to 8 wherein the length (46) of said beveled interior surface (36) is 4 mm measured from said mouth (38) of the bottle.

10. The method according to one of claim 1 to 9 wherein said disc (10, 30) is made of a thermoplastic material capable of melting at a temperature between 26 and 82° C (80 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit).

11. The method according to one of claim 1 to 10 wherein said disc (10, 30) is fabricated from a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of beeswax, granulate wax and mixtures thereof.

12. The method according to one of claim 3 to 11 wherein said cover layer (122) is made of paper or plastic.

13. The method according to one of claim 4 to 12 wherein the height (128) of said cover layer (122) is less than 1 mm.

14. The method according to one of claim 3 to 13 wherein said thermoplastic material is capable of melting at a temperature between 26 and 82° C (80 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit).

15. The method according to one of claim 3 to 14 wherein said cover diameter is approximately 10.3 mm (13/32 of an inch).

16. The method according to one of claim 3 to 15 wherein said neck inside diameter is approximately 9.5 mm (12/32 of an inch).

17. The method according to one of claim 3 to 16 wherein said depth (126) of said groove (124) is approximately 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch).

18. The method according to one of claim 3 to 17 wherein said cover (122) is positioned in said neck (110) at a distance from said neck top surface of at least 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch).

19. A combination comprising:

a) a corked bottle having a cylindrical neck (12) terminating in a mouth (18) having a top edge, said neck (12) having a cylindrical interior surface (16);

b) a cylindrical cork (14) having a top flat surface, said cork (14) being displaced entirely within said neck (12); and

c) a cylindrical disc (10) having a top surface, a flat bottom surface and an outer surface, said disc (10) being displaced within said neck (12) above said cork (14), wherein said disc bottom surface is partially melted and removably secured to said cork top surface and wherein said disc outer surface is partially melted an removably secured to said interior neck surface (16), to create a seal to retain moisture within said cork (14) and said bottle;
characterized by

d) said disc (10) being displaced entirely within said neck (20);

e) a cover layer (48) being displaced entirely within said neck (12,32) above said disc (10, 30), wherein said cover layer (48) is adhered to said disc top surface.

20. A combination comprising:

a) a corked bottle having a cylindrical neck (32) terminating in a mouth (38) having a top edge, said neck (32) having a cylindrical interior surface (36);

b) a cylindrical cork (34) having a top flat surface;
characterized by

c) the interior surface (36) being partially beveled near said mouth (38) to form an obtuse angle (44) measured from a horizontal axis of said neck (32) and said cork (34) being displaced entirely within said neck (32) below said beveled interior surface (36) and;

d) a frusto conical disc (30) having a top surface, a flat bottom surface and a beveled outer surface beveled at an obtuse angle (44) measured from plane of said flat bottom surface which is substantially equivalent to said beveled interior surface obtuse angle (44), said disc (30) being displaced entirely with-in said neck (32) above said cork (34) such that said disc bottom surface is partially melted and removably secured to said cork top surface and wherein said disc beveled outer surface is partially melted and removably secured to said beveled interior neck surface (36), to create a seal to retain moisture within said cork (34) and said bottle.

21. A combination comprising:

a) corked bottle having a cylindrical neck (110) terminating in a mouth (12) having a top edge, said neck (110) having a cylindrical interior surface (116);

b) a cylindrical cork (114) having a top flat surface, said cork (114) being displaced entirely within said neck (110)
characterized by

c) said neck also having a groove (124) near said top edge of said mouth (120), said groove (124) having a depth (126);

d) a thermoplastic layer having a top, bottom and outer surface, said thermoplastic layer (112) being displaced entirely within said neck (110) above said cork (114), wherein said bottom surface of said thermoplastic layer (112) is removably secured to said cork top surface and wherein said thermoplastic outer surface is removably secured to said interior neck surface (116), to create a seal to retain moisture within said cork (114) and said neck (110); and

e) a cover (122) having an outer edge (132) wherein said outer edge (132) is secured in said groove (124).

22. The combination according to claim 20 or 21 further comprising a cover layer (48) being displaced entirely within said neck (12,32) above said disc (10, 30), wherein said cover layer (48) is adhered to said disc top surface.

23. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 22 wherein said cork (32) is displaced in said neck (32) such that the distance from said cork top surface to said top edge of said mouth (38) is at least 1 mm greater than the height (42) of said disc (30).

24. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 23 wherein the height (42) of said disc (30) is between 2 and 3 mm.

25. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 24 wherein said disc (10, 30) is made of a thermoplastic material capable of melting at a temperature between 26 and 82° C (80 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit).

26. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 25 wherein said disc (10, 30) is made of thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of beeswax, granulate wax and mixtures thereof.

27. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 26 wherein said cover layer (122) is made of paper or plastic.

28. The combination according to one of claim 19 to 27 wherein the height (128) of said cover layer (122) is less than 1 mm.

29. The combination according to one of claim 20 to 28 wherein said beveled interior surface obtuse angle (44) is 100 degrees.

30. The combination according to one of claim 20 to 29 wherein the length (46) of said beveled interior surface (36) is 4 mm measured from said opening of the bottle.

31. The combination according to one of claim 21 to 30 wherein said thermoplastic material is capable of melting at a temperature between 26 and 82° C (80 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit).

32. The combination according to one of claim 21 to 31 wherein said cover diameter is approximately 10.3 mm (13/32 of an inch).

33. The combination according to one of claim 21 to 32 wherein said neck inside diameter is approximately 9.5 mm (12/32 of an inch).

34. The combination according to one of claim 21 to 33 wherein said depth (126) of said groove (124) is approximately 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch).

35. The combination according to one of claim 21 to 34 wherein said cover (122) is positioned in said neck (110) at a distance from said neck top edge of at least 0.4 mm (1/64 of an inch).

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Versiegeln einer verkorkten Flasche mit folgenden Schritten:

a) Vorsehen einer verkorkten Flasche mit:

i) einem zylindrischen Hals (32), der in einer Öffnung (38) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (32) eine Zylindrische Innenfläche (36) aufweist;

ii) einem zylindrischen Korken (34) mit einer flachen oberen Fläche und einer Bodenfläche;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Innenfläche (36) in der Nähe der Öffnung (38) teilweise abgeschrägt ist, um einen gemessen von einer horizontalen Achse des Halses (32) stumpfen Winkel (44) zu bilden, und dass der zylindrische Korken (34) vollständig in den Hals unterhalb der abgeschrägten inneren Fläche eingesetzt ist; und durch

b) Einsetzen einer kegelstumpfförmigen Scheibe (30) mit einer oberen Fläche, einer flachen Bodenfläche und einer abgeschrägten Außenfläche in die abgeschrägte innere Flaschenhalsfläche (36), wobei die Scheibenbodenfläche auf der Korkenoberfläche aufliegt, wobei die abgeschrägte Außenfläche der Scheibe an die abgeschrägte innere Halsfläche (36) angrenzt, diese aber im wesentlichen nicht berührt, und wobei die Außenfläche der Scheibe in einem von der horizontalen Ebene der Scheibenbodenfläche gemessen stumpfen Winkel (44) abgeschrägt ist, welcher Winkel im wesentlichen dem stumpfen Winkel (44) der abgeschrägten inneren Fläche entspricht; und

c) Erhitzen des Halses (32), so daß die abgeschrägte Innenfläche und die Korkenoberfläche eine Temperatur erreichen, die ausreicht, die äußeren und Bodenflächen der Scheibe (30) teilweise aufzuschmelzen, so daß eine feuchtigkeitswiderstandsfähige Versiegelung zwischen dem Korken (34), der inneren Halsoberfläche (36) und der Scheibe (30) gebildet wird.

2. Verfahren zum Versiegeln einer verkorkten Flasche mit folgenden Schritten:

a) Vorsehen einer verkorkten Flasche mit:

i) einem zylindrischen Hals (12), der in einer Öffnung (18) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (12) eine zylindrische Innenfläche (16) und einen Innendurchmesser aufweist;

ii) einem zylindrischen Korken (14) mit einer oberen flachen Oberfläche und einer Bodenfläche, welcher vollständig in den Hals (12) eingesetzt ist;

gekennzeichnet durch

b) Einsetzen einer zylindrischen Scheibe (10) mit einem Außendurchmesser, der geringer ist als der Innendurchmesser des Halses (12), einer äußeren Oberfläche, einer oberen Oberfläche, und einer flachen Bodenfläche in den Hals (12), so daß die Scheibenbodenfläche auf der oberen Korkenoberfläche derart aufliegt, daß die äußere Scheibenoberfläche an die innere Halsoberfläche (16) angrenzt, diese aber im wesentlichen nicht berührt;

c) Erhitzen der Öffnung, so daß die innere Halsoberfläche (16) und die obere Korkenoberfläche eine Temperatur erreichen, die ausreicht, die äußeren und Bodenflächen der Scheibe (10) teilweise aufzuschmelzen, so daß eine feuchtigkeitswiderstandsfähige Versiegelung zwischen dem Korken (14), der inneren Halsoberfläche (16) und der Scheibe (10) gebildet wird.

3. Verfahren zum Versiegeln einer verkorkten Flasche mit folgenden Schritten:

a) Vorsehen einer verkorkten Flasche mit:

i) einem zylindrischen Hals (110), der in einer Öffnung (120) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (110) eine zylindrische innere Oberfläche (116) und einen Innendurchmesser aufweist, und

ii) einem zylindrischen Korken (114) mit einer oberen flachen Oberfläche und einer Bodenfläche, welcher vollständig in den Hals (110) eingesetzt ist;

dadurch gekennzeichnet,

b) dass der in Schritt a) vorgesehene Hals der verkorkten Flasche außerdem in der Nähe der oberen Kante der Öffnung (120) eine Nut aufweist, wobei die Nut (124) eine Tiefe (126) aufweist, und durch

c) Einspritzen eines verflüssigten thermoplastischen Materials in den Hals auf die obere Korkenoberfläche, so daß, wenn das thermoplastische Material aushärtet, dieses eine feuchtigkeitswiderstandsfähige Versiegelung mit der oberen Korkenoberfläche und der inneren Halsoberfläche (116) bildet; und

d) Einsetzen einer kreisförmigen Abdeckung (122) mit einem Durchmesser und einer äußeren Kante (132) auf die thermoplastische Schicht (112), so daß die Kante (132) in die Nut (124) einschnappt.

4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, außerdem mit dem Schritt des Anhaftens einer Deckschicht (48) auf die obere Scheibenoberfläche.

5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, wobei der Erhitzungsschritt (c) vor dem Einsetzschritt (b) durchgeführt wird.

6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei der Korken (34) derart in den Hals (32) eingesetzt ist, daß die Entfernung (40) von der oberen Korkenoberfläche zu der oberen Kante der Öffnung (38) wenigstens um einen Millimeter größer ist als die Höhe (42) der Scheibe (30).

7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Höhe der Scheibe (30) zwischen 2 und 3 mm beträgt.

8. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 7, wobei der stumpfe Winkel (44) der abgeschrägten inneren Oberfläche 100° beträgt.

9. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die Länge (46) der abgeschrägten inneren Oberfläche (36) gemessen von der Öffnung (38) der Flasche 4 mm beträgt.

10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die Scheibe (10, 30) aus einem thermoplastischen Material hergestellt ist, das bei einer Temperatur zwischen 26 und 82 °C (80 und 180° Fahrenheit) schmelzen kann.

11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei die Scheibe (10, 30) aus einem thermoplastischen Material hergestellt ist, das aus der aus Bienenwachs, Granulatwachs und deren Mischungen bestehenden Gruppe ausgewählt ist.

12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 11, wobei die Deckschicht (122) aus Papier oder Kunststoff hergestellt ist.

13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 12, wobei die Höhe (128) der Deckschicht (122) weniger als 1 mm beträgt.

14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 13, wobei das thermoplastische Material bei einer Temperatur zwischen 26 und 82 °C (80 und 180° Fahrenheit) schmelzen kann.

15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 14, wobei der Durchmesser der Abdeckung etwa 10,3 mm (13/32 inch) beträgt.

16. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 15, wobei der innere Durchmesser des Halses etwa 9,5 mm (12/32 inch) beträgt.

17. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 16, wobei die Tiefe (126) der Nut (124) etwa 0,4 mm (1/64 inch) beträgt.

18. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 17, wobei die Abdeckung (122) in dem Hals (110) in einer Entfernung von wenigstens 0,4 mm (1/64 inch) von der oberen Halsfläche angeordnet ist.

19. Kombination mit:

a) einer verkorkten Flasche mit einem zylindrischen Hals (12), der in einer Öffnung (18) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (12) eine zylindrische Innenfläche (16) aufweist;

b) einem zylindrischen Korken (14) mit einer oberen flachen Oberfläche, wobei der Korken (14) vollständig in den Hals (12) eingesetzt ist; und

c) einer zylindrischen Scheibe (10) mit einer oberen Oberfläche, einer flachen Bodenfläche und einer äußeren Oberfläche, wobei die Scheibe (10) innerhalb des Halses (12) oberhalb des Korkens (14) angeordnet ist, wobei die Bodenfläche der Scheibe teilweise geschmolzen ist und entfernbar an der oberen Oberfläche des Korkens befestigt ist, und wobei die Außenfläche der Scheibe teilweise geschmolzen ist und entfernbar an der Innenfläche (16) des Halses befestigt ist, um eine Versiegelung zum Zurückhalten von Feuchtigkeit innerhalb des Korkens (14) und der Flasche zu erzeugen;
dadurch gekennzeichnet,

d) dass die Scheibe (10) vollständig innerhalb des Halses (20) angeordnet ist;

e) dass eine Deckschicht (48) vollständig in den Hals (12, 32) oberhalb der Scheibe (10, 30) eingesetzt ist, wobei die Deckschicht (48) an der oberen Scheibenfläche haftet.

20. Kombination mit:

a) einer verkorkten Flasche mit einem zylindrischen Hals (32), der in einer Öffnung (38) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (32) eine zylindrische Innenfläche (36) aufweist;

b) einem zylindrischen Korken (34) mit einer flachen oberen Fläche;
dadurch gekennzeichnet,

c) dass die Innenfläche (36) in der Nähe der Öffnung (38) teilweise angeschrägt ist, um einen von der horizontalen Achse des Halses (32) gemessen stumpfen Winkel (44) zu bilden, und dass der Korken (34) vollständig in den Hals (32) unterhalb der abgeschrägten Innenfläche (36) eingesetzt ist, und durch

d) eine kegelstumpfförmige Scheibe (30) mit einer oberen Fläche, einer flachen Bodenfläche und einer abgeschrägten Außenfläche, die in einem gemessen von der Ebene der flachen Bodenfläche stumpfen Winkel (44) abgeschrägt ist, welcher Winkel im wesentlichen dem stumpfen Winkel (44) der abgeschrägten Innenfläche entspricht, wobei die Scheibe (30) vollständig in den Hals (32) oberhalb des Korkens (34) eingesetzt ist, so daß die Bodenfläche der Scheibe teilweise geschmolzen und entfernbar an der oberen Fläche des Korkens befestigt ist, und wobei die abgeschrägte äußere Fläche der Scheibe teilweise geschmolzen und entfernbar an der abgeschrägten inneren Halsfläche (36) befestigt ist, um eine Versiegelung zum Zurückhalten von Feuchtigkeit innerhalb des Korkens (34) und der Flasche zu erzeugen.

21. Kombination mit:

a) einer verkorkten Flasche mit einem zylindrischen Hals (110), der in einer Öffnung (120) mit einer oberen Kante endet, wobei der Hals (110) eine zylindrische Innenfläche (116) aufweist;

b) einem zylindrischen Korken (114) mit einer flachen oberen Fläche, wobei der Korken (114) vollständig in den Hals (110) eingesetzt ist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet,

c) dass der Hals außerdem nahe der oberen Kante der Öffnung (120) eine Nut (124) aufweist, wobei die Nut (124) eine Tiefe (126) aufweist; und durch

d) eine thermoplastische Schicht mit einer oberen, Boden- und äußeren Fläche, wobei die thermoplastische Schicht (112) vollständig in den Hals (110) oberhalb des Korkens (114) eingesetzt ist, wobei die Bodenfläche der thermoplastischen Schicht (112) entfernbar an der oberen Korkenfläche befestigt ist, und wobei die thermoplastische Außenfläche entfernbar an der inneren Halsfläche (116) befestigt ist, um eine Versiegelung zum Zurückhalten von Feuchtigkeit in dem Korken (114) und dem Hals (110) zu bilden; und

e) eine Abdeckung (122) mit einer äußeren Kante (132), wobei die äußere Kante (132) in der Nut (124) gesichert ist.

22. Kombination nach Anspruch 20 oder 21, außerdem mit einer Deckschicht (48), die vollständig in den Hals (12, 32) oberhalb der Scheibe (10, 30) eingesetzt ist, wobei die Deckschicht (48) an der oberen Scheibenfläche haftet.

23. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 22, wobei der Korken (34) in den Hals (32) derart eingesetzt ist, daß die Entfernung von der oberen Korkenfläche zu der oberen Kante der Öffnung (32) wenigstens um einen Millimeter größer ist, als die Höhe (42) der Scheibe (30).

24. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 23, wobei die Höhe (42) der Scheibe (30) zwischen 2 und 3 mm beträgt.

25. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 24, wobei die Scheibe (10, 30) aus einem thermoplastischen Material besteht, das bei einer Temperatur zwischen 26 und 82 °C (80 bis 180° Fahrenheit) schmelzen kann.

26. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 25, wobei die Scheibe (10, 30) aus thermoplastischem Material besteht, welches aus der aus Bienenwachs, Granulatwachs und deren Mischungen bestehenden Gruppe ausgewählt ist.

27. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 26, wobei die Deckschicht (122) aus Papier oder Kunststoff besteht.

28. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 27, wobei die Höhe (128) der Deckschicht (122) geringer ist als 1 mm.

29. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 20 bis 28, wobei der stumpfe Winkel (44) der abgeschrägten Innenfläche 100° beträgt.

30. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 20 bis 29, wobei die Länge (46) der abgeschrägten Innenfläche (36) gemessen von der Öffnung der Flasche 4 mm beträgt.

31. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 21 bis 30, wobei das thermoplastische Material bei einer Temperatur zwischen 26 und 82 °C (80 und 180° Fahrenheit) schmelzen kann.

32. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 21 bis 31, wobei der Durchmesser der Abdeckung etwa 10,3 mm (13/32 inch) beträgt.

33. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 21 bis 32, wobei der Innendurchmesser des Halses etwa 9,5 mm (12/32 inch) beträgt.

34. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 21 bis 33, wobei die Tiefe (126) der Nut (124) etwa 0,4 mm (1/64 inch) beträgt.

35. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 21 bis 34, wobei die Abdeckung (122) in dem Hals (110) in einer Entfernung von wenigstens 0,4 mm (1/64 inch) von der oberen Kante des Halses angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Procédé de scellage d'une bouteille à bouchon comprenant les étapes dans lesquelles:

a) on fournit une bouteille à bouchon ayant:

i) un col cylindrique (32) se terminant par une embouchure (38) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (32) ayant une surface intérieure (36) cylindrique;

ii) un bouchon cylindrique (34) ayant une surface plane supérieure et une surface inférieure;

charactérisé en ce que la surface intérieure (36) est partiellement biseautée à proximité de ladite embouchure (38) pour former un angle obtus (44) mesuré par rapport à un axe horizontal dudit col (32) est que le bouchon cylindrique (34) est déplacé entièrement dans ledit col au-dessous de ladite surface intérieure biseautée;

b) on insère un disque tronconique (30), ayant une surface supérieure, une surface inférieure plane, et une surface extérieure biseautée, dans ladite surface de col de bouteille (36) intérieure biseautée, ladite surface inférieure de disque reposant sur ladite surface supérieure de bouchon, ladite surface extérieure biseautée de disque étant adjacente à, mais pratiquement pas en contact avec, ladite surface de col (36) intérieure biseautée et ladite surface extérieure de disque étant biseautée en formant un angle obtus (44) mesuré par rapport au plan horizontal de ladite surface inférieure de disque, cet angle étant sensiblement équivalent audit angle obtus de surface intérieure biseautée (44); et

c) on chauffe ledit col (32) de manière que ladite surface intérieure biseautée et ladite surface supérieure de bouchon atteignent une température suffisante pour faire fondre partiellement lesdites surfaces extérieures et inférieures dudit disque (30), de manière à former un joint d'étanchéité résistant à l'humidité entre ledit bouchon (34), ladite surface intérieure de col (36) et ledit disque (30).

2. Procédé de scellage d'une bouteille à bouchon, comprenant les étapes dans lesquelles

a) on fournit une bouteille à bouchon comprenant:

i) un col cylindrique (12) se terminant par une embouchure (18) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (12) ayant une surface intérieure (16) cylindrique et un diamètre intérieur;

ii) un bouchon cylindrique (14) ayant une surface plane supérieure et une surface inférieure, déplacé entièrement dans ledit col (12);

charactérisé en ce que

b) on insère un disque cylindrique (10) ayant un diamètre extérieur inférieur audit diamètre intérieur dudit col (12), une surface extérieur, une surface supérieure, et une surface inférieure plane, dans ledit col (12) de manière que ladite surface inférieure de disque repose sur ladite surface supérieure de bouchon, afin que ladite surface extérieure de disque soit adjacente à, mais pratiquement pas en contact avec, ladite surface intérieure de col (16); et

c) on chauffe ladite embouchure de manière que ladite surface intérieure de col (16) et ladite surface supérieure de bouchon atteignent une température suffisante pour faire partiellement fondre lesdites surfaces extérieure et inférieure dudit disque (10), de manière à former un joint d'étanchéité résistant à l'humidité entre ledit bouchon (14), ladite surface intérieure de col (16) et ledit disque (10).

3. Procédé de scellage d'une bouteille à bouchon, comprenant les étapes dans lesquelles

a) on fournit une bouteille à bouchon comprenant:

i) un col cylindrique (110) se terminant par une embouchure (120) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (110) ayant une surface intérieure cylindrique (116) et un diamètre intérieur;

ii) un bouchon cylindrique (114) ayant une surface plane supérieure et une surface inférieure, déplacé entièrement dans ledit col (110);

charactérisé en ce que

b) le col de la bouteille à bouchon fourni à l'étape a) ayant une gorge à proximité dudit bord supérieur de l'embouchure (120), ladite gorge (124) ayant une profondeur (126);

c) on injecte un matériau thermoplastique liquéfié dans ledit col au sommet de ladite surface supérieure de bouchon, de manière que, lorsque ledit matériau thermoplastique se durcit, il forme un joint d'étanchéité résistant à l'humidité avec ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ladite surface intérieure de col (116); et

d) on insère un couvercle circulaire (122) ayant un diamètre et un bord extérieur (132) au sommet de ladite couche thermoplastique (112), de manière que ledit bord (132) s'encliquette dans ladite gorge (124).

4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, comprenant en outre l'étape de mise en adhérence d'une couche de revêtement (48) sur ladite surface supérieure de disque.

5. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite étape de chauffage (c) est effectuée avant ladite étape d'insertion (b).

6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel ledit bouchon (34) est déplacé dans ledit col (32) de manière que la distance (40) entre ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ledit bord supérieur de ladite embouchure (38) soit supérieure d'au moins 1 mm par rapport à la hauteur (42) dudit disque (30).

7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la hauteur dudit disque (30) est comprise entre 2 et 3 mm.

8. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 7, dans lequel ledit angle obtus de surface intérieure biseautée (44) est de 100 degrés.

9. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel la longueur (46) de ladite surface intérieure biseautée (36) est de 4 mm par rapport à ladite embouchure (38) de la bouteille.

10. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel ledit disque (10, 30) est réalisé en matériau thermoplastique capable de fondre à une température comprise entre 26 et 82°C (80 et 180 degrés Fahrenheit).

11. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel ledit disque (30) est fabriqué en un matériau thermoplastique sélectionné dans le groupe composé de la cire d'abeilles, la cire granulée et de leurs mélanges.

12. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 11, dans lequel ladite couche de revêtement (122) est réalisée en papier ou en matière plastique.

13. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 4 à 12, dans lequel la hauteur (128) de ladite couche de revêtement (122) est inférieure à 1 mm.

14. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 13, dans lequel ledit matériau thermoplastique est capable de fondre à une température comprise entre 26 et 82°C (80 et 180 degrés Fahrenheit).

15. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 14, dans lequel ledit diamètre de couvercle est d'à peu près 10,3 mm (13/32 de pouce).

16. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 15, dans lequel ledit diamètre intérieur de col est d'à peu près 9,5 mm (12/32 de pouce).

17. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 16, dans lequel ladite profondeur (126) de ladite gorge (124) est d'à peu près 0,4 mm (1/64 de pouce).

18. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 3 à 17, dans lequel ledit couvercle (122) est disposé dans ledit col (110) à une distance par rapport à ladite surface supérieure de col d'au moins 0,4 mm (1/64 de pouce).

19. Combinaison comprenant:

a) une bouteille à bouchon ayant un col cylindrique (12) se terminant par une embouchure (18) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (12) ayant une surface intérieure cylindrique (16);

b) un bouchon cylindrique (14) ayant une surface plane supérieure, ledit bouchon (14) étant déplacé entièrement dans ledit col (12); et

c) un disque cylindrique (10) ayant une surface supérieure, une surface inférieure plane et une surface extérieure, ledit disque (10) étant enfoncé dans ledit col (12) au-dessus dudit bouchon (14), ladite surface inférieure de disque étant partiellement fondue et fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ladite surface extérieure de disque étant partiellement fondue et fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface intérieure de col (16), pour former un joint d'étanchéité contre l'humidité dans ledit bouchon (14) et ladite bouteille;
charactérisé en ce qui

d) le disque (10) est enfoncé entièrement dans ledit col (20);

e) une couche de revêtement (48) est déplacée entièrement dans ledit col (12, 23) au-dessus dudit disque (10, 30), ladite couche de revêtement (48) étant mise en adhérence à ladite surface supérieure de disque.

20. Combinaison comprenant:

a) une bouteille à bouchon ayant un col cylindrique (32) se terminant par une embouchure (38) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (32) ayant une surface intérieure cylindrique (36)

b) un bouchon cylindrique (34) ayant une surface supérieure plane;
charactérisé en ce que

c) la surface intérieure (36) est partiellement biseautée à proximité de ladite embouchure (38), pour former un angle obtus (44) par rapport à un axe horizontal dudit col (32); et que ledit bouchon (34) est enfoncé entièrement dans ledit col (32) au-dessous de ladite surface intérieure biseautée (36); et

d) un disque tronconique (30) ayant une surface supérieure, une surface inférieure plane et une surface extérieure biseautée, biseautée selon un angle obtus (44) par rapport à un plan de ladite surface inférieure plane, qui est sensiblement équivalent audit angle obtus de surface intérieure biseautée (44), ledit disque (30) étant déplacé entièrement dans ledit col (32) au-dessus dudit bouchon (34), de manière que ladite surface inférieure de disque soit partiellement fondue et fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ladite surface extérieure biseautée de disque étant partiellement fondue et fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface de col intérieure biseautée (36), pour former un joint d'étanchéité contre l'humidité dans ledit bouchon (34) et ladite bouteille.

21. Combinaison comprenant:

a) une bouteille à bouchon ayant un col cylindrique (110) se terminant par une embouchure (120) ayant un bord supérieur, ledit col (110) ayant une surface intérieure cylindrique (116)

b) un bouchon cylindrique (114) ayant une surface plane supérieure, ledit bouchon (114) étant déplacé entièrement dans ledit col (110);
charactérisé en ce que

c) le col en outre ayant une gorge (124) à proximité dudit bord supérieur de l'embouchure (120), ladite gorge (124) ayant une profondeur (126);

d) une couche thermoplastique ayant une surface supérieure, inférieure et extérieure, ladite couche thermoplastique (112) étant déplacée entièrement dans ledit col (110) au-dessus dudit bouchon (114), ladite surface inférieure de ladite couche thermoplastique (112) étant fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ladite surface extérieure thermoplastique étant fixée de manière amovible à ladite surface intérieure de col (116), pour former un joint d'étanchéité contre l'humidité dans ledit bouchon (114) et ledit col (110); et

e) un couvercle (122) ayant un bord extérieur (132) dans lequel est fixé ledit bord extérieur (132) dans ladite gorge (124).

22. Combinaison selon revendication 20 ou 21, comprenant en outre une couche de revêtement (48) déplacée entièrement dans ledit col (12, 23) au-dessus dudit disque (10, 30), ladit couche de revêtement (48) étant mise en adhérence à ladite surface supérieure de disque.

23. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 22, dans laquelle ledit bouchon (32) est déplacé dans ledit col (32), de manière que la distance entre ladite surface supérieure de bouchon et ledit bord supérieur de ladite embouchure (38) soit supérieure d'au moins 1 mm par rapport à la hauteur (42) dudit disque (30).

24. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 23, dans laquelle la hauteur (42) dudit disque (30) est comprise entre 2 et 3 mm.

25. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 24, dans laquelle ledit disque (10, 30) est en un matériau thermoplastique capable de fondre à une température comprise entre 26 et 82 °C (80 et 180 degrés Fahrenheit).

26. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 25, dans laquelle ledit disque (10, 30) est en un matériau thermoplastique sélectionné dans le groupe imposé de cire d'abeilles, de cire granulée et de leurs mélanges.

27. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 26, dans laquelle ladite couche de revêtement (122) est en papier ou en matière plastique.

28. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 19 à 27, dans laquelle la hauteur (128) de ladite couche de revêtement (122) est inférieure à 1 mm.

29. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 20 à 28, dans laquelle ledit angle obtus de surface intérieure biseautée (44) est de 100 degrés.

30. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 20 à 29, dans laquelle la longueur (48) de ladite surface intérieure biseautée (36) est de 4 mm par rapport à ladite ouverture de la bouteille.

31. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 21 à 30, dans laquelle ledit matériau thermoplastique est capable de fondre à une température comprise entre 26 et 82°C (80 et 180 degrés Fahrenheit).

32. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 21 à 31, dans laquelle ledit diamètre de couvercle est d'à peu près 10,3 mm (13/32 de pouce).

33. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 21 à 32, dans laquelle ledit diamètre intérieur de col est d'à peu près 9,5 mm (12/32 de pouce).

34. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 21 à 33, dans laquelle ladite profondeur (126) de ladite gorge (124) est d'à peu près 0,4 mm (1/64 de pouce).

35. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 21 à 34, dans laquelle ledit couvercle (122) est disposé dans ledit col (110) à une distance par rapport audit bord supérieur de col d'au moins 0,4 mm (1/64 de pouce).

Drawing