WO2022112709A1 - Device for closing containers, in particular a stopper for a bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure device for a container, in particular a bottle, comprising in particular a rigid support element (1), a body (2) that includes the rigid support element, the rigid support element (1) being in one piece, cylindrical in shape, and comprises, along the longitudinal axis, an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), the lower part being closed, a sealing shield (5) arranged on the lower part of the closure device and covering the lower part of the device, the shape of the shield matching the shape of the lower part of the closure device, the rigid support element (1) being made of high-stiffness polymer, the body (2) being made of thermoplastic elastomer, and said sealing shield (5) being made of polymer. The present invention is applicable to the field of closure devices for containers, in particular food containers and especially bottles, for example for wine.

Description

Device for closing containers, in particular a bottle stopper

Technical area

The present invention relates to a closure device for a container, in particular a bottle, comprising in particular a rigid support element (1), a body (2) concurrent with and integrating the rigid support element, the said rigid support element being come in one piece, of cylindrical shape and comprises along the longitudinal axis an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), said lower part being closed and facing the inside of the container, a shield of sealing (5) placed on the lower part of the closure device and covering the lower part of the said device, the shape of the shield being complementary to the shape of the lower part of the closure device.

In other words, the present invention relates to a closure device for a container, in particular a bottle, comprising in particular a rigid support element (1), a body (2) incorporating the rigid support element, said rigid support having come in one piece, of cylindrical shape and comprises, along the longitudinal axis, an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), said lower part being closed, a sealing shield (5) arranged on the lower part of the closure device and covering the lower part of said device, the shape of the shield being complementary to the shape of the lower part of the closure device.

The present invention finds an application in the technical field of closing devices for containers, in particular food containers, in particular bottles, for example wine.

State of the art In the wine sector, in particular concerning wine bottles, the main material used in France for corks is cork. This remains a particularity for France because many other countries have chosen other methods and/or materials to close bottles, in particular for wine.

The use of cork for the cork allows two particular effects to be obtained which are important for the conservation of wine: the closure of the bottle while allowing the wine to “breathe”. Indeed, cork has the advantage of allowing air to pass through, advantageously allowing it to “age” and improve it.

However, cork can, depending on the storage conditions and/or the nature of the cork, cause an alteration in the taste of the wine, giving it a “cork taste”. Cork is also a natural product obtained from specific trees which implies a limited and expensive source of raw material for the manufacture of cork stoppers. Finally, cork can present a natural phenomenon of alteration, for example by oxidation, altering its properties. It is therefore advisable to replace them every 12-15 years in order to prevent this phenomenon and to avoid possible alteration of the contents of the container, for example wine. There is therefore a real need to find a means and/or a device for closing containers, in particular bottles, making it possible to preserve the natural resources of cork and/or to avoid the appearance of cork taint.

There are currently other closure devices for containers, in particular bottles, for example a device based on cork comprising a lower cork content or synthetic devices. However, these devices have limitations regarding durability over time. Indeed, their ability to close the container while allowing, for example for wine a possible "breathing", is limited in time. Also, the use of these devices is limited and may condition the shelf life of the closed container. There is therefore a real need to find a means and/or a device for closing containers, in particular bottles, making it possible in particular to preserve the natural resources of cork and/or having durability over time and/or making it possible, for example for wine, a possible “breathing”.

There are also other closure devices for containers, in particular bottles, such as the screw cap or the glass stopper. The screw cap and the glass stopper allow in particular a tight closure and are easy to open or close. However, like other known closing devices, it does not allow, for example, for wine a possible "breathing". In addition, the material or materials constituting the screw caps for closing containers, in particular bottles, are mainly made of aluminum and possibly with tin or a polymeric compound. These materials, in particular aluminum, may be likely to alter, for example for wine, the nature and/or the taste of the contents of the container. In addition, aluminum and in particular aluminum salts are materials whose use, in particular in the food field or in the cosmetics field, is controversial.

There is therefore a real need to find a means and/or a device for closing containers, in particular bottles, that does not include controversial raw materials such as aluminum and/or that allows, for example for wine, a possible "breathing".

There is therefore a real need to find a new closure device for a container, in particular a bottle, overcoming these defects, drawbacks and obstacles of the prior art, in particular a device allowing closure of the container and/or allowing a "breathing" of said container, and to reduce costs

Description of the invention The present invention precisely makes it possible to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and to meet the aforementioned needs by providing a closure device (DF) for a container comprising:

- a rigid support element (1) - a body (2) concurrent with and integrating the rigid support element, said rigid support element (1) having come in one piece, of cylindrical shape and comprising along the axis longitudinal an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), said lower part being closed and facing the inside of the container, - a sealing shield (5) placed on the lower part of the closing device and covering the lower part of said device, the shape of the shield being complementary to the shape of the lower part of the closure device, said rigid support element being made of high rigidity polymer, said body being made of thermoplastic elastomer, and said shield being made of polymer.

In other words, the present invention precisely makes it possible to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and to meet the aforementioned needs by providing a closure device (DF) for a container comprising: - a rigid support element (1)

- a body (2) incorporating the rigid support element, said rigid support element (1) having come in one piece, of cylindrical shape and comprising along the longitudinal axis (y) an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), said lower part being closed, - a sealing shield (5) arranged on the lower part of the closure device and covering the lower part of the said device, the shape of the shield being complementary to the shape of the lower part of the closure device, said rigid support element being made of high rigidity polymer, said body being made of thermoplastic elastomer, and said shield being made of polymer. The inventors have surprisingly demonstrated that the closure device according to the invention, advantageously the stopper according to the invention, once placed, for example in the neck of a bottle, advantageously and synergistically makes it possible to close the bottle without loss of its contents, for example of liquid, and to allow "breathing", for example a circulation of air, in particular of oxygen between the inside and the outside of the container. Furthermore, the inventors have demonstrated that the closure device according to the invention is neutral with respect to the content present in the container. In other words, the closure device according to the invention does not alter and/or modify, for example when the container contains food, the taste of the food.

The inventors have also demonstrated, in particular by the choice of materials constituting the closure device according to the invention, that it does not modify and/or does not alter the taste, for example of wine, present in the container.

The inventors have also demonstrated that the closure device according to the invention can advantageously, in particular when the container is a bottle, for example a bottle of wine, be a closure device of the cap type adaptable and applicable to any bottle neck known from the skilled person. In particular, the inventors have demonstrated that the closure device according to the invention can be adapted to any known bottle neck size and/or diameter.

In addition, the inventors have demonstrated that the closure device according to the invention can be removed after installation on the container by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art. For example, when the container is a bottle of wine, the closing device according to the invention can be removed using ordinary removal means known to those skilled in the art, for example a corkscrew.

In the present, the container can be any container known to those skilled in the art. It can be for example a bottle. Preferably the container is a bottle comprising a neck. It may be, for example, any bottle known to those skilled in the art, regardless of the diameter of the neck and/or the length of the neck of the bottle. It may for example be a bottle with an internal neck comprising a diameter of 17 to 22 mm, for example of 17.5 to 20 mm, for example equal to 17.5, 18.5 or 22 mm. It may be for example a bottle regardless of the material of said bottle, for example glass, plastic, preferably glass. It can be, for example, a bottle of wine, champagne, cider, calvas, pommeau, chianti, beer, sparkling apple juice, oil.

According to the invention, the rigid support element (1) can be in a shape chosen from the group comprising a tube, a cylinder, a flat tube, a corrugated tube over its length and/or its width, a hollow shape without sharp edge, cylindrical. Preferably, the rigid support element (1) is of tubular, cylindrical shape. In other words, preferably, the rigid support element (1) is of cylindrical tubular shape. According to the invention, the rigid support element can extend along a first longitudinal axis (y) and a second transverse axis (x). For example, when the rigid support element is tubular, the y axis corresponds to the length of the tube and the x axis to the diameter of the tube.

According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, of tubular shape, for example cylindrical tubular, comprises a wall comprising an internal contour (9), an external contour (8), a part lower part (4) or lower edge or lower end (6) and an upper part (3) or upper edge or upper end (7). In the present, the internal contour of the rigid support element can also designate the internal surface of the wall of the rigid support element.

In the present, the external contour of the rigid support element can also designate the external surface of the wall of the rigid support element.

According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, of tubular shape, for example of cylindrical tubular shape, may comprise an internal volume (V).

According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, of tubular shape, for example of cylindrical tubular shape, may comprise a bottom (F) corresponding to the lower edge or lower end. According to the invention, the bottom can be flat or curved. For example, when the bottom is curved, the outer contour can be concave or convex, preferably the outer contour is concave. For example, when the bottom is curved, the internal contour can be concave or convex, preferably the internal contour is convex. Thus, according to the invention, the bottom of the rigid support element can be concave on its outer contour and convex on its inner contour.

According to the invention, the rigid support element can have any suitable height to allow the closure of the container by the closure device. According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here only by way of example, of tubular shape, for example of cylindrical tubular shape, the height can be measured, along the longitudinal axis, from the upper end of the upper part to the lower end of the lower part. A person skilled in the art, through his general knowledge, can adapt the height (h) according to the container and/or the shape of the container. For example, when the container is a bottle the height of the rigid support element according to the invention can be between 40 and 55 mm, for example from 42 to 51 mm.

According to the invention, the thickness of the rigid support element may be identical or different along the longitudinal axis. According to the invention, the thickness of the rigid support element can be between 0.80 and 0.90 mm, for example equal to 0.85 mm.

According to the invention, the thickness of the wall of the rigid support element may be identical or different along the longitudinal axis. According to the invention, the thickness of the rigid support element can be between 0.80 and 0.90 mm, for example equal to 0.85 mm.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise on at least one of these walls at least one lug (11). Preferably, the rigid support element may comprise on its outer wall at least one lug. According to the invention, the lug can form an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rigid support element of 80 to 100°, for example equal to 90°. According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, in tubular form, may comprise on at least one of these walls at least one lug. According to the invention, the lug can form an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (y) of the rigid support element of cylindrical shape, preferably tubular, of 80 to 100°, for example equal to 90°. According to the invention, the length of the lug can be between 0.4 and 0.55 mm, for example from 0.45 to 0.475 mm. The length of the lug can be measured, along its longitudinal axis, from the surface of the wall or contour on which it is present to the opposite end of the lug.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise at least two, at least three or at least four lugs.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise at least two lugs arranged respectively at each of the ends of said rigid support element. According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise at least three lugs, two of the at least three lugs possibly being arranged respectively at each of the ends of the said rigid support element, the additional lug(s) being arranged along the wall, preferably on the outer wall, of said rigid element.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise at least four lugs, two of the at least four lugs possibly being arranged respectively at each of the ends of said rigid support element, the additional lug(s) being arranged along the wall, preferably on the outer wall, of said rigid element.

According to the invention, when the rigid support element comprises at least one lug arranged along one of its walls, said at least one lug can be arranged at any position, for example along the longitudinal axis of the element rigid support For example, when the rigid support element includes a lug, it can be located at a quarter, half or three quarter of the length of the rigid support element along the longitudinal axis, the point of start of the length corresponding to the end likely to constitute the bottom (F). For example, when the rigid support element comprises four lugs, the rigid support element may comprise a lug at each of these ends, a lug at half the length of the rigid support element along the longitudinal axis and a lug at a quarter or at 0.175 of the total length of the rigid support element along the longitudinal axis from the opposite end or upper end to the end capable of constituting the bottom (F) or lower end.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis at least one orifice (10) in said support or wall of said support.

In other words, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis at least one orifice (10) in said wall of said rigid support element. According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis a plurality of orifices in said support or wall of said support. In other words, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis a plurality of orifices in said wall of said rigid support element.

According to the invention, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis at least two, at least three or at least four holes in said support or wall of said support.

In other words, the rigid support element may comprise along the longitudinal axis at least two, at least three or at least four orifices in said wall of said rigid support element.

According to the invention, the rigid support element (1) may comprise along the longitudinal axis at least three holes in the wall arranged respectively at the upper end, lower end and two-thirds of the height of said rigid support element. (1 ).

According to the invention, the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, of tubular shape, for example of cylindrical tubular shape, can comprise along the longitudinal axis at least two, at least three or at least four, at least six, at least eight, at least ten, at least twelve holes in said support or wall of said support.

According to the invention, when the rigid support element comprises a plurality of orifices in said support or wall of said support, they can advantageously be distributed according to a geometric shape and/or aligned along an axis. For example, orifices can be distributed along the longitudinal axis of the rigid support element. For example, when the orifices are distributed along at least one longitudinal axis of the rigid support element, each axis can comprise at least one orifice, at least two, at least three orifices. For example, when the rigid support element comprises 12 orifices, they can be arranged in the form of 4 longitudinal axes each comprising 3 orifices. According to the invention, when the rigid support element, designated here solely by way of example, is of tubular shape, for example of cylindrical tubular shape, it may comprise a distribution along the longitudinal axis of the rigid element support. For example, when the orifices are distributed along at least one longitudinal axis of the rigid support element, each axis can comprise at least one orifice, at least two, at least three orifices. For example, when the rigid support element comprises 12 orifices, they can be arranged in the form of 4 longitudinal axes each comprising 3 orifices, the axes facing each other in pairs. In other words, the orifices can, when the support element is tubular, be diametrically opposed in pairs.

According to the invention, the orifice (10) can be of any suitable shape known to those skilled in the art. It may be, for example, an orifice of a shape chosen from a circular, square, rectangular or conical shape. According to the invention, when the rigid support element comprises several orifices (10), they may independently be of identical or different shape.

According to the invention, the size of the orifices can be of any suitable size. According to the invention, when the rigid support element comprises several orifices, it may independently be of the same or different size. According to the invention, when the orifice (10) is square in shape, it may have sides of a length comprised from 1 to 5 mm, for example from 1.5 to 4 mm, for example equal to 1.5, 3 or 4 mm. According to the invention, when the orifice (10) is rectangular in shape, it may have independently and two to two sides with a length of from 1 to 5 mm, for example from 1.5 to 4 mm, for example equal to 1.5, 3 or 4 mm.

According to the invention, when the orifice (10) is conical in shape, it may have a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, for example from 1.5 to 4 mm, for example equal to 1.5, 3 or 4 mm. Advantageously, when the orifice (10) is conical in shape, the diameter (di) of the orifice facing the internal volume of the rigid support element is less than the diameter (de) of the orifice facing the outside of the rigid support element (1).

According to the invention, the material of the rigid support element can be a high rigidity polymer.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a melting rate of 2 to 5 g/10min, for example 3g/10min. In the present, the determination of the fusion rate can be carried out according to the method described in the ISO 1133 standard.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a tensile strength of 30 to 40 MPa, preferably equal to 36 MPa. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ISO 527-2.

It can be for example a polymer with a tensile elastic limit of 8 to 10%, preferably equal to 9. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the process described in the ISO 527-2 standard. It may for example be a polymer with a flexural modulus of 1840 to 1860 MPa, preferably equal to 1850 MPa. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ISO 178.

It may for example be a polymer with a Vicat softening point of 150 to 160°C, preferably equal to 156°C. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ISO 306.

It may be, for example, a polymer with the deflection temperature under load (HDT) comprised from 105 to 115°C, preferably equal to 110°C. In the present, the determination of the resistance to the elongation can be carried out according to the process described in standard ISO 75-2.

Advantageously, the material of the rigid support element may be a polypropylene homopolymer, for example polypropylene homopolymer marketed by the company Carmel Olefins Ltd under the trade reference Capilene (registered trademark) G 78 TF According to the invention, the element rigid support can be come in one piece.

According to the invention, the rigid support element can be manufactured by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. It may for example be a process comprising in particular a step of molding a material, for example a technopolymer, for example in liquid form. It may be, for example, a method comprising in particular a step of injection molding of a material. Those skilled in the art, based on this general knowledge, will be able to choose and/or adapt the manufacturing process in order to obtain the rigid support element according to the invention.

According to the invention, the body (2) can be of any suitable shape for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on the container for its closure. For example the body (2) can be tubular, substantially tubular, cylindrical, tapered, a corrugated tube along its length and/or its width. Preferably, the body (2) is of substantially tubular shape, of corrugated tubular shape along its length.

According to the invention, the body (2) can extend along a first axis (y) and a second axis (x). For example, when the rigid support element is tubular, the y axis corresponds to the length of the tube and the x axis to the diameter of the tube.

According to the invention, the body (2) can have any suitable height to allow the closure of the container by the closure device. According to the invention, the body (2), designated here only by way of example, in substantially tubular shape, the height can be measured, along the longitudinal axis, from the upper end of the upper part to the end bottom of the bottom. A person skilled in the art, through his general knowledge, can adapt the height (hc) according to the container and/or the shape of the container. For example, when the container is a bottle, the height of the body according to the invention can be between 40 and 55 mm, for example from 42 to 52 mm.

According to the invention, the body (2) can compete with and integrate the rigid support element (1). When the body (2) competes and integrates the rigid support element (1), the height (hc) of the body (2) can be substantially identical or identical to that of the rigid support element (1). In other words, the body (2) can integrate the rigid support element (1). When the body (2) incorporates the rigid support element (1), the height (hc) of the body (2) can be substantially identical or identical to that of the rigid support element (1).

According to the invention, the body (2), designated here solely by way of example, of substantially tubular shape, can have any suitable diameter to allow the closure of a container, for example a bottle. For example the diameter of the body can be comprised from 16 to 26 mm, for example from 16.35 to 25 mm.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the body can be such that they allow its insertion, preferably in a traditional bottle neck, for example of wine, and its cooperation with the internal walls of the latter. The person skilled in the art, from this general knowledge, will be able to adapt the dimensions of the body according to the container.

According to the invention, when the body is of substantially tubular shape, the diameter of the body may be identical or vary along the longitudinal axis. For example, the diameter of the body can include, for example at the ends of the body a smaller diameter compared to the other diameters of the body along the longitudinal axis

According to the invention, when the body is of substantially tubular shape, the longitudinal surface of the body facing the outside, namely the outer lateral contour, may be convex. According to the invention, the material of the body can be thermoplastic elastomer. It may for example be an elastomer with a density of 0.85 g/cm ³ to 0.95 g/cm ³ , for example equal to 0.91 g/cm ³ In the present invention, the determination of the density can be carried out according to the method described in standard ASTM D792.

It may be, for example, an elastomer with a Shore A hardness of 60 to 90, for example from 63 to 88, for example equal to 63 or 88. In the present invention, the determination of the Shore A hardness can be carried out according to the method described in standard ASTM D2240. It may for example be an elastomer with a tensile strength of 5 to 10 MPa, for example 5.5 to 9.5 MPa, preferably equal to 5.5 or 9.5 MPa. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ASTM D412-C. It may, for example, be an elastomer with an elongation at break comprised from 530 to 570%, for example from 540 to 560%, preferably equal to 540 or 560%. In the present, the determination of the resistance to elongation can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ASTM D412-C. It may be, for example, an elastomer with a 100% modulus of elasticity ranging from 2 to 6 MPa, for example from 2.5 MPa to 5.5 MPa, preferably equal to 2.5 or 5.5 MPa . In the present, the determination of the modulus of elasticity 100% can be carried out according to the method described in standard ASTM D412-C. It may, for example, be an elastomer with a tear strength of 25 to 65 kN/m, for example 30 to 62 kN/m, preferably equal to 30 or 62 kN/m. Herein, the determination of the tear resistance can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ASTM D624-C. It may, for example, be an elastomer with a tensile set of 5 to 25%, for example 8 to 20%, preferably equal to 8 or 20.

In the present, the determination of the tensile play can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ASTM D412.

It may be, for example, an elastomer with a residual compression of 75 to 85%, for example 78 to 82%, preferably equal to 80. In the present invention, the determination of the residual compression can be carried out according to the process described in standard ASTM D395-B type 1. Advantageously, the material of the body can be a Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene compound, for example a Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene compound marketed by the company CELANESE under the trade reference LAPRENE (registered trademark) NEUTRO 83F000979 or under the commercial reference LAPRENE (registered trademark) NEUTRO 83F000962

According to the invention, the material of the body may have permeability to gases, for example to oxygen, nitrogen, and impermeability to any liquid.

Advantageously, when the material of the body has gas permeability, it can advantageously allow “breathing” of the container and/or exchanges of gas between the interior and exterior environment of the container. Advantageously, when the container is a bottle, for example a bottle of wine, it can allow “breathing” of the wine contained and advantageously allow it to age.

According to the invention, the body can be manufactured and/or applied to compete with and integrate the rigid support element by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. In other words, the body can be manufactured and/or applied to integrate the rigid support element by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. It can be, for example, a method comprising in particular a step of molding of a material, for example an elastomer, for example in liquid form. It may for example be a process comprising in particular a step of injection molding and a step of expanding a material. For example, the process for manufacturing the concurrent body and integrating the rigid support element can also be referred to as an overmolding process, for example by integrating the rigid support element, comprising a step of injection and expansion of the material. In other words, for example, the process for manufacturing the body integrating the rigid support element can also be designated as an overmolding process, for example by integrating the rigid support element, comprising a material injection and expansion stage. According to the invention, during the molding or overmolding process, the injection of the material forming the body can be carried out in the internal volume (V) of the support element. Advantageously, when the injection of the material forming the body is carried out in the internal volume (V) of the support element, it allows an expansion of the body from the inside towards the outside of the support element advantageously allowing avoid the appearance of air bubbles in the body and a homogeneous distribution of said material in the closure device. Those skilled in the art, based on this general knowledge, will be able to choose and/or adapt the manufacturing process in order to obtain the body according to the invention.

According to the invention, the outer contour (EC) of the body may comprise a coating on its surface.

By way of example, according to the invention, the coating of the outer contour may be, for example, any suitable coating known to those skilled in the art and/or commercially available which is suitable for closing a container, preferably a food container. It may be for example any coating compatible with food, beverages, for example alcoholic beverages. It may be, for example, a coating based on wax, for example paraffin, tetrafluoroethene, silicone or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the coating is a food grade silicone. According to the invention, the outer contour (EC) of the body may comprise a marking on its surface. It may be, for example, marking with any pigment and/or food-grade ink with low migration and/or laser marking and/or means known to those skilled in the art suitable for contact with food. These may be, for example, low migration (“low”) UV inks.

According to the invention, the sealing shield (5) can be of any suitable shape for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on all or part of the body (2) and/or of the rigid support element (1) For example the sealing shield (5) can be tubular, substantially tubular, cylindrical, a corrugated tube along its length and/or its width. Preferably the sealing shield (5) is of substantially tubular shape, U-shaped According to the invention, when the sealing shield (5) is of a shape suitable for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on all or part of the body (2) and/or of the rigid support element (1) designated here solely by way of example, of substantially tubular shape, the sealing shield (5) can be in the shape of an inverted bell, in the shape of U or shell-shaped.

According to the invention, the sealing shield (5) can be of complementary shape to the lower part of the body (2) and/or to the rigid support element (1).

According to the invention, the sealing shield (5) may comprise an internal contour (12), an external contour (13), a lower part (14), an upper part (15) and side parts (133).

In the present, the internal contour of the sealing shield (5) can be of convex shape and/or of any shape suitable for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on all or part of the body (2) and/or of the rigid element. bracket (1). According to the invention, the internal contour of the sealing shield can be of convex shape.

According to the invention, the lateral parts of the sealing shield (5) can have any height (hb) suitable for its placement on all or part of the body (2) and/or of the rigid support element (1 ) This height can be measured from the upper end of the upper part to the lower end of the lower part of the sealing shield (5). For example, the height of the side parts of the shield can be from 10 to 15 mm, for example 12 mm. The person skilled in the art by his general knowledge can adapt the height (hb) according to the parameters of the body (2) and/or of the rigid support element (1).

According to the invention, the lower part (14) of the sealing shield (5) can be substantially flat. For example, the lower part (14) of the sealing shield (5) can be concave in shape. For example, the lower part (14) of the sealing shield (5) can be concave in shape.

According to the invention, the thickness of the sealing shield (5) can be identical or different along the longitudinal axis. According to the invention, the thickness of the sealing shield (5) can be between 0.60 mm and 0.70 mm, for example from 0.63 to 0.69 mm.

According to the invention, when the sealing shield (5), designated here solely by way of example, is shell-shaped and/or U-shaped and/or bell-shaped, the diameter of the sealing shield (5) may be identical or different along the longitudinal axis. For example, the diameter of the lower part of the sealing shield can be from 13 to 15 mm, for example equal to 13.7 or 14 mm.

For example, the diameter of the upper part of the sealing shield can be 13 to 15 mm, for example equal to 13.7 or 14 mm.

According to the invention, the sealing shield material (5) can be a polymer. It may for example be a polymer with a flexural modulus of 850 to 950 MPa, preferably 900 MPa In the present, the determination of the modulus of elasticity in bending can be carried out according to the method described in standard ISO 178.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a Charpy impact resistance at 23° C. of 8.5 to 9.5 kJ/m2, preferably 9 kJ/m2. In the present, the determination of the modulus of elasticity in bending can be carried out according to the method described in the standard ISO 179.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a deflection temperature under load of 0.45 MPa ranging from 55 to 65°C, preferably 60°C. In the present, the determination of deflection temperature under load can be carried out according to the method described in the ISO 75 standard.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a melting rate at 230° C. of 20 to 30 g/10 min, preferably 25 g/10 min. the process described in the ISO 1133 standard.

It may be, for example, a polymer with a density at 23° C. of 880 to 930 kg/m ³ , preferably 905 kg/m ³ process described in standard ISO 1183 Advantageously, the material of the sealing shield may be a polypropylene copolymer, for example polypropylene copolymer marketed by the company Repsol under the trade reference ISPLEN (registered trademark) PR 290 X9M.

According to the invention, the sealing shield can be fixed to the rigid support element and/or to the body by at least one fixing element. Can be a mechanical fastener or a combination of fusion and mechanical fastener

According to the invention, the shield fixing element can be any element known to those skilled in the art and/or commercially available for fixing elastomeric and/or polymeric parts and usable in the food and/or agri-food sector. . According to the invention, the mechanical fixing element of the shield can be any element known to those skilled in the art and/or commercially available for fixing elastomeric and/or polymeric parts and usable in the food sector and/or agri-food. It may be, for example, one or more stud(s), one or more anchor pin(s), a lug and/or suitable means known to those skilled in the art. invention, the fixing element can be located on the concave internal contour of the sealing shield. For example, the stud, keel and/or lug can be located on the concave internal contour of the sealing shield for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on the rigid support element and/or on the body.

According to the invention, the sealing shield can be manufactured by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. It may for example be a process comprising in particular a step of molding a material, for example a polymer, for example a polypropylene copolymer, for example in liquid form. It may be, for example, a method comprising in particular a step of injection molding of a material. Those skilled in the art, based on this general knowledge, will be able to choose and/or adapt the manufacturing process in order to obtain a sealing shield according to the invention.

According to the invention, the closure device may further comprise an identification means (M1).

In the present, by means of identification (M1) is meant any means of identification known to those skilled in the relevant art. It may be for example a means of visual identification, for example a marker, a means of radio-identification.

In the present, the visual identification means can be for example a barcode, a QR code, a traceability number by laser engraving.

In the present, the means of radio-identification can be for example an RFID chip, a chip. In the present, the RFID chip can be any suitable RFID chip known to those skilled in the art and usable in the food and/or agri-food field. It can be for example a low frequency RFID chip (LF, 125 kHz), a high frequency RFID chip (HF, 13.56 MHz) or an ultra high frequency RFID chip (UHF), preferably a low frequency RFID chip . It may for example be a glass RFID chip, for example a commercially available RFID chip.

According to the invention, the means of radio-identification can be of any suitable form known to those skilled in the art. It can be, for example, parallelogram-shaped, circular, tubular, flat, etc.

According to the invention, the means of identification can be of any shape suitable for its direct or indirect arrangement on all or part of the rigid support element (1). For example, the radio-identification means may be of circular shape, substantially circular, corrugated over its length and/or its width, flat.

According to the invention, the rigid support element (1) can compete and integrate the means of identification. In other words, the rigid support element (1) can integrate the means of identification.

Preferably, the rigid support element (1) competes and integrates the means of identification, the means of identification is a means of radio-identification. In other words, preferably, the rigid support element (1) integrates the means of identification, the means of identification is a means of radio-identification.

According to the invention, the direct or indirect arrangement on all or part of the rigid support element (1) of the means of identification, preferably of radio-identification, can be carried out by any known method and/or suitable means. of the skilled person.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the closure device comprising the steps of:

- molding of the rigid support element (1), - molding of the sealing shield (5),

- assembly of the rigid support element and the sealing shield, and

- molding of the body (2) by injecting the material into the internal volume (V) of the rigid support element.

According to the invention, the molding of the rigid support element (1) can be carried out by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. This may be, for example, an injection molding process, for example a material in liquid form. For example, when the material is a polymer, it may be, for example, injection molding.

According to the invention, the sealing shield molding can be carried out by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. This may be, for example, an injection molding process, for example a material in liquid form. For example, when the material is a polymer, for example a polypropylene copolymer, it may be, for example, injection molding, said polymer being at a temperature of 230 to 250°C.

According to the invention, the molding of the body (2) can be carried out by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. This may be, for example, an injection molding process, for example a material in liquid form. For example, when the material is an elastomer, for example a Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene compound, it may be, for example, injection molding, said elastomer being at a temperature of 150 to 200°C. According to the invention, the method may comprise, prior to the molding step, a step of direct or indirect arrangement on all or part of the rigid support element (1) of an identification means (M1).

According to the invention, the direct or indirect arrangement of an identification means on all or part of the rigid support element (1) can be carried out by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the molding of the body (2) can be carried out by injecting the material into the internal volume (V) of the rigid support element allowing molding from the inside towards the outside of the device and allows also advantageously allows an expansion of the body from the inside towards the outside of the support element advantageously allowing to avoid the appearance of bubble(s) of air(s) and/or any empty space in the body and a homogeneous distribution of said material in the closure device

Other advantages may also appear to those skilled in the art on reading the examples below, illustrated by the appended figures, given for illustrative purposes.

Brief description of the figures Figure 1 schematically represents two examples of closing devices seen from the side

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a cross section along the axis (y) of an example of a closure device according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a cross section along the axis (x) of an example of a closure device according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a three-quarter view of an example of a rigid support element according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a cross section along the axis (y) of a rigid support element (1), a sealed shield (5), the combination of a rigid support element (1) and a sealed shield (5), and an example of a closure device comprising one of a rigid support element (1), a sealed shield (5) and a body (2)

EXAMPLES Example 1: closure device (DF) for bottle-type container with a neck

Two examples of closure devices (DF) according to the invention are represented in FIG. 1. In this figure, the device comprises: a body (2) of substantially tubular shape in a longitudinal direction (y) with an external contour (CE ) concave for its direct or indirect complementary arrangement on a bottle neck, a shield sealing (5) arranged on the lower part of the closure device and covering the lower part of said device.

The material of the body (2) is a thermoplastic elastomer, namely a Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene compound marketed by the company Celanese under the trade reference LAPRENE (registered trademark) NEUTRO 83F000979 and 83F000962

The material of the sealing shield (5) is a polymer, namely a random copolymer ("random") of polypropylene marketed by the company Repsol under the trade reference ISPLEN (registered trademark) PR 290 X9M.

The height (h) of the device along the longitudinal axis is 42.7 ± 0.5 mm, the width/diameter of the device at the upper end is 17.5 or 18.5 mm, the width/diameter of the device at the lower end of the device is 13.7 or 14 mm, and the width/diameter of the device along the device is 21 or 22 mm

The height of the sealing shield (5) along the longitudinal axis (y) of the device is 12 mm.

Figure 2 is a front sectional view of the closure device (DF) of Figure 1 comprising the rigid support element (1), integrated in the body (2), comprising a wall comprising an external contour (8), a concave bottom (F), a wall comprising an internal contour (9). The rigid support element is tubular in shape with a diameter of 10.2 mm. The rigid support element comprises lugs (11) arranged on the outer contour of the wall of the rigid support element (1) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The length of the pins is 2 mm to 2.65 mm. The material of the rigid support element is a high-rigidity polymer, namely a polypropylene homopolymer, in particular a polypropylene homopolymer marketed by the company Carmel Olefins Ltd under the trade reference Capilene (registered trademark) G 78 TF The element rigid support comprises an upper part (3), a lower part (4), a lower end (6) of the orifices (10), (110) and (1100) of respective heights of 4, 1.5 and 3 mm. The wall thickness of the rigid support element (1) is 0.85 mm. The device shown in Figure 2 comprises a sealing shield (5) in the form of a shell or U complementary to the lower part of the body (2) and the rigid support element (1). The sealing shield (5) comprising an internal contour (12), an external contour (13), a lower part (14) of concave shape, an upper part (15) and side parts (133) of convex shape. The shield also includes lugs (122) located on the concave internal contour of the sealing shield corresponding to the fixing means allowing the placement and fixing of the rigid support element with the shield (5).

As shown in Figure 2, the convex internal contour of the shield (5) is complementary to the concave external contour of the bottom (F) of the rigid support element. Figure 3 is a section of the device of Figure 2 along the axis (x). As shown in Figure 3, the body (2) is tubular in shape with an outer contour (CE), it competes with the rigid support element, integrates the volume (V) of the rigid support element of tubular shape which comprises a wall with an external contour (8), an internal contour (9) and orifices (110). In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the body (2) is tubular in shape with an outer contour (CE), it integrates the rigid support element, integrates the volume (V) of the rigid element tubular-shaped support which comprises a wall with an external contour (8), an internal contour (9) and orifices (110). Figure 4 is a three-quarter view of an example of a rigid support element (1) and corresponds to the rigid support element of the device of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the rigid element of support is of tubular shape, in particular of cylindrical tubular shape, it comprises an upper part (3), an upper end (7) comprising a lug extending on the external surface or external contour (8), orifices (10) rectangular whose longer sides extend along the axis (y), rectangular orifices (110), (1100) whose shorter sides extend along the axis (y). The orifices (10) are located along the axis (y) at 3.5mm or 5.5mm from the upper end (7) of the rigid support element, the orifices (110) are located along the axis (y) 29 mm or 23 mm from the upper end (7) of the rigid support element and the holes (1100) are located 2.5 mm from the lower end of the rigid support element . The lower part (4) of the rigid support element comprises a lug, a bottom (F), and two lugs (11) are present on the rigid support element. The lugs are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support element and are present on the external surface or external contour (8) of the rigid support element.

Figure 5 shows a cross section along the axis (y) of a rigid support element (1), a sealed shield (5), the combination of a rigid support element (1) and a sealed shield (5), and an example of a closure device comprising a rigid support element (1) comprising lugs (11), a volume V, a bottom (F), a sealed shield (5) comprising an internal contour (12), an external contour (13), a lower part (14) of concave shape, an upper part (15) and lugs (122), and a body (2). This figure shows different stages of manufacture of a closure device according to the invention, namely obtaining the rigid support element (1), in particular by molding, obtaining the sealing shield (5), in particular by molding, the assembly of the rigid support element and the sealing shield, and the formation of the body (2) integrating and concurrent with the rigid support element, in particular by injecting the material into the internal volume (V) of the rigid support element. In other words, the formation of the body (2) integrating the rigid support element, is in particular carried out by injecting the material into the internal volume (V) of the rigid support element. Example 2: Determination of physicochemical properties of an example of device according to the invention In the present example the determination of the liquid and gas tightness of the device described in example 1 have been determined.

The liquid tightness measured was 1.5 bar and the gas tightness was 2 bar. The tightness was determined according to the process described in Afnor Standard NF B 57-100 (Dec 2010).

Furthermore, the extraction force of the device described in Example 1 was determined according to the method of the ISO 9227-5 standard of May 15, 2007. To do this, the measurement was made at a temperature of 21 ° C ± 4 °C with a relative air humidity of 60% ± 20%. the equipment and method were as follows: a four-jaw corker, with a compression diameter of the jaws set between 15.5 mm and 16 mm, glass tubes, with an internal diameter of 18.5 mm ± 0.2 mm or internal diameter (d ± 0.2) mm (with d corresponding to the entry diameter taken 3 mm from the top of the finish of the bottles for which the corks are intended), a corkscrew, with a helical stem with the following characteristics: useful length: > 40 mm, < 60 mm; inner diameter: > 3mm, <4mm; outer diameter: > 8.5 mm, < 10 mm; wire diameter: > 2.7 mm, < 3.2 mm; helix pitch: > 8 mm, < 11 mm. The glass tubes were cleaned with acetone and left to dry. The glass tubes were capped with the four-jaw capper and the determination of the extraction force was carried out one hour after capping via the introduction of the corkscrew wick in the center of the end of the closure device , the axis of the corkscrew wick remaining parallel to the central axis of said device. The tube was placed and blocked on the extraction device. The corkscrew wick was connected to the extraction device and the extraction performed at the speed of 30 cm/min. The extraction device was equipped with a force sensor with strain gauges to determine the extraction value expressed in Newtons rounded to 10N.

The pulling force ranged from 294.20 N (30 kgf) to 588.4 N (60 kgf). The extraction force measured for the closure device was 25 to 40 daN. As demonstrated in this example, an example of a closure device according to the invention advantageously and synergistically allows a container, in particular a bottle, to be closed without loss of its contents, in particular of liquid, and to allow "breathing “, for example a circulation of air, in particular of oxygen between the inside and the outside of the container.

This example also clearly demonstrates that an example of a closure device according to the invention has physical properties allowing, after installation for closure of the container, for example a bottle with a neck, to be removed using removal means ordinary known to those skilled in the art, for example a corkscrew.

Claims

1 . Closing device (DF) for a container comprising: - a rigid support element (1), - a body (2) integrating the rigid support element, - a sealing shield (5) arranged on the lower part of the closing device and covering the lower part of the said device, the shape of the shield being complementary to the shape of the lower part of the body (2) integrating the rigid element of support, said rigid support element (1) having come in one piece, of cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis (y), and comprises along the longitudinal axis an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), said lower part being closed, said rigid support element (1) being made of high-rigidity polymer, said body (2) being made of thermoplastic elastomer, and said sealing shield (5) being made of polymer. 2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the body (2) is of tubular, cylindrical or frustoconical shape. 3. Device according to claim 2 wherein the rigid support element (1) comprises at least one orifice (10) in the wall of said rigid support element (1). 4. Device according to claim 3 wherein the rigid support element (1) comprises, along the longitudinal axis, at least three holes in the wall arranged respectively at the upper end, at the lower end and two thirds the height of said rigid support element (1). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the rigid support element comprises on its outer wall at least one lug (11). 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the material of the rigid support element is a polypropylene homopolymer. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the shield material is a polypropylene copolymer. 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the material of the body is a styrene ethylene butylene styrene compound. 9. Device according to claim 8 wherein the body (2) is molded. 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the rigid support element comprises on the outer wall at least three lugs, said at least three lugs being disposed respectively at each of the ends and along the wall of said rigid element.