초록 ▼

By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a plurality of cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layers, a unique, multi-component, multi-layer synthetic closure is provided which may be employed as a bottle closure

By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a plurality of cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layers, a unique, multi-component, multi-layer synthetic closure is provided which may be employed as a bottle closure or stopper for any desired product, whether the product is a liquid, a viscous material, or a solid distributed in a bottle or container and dispensed through the open portal of the container neck. The present invention achieves a mass producible, resilient, synthetic bottle closure which is employable for any desired bottle, including wine. By employing the present invention, a multi-component or multi-layer synthetic closure is attained which possesses physical properties substantially equal to or better than the physical properties found in cork material, which has caused such cork material to be the principal closure material for wine bottles.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for mass producing multi-layer thermoplastic closures for use in sealing fluid products in a container having a portal formed in the neck of the container, said closure having at least three separate and independent layers in intimate bonded interengagement with each other, said method c

1. A method for mass producing multi-layer thermoplastic closures for use in sealing fluid products in a container having a portal formed in the neck of the container, said closure having at least three separate and independent layers in intimate bonded interengagement with each other, said method comprising the steps of:A. extruding an elongated, substantially cylindrically shaped foam plastic core member; B. sequentially thereafter separately extruding a separate and independent first layer of plastic material in intimate bonded engagement with the core member, a. peripherally surrounding and substantially enveloping the cylindrical surface of the core member so as to prevent passage of any fluid between said two layers, b. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.05 mm and 5 mm, and c. comprising a tough, score and mar resistant surface and a density ranging between about 300 kg/m3 and 1500 kg/m3; C. extruding a separate and independent second layer of plastic material in intimate bonded engagement with the first layer, a. peripherally surrounding and substantially enveloping the cylindrical surfaces of the first layer so as to prevent passage of any fluid between said layers, thereby establishing a multi-layer product; b. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.05 mm and 5 mm, and c. comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of lubricating agents, slip-enhancing compounds, antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, and oxygen scavenging compounds; and D. separately extruding a separate and independent third layer of plastic material in intimate bonded engagement with the second layer, a. peripherally surrounding and substantially enveloping the cylindrical surface of the second layer so as to prevent passage of any fluid between said layers, thereby establishing a multi-layered product; b. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.002 mm and 2 mm; and E. cutting said multi-layer product in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axes of the cylindrically shaped core member, establishing a multi-layer thermoplastic closure having the desired length for insertion and retention in the portal of the neck of the container. 2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the plastic material forming the core member is further defined as comprising medium density or low density, closed cell, foamed plastic comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of inert polymers, homopolymers, and copolymers.3. The method defined in claim 2, wherein said closed cell foam plastic material is further defined as comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethyleen-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated commoners.4. The method defined in claim 2, wherein said closed cell, foamed plastic material is further defined as comprising one or more polyethylenes selected from the group consisting of high density, medium density, low density, linear low density, ultra high density, and medium low density.5. The method defined in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:a. forming a chamfered edge on at least one end of the multi-layer thermoplastic closure after said closure has been cut to the desired length for enabling the closure to be inserted into the neck of the container with greater ease. 6. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the extrusion of the core member in Step A and the sequentially separate extrusion of the peripherally surrounding layer of plastic material in Step B are performed in a substantially continuous production step.7. The method defined in claim 6, wherein said core member and said peripherally surrounding layer are separately extruded sequentially with the core member being formed and the peripherally surrounding layer being formed immediately thereafter in surrounding engagement about the core member.8. The method defined in claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:F. cooling the core member after formation; G. passing the cold core member through a cross head die; and H. separately extruding the outer peripheral surrounding first layer onto the core member as the previously formed core member passes through said cross head die. 9. The method defined in claim 8, comprising the additional steps of:I. passing the core member with the first peripheral surrounding layer through a cross head die, and I. separately extruding the outer peripheral surrounding second layer onto the first layer as the previously formed core member and first layer passes through said cross head die. 10. The method defined in claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:F. forming surface embossing equipment by mounting four wheels to a support member, supporting each wheel for rotation about its central axis, with each wheel member incorporating a surface embossing outer peripheral surface and being mounted for creating a product embossing zone which surrounds the product passing therethrough, and G. passing the multi-layer product through the product embossing zone after the extrusion of the second layer for imparting a desired appearance to the surface of the second layer. 11. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the first peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.5 mm and 5 mm.12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the second and third peripheral layers are further defined as comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.002 mm and 2 mm.13. The method defined in claim 1, where in the third peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a surface treatment comprising one selected from the group consisting of dimples, holes, fish scales, and sharkskin appearance.14. The method defined in claim 13, comprising the additional step of:E. passing the multi-layer product through surface embossing equipment after the addition of the third peripheral layer for imparting the desired surface treatment to the outer surface of the third layer. 15. A method for mass producing multi-layer thermoplastic closures for use in sealing fluid products in a container having a portal formed in the neck of the container, said closure having at least three separate and independent layers in intimate bonded interengagement with each other, said method comprising the steps of:A. extruding a first component comprising an elongated, solid, cylindrically shaped core member formed from extruded foamed plastic material comprising a density ranging between about 100 kg/m3 to 500 kg/m3 and constructed for sealing the fluid product retained in the container and preventing transfer of the fluid product from the container prior to removal; B. extruding a second component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the first component, b. comprising a thin layer of plastic material in peripheral surrounding, intimate, bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the first component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; c. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.05 mm and 5 mm; and d. comprising a tough, score and mar resistant surface and a density ranging between about 300 kg/m3 and 1500 kg/m3, and C. extruding a third component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the second component and b. comprising a thin layer of plastic material in peripheral surrounding, intimate, bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the second component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, poly-propylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyiuethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelasromers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; and c. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.05 mm and 5 mm; and F. extruding a fourth component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the third component, b. comprising a plastic material in peripheral surrounding intimate bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the third component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, poly-propylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyotefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, c. comprising a thickness ranging between about 0.05 mm and 5 mm; and d. having an exposed surface constructed for frictionally engaging a surface of the portal formed in the neck of the container and being securely engaged therewith until forcibly removed therefrom, sealing the fluid product in the container and resisting all forces generated by the fluid product when retained in said container; whereby a multi-layer/multi-component synthetic closure is attained which is capable of completely sealing any desired fluid product in a container, retaining the product in the container for any desired length of time without any degradation of the fluid product or degradation of the closure.16. A method for mass producing multi-layer thermoplastic closures for use in sealing fluid products in a container having a portal formed in the neck of the container, said closure having at least three separate and independent layers in intimate bonded interengagement with each other, said method comprising the steps of:A. extruding a first component comprising an elongated, solid, cylindrically shaped core member formed from extruded foamed plastic material comprising a density ranging between about 100 kg/m3 to 500 kg/m3, a diameter substantially equivalent to or slightly less than the diameter required for retention in the portal forming neck of the container and constructed for sealing the fluid product retained in the container and preventing transfer of the fluid product from the container prior to removal; B. extruding a second component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the first component, and b. comprising a thin layer of plastic material in peripheral surrounding, intimate, bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the first component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; C. extruding a third component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the second component, and b. comprising a thin layer of plastic material in peripheral surrounding, intimate, bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the second component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; and D. extruding a fourth component a. peripherally surrounding the cylindrical surface of the third component, b. comprising a thin layer of plastic material in peripheral surrounding intimate bonded engagement with the cylindrical surface of the third component and comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; and c. having an exposed surface constructed for frictionally engaging a surface of the portal formed in the neck of the container comprising an outer layer surface configuration consisting of at least one selected from the group consisting of holes, dimples, fish scales, and shark skin appearance, said surface configuration being formed by embossing the desired configuration onto the exposed surface, enabling the exposed surface to be securely engaged with the surface of the portal until forcibly removed therefrom, sealing the fluid product in the container and resisting all forces generated by the fluid product when retained in said container; whereby a multi-layer/multi-component synthetic closure is attained which is capable of completely sealing any desired fluid product in a container, retaining the product in the container for any desired length of time without any degradation of the fluid product or degradation of the closure.