US3559834A - Closure for aging still wine in bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure for a bottle containing still wine, comprising a plastic cap having a central opening which exposes the upper portion of a cork rigidly secured to the cap; the cork permitting the still wine in the bottle to breathe sufficiently for aging of the particular wine. The configuration of the opening functions as a guide for a corkscrew. The cap has an inner ring which is resiliently expansible for snugly receiving the cork which is also secured to the cap by adhesive means, an outer ring in the cap secured concentrically to the inner ring for bearing against the lip of the wine bottle. The inner ring may be provided with dimples or flanges to augment the securing relationship of the cap to the cork. The central opening may be large enough to receive and guide the corkscrew as a whole, or one or several smaller openings may be provided to receive and guide the spiralshaped shaft of the corkscrew. A cap threaded on the neck of the bottle, the cap having a cork secured to its underside and being provided on its top with an opening or plurality of openings so that the cork can breathe, the cork being in a state of compression and of a thickness adapted for aging the particular wine in the bottle. An optical optional plastic insert between the cap and cork retards the diffusion of atmospheric gases into and out of the wine bottle.

Description

United States Patent Walter S. Taylor Bully l-Iill RD. 2, Hammondsport, NY.

[72] Inventor 14840 [21 Appl. No. 834,480 [22] Filed June 18, 1969 [45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 709,990, Mar. 4, 1968, now abandoned.

[54] CLOSURE FOR AGING STILL WINE [N BOTTLE ABSTRACT: A closure for a bottle containing still wine, comprising a plastic cap having a central opening which exposes the upper portion of a cork rigidly secured to the cap; the cork permitting the still wine in the bottle to breathe sufficiently for aging of the particular wine. The configuration of the opening functions as a guide for a corkscrew. The cap has an inner ring which is resiliently expansible for snugly receiving the cork which is also secured to the cap by adhesive means, an outer ring in the cap secured concentrically to the inner ring for bearing against the lip of the wine bottle. The inner ring may be provided with dimples or flanges to augment the securing relationship of the cap to the cork. The central opening may be large enough to receive and guide the corkscrew as a whole, or one or several smaller openings may be provided to receive and guide the spiral-shaped shaft of the corkscrew.

A cap threaded on the neck of the bottle, the cap having a cork secured to. its underside and being provided on its top with an opening or plurality of openings so that the cork can breathe, the cork being in a state of compression and of a thigkness adapted for aging the particular wine in the bottle. An optional plastic insert between the cap and cork retards the difiusion of atmospheric gases into and out of the wine bottle.

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INVENTOR PATENTEUFEB 2m 3559834 SHEET 3 BF 3 mvmwnn WALTER S TAYLOR CLOSURE FOR AGING STILL WINE IN BOTTLE CROSS- REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 709,990 filed Mar. 4, I968 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention in this case relates to a cork for wine bottles which incorporates the advantages of corks provided for this purpose but eliminates or ameliorates many of the disadvantages of known closure means of the type involved.

For many years, fine table wines and the like have been stored for aging in bottles which have conventional cork closures. Such closures have been considered superior to other types by many, particularly by wine connoisseurs, since corks provide an effective liquid seal against leakage of wine from the bottle and also permits the wine to breathe. That is to say, it is considered that there is a diffusion of some oxygen through the cork into the wine bottle. Although there may be differences of opinion among wine makers as to the extent of such diffusion or of its benefit to wine in the bottle, it is a fact that many wine connoisseurs consider bottles containing still wines should be corked in preference to other closure means such as a screw-on metallic top. It is also recognized that certain wines do improve with aging. The period of aging depends on the type of wine. For certain roses, six months may be sufficient. Certain sherries, however, may be aged as long as fifteen years. Closures made of cork, however, present disadvantages in that they are difficult to remove and, when removed to replace. Corkscrews for removing corks from wine are generally standardized insofar as the helical portion is concerned, and although effective in the hands of an expert, the practical difficulties encountered in removing and replacement of corks is a discouragement to many purchasers. Thus, the desirability of a cork closure to wine connoisseurs on the one hand and the disadvantages of such closures on the other, create a dilemma for the wine maker whereby no matter what type of known closures he utilizes for good still wines, a discouragement exists for a significant portion of potential purchasers. Moreover, if the market for a fine wine is unduly limited, economic considerations may prohibit its production altogether or significantly increase the cost of production for a given quantity of such wine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention in this case comprises a cap which has affixed to it the top of a cylindrical cork. The cork is cemented within an expansible ring depending from the cap which tightly embraces the cork. The cap has a central opening which exposes the top of the cork and serves a double function of permitting the cork to breathe and to guide a corkscrew correctly into the cork. The cap and the cork, however, are sufliciently afiixed together so that the purchaser can remove the cork without the intervention of a corkscrew if he so desires. Although the preferable resiliently expansible ring together with the intervening adhesive material provides a sufficient connection of the cork to the cap, the connection may be augmented by dimples or flanges disposed about the expansible rim. When such dimples or flanges are provided, it is preferred that they present smooth contours so that breakage of the surface of the cork by the dimple is avoided.

However, sharp wedgelike flanges may be used, particularly with metal caps having tongues which may be conveniently indented to receive the cork by die means.

In a modification of the invention, a metallic cap with an opening in the cap screws on threads provided on the neck of the bottle. A cord having a thickness sufficient for the aging period of the wine in the bottle is preferably compressed within the cap and further compressed between the cap and the lip of the bottle. Triangular tongues are indented in the side or 'top of the cap to secure the cork and provide additional openings for breathing. Part of the cork may be received under compression in-the neck of the bottle.

In a further modification of the invention, a plurality of small orifices are provided in the cap and optionally a thin porous plastic insert is disposed between the cap and the cork. The insert may be polyethylene which is less porous than the cork although still sufficiently porous to permit a slow passage of gaseous fluid into and out of the wine bottle. The effect is similar to that afforded by a longer or more compressed cork. Knurlling is provided on the inside and outside of the closure to improve purchase both as between a person's fingers and the cap and between the cap and the cork which has been expanded into the interior knurlling of the cap.

The closure which is provided by the instant invention satisfies the connoisseur in that it can breathe to admit oxygen to the wine bottle while still providing a sufficient seal so that the wine does not become flat or evaporate. At the same time, the individual who desires fine wines but is discouraged by the disadvantages attending known cork closures is provided with effective stoppers which can be removed with or without a corkscrew and wherein guidance means is provided for the corkscrew when it is utilized.

The object of this invention constitutes the realization of an effective and practical closure for still wine which meets the problems and presents the advantages discussed above. However, other objects, adaptabilities and capabilities will appear as the description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows a perspective view of a closure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the cap of the closure taken on lines II-II of FIG. 3 which shows the underside of the cap;

FIGS. 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12 are bottom views of modifications of the caps;

FIGS. 5, 7, 9, I1 and 13 are cross-sectional views of the modifications shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12, taken on lines V-V, VII-VII, lX-IX, Xl-Xl and XIII-XIII of such FIGS. respectively;

FIGS. 14 and '15 are cross-sectional views of further modifications where the cap screws on the bottle; and

FIG. 16 is a top view and FIGS. 17 and 18 are cross-sectional views taken on lines XVII-XVII and XVIII-XVIII, respectively, of a still further modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. I, it will be seen that the closure of the invention constitutes a cap 10 and a cork l l. The cork I1 is composed of natural corkwood of the cork oak tree, Quercus suber, and is of a type conventionally used as corks for still wine; that is, it is clear slow-grown sound wood from areas adjacent the Mediterranean Sea. The cap 10 may be made of any suitable plastic such as, for example, bakelite.

The cap 10 has an inner ring portion 12 which includes a gap 14 whereby the inner ring portion 12 is slightly resilient. The cap 10 also includes an outer ring portion 15 which includes a gripping surface 16. The central opening 17 is threeeighths inch in diameter and includes a beveled surface 20 around its periphery. Since the standard corkscrew has an overall diameter slightly less than three-eights inch, the central opening 17 receives the corkscrew in the exposed portion 21 of the cork and acts as a guide for same as it is screwed into the cork l 1. The outer ring portion 15 and the inner ring portion 12 have a plurality of connections 22. As will be seen best in FIG. 2, the cork 11 is snugly received by the inner ring portion 12 of cap 10 and this connection is made secure by gluing it to the interior of the inner ring portion 12 and the overlapping upper portion of the cap 10 where it contacts the cork 11. When the cork II is fitted in the bottle and also in ring portion 12, it is reduced up to one-half of its diameter. After the cork has been in the bottle for an extended aging period, it will not expand to its original diameter, although it will, however, expand somewhat. For this reason, the leading edge includes a beveled portion 23 so that the cork 11 can be again inserted into the bottle. Wax or paraffin may be applied to this area to assist the insertion of cork 11 into the bottle.

FIGS. 4-7 show additional means for augmenting the connection between the cork 11 and the cap 10. Thus, in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be noted that cap a includes an inner ring portion 120 having three dimples 23 disposed about the lower portion thereof. The dimples 23 have a smooth contour and conform more or less to a wedge with a large end up to permit easy insertion of a cork 11 into the inner ring portion 12a but to restrict its withdrawal. The smooth contour is desirable to prevent tearing of the cork 11 whereby it may be weakened and have an increased tendency to part on being twisted. Except as noted, the cap 10a is identical to the cap 10 and also is affixed to the cork 11 by an adhesive or other appropriate glue means.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cap 10b having an inner ring 12b with the four flanges 24 extending therefrom. The flanges 24 are of a smooth contour and assist in preventing a cork secured within the inner ring portion 12b from tearing relative to the cap 10b. Except for the flanges 24, the cap 10b is identical to the cap 10 previously described. If desired, flanges 24 and dimples 23 can be combined in a single cap. The caps 10a and 10!; have their chief advantage in combination with longer than normal corks or where the fit between the cork and the neck of the bottle receiving the cork is substantially tighter than average.

v through which the cork 42 can breathe during the aging The cap 10c is identical to the cap 10 except that instead of a single central opening 17 it has a plurality of smaller openings 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25c and 25f which are disposed around a small central opening 26. The openings 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25c and 25f are shaped to receive the helically shaped shaft, per se, of a corkscrew whereby it is guided separately into the underlying cork. The openings are of varying sizes and distances from the central opening 26 to accommodate different sizes of corkscrews. They have beveled surfaces of about 20 relative to the top of the cork where they receive a corkscrew, such pitch being more or less standard for a corkscrew, and the shorter widths of these openings are between about one-eighth and one-sixteenth inch so that almost all commercially popular types of corkscrews may be received and guided through an appropriate opening.

Referring to the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and l l, the cap 30, preferably plastic, includes an upwardly extending rim flange 31 for receiving and guiding a corkscrew into the cork 32 through the opening 34. The cork 32 is received in a neck 35 of the bottle containing wine and is in a state of compression of between about 20 and 50 percent of its original diamter-the amount of compression depending upon the type of wine and the period of aging. In general, the longer the aging period, the more the cork is compressed. It will be noted that the bottom of the cap 30 includes a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 36. The cork 32 is compressed when it is extended into the bottom of cap 30 and extends naturally within the teeth 36 whereby a secure gripping surface is provided. In addition, an adhesive is recommended to strengthen the grasp of cap 30 on the cork 32. A space 37 is provided to accommodate different amounts of expansion within cap 30 resulting from the various degrees of compression of cork 32 in the neck 35.

The cap 40 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is made of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or to other appropriate noncorrosive metal instead of plastic as shown in the previously described embodiments. The metal is formed into a flange 41 which exposes the cork 42 through the opening 44. The cork 42 is snugly received in a neck 45 of the wine bottle in a manner as described with reference to cork 32 in FIGS. 10 and l l. A plurality of tongues 46 are stamped in the underside of cap 40 to extend upwardly into its interior as shown in the drawings. This structure serves the double purpose of grasping the upper part of the cork 42 which is expanded within the interior of the cap 40 and providing additional openings 48 process of the wine. The space 47 may be greater or smaller depending upon the original compression of the cork 42 before it is inserted within the cap 40 and its subsequent expansion therein. If desired, opening 44 can be somewhat broader than shown whereby the cork 42 can be inserted into the neck 45 ha compressed state thereafter to expand in the neck 42 and the cap 40 when the confining mechanism is withdrawn.

FIGS. 14 and 1S disclose modifications wherein the caps 50 and 60 are threadably received by the necks and 65 of the wine bottles concerned. The cork 52 is compressed within the cap 50 and is further compressed when the cap 50 is firmly received on the neck 55. The degree of compression and the thickness of the cork 52 are governed primarily by the necessary period of aging for the wine involved. Breathing will take place through the opening 54 surrounded by the flange 51 and also through the openings 58 made by pressing the triangular tongues 56 into the cap 50 which assist in gripping the cork 52. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is intended chiefly for use with wines such as rose wines which require a relatively short aging period. For longer periods of aging, the screw-on cap 60 of FIG. 15 is preferred which has a flange 61 surrounding an opening 64 exposing portion of cork 62, and openings 68 made by pressing downward extending metal tongues, 66 which assist in grasping the cork 62 within the cap 60. The breathing of the wine bottle takes place through the openings 64 and 68, the cork 62 being compressed within the cap 60 and also within the neck 65 of the wine bottle. Further compression of the cork 62 is caused by screwing the cap 60 tightly on the neck 65. In each modification, adhesive may be employed for securing the cap to the cork.

In FIGS. 16-18, a further embodiment is disclosed which is particularly adaptable for wines which require comparatively long aging periods. The cap 70, which is a screw-on type, is composed of an appropriate noncorrosive metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The cork 72 is snugly received in a neck 75 of the wine bottle in a manner as described with reference to previous FIGS. Between the top of cork 72 and cap is a plastic insert 71 of polyethylene or the like. The cap 70 contains a plurality of apertures 74 which expose insert 71 to the atmosphere. Insert 71 is less porous than cork 72, but nevertheless is sufficiently porous to permit the diffusion of oxygen and other gaseous fluids into and out of the wine bottle for aging the wine. Insert 71 is optional, but provides the advantage of an additional seal against the passage of unwanted elements and permits a reduction in the compression or length of the cork, or both, over what would otherwise be considered optimum for the wine involved. The gripping periphery 76 of cap 70 is knurled, that is, undulated, both inside and out. The interior knurling receives cork 72, which is expanded therein so as to increase the purchase between the cork 72 and cap 70 which is of importance in long-aged wines, so that the cork 72 turns with cap 70 when same is removed from the bottle. U k

In all embodiments, it will be appreciated that the grain of the corkwood is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cork. Otherwise, leakage of wine from the bottle and excessive leakage of gas through the cork might ensue. In all cases (except FIG. 14) the cork is under compression within the neck of the bottle. The degreeof compression is generally between about 20 and 50 percent of the original diameter of the cork, but is preferably between 30 and 40 percent for most applications. For a given cork size, the degree of compression is greater for longer periods of aging.

Iclaim:

1. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a cork disposed in the neck of said bottle sealing the wine therein, the portion of said cork within the neck of said bottle being compressed to between 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter, a cap secured to the portion of said cork which extends above the neck of said bottle, said cap defining an inwardly open ring-shape space at its periphery, said space being sufficiently large relative to said neck accommodating different selected degrees of expansion of said corks of different diameters in said space. said cap having an opening therein exposing a portion of said cork to the atmosphere said cork having a perviousness in its compressed state for a slow diffusion of oxygen into said bottle whereby said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

2. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cork extends at least one inch into the neck of said bottle.

3. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cap has a plurality of openings, tongues extending normally from said openings into the expanded portion of said cork in said space whereby said cork breathes through said openings and said tongues secure said cork from turning in said cap.

4. For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein,

of said cork.

7. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure which comprises a cork and amp receiving said cork, said bottle having the outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck, said cork being compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposing a portion of said cork, substantially all of said cork in said cap being a sufficiently compressed and having sufi'icient thickness permitting a slow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture means and said cork into said bottle to take place and said oxygen chemically reacting with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

8. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cap has a plurality of openings and tongues extending normally therefrom into said cork, said cork permitting said wine to breathe through said openings and said tongues securing said cork from turning in said cap.

9. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cork includes a portion thereof extending into said neck, said portion being under compression in said neck.

10. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said portion of the cork is reduced between 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter.

11. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said aperture means comprises a plurality of apertures.

12. For a combination in accordance with claim 11, wherein the periphery of said cap is undulated interiorly and exteriorly, said cork being received between said undulations to improve its purchase by said cap.

13. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein an insert is disposed between said aperture means and said cork, said insert means being porous.

14. For a combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure which comprises a cork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle having the outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck whereby said cork is compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposing a portion of said cork, said cork including a portion extending into said neck and being sufficiently compressed in said cap and having sufficient thickness wherein a slow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture means and said cork into said bottle takes place and said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor, an insert disposed between said cork and said aperture means, said insert being porous but less porous than said cork whereby the diffusion of oxygen into said bottle is substantially retarded by said insert.

Claims (14)

1. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a cork disposed in the neck of said bottle sealing the wine therein, the portion of said cork within the neck of said bottle being compressed to between 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter, a cap secured to the portion of said cork which extends above the neck of said bottle, said cap defining an inwardly open ring-shape space at its periphery, said space being sufficiently large relative to said neck accommodating different selected degrees of expansion of said corks of different diameters in said space, said cap having an opening therein exposing a portion of said cork to the atmosphere, said cork having a perviousness in its compressed state for a slow diffusion of oxygen into said bottle whereby said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

2. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cork extends at least one inch into the neck of said bottle.

3. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cap has a plurality of openings, tongues extending normally from said openings into the expanded portion of said cork in said space whereby said cork breathes through said openings and said tongues secure said cork from turning in said cap.

4. For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein said openings are in the lower portion of said cap and said tongues extend upwardly therefrom.

5. For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein said openings are in the upper portion of said cap and said tongues extend downwardly therefrom.

6. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cap has a plurality of said openings, the edge of each of said openings being beveled for receiving and guiding a corkscrew in contact therewith along the central longitudinal axis of said cork.

7. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure which comprises a cork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle having the outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck, said cork being compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposing a portion of said cork, substantially all of said cork in said cap being sufficiently compressed and having sufficient thickness permitting a slow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture means and said cork into said bottle to take place and said oxygen chemically reacting with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

8. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cap has a plurality of openings and tongues extending normally therefrom into said cork, said cork permitting said wine to breathe through said openings and said tongues securing said cork from turning in said cap.

9. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cork includes a portion thereof extending into said neck, said portion being under compression in said neck.

10. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said portion of the cork is reduced between 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter.

11. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said aperture means comprises a plurality of apertures.

12. For a combination in accordance with claim 11, wherein the periphery of said cap is undulated interiorly and exteriorly, said cork being received between said undulations to improve its purchase by said cap.

13. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein an insert is disposed between said aperture means and said cork, said insert means being porous.

14. For a combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure which comprises a cork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle having the outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck whereby said cork is compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposing a portion of said cork, said cork including a portion extending into said neck and being sufficiently compressed in said cap and having sufficient thickness wherein a slow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture means and said cork into said bottle takes place and said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor, an insert disposed between said cork and said aperture means, said insert being porous but less porous than said cork whereby the diffusion of oxygen into said bottle is substantially retarded by said insert.

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