Fecha de publicación: 29/12/2022 Fuente: WIPO Wine A rigid stopper (10) made of synthetic materials, particularly for wine bottles, comprises a substantially cylindrical body (12) defining a longitudinal axis (20), with a side surface (14) and two opposing substantially flat end faces (16, 18), and at least two compressible-elastomeric “O”-rings (22, 24) seated in corresponding semicircular-circumferential-grooves (26, 28) on the side surface (14). The semicircular-circumferential-grooves (26, 28) are positioned symmetrically about a central-plane (56) toward faces (16, 18) of body (12) respectively. Faces (16, 18) are comprised of foramen (42, 44) respectively which communicate with a volute cavity (14) for the purpose of accepting a typical cork-screw-extractor. Stopper 10 having longitudinal symmetry about a central plane (56), either face (16) or face (18) of stopper body (12) is configured to rest flush with bottle (48) top for the purpose of maintaining compatibility with random orientation of the stopper 10 with the “corking” process of packaging machinery. A predetermined diameter (32) of stopper body (12) is slightly less than the interior neck (54) of bottle (48) for the purpose of allowing the “O”-rings (22, 24) to be compressively engaged between the stopper body (12) and interior neck (54), thereby sealing and maintaining position by means of friction of stopper (10) within bottle (48). The two compressible-elastomeric “O”-rings (22, 24) are made of a different material of that of the cylindrical body (12). The material of the compressible-elastomeric “O-rings (22, 24) is non-toxic food-grade silicone rubber having a formulation able to ensure complete compatibility for alimentary use and a high resistance to aging. The material of the cylindrical body (12) is a rigid thermo-plastic bisphenol-free polycarbonate, a non-toxic category having a formulation able to ensure complete compatibility for alimentary use and a high resistance to aging.
Stopper body (12) is much more durable, sanitary, dependable, and reusable than the traditional cork or synthetic cork stopper. As compared to the recent screw cap, the stopper (10) maintains the mystique, romantic charm, and quality image of an expensive wine, whereas the screw-cap gives connotation as being of lesser quality wine and has low tamper resistance.