Abstract: A closure for a container, such as, for example, a wine bottle, is provided. In one embodiment, the closure includes an oxidant releasing agent that is adapted to release oxygen into an interior portion of the container according to a predefined desired profile. In another embodiment, the closure comprises a gas containing reservoir, a membrane and a barrier layer, the membrane allowing an at least partial exchange of gas between the inside of the reservoir and the inside of the container, and the barrier layer at least partially preventing exchange of gas between the outside of the closure and the inside of the reservoir.

Abstract: In the present invention, a manufacturing process is provided in which a complete multi-component synthetic closure is achieved which incorporates printed indicia formed thereon, in a continuous, in-line manufacturing operation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core member of the synthetic closure is formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indicia on the outer surface of the central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

Abstract: By securely affixing or bonding a multi-layer film to the terminating end of a closure/stopper, with the multi-layer film being constructed for promoting the transfer of all of the desirable gases, chemicals, and/or compounds while preventing the transfer of undesirable gases, chemicals, and/or compounds, a unique, closure or stopper having a sealed and/or barrier bearing terminating end is achieved. In this way, wine sealed in the wine bottle by the closure/stopper of the present invention is assured of possessing a long storage life, while also having the flavor, bouquet, taste, and quality desired for the wine fully maintained.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layer, 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.

Abstract: A plastic foamed synthetic closure for use with liquid bearing containers which closely simulates natural cork products is realized by incorporating color concentrates into the polymer melt and forming the color concentrates into elongated streaks. The desired emulation is further enhanced by arcuately pivoting the foamed plastic material during the production to form curved or sinusoidal-shaped streaks. This invention also provides manufacturing methods for mass producing individual products in a continuous motion casting system wherein fully complete products are formed in polymer casting members, which receive foam material exiting from the die and allow the foamed material to be formed in a continuous operation in the casting members. Finally, the present invention also teaches a unique system for maintaining and delivering carbon dioxide in its supercritical phase for use as a blowing agent.

Abstract: By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layer, 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.

Abstract: By achieving an extruded, foamed core formed from plastic material peripherally surrounded and integrally bonded with a cooperating synthetic, plastic, extruded, outer layer, 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.