Abstract: A closure constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a container, the closure having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising substantially flat terminating surfaces forming the opposed ends of the closure, wherein the closure further comprises: (a) a closure precursor having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising a lateral surface and substantially flat terminating surfaces forming the opposed ends of the closure precursor, wherein the lateral surface and the flat terminating surfaces of the closure precursor have a substantially uniform color; and (b) a decorative layer that at least partially covers at least the lateral surface of the closure precursor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a product-retaining container is provided. Such method may include intimately combining a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymers, optionally in combination with other constituent(s) to form a composition, heating the composition to form a melt, extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt to provide a specified water content range, and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container includes a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymer, optionally in combination with other constituent(s).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed to be inserted and securely retained in a neck of a product-retaining container includes intimately combining a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and other optional constituents; heating the composition to form a melt; extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt; and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure includes a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and one or more blowing agents. Methods for producing particulate material, cork composite material, and additional method for producing closures are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a product-retaining container is provided. Such method may include intimately combining a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymers, optionally in combination with other constituent(s) to form a composition, heating the composition to form a melt, extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt to provide a specified water content range, and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container includes a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymer, optionally in combination with other constituent(s).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed to be inserted and securely retained in a neck of a product-retaining container includes intimately combining a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and other optional constituents; heating the composition to form a melt; extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt; and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure includes a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and one or more blowing agents. Methods for producing particulate material, cork composite material, and additional method for producing closures are also provided.

Abstract: A closure constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a container, the closure having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising substantially flat terminating surfaces forming the opposed ends of the closure, wherein the closure further comprises: (a) a closure precursor having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising a lateral surface and substantially flat terminating surfaces forming the opposed ends of the closure precursor, wherein the lateral surface and the flat terminating surfaces of the closure precursor have a substantially uniform color; and (b) a decorative layer that at least partially covers at least the lateral surface of the closure precursor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed to be inserted and securely retained in a neck of a product-retaining container includes intimately combining a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and other optional constituents; heating the composition to form a melt; extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt; and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure includes a plurality of coated particles (each comprising a cork material core and a first plastic material) with a second plastic material, and one or more blowing agents. Methods for producing particulate material, cork composite material, and additional method for producing closures are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing coated particles, said coated particles comprising (1) a core comprising cork material and (2) at least one outer shell comprising a plastic material, includes providing a mixture including cork particles and plastic material comprising thermoplastic material, applying mechanical and/or thermal energy to the mixture to at least partially soften the plastic material, and blending the mixture, whereby the plastic material is at least partially distributed over the surfaces of the individual cork particles. Use of coated particles obtainable by such method in the manufacture of a closure for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a product-retaining container, is also provided.

Abstract: A particulate material includes cork particles having a particle size distribution D50 measured by mechanical sieving in a specified range (e.g., from 0.25 millimetres to 5 millimetres) for use in the production of a cork composite material. A cork composite material may include the particulate material and a thermoplastic material The particulate material and/or cork composite material may be used to produce an article of manufacture, such as a closure for a product-retaining container constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of said container. Methods for producing particulate material, cork composite material, and closures are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a closure constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a product-retaining container is provided. Such method may include intimately combining a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymers, optionally in combination with other constituent(s) to form a composition, heating the composition to form a melt, extruding or molding a closure precursor from the melt to provide a specified water content range, and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor. A composition for use in manufacturing a closure for a product-retaining container includes a plurality of particles comprising cork and having a specified particle size distribution with a plastic material including one or more thermoplastic polymer, optionally in combination with other constituent(s).

Abstract: A thermoplastic material includes one or more thermoplastic polymers in the form of particles having a specified average particle size distribution (e.g., less than 1000 microns or another range) measured by mechanical sieving. Such thermoplastic material may be incorporated in a cork composite material that includes cork, such as in the form of cork particles. The thermoplastic material and cork may be used to produce an article of manufacture, such as a closure for a product retaining container, the closure being constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of said container.