The invention provides a method for extraction of at least one extract compound from a material, comprising: a. contacting carbon dioxide with the material to dissolve an amount of the at least one extract compound from the material into the carbon dioxide; b. contacting the carbon dioxide comprising the at least dissolved extract compound with a sorbent to sorb the at least one extract compound onto the sorbent and for regenerating the carbon dioxide; c. recirculating the regenerated carbon dioxide; and d. repeating said recirculating at a constant density of said carbon dioxide of between 100 and 1000 kg/m.sup.3, and repeating said recirculating for at least 10 cycles.

A cork potpourri display of randomly oriented scented corks, within a transparent packaging having a vent to allow the scent to escape the packaging. The corks contain markings from their source, presenting an attractive display while also serving to provide a pleasant smell.

Stopper intended for bottling still wines, characterized in that it includes

cork strips laterally joined by a polyurethane binder so as to form a plurality of cork strips, the cork strips being disposed such that the thickness thereof is perpendicular to the axis of the stopper,
at least one lateral cork strip joined by a polyurethane binder to each face of the plurality of cork strips revealing all cork strips,
the lenticels possibly present in the cork strips extending parallel to the thickness of the strips while those in the lateral cork strips extend perpendicular to the thickness of the strips, such that all lenticels of the stopper are disposed perpendicular to the axis of the stopper in order to limit the variation in oxygen permeability from one stopper to the other

Stopper intended for bottling still wines, characterized in that it includes

cork strips laterally joined by a polyurethane binder so as to form a plurality of cork strips, the cork strips being disposed such that the thickness thereof is perpendicular to the axis of the stopper,
at least one lateral cork strip joined by a polyurethane binder to each face of the plurality of cork strips revealing all cork strips,
the lenticels possibly present in the cork strips extending parallel to the thickness of the strips while those in the lateral cork strips extend perpendicular to the thickness of the strips, such that all lenticels of the stopper are disposed perpendicular to the axis of the stopper in order to limit the variation in oxygen permeability from one stopper to the other

A method of fabricating a cork composite material and a cork composite material. The method may comprise providing a plurality of cork particles in a volume and adding a dispersion of thermoplastic elastomer to the volume to provide a mixture of the dispersion of thermoplastic elastomer and the cork particles. The method may comprise agitating the cork particles and/or the mixture of the dispersion of thermoplastic elastomer and the cork particles and heating the mixture of the thermoplastic elastomer and the cork particles. The method may comprise allowing the mixture of the thermoplastic elastomer and the cork particles to cool. The steps of the method together may result in a plurality of coated cork particles being coated in a first layer of the thermoplastic elastomer.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing processed cork chips, and a floor construction method using the same. The processed cork chips are manufactured by the method, including: crushing and drying cork chips; adding polyurea to the dried cork chips to prepare a mixture; heating the mixture to cure the same; and cooling the cured mixture. Further, the floor construction method includes: laying the processed cork chips on the surface of a floor formed of concrete, a water-permeable base layer or crushed stone with a solidified top surface; and flattening the processed cork chips and pressing the same by means of a roller at a fixed temperature.

This invention refers to a method for producing magnetic cork particles comprising the steps of providing a composition of an alkaline solution and cork particles, with a size comprised between 1 nm and 2 mm, and stirring; Adding an acid solution containing Fe.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.2+ cations to the composition to cause the magnetization of the cork particles and maintaining the stirring; Filtering the solution obtained to obtain a magnetized cork particles precipitate, and washing the precipitate with water until the washed solution reaches a pH comprised between 4 and 7, and let dry until obtaining stabilized magnetized cork particles, wherein the magnetization of the cork particles is due to the formation of a magnetite coating on the particles, being the magnetite adsorbed on the particle surface. It also refers to magnetized cork particles thus obtained and their uses.

This invention refers to a method for producing magnetic cork particles comprising the steps of providing a composition of an alkaline solution and cork particles, with a size comprised between 1 nm and 2 mm, and stirring; Adding an acid solution containing Fe.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.2+ cations to the composition to cause the magnetization of the cork particles and maintaining the stirring; Filtering the solution obtained to obtain a magnetized cork particles precipitate, and washing the precipitate with water until the washed solution reaches a pH comprised between 4 and 7, and let dry until obtaining stabilized magnetized cork particles, wherein the magnetization of the cork particles is due to the formation of a magnetite coating on the particles, being the magnetite adsorbed on the particle surface. It also refers to magnetized cork particles thus obtained and their uses.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a cork stopper by compression molding cork grains, which can provide a cork stopper excellent in sealability and safety. There is provided a method for producing a cork stopper, comprising: mixing cork grains and an adhesive; compression molding the mixture to give an intermediate; and then heating the intermediate to expand the cork grains.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a cork stopper by compression molding cork grains, which can provide a cork stopper excellent in sealability and safety. There is provided a method for producing a cork stopper, comprising: mixing cork grains and an adhesive; compression molding the mixture to give an intermediate; and then heating the intermediate to expand the cork grains.