Decorative closure for a container

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.

Claims

1. 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 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 opposed ends of the closure precursor; b. a printed pigment or dye undercoating layer contacting and covering (i) the lateral surface and (ii) the substantially flat terminating surfaces of the closure precursor, wherein the printed pigment or dye undercoating layer has a uniform color; and c. a decorative layer arranged in contact with the printed pigment or dye undercoating layer and that at least partially covers at least the lateral surface of the closure precursor.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the uniform color is selected from the group consisting of white, yellow, orange, ocher, and mixtures thereof.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the uniform color is selected from the group consisting of RAL 9001, RAL 9010, RAL 1000, RAL 1001, RAL 1002, RAL 1014, RAL 1015, RAL 8001, and mixtures thereof.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the closure or the closure precursor has a content of releasable trichloroanisole of less than 2 ng/L.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure has an overall density in the range of from 100 kg/m.sup.3 to 500 kg/m.sup.3.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer entirely covers the lateral surface of the closure precursor.

7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer at least partly covers the flat terminating surfaces of the closure precursor.

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer is a pigment or dye.

9. The closure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the printed pigment or dye undercoating layer or the decorative layer is applied by a process selected from the group consisting of: offset printing, pad printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, hot-foil transfer printing, fire branding, and laser printing.

10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer has a print resolution of at least 25 dots per inch (dpi).

11. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer comprises one or more shades of two or more colors.

12. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer is monochromatic or polychromatic.

13. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer has photographic image quality in terms of sharpness, tone reproduction, and contrast.

14. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer consists of one or more materials that suitable for food contact, by being free of agents that could affect a taste or smell of consumable products susceptible to contacting the closure.

15. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer depicts a first indicia selected from the group consisting of letters, symbols, colors, graphics, icons, logos, wood tones, natural cork look, and photographs.

16. The closure of claim 1, further comprising an ornamental layer on top of the decorative layer.

17. The closure of claim 16, wherein the ornamental layer comprises at least one of the following features (i) to (iv): (i) the ornamental layer comprises a pigment or dye, (ii) the ornamental layer is applied by a process selected from the group consisting of: offset printing, pad printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, fire branding, hot-foil transfer printing, and laser printing, (iii) the ornamental layer depicts a second indicia selected from the group consisting of: letters, symbols, colors, graphics, icons, logos, wood tones, natural cork look, and photographs, and (iv) the ornamental layer consists of one or more materials that suitable for food contact, by being free of agents that could affect a taste or smell of consumable products susceptible to contacting the closure.

18. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure precursor comprises 5 to 85 wt. % cork particles, based on a total weight of the closure precursor.

19. The closure of claim 18, wherein the cork particles have a particle size distribution D50 measured by means of mechanical sieving according to ISO ICS 19.120 in a range of from 0.25 millimeters to 5 millimeters.

20. The closure of claim 18, wherein the cork particles have a substantially isotropic shape.

21. The closure of claim 18, wherein the cork particles comprise at least one of the following features (i) to (iii): (i) the cork particles have a content of releasable trichloroanisole measured according to a test method defined herein of less than 6 ng/L, (ii) the cork particles have a density in a range of 50 to 200 g/L, and (iii) the cork particles have a water content of less than 8 wt. %, based on a total weight of the cork particles.

22. The closure of claim 18, wherein the cork particles are bleached.

23. The closure of claim 18, wherein the cork particles are distributed homogeneously through the closure precursor.

24. The closure of claim 18, wherein the closure precursor is formed by one of monoextrusion, coextrusion, or injection molding.

25. The closure of claim 18, wherein the closure precursor comprises 1 to 49 wt. % of a first plastic material, based on the total weight of the closure precursor.

26. The closure of claim 25, wherein the closure precursor comprises 10 to 49 wt. % of a second plastic material, based on the total weight of the closure precursor.

27. The closure of claim 26, wherein the second plastic material is a thermoplastic material comprising a polymer elastomer gum, the polymer elastomer gum comprising one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of: polyethylenes; metallocene catalyst polyethylenes; polybutanes; polybutylenes; thermoplastic polyurethanes; silicones; vinyl-based resins; thermoplastic elastomers; polyesters; ethylenic acrylic copolymers; ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers; ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers; thermoplastic polyolefins; thermoplastic vulcanizates; flexible polyolefins; fluorelastomers; fluoropolymers; polytetrafluoroethylenes; ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers; ethylene-propylene-rubber; styrene butadiene rubber; styrene butadiene block copolymers; ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers; ionomers; polypropylenes; copolymers of polypropylene and ethylenically unsaturated comonomers copolymerizable therewith; olefin copolymers; olefin block copolymers; cyclic olefin copolymers; styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers; styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene butadiene block copolymers; styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers; styrene isobutylene block copolymers; styrene isoprene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers; polyvinylalcohol; polyvinylbutyral; polyhydroxyalkanoates; copolymers of hydroxyalkanoates and monomers of biodegradable polymers; polylactic acid; copolymers of lactic acid and monomers of biodegradable polymers; aliphatic copolyesters; aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters; polycaprolactone; polyglycolide; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate); poly(butylenesuccinate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-adipate); poly(trimethyleneterephthalate); poly(butylenadipate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesebacate-co-terephthalate); lactic acid caprolactone lactic acid copolymers; lactic acid ethylene oxide lactic acid copolymers; polymers formed from monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; copolymers formed from two or more monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; PEF, PTF, bio-based polyesters, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

28. The closure of claim 26, wherein the second plastic material is a thermoplastic material comprising a polymer elastomer dispersion, and the polymer elastomer dispersion comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of: aliphatic (co)polyesters, aliphatic aromatic copolyesters, EVA, olefinic polymers, metallocene polyethylene, and styrenic block copolymers.

29. The closure of claim 25, wherein the closure precursor comprises 0 to 10 wt. % of one or more blowing agents, 0 to 15 wt. % of one or more lubricants; and 0 to 10 wt. % of one or more additives and/or fillers, based on the total weight of the closure precursor.

30. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers.

31. The closure of claim 25, wherein at least 90 wt. % of the first plastic material is biodegradable according to ASTM D6400.

32. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material independently comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of: polyethylenes; metallocene catalyst polyethylenes; polybutanes; polybutylenes; thermoplastic polyurethanes; silicones; vinyl-based resins; thermoplastic elastomers; polyesters; ethylenic acrylic copolymers; ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers; ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers; thermoplastic polyolefins; thermoplastic vulcanizates; flexible polyolefins; fluorelastomers; fluoropolymers; polytetrafluoroethylenes; ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers; ethylene-propylene-rubber; styrene butadiene rubber; styrene butadiene block copolymers; ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers; ionomers; polypropylenes; copolymers of polypropylene and ethylenically unsaturated comonomers copolymerizable therewith; olefin copolymers; olefin block copolymers; cyclic olefin copolymers; styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers; styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene butadiene block copolymers; styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers; styrene isobutylene block copolymers; styrene isoprene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers; polyvinylalcohol; polyvinylbutyral; polyhydroxyalkanoates; copolymers of hydroxyalkanoates and monomers of biodegradable polymers; polylactic acid; copolymers of lactic acid and monomers of biodegradable polymers; aliphatic copolyesters; aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters; polycaprolactone; polyglycolide; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate); poly(butylenesuccinate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-adipate); poly(trimethyleneterephthalate); poly(butylenadipate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesebacate-co-terephthalate); lactic acid caprolactone lactic acid copolymers; lactic acid ethylene oxide lactic acid copolymers; polymers formed from monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; copolymers formed from two or more monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; PEF, PTF, bio-based polyesters, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

33. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material independently comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of: aliphatic (co)polyesters, aliphatic aromatic copolyesters, EVA, olefinic polymers, metallocene polyethylene, and styrenic block copolymers.

34. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material independently comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of: aliphatic (co)polyesters and aliphatic aromatic copolyesters.

35. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers having a melt flow index (MFI) as determined by ISO 1133-1 (190° C., 2.14 kg) of greater than 1 g/10 min.

36. The closure of claim 25, comprising at least one of the following features (i) or (ii): (i) the first plastic material is essentially free of a material selected from the group consisting of: thermoset polymers, crosslinkable polymers, curable polymers and non-thermoplastic polymers, and (ii) the first plastic material is essentially free of polyurethane.

37. The closure of claim 25, wherein the first plastic material comprises a polymer matrix comprising a plurality of cells.

38. The closure of claim 37, wherein the plurality of cells is a plurality of substantially closed cells, and/or the plurality of cells has an average cell size in a range of from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm.

39. The closure of claim 37, wherein at least one of a size or a distribution of cells of the plurality of cells in the closure precursor is substantially uniform throughout at least one of a length or a diameter of the closure precursor,.

40. The closure of claim 1, wherein from 1% by weight to 49% by weight of the closure precursor, based on an entire weight of the closure precursor, is biodegradable according to ASTM D6400.

41. The closure of claim 1, comprising at least one of the following features (i) or (ii): (i) the closure is substantially free of thermoset polymers including polyurethane, and (ii) the closure is substantially free of reactive and non-reactive adhesives.

42. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure precursor comprises: a. a substantially cylindrically shaped core member comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein the core member comprises terminating end surfaces forming opposed ends of the core member, b. a peripheral layer at least partially surrounding and intimately bonded to a cylindrical surface of the core member with the end surfaces of the core member being devoid of the peripheral layer, the peripheral layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer and a lateral layer surface, wherein the lateral layer surface of the closure precursor is formed by the lateral layer surface and the substantially flat terminating surfaces forming the opposed ends of the closure precursor are substantially formed by the terminating end surfaces of the core member.

43. The closure of claim 42, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer of the core member is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylenes; metallocene catalyst polyethylenes; polybutanes; polybutylenes; thermoplastic polyurethanes; silicones; vinyl-based resins; thermoplastic elastomers; polyesters; ethylenic acrylic copolymers; ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers; ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers; thermoplastic polyolefins; thermoplastic vulcanizates; flexible polyolefins; fluorelastomers; fluoropolymers; polytetrafluoroethylenes; ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers; ethylene-propylene-rubber; styrene butadiene rubber; styrene butadiene block copolymers; ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers; ionomers; polypropylenes; copolymers of polypropylene and ethylenically unsaturated comonomers copolymerizable therewith; olefin copolymers; olefin block copolymers; cyclic olefin copolymers; styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers; styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene butadiene block copolymers; styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers; styrene isobutylene block copolymers; styrene isoprene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers; polyvinylalcohol; polyvinylbutyral; polyhydroxyalkanoates; copolymers of hydroxyalkanoates and monomers of biodegradable polymers; polylactic acid; copolymers of lactic acid and monomers of biodegradable polymers; aliphatic copolyesters; aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters; polycaprolactone; polyglycolide; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate); poly(butylenesuccinate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-adipate); poly(trimethyleneterephthalate); poly(butylenadipate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesebacate-co-terephthalate); lactic acid caprolactone lactic acid copolymers; lactic acid ethylene oxide lactic acid copolymers; polymers formed from monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; copolymers formed from two or more monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; PEF, PTF, bio-based polyesters, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

44. The closure of claim 42, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer of the peripheral layer is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylenes; metallocene catalyst polyethylenes; polybutanes; polybutylenes; thermoplastic polyurethanes; silicones; vinyl-based resins; thermoplastic elastomers; polyesters; ethylenic acrylic copolymers; ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers; ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers; thermoplastic polyolefins; thermoplastic vulcanizates; flexible polyolefins; fluorelastomers; fluoropolymers; polytetrafluoroethylenes; ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers; ethylene-propylene-rubber; styrene butadiene rubber; styrene butadiene block copolymers; ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers; ionomers; polypropylenes; copolymers of polypropylene and ethylenically unsaturated comonomers copolymerizable therewith; olefin copolymers; olefin block copolymers; cyclic olefin copolymers; styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers; styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers; styrene butadiene block copolymers; styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers; styrene isobutylene block copolymers; styrene isoprene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers; styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers; polyvinylalcohol; polyvinylbutyral; polyhydroxyalkanoates; copolymers of hydroxyalkanoates and monomers of biodegradable polymers; polylactic acid; copolymers of lactic acid and monomers of biodegradable polymers; aliphatic copolyesters; aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters; polycaprolactone; polyglycolide; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate); poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate); poly(butylenesuccinate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-adipate); poly(trimethyleneterephthalate); poly(butylenadipate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesuccinate-co-terephthalate); poly(butylenesebacate-co-terephthalate); lactic acid caprolactone lactic acid copolymers; lactic acid ethylene oxide lactic acid copolymers; polymers formed from monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; copolymers formed from two or more monomer units selected from vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate; PEF, PTF, bio-based polyesters, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

45. The closure of claim 42, wherein the closure comprises cork particles.

46. The closure of claim 42, wherein the core member comprises at least one of the following features (i) or (ii): (i) the core member comprises a plurality of substantially closed cells, and (ii) the core member is foamed.

47. The closure of claim 42, wherein the peripheral layer comprises at least one of the following features (i) or (ii): (i) the core member comprises a plurality of substantially closed cells, and (ii) the peripheral layer is foamed.

48. The closure of claim 42, wherein the core member comprises a plurality of substantially closed cells having a cell size in a range of from about 0.02 mm to about 0.5 mm.

49. The closure of claim 48, wherein at least one of a size and a distribution of the plurality of substantially closed cells in the core member is substantially uniform throughout at least one of a length and a diameter of the core member.

50. The closure of claim 42, wherein the peripheral layer comprises a plurality of substantially closed cells having a cell size in a range of from about 0.02 mm to about 0.5 mm.

51. The closure of claim 42, wherein the core member comprises closed cells having at least one of the following properties (i) or (ii): (i) an average cell size in a range of from about 0.02 mm to about 0.50 mm, and (ii) a cell density in a range of from about 8,000 cells/cm.sup.3 to about 25,000,000 cells/cm.sup.3.

52. The closure of claim 42, wherein the peripheral layer is comprises at least one of the following properties (i) or (ii): a thickness in a range of from 0.05 mm to 5 mm, and (ii) a density in a range of from 300 kg/m.sup.3 to 1500 kg/m.sup.3.

53. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises at least one of the following features (i) to (iii): (i) the closure has an oxygen ingress rate measured according to ASTM F1307 of less than about 5 mg oxygen per container in the first 100 days after closing the container, (ii) the closure has an oxygen transfer rate measured according to ASTM F1307 in 100% oxygen of less than 0.05 cc/day, and (iii) the closure has a moisture rate as determined by ISO 9727-3 of less than 8 wt. %.

54. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure precursor contains 0 to 2 wt. % of at least one pigment or dye present within the printed pigment or dye undercoating layer, or present within the printed pigment or dye undercoating layer as well as in the decorative layer.

55. The closure of claim 54, wherein the at least one pigment or dye comprises a pigment, and the pigment comprises at least one of antimony(III) oxide (Sb.sub.2O.sub.3), barium sulfate (BaSO.sub.4), lithopone (BaSO.sub.4*ZnS), calcium carbonate, titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2), and zinc oxide (ZnO).

56. The closure of claim 1, wherein the decorative layer comprises a photographic representation of natural cork.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present disclosure herein described, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure according to an aspect of the present disclosure, comprising an undercoating layer (not shown in FIG. 1);

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional of a closure according to an aspect of the present disclosure, comprising an undercoating layer; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross sectional of a closure according to an aspect of the present disclosure, comprising the items shown in FIG. 2 plus an external ornamental layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) By referring to the Figures, along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction and production method for the closures of the present disclosure can best be understood. In these Figures, as well as in the detailed disclosure herein, the closure of the present disclosure, is depicted and discussed as a bottle closure for wine products. However, as detailed herein, the present disclosure is applicable as a closure for use in sealing and retaining any desired product in any desired closure system. However, due to the stringent and difficult demands placed upon closures for wine products, the detailed disclosure herein focuses upon the applicability of the bottle closures of the present disclosure as a closure for wine bottles. However, it is to be understood that this detailed discussion is provided merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to this particular application and embodiment.

(6) In FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary construction of a closure 1 is depicted comprising a generally cylindrical shape formed by closure precursor 2 and preferably undercoating layer 3 comprising an undercoating layer surface that forms the surface of closure precursor 2. In this aspect, closure precursor 2 comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped surface, terminating with substantially flat end surfaces. On top of undercoating layer 3, closure 1 comprises decorative layer 4. Whenever applicable, the following detailed description of a closure having an undercoating layer shall also apply to closures without an undercoating layer.

(7) In an exemplary aspect, undercoating layer 3 comprises a pigment, in particular in a range from 0 to 2 wt. %. In this way, undercoating layer 3 has a uniform color. Preferably the color of the undercoating layer 3 is white, in particular RAL 9001. Undercoating layer 3 particularly forms the lateral surface and the flat terminating surfaces of closure precursor 2. Undercoating layer [[4]]3 is preferably applied by printing.

(8) In this exemplary aspect, closure 1 also comprises decorative layer 4 that covers both the lateral surface and the flat terminating surfaces of closure precursor 2. Decorative layer 4, thus, covers undercoating layer 3 entirely. Decorative layer 4 is preferably applied by pad printing. Decorative layer 4 preferably depicts a first indicia, in particular a photograph of a natural cork look. Thus, decorative layer 4 particularly has a print resolution of 300 dpi or more and is polychromatic comprising one or more shades of two or more colors. Preferably, decorative layer 4 consists of one or more materials that are compliant or approved as food contact substances by the FDA and the EU.

(9) FIG. 3 illustrates a closure 1 according to one embodiment substantially identical to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but with addition of an ornamental layer 5 arranged to surround at least a portion of the decorative layer 4. The remaining items of FIG. 3 may be identical to those described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

(10) In order to assist in assuring entry of bottle closure 1 into the portal of the bottle into which closure 1 is inserted, the terminating edges may be beveled or chamfered. Similarly, the terminating edges may comprise a similar bevel or chamfer. Although any desired bevel or chamfered configuration can be employed, such as a radius, curve, or flat surface, it has been found that by merely cutting the terminating edges with an angle of about 45° or about 60° the desired reduced diameter area is provided for achieving the desired effect. The chamfer angle and the chamfer length, i.e. the length of the chamfered surface, are exemplarily within the ranges described herein for still wine closures or champagne closures.

(11) By incorporating chamfered or beveled ends on bottle closure 1, automatic self-centering is attained. As a result, when bottle closure 1 is compressed and ejected from the compression jaws into the open bottle for forming the closure thereof, bottle closure 1 is automatically guided into the bottle opening, even if the clamping jaws are slightly misaligned with the portal of the bottle. By employing this configuration, unwanted difficulties in inserting bottle closure 1 into any desired bottle are obviated. However, in applications which employ alternate stopper insertion techniques, chamfering of the terminating ends may not be needed. Further, in order to facilitate the insertion of the closure into the bottle neck, the outer surface can fully or partly be coated with suitable lubricants, for example with silicones. Coating with a lubricant can be carried out by a variety of techniques known in the art, including tumbling and/or extrusion coating. For closures for champagne or sparkling wine, if a silicone lubricant is used a crosslinkable silicone is preferred since silicone can act as an antifoaming agent.

(12) In this exemplary aspect depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to produce a closure that imitates a closure made from a single piece of cork, closure precursor 2 contains cork particles in addition to plastic material. The plastic material is preferably foamed as described herein. The plastic material is preferably biodegradable, thus yielding a biodegradable closure. Hence, with decorative layer 4 depicting natural cork look and closure precursor 2 comprising cork particles, a closure is obtained that looks and smells like a closure made from a single piece of cork. The cork particles preferably have a content of releasable trichloroanisole measured according to the test method defined herein of less than 2 ng/L.

(13) While the Figures show cylindrical closures, closures for sparkling wine bottles are also encompassed by the invention.

(14) Any embodiment or aspect described or defined herein, whether defining a closure, a composition, or a method, may be combined with any other aspect or embodiment, or any features thereof, whether defining a closure, a composition, or a method, even when such a combination is not explicitly stated. All combinations of embodiments, aspects and features are within the scope of the present invention. In particular, any aspect of any claim may be combined with any aspect of any one of more claims. Where numerical ranges are defined, any numerical limit of any range may be combined with any other numerical limit of the same range. For example, an upper limit of a range may be combined with an upper limit of a range, or a lower limit of a range may be combined with a lower limit of a range, or an upper limit of a range may be combined with a lower limit of a range, while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

(15) Test Methods:

(16) The Mocon test for OTR/oxygen ingress rate was carried out using 100% oxygen according to ASTM F-1307.

(17) Extraction Force:

(18) The test for extraction force was carried out on a random sample selection according to the methods described in WO 03/018304 A1 (extraction test, p. 48, l. 13-p. 49, l. 10), which are herewith incorporated and form part of the present disclosure. Three empty, clean “Bordeaux” style wine bottles were stoppered using a semi-automatic corking machine (Model 4040 from GAI S.p.A., Italy). The bottles were stored for one hour. The closures were then extracted at ambient temperature using a Dillon AFG-1000N force gauge (from Dillon/Quality Plus, Inc., USA) to measure the force required for extraction.

(19) Surface Hardness:

(20) The surface hardness is tested at room temperature (25° C.) using a Shore 902 automatic operating stand from Instron according to ASTM D2240-10.

(21) Coefficient of Friction:

(22) The dynamic coefficient of friction was measured according to ASTM D1894-14 at room temperature (25° C.) using an Instron Model 2810 Coefficient of Friction Testing Fixture. For the measurement of the dynamic coefficient of friction, a closure was split in half along its long axis and mounted to a steel plate with the flat side of the interior of the closure. This specimen was then loaded with 200 gram weight and pulled across a stainless steel surface at 15.2 cm/min.

(23) Releasable Haloanisole

(24) The amount of haloanisole released from a cork into wine can be measured as so-called “releasable haloanisole” by soaking a cork or a sample of corks in a wine for 24 hours for an untreated cork or 48 hours for a treated cork, and measuring the amount of each haloanisole compound in the wine by means of gas chromatography. An acceptable level is generally considered to be one which results in an amount of the respective chloroanisole or chloroanisoles in the wine which is below the average sensory threshold of about 6 ng/L for TCA or TBA, preferably less than about 2 ng/L.