Feasibility of the manufacturing process of cork stoppers for spirits using vegetable and textiles fibers

Abstract

Traditionally, cork stoppers composed of a plastic crown and a cork spike, usually agglomerated or technical, are used to seal the bottles. The use of synthetic plastic for crown caps derived from petroleum generates well-known environmental problems; therefore, it is of great interest to seek substitutes, deepen research, and develop new products and production methods focused on this powerful industry. This work aims to develop alternatives to the products currently available on the market, not only in terms of design and materials, but also by exploring alternative manufacturing methods such as compression molding and the possibility it offers for the incorporation of recycled materials into the product. The use of adhesives to bind other materials such as metals or wood provides numerous advantages in terms of durability, lightness, and design versatility. Through this work, adhesive binders will be tested to manufacture agrocomposites, which are blends of natural fibers and textiles functionalized as closures for spirits bottles. Likewise, the adhesion of the cork spike to the agrocomposite crown will be tested. The incorporation of materials previously considered as waste into resin matrix is being investigated. The designed mold has made it possible to manufacture prototypes with different resin-residue ratios.