Glued synthetic cork and method of manufacture

Abstract

A synthetic cork is provided, comprising a shank portion, having a tip portion and a base portion, the base portion including a radial contour, the radial contour providing increased radial surface area relative to a smooth radial bottom portion. A synthetic cork stopper is also provided, wherein the synthetic cork base portion is glued into a hole of a cap. In exemplary embodiments, the radial contour is a spoked configuration.

1 . A synthetic cork, comprising a shank portion, having a tip portion and a base portion, the base portion including a radial contour, the radial contour providing increased radial surface area relative to a smooth radial base portion. 
     
     
         2 . A synthetic cork in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tip portion includes a beveled or curved tip contour. 
     
     
         3 . A synthetic cork in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said radial contour is a spoked radial configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A synthetic cork in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said base portion includes a flat bottom. 
     
     
         5 . A composite synthetic cork stopper, comprising:
 a cap portion having a hole; and   a synthetic cork, comprising a shank portion, having a tip portion and a base portion sized to be received within the hole of the cap portion, the base portion including a radial contour, the radial contour providing increased radial surface area relative to a smooth radial base portion.   
     
     
         6 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the synthetic cork base portion is sized to at least partially frictionally fit within the hole of the cap portion. 
     
     
         7 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the synthetic cork shank adjacent said synthetic cork base portion has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the hole of the cap portion. 
     
     
         8 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a said portion of the synthetic cork shank adjacent said synthetic cork base portion seals against a portion of walls of the cap portion outside the diameter of the hole of the cap portion to retain adhesive within the hole of the cap portion. 
     
     
         9 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the cap portion includes smooth walls within said cap portion hole. 
     
     
         10 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the cap portion includes contoured walls within said cap portion hole. 
     
     
         11 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said radial contour comprises a radial spoked configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A composite synthetic cork stopper in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said synthetic cork base portion includes a flat bottom. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a composite synthetic cork stopper, comprising:
 providing a cap portion having a hole;   providing a synthetic cork, comprising a shank portion, having a tip portion and a base portion sized to be received within the hole of the cap portion, the base portion including a radial contour, the radial contour providing increased radial surface area relative to a smooth radial base portion; and   gluing the synthetic cork base portion within the hole of said cap portion.