Abstract:
An opener for pressurized bottle. The opener includes a sleeve having a first side and a second side. A bottle of pressurized liquid is capable of being located between the first side and the second side. The opener includes a main body and an elongated shaft terminating in a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft is located in the main body. An arm extending from the second end of the shaft. A lifting mechanism is capable of moving the shaft into and out of the main body opening the bottle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to the bottle openers. More specifically, the invention relates to a tool for gripping and removing champagne bottle stoppers quickly, easily, with less physical effort, and safely in such a way as to prevent the stopper from injuring anyone or damaging anything in the vicinity of the bottle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Plastic champagne corks are machine inserted into glass bottlenecks very securely. Wire harnesses are also often attached to the corks and bottle necks so the bottles do not become opened during shipping and storage. This extreme pressure acting on the champagne cork can make opening a bottle quite a difficult procedure. Typically, the procedure for removing the stopper from a bottle of champagne is to remove the foil and the wire basket from around the bottle neck and then firmly grasp the stopper and force it out of the bottle with a twisting, turning or thrusting motion. Unfortunately, removing a stopper in this manner is quite difficult or even impossible for people with small hands or diminished gripping strength. More importantly, this stopper-removal procedure is also dangerous for the person removing the stopper and for any people or property nearby. At serving temperature, the pressure in a bottle of champagne can exceed ninety pounds per square inch. When a cork is dislodged from the bottle&#39;s neck it frequently bursts from the opener&#39;s grasp and flies erratically through the air due to the pressure in the bottle. In some instances the cork can strike and injure a person or damage property. There are numerous instances in which freed stoppers have knocked out front teeth, damaged eyes and gashed foreheads so deeply that stitches were required. Stoppers have also banged up furniture and become imbedded in ceiling tile.  
         [0003]     The problem of opening champagne bottles has become so widespread that most bottles now contain a warning label outlining the associated dangers. In fact, some champagne makers have changed the configuration of the bottle neck and experimented with a variety of other such techniques in an attempt to reduce the dangers associated with removing the stopper. Unfortunately, these alterations have done little to reduce the danger since, no matter what the bottle configuration, the stopper is still under a great deal of pressure and thus can cause serious injury upon removal.  
         [0004]     Not only have the difficulties in removing the stopper caused personal injury and property damage, they have also caused an increase in the price of champagne. Because opening a bottle of champagne can cause injury, champagne makers and the restaurants that serve it face increased liability, thus raising insurance premiums and, in turn, raising the cost to the consumer. In addition, manufacturing specialty bottles or stoppers is an expensive procedure, which again translates into higher prices to the consumer.  
         [0005]     The use of corkscrews to remove the cork in a wine bottle is well known in the art, as is the use of a bottle opener to remove the cap on beer, and soft drinks. However, corkscrews and bottle openers are not effective for use in removing champagne stoppers.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,394, issued on Oct. 24, 1989, to C. B. Crudgington, Jr. describes a champagne bottle opener that includes bifurcated jaws for removing the mushroom-shaped stoppers from champagne bottles. Each jaw contains a recess so as to enable the device to be repositioned directly around the stopper&#39;s stem and on top of the bottle when the stopper has been partially removed. Clips are provided to the upper jaw so as to prevent the stopper from ricocheting out from under the retaining arm. The retaining arm permits a downwardly directed and manually exerted counter force to be applied to the stopper so as to allow the stopper to be removed slowly.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,652, 4,573,602, and 4,564,114 have issued to J. R. Goldberg concerning a molded safety closure device for champagne bottles. This device includes a cylindrical closure element which fits within the mouth of the bottle and which is restrained from flying free of the bottle by a cylindrical retainer collar which fits around the neck of the bottle. The closure element is attached to the collar by a tether strip which is molded integrally with the closure element and the collar and which tears free thereof. The closure element is molded as a separate unitary structure and is secured mechanically by a snap fit around the periphery of one end of the closure element.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,450, issued on Jul. 9, 1985, to B. J. Drosky teaches a stopper extractor that includes a housing having an open end and a closed end and a side-facing cutout on one side of the housing wall with a grip disposed for axial movement within the housing. The side-facing cutouts are sized to allow the enlarged head of a stopper to be inserted laterally into the grip. The extractor is mounted over the stopper with the open end against the container and the grip lip under the lower edge of the cork head. A rocking of the handle will pivot a cam so as to raise the grip. This causes the open end to bear downwardly against the container and the grip to move axially upwardly within the housing to pull the cork from the container and into the housing.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,870, issued on Apr. 30, 1985, to E. Zaltsman provides a bottle with a one-piece cork. This device employs a tether which is molded into the cork. When the cork is removed from the bottle, an energy-absorbing link serves to prevent the cork from flying away from the bottle at high speeds.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,735, issued on Apr. 17, 1984, to Chance et al. describes a safety device for preventing the premature expulsion of a stopper from a champagne bottle. A body is provided having a top and downwardly extending opposed leg portions attached to the top. Each of the leg portions has upper and lower inner ledge portions. The upper ledge portion is positioned for engagement with the lower rim surface of the stopper. The lower edge portion is positioned to provide a limit stop with the lower surface of the neck ridge upon upward motion of the device.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,110, issued on Apr. 19, 1977, to S. C. Spriggs shows a hand manipulable device for removing bottle stoppers. This device includes upper and lower bifurcated jaws engagable around the neck of a bottle between the shoulder and mouth of the bottle for engagement of the upper jaw below the overhanging stopper head whereby a spreading of the jaws effects an upward withdrawal of the stopper. A retaining arm is fixed to the upper jaw and extends generally centrally thereover in outwardly spaced relationship thereto. None of the prior art devices provide sufficiently protruding and sufficiently pointed long teeth separated by a sufficient distance with a sufficient indentation between the teeth to enable the teeth to straddle the ribs on a wire basket to permit the teeth to pierce through the foil and penetrate the stopper a sufficient distance for sure retention of the stopper afforded by such teeth in conjunction with a top guard.  
         [0012]     Thus there is a clear need for an inventive new tool that will allow a person to quickly and safely remove the stopper from a bottle of champagne in a way that requires only minimal force from the user, thus making serving and drinking champagne a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In view of the shortcomings set forth above, it is an object of the invention to provide an opener for pressurized bottles that can be activated using single-hand operation. The invention includes a sleeve having a first side and a second side. A bottle of pressurized liquid is capable of being located between the first side and the second side. The opener includes a main body and an elongated shaft terminating in a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft is located in the main body. An arm extending from the second end of the shaft. A lifting mechanism is capable of moving the shaft into and out of the main body.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for opening a bottle of pressurized liquid comprising the steps of disengaging the wire hood from the bottle; and removing the foil seal from the bottle. The method also includes the step of providing an opener including a sleeve having a first side and a second side, a main body; an elongated shaft terminating in a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft is located in the main body. An arm extends from the second end of the shaft. The arm has a first fork and a second fork. A lifting mechanism is capable of moving the shaft into and out of the main body. The opener also includes an activating device such as a button, switch, lever, or similar component for starting or activating the lifting mechanism. The opener is positioned adjacent to the bottle such that the bottle is located between the first side of the sleeve and the second side of the sleeve. Next, the arm is aligned so that the cork is located between the first fork and the second fork, beneath the top section of the cork. A user then grasps the neck of the bottle and the body of the opener with a single hand and manipulates an activating device. The step of manipulating the activating device removes the cork from the bottle.  
         [0015]     In yet another embodiment, the invention includes an opener comprising a sleeve including a ring, a main body, an elongated shaft terminating in a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the shaft is at least partially disposed in the main body, an arm extending from the second end of the shaft, and a lifting mechanism capable of moving the shaft into and out of the main body. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a left side view of a bottle opener engaging a sealed bottle pursuant to the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a bottle opener engaging a sealed bottle pursuant to the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a reverse front view of a bottle opener engaging a sealed bottle pursuant to the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a bottle opener engaging a sealed bottle pursuant to the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a bottle opener in a first position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a bottle opener in an expanded position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of a bottle opener engaging a bottle in an expanded position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a bottle opener engaging a bottle in an expanded position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a partial cross sectional view of the bottle opener.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bottle opener engaging a traditional wine bottle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a back view of an alternative embodiment of the bottle opener with integrated arm covers.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bottle opener with manual lifting mechanism and irregular support.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment of the bottle opener with ring-shaped base.  
     
    
       [0030]     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows an opener  10  for a pressurized bottle  12 . The bottle  12  is a standard 750 ml champagne bottle, which includes a base  14 , a neck  16 , and a tapered region  18 , extending from the base section  14  to the neck section  16 . A cork  20  is at least partially disposed inside the neck section  16  to serve as a closure for bottle  12 .  
         [0032]     Opener  10  includes a sleeve  22 , a body  24 , and arm  26 . Arm  26  extends from shaft  44  at between about a 45 degree angle and about a 135 degree angle, preferably about a 90 degree angle toward bottle  12 . Button or switch  28  extends from the side of body  24  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0033]     With reference to  FIG. 3 , sleeve  22  includes a first side  30  and a second side  32 . In operation, bottle  12  is positioned between first side  30  and second side  32  so that at least a portion of sleeve  22  rests against tapered section  18  of bottle  22 .  
         [0034]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , additional details of arm  26  are shown. Arm  26  includes a first fork  34  and a second fork  36 . Arm  26  can comprise a “V,” “U,” “Y”, or other snap-on configuration while remaining within the scope of the invention. Arm  26  preferably snaps or slides between neck  16  and top section  38  to engage cork  20 . Opener  10  is positioned adjacent to bottle  12  so that cork  20  is at least partially disposed between first fork  34  and second fork  36 . Similarly, first fork  34  and second fork  36  are located adjacent to stopper  40  of cork  20 , between the neck  16  of bottle  12  and top section  38  of cork  20 .  
         [0035]     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the operation of opener  10  will now be discussed. The distance between bottom  42  of opener  10  can be adjusted using button or switch  28 . For example, when button or switch  28  is pressed, shaft  44  moves outwardly from body  24 . In doing so, arm  26  moves away from bottom  42  from the position shown in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . When uncorking a bottle of pressurized liquid, such as champagne or sparkling wine, a user simply removes any foil or wire from the cork  20  and neck  16  of the bottle  12 . Next, the user positions opener  10  adjacent to bottle  12  such that sleeve  22  rests on tapered section  18  of bottle  12 . Then, first fork  34  and second fork  36  are positioned on opposite sides of stopper  40  of cork  20 , between the neck  16  of bottle  12  and top section  38  of cork  20 .  
         [0036]     Once opener  10  is positioned against bottle  12  as described above, a user grasps his or her hand around the body  24  of opener  10  and the neck  16  of bottle  12 . Next, the user presses button or switch  28  with his or her thumb. Pressing button or switch  28  causes lifting mechanism  46  to move shaft  44  outward from body  24 . This action increases the distance between arm  26  and bottom  42  of opener  10 .  
         [0037]     As the distance between arm  26  and bottom  42  is increased, sleeve  22  firmly contacts tapered section  18  of bottle  12 . At the same time, first fork  34  and second fork  36  of arm  26  come in contact with the under side of top section  38  of cork  20 . As opener  10  increases pressure, stopper  40  of cork  20  lifts out of the neck  16  of bottle  12 .  
         [0038]     In many circumstances, the friction of arm  26  against stopper  40  under top section  38  of cork  20  prevents cork from flying outward from bottle  12  in the form of a projectile. However, in some circumstances, it is desirable to add an additional feature to control the movement of cork  20 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , a cover  21  is located atop cork  20  such that top section  38  of cork  20  is located between arm  26  and cover  21 . Cover  21  is connected to shaft  44  via screw  23 . In an alternative embodiment, arms  34  and  36  have turned up sides that are disposed at least partially over top section  38  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The distance between cover  21  and arm  26  can be adjusted by rotating screw  23  further into shaft  44 . In yet another alternative embodiment, cover  21  engages arm  26  by sliding or snapping on arm as shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0039]     Lifting mechanism  46  can comprise a number of devices while remaining within the scope of the invention. Suitable mechanisms  46  can include commonly known electronic actuators, small motors, pneumatic, air, or hydraulic driven devices. Manual levers can also be used as shown in  FIG. 12 . Mechanism  46  should be small enough to fit inside body  24  and should generate a force sufficient to remove cork  20  from bottle  12 .  
         [0040]     Opener  10  is suitable for removing traditional wooden corks from bottle  12  as well as synthetic, rubber, or plastic corks. As shown in  FIG. 10 , corkscrew  25  may be attached to arm  26  to permit the removal of traditionally shaped wine corks from bottle  12 .  
         [0041]     In a preferred embodiment, the interior of sleeve  22  is comprised of a soft material like an elastomer, felt, or other polymer. Moreover, bottom  42  of opener  10  is relatively flat to permit opener to stand upright on a bar or shelf. This feature of the invention can also be accomplished with a variety of irregular shapes, as shown, for example in  FIG. 12 . This aspect of the invention enables opener  10  to maintain an organized configuration.  
         [0042]     Sleeve  22 , arm  26 , shaft  44 , and body  24  of opener are preferably fabricated of a metal, or polymer of sufficient rigidity to withstand the downward pressure of opener  10  when cork  20  is removed from bottle. Moreover, the opener  10  is configured to be relatively lightweight, enabling the average user to lift the opener  10  and bottle  12  with a single hand. In one embodiment, opener  10  weighs less than about 10 pounds, preferably less than 5 pounds, more preferably, less than 3 pounds.  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  shows yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. Sleeve  22  comprises a ring  43  containing an aperture. The neck  16  of bottle  12  is disposed through the aperture. Ring  43  is disposed about the circumference of neck  16  of bottle  12 . Ring  43  applies pressure against the tapered section  18  of bottle  12  while remaining within the scope of the invention. Ring  43  can comprise a variety of sizes while remaining within the scope of the invention. Alternatively, a plurality of rings  43  may be disposed about the circumference of neck  16  of bottle  12 . In yet another alternative embodiment, downward pressure could tighten a chain or cable around neck  16  to hold ring  43  against neck  16  while shaft  44  applies an upward force against cork  20 . In a preferred embodiment, ring  43  is made of hard plastic, metals, chains, or cables.  
         [0044]     Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers of ordinary skill will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.