Patent Publication Number: US-9845231-B2

Title: Cork extractor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an improvement of a cork extractor for wine bottles and the like, and more particularly, an improvement of cork extractors of the type that extract the cork by injecting pressurized fluid into a bottle or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Additionally, the use of a worm compromises the integrity of the cork. A cork could fragment during the extraction process if the worm is not properly placed in the center of the cork or if improperly driven through the cork in an angled manner. This could require multiple attempts to extract the cork and potentially an altogether failed extraction. Even with proper use, the worm displaces a distinct portion of the cork creating the potential for particles of cork to fall into the wine contained therein creating impurities. Furthermore cork preservation is a benefit that also serves wine consumers who use the original cork to recork or “stop” the bottle and those who keep corks for display or craft purposes. 
     Many improvements have been made to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional corkscrew. Recently electric openers eliminate the leverage function, however these extractors still use a worm to penetrate the cork and the use of a worm inherently requires the bottle opener to be rotationally driven through the cork, thereby requiring a second hand to stabilize the bottle. Therefore, these methods only eliminate part of the problems inherent in the traditional corkscrew. 
     Inventors acknowledge that use of a needle to inject compressed fluid into the wine bottle to extract the cork is an up and coming solution for eliminating the worm and to avoid leveraging the bottle for cork removal. However, extractors incorporating injected compressed fluid leave significant room for improvement. For example, other extractors provide minimal guidance for centering the needle through the surface area of the cork, such that cork removal maybe be hindered and preservation of the cork maybe comprised by not maintaining a linear or central path through the cork. 
     Alternatively, in products where the extractor provides a guide to position the needle over the center of the surface area of the cork, the needle is rotationally driven through the cork. This rotational penetration reintroduces the need for more physical effort to penetrate the cork, the potential of compromising the cork, and the requirement to stabilize the bottle with the use of both hands. 
     An additional problem is that due to the length of needle required to penetrate through the length of the cork, the needle often remains exposed posing a safety hazard to users while the extractor is not engaged with the bottle. A few inadequate designs offer to address this issue by extending a component of the device to extend the length of the needle, however, in these embodiments the needle is not guarded from all directions and still remains fully exposed on more than one side while the extractor is in a resting positioning. This exposure is more than sufficient to allow access to the needle by various body parts. 
     Furthermore, any shield extending around the needle is limited by the height of the bottleneck. Since the needle must inherently be of a length that extends at least partially beyond the length of the cork to inject fluid into the bottle, this would result in a portion of the sharp end of the needle remaining exposed. One inadequate design introduces a shield that slides down to cover the needle. However, the jacket is free to slide back and forth. Therefore, when the extractor is inverted, the jacket will slide toward the top of the device exposing the needle while the device is in a resting state impeding the efficacy of the safety mechanism. 
     Further, previous extractors typically rely on the user to forcibly pull an extracted cork from the needle. This results in physical exertion and creates a potentially dangerous scenario due to the exposed needle. 
     Thus, a need exists for a cork exactor using injected compressed fluid which is capable of single-handed cork extraction, a mechanical means for removing an extracted cork from the needle, and additional safety features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with old devices and methods, and achieves other advantages not realized by conventional devices and methods. 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the known types of cork extractors, an objective of the present invention provides a novel structural improvement for a cork extraction device that injects compressed fluid into a corked bottle to eject the cork out of the bottleneck, particularly by introducing a safer structure, with reduced exposure to the needle, and simpler method of use, where cork extraction requires only the use of one hand; wherein the same extraction device minimizes the need for applying a countervailing force to a bottle during cork extraction to offset the force applied to lift a cork out the bottle. 
     Described herein is an extraction device composed of an elongated body. The elongated body having a containing section, a sliding section, and a positioning section to engage with the bottle. The containing section and slide section are adapted to slidably engage with one another. The containing section is adapted to receive a typically cylindrical compressed fluid container. An elongated hollow needle is affixed to the containing section and extends longitudinally through the device, such that the fluid can pass from the compressed fluid container to the bottle. In a first embodiment of the extraction device, a resistance means is housed within the sliding section to urge the device into a decompressed state. 
     The general operation behind an extractor of this type, is that the compressed fluid is released, passes through the hollow needle into the corked wine bottle. As the release fluid expands to a gaseous state, the pressure in the wine bottle increases, forcing the friction-fitted cork out of the bottle onto the needle. A second embodiment of the extraction device includes a rotational cork removal mechanism for removing an extracted cork from the needle. 
     It is an aspect of the invention to provide a mechanism for positioning the needle centrally through the cork for optimal removal and to further stabilize the bottle to facilitate single-handed use of the extraction device. This and other aspects of the invention are accomplished by a positioning section at the terminal end of the extraction device operating in conjunction with a resistance means. The positioning section extends beyond the tip of the needle, therefore when the positioning section engages the bottle neck it locates the needle tip above the approximate center of the cork. When the needle is driven into the cork, the positioning section maintains engagement with the bottleneck, thereby stabilizing the bottle without requiring the user&#39;s other hand. It is an advantage of the present invention that the resistance means not only introduces a safety feature, but, until a counteracting force is applied, the resistance means maintains the extraction device in a decompressed state, wherein the positioning section is spatially separated from the containing section. Absent the resistance means, the minimal pressure of simply placing the positioning section on the bottleneck would cause the sliding section to slidably retract along the containing section, thereby causing the device to collapse about the needle. Thus, leaving the needle tip as the first component of the extraction device to engage with the cork and thereby negating the alignment and stabilization functions of the extractor device. 
     The discussed resistance means can be any resilient method with a resistance greater than the gravitational force of the containing section and container, to urge the containing section away from the positioning section, but less than the strength of the press fit relationship between the needle and the cork, to prevent the needle from retracting out of the cork before cork extraction is complete. 
     It is also an aspect of the invention to provide a method and mechanism to facilitate removal of an extracted cork from the needle, upon which the cork transverses during extraction. Natural wine cork is comprised of a buoyant material. Synthetic corks are intended to mimic this quality. Once disposed in the bottleneck, the elasticity of the cork material causes the cork to expand creating a tight seal in the bottleneck. Once a needle is driven through the cork, the same press fit relationship is inherited between the needle and the cork, creating a tight seal. Therefore, removal of an extracted cork from the needle would require great physical exertion if manually attempted by a user. Manual removal also creates a safety issue that is inherent when you combine sharp objects and uncontrolled physical movement. 
     To accomplish this aspect of the invention, a second embodiment of the extractor device implements a tubular sleeve fitted to axially extend and retract along the length of the needle from the positioning section. As the tubular sleeve is extended, the sleeve abuts against the cork forcibly sliding it towards the tip of the needle, thereby facilitating removal. In a third embodiment of the invention, the features of both the first and second embodiments are combined. In this embodiment, the resistance means urges the device from a compressed state to a decompressed state, therefore the resistance means provides yet another way of accomplishing facilitation of the removal of an extracted cork from the needle as it provide a resistance force in the same linear direction along the needle as it returns to its natural decompressed state. 
     Any sharp kitchen tool poses inherent risks, however it is important to minimize exposed parts/the exposure to those risk as much as possible. Thus, it is also an advantage of the invention to provide enhanced safety to the user when the device is not in use. In a decompressed state, the resistance means of the first embodiment of the extraction device maintains the extractor device in a decompressed state, wherein the needle is fully coaxially covered by the length of the device. If used properly, when the device is placed over the bottle, the bottle positioner engages with the bottle neck, a downward force is applied to the containing section thereby driving the needle down to penetrate through the cork. Therefore, the needle point is not exposed to the user until the cork is removed. Yet another way of accomplishing enhanced safety in a second and third embodiment of this invention, because the tubular sleeve of the removal mechanism extends at least to the tip of the needle, the device can also be stored with the tubular sleeve fully extended when the extractor device is not in use, thereby shielding the needle. 
     It is also an advantage of the invention to eliminate rotation of the needle through the cork to maintain cork integrity and to eliminate the need of a second hand to stabilize the bottle, by providing a linear path of movement, since any rotational method of penetrating the cork would inherently require the bottle to be stabilized to facilitate rotation. These and other aspects of the invention are accomplished by the containing section slidably engaging with the sliding section, thereby allowing axial penetration of the needle through the cork. Other embodiments may include a guide on the containing section that travels along a corresponding linear path, along the length of the sliding section, to prevent the sliding section and containing section from inadvertently rotationally engaging. 
     Other independent features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways or with various materials. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicting the present invention in a decompressed state. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicting the present invention in a compressed state. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicting the present invention in a decompressed state. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicting the present invention in a compressed state and engaged with a corked bottle. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a cutout of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicting an exemplary needle assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic front view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting an extracted cork removal mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  depicting the cork remover mechanism retracted. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  depicting the present invention in a decompressed state with the cork remover mechanism extended. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  depicting the present invention in a compressed state with the cork remover mechanism engaged with a cork. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  depicting the present invention in a decompressed state with the cork remover mechanism retracted. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  depicting the present invention in a decompressed state with the cork remover mechanism extended. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a further alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting the present invention in a compressed state. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded sectional side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic exploded top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 9  depicting the present invention in a compressed state without a jacket or sheath. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     The present invention is directed towards an extractor device and a method of extracting a cork  2  from a bottleneck  1  utilizing a compressed fluid injected from a removable container  3 , housed within a containing section  7  of the device, to the bottle  1  through a hollow needle  15  affixed to the containing section  7  of the device. With reference to the annexed drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are herein described for indicative purposes and by no means as a limitation. 
     Overall Invention 
     In describing the contents of a corked bottle  1  in all the embodiments, the terms beverage, liquid and wine will be used interchangeably. Thus, in every instance, the use of the terms are not limited to wine but are to be read to include any liquid contained in a corked bottle  1 . 
     The composition of the compressed fluid, the compressed fluid container  3 , and the hollow needle  15  are not a claimed feature of the present invention. 
     Compressed Fluid 
     The composition of the gas in the present invention can be any composition having a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure that is stable, non-flammable, and minimally toxic. Compressed air or other gases that remain in gaseous form at high pressures due to its higher boiling point could be used. However, because gas occupies more space in the container  3  than a liquid, more containers  3  would be required for similar use resulting in less efficient use and higher cost to the consumer. Therefore, a gas having a boiling point below ambient temperature that converts to liquid when pressurized is preferred. 
     Differing compositions of the compressed fluid will have varying properties. Some compressed fluids will change to a liquid phase when compressed at very high pressures (e.g. CO2), however these compositions would require a robust container  3  and often dissipate so quickly that the container  3  cannot be easily resealed without a regulator or other mechanism. Therefore, a preferred compressed fluid changes phases at a reasonably low pressure thereby gradually returning to gaseous form while the liquid travels from the container  3  to the wine bottle  1 . Exemplary compressed fluids are tetraflouroethane or chlorofluorocarbons. Other exemplary compressed fluids will be known to those skilled in the art. 
     Container  3   
     The compressed fluid container  3  utilized with this device is readily available to consumers and comprises a predominantly cylindrical container  3  closed on a first end  4  and internally sealed on a second end  5  with a valve actuated by the depression of an outlet tube  6  protruding from the second end  5  of the container  3 . When the hollow tube is forcibly recessed into the container  3 , the valve is actuated, thereby releasing fluid through the outlet tube  6 . When pressure is released from the outlet tube  6 , the outlet tube  6  returns to its natural fully protruded state and the valve seals, cutting off the flow of fluid. One skilled in the art may enhance features of the compressed fluid container  3  while maintaining this basic function. 
     Needle  15   
     A preferred hollow needle  15  would have a blunt end  16  and piercing end  19 , with a fluid passageway  18  having the open blunt end  16  as an inlet hole  17  and an outlet hole  20  near the piercing end  19 , understanding it may not be feasible have the outlet hole  20  at the tip of the needle  15 . The piercing end  19  shall be sharp enough to puncture any foil wrapping over the bottleneck  1 . 
     The needle  15  should be of sufficient length to penetrate through the cork  2  such that the outlet hole  20  of the needle  15  is fully within the open space in the bottle  1  when the extractor is in a compressed state. The needle  15  should not be so long that the outlet of the needle  15  is submerged in the liquid contained with the bottle  1 . For optimal safety, in the preferred embodiment the needle  15  meets the previously stated limitations and further is of a length that the needle  15  does not extend past the lower end  10  of the positioning section  37  when the extractor is in a decompressed state. 
     As described herein, the blunt end  16  of the needle  15  affixes to the base of the containing section  7 . In the preferred embodiment, the blunt end  16  of the needle  15  has a smooth exterior and is press fitted or otherwise mated to the fluid channel outlet  14  to create a tight and continuous path for the fluid to travel without significant leakage. In an alternate embodiment, the blunt end  16  of the needle  15  may have a threaded exterior and tightly screwed into the fluid channel outlet  14 . 
       FIGS. 1-8  depict a first embodiment of the extractor device wherein the primary function is extraction of the cork  2  based upon an improved structure. The extractor device includes a containing section  7  housing a compressed fluid container  3 , a long hollow needle  15  affixed to the containing section  7  and extending longitudinally through a sliding section  24 , a resistance means  28  housed in a sliding section  24  that is adapted to slidably engage with the containing section  7 , and a positioning section  37  to engage with the bottle  1 . 
     The general operation behind an extractor of this type is that a user grips the extractor device in a decompressed state with one hand, places the extractor device over the bottleneck  1  of a corked bottle  1 , and applies a downward force against the resistance means  28  to penetrate the needle  15  through the cork  2 . Once the extractor device is in this compressed state and the needle outlet  33  is exposed in the open section of the bottle  1 . The user, then uses the thumb of the same hand to apply downward pressure on the compressed fluid container  3 . The compressed fluid is released and passes through the hollow needle  15  into the corked wine bottle  1 . The pressure in the wine bottle  1  increases, forcefully displacing the cork  2  from the bottleneck  1  onto the needle  15 . 
     Containing Section  7   
     The containing section  7  has an open upper end  8 , an inner cavity  9 , and a lower end  10 . The inner cavity  9  is adapted to receive a compressed fluid container  3 . In an exemplary embodiment, the inner cavity  9  has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the compressed fluid container  3  to allow the compressed fluid container  3  to be easily removed. Further, the containing section  7  is of a length such that the first end  4  of a fully received compressed fluid container  3  sits slightly below or above the open upper end  8  of the containing section  7  for accessibility to allow a user to manually apply pressure to the container  3 , preferably with the user&#39;s thumb. For ease of removal, the preferred embodiment of the containing section  7  is dimensioned to allow the containing section  7  to extend slightly above the open upper end  8  of the containing section  7 . 
     Since compressed fluid containers  3  may vary in shape, additional protuberances may be implemented into the internal cavity of the top portion so as to position or support the compressed fluid container  3 . However, these positioning protuberances  23  should not hinder the path or the ability of the compressed fluid container  3  to slide back to its resting position when manual pressure is released by the user, nor should the positioning protuberances  23  hinder ability of the compressed fluid container  3  to slide into its engaged position when manual pressure is applied by the user. In a preferred embodiment, these protrusions are tapered to allow for the container  3  to slide back into a resting position, so sealing of the valve is not hindered.  FIG. 2  is a top view of the extractor device showing exemplary placement of the positioning protuberances  23 . 
     The lower end  10  of the containing section  7  includes a needle assembly  11  and a fluid channel  12 .  FIG. 8  is a sectional cutout view depicting the needle assembly  11  and fluid channel  12 . The fluid channel  12  has an inlet cavity  13  dimensioned to removably receive at least part of the length of the outlet tube  6  of the compressed fluid container  3 . The lower end  10  of the inlet cavity  13  has an opening extending into a fluid channel  12  of a diameter smaller than the outlet tube  6 , thereby forming an abutment for the outlet tube  6  at the bottom of the inlet cavity  13 . The walls of the inlet cavity  13  position the outlet tube  6  such that the outlet tube  6  aligns with the fluid channel  12  at the lower end  10  of the inlet cavity  13  for efficient flow of fluid. In operation, when the compressed fluid container  3  is pressed down by the user, the outlet tube  6  abuts against the bottom of the inlet cavity  13  creating the force needed to depress the outlet tube  6  into the compressed fluid container  3 , actuating the valve, and releasing the fluid from the outlet tube  6  through the inlet cavity  13  into the fluid channel  12 . One skilled in the art shall take care to dimension the inlet cavity  13  to only partially receive the length of the outlet tube  6  sufficient to receive the outlet tube  6  and position the compressed fluid container  3 , but to avoid other components of the compressed fluid container  3  abutting against the inlet cavity  13  walls thereby restricting the depression of the outlet tube  6 . 
     The blunt end  16  of a hollow needle  15  shall be affixed to the outlet  14  of the fluid channel  12  creating a continuous fluid path for the fluid to pass from the compressed fluid container  3  to the wine bottle  1  through the outlet tube  6 , fluid channel  12 , and needle  15 . The connection shall be tight to minimize leakage and shall substantially align the fluid channel  12  with the needle inlet hole  17  to maximize fluid flow. In an exemplary embodiment, the needle  15  has a smooth finish and the two components are mated by press fitting them together. It is of no consequence whether the needle  15  is the male or female counterpart, so long as the fluid can pass from the fluid channel  12  through the needle  15 . This may be accomplished by closely sliding the needle  15  within the fluid channel outlet  14  or having the fluid channel  12  terminate in a downwardly protruding tube that slides in the needle inlet hole  17 . In an alternate embodiment, the needle  15  may have a threaded finish and is screwed into the fluid channel outlet  14  to achieve this tight connection. 
     Sliding Section  24   
     The sliding section  24  has a first portion  25  having an open interior  27 , second portion  26 , and a resistance means  28 , as depicting in  FIG. 6 . The open interior  27  of the first portion  25  is adapted to slidably engage with the containing section  7 . In an exemplary embodiment, the perimeter of the sliding portion is slightly larger than the perimeter of the containing section  7  to allow the first portion  25  to receive the perimeter of the sliding section  24 . For ease of demonstration,  FIGS. 5, 6, 15-18  depict an exemplary embodiment, wherein the containing section  7  and the sliding section  24  are tubular with a circular cross-section. As follows, the containing section  7  has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the sliding section  24  to allow the sections to coaxially slidably engage in an up and down linear motion with or against the resistance means  28 . However, unless otherwise disclosed herein, one skilled in the art can construct components with a variety of cross-sectional shapes. 
     The needle  15  passes through the sliding section  24  to access the cork  2 . Therefore, the second portion  26  of the sliding section  24  has a centrally disposed needle passageway  29  having a needle inlet  30  affixed to the extractor device body by a needle inlet support  31  extending substantially across an entire cross-section of the sliding section  24 . The needle passageway  29  shall have a cross-section larger than the diameter of the needle  15  to maintain a spatial separation from the needle  15  on all sides to allow the needle  15  to extend and retract axially. In some embodiments, the needle passageway  29  may abut against the cork  2 . In such embodiments, the cross-section of the needle passageway  29  should also be dimensioned smaller than the cork  2  diameter. 
     The needle inlet support  31  comprises an abutment against which the needle assembly  11  is restricted when the sliding section  24  is driven downward, as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Therefore, at least the needle inlet  30  must be affixed to the sliding section  24  by the needle inlet support  31 , however the needle inlet support  31  may extend along the thickness of the second portion  26  along the length of the needle passageway  29  terminating at a needle outlet  33 , as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In an alternate embodiment, the needle inlet support  31  extends substantially across the cross-section of the sliding section  24  at the needle inlet  30  to support the resistance means  28  and the needle passageway  29  may comprise a support tube  32  extending downwardly from the needle inlet  30 , as depicted in  FIG. 16 . 
     Resistance Means  28   
     In this first embodiment of the extractor device, the open interior  27  of the first portion  25  further houses a resistance means  28 . The resistance means  28  can be any resilient device or mechanical feature that urges the extractor device to a decompressed state in which the containing section  7  is separated from the positioning section  37 .  FIGS. 4, 6, and 15-18  depict an exemplary embodiment wherein the resistance means  28  is a helical spring is coaxially displaced about the needle. 
     Positioning Section  37   
     The positioning section  37  of the extractor device has an exterior section  40  including a lip  38  extending down from the second end  34  of the sliding section  24  with an exterior inner cavity  44  that may be cylindrical or dimensioned to widen towards its bottom, wherein at least part of the exterior inner cavity  44  is dimensioned to receive the circumference of the bottleneck  1  and extends at least partially down the bottleneck  1 . When the user places the extractor device over the bottleneck  1 , the lip  38  positions the bottleneck  1  such that the needle  15  is centrally positioned over the cork  2 . When the user applies a downward force to the containing section  7 , the exterior inner cavity  44  of the positioning section  37  abuts against the bottleneck  1  as the needle  15  continues its downward path to penetrate the cork  2 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . This downward force stabilizes the bottle  1  against the surface on which it is held, allowing for the downward motion to be accomplished by a single hand. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior inner cavity  44  has an interior surface  45  of a flexible, elastic, resilient material (e.g. elastomer) to cushion and grip the bottleneck  1  to enhance stability and reduce contact between the bottleneck  1  and the rigid material composing the components of the extractor device. 
     Remover 
       FIGS. 9-13  depict a second embodiment of the extractor device, wherein the primary function is to remove the extracted cork  2  from the needle  15  whereupon it has been displaced during the extraction. All reference numbers are each selected to denote the same function as in the prior embodiments and are incorporated by reference herein. In this embodiment of the invention, the positioning section  37  has an interior section  39 , an exterior section  40 , and a tubular sleeve  41 . In the preferred embodiment, the positioning section  37  has a substantially circular cross-section. The interior section  39  is defined as a portion of the positioning section  37  that fits within the second portion  26  of the sliding section  24  from the lower end  10  of the sliding section  24  up towards the needle inlet support  31 . The interior section  39  has a rotational connection to the sliding section  24 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the rotational connection is achieved between the interior section  39  and the second portion  26  of the sliding section  24  via a planar rim  49  protruding from one component received by a corresponding planar groove  50  in the other component.  FIGS. 13-17  depict a configuration in which the planar rim  49  extends inwardly in the second portion  26  of the sliding section  24  and the exterior inner cavity  44  comprises the corresponding planar groove  50 . 
     The interior section  39  has a hollow inner cavity  9  within which the tubular sleeve  41  is rotationally connected such that the hollow interior  42  of the tubular sleeve  41  at least partially aligns with the needle inlet  30 . In one exemplary embodiment, the hollow interior  42  of the tubular sleeve  41  defines the needle passageway  29 . However,  FIGS. 13-17  depict a preferred embodiment in which the needle inlet support  31  further comprises a downwardly projecting support tube  32  to encompass the needle passageway  29  about which the tubular sleeve  41  is displaced. 
     In operation, the tubular sleeve  41  moves along an axial path and this support tube  32  protects the needle  15  by creating barrier from any moving components of the device. As a user rotates the exterior section  40 , the entire positioning section  37  rotates, including the interior inner cavity  43  and therefore the interior inner cavity protuberance  47 , which is engaged to the helical groove  48  on the exterior of the tubular sleeve  41 . As the interior inner cavity protuberance  47  rotates the helical groove  48  travels along the protuberance resulting in axial displacement of the tubular sleeve  41 . 
     Depending on the orientation of the helical grooves  48 , rotation of the exterior section  40  in a first direction (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) will cause the tubular sleeve  41  to extend downward beyond the interior inner cavity  43 . By alternating the direction of rotation, the user can thereby retract the tubular sleeve  41  within the interior inner cavity  43 . As the cork  2  is removed it is displaced along the needle  15 , the user can extend the tubular sleeve  41  to abut against the removed cork  2  and apply force to dislodge the cork  2  from the needle  15 , as depicted in  FIG. 12 . In a preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of interior inner cavity protuberances  47  and corresponding helical grooves  48  to provide increased stability and force against the removed cork  2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the exterior section  40  has an exterior surface  46  configured to improve the user&#39;s drip on the exterior section  40  thereby facilitated the requisite force needed to displace the removed cork  2 .  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 12, 17 , and  18  depict a ribbed exterior surface  46 . Other embodiments could include an exterior surface  46  of a flexible, elastic, resilient material (e.g. elastomer). 
       FIGS. 15-17  depict a third embodiment exploiting the primary functions of the first and second embodiments. All reference numbers are each selected to denote the same function as in the prior embodiments and are incorporated by reference herein. 
     Other Considerations 
     Many changes can be made to the various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the containing section  7 , sliding sleeve, tubular sleeve  41 , fluid channel  12 , and positioning section  37  are preferably thermo-plastic resin. However, these rigid parts can be formed of any material or manufacturing method that provide one skilled in the art with components strong enough to withstand the force of penetrating the cork  2  and the user&#39;s grip. 
     Varying Height of Second Section of Sliding Section  24   
     In another exemplary change, the height of the second section of the sliding section  24  may be varied. As described herein, the needle inlet support  31  creates an abutment for the needle assembly  11  when the extractor device is in a compressed state. Since the needle  15  is readily available for consumers, one skilled in the art shall dimension the length of the first portion  25  of the sliding section  24  for proper placement of the needle  15  in the open space within the wine bottle  1  when the extractor device is compressed, as depicted in  FIG. 7 . For a first embodiment, wherein the needle support extends through the length of the second section of the sliding section  24 , one skilled in the art may also manipulate the length of the second section to achieve proper needle  15  penetration. In a second embodiment, wherein the tubular sleeve  41  must be of a length sufficient such that when the tubular sleeve  41  is fully extended, the exposed needle  15  is of a length less than the length of a cork  2 , manipulating the length of the second section of the sliding section  24  is not a preferred option for one skilled in the art practicing this invention. 
     Protruding Guide  21  and Elongated Path  35   
     Additionally, many features can be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,  FIGS. 16-18  depict a guided path along which the containing section  7  slides within the sliding section  24 . In these exemplary embodiments, the containing section  7  maintains a linear path within the sliding section  24  by including an exteriorly protruding guide  21  that fits within and slides along an elongated path  35  along the sliding section  24  that is adapted to receive the protruding guide  21 . In a preferred embodiment, the elongated path  35  shall extend longitudinally along the length of the sliding section  24 , such that when the containing section  7  is driven down to a compressed state, the protruding guide  21  slides along the elongated path  35  to maintain an axial movement during the entire upward and downward sliding motion.  FIG. 16-18  depict the elongated path  35  as a slot, however the elongated path  35  could be a similar opening such as a groove or notch or a narrow elongated depression. 
     Jacket  22   
     In another exemplary feature, a jacket  22  encompasses the containing section  7 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1-17 . In operation, the user applies the requisite downward force by gripping the upper end  8  of the containing section  7 . Because the containing section  7  slides within the sliding section  24 , for optimal use, the user must apply the requisite downward force by gripping the upper end  8  of the containing section  7  to avoid interfering with the sliding section  24 . While the extractor remains operable in this configuration, as depicted in  FIG. 18 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an outer jacket  22  at least partially coaxially encases the containing section  7  from the upper end  8 . The jacket  22  is spaced from the containing section  7  to allow the sliding section  24  to slide therebetween. Thus, the user can grip the jacket  22  at any longitudinal location without interfering with the sliding or the risk of pinching their skin between the containing section  7  and the sliding section  24  when using the extractor device. 
     Sheath  36   
     Similarly, in some embodiments, a sleeve comprised of flexible, elastic, resilient material may be attached to substantially coaxially encase the sliding section  24  when the cork  2  extractor is in a decompressed state as depicted in  FIGS. 1-17 . The sleeve shall be adapted to collapse and extend as the sliding section  24  and containing section  7  are slidably engaged. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve shall be composed of elastomer and affixed to the lower end  10  of the containing section  7  and the second end  34  of sliding section  24 .  FIG. 18  depicts an exemplary embodiment without the sheath  36 . 
     It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described within the scope of the following claims.