Patent Publication Number: US-2005126344-A1

Title: Bottle opener with display surface

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention concerns bottle openers in the form of a wearable ring.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is convenient to have a bottle opener close to hand when enjoying bottled beverages. Openers tend to become misplaced, however, especially during outdoor activities such as picnics or sporting events. Furthermore, efficiency of bartenders or wait staff may be improved if a bottle opener is used which may be worn on the hand and yet not interfere with other tasks performed by the person. If an opener is wearable, then the wasted motion of reaching for a separate opener when a bottled beverage is served may be avoided.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention concerns a ring for removing a cap from a bottle. The ring is wearable on a finger and comprises a circumferential band defining an axially oriented opening for receiving the finger. The band has a first band portion positionable on one side of the finger, the first band portion having an axially facing edge positioned at one end of the band. The edge is engageable with the cap for removal thereof from the bottle by applying a prying action with the finger. The band further has a second band portion positioned substantially opposite the first band portion. The second band portion has a greater width than the first band portion for engaging an opposite side of the finger and distributing forces along the finger resulting from the prying action.  
      Preferably, the ring has a tab mounted on the first band portion at the one end. The tab extends outwardly in an axial direction from the edge, the cap engaging edge being positioned along the tab.  
      Preferably, the second band portion includes an outwardly facing surface adapted to display indicia thereon. The indicia may be embossed or engraved or mounted on the surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ring bottle opener according to the invention in use;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the ring bottle opener shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIGS. 3, 3A  and  3 B are bottom side views taken at line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  and showing various embodiments of the ring according to the invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the ring in use opening a bottle.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a ring  10  wearable on a finger  12  of a hand  14  and adapted for removing a cap  16  from a bottle  18 . Ring  10  comprises a circumferential band  20  that defines an axially oriented opening  22  for receiving finger  12 . Band  20  has a lower band portion  24  that is positionable beneath finger  12 . By “beneath” is meant on the side of the finger in the plane of the palm of hand  14 . The lower band portion  24  has an axially facing edge  26  that is engageable with the cap  16  for removal thereof from bottle  18  by application of a prying action as described below.  
      Band  20  also has an upper band portion  28  positioned substantially opposite to the lower band portion  24 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper band portion  28  has a greater width  30  than the width  32  of the lower band portion  24 . The greater width  30  of the upper band portion  28  allows it to form a finger engaging projection  34  extending toward the tip of the finger axially beyond the axially facing cap engaging edge  26  of the lower band portion  24 . The extension of projection  34  relative to the lower band portion  24  is evidenced by a comparison of the location of center  36  of the upper band portion  28  with the location of center  38  of the lower band portion  24 . The centers  36  and  38  are measured axially along the upper and lower band portions  28  and  24  respectively. When the centers are projected to lie next to each other as shown in  FIG. 2 , there is an offset  40  between them in the axial direction. The relatively wide finger engaging projection  34  formed by upper band portion  28  provides for effective distribution of forces along the finger resulting from the prying action during cap removal. This allows the cap to be removed comfortably without bruising the finger on which the ring  10  is worn.  
      Upper band portion  28  also has an outwardly facing surface  42  adapted to display indicia  44 . Indicia  44  may comprise, for example, letters, numbers, symbols or illustrations and can be, for example, a trademark, a service mark or other device having promotional or symbolic significance. The indicia  44  may be affixed in any manner to the surface  42 , for example, by embossing, engraving, mounting or via a decalcomania.  
      Various embodiments of ring  10  are displayed in  FIGS. 3, 3A  and  3 B. In the preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , cap engaging edge  26  is positioned along a tab  46  mounted on the lower band portion  24  and extending axially outwardly therefrom. In extending axially, tab  46  facilitates engagement of the edge  26  beneath the cap  16 . As noted above, the finger engaging projection  34  extends beyond the cap engaging edge  26  even when edge  26  is positioned on the tab  46 . In a particular example, the edge  26  is approximately diametrically opposite the center point  36  of the upper band portion  28 .  
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of ring  10  wherein the edge  26  is not positioned on an axially projecting tab but is formed by the circumference of the lower band portion  24 .  FIG. 3B  shows edge  26  along a notch  48  in the lower band portion  24 . Preferably, notch  48  has a curvature sized to accommodate the cap  16 .  
      Operation of ring  10  is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Ring  10  is worn on a finger  12  with the lower band portion positioned beneath the finger. Any finger is feasible, but the index or middle fingers are preferred because they can usually develop greater strength than the other fingers. The axially facing edge  26  is next engaged beneath the radially extending rim  50  of cap  16  by placing the hand  14 , palm down over the cap  16 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 4 , prying action is applied by curling the finger  12  to raise cap  16  off of bottle  18 .  
      Ring  10 , according to the invention, provides a convenient device for opening bottles easily, without injury or discomfort to the user and which is less readily misplaced than other opener devices.