Abstract:
A bottle opener for removing bottle caps and for capturing and storing the removed bottle caps. The housing of the opener includes an opening for the insertion of the sealed bottle top and cap. A cap opening device is affixed within the housing opposed the housing opening for receiving the bottle top and cap and for removing the cap from the bottle top. The housing opening is at least partially obstructed by a swiping member, such as an elastomeric material, that permits entry and withdrawal of the bottle top but that prevents the exit of the removed bottle cap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of the May 11, 2006, filing date of U.S. provisional application 60/747,025. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of bottle cap openers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The bottle opener industry has long been seeking to solve the problems associated with the removal of bottle caps from the bottles, while at the same time capturing, collecting, storing and disposing of the bottle caps in an efficient and economical manner. During the process of opening bottles prior to disposing of the bottle caps, the bottle caps randomly fall on the counter or the floor awaiting independent retrieval for disposal. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,116,306 issued in 1938 for a bottle opener that also functioned to capture and store the removed caps. That device utilized a pivotally mounted decapper that extended outwardly from an enclosure to remove a cap from a bottle and then was pulled inwardly by spring tension to release the cap into a storage volume. The removed cap was held against the decapper by a magnet until the decapper struck a stop that limited its pivoting motion. Such devices are complex, unreliable and expensive to manufacture, and they are not portable. 
         [0005]    A much simpler device is described in the 1952 U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,687 wherein a bottle opener with a cap receiver is affixed to a vertical wall such that the removed cap falls by gravity into a receptacle. While simple and reliable, this device is not portable. 
         [0006]    A portable cap removing and collecting device is described in the 1955 U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,250. That device utilizes a permanent magnet in conjunction with a sliding lifting hook device which slides beyond a receptacle mouth when the device is upended to remove a cap from a bottle, and then slides back into the receptacle via gravity when the device is uprighted with the removed cap remaining affixed to the hook device by magnetic attraction. A pivotally mounted, retractable, weighted stop member is provided at the mouth of the receptacle to keep the inventory of removed caps from escaping the receptacle when the device is again upended to remove the next cap. The stop device fully closes the mouth to retain the removed caps when upended and fully opens the mouth when uprighted to allow free passage of the removed caps into the receptacle without any obstruction that might otherwise dislodge the cap from the magnet. Here, again, such devices are complex, unreliable and expensive to manufacture. 
         [0007]    Finally, in 1986, a relatively simple portable cap collecting opener is described for twist-off caps in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,242. That device includes a cylindrical member at one end for grabbing and retaining twist-off caps. Optionally, at an opposed end, the device is provided with an opener for removing pry-off bottle caps. Unfortunately, the device functions to capture only the twist-off caps, but it provides no means for retaining the removed pry-off caps. 
         [0008]    Thus, further improvements are needed to satisfy the long-standing need for a simple and portable device capable of removing and collecting all types of bottle caps, including pry-off caps. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention functions to remove, to capture and to store bottle caps with a device that is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and reliable. Seven design variations are described in the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments, some of which include magnets and moving parts, but the simplest of which include no magnet or actively moving part. The structure and operation of one such embodiment for use with pry-off bottle caps is most clearly illustrated in the sequential illustrations of  FIGS. 129-138 . 
         [0010]    A key design function of a portable bottle opener is the retention of the removed caps within the device as the device is moved about and is tilted during use. The present inventor has innovatively solved this problem with a novel arrangement of very simple structures; i.e. a housing with an opening for receiving the bottle top and cap, a cap engaging device disposed within the housing remote from the opening; and a passive one-way cap gate structure disposed at the opening for allowing the bottle top and cap to enter the housing and for allowing the bottle top to be removed from the housing while at the same time preventing the removed cap from passing out of the opening. The spatial arrangement of the components, with the cap engaging device being inside the housing and remote from the opening, allows the cap gate structure to be made of simple elastomer material in one embodiment. The elastomer material simply bends away from the opening in response to the entry of a bottle top and cap through the opening ( FIG. 130 ), plus it provides a swiping action as the bottle top is removed from the housing ( FIG. 133 ), plus it has enough stiffness to resist opening under the weight of the removed bottle caps ( FIG. 134 ), thereby enabling only one-way passage of the caps through the opening. The space between the prying device and the opening allows the removed cap to drop away from the bottle top as the bottle top is removed from the housing, with the swiping action of the elastomer cap gate structure ensuring separation of the cap from the bottle in all orientations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of design variation 1 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of design variation 1; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of design variation 1; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of design variation 1; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a back view of design variation 1; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of design variation 2 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a back perspective view of design variation 2; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of design variation 2; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a top view of design variation 2; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a right side view of design variation 2; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a left side view of design variation 2; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front view of design variation 2; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a back view of design variation 2; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 2; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of design variation 3 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a back perspective view of design variation 3; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view of design variation 3; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a top view of design variation 3; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a right side view of design variation 3; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a left side view of design variation 3; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a front view of design variation 3; 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a back view of design variation 3; 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 3; 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of design variation 4 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a back perspective view of design variation 4; 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a bottom view of design variation 4; 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a top view of design variation 4; 
           [0038]      FIG. 28  is a right side view of design variation 4; 
           [0039]      FIG. 29  is a left side view of design variation 4; 
           [0040]      FIG. 30  is a front view of design variation 4; 
           [0041]      FIG. 31  is a back view of design variation 4; 
           [0042]      FIG. 32  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 4; 
           [0043]      FIG. 33  is a front perspective view of design variation 5 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 34  is a back perspective view of design variation 5; 
           [0045]      FIG. 35  is a bottom view of design variation 5; 
           [0046]      FIG. 36  is a top view of design variation 5; 
           [0047]      FIG. 37  is a right side view of design variation 5; 
           [0048]      FIG. 38  is a left side view of design variation 5; 
           [0049]      FIG. 39  is a front view of design variation 5; 
           [0050]      FIG. 40  is a back view of design variation 5; 
           [0051]      FIG. 41  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 5; 
           [0052]      FIG. 42  is a front perspective view of design variation 6 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 43  is a back perspective view of design variation 6; 
           [0054]      FIG. 44  is a bottom view of design variation 6; 
           [0055]      FIG. 45  is a top view of design variation 6; 
           [0056]      FIG. 46  is a right side view of design variation 6; 
           [0057]      FIG. 47  is a left side view of design variation 6; 
           [0058]      FIG. 48  is a front view of design variation 6; 
           [0059]      FIG. 49  is a back view of design variation 6; 
           [0060]      FIG. 50  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 6; 
           [0061]      FIG. 51  is a front perspective view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0062]      FIG. 52  is a back perspective view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0063]      FIG. 53  is a bottom view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0064]      FIG. 54  is a top view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0065]      FIG. 55  is a side view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0066]      FIG. 56  is a front view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0067]      FIG. 57  is a back view of design variation 6 bottom door  628  in detail; 
           [0068]      FIG. 58  is a front perspective view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0069]      FIG. 59  is a back perspective view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0070]      FIG. 60  is a top or bottom view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0071]      FIG. 61  is a side view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0072]      FIG. 62  is a front view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0073]      FIG. 63  is a back view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0074]      FIG. 64  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 6 metal piece  630  in detail; 
           [0075]      FIG. 65  is a front view of design variation 6 flexible doors design attached to  624 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 66  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0077]      FIG. 67  is a back perspective view of design variation 7; 
           [0078]      FIG. 68  is a bottom view of design variation 7; 
           [0079]      FIG. 69  is a top view of design variation 7; 
           [0080]      FIG. 70  is a right side view of design variation 7; 
           [0081]      FIG. 71  is a left side view of design variation 7; 
           [0082]      FIG. 72  is a front view of design variation 7; 
           [0083]      FIG. 73  is a back view of design variation 7; 
           [0084]      FIG. 74  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7; 
           [0085]      FIG. 75  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0086]      FIG. 76  is a back perspective view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0087]      FIG. 77  is a bottom view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0088]      FIG. 78  is a top view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0089]      FIG. 79  is a right side view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0090]      FIG. 80  is a left side view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0091]      FIG. 81  is a front view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0092]      FIG. 82  is a back view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0093]      FIG. 83  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 housing body  720  in detail; 
           [0094]      FIG. 84  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0095]      FIG. 85  is a back perspective view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0096]      FIG. 86  is a bottom view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0097]      FIG. 87  is a top view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0098]      FIG. 88  is a side view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0099]      FIG. 89  is a front view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0100]      FIG. 90  is a back view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0101]      FIG. 91  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 bottom door  728  in detail; 
           [0102]      FIG. 92  is a front or back perspective view of design variation 7 metal piece  730  in detail; 
           [0103]      FIG. 93  is a top or bottom view of design variation 7 metal piece  730  in detail; 
           [0104]      FIG. 94  is a side view of design variation 7 metal piece  730  in detail; 
           [0105]      FIG. 95  is a front or back view of design variation 7 metal piece  730  in detail; 
           [0106]      FIG. 96  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 metal piece  730  in detail; 
           [0107]      FIG. 97  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0108]      FIG. 98  is a back perspective view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0109]      FIG. 99  is a bottom view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0110]      FIG. 100  is a top view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0111]      FIG. 101  is a right side view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0112]      FIG. 102  is a left side view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0113]      FIG. 103  is a front view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0114]      FIG. 104  is a back view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0115]      FIG. 105  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 magnet attachment  780 ; 
           [0116]      FIG. 106  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0117]      FIG. 107  is a back perspective view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0118]      FIG. 108  is a bottom view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0119]      FIG. 109  is a top view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0120]      FIG. 110  is a right side view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0121]      FIG. 111  is a left side view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0122]      FIG. 112  is a front view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0123]      FIG. 113  is a back view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0124]      FIG. 114  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 magnet attachment housing body  781  in detail; 
           [0125]      FIG. 115  is a front or back perspective view of design variation 7 magnet attachment magnetic piece  782  in detail; 
           [0126]      FIG. 116  is a top or bottom view of design variation 7 magnet attachment magnetic piece  782  in detail; 
           [0127]      FIG. 117  is a side view of design variation 7 magnet attachment magnetic piece  782  in detail; 
           [0128]      FIG. 118  is a front or back view of design variation 7 magnet attachment magnetic piece  782  in detail; 
           [0129]      FIG. 119  is a front or back perspective view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0130]      FIG. 120  is a bottom view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0131]      FIG. 121  is a top view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0132]      FIG. 122  is a side view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0133]      FIG. 123  is a front or back view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0134]      FIG. 124  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 set of flexible doors  770  in detail; 
           [0135]      FIG. 125  is a front perspective view of design variation 7 complete with set of flexible doors  770 ; 
           [0136]      FIG. 126  is a bottom view of design variation 7 complete with set of flexible doors  770 ; 
           [0137]      FIG. 127  is a front view of design variation 7 complete with set of flexible doors  770 ; 
           [0138]      FIG. 128  is an inside cut-away view of design variation 7 complete with set of flexible doors  770 ; 
           [0139]      FIG. 129  is an inside cut-away view of step 1 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0140]      FIG. 130  is an inside cut-away view of step 2 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0141]      FIG. 131  is an inside cut-away view of step 3 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0142]      FIG. 132  is an inside cut-away view of step 4 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0143]      FIG. 133  is an inside cut-away view of step 5 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0144]      FIG. 134  is an inside cut-away view of step 6 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0145]      FIG. 135  is an inside cut-away view of step 7 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0146]      FIG. 136  is an inside cut-away view of step 1 of the bottle cap disposing procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0147]      FIG. 137  is an inside cut-away view of step 2 of the bottle cap disposing procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0148]      FIG. 138  is an inside cut-away view of step 3 of the bottle cap disposing procedure using design variation 7; 
           [0149]      FIG. 139  is a right side view of an alternate exterior design of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0150]      FIG. 140  is a left side view of an alternate exterior design of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0151]      FIG. 141  is a left side view of an alternate exterior design of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0152]      FIG. 142  is a left side view of an alternate exterior design of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0153]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0154]    With references initially to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , design variation 1 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  110 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  120  connecting all components of design variation 1. A bottle cap collection chamber  126  is used to store bottle caps. Two vertical, one-way, spring-loaded doors  124  are used to allow a bottle cap to enter into the collection chamber  126 , but also prevent a bottle cap from exiting out of the collection chamber  126 . The left door  124   a  and the right door  124   b  are similar in size and shape. A moveable assembly  140  of a spring  142  connected from a metal piece shaped for opening bottles  130  to a belt  144  which is extended out of the back of the housing  120  is guided downward by tracks  122  using a thumb grip  148 . The left track  122   a  and the right track  122   b  are similar in size and shape. A magnet  146  connected to the front, underside of a belt  144  is used to hold a bottle cap in place during movement of the moveable assembly  140  through the doors  124 . Brackets  152  are used to fasten and allow rolling of a free-rolling, rod-shaped piece  154  underneath the belt  144  which will allow steady movement of the moveable assembly  140 . The left bracket  152   a  and the right bracket  152   b  are similar in size and shape. A button  127  is used to open the bottom door  128  which will allow the bottle caps to exit out of the collection chamber  126 . 
         [0155]      110 —Design variation 1 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0156]      120 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 1. 
         [0157]      122 —Tracks used to guide  148  straight down  120 . 
         [0158]      122   a —Left track used to guide  148  straight down  120 . 
         [0159]      122   b —Right track used to guide  148  straight down  120 . 
         [0160]      124 —Vertical, one-way, spring-loaded doors used to allow a bottle cap to enter into  126  but also prevent a bottle cap from exiting out of  126 . 
         [0161]      124   a —Left vertical, one-way, spring-loaded door used to allow a bottle cap to enter into  126  but also prevent a bottle cap from exiting out of  126 . 
         [0162]      124   b —Right vertical, one-way, spring-loaded door used to allow a bottle cap to enter into  126  but also prevent a bottle cap from exiting out of  126 . 
         [0163]      126 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0164]      127 —Button used to open  128  to release bottle caps from  126 . 
         [0165]      128 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  126  until  127  is pressed. 
         [0166]      130 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0167]      140 —Assembly of  142 ,  144 ,  146  and  148  to move the bottle cap from  130  to  126 . 
         [0168]      142 —A spring connected from  130  to  144  to draw back  140  to its original position after the bottle cap is behind  124 . 
         [0169]      144 —A belt connected to  142  extended out of the back of  120  and guided by  122 . 
         [0170]      146 —A magnet connected to the front, underside of  144  used to hold a bottle cap in place for movement through  124 . 
         [0171]      148 —A thumb grip used to allow easy movement of  144  guided down by  122 . 
         [0172]      152 —Brackets used to fasten and allow rolling of  154  underneath  144 . 
         [0173]      152   a —Left bracket used to fasten and allow rolling of  154  underneath  144 . 
         [0174]      152   b —Right bracket used to fasten and allow rolling of  154  underneath  144 . 
         [0175]      154 —A free-rolling, rod-shaped piece held in place by  152  allowing steady movement of  140 . 
         [0176]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , design variation 2 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  210 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  220  connecting all components of design variation 2. A bottle cap collection chamber  226  is used to store bottle caps. A curved, ramp-shaped piece  224  molded into the housing  220  is designed to separate a bottle cap from the location where a magnet  246  connected to the front, underside of a long, belt-shaped piece  244  is moved back by using the thumb grip  248 . The housing  220  provides a comfortable grip to the user with the first finger grip ridge  225   a , the second finger grip ridge  225   b , the third finger grip ridge  225   c , the fourth finger grip ridge  225   d  and the fifth finger grip ridge  225   e . The location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  232  is also the opening where the bottle caps will enter the housing  220 . The location of the bottom door  228  is where the bottle caps will exit the housing  220 . 
         [0177]      210 —Design variation 2 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0178]      220 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 2. 
         [0179]      224 —A curved, ramp-shaped piece molded into  220  designed to separate a bottle cap from the magnet attached to  246  by using  248  to move  244 . 
         [0180]      225   a —First finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0181]      225   b —Second finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0182]      225   c —Third finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0183]      225   d —Fourth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0184]      225   e —Fifth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0185]      226 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0186]      228 —Location where door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out resides. 
         [0187]      232 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0188]      244 —A long, belt-shaped piece used to connect  248  to  246 . 
         [0189]      246 —Location where a magnet connected to the front, underside is used to hold a bottle cap in place until its separation at  224  takes place. 
         [0190]      248 —A thumb grip used to allow easy movement of  244  guided down by  220 . 
         [0191]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23 , design variation 3 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  310 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  320  connecting all components of design variation 3. A bottle cap collection chamber  326  is used to store bottle caps. A metal piece shaped for opening bottles  330  is securely fastened at the location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  332 . A triangle-shaped ramp piece  324  molded into the housing  320  is designed to separate a bottle cap  345  from the location where a magnet  346  connected to the front, underside of a long, belt-shaped piece  344  is moved back by using the thumb grip  348 . A pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  327  is used to open the bottom door  328  which prevents bottle caps from falling out of the collection chamber  326 . A spring-loaded hinge  329  connecting the housing  320  to the bottom door  328 , with resistance to the spring while the bottom door  328  is in the closed position, allows the bottom door  328  to open quickly after pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  327 . 
         [0192]      310 —Design variation 3 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0193]      320 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 3. 
         [0194]      324 —A triangle-shaped ramp piece molded into  320  designed to separate a bottle cap or  345  from the magnet attached to  346  by using  348  to move  344 . 
         [0195]      326 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0196]      327 —Pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch used to open  328  to release bottle caps from  326 . 
         [0197]      328 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  326  until  327  is pressed. 
         [0198]      329 —A spring-loaded hinge connecting  320  to  328  with resistance to the spring while  328  is in the closed position. 
         [0199]      330 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0200]      332 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0201]      344 —A long, belt-shaped piece used to connect  348  to  346 . 
         [0202]      345 —A temporary piece representing a bottle cap. 
         [0203]      346 —A magnet connected to the front, underside of  344  used to hold a bottle cap or  345  in place until its separation at  324  takes place. 
         [0204]      348 —A thumb grip used to allow easy movement of  344  guided down by  320 . 
         [0205]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 24 ,  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 27 ,  FIG. 28 ,  FIG. 29 ,  FIG. 30 ,  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32 , design variation 4 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  410 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  420  connecting all components of design variation 4. A bottle cap collection chamber  426  is used to store bottle caps. A metal piece shaped for opening bottles  430  is securely fastened at the location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  432 . The location of flexible doors  424  used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  420  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  430  is also the opening where the top and neck of a bottle is inserted into the housing  420 . The location of the left flexible door  424   a  and the location of the right flexible door  424   b  are similar in size and shape. A finger grip ridge  425  molded onto the housing  420  is used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. The first finger grip ridge  425   a , the second finger grip ridge  425   b , the third finger grip ridge  425   c  and the fourth finger grip ridge  425   d  are similar in size and shape. A pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  427  is used to open the bottom door  428  which prevents bottle caps from falling out of the collection chamber  426 . A spring-loaded hinge  429  connecting the housing  420  to the bottom door  428 , with resistance to the spring while the bottom door  428  is in the closed position, allows the bottom door  428  to open quickly after pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  427 . 
         [0206]      410 —Design variation 4 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0207]      420 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 4. 
         [0208]      424 —Location of flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  420  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  430 . 
         [0209]      424   a —Location of left flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  420  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  430 . 
         [0210]      424   b —Location of right flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  420  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  430 . 
         [0211]      425 —Finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0212]      425   a —First finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0213]      425   b —Second finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0214]      425   c —Third finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0215]      425   d —Fourth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0216]      426 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0217]      427 —Pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch used to open  428  to release bottle caps from  426 . 
         [0218]      428 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  426  until  427  is pressed. 
         [0219]      429 —A spring-loaded hinge connecting  420  to  428  with resistance to the spring while  428  is in the closed position. 
         [0220]      430 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0221]      432 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0222]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 33 ,  FIG. 34 ,  FIG. 35 ,  FIG. 36 ,  FIG. 37 ,  FIG. 38 ,  FIG. 39 ,  FIG. 40  and  FIG. 41 , design variation 5 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  510 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  520  connecting all components of design variation 5. A bottle cap collection chamber  526  is used to store bottle caps. A belt clip  522  molded into the housing  520  allows the user to hook the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  510  onto his or her belt. A metal piece shaped for opening bottles  530  is securely fastened at the location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  532 . The first extended rectangular-shaped piece  521   a,  the second extended rectangular-shaped piece  521   b,  the third extended rectangular-shaped piece  521   c  and the fourth extended rectangular-shaped piece  521   d  are all used to block the bottle cap from falling behind the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  530  after the bottle cap is separated from the bottle. The location of flexible doors  524  used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  520  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  530  is also the opening where the top and neck of a bottle is inserted into the housing  520 . The location of the left flexible door  524   a  and the location of the right flexible door  524   b  are similar in size and shape. A finger grip ridge  525  molded onto the housing  520  is used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. The first finger grip ridge  525   a , the second finger grip ridge  525   b , the third finger grip ridge  525   c  and the fourth finger grip ridge  525   d  are similar in size and shape. A pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  527  is used to open the bottom door  528  which prevents bottle caps from falling out of the collection chamber  526 . A spring-loaded hinge  529  connecting the housing  520  to the bottom door  528 , with resistance to the spring while the bottom door  528  is in the closed position, allows the bottom door  528  to open quickly after pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  527 . The location of the thumb-supported traction  523  is to be used to show where the placement of the thumb should be while pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  527 . 
         [0223]      510 —Design variation 5 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0224]      520 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 5. 
         [0225]      521   a —First extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  520  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  530  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0226]      521   b —Second extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  520  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  530  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0227]      521   c —Third extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  520  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  530  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0228]      521   d —Fourth extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  520  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  530  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0229]      522 —A belt clip molded into  520  to allow the user to hook  510  onto belt. 
         [0230]      523 —Location of thumb-supported traction to be used while pressing  527 . 
         [0231]      524 —Location of flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  520  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  530 . 
         [0232]      524   a —Location of left flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  520  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  530 . 
         [0233]      524   b —Location of right flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  520  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  530 . 
         [0234]      525 —Finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0235]      525   a —First finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0236]      525   b —Second finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0237]      525   c —Third finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0238]      525   d —Fourth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0239]      526 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0240]      527 —Pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch used to open  528  to release bottle caps from  526 . 
         [0241]      528 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  526  until  527  is pressed. 
         [0242]      529 —A spring-loaded hinge connecting  520  to  528  with resistance to the spring while  528  is in the closed position. 
         [0243]      530 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0244]      532 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0245]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 42 ,  FIG. 43 ,  FIG. 44 ,  FIG. 45 ,  FIG. 46 ,  FIG. 47 ,  FIG. 48 ,  FIG. 49 ,  FIG. 50 ,  FIG. 51 ,  FIG. 52 ,  FIG. 53 ,  FIG. 54 ,  FIG. 55 ,  FIG. 56 ,  FIG. 57 ,  FIG. 58 ,  FIG. 59 ,  FIG. 60 ,  FIG. 61 ,  FIG. 62 ,  FIG. 63 ,  FIG. 64  and  FIG. 65 , design variation 6 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  610 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  620  connecting all components of design variation 6. A bottle cap collection chamber  626  is used to store bottle caps. A belt clip  622  molded into the housing  620  allows the user to hook the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  610  onto his or her belt. Other carrying and/or connecting devices may be included to allow the user to carry the device in a hands-free mode. A metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630  is securely fastened at the location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  632 . The first extended rectangular-shaped piece  621   a,  the second extended rectangular-shaped piece  621   b,  the third extended rectangular-shaped piece  621   c  and the fourth extended rectangular-shaped piece  621   d  are all used to block the bottle cap from falling behind the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630  after the bottle cap is separated from the bottle. The location of flexible doors  624  used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630  is also the opening where the top and neck of a bottle is inserted into the housing  620 . The location of the left flexible door  624   a  and the location of the right flexible door  624   b  are similar in size and shape. A finger grip ridge  625  molded onto the housing  620  is used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. The first finger grip ridge  625   a , the second finger grip ridge  625   b , the third finger grip ridge  625   c  and the fourth finger grip ridge  625   d  are similar in size and shape. A pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  627  is used to open the bottom door  628  which prevents bottle caps from falling out of the collection chamber  626 . A spring-loaded hinge  629  connecting the housing  620  to the bottom door  628 , with resistance to the spring while the bottom door  628  is in the closed position, allows the bottom door  628  to open quickly after pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  627 . The location of the thumb-supported traction  623  is to be used to show where the placement of the thumb should be while pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  627 . An oval-shaped opening  634  in the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630  is the location where the bottle cap is partially inserted into during the bottle opening process. A flat and inclined area  636  on the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630  is used to pry off the bottom end of the bottle cap from the bottle. The location of an internal spring  662  is also the connection point of the bottom door  628  to the housing  620 . In reference to the bottom door  628 , the left upward ridge  664   a , the center upward ridge  664   b  and the right upward ridge  664   c  help to prevent bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of the bottom door  628  when it is open as they fall out of the bottle cap collection chamber  626 . The indented part  666  of the bottom door  628  latches to the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  627  and locks the bottom door  628  in the closed position preventing bottle caps from exiting through the bottle cap collection chamber  626 . One or more openings may be formed in the bottom door  628  or in the collection chamber  626  in order to allow any fluid entering the device to drain. A set of flexible doors  670 , which are inserted into the location of flexible doors  624 , are used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  630 . The flexible doors may be formed from at least two pieces of elastomeric material disposed in the housing opening proximate one another and defining an insertion opening there between. The insertion opening is illustrated in  FIG. 65  as defining a general star shape. The insertion opening is dimensioned sufficiently small to inhibit passage of the removed cap when the elastomeric material is in a relaxed state, and it is dimensioned sufficiently large to pass the sealed bottle top and cap when the elastomeric material is in a stretched state. The left flexible door  672   a  is shaped as shown and is inserted into the location of the left flexible door  624   a . The right flexible door  672   b  is shaped as shown and is inserted into the location of the right flexible door  624   b . The left half of an eight pointed star shape  674   a  and the right half of an eight pointed star shape  674   b  are both used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where the set of flexible doors  670  are attached but also prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where the set of flexible doors  670  are attached. A general star shape of any form is advantageous regardless of the number of points because the inwardly projecting points of the elastomeric material provide improved swiping action against the bottle top with a reduced stiffness to bending, while at the same time providing improved restriction against the passage of the removed bottle cap through the insertion opening. The flexible doors may take other forms and there may be more than one insertion opening formed by elastomeric material, such as an embodiment using a plurality of rubber strips (e.g. rubber bands) stretched across the housing opening. The rectangular-shaped flap  676   a  is molded to the left flexible door  672   a  which matches the insertion design of the location of the left flexible door  624   a . The rectangular-shaped flap  676   b  is molded to the right flexible door  672   b  which matches the insertion design of the location of the right flexible door  624   b . The flexible doors may be formed of an elastomer such as rubber or a relatively thin sheet of plastic or metal or other material that provides a degree of flexibility that is insufficient to resist the insertion of the bottle/cap combination, but that is sufficient to prevent the cap from being removed with the bottle or by itself. In one embodiment, the flexible doors are formed of 1/16 th  inch rubber sheet having sufficient stiffness to be inserted into the proper location in the device and to remain in place during use of the device. The flexible doors  670  are illustrated as being attached to the outer housing of the device; however, in other embodiments, the flexible doors may be attached to the metal bottle opener piece or to an internal structure of the device, so long as they provide the desired function of containing the caps within the housing. 
         [0246]      610 —Design variation 6 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0247]      620 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 6. 
         [0248]      621   a —First extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  620  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  630  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0249]      621   b —Second extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  620  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  630  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0250]      621   c —Third extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  620  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  630  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0251]      621   d —Fourth extended rectangular-shaped piece molded to  620  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  630  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0252]      622 —A belt clip molded into  620  to allow the user to hook  610  onto belt. 
         [0253]      623 —Location of thumb-supported traction to be used while pressing  627 . 
         [0254]      624 —Location of flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  630 . 
         [0255]      624   a —Location of left flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  630 . 
         [0256]      624   b —Location of right flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  630 . 
         [0257]      625 —Finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0258]      625   a —First finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0259]      625   b —Second finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0260]      625   c —Third finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0261]      625   d —Fourth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0262]      626 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0263]      627 —Pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch used to open  628  to release bottle caps from  626 . 
         [0264]      628 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  626  until  627  is pressed. 
         [0265]      629 —A spring-loaded hinge connecting  620  to  628  with resistance to the spring while  628  is in the closed position. 
         [0266]      630 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0267]      632 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0268]      634 —Oval-shaped opening in  630  where the bottle cap is partially inserted into during the bottle opening process. 
         [0269]      636 —Flat and inclined area of  630  used to pry off the bottom end of the bottle cap from the bottle. 
         [0270]      662 —Location of internal spring and connection point of  628  to  620 . 
         [0271]      664   a —Left upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  628  when it is open as they fall out of  626 . 
         [0272]      664   b —Center upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  628  when it is open as they fall out of  626 . 
         [0273]      664   c —Right upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  628  when it is open as they fall out of  626 . 
         [0274]      666 —Indented part of  628  which latches to  627  and locks  628  in the closed position preventing bottle caps from exiting through  626 . 
         [0275]      670 —Set of flexible doors used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  620  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  630 . 
         [0276]      672   a —Left flexible door shaped as shown and inserted into  624   a.    
         [0277]      672   b —Right flexible door shaped as shown and inserted into  624   b.    
         [0278]      674   a —Left half of an eight pointed star shape used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where  670  is attached but prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where  670  is attached. 
         [0279]      674   b —Right half of an eight pointed star shape used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where  670  is attached but prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where  670  is attached. 
         [0280]      676   a —Rectangular-shaped flap molded to  672   a  which matches the insertion design of  624   a.    
         [0281]      676   b —Rectangular-shaped flap molded to  672   b  which matches the insertion design of  624   b.    
         [0282]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 66 ,  FIG. 67 ,  FIG. 68 ,  FIG. 69 ,  FIG. 70 ,  FIG. 71 ,  FIG. 72 ,  FIG. 73 ,  FIG. 74 ,  FIG. 75 ,  FIG. 76 ,  FIG. 77 ,  FIG. 78 ,  FIG. 79 ,  FIG. 80 ,  FIG. 81 ,  FIG. 82 ,  FIG. 83 ,  FIG. 84 ,  FIG. 85 ,  FIG. 86 ,  FIG. 87 ,  FIG. 88 ,  FIG. 89 ,  FIG. 90 ,  FIG. 91 ,  FIG. 92 ,  FIG. 93 ,  FIG. 94 ,  FIG. 95 ,  FIG. 96 ,  FIG. 97 ,  FIG. 98 ,  FIG. 99 ,  FIG. 100 ,  FIG. 101 ,  FIG. 102 ,  FIG. 103 ,  FIG. 104 ,  FIG. 105 ,  FIG. 106 ,  FIG. 107 ,  FIG. 108 ,  FIG. 109 ,  FIG. 110 ,  FIG. 111 ,  FIG. 112 ,  FIG. 113 ,  FIG. 114 ,  FIG. 115 ,  FIG. 116 ,  FIG. 117 ,  FIG. 118 ,  FIG. 119 ,  FIG. 120 ,  FIG. 121 ,  FIG. 122 ,  FIG. 123 ,  FIG. 124 ,  FIG. 125 ,  FIG. 126 ,  FIG. 127  and  FIG. 128 , design variation 7 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710 , in accordance with the present invention, comprises a housing  720  connecting all components of design variation 7. A bottle cap collection chamber  726  is used to store bottle caps. A belt clip  722  molded into the housing  720  allows the user to hook the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  onto his or her belt. Other carrying and/or connecting devices may be included to allow the user to carry the device in a hands-free mode. A metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  is securely fastened at the location where the metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  732  with or without the use of an adhesive or another permanent connecting procedure. The curve-shaped piece  721  molded to  720  is used to block the bottle cap from falling behind the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  after the bottle cap is separated from the bottle. The location of flexible doors  724  used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  is also the opening where the top and neck of a bottle is inserted into the housing  720 . The location of the left flexible door  724   a  and the location of the right flexible door  724   b  are similar in size and shape. A finger grip ridge  725  molded onto the housing  720  is used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. The first finger grip ridge  725   a , the second finger grip ridge  725   b , the third finger grip ridge  725   c  and the fourth finger grip ridge  725   d  are similar in size and shape. A pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727  is used to open the bottom door  728  which prevents bottle caps from falling out of the collection chamber  726 . A hinge  729  connecting the housing  720  to the bottom door  728  allows the bottom door  728  to open after pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727 . The location of the thumb-supported traction  723  is to be used to show where the placement of the thumb should be while pressing the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727 . An oval-shaped opening  734  in the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  is the location where the bottle cap is partially inserted into during the bottle opening process. A flat area  736  on the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  is used to pry off the bottom end of the bottle cap from the bottle. The location of a hinge  762  is also the connection point of the bottom door  728  to the housing  720 . In reference to the bottom door  728 , the left upward ridge  764   a , the center upward ridge  764   b  and the right upward ridge  764   c  help to prevent bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of the bottom door  728  when it is open as they fall out of the bottle cap collection chamber  726 . The indented part  766  of the bottom door  728  latches to the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727  and locks the bottom door  728  in the closed position preventing bottle caps from exiting through the bottle cap collection chamber  726 . One or more openings may be formed in the bottom door  728  or in the collection chamber  726  in order to allow any fluid entering the device to drain. A set of flexible doors  770 , which are inserted into the location of flexible doors  724 , are used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of the housing  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730 . The left flexible door  772   a  is shaped as shown and is inserted and securely fastened into the location of the left flexible door  724   a  with or without the use of an adhesive or another permanent connecting procedure. The right flexible door  772   b  is shaped as shown and is inserted and securely fastened into the location of the right flexible door  724   b  with or without the use of an adhesive or another permanent connecting procedure. The left half of an eight pointed star shape  774   a  and the right half of an eight pointed star shape  774   b  are both used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where the set of flexible doors  770  are attached but also prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where the set of flexible doors  770  are attached. The rectangular-shaped flap  776   a  is molded to the left flexible door  772   a  which matches the insertion design of the location of the left flexible door  724   a . The rectangular-shaped flap  776   b  is molded to the right flexible door  772   b  which matches the insertion design of the location of the right flexible door  724   b . The flexible doors may be formed of an elastomer such as rubber or a relatively thin sheet of plastic or metal or other material that provides a degree of flexibility that is insufficient to resist the insertion of the bottle/cap combination, but that is sufficient to prevent the cap from being removed with the bottle or by itself. The flexible doors may be formed of a single piece of elastomeric material having a slit formed therein, or from at least two pieces of elastomeric material disposed in the housing opening proximate one another and defining an insertion opening there between. The insertion opening is illustrated in  FIG. 123  as defining a general star shape, however any form of opening may be used, including a simple slit, a round or oval shape, etc. The insertion opening is dimensioned sufficiently small to inhibit passage of the removed cap when the elastomeric material is in a relaxed state, and it is dimensioned sufficiently large to pass the sealed bottle top and cap when the elastomeric material is in a stretched state. A general star shape of any form is advantageous regardless of the number of points because the inwardly projecting points of the elastomeric material provide improved swiping action against the bottle top with a reduced stiffness to bending, while at the same time providing improved restriction against the passage of the removed bottle cap through the insertion opening. The flexible doors may take other forms and there may be more than one insertion opening formed by elastomeric material, such as an embodiment using a plurality of rubber strips (e.g. rubber bands) stretched across the housing opening. In one embodiment, the flexible doors are formed of 1/16 th  inch rubber sheet having sufficient stiffness to be inserted into the proper location in the device and to remain in place during use of the device. The flexible doors  770  are illustrated as being attached to the outer housing of the device; however, in other embodiments, the flexible doors may be attached to the metal bottle opener piece or to an internal structure of the device, so long as they provide the desired function of containing the caps within the housing. The magnet attachment  780  is a removable and separate unit which comprises of a housing  781  and a magnet or magnetic piece  782 . The magnet attachment  780  is inserted onto and around the belt clip  722  to allow the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  to be magnetically and securely attached to a vertical metal surface, such as a refrigerator, for easy storage and easy retrieval by the user. To attach the magnet attachment  780  to the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710 , the user may place his or her thumb onto the curves used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb  789  and align the magnet attachment  780  under the belt clip  722  and then slide the magnet attachment  780  upwards, so that the belt clip  722  resides inside of the open area  784  after the belt clip has surpassed the top curve used to allow smooth insertion  785  and the inside curve used to allow smooth and secure insertion  786 . Once the magnet attachment  780  is securely attached to the belt clip  722 , the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  may be magnetically attached to a vertical or other angled metal surface and will securely hang in place, whether the collection chamber  726  is at maximum bottle cap capacity or it is empty, until the user disconnects it from the metal surface. To remove the magnet attachment  780  from the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710 , the user may grip the sides of the housing  781  with his or her finger and thumb and pull downwards until the belt clip  722  is completely out of the open area  784 . The user may then place the magnet attachment  780  onto the vertical or other angled metal surface separately for easy storage and retrieval. The user may use the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  in the same manner whether the magnet attachment  780  is connected to the belt clip  722  or not. The magnet or magnetic piece  782  resides inside of an indented area  783  and is permanently connected to the housing  781  by adhesive or another permanent connecting procedure. The open area where the belt clip  722  is inserted  784  is slightly larger in dimensions than the belt clip  722  to allow for easy attachment and detachment. The top curve used to allow smooth insertion  785  prevents the magnet attachment  780  from getting caught on the outside ridges of the belt clip  722  during attachment. The inside curve used to allow smooth and secure insertion  786  prevents the magnet attachment  780  from getting caught on the belt clip  722  and also adds resistance to the inside of the belt clip  722  so that the magnet attachment  780  will securely remain in place after it is fully inserted onto the belt clip  722 . The opening used to allow easy removal of the housing  781  from the mold  787  may be necessary during the manufacturing process. The first opening  787   a , the second opening  787   b , the third opening  787   c  and the fourth opening  787   d  are connected by support beams used to add stability  788 . The first support beam  788   a  is used to add stability between the first opening  787   a  and the second opening  787   b . The second support beam  788   b  is used to add stability between the second opening  787   b  and the third opening  787   c . The third support beam  788   c  is used to add stability between the third opening  787   c  and the fourth opening  787   d . The left curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb  789   a  is at the bottom end of the first support beam  788   a . The center curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb  789   b  is at the bottom end of the second support beam  788   b . The right curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb  789   c  is at the bottom end of the third support beam  788   c . In lieu of a magnet, attachment of the device to a storage surface may be accomplished with a hook and loop type fastener, wherein one part of the fastener is attached to the storage surface and the cooperating second part of the fastener is attached to the bottle opener device, either directly or via an attachment that cooperates with the belt clip. 
         [0283]    The following dimensional information is provided for one embodiment of variation 7 of the invention. The height of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  is approximately 6⅝ th  inches and the width is approximately 2 inches. The width of the front opening of the housing  720  where the bottle is inserted is approximately 1 11/16 th  inch to allow wider bottle necks to be inserted with ease. The height of the front opening of the housing  720  where the bottle neck is inserted is approximately 2½ inches to allow enough space for the neck of the bottle to move within during the vertical lifting motion of the bottle opening process. The height of the flexible doors  770  is approximately 3 inches and the width of each door is approximately 1 inch for a combined width of approximately 2 inches for both doors side by side. The thickness of the flexible doors  770  is approximately 1/16 th  inch. The distance from the flexible doors  770  to the location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides  732  is approximately 1¼ th  inch to allow enough distance for the bottle caps to easily move through and down at any angle into the collection chamber  726  without getting stuck. The inside top width of the collection chamber  726  is approximately 1½ inch and the bottom diameter of the collection chamber  726  is larger and is approximately 1⅞ th  inch to allow the bottle caps to easily fall down through the collection chamber  726  after the bottom door  728  is opened. The diameter of the bottom door  728  is approximately 2 inches. The metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  has an approximate width of 2 inches, an approximate height of 1 7/16 th  inch and an approximate thickness of 0.08 inch which may be made of stainless steel or another strong material which will not break during the bottle opening process. 
         [0284]      710 —Design variation 7 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. 
         [0285]      720 —Housing connecting all components of design variation 7. 
         [0286]      721 —A curve-shaped piece molded to  720  used to block the bottle cap from falling behind  730  after bottle and bottle cap separation. 
         [0287]      722 —A belt clip molded into  720  to allow the user to hook  710  onto belt. 
         [0288]      723 —Location of thumb-supported traction to be used while pressing  727 . 
         [0289]      724 —Location of flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  730 . 
         [0290]      724   a —Location of left flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  730 . 
         [0291]      724   b —Location of right flexible door used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  730 . 
         [0292]      725 —Finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0293]      725   a —First finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0294]      725   b —Second finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0295]      725   c —Third finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0296]      725   d —Fourth finger grip ridge used to provide a comfortable grip to the user. 
         [0297]      726 —The bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0298]      727 —Pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch used to open  728  to release bottle caps from  726 . 
         [0299]      728 —Door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  726  until  727  is pressed. 
         [0300]      729 —A hinge connecting  720  to  728 . 
         [0301]      730 —Metal piece shaped for opening bottles. 
         [0302]      732 —Location where metal piece shaped for opening bottles resides. 
         [0303]      734 —Oval-shaped opening in  730  where the bottle cap is partially inserted into during the bottle opening process. 
         [0304]      736 —Flat area of  730  used to pry off the bottom end of the bottle cap from the bottle. 
         [0305]      762 —Location of hinge and connection point of  728  to  720 . 
         [0306]      764 —Upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  728  when it is open as they fall out of  726 . 
         [0307]      764   a —Left upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  728  when it is open as they fall out of  726 . 
         [0308]      764   b —Center upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  728  when it is open as they fall out of  726 . 
         [0309]      764   c —Right upward ridge preventing bottle caps from getting caught on the inside of  728  when it is open as they fall out of  726 . 
         [0310]      766 —Indented part of  728  which latches to  727  and locks  728  in the closed position preventing bottle caps from exiting through  726 . 
         [0311]      770 —Set of flexible doors used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  720  after the user separates the bottle cap from the bottle using  730 . 
         [0312]      772 —Flexible door shaped as shown and inserted into  724 . 
         [0313]      772   a —Left flexible door shaped as shown and inserted into  724   a.    
         [0314]      772   b —Right flexible door shaped as shown and inserted into  724   b.    
         [0315]      774 —Half of an eight pointed star shape used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where  770  is attached but prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where  770  is attached. 
         [0316]      774   a —Left half of an eight pointed star shape used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where  770  is attached but prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where  770  is attached. 
         [0317]      774   b —Right half of an eight pointed star shape used to allow the bottle to be inserted into the opening where  770  is attached but prevents the bottle cap from escaping out of the opening where  770  is attached. 
         [0318]      776 —Rectangular-shaped flap molded to  772  which matches the insertion design of  724 . 
         [0319]      776   a —Rectangular-shaped flap molded to  772   a  which matches the insertion design of  724   a.    
         [0320]      776   b —Rectangular-shaped flap molded to  772   b  which matches the insertion design of  724   b.    
         [0321]      780 —Magnet attachment which slides on and off of  722  used to hang  710  onto a vertical metal surface. 
         [0322]      781 —Housing connecting all components of  780 . 
         [0323]      782 —Magnet or magnetic piece. 
         [0324]      783 —Indented area where  782  resides partially inside of  781 . 
         [0325]      784 —Open area where  722  is inserted. 
         [0326]      785 —Top curve used to allow smooth insertion of  780  onto  722 . 
         [0327]      786 —Inside curve used to allow smooth and secure insertion of  780  onto  722 . 
         [0328]      787 —Opening used to allow easy removal of  781  from the mold during manufacturing. 
         [0329]      787   a —First opening used to allow easy removal of  781  from the mold during manufacturing. 
         [0330]      787   b —Second opening used to allow easy removal of  781  from the mold during manufacturing. 
         [0331]      787   c —Third opening used to allow easy removal of  781  from the mold during manufacturing. 
         [0332]      787   d —Fourth opening used to allow easy removal of  781  from the mold during manufacturing. 
         [0333]      788 —Support beam used to add stability between multiple instances of  787 . 
         [0334]      788   a —Support beam used to add stability between  787   a  and  787   b.    
         [0335]      788   b —Support beam used to add stability between  787   b  and  787   c.    
         [0336]      788   c —Support beam used to add stability between  787   c  and  787   d.    
         [0337]      789 —Curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb when inserting  780  onto  722 . 
         [0338]      789   a —Left curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb when inserting  780  onto  722 . 
         [0339]      789   b —Center curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb when inserting  780  onto  722 . 
         [0340]      789   c —Right curve used to provide comfort to the user&#39;s thumb when inserting  780  onto  722 . 
         [0341]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 129 ,  FIG. 130 ,  FIG. 131 ,  FIG. 132 ,  FIG. 133 ,  FIG. 134  and  FIG. 135 , the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure using design variation 7 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  is displayed in 7 steps.  FIG. 129  refers to step 1 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user has the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  in his or her hand and approaches an unopened bottle.  FIG. 130  refers to step 2 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user begins to insert the unopened bottle through the flexible doors  770  by lowering the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  downwards at an approximate angle of 45 degrees.  FIG. 131  refers to step 3 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user has completely inserted the unopened bottle through the flexible doors  770  by lowering the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  downwards at an approximate angle of 45 degrees and properly aligns the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  around the unopened bottle&#39;s bottle cap with the flat area  736  just below the inside lower edge of the bottle cap.  FIG. 132  refers to step 4 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user lifts the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  upwards which also raises the flat area  736  of the metal piece shaped for opening bottles  730  which also separates the bottle cap from the bottle&#39;s top lip causing the bottle to now be open.  FIG. 133  refers to step 5 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user continues to lift the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  upwards with the bottle cap separated from the opened bottle and the flexible doors  770  invert and lightly grip the opened bottle&#39;s neck.  FIG. 134  refers to step 6 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user has completely pulled the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  up and away from the opened bottle while the flexible doors  770  automatically close preventing the bottle cap from exiting through the flexible doors  770  while securely containing the bottle cap inside of the housing  720 .  FIG. 135  refers to step 7 of the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure where the user turns the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  upright away from the opened bottle while the captured bottle cap falls by way of gravity down into the bottle cap collection chamber  726  and rests on the inside top of the bottom door  728 . The user may repeat steps 1 through 7 again and again until the bottle cap collection chamber  726  is at or below the maximum bottle cap capacity. After the bottle cap collection chamber  726  is at or below the maximum bottle cap capacity, the user may proceed to the bottle cap disposing procedure. 
         [0342]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 136 ,  FIG. 137  and  FIG. 138 , the bottle cap disposing procedure using design variation 7 of a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  is displayed in 3 steps.  FIG. 136  refers to step 1 of the bottle cap disposing procedure where the bottle cap collection chamber  726  is at or below the maximum bottle cap capacity and the user is holding the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  in his or her hand as shown over a disposal receptacle and applies pressure with his or her middle finger on the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727  and also applies pressure with his or her thumb on the location of thumb-supported traction  723  simultaneously.  FIG. 137  refers to step 2 of the bottle cap disposing procedure where the bottle cap collection chamber  726  is at or below the maximum bottle cap capacity and the user is holding the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  in his or her hand as shown over a disposal receptacle while the bottom door  728  opens downward by way of gravity.  FIG. 138  refers to step 3 of the bottle cap disposing procedure where the bottle cap collection chamber  726  is at or below the maximum bottle cap capacity and the user is holding the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  in his or her hand as shown over a disposal receptacle and the bottom door  728  is completely open while the bottle caps fall downwards completely out of the bottle cap collection chamber  726  and into the disposal receptacle by way of gravity. After all of the bottle caps have completely fallen out of the bottle cap collection chamber  726  and into the disposal receptacle, the user may close the bottom door  728  by lifting it upwards until it is securely connected to the pressure sensitive button-like shape with latch  727  and is back to the original closed position and the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  710  is ready to be used again for the bottle opening and bottle cap collecting procedure. 
         [0343]    As illustrated with references to  FIG. 139 ,  FIG. 140 ,  FIG. 141  and  FIG. 142 , a bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device with an alternate exterior design  810  is shown in many different examples.  FIG. 139  displays the housing  820  to be three dimensionally shaped like a football helmet with optional printing of a team logo on the sides. The front opening of the football helmet is where the flexible doors  870  and the opening of the housing  820  are positioned to conform to the regular operation of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  810 . The exterior of the collection chamber  826  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . The exterior of the bottom door  828  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . With reference to  FIG. 139 , the housing  820  can be designed in many other different three dimensional shapes, such as baseball helmets, sport hats and other head gear, and may or may not include printing of a team or company logo on the sides of the shape.  FIG. 140  displays the housing  820  to be three dimensionally shaped like a football with optional printing of a team logo on the sides. An opening which is cut into the football shape is where the flexible doors  870  and the opening of the housing  820  are positioned to conform to the regular operation of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  810 . The exterior of the collection chamber  826  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . The exterior of the bottom door  828  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . With reference to  FIG. 140 , the housing  820  can be designed in many other different three dimensional shapes, such as a baseball, a soccer ball, a basketball, a bowling ball and other balls or spherical shapes, and may or may not include printing of a team or company logo on the sides of the shape.  FIG. 141  displays the housing  820  to be three dimensionally shaped like Santa Claus. The wide open mouth of Santa Claus is where the flexible doors  870  and the opening of the housing  820  are positioned to conform to the regular operation of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  810 . The exterior of the collection chamber  826  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . The exterior of the bottom door  828  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . With reference to  FIG. 141 , the housing  820  can be designed in many other different three dimensional real or fictitious characters or animals, such as a political figure, a cartoon character, a movie actor, a tiger, a dinosaur and other icons or creatures.  FIG. 142  displays the housing  820  to be three dimensionally shaped like a human hand holding a ball. An opening which is cut into the ball shape is where the flexible doors  870  and the opening of the housing  820  are positioned to conform to the regular operation of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device  810 . The exterior of the collection chamber  826  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . The exterior of the bottom door  828  may be decorated or molded to compliment or conform to the theme of the alternate exterior design of the housing  820 . With reference to  FIG. 142 , the housing  820  can be designed in many other different three dimensional realistic or abstract shapes or themes, such as a planet, a building, a boat, a car, a rock formation and other landmarks, vehicles or parts of the human or animal anatomy. 
         [0344]      810 —A bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device with an alternate exterior design. 
         [0345]      820 —An alternate exterior design of the housing connecting all components of  810 . 
         [0346]      826 —An alternate exterior design of the bottle cap collection chamber used to store bottle caps. 
         [0347]      828 —An alternate exterior design of the door used to prevent bottle caps from falling out of  826 . 
         [0348]      870 —Set of flexible doors used to prevent bottle caps from passing back through the opening of  820 . 
         [0349]    The components and elements described in the foregoing description may be altered to accommodate for complexities in manufacturing, device functionality and comfort to the user. For example, the housing of the invention can be larger or smaller in design to allow a more comfortable grip to the user or to store more or less bottle caps in the collection chamber. The maximum bottle cap capacity of the bottle cap collection chamber is approximately 25 bottle caps and may be more or less due to the actual device size or the random arrangement of the bottle caps as they freely move around inside of the collection chamber during the usage of the device. The bottom door design can be two halves which open outward simultaneously. The bottom door can also be a twist-off design, a cap-like design or any design that will not only close the bottle cap exit point of the housing, but also be opened to allow the bottle caps to be completely removed from the housing. The inside opening design of the metal bottle opener piece can be more or less circular, square or rectangular in shape or any design shape that will assist the user in prying off the bottle cap from the bottle. The metal piece shaped for opening bottles can be made of another material, such as plastic, and/or molded directly into the plastic main body of the bottle opener and bottle cap collecting and disposing device. The bottle opener piece may be metal or any other material having adequate material properties for the intended purpose. Any metal component of the device may be formed of a stainless steel or aluminum or other such material that is resistive to corrosion and that is compatible with the fluid contained in the bottles and with any fluid used to clean the device. The design of the flexible, double doors can be more or less circular, square, rectangular or star-shaped, or any shape or design which will allow the bottle with secured cap to be inserted into the housing, and will allow the bottle to be withdrawn after the cap is removed from the bottle top, but also prevent the bottle cap from exiting after it is separated from the bottle. The flexible doors may or may not be flexible. While the bottom door and the flexible doors are in their closed positions, the bottle caps remain trapped inside of the housing or collection chamber and will not exit even if the device is turned upside-down or held at any angle by the user. The device may include any additional features made of any material, such as living hinges, rubber bands and/or spring resisted tracks, designed to grip and hold the bottom and/or the sides of the bottle cap which may suspend the bottle cap before and/or after it has been removed from the bottle and may allow the bottle cap to be guided into the collection chamber. All or some of the parts and components of the entire device may or may not be connected permanently by adhesive or another permanently connecting procedure. Other features and details of the invention may be changed according to their relationship to the broad scope of the invention. All or some of the parts and components of all of the design variations can be interchangeable between all or some of the design variations and/or combined. 
         [0350]    In some embodiments, all or part of the collection chamber, or all or part of the entire device, may be transparent or translucent in order to allow the user to see the alignment of the bottle opener piece with the cap, and/or to see the number of removed caps that are stored in the collection chamber. All or part of the device may be made of any solid color, multiple colors or even a material that will enable the device to glow in the dark. Light emitting devices, such as LED&#39;s, lamps, etc. may be incorporated into the device for purely decorative purposes and/or for aiding the user in using the device in a poorly illuminated space. The device design may incorporate advertising information, such as being made in the colors of a school or sports team or in the color scheme of a product or advertiser. The device exterior design may incorporate a three dimensional likeness to a variety of real or fictitious characters or shapes, such as a sports helmet, a sports ball, a cartoon character, an animal, and so on. A sound-emitting device may be incorporated into the device for emitting sounds associated with advertising and/or for purely amusement purposes during the use of the device. A scent-emitting device may be incorporated into the device for emitting scents associated with advertising and/or for purely amusement purposes during the use of the device. 
         [0351]    It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts.