An Improved Apparatus for Removing Corks from Bottles containing Champagne or other Sparkling Wine.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Removing Corks from Bottles
containing Champagne or other Sparkling Wine.
I, ALFRED CHENNELL, of Deal in the County of Kent; Wine Merchant do hereby.
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a pair of tongs fitted on the inside with two oval cutters
which when the tongs are placed on and closed round the neck of the bottle sever the
wire and string that secure the cork. The tongs are provided on the outside with two
guards placed one on each side thereof. These guards serve to encircle and grip the
cork, thus preventing it flying out when the fastenings are cut and also allowing of
its being readily and gradually eased out from the neck of the bottle.
Dated this 10th day of October 1889.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Removing Corks from Bottles
containing Champagne or other Sparkling Wine.
I ALFRED CHENNELL of Deal in the County of Kent Wine Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of my invention is to withdraw the cork from a bottle containing
champagne or any other effervescing wine or liquid with ease and safety.
I attain this object by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing in
which,
Figures 1, 2, are front elevations of the apparatus when opened and closed and
Fig. 3 is a side elevation.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. The dotted
lines in Figs. 1, 2, indicate the position of the cutters in the shoulders of the
tongs.
My invention consists of a pair of tongs A fitted on the inside with two cutters B
which when the tongs are placed on and closed round the neck of the bottle sever
the wire and string or other fastenings of the cork. The opening between the
cutters is oval in form to allow for clearing the outside of the cork and its
fastenings while the edge of each cutter is bevelled off on both sides so as to
clear the chamfer on the neck of the bottle. The shoulders of the tongs have
suitable guards C formed thereon, or fitted thereto which project beyond such
shoulders on each side. When the opener is placed on the bottle the lower pro-
jections of the guards take a bearing on the neck thereof while the upper projections
encircle and grip the top of the cork, thus preventing it flying out when the
fastenings of the cork are severed by the cutters, and allowing such cork to be
readily and gradually eased out from the neck of the bottle.
My improved champagne opener is simple in construction and easy and effective
in operation. The following is the method of operating the same-Take the opener
in the right hand, and grasp the bottle firmly with the left hand; then apply the
cutters to the base of the dome part of the cork taking care that they are placed
across the wire, and press the cutters together. If the fastenings of the cork are
not quite severed by such pressure a half turn to the right and left will completely

page_text: sever them and release the cork which can then be gradually withdrawn by an
upward movement of the opener.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I déclare that what I
claim is
A Champagne opener consisting of a pair of tongs furnished on the inside with a
pair of cutters and on the outside with projecting lateral guards fixed to or formed on
each shoulder all substantially as set forth for the purpose specified.
Dated this 16th day of April-1890.
Elt & Co.,
ALFRED CHENNELL.
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for the Applicant.