Cork extracting device and bottle system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6568549
  • Patent Number
    6,568,549
  • Date Filed
    Friday, August 24, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 27, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A cork extraction device includes a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall having an outer threaded surface. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from the top wall. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into a cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction and the cork extracted from the bottle.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to corkscrews and more particularly pertains to a new cork extracting and bottle system for facilitating removal a cork from a bottle.




2. Description of the Prior Art




The use of corkscrews is known in the prior art. More specifically, corkscrews heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.




Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 1,131,985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,980; U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,104; U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,251; U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,322; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 219,806.




While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new cork extraction device. The inventive device includes a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second open ends. The peripheral wall has an outer threaded surface. The first open end has an inner annular shoulder thereon. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle such that the shoulder abuts the top end. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from a perimeter edge of the top wall. The top wall has a generally circular shape. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The perimeter wall has an inner diameter generally equal to an outer diameter of the tubular member such that the cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end and is threaded from the first end to the second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into the cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction such that the cork is extracted from the bottle.




In these respects, the cork extraction device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of removing a cork from a bottle.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of corkscrews now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new cork extraction device construction wherein the same can be utilized for removing a cork from a bottle.




The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new cork extraction device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the corkscrews mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cork extraction device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art corkscrews, either alone or in any combination thereof.




To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second open ends. The peripheral wall has an outer threaded surface. The first open end has an inner annular shoulder thereon. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle such that the shoulder abuts the top end. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from a perimeter edge of the top wall. The top wall has a generally circular shape. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The perimeter wall has an inner diameter generally equal to an outer diameter of the tubular member such that the cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end and is threaded from the first end to the second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into the cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction such that the cork is extracted from the bottle.




There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.




In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.




As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.




Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.




It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new cork extraction device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the corkscrews mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cork extraction device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art corkscrews, either alone or in any combination thereof.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a new cork extraction device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new cork extraction device which is of a durable and reliable construction.




An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new cork extraction device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such cork extraction device economically available to the buying public.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cork extraction device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new cork extraction device for removing a cork from a bottle.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cork extraction device which includes a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second open ends. The peripheral wall has an outer threaded surface. The first open end has an inner annular shoulder thereon. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle such that the shoulder abuts the top end. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from a perimeter edge of the top wall. The top wall has a generally circular shape. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The perimeter wall has an inner diameter generally equal to an outer diameter of the tubular member such that the cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end and is threaded from the first end to the second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into the cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction such that the cork is extracted from the bottle.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cork extraction device that allows rotational torque to be used to remove a cork for much easier removal of the cork.




These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a new cork extraction device according to the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a schematic perspective view of the present invention.





FIG. 3

is a schematic top view of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to

FIGS. 1 through 4

thereof, a new cork extraction device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral


10


will be described.




As best illustrated in

FIGS. 1 through 4

, the cork extraction device


10


generally comprises a device for removing a cork


72


from a bottle


70


. The bottle


70


has an open top end


71


having a cork


72


positioned therein. The device


10


includes a tubular member


12


having a first open end


14


, a second open end


16


and a peripheral wall


18


extending between the first


14


and second


16


open ends. The peripheral wall


18


has an outer threaded surface


20


. The first open end


14


has an inner annular shoulder


22


thereon. The tubular member


12


is positioned over the top end


71


of the bottle


70


such that the shoulder


22


abuts the top end


71


.




A cover member


24


has a top wall


26


and a perimeter wall


28


extending downward from a perimeter edge


30


of the top wall


26


the top wall


26


has a generally circular shape. The perimeter wall


28


has an inner threaded surface


32


. The perimeter wall


28


has an inner diameter generally equal to an outer diameter of the tubular member


12


such that the cover member


24


may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member


12


when the cover member


24


is rotated in a first direction. The perimeter edge


30


has a pair of elongated slots


34


therein. Each of the slots


34


has a first end edge


36


and a second end edge


38


. Each of a pair of elongate arcuate members


40


has a first end


42


and a second end


44


. Each of the first ends


42


is positioned in one of the slots


34


and hingedly coupled to the perimeter edge


30


generally adjacent to a respective first edge


32


of the slots


34


. Each of the arcuate members


40


is positionable between an open position extending outwardly from the cover member


24


and a closed position abutting the peripheral edge


30


and positioned in the respective slot


34


. In the open position, the arcuate members


40


are biased against the first edges


36


. Alternatively, the peripheral edge


30


may have a plurality of gripping members


46


as shown in FIG.


4


.




A corkscrew


48


is elongated and has a first end


50


and a second end


52


. The corkscrew


48


is threaded from the first end


50


to the second end


52


. A disc


54


is attached to the first end


50


. The disc


54


has a generally centrally located bore


56


therein. The bore


56


has channeled side walls


57


for gripping by a respectively designed tool. The corkscrew


48


is rotated in a second direction such that the second end


52


extends through the top wall


26


of the cover member


24


and into the cork


72


. The disc


54


is sunken into a depression


58


in the top wall


26


.




In use, the device


10


is preferably mounted onto the bottle


70


by the bottler of the liquid positioned in the bottle


70


and a covering positioned over the device


10


. The tubular member


12


acts as a saddle positioned on the bottle


70


. The cover member


24


is positioned over the saddle and the corkscrew


48


extended through the cover member and into the cork


42


. When the cover member


24


is rotated in a second direction to remove it from the bottle


70


, the corkscrew


48


remains in the cork


72


such that the cork


72


is lifted out of the bottle


70


. The arcuate members


40


allow the user greater leverage when using the device


10


. The channeled bore


56


allows the bottler to easily insert the corkscrew


48


with a respectively designed tool while the corkscrew


48


is not easily removed from the cork


72


.




As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.




With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.




Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A cork extracting and bottle system comprising:a bottle having an open top end; a cork being positioned in said open top end; a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall extending between said first and second open ends, said peripheral wall having an outer threaded surface, said first open end having an inner annular shoulder thereon, said tubular member being positioned over the top end of the bottle such that said shoulder abuts the top end; a cover member having a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from a perimeter edge of said top wall, said top wall having a generally circular shape, said perimeter wall having an inner threaded surface, said perimeter wall having an inner diameter generally equal to an outer diameter of said tubular member such that said cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to said tubular member when said cover member is rotated in a first direction, said perimeter edge having a pair of elongated slots therein, each of said slots having a first end edge and a second end edge, each of a pair of elongate arcuate members having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends being positioned in one of said slots and hingedly coupled to said perimeter edge generally adjacent to a respective first end edge of said slots, each of said arcuate members being positionable between an open position extending outwardly from said cover member and a closed position abutting said peripheral edge and positioned in the respective slot; and a corkscrew being elongate and having a first end and a second end and being threaded from said first end to said second end, a disc being attached to said first end, said disc having a generally centrally located bore therein, said bore having channeled side walls, said corkscrew being rotated in a first direction such that said second end extends through said top wall of said cover member and into the cork, said disc being sunken into a depression in said top wall; wherein said cover member is rotated in said second direction such that the cork is extracted from the bottle.
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Number Name Date Kind
1131985 Bellois Mar 1915 A
D219806 Coleman et al. Feb 1971 S
3774796 Arnold Nov 1973 A
3776406 Milbourne, Sr. Dec 1973 A
3944104 Watson et al. Mar 1976 A
4089433 Jonsson May 1978 A
4276789 Allen Jul 1981 A
4446980 Oliver et al. May 1984 A
4889251 Hojnoski Dec 1989 A
5725114 Evans et al. Mar 1998 A
5975322 Reid Nov 1999 A
6422412 Sagawa Jul 2002 B1
20010013500 Gilley et al. Aug 2001 A1
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Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
9208668 May 1992 WO