Patent Application
20210187987
The present invention relates to devices for stamping cork, more particularly to hand-held devices for stamping corks or other materials with designs. As used herein, the term “cork” may be used interchangeably to define a stopper, whether it be natural or synthetic, in a wine bottle or other such container.
Cork is a natural material derived from a cork oak tree, and cork has been used for thousands of years as a stopper in bottles. For example, corks are inserted into wine bottles during the bottling process and remain within the bottle until removed by the consumer. Many corks include designs and designations stamped onto the corks to indicate the origin of the wine and the manufacturer thereof. The design and designation may be impressed upon a cork after it is cut to size. Sizes may be predominantly #7, #8, and size #9×1¾″ long corks. The cork designs may be placed anywhere on the side.
The present invention features cork stamping systems for the application of a design and/or text to a cork.
The present invention is not limited to the designs shown herein. The systems herein may feature any shape comfortable to the hand combined with the stamp portion with the curvatures described herein. For example, any design such but not limited to linesman's pliers (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) with parallel jaws at +−⅞″ (e.g., for a #8 cork diameter) could be sufficient.
Further, the present invention is not limited to a system with a single stamp. The system may feature stamps on both jaws to provide two (or more) Images on the cork.
As an example, the cork stamping system of the present invention may comprise a first shaft component having a first end and a second end, wherein a first shaft handle is disposed at the first end and the second end terminates with a first jaw. The first jaw has an inner cavity disposed in its inner surface, wherein the inner cavity has a semi-cylindrical or partial semi-cylindrical shape and is for accepting at least a portion of a cork. The system may further comprise a second shaft component having a first end and a second end, wherein a second shaft handle is disposed at the first end and the second end terminates with a second jaw. The second jaw has an inner cavity disposed in its inner surface, wherein the inner cavity has a semi-cylindrical or partial semi-cylindrical shape and is for accepting at least a portion of a cork. The first jaw and second jaw are oriented such that the inner cavities face each other and a length of the inner cavity of the first shaft component as measured from its first end to its second end is parallel to a length of the inner cavity of the second shaft component as measured from its first end to its second end. The system further comprises a stamp disposed on at least a portion the inner cavity of the first shaft component. The stamp is for etching or imprinting into the surface of the cork. The first shaft component and second shaft component are mutually articulated connected by a hinge that allows the system to move between at least an open position wherein the jaws are separated such that a cork can be inserted into one of the inner cavities and a closed position wherein the jaws can sandwich a cork and apply pressure to the cork such that the stamp imprints or etches a design onto a surface of the cork.
In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 1-10% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 10-20% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 1-20% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavities are from 25 to 75 mm in length as measured from its first end to its second end. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have a radius of curvature from 7-14 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 20-45 mm.
In some embodiments, the first inner cavity has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end and second end are at least partially closed to prevent a cork housed in the first inner cavity from slipping through the first end or second end. In some embodiments, the second inner cavity has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end and second end are at least partially closed to prevent a cork housed in the second inner cavity from slipping through the first end or second end.
In some embodiments, the handles are ring handles. However, the handles are not limited to ring handles and may be any appropriate design that is comfortable to the user.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a stamp disposed on at least a portion the inner cavity of the second shaft component. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an inking system for applying ink to the stamp. In some embodiments, the inking system comprises a handle with an ink pad (e.g., a cylindrical ink pad) attached to a second end of the handle, wherein the ink pad is constructed from a material that can absorb ink and release ink onto the stamp when in contact with the stamp. In some embodiments, the ink pad is constructed from a sponge material or a foam with linen material.
The present invention also features a cork stamping system for applying a design to an outside surface of a cork, wherein the system comprises a handle having a first end and an opposite second end; a jaw system connected to the second end of the handle, wherein a hollow inner cavity for accepting a portion of a cork is disposed in a bottom surface of the jaw system, and wherein the bottom surface is opposite an end of the jaw system that attaches to the second end of the handle, and the inner cavity has a shape of a semi-cylinder or partial semi-cylinder. The system may further comprise a stamp disposed on at least a portion of the inner cavity, wherein the stamp can print or etch a design on a surface of the cork when pressure is applied to the cork via the handle.
In some embodiments, the inner cavity has an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 1-10% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavity has an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 10-20% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length and radius of curvature, wherein the arc length is from 1-20% less than π times the radius of curvature. In some embodiments, the inner cavity is from 25 to 75 mm in length as measured from its first end to its second end. In some embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 7-14 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavity has an arc length from 20-45 mm.
In some embodiments, the inner cavity has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end and second end are at least partially closed to prevent a cork housed in the inner cavity from slipping through the first end or second end.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises an inking system for applying ink to the stamp, the inking system comprises a handle with an ink pad (e.g., a cylindrical ink pad attached to a second end of the handle, wherein the ink pad is constructed from a material that can absorb ink and release ink onto the stamp when in contact with the stamp. In some embodiments, the ink pad is constructed from a sponge material or a foam with linen material.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention features cork stamping systems (100) for applying a label, a design, text, or other information to the outside surface of a cork.
Referring to
Disposed on the second end (112) of the first shaft component (110) is a first jaw (130), and a second jaw (230) is disposed on the second send (212) of the second shaft component (210). The jaws have inner surfaces that face each other. The jaws are designed to hold and squeeze a cork therein between so as to imprint a design on the outer surface of the cork.
The shaft components (110, 210) are mutually articulated, connected by a hinge component (310). The system (100) can move between an open position and a closed position.
The jaws (130, 230) both feature a hollow inner cavity (140, 240) in the respective inner surfaces (133, 233) that is in the shape of a semi cylinder or variation thereof.
The inner cavities (140, 240) are for accepting a portion of a cork. The inner cavities (140, 240) have a first end (141, 241) and an opposite second end (142, 242). The first end (141, 241) of the inner cavity (140, 240) may align with the top (or bottom) end of the cork, and the second end (142, 242) of the inner cavity (140, 240) may align with the bottom (or top) end of the cork. The inner cavities (140, 240) have side edges, e.g., a first side edge (143, 243) and a parallel second side edge (144, 244).
In certain embodiments, the inner cavities (140, 240) may be from 25 to 50 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (141, 241) to the second end (142, 242)). The inner cavities (140, 240) may be from 30 to 60 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (141, 241) to the second end (142, 242)). The inner cavities (140, 240) may be from 40 to 50 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (141, 241) to the second end (142, 242)). The inner cavities (140, 240) may be from 50 to 75 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (141, 241) to the second end (142, 242)). The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 7-9 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 8-10 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 9-11 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 10-12 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 11-13 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity has a radius of curvature from 12-14 mm. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 20 to 25 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 25 to 30 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 30 to 35 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 35 to 40 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavities have an arc length from 40 to 45 mm. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
A first stamp (160) is disposed on at least a portion of at least one inner cavity (140, 240).
As previously discussed, the shaft components (110, 210) are mutually articulated connected by a hinge (310) that allows the system (100) to move between at least an open position wherein the jaws (130, 230) are separated such that a cork can be inserted into one of the inner cavities (140, 240) and a closed position wherein the jaws (130, 230) can sandwich a cork and apply pressure to the cork such that the stamp (160) imprints or etches a design onto a surface of the cork.
In certain embodiments, the jaws are constructed as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The jaw system (620) features a hollow inner cavity (640) disposed in the bottom surface (622) that is in the shape of a semi cylinder or variation thereof.
The inner cavity (640) is for accepting a portion of a cork. The inner cavity (640) has a first end (641) and an opposite second end (642). The first end (641) of the inner cavity (640) may align with the top (or bottom) end of the cork, and the second end (642) of the inner cavity (640) may align with the bottom (or top) end of the cork. The inner cavity (640) has side edges, e.g., a first side edge (643) and a parallel second side edge (644).
In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) may be from 25 to 50 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (641) to the second end (642)). The inner cavity (640) may be from 30 to 60 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (641) to the second end (642)). The inner cavity (640) may be from 40 to 50 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (641) to the second end (642)). The inner cavity (640) may be from 50 to 75 mm in length (e.g., as measured from the first end (641) to the second end (642)). The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 7-9 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 8-10 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 9-11 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 10-12 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 11-13 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has a radius of curvature from 12-14 mm. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
In some embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has an arc length from 20 to 25 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has an arc length from 25 to 30 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has an arc length from 30 to 35 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has an arc length from 35 to 40 mm. In some embodiments, the inner cavity (640) has an arc length from 40 to 45 mm. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned dimensions.
A stamp (660) is disposed on at least a portion of the inner cavity (640) (see
In certain embodiments, the jaw system (620) is constructed as shown in
Referring to
The present invention also features an inking system (800) for applying ink to the stamp (160, 660). As shown in
In certain embodiments, no ink is used on the stamp (160, 660). For example, the stamp may be used to etch or dig into the surface of the cork to create an or design.
The present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the Invention is only to be limited by the following claims. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” is met.
The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.
