Claims
- 1. An apparatus for removing a stopper from a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve configured for threadable engagement about the neck of a bottle having exterior threads; an anchor head adapted for being engaged by a portion of said sleeve; an anchor shank configured for attachment to a bottle stopper; and means for mechanical coupling of said anchor head to said anchor shank.
- 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for mechanical coupling comprises mating connectors on said anchor head and said anchor shank.
- 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for mechanical coupling is configured to engage in response to the application of a sufficient force while threading said sleeve down onto the bottle.
- 4. An apparatus for removing a stopper from a bottle, comprising:
a shank member configured for being secured in a stopper; a head member configured for engaging said shank member; and a threaded sleeve; said sleeve configured for being rotatably coupled to exterior bottle threads; said sleeve configured for engaging said head member to apply force required in removing the stopper in response to said sleeve being unscrewed from the bottle.
- 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4:wherein said head member and said shank member are configured for engaging one another in response to application of a first level of force; and wherein disengagement requires utilizing a larger second level of force.
- 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said second level of force exceeds approximately fifty pounds.
- 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said second level of force is in the range from approximately fifty pounds to approximately three hundred pounds.
- 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said shank member and said head member are configured for engagement in response to at least one protrusion on one member being received into at least one mating aperture in the other member.
- 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising means for moderating engagement forces between said aperture and said protrusion.
- 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said means of moderating engagement forces comprises a circumferential adaptation with at least one slot or groove disposed about the exterior of said aperture or said protrusion.
- 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one rib configured for engagement between said at least one aperture and said at least one protrusion.
- 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said aperture and said protrusion have a substantially round cross section.
- 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein a protrusion extends down from said head member for engaging an aperture on an upper portion of said shank member.
- 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein a protrusion extends up from said shank member for engaging an aperture on a lower portion of said head member.
- 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising:
means for automated engagement of said anchor shank by an automated insertion machine; wherein said anchor shank can be automatically inserted within a stopper.
- 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for automated engagement comprises a mechanical engagement structure on an upper portion of said shank member which is configured for urging said anchor shank into a stopper.
- 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said mechanical engagement structure comprises a polygonal recess.
- 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising a flange extending from an upper periphery of said anchor shank to control depth of insertion of said anchor shank within a stopper.
- 19. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said mechanical engagement structure comprises a protrusion extending from said shank member.
- 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said protrusion comprises a polygonal protrusion.
- 21. An apparatus as recited in claim 4:wherein said shank member comprises an elongated member configured for the retention of compliant material about said elongated member; and wherein said compliant material forms a stopper into which said shank member can be secured.
- 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising a stopper formed from said compliant material secured over said elongated member.
- 23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22:wherein said elongated member comprises a first polymeric material; and wherein said compliant material comprises a second polymeric material having a greater elasticity than said first polymeric material.
- 24. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said compliant material is retained over at least a one inch long section of said elongated member in forming a stopper.
- 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, further comprising an annular lip of said compliant material extending from an upper portion of said stopper and configured for use as a compression gasket interposed between said sleeve and the rim of the bottle over which said sleeve is threadably retained.
- 26. An apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein the compliant material on the length of said stopper having said annular lip extends for a distance of about one half inch or more.
- 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said elongated member is configured as a frame upon which said compliant material can be retained.
- 28. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said frame has a diameter that is at least half of an associated bottle neck diameter.
- 29. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said frame has a closed exterior structure.
- 30. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said frame has an open exterior structure.
- 31. An apparatus as recited in claim 21:wherein said shank member is configured with external protrusions; wherein said elongated member is configured for installation within the compliant material of a stopper so that said protrusions retain the stopper upon said shank when subjected to stopper extraction forces.
- 32. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said shank member has a helical configuration for threading into a stopper.
- 33. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said shank member is configured to be installed within a stopper without protruding through the bottom or sides of the stopper.
- 34. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising:
an installation connector on an upper portion of said shank member; said connector configured for being mechanically engaged to install said shank member within said stopper.
- 35. An apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein said installation connector comprises a recessed structure having a geometry configured for engagement by installation tooling which can apply axial and rotational forces through said recessed structure when installing said shank member.
- 36. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, further comprising a flange about said recessed structure configured to limit the depth to which said shank member may be installed within a stopper for sealing an associated bottle.
- 37. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said recessed structure comprises a polygon.
- 38. An apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein said polygon is a hexagon.
- 39. An apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein said installation connector comprises a protruding structure having a geometry configured for engagement by installation tooling which can apply axial and rotational forces through said recessed structure when installing said shank member.
- 40. An apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein said protruding structure comprises a polygon.
- 41. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the length of said threaded sleeve exceeds its diameter.
- 42. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said threaded sleeve has a length approximately equal to from one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 43. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein threads are disposed along a substantially axial portion of the interior of said threaded sleeve.
- 44. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the lower portion of said threaded sleeve is configured for being threaded down into a recess in the neck of a bottle onto which is received wherein a desired shape transition can be obtained between the bottle and said threaded sleeve.
- 45. An apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein said threaded sleeve is adapted to a shape that when threaded down onto a bottle provides an exterior neck shape of a traditional foil wrapped bottle.
- 46. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein an upper portion of said threaded sleeve is configured for being disposed proximal the rim of the bottle opening when said threaded sleeve is sufficiently threaded down upon the neck of the bottle.
- 47. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, further comprising an engagement structure disposed on an upper portion of said threaded sleeve for engaging the underside of said head member.
- 48. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein said engagement structure substantially circumscribes a ring having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the bottle neck upon which it can be engaged.
- 49. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein an upper portion of said threaded sleeve is configured for retaining a cap disposed over said head member.
- 50. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a cap attached to said threaded sleeve and retained over said head member.
- 51. An apparatus as recited in claim 50, wherein said cap is configured as a reseal cap for removal from said threaded sleeve for sealing a bottle upon which said sleeve is threadably engaged.
- 52. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said reseal cap is threadably engaged with said threaded sleeve and is configured for threading onto exterior threads of a bottle.
- 53. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said reseal cap is configured to snap onto said sleeve and to screw onto exterior threads of a bottle.
- 54. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said reseal cap is configured to screw onto said sleeve and to snap onto the bottle for sealing.
- 55. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said reseal cap is configured to snap onto said sleeve and to snap onto the bottle for sealing.
- 56. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said reseal cap is configured to snap onto said sleeve and to snap onto the bottle for sealing.
- 57. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a bottle having external threads configured for engaging the threads on said threaded sleeve.
- 58. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said external threads on said bottle extend from a lengthwise portion of the neck of said bottle for approximately one thread revolution or more.
- 59. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said external threads on said bottle extend from a lengthwise portion of the neck of said bottle for approximately one to two thread revolutions at the desired pitch.
- 60. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said external threads on said bottle extend from a lengthwise portion of the neck of said bottle up to a length approximately equal to the diameter of the bottle neck.
- 61. An apparatus for retaining fluids, comprising:
a bottle, said bottle having a neck portion; externals threads positioned about said neck portion of said bottle; a stopper member; said stopper member comprising a compliant material adapted for insertion within said neck portion of said bottle; a shank member; said shank member configured for engaging said stopper member; a head member configured for engaging said shank member; and a threaded sleeve; said threaded sleeve configured for being threaded over the neck portion of said bottle; said threaded sleeve configured for contacting said head member and applying an extraction force to said stopper member through said shank member.
- 62. An apparatus as recited in claim 61:wherein said head member is configured to engage said shank member and during installation of said threaded sleeve upon the bottle; and wherein said installation of said threaded sleeve occurs after said shank member and stopper member are engaged and said stopper member is inserted into the neck of the bottle.
- 63. An apparatus as recited in claim 61, wherein said compliant material comprises a compressible material configured for plugging the neck of said bottle.
- 64. An apparatus as recited in claim 63, wherein said compliant material comprises a natural or synthetic cork material.
- 65. An apparatus for sealing a bottle, comprising:
a stopper for sealing a pouring spout within a neck portion of a bottle; a shank member retained within said stopper; and means for attaching said shank member to a head member to which a stopper extraction force may be applied in response to rotation of a threaded sleeve retained about the neck portion of the bottle.
- 66. An apparatus as recited in claim 65, wherein the assembly of said stopper and shank member is configured for being installed within the neck of the bottle prior to being engaged by said head member.
- 67. An apparatus as recited in claim 65, wherein said stopper comprises cork material formed into a shape suitable for sealing the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle for retaining fluids therein.
- 68. An apparatus as recited in claim 65, wherein said stopper comprises a compliant material retained about a frame formed by said shank member, wherein said stopper is suitably shaped for sealing the pouring spout and retaining fluids in the bottle.
- 69. An apparatus as recited in claim 68:wherein said frame comprises a first polymer material configured from which to form a rigid structure; and wherein said compliant material comprises a second polymer material having greater elasticity than said first polymer material.
- 70. An apparatus for removing a stopper from a bottle, comprising:
a stopper frame of a substantially rigid material; an elastic sealing material retained upon said stopper frame to form a stopper having a size and shape adapted for sealing a pouring spout in a neck portion of a bottle; and means for attaching said stopper frame to a head member to which a stopper extraction force may be applied in response to rotation of a threaded sleeve retained about the neck portion of the bottle.
- 71. An apparatus as recited in claim 70:wherein said stopper frame and said elastic sealing material form a stopper; and wherein said stopper is configured for being installed within the neck of the bottle prior to being engaged by the head member.
- 72. An apparatus as recited in claim 71, wherein said means for attaching said stopper frame to said head member comprises a press fit connector.
- 73. An apparatus as recited in claim 72:wherein said press fit connector is configured for engaging said head member in response to application of a first level of force; and wherein disengagement requires utilizing a substantially larger second level of force.
- 74. An apparatus as recited in claim 73, wherein said second level of force exceeds approximately fifty pounds.
- 75. An apparatus as recited in claim 73, wherein said stopper and said head member are configured for engagement in response to at least one protrusion on one member being received into at least one mating aperture in the other member.
- 76. An apparatus as recited in claim 73:wherein said stopper frame comprises a first polymer material for forming a rigid structure; and wherein said elastic sealing material comprises a second polymer material having greater elasticity than said first polymer material; said second polymer material for forming a seal about a portion of said rigid structure.
- 77. An apparatus as recited in claim 73, further comprising an annular lip of said elastic material disposed proximal a top portion of said stopper frame and configured for retention between a sleeve and bottle as a compression gasket.
- 78. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
an anchor; said anchor having a shank portion configured for being retained within a stopper; said anchor having a head portion attached to an upper portion of said shank; a sleeve having internal threads; said sleeve configured for threadably rotating on external bottle threads; wherein said sleeve is configured to engage an underside of said head portion of said anchor member; and means for restricting the passage of the stopper through said sleeve.
- 79. An apparatus as recited in claim 78:wherein said means for restricting stopper passage comprises a flange on an upper portion of said sleeve; wherein at least a portion of said flange is configured to extend over a pouring spout in the neck of the bottle and thereby constraining stopper egress.
- 80. An apparatus as recited in claim 78, wherein said anchor is configured for retaining a stopper within a bottle of pressurized fluid.
- 81. An apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein said pressurized fluid comprises a form of sparkling wine or beer.
- 82. An apparatus as recited in claim 78, further comprising a stopper configured for receiving said anchor.
- 83. An apparatus as recited in claim 82, wherein said stopper comprises a cork.
- 84. An apparatus as recited in claim 78, wherein said sleeve is configured to remain threadably engaged on said bottle during unthreading of said sleeve until after a seal between said stopper and the bottle is broken.
- 85. An apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein said sleeve is configured to threadably engage the bottle threads over a distance exceeding the length of the stopper.
- 86. An apparatus as recited in claim 78, further comprising a cap member joined to said sleeve and configured to cover said head portion of said anchor.
- 87. An apparatus as recited in claim 86:wherein said cap member is removably coupled to said sleeve; and wherein said cap member is configured for threadably engaging and sealing the bottle after said sleeve and stopper have been removed.
- 88. An apparatus as recited in claim 87, further comprising a seal member on the underside of said cap which is configured to form a liquid-tight seal with an upper portion of said bottle.
- 89. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging external bottle threads; and a flange on said sleeve configured for being retained proximal to the bottle rim to engage a portion of a stopper, which protrudes out from a neck portion of the bottle neck, in response to unthreading of said sleeve from the bottle.
- 90. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, wherein said sleeve is configured to remain threadably engaged with the bottle during unthreading of said sleeve until after a seal between the stopper and the bottle is broken.
- 91. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, further comprising a restraining member joined to said sleeve for retaining the stopper proximal to said sleeve.
- 92 An apparatus as recited in claim 91, wherein said restraining member comprises a cap joined to said sleeve and configured to cover the bottle stopper.
- 93. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, further comprising a reseal cap removably joined to said sleeve for resealing the bottle after removal of said sleeve.
- 94. An apparatus as recited in claim 93, further comprising a seal joined to the underside of said reseal cap.
- 95. An apparatus as recited in claim 93, further comprising a recess in the top of said reseal cap.
- 96. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, further comprising:
a stopper configured for insertion within a pouring spout in the neck portion of the bottle; wherein said stopper is configured for being engaged by said flange of said sleeve for extraction from the pouring spout.
- 97. An apparatus as recited in claim 96, wherein said stopper comprises a cork configured with one or more protrusions or recesses adapted for being engaged by said flange of said sleeve.
- 98. An apparatus as recited in claim 97, wherein said cork comprises a cork stopper having a bulbous substantially uncompressed top portion configured to protrude out from the bottle neck.
- 99. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, wherein said bulbous top cork is configured for sealing pressurized fluids.
- 100. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, wherein said bulbous top cork is configured for sealing a bottle containing sparkling wine or beer.
- 101. An apparatus as recited in claim 97, wherein said cork comprises a cork stopper having a protruding top rim.
- 102. An apparatus as recited in claim 97, wherein said cork comprises a cork stopper having at least one recessed area configured for being engaged by said flange.
- 103. An apparatus as recited in claim 102, wherein said recessed area comprises a recessed ring around a circumferential portion of said cork.
- 104. An apparatus as recited in claim 102, wherein said flange is further configured with engagement fingers for unidirectional engagement of said recessed area of said cork.
- 105. An apparatus as recited in claim 96, wherein said stopper comprises a molded polymeric stopper.
- 106. An apparatus as recited in claim 105, wherein said stopper is manufactured from a softer material than said sleeve.
- 107. An apparatus as recited in claim 106, wherein said stopper comprises a low density polyethylene material.
- 108. An apparatus as recited in claim 105, wherein said molded polymeric stopper comprises:
a protruding head for being engaged by said flange of said sleeve; a plug extending from said head and configured for insertion within the neck of a bottle; and ridges protruding from the circumference of said plug to increase seal integrity.
- 109. An apparatus as recited in claim 108, wherein said stopper comprises a planar head and open end plug.
- 110. An apparatus as recited in claim 108, wherein said stopper comprises an open ringed top head and a seal disposed across the plug at a position between the top and bottom of said stopper.
- 111. An apparatus as recited in claim 110, wherein said seal is substantially planar.
- 112. An apparatus as recited in claim 111, wherein said seal is non-planar.
- 113. An apparatus as recited in claim 111, wherein said stopper comprises an open ringed top head and a seal disposed across the bottom of said plug.
- 114. An apparatus as recited in claim 108, wherein said stopper comprises a plug having a seal disposed near the bottom of said plug and said head joined to said plug interior of the periphery of said plug.
- 115. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a pressurized bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging external bottle threads; a flange on said sleeve; said flange configured for being retained proximal to a rim portion of said bottle; said flange configured for engaging a protruding head portion of a stopper in said bottle in response to unthreading of said sleeve from the bottle; and a restraining member joined to said sleeve for retaining the stopper proximal to said sleeve and preventing uncontrolled egress of said stopper from said bottle.
- 116. An apparatus as recited in claim 115, wherein said sleeve has a length that exceeds its diameter.
- 117. An apparatus as recited in claim 115, wherein said sleeve has a length approximately equivalent to one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 118. An apparatus as recited in claim 117, wherein said restraining member comprises a cap joined to said sleeve and configured to cover the bottle stopper.
- 119. An apparatus as recited in claim 117, further comprising:
a bottle configured with sufficient material thickness to withstand the pressures exerted by its contents; threads external to a portion of the neck of said bottle configured for threadably engaging said sleeve; a stopper configured for partial insertion within the neck of said bottle for sealing the contents of said bottle; and a protruding head on said stopper.
- 120. An apparatus as recited in claim 119, wherein said stopper comprises cork.
- 121. An apparatus as recited in claim 119, wherein said stopper comprises synthetic cork.
- 122. An apparatus as recited in claim 119, wherein said stopper comprises a polymeric stopper.
- 123. An apparatus as recited in claim 119, wherein said bottle is configured for retaining a form of sparkling wine or beer.
- 124. An apparatus as recited in claim 117, further comprising a reseal cap configured for removable retention from said sleeve for sealing the bottle after stopper removal.
- 125. An apparatus as recited in claim 124:wherein said reseal cap has a threaded interior configured for engaging the exterior of the bottle; and wherein an upper portion of said sleeve is configured with external threads upon which said reseal cap can be threaded for retention prior to use in sealing the bottle.
- 126. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging external bottle threads; and a stopper engagement member on said sleeve configured for being retained proximal to the bottle rim; wherein said stopper engagement member is configured for engaging the periphery of a stopper in response to unthreading of said sleeve from the bottle.
- 127. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, wherein said sleeve has a length that exceeds its diameter.
- 128. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, wherein said sleeve has a length approximately equivalent to one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 129. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, further comprising a reseal cap removably joined to said sleeve for resealing the bottle after removal of said sleeve.
- 130. An apparatus as recited in claim 129, further comprising a seal joined to the underside of said reseal cap.
- 131. An apparatus as recited in claim 129, further comprising a recess in the top of said reseal cap.
- 132. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, further comprising:
a bottle configured with a threaded exterior over which said sleeve can be threadably engaged; and a stopper configured for insertion within the pouring spout of said bottle; wherein said stopper is configured with one or more protrusions or recesses adapted for being engaged by said stopper engagement member.
- 133. An apparatus as recited in claim 132, wherein said stopper has a protruding top rim configured for being engaged by said stopper engagement member.
- 134. An apparatus as recited in claim 132, wherein said stopper has at least one recessed area configured for being engaged by said stopper engagement member.
- 135. An apparatus as recited in claim 134, wherein said recessed area comprises a recessed ring about the circumference of said stopper.
- 136. An apparatus as recited in claim 136, further comprising engagement fingers on said stopper engagement member which are configured for unidirectional engagement of a stopper in response to unthreading of said sleeve from the bottle.
- 137. An apparatus as recited in claim 136, wherein said stopper comprises cork.
- 138. An apparatus as recited in claim 136, wherein said stopper comprises synthetic cork.
- 139. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging threads exterior the neck of a bottle; a cap portion joined to the top of said sleeve; and means for sealing a bottle joined to said cap portion.
- 140. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said sleeve has a length that exceeds its diameter.
- 141. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said sleeve has a length approximately equivalent to one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 142. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said means for sealing comprises a cork.
- 143. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said means for sealing comprises a synthetic cork.
- 144. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said means for sealing comprises a molded polymeric plug.
- 145. An apparatus as recited in claim 144, further comprising sealing ridges surrounding said molded polymeric plug.
- 146. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said means for sealing comprises a substantially planar seal configured for engagement and sealing against a rim portion of the bottle.
- 147. An apparatus as recited in claim 146, wherein said planar seal comprises a compliant material.
- 148. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said planar seal comprises a flexible extending ring.
- 149. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said cap and said sleeve are joined by a separable connection configured to separate in response to unthreading of said cap from the bottle.
- 150. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, wherein said sleeve has internal threads configured for being threaded up to cover the bottle threads after separation of said cap.
- 151. An apparatus as recited in claim 150, wherein said sleeve is configured to separate from said cap and create a sharp drip resistant edge on the upper edge of said sleeve.
- 152. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, further comprising:
projections extending from the interior of said sleeve configured for engaging a recessed ring about the bottle neck to deform the top portion of said sleeve in response to unthreading of said cap; and a mechanical connection between the lower portion of said cap and the upper portion of said sleeve which is configured to disengage in response to the deformation of the top portion of said sleeve.
- 153. An apparatus as recited in claim 152, wherein said projections are configured to engage a recessed ring which comprises a choke ring disposed beneath the exterior bottle threads.
- 154. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, wherein said cap portion and said sleeve are bonded together and break away from one another in response to sufficient applied torque upon said cap.
- 155. An apparatus as recited in claim 154, wherein said cap and said sleeve are molded as a single unit configured with reduced material about at least one annular portion of said sleeve configured for separating a portion of said sleeve in response to said applied torque upon said cap.
- 156. An apparatus as recited in claim 154:wherein the interior of said sleeve is configured with ratchets for engaging the exterior of the bottle; wherein a first level of torque is required to rotate said sleeve in a first rotational direction, said first rotational direction being that for which said cap is threaded down upon the top of the bottle; and wherein rotation of said sleeve is substantially constrained by being subject to a required torque in excess of said first level of torque, when rotated in a second rotational direction, being that for which said cap is unthreaded from said bottle.
- 157. An apparatus as recited in claim 149:wherein a lower portion of said sleeve is configured for retention on the exterior of the bottle; and wherein said sleeve is configured with a connection between said lower portion of said sleeve and the remaining upper portion of said sleeve which is configured to separate in response to unthreading of said cap upon the bottle.
- 158. An apparatus as recited in claim 157, wherein said lower portion of said sleeve is sonically welded to said upper portion of sleeve.
- 159. An apparatus as recited in claim 157, wherein said lower portion of said sleeve is configured to engage protrusions on the exterior of the bottle to limit movement.
- 160. An apparatus as recited in claim 159, wherein said protrusions form a protruding ring.
- 161. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, wherein said sleeve has a lower portion configured to engage recesses on the exterior of the bottle to limit movement.
- 162. An apparatus as recited in claim 161, wherein said recesses form a circumferential slot about the neck of the bottle.
- 163. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, further comprising:
a reseal cap removably joined to said sleeve; and a bottle sealing member joined to the underside of said reseal cap.
- 164. An apparatus as recited in claim 163, further comprising an engagement recess portion on a top portion of said sleeve for removably retaining said reseal cap.
- 165. An apparatus as recited in claim 164:wherein said cap portion is integrated with said sleeve so that said cap and sleeve are removed as a single element from the bottle; and wherein a bottle sealing member is joined to an upper portion of the integrated sleeve cap.
- 166. An apparatus as recited in claim 139:wherein said cap portion of said sleeve has an open top; wherein said sealing member comprises a sealing disk for sealing the lip of the bottle; and wherein said sealing disk may be separated from said cap portion of said sleeve.
- 167. An apparatus as recited in claim 166, further comprising a sealing plug extending from said sealing disk for sealing the interior of the neck of the bottle.
- 168. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said sleeve has a lower edge shaped for being disposed within a recessed portion of the bottle neck.
- 169. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, further comprising a bottle having external threads upon which said sleeve can be threadably engaged over the neck of said bottle.
- 170. An apparatus as recited in claim 169:further comprising a recessed portion about the circumference of said bottle; said recessed portion configured for receiving a lower portion of said sleeve.
- 171. An apparatus as recited in claim 170, wherein said sleeve is shaped to provide a substantially smooth transition with the neck of said bottle when said sleeve is threaded down upon the neck of said bottle.
- 172. An apparatus as recited in claim 169, wherein said bottle has a shape selected from the group of traditional wine bottle shapes consisting essentially of Bordeaux, Rubato, and Burgundy bottle patterns.
- 173. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging threads exterior the neck of a bottle; a cap portion joined to the top of said sleeve; and a plug joined to said cap portion and configured for insertion within the bottle neck for sealing the bottle.
- 174. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said sleeve has a length that exceeds its diameter.
- 175. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said sleeve has a length approximately equivalent to one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 176. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said plug comprises a polymeric material.
- 177. An apparatus as recited in claim 176, further comprising sealing ridges on the exterior of said plug.
- 178. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said sleeve, cap, and plug are molded as a single piece.
- 179. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said plug comprises a cork or synthetic cork material attached to said cap.
- 180. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, further comprising protrusions for retaining said cork or synthetic cork pressed into the interior of said cap.
- 181. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said cork or synthetic cork is bonded to the interior of said cap.
- 182. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said cap and said sleeve are molded upon said cork or synthetic cork.
- 183. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein the combination of said plug joined to said cap is attached to said sleeve.
- 184. An apparatus as recited in claim 183, wherein said plug is bonded to said cap.
- 185. An apparatus as recited in claim 183, wherein said cap is molded to said plug.
- 186. An apparatus as recited in claim 173:wherein a portion of said sleeve is configured to engage the bottle to prevent removal of that portion of said sleeve from the bottle; and wherein a portion of said sleeve is configured to separate in response to sufficient rotation of said cap and said sleeve to break the seal between said plug and the bottle.
- 187. An apparatus as recited in claim 186, wherein said cap and an upper threaded portion of said sleeve are configured to separate from the remainder of said sleeve.
- 188. An apparatus as recited in claim 186, wherein a lower portion of said sleeve is configured to separate from the remainder of the sleeve.
- 189. An apparatus as recited in claim 173, wherein said cap includes an aperture configured for engaging and retaining said plug over the opening of the bottle.
- 190. An apparatus as recited in claim 189, wherein said plug comprises:
a seal flange having a substantially planar bottom edge with a diameter larger than that of the bottle rim opening; and a protruding member extending from said seal flange of a diameter substantially equivalent to the diameter of the bottle neck opening; wherein said plug is retained in contact with the rim of the bottle by said sleeve.
- 191. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging threads exterior the neck of a bottle; a cap portion joined to an upper portion of said sleeve; and a substantially planar seal configured to sealably engage an exterior rim of the bottle and to disengage from the exterior rim of the bottle in response to the unscrewing of said sleeve from the neck of the bottle.
- 192. An apparatus as recited in claim 191, wherein said sleeve has a length that exceeds its diameter.
- 193. An apparatus as recited in claim 191, wherein said sleeve has a length approximately equivalent to one and one half to four times its diameter.
- 194. An apparatus as recited in claim 191:wherein a portion of said sleeve is configured to engage the exterior of the bottle to prevent removal from the bottle while unscrewing the remainder of said sleeve from said bottle; and wherein a portion of said sleeve is configured to separate from the remainder of said sleeve in response to a sufficient rotation of said cap and said sleeve for breaking the seal between said plug and the bottle.
- 195. An apparatus as recited in claim 194, wherein said cap portion with the upper threaded portion of said sleeve is configured to separate.
- 196. An apparatus as recited in claim 194, wherein a lower portion of said sleeve is configured to separate from the remainder of the sleeve.
- 197. An apparatus as recited in claim 191, further comprising:
a reseal cap configured for sealing said bottle after removal of said cap and said sleeve; wherein said sleeve is configured for removably retaining said reseal cap prior to use in resealing the bottle.
- 198. An apparatus for removing a stopper from the pouring spout within the neck of a bottle, comprising:
a sleeve having internal threads configured for engaging threads exterior the neck of a bottle; wherein the length of said sleeve exceeds its diameter; a cap portion joined to the top of said sleeve; and a seal member joined to said cap portion and configured for sealing the bottle when said sleeve is threaded down over the neck of the bottle.
- 199. In a bottle having an elongated neck configured for receiving a closure for sealing a fluid within said bottle, the improvement comprising:
incorporating exterior threads extending from a portion of the bottle neck configured for receiving a threaded oversleeve; and narrowing an upper portion of the bottle neck for accommodating sleeve thickness.
- 200. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein elongated neck of said bottle has a nominal diameter exceeding approximately one inch.
- 201. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein elongated neck of said bottle has a nominal diameter of approximately one point three (1.3) inches.
- 202. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein said exterior threads are disposed near the rim of said bottle.
- 203. An improvement as recited in claim 202, wherein said threads are disposed on the upper one half inch of the bottle neck.
- 204. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein the outside diameter at said exterior threads is less than the unnarrowed portion of the elongated neck of said bottle by at least one tenth (0.1) of an inch.
- 205. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein the outside diameter at said exterior threads is less than the unnarrowed portion of the elongated neck of said bottle by approximately one hundred twenty thousandths (0.120) of an inch.
- 206. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein said narrowing of said upper portion of said neck reduces the diameter of this upper portion in relation to the unnarrowed portion of the bottle neck by at least one tenth (0.1) of an inch.
- 207. An improvement as recited in claim 199, wherein said narrowing of said upper portion reduces the diameter of this upper portion in relation to the remainder of the bottle neck by approximately one hundred forty thousandths (0.140) of an inch.
- 208. An improvement as recited in claim 199, further comprising incorporating at least one recess adapted for being engaged by tooling during the bottle fabrication process.
- 209. An improvement as recited in claim 208, wherein said recess is a choke ring comprising a recess surrounding at least a substantial portion of the circumference of the bottle neck.
- 210. An improvement as recited in claim 208, wherein said recess is positioned below said exterior threading of said bottle.
- 211. An improvement as recited in claim 208, wherein said recess has a depth of at least ten thousandths of an inch below adjacent neck portions of said bottle.
- 212. An improvement as recited in claim 208, wherein said recess has a depth of approximately forty thousandths of an inch below adjacent neck portions of said bottle.
- 213. An improvement as recited in claim 208, wherein the diameter of the neck at said recess is approximately one hundred sixty thousandths (0.160) of an inch less that the diameter of the unnarrowed portion of said neck of said bottle.
- 214. An apparatus for sealed retention of fluids, comprising:
a container configured to retain a quantity of fluid; an elongated neck on said container, said elongated neck configured for receiving a sleeved closure for sealing fluid within said container; threads extending from a top portion of said elongated neck and configured for being threadably engaged by threads on the interior of a sleeved closure; a choke ring proximal to said threads, said choke ring having an annular recess configured for being engaged by tooling during the manufacture of said container; and a narrowed portion of said elongated neck configured to approximate the diameter of said elongated neck when combined with a sleeved closure.
- 215. An apparatus as recited in claim 214, wherein said elongated neck has a nominal diameter exceeding approximately one inch.
- 216. An apparatus as recited in claim 214, wherein said threads are disposed near the rim of said elongated neck of said container on the upper one half inch of said elongated neck.
- 217. An apparatus as recited in claim 214, wherein said choke ring has a depth exceeding approximately ten thousandths of an inch.
- 218. A method of sealing a bottle with a removable stopper, comprising:
creating a stopper having compliant sealing material retained about a portion of the exterior of an anchor shank; urging a stopper with retained anchor shank into the neck of a bottle; threading a capsule onto said neck of said bottle; wherein said capsule has a threaded sleeve and an anchor head configured for engagement of said anchor shank; and joining said anchor head of said capsule to said anchor shank in preparation for threading said capsule off of said neck to supply an extraction force through said anchor head and said anchor shank to said stopper for removal.
- 219. A method as recited in claim 218, wherein said stopper comprises:
an anchor shank configured as a structural frame; and
- 220. A method as recited in claim 218, wherein said anchor head is joined to said anchor shank by mechanically engaging at least one protrusion with at least one mating receptacle.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/306,633 filed on Nov. 27, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/760,375 filed on Jan. 12, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,957, incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/273,838 filed Mar. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,140, incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/746,799 filed on Nov. 18, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,789, incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority from U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/443,020 filed on Jan. 27, 2003, incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/382,410 filed on May 21, 2002, incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60433020 |
Dec 2002 |
US |
|
60382410 |
May 2002 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09760375 |
Jan 2001 |
US |
Child |
10306633 |
Nov 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (3)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10306633 |
Nov 2002 |
US |
Child |
10443461 |
May 2003 |
US |
Parent |
09273838 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
09760375 |
Jan 2001 |
US |
Parent |
08746799 |
Nov 1996 |
US |
Child |
09273838 |
Mar 1999 |
US |