Cork Removal Device

Abstract

An improved cork removal device that reduces the pressure differential created when a cork is extracted. The device provides for the passage of air from outside of the bottle through the cork, through a passageway in an elongated rod extending from the handle. The elongated rod has openings at a distal end and near the handle, connected with a passageway. This means that when the elongated rod of the cork removal device is inserted into a cork which is sealing a wine bottle, air is free to pass from one opening through the passageway to the other opening. The passage of air when the cork is being extracted, prevents a pressure differential from preventing the cork from extraction, and reduces breakage of the cork. A small flange or expansion at the tip of the corkscrew may be provided to protect the distal end opening from being clogged by cork debris.

Claims

1. A cork removal device comprising: a handle; and an elongated rod, with an attachment end and a distal end, the attachment end attached to the handle, the distal end extending away from the handle, the elongated rod capable of extracting a cork from a bottle, where the elongated rod comprises a passageway allowing for air to travel therethrough.

2. The cork removal device of claim 1, where the elongated rod comprises: a first opening proximate to the distal end; a second opening proximate to the attachment end; and where the passageway extends from the first opening to the second opening.

3. The cork removal device of claim 1, where the elongated rod further comprises a spiral.

4. The cork removal device of claim 3, where the passageway extends through the spiral.

5. The cork removal device of claim 3, further comprising: a flange located near the distal end of the elongated rod, extending laterally in a direction away from the spiral.

6. The cork removal device of claim 1, where the elongated rod further comprises an inward planar surface and an outward planar surface, the inward planar surface and outward planar surface extending from the attachment end to the distal end; where the cork removal device further comprises a second elongated planar rod, the second elongated planar rod comprising a second attachment end, a second distal end, and a second inward planar surface and a second outward planar extending from the second attachment end to the second distal end; and where the planar surface of the elongated rod and the second planar surface of the second elongated planar rod are roughly parallel to each other.

7. The cork removal device of claim 6, where the elongated rod further comprises an elongated channel extending along the inward planar surface from the distal end toward the attachment end.

8. The cork removal device of claim 6, where the elongated rod further comprises an elongated channel extending along the outward planar surface from the distal end toward the attachment end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corkscrew spiral, showing openings.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a corkscrew opener inserted into a wine bottle.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of an ah-so opener inserted into a wine bottle.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of an ah-so opener showing another embodiment with an external channel.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view along line B-B in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a corkscrew spiral, showing another embodiment with a protective flange.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a close up view of the tip of the corkscrew spiral of FIG. 6.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along line A-A in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The invention preferably consists of an elongated rod 13 with a handle 19, where elongated rod 10 provides a channel 15 capable of allowing air to pass therethrough. Elongated rod 10 is capable of penetrating a cork 40 that has been inserted into a bottle 50. By penetrating, it is understood that elongated rod may enter a periphery of cork 40, adjacent to bottle 50.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, elongated rod 10 is configured in a spiral 13 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. Elongated rod 10 is attached to handle 19 at one end, and the spiral 13 extends away from handle 19 as is known in the art for corkscrews. Spiral 13 tapers off to distal end 16 of elongated rod 13. Distal end 16 is preferably formed to a point for penetration of the cork 40. The overall shape of this embodiment appears similar to a conventional corkscrew.

[0022] First opening 11 is formed near the distal end 16 of elongated rod 10. Second opening 12 is formed on elongated rod 10 near handle 19. Channel 15 extends through spiral 13 and elongated rod 10, connecting first opening 11 and second opening 12 and allowing for the passage of air therethrough.

[0023] In use, distal end 16 of elongated rod 10 is inserted into cork 40, and handle 19 is rotated to drive spiral 13 of elongated rod 10 into and through cork 40, as is known in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, after spiral 13 has been rotated in a usual manner, distal end 16 emerges into space 70 formed between cork 40 and liquid 60 within bottle 50. As first opening 11 is located near distal end 16, air may now flow freely through first opening 11 and channel 15, equalizing the air pressure between space 70 and the outside of bottle 50.

[0024] To remove cork 40, a user may then pull handle 19 in a direction away from bottle 50, pulling cork 40 away from liquid 60. The movement of cork 40 creates a temporary pressure differential in space 70, causing air to flow into second opening 12, through channel 15 and out of first opening 11 to balance the air pressure in space 70 to match the air pressure outside of bottle 50.

[0025] To avoid cork particles from entering first opening 11 when spiral 13 is rotated to enter cork 40, expansion flange 10 may be located near distal end of elongated rod 10 to deflect cork particles from entering first opening 11 as elongated rod 10 is inserted into cork 40. In an alternate embodiment, a fine mesh may be placed in first opening 11 to reduce or prevent the entry of cork particles.

[0026] Where an ah-so style of cork removal device is used, there are at least two elongated rods 23 attached to handle 20, as shown in FIG. 3, where each elongated rod 23 has a distal end located away from handle 20. The elongated rods 23 of the ah-so embodiment are generally planar in configuration as is known in the art, presenting a thin profile to allow insertion between the cork and bottle.

[0027] At least one elongated rod 23 has first opening 21 located near the distal end 26 and a second opening 22 located near the handle 20. As with the corkscrew embodiment, a channel 15 extends through elongated rod 23 from first opening 21 to second opening 22, allowing the passage of air therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment will provide both of the at least two elongated rods 23 with first opening 21, second opening 23 and channel 15 extending therethrough.

[0028] In an alternate embodiment of the ah-so style of cork removal device, elongated rod 23 has a channel 28 extending along a substantial portion of the length of elongated rod 23. Channel 28 extends along the planar surface of elongated rod 23, and may be oriented toward cork 40 and away from bottle 50, or oriented away from cork 40 and toward bottle 50. When elongated rod 23 with channel 28 is inserted adjacent to cork 40, channel 28 provides for the passage of air therethrough from space 70 to outside of bottle 50.

[0029] The ah-so embodiment can be modified to use additional channels or ridges on the elongated rod 28 of the ah-so allowing for the passage of air and equalization of pressure.

[0030] While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.