Abstract
A hand-held container opener for providing a convenient way to open both containers with a twist-off cap and containers with a cork-stopper which includes a caliper clamp assembly mounted within a first open end of a housing and which is driven by a motor to initially clamp and subsequently twist off a cap on a container and which includes a second open end portion that includes a corkscrew driven by the motor or gas injection device for penetrating a cork for either twisting the cork from the container using the corkscrew or forcing the cork from the container using pressurized gas.
Claims
1. A combination cork and twist cap remover for removing closure caps and stoppers which are applied to close dispensing openings in containers, the apparatus comprising, a housing including a first open end portion of a size to be seated over a cap of a container and a second open end portion of a size to be seated over a neck of a bottle closed by a stopper, a motor mounted within the housing and having a first drive shaft, a power source mounted within the housing, switch means mounted to the housing for selective connecting the power source to the motor, a caliper clamp assembly mounted within the first end portion of the housing including jaws which are movable relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaws are spaced from one another to a second position wherein the jaws engage the cap of a container when the first end portion of the housing is seated over the cap of the container, a first gear assembly for connecting the first drive shaft to the caliper clamp assembly to open and close the jaws relative to the cap of the container whereby when the jaws are engaged with the cap, further operation of the motor to rotate the first drive shaft will cause the jaws to rotate the lid relative to the container to remove the cap from the container, a stopper removal means mounted within the second open end portion of the housing, the stopper removal means including an element for penetrating the stopper to remove the stopper from the bottle when the second open end portion of the housing is seated over the stopper of the bottle.
2. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 1 wherein the motor is a reversibly drive motor such that the first drive shaft may be rotated in opposite directions by manipulation of the switch means.
3. The combination twist cork and twist cap remover of claim 1 wherein the stopper removal means includes a corkscrew mounted within the second end portion of the housing, the motor having a second drive shaft, a second gear assembly being connected between the second drive shaft and the corkscrew for rotating the corkscrew within the second open end portion of the housing whereby when the second open end portion of the housing is placed over the stopper and neck of the bottle and the motor activated by the switch means, the corkscrew penetrates into the stopper and urges the stopper from the neck of the bottle.
4. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 3 wherein the motor is a reversibly drive motor such that the first drive shaft may be rotated in opposite directions by manipulation of the switch means.
5. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 4 wherein the first and second open end portions of the housing are generally axially aligned with one another and oriented in opposite directions.
6. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 3 wherein the first and second open end portions of the housing are generally axially aligned with one another and oriented in opposite directions.
7. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 3 wherein the first and second open end portions of the housing are generally transversely oriented relative to one another.
8. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 7 a first gear connected to the first drive shaft and a second gear connected to an input shaft to the first gear assembly, and a linking drive shaft extending between the first and second gears.
9. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 8 wherein the motor is a reversibly drive motor such that the first drive shaft may be rotated in opposite directions by manipulation of the switch means.
10. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 3 wherein the first and second open end portions of the housing are oriented in generally the same direction and are generally parallel with one another.
11. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 10 wherein the motor is a reversibly drive motor such that the first drive shaft may be rotated in opposite directions by manipulation of the switch means.
12. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 10 including a first gear connected to the first drive shaft and a second gear connected to an input shaft to the first gear assembly, and a linking drive shaft extending between the first and second gears.
13. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 1 wherein the stopper removal means includes a pressure source mounted within the housing, the element for penetrating the stopper being a hollow needle having a discharge opening adjacent a tip thereof, the needle being in communication with the pressure source, and operating means for supplying pressure from the pressure source when the discharge opening has penetrated the stopper and is oriented within the bottle, such that pressure introduced into the bottle through the needle forces the stopper into the second open end portion of the housing.
14. The combination cork and twist cap remover of claim 13 wherein the motor is a reversibly drive motor such that the first drive shaft may be rotated in opposite directions by manipulation of the switch means.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A better understanding of the invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a combined cork and twist cap remover in accordance with the invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the combined cork and twist cap remover shown in FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the combined cork and twist cap remover of FIG. 1 showing a corkscrew being driven into a cork in a bottle;
(5) FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the combined cork and twist cap remover shown in FIG. 1 showing the twist cap remover for removing a cap from a bottle;
(6) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of combined cork and twist cap remover in alternate side-by-side configuration;
(7) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of combined cork and twist cap remover in alternate arched or angled configuration;
(8) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of combined cork and twist cap remover showing a needle for injecting a gas into a bottle to eject a cork;
(9) FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the needle being positioned through a cork closing a bottle;
(10) FIG. 9A is a side looking at a caliper clamp assembly such as shown in FIG. 1;
(11) FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the caliper clamp of combined cork and twist cap remover shown in FIG. 9A showing lid engaging clamps being adjusted toward one another;
(12) FIG. 9C is a view similar to FIG. 9B showing the opposed clamps being moved to an open position relative to one another;
(13) FIG. 10A is a side view looking at the caliper clamp assembly of FIG. 1;
(14) FIG. 10B is a bottom plan view of the caliper clamps of the combined cork and twist cap remover with the clamps closed relative to one another; and
(15) FIG. 10C is a bottom close view at the caliper clamps of the combined cork and twist cap remover with the clamps shown in open and spaced relationship with respect to one another.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(16) With continued reference to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a front cross sectional view looking into a body of a first embodiment of a combined cork and twist cap remover (1) having a housing member (7) having a first open end portion defining a twist cap remover portion (2) and an opposite or second open end portion defining a corkscrew portion (3). The combined cork and twist cap remover has a battery source (20) and switch (4) used to put in motion a motor (10) which is attached to power two planetary gear systems (38a and 38b). Mounted within the upper twist cap remover portion of the housing is a caliper clamp assembly (30) having a pair of adjustably movable arcuate cap engaging jaws or clamps (31a and 31b). The caliper clamp assemblies will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 9, 9a and 9b and FIGS. 10, 10a and 10b. Also included is a corkscrew (40) used to release a cork, or like stopper, from a bottle and a spring (41) for interacting with a retracting tube (50) in which a cork is retained when removed by the corkscrew from a neck of a bottle or like container as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
(17) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the combined cork and twist cap remover (1), which is powered within the housing member (7) by an internal power source (20). The power source (20) may be rechargeable batteries which receive charging power through a receiving unit (22) connect to a charging cord or stand which can be used to connect to an external power source such as an AC outlet source. The power source may also be replaceable batteries. The power source (20) powers the motor (10) which, in the embodiment of the combined tool of FIGS. 1-4, has a pair of generally axially aligned drive shafts (11a and 11b) with two drive gears (12a) and (12b) mounted thereto. The switch (4) includes buttons (4a) and (4B). When button (4a) is engaged, the motor (10) rotates the drive shafts in a first direction. By engaging button 4(b), the drive shafts will turn the drive shafts in an opposite or reverse direction.
(18) The drive gears (12a) and (12b) are engaged to rotate the planetary gear systems or assemblies (38a), and (38b). The planetary gear assembly (38a) has planetary gears (13a), (13b) and (13c). These planetary gears (13a), (13b) and (13c) when turned on will turn along the inner elongated wall teeth (6) formed along the inner surface of an inner compartment wall (21) of the planetary gear assembly. Planetary gears (13a), (13b) and (13c) turn on gear axles (14a), (14b) and (14c) which are mounted on planetary platform (14). Planetary platform (14) has a sun planetary gear (35a) at the bottom. The sun planetary gear (35a) is mounted on the bottom of planetary platform (14) which turns planetary gears (15a), (15b) and (15c) which turn on gear axles (16a), (16b) and (16c) which are mounted on planetary platform (16). The planetary gears (15a), (15b) and (15c), when in motion, will also turn along the inner wall teeth (6).
(19) Planetary platform (16) also has a planetary gear (35c), see FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, at the bottom which engages with caliper teeth (37a) and (37b) of a pair of slide members (32a and 32b) movably mounted to a caliper base (33) which are part of a caliper clamp assembly (30). Motor drive shaft gear (12b) connects to planetary gears (13d), (13e) and (13f). These planetary gears (13d), (13e) and (13f) when driven in either direction will turn along elongated teeth (6) of the inner compartment wall (21) of planetary gear assembly (38b). Planetary gears (13d), (13e) and (13f) turn on gear axles (14d), (14e) and (14f) which are mounted on planetary platform (17). Planetary platform (17) has a sun planetary gear (not shown) mounted at the bottom. The sun planetary gear turns planetary gears (15d), (15e) and (15f) which turn on three gear axles (not shown) which are mounted on planetary platform (18). The planetary gears (15d), (15e) and (15f) when in motion will turn along the teeth (6) of inner compartment wall of planetary gear assembly (38b). Planetary platform (18) also has a sun planetary gear (not shown) at the bottom which drives corkscrew (40). The corkscrew (40) works with retracting tube (50) which secures a cork when extracted from a bottle. Such retracting tube (50) slides along members (51) acting as guides. A spring (41) is used to retract the retracting tube (50) when in a non-use state.
(20) FIG. 3 is a partial cut away from a top portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover (1), as outlined in FIG. 1. The cut away view has omitted the other cap engaging portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover, which will perform the twist cap removing function of the device. Here we have a bottle (60) closed by a cork (61). As the corkscrew (40) is inserted into cork (61) the retracting tube (50) slides along guide members (51) and the cork is pulled upwardly from the neck of the bottle and into the tube (50). The spring (40) is used to retract the retracting tube (50) when in a non-use state.
(21) FIG. 4 is a partial cut away from the bottom view of the combined cork and twist cap remover (1) of FIG. 1. That is, the top that includes the corkscrew is not shown. What is shown is a twist cap bottle (62) with a twist cap (63), and the caliper clap assembly (30) used to aid in the releasing of the twist cap from the twist cap bottle. The twist cap may be threaded to threads (not shown) on the neck of the bottle or the twist cap may be otherwise secured or sealed to the bottle but is designed to be released by a twisting or rotational motion relative to an elongated vertical axis of the bottle. The manner in which the caliper clamp assembly (30) functions is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B and 10C. FIG. 9A is a side view looking at the caliper clamps (31a and 31b) of the caliper clamp assembly (30) from the bottom of the combined cork and twist cap remover (1). The clamps are movably adjustable within the caliper base (33) and are connected to the slides members (32a and 32b) so that they can be moved apart or urged toward one another in order to engage a lid or cap of a container there between as shown in FIG. 3. The clamps have opposing concavely arcuate curved walls for engaging the outer arcuate edges of a cap or lid.
(22) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10B, the clamps are spaced apart so that the first end portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover may be placed over the cap or lid of a bottle. Thereafter, by pressing the switch button (4a), the motor drives the sun gear (35c) which meshes with the teeth (37a and 37b) of the slide members thereby moving the slide members from the position shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B toward the closed position shown in FIGS. 9C and 10C. As the clamps engage the cap or lid of the bottle, continued operation of the motor will cause the caliper clamp assembly to rotate the cap or lid thus freeing the cap or lid from the bottle. By engaging switch button (4b) the motor is driven in reverse such that the clamps move apart to release the cap or lid.
(23) In an alternate variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C which are top views of the slide members of the caliper clamp assembly (30). Caliper springs (36a and 36b) may be attached to the slide members (32a and 32b) to continuously urge the slide members to the open position thereof shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B when the motor is not operated.
(24) FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the combined cork and twist cap remover as outlined in FIG. 1. The elements in common with the embodiment of FIG. 1 are referenced by reference numbers raised by 100. In this embodiment the combined cork and twist cap remover (101) has a housing (107) including a corkscrew portion (103) of a size to be seated over the neck of a container, such as a bottle having a neck closed by a cork or like stopper, and twist cap remover portion (102) of a size to be seated over a container closed by a twist cap. The two portions of the housing are shown in side-by-side and generally parallel relationship to one another. There is motor (110) and a battery or other power source (120) connected to the motor through switch (104) similar to the one previously described and thus having forward and reverse buttons (104a and 104b). The motor includes a pair of drive shafts (111a and 111b). Drive shaft (111a) is connected by way of drive gear (112a) to drive a planetary gears system (138a) connected to drive a caliper clamp assembly (130) including a pair of movably adjustable arcuate clamps (134a and 134b), in a manner as described with respect to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the second drive shaft (111b) drives a drive gear (112b) which drives a gear shaft (142) through worm gear 143b. The gear shaft also engages a driven worm gear (143a) that meshes with input gear 112c which drives the gears of a planetary gears system (138b), similar to the planetary gear systems of the first embodiment. The planetary gear system (138b) is connected to drive output corkscrew drive shaft (114) to which a corkscrew (140) is mounted. In this embodiment the corkscrew (140) works with retracting tube (150) which secures a cork when extracted from a bottle. Such retracting tube (150) slides along members (151) acting as guides. A spring (141) is used to retract the retracting tube (150) when in a non-use state.
(25) FIG. 6 is another alternate arched top or angular variation of a combination cork and twist cap remover (201) of the invention. The elements in common with the embodiment of FIG. 1 are referenced by reference numbers raised by 200. In this embodiment, the twist cap removal portion (202) of the housing (207) is placed in an arched or outwardly tapered orientation extending transversely relative to an elongated central axis A-A of the open lower corkscrew portion (203) of the housing. The angle may be varied but is shown at 45 with an angle of between 10 to 90 degrees being possible. Like the embodiment of FIG. 5, there is motor (210) and a battery or other power source (220) connected to the motor through switch (204) similar to the one previously described and thus having forward and reverse buttons (204a and 204b). The motor includes a pair of drive shafts (211a and 211b). Drive shaft (211a) is connected by way of drive gear (212a) to drive a planetary gear system (238a) connected to drive a caliper clamp assembly (230) including a pair of movably adjustable arcuate clamps (234a and 234b), in a manner as described with respect to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the first drive shaft (211a) drives a tapered drive gear (212a) which drives an angled gear shaft (242). The angled gear shaft (242) has tapered gears (243) and (244) for engaging the tapered drive gear (212a) and a tapered driven gear (213) that meshes with the gears of a planetary gear system (238a), similar to the planetary gear systems of the previous variations or embodiments. The planetary gear system (238b) is connected to drive output corkscrew drive shaft (214) to which a corkscrew (240) is mounted. In this embodiment the corkscrew (240) works with retracting tube (250) which secures a cork when extracted from a bottle. Such retracting tube (250) slides along members (251) acting as guides. A spring (241) is used to retract the retracting tube (250) when in a non-use state.
(26) Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The elements in common with the embodiment of FIG. 1 are referenced by reference numbers raised by 300. In this embodiment the combined cork and twist cap remover (301) includes a housing (307) having a twist cap removal portion (302) at one end thereof. Like the variations FIGS. 5 and 6, there is motor (310) and a battery or other power source (320) mounted within the housing and connected through switch (304) similar to the one previously described and thus having forward and reverse buttons (304a and 304b). The motor includes a pair of drive shafts (311a and 311b). Drive shaft (311a) is connected by way of drive gear (312a) to drive a planetary gear system (338a) connected to drive a caliper clamp assembly (330) including a pair of movably adjustable arcuate clamps (334a and 334b), in a manner as described with respect to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4. Unlike the previous embodiments, the motor (310) is not connected to drive a corkscrew but is connected through a secondary planetary gear system (338b) similar to those previously described to an internal pump (not shown) that supplies air pressure to pressure chamber or cartridge (376). As opposed to a pressure chamber supplied by a pump, the cartridge may be a removable pressurized cartridge that is replaced when the internal pressure is not sufficient to remove a cork or stopper as will be described. Likewise the cartridge may contain a solution, which can be air, gas, or similar performing solution. The gas cartridge (376), is placed in a compartment (378) in the second end portion of the housing for holding and containing the gas cartridge (376) when used for removing a cork or stopper. The gas cartridge (376) is connected to a hollow connector pin (377) that delivers gas from the gas cartridge (376) to a hollow needle (370) mounted within the second end portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover (301). The needle is connected to the connector pin (370) and has an ejection port (373) at a pointed tip (372) thereof.
(27) FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7 looking into the body of the combined cork and twist cap remover (301). When and operator places a corked bottle (60) in the upright position and places the second open end portion (303) over the bottle the sharp tip of the needle is forced through the cork stopper (61), so that the ejection port (373) will communicate with the head space within the bottle. When the operator engages a lever (380), the lever pushes down on the gas cartridge (376), which releases gas (375) from the gas cartridge through the connector pin (377). The gas flows through the needle (370) and out the needle ejection port (373) and into the neck area of the bottle. The gas pressure inside the bottle pushes the cork stopper upward and out of the bottle giving the operator a quick alternate way to remove the cork.
(28) In operation, one uses the hand-held combined cork and twist cap remover device mainly for convenience to open and release a bottle cap from a bottle as well as remove a cork-stopper from a bottle. If a person has a wine bottle with a twist cap, for example, he or she would hold the wine bottle upright in one hand and using their other hand place the first open end portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover over the bottle until the wine bottle cap is placed under the caliper clamp assembly as shown in FIG. 4. This device is automatic and powered by a power source, since the user simply holds the bottle, the combined cork and twist cap remover does the actual work of twisting off the bottle cap. For further operation, the person activates the motor to drive the mechanical gear system, which provides torque to the caliper clamp assembly. The pair of movable clamps close and eventually grip the cap of the bottle. Once enough pressure is placed on the bottle cap, the cap is twisted along the bottle treads until the cap is released from the bottle.
(29) The same principle applies when a person has a wine bottle with a cork-stopper for example. The person holds the wine bottle upright in one hand and using their other hand places the second open end portion of the combined cork and twist cap remover over the cork bottle until the wine bottle top is place under either the corkscrew as shown in FIG. 3 or the needle as shown in FIG. 7. With a push of a switch button the power source sends power to the motor which goes into motion turning the corkscrew or the person pushes the combined cork and twist cap remover down so the needle penetrates through the cork as shown in FIG. 8. With the motor and corkscrew, as the user simply holds the bottle, the combined cork and twist cap remover does the actual work of inserting the corkscrew, lifting the cork stopper up and out of the bottle and into the retracting tube which in turn removes the cork for the bottle. With the needle embodiment, once the needle is inserted into the bottle, the user engages the lever to release pressurized gas into the bottle to force the cork or stopper from the bottle.
(30) In addition to convenience, the combined cork and twist cap remover is helpful to those with arthritis and to the elderly that may have a difficult time opening a bottle without it.
