AU2019101344A4

AU2019101344A4 - A bottle opener

Info

Publication number: AU2019101344A4
Application number: AU2019101344A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew Yeates
Original assignee: Gd Merch Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Gd Merch Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2019-11-05
Publication date: 2019-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-05

Abstract

Bottle opener comprising an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type bottle top; and a locking or coupling mechanism arranged to couple the element to an attachment point, the locking coupling mechanism having mutually releasably engageable first and second parts, the first part being attached to or coupled with the element and the second part being attached to or coupled to the with attachment point.

Description

A bottle opener is disclosed for opening of bottles having a crown type bottle top.

Background Art .0

Many forms of bottle openers for crown type bottle tops are known and used all over the world. These bottle tops are commonly, but not exclusively, used on beer and carbonated soft drink bottles. Many bottle openers have, or are formed with, a recess configured to engage the bottle top which can then be levered off the bottle. The .5 recess may be for example cut into metal plate or formed between ends of and within a C-shaped or G-shaped structure.

While this type of bottle opener is very reliable one must first find it in order to use it.

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Summary of the Disclosure

The disclosed bottle opener was designed to assist the user in finding and/or retrieving the bottle opener for use.

In one aspect there is disclosed a bottle opener comprising:

an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type bottle top; and; a locking or coupling mechanism arranged to couple the element to an attachment point, the locking coupling mechanism having mutually releasably engageable first and second parts, the first part being attached to or coupled with the element and the second part being attached to or coupled to the with attachment point.

In one embodiment the first and second parts are mechanically engageable with and 35 disengageable from, each other.

In one embodiment the locking or coupling mechanism is a spring clip.

In an alternate embodiment the first and second parts are magnetically engageable 40 with and disengageable from, each other.

In one embodiment a retractable line supported by or attached to the element, the line having a portion that passes through the first part and is attached to the second part or the attachment point through the second part.

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In a second aspect there is disclosed a bottle opener comprising:

an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type bottle top; and a retractable line supported by or attached to the element and capable of connecting with an attachment point, the retractable line operable to enable the element to be extended away from and retracted back toward the attachment point.

In one embodiment the retractable line is wound about a sprung rotary member.

.0 In one embodiment the bottle opener comprises a releasable locking mechanism having a locked state in which the locking mechanism prevents the rotary member from rotation to facilitate either paying out or winding in of the retractable line, and a released state enabling the rotary member to rotate to facilitate either paying out or winding in of the retractable line.

.5

In one embodiment the releasable locking mechanism is biased to the locked state.

In one embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a first part coupled to the element and a second part attachable to the attachment point wherein first and io second parts are selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, each other.

In one embodiment the line passes through the first part.

In one embodiment the bottle opener comprises a housing from which the retractable 15 line can extend and retract, and wherein (a) the element has a surface which forms a part of the housing; or (b) and the element has an aperture for seating the housing.

In some embodiments of the above aspect the attachment point may be a collar worn by an animal such as but not limited to a domesticated dog or cat. This allows, 30 for example, a user to call their dog or cat which will automatically retrieve the bottle opener. Once the animal is in reach of the user can grab the opener and extend it from the collar to open a bottle. After the bottle has been opened the line can be retracted back to collar. In this way the opener dangles from, or couples to, the collar in a manner similar to a dog tag. Indeed, in some embodiments the bottle opener 35 can also function as an animal tag by engraving or otherwise marking it with details of the animal and/or its user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the bottle opener as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

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Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the disclosed bottle opener;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an element incorporated in bottle opener 5 shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the disclosed bottle opener;

.0 Figure 4 is a view of the bottle opener shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a representation of an element incorporated in the bottle are shown in Figures 3 and 4;

.5 Figure 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of the disclosed bottle opener;

Figure 7 is a front view of the third embodiment of the bottle opener; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of bottle opener.

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Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed bottle opener •5 Description of specific embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 depict one embodiment of the disclosed bottle opener 10. The bottle opener 10 comprises an element 12 having or forming a recess 14 configured to engage a crown type bottle top (not shown). The opener 10 also has a retractable 30 line 16 supported by or attached to the element 12. The retractable line 16 is capable of connecting with an attachment point (such as, but not limited to a dog collar). The retractable line is operable to enable the element 12 to be extended away from and retracted back toward the attachment point.

In this embodiment the element 12 is in the form of a plate 18. In one embodiment the plate 18 is made from a metal or metal alloy. The recess 14 can be cut or stamped in the plate 18. Here the recess 14 is shown in the shape or configuration of a bone. However, the specific shape or configuration of the recess 14 is not critical other than its ability to engage a bottle top the purposes of levering, or otherwise removing, the bottle top from a bottle. Therefore, in another example the recess 14 may be in the shape of simple ellipse.

The retractable line 16 is wound about a sprung rotary member such as a reel, spool or wheel 20. The reel, spool or wheel is contained within a housing 22 which is

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2019101344 05 Nov 2019 coupled with or attached to the element 12. Therefore, the retractable line 16 can be extended from or retracted back into the housing 22. When the line 16 is extended from the housing 22 it is paid-out from the reel 20. Conversely when the line 16 is retracted back into the housing 22 it is wound back onto the reel 20.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 the retractable line 16 and housing 22 with the internal sprung reel 20 is provided as off-the-shelf retractable reel 23 and coupled to or otherwise connected with the element 12. In such an embodiment the element 12 is formed with an aperture 24 for seating the housing 22 of the .0 retractable reel 23, as shown in Figure 2.

The line 16 is attached by a ring 26 to a clip strap 28. The ring 26 passes through a hole 27 formed in the strap. The clip strap 28 can be used to attach the bottle opener 10 to an attachment point such as a dog collar. The clip strap 28 is a strip 30 of .5 material 30, e.g. plastics material with a press stud fastener 32. The fastener 32 is formed from two components, a stud 34 and a complementary socket 36 both being fixed at spaced locations on the strip 30. The stud fastener 32 can be opened and closed to loop the clip strap 28 about a dog collar. In that event the bottle opener 10 dangles from the dog collar in the same manner as a conventional dog tag. To this io end the bottle opener 10 can also function as a dog tag by having details of the dog or its owner engraved or otherwise marked thereon.

In a simpler arrangement the ring 26 itself can couple to another ring that is attached or coupled to the collar, thereby dispensing with the need for the clip strap 28.

!5

In one use scenario the bottle opener 10 is clipped to a dog collar worn by a dog. A person takes a bottle of beer from a fridge and calls their dog wearing the collar.

When the dog arrives, the person can reach for the opener 10, extend it from the dog collar by virtue of the retractable line 16 and use it to open the bottle of beer. The person can then either let go of the opener 10 and allow it to self-retract by way of the sprung retractable line 16 to the dog collar or keep holding the opener 10 and move it back toward the dog to facilitate a controlled reeling in of the line 16. Of course, the person has ample opportunity to pat their dog before and/or after use of the bottle opener 10.

In an alternate embodiment the bottle opener 10 can be provided with a locking mechanism to prevent the extension and/or retraction of the line. The idea here is to minimise the risk of the element being unintendedly wound out or accidently caught when the animal is playing or just running around which would lead to an uncontrolled extension of the line. If this were to occur there is a possibly of the line getting tangled and the animal being tethered to some object such as a tree or fence.

In another embodiment the locking mechanism may be formed as an integral part of the retractable reel 23. The locking mechanism may be operated by a button on one

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2019101344 05 Nov 2019 or both sides of the housing 22. For the line 16 to be extended from the housing to

i.e. paid out from the reel 20, the button must be pushed in, otherwise the reel 20 is locked from rotating. In this embodiment to use the bottle opener 10 with the element 12 away from the dog collar, a person must push the button in to release the locking mechanism allowing the retractable line 16 to be unwound from the reel 20. If the button is now released the reel 20 is locked and the line 16 stays extended from housing 22. To wind in the line 16 and return element 12 to dangle from adjacent the dog collar the button must be pressed in while allowing line 16 to be wound back onto the sprung reel 20.

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Figures 3 - 5 show an alternate embodiment of the bottle opener 10a. In describing this embodiment, the same reference numbers used to denote the same features of the bottle opener 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The substantive difference between the bottle opener 10 and 10a is that in the bottle opener 10a a surface 38 of the plate .5 18 forms a part of the housing 22 for the retractable reel 23. So, in the embodiment

10a the housing 22 is formed by a combination of a cap 40 and the surface 38.

As shown in Figure 5 the surface 38 may be formed with a circular recess 42 for partially seating a sprung reel on which the retractable line 16 is wound. A back side io of the plate 18 is engraved or marked with the dog’s name “MAX” and owner’s phone number “0404040404”.

Figures 6-8 show a further embodiment of the bottle opener denote here has 10b.

The substantive difference between the bottle opener 10b and the bottle opener 10 is the form of the element 12 and corresponding recess 14. The element 12 is a sheet or plate 18 of metal or metal alloy bent or folded along two parallel lines to form a three-sided post like structure with the recess 14, when view from the side, having a C or J-shaped profile. The retractable reel 23 is fixed to and behind a front face 44 of the element 12.

Embodiments of the disclosed bottle opener 10 may take other forms. For example, the clip strap 28 can be replaced with a swivel clip. Also, the bottle opener 10 can carry indicia of or pertaining to a beverage company, sporting team or city, country, event etc. Such indicia can be formed on or by the housing 22.

Figure 9 schematically shows an alternate locking or coupling mechanism 25 having mutually engageable first and second parts 27, 29. In this but not embodiments the locking mechanism may be in the form of a spring clip. The first part 27 is attached to or coupled with the housing 22, or the element 12; and the second part 29 is attached to or coupled the second part or an attachment point that may take the form of a dog collar 31, through the second part.

The line 16 passes through the first part 27 and is anchored or otherwise attached to the second part 29. The first part 27 has prongs that snap fit into recesses in the

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2019101344 05 Nov 2019 second part 29. When the first part is engaged with the second part the element 12 cannot be moved away from the collar 31 because the line 16 cannot be extended. To use the element 12 the first part needs to be disengaged by pushing the prongs inwardly and simultaneously pulling the first part out of the second part. Other types 5 of clips may be used to provide the same effect and functionality.

In a variation to this and forming a different aspect, one form of the bottle opener can be provided without a reel or extendable line, but rather an element 12 that can engage a bottle top and a locking or coupling mechanism that acts to releasable lock .0 or couple the element to the collar 31. Thus, in one embodiment there is provided a bottle opener comprising: an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type bottle top; and locking or coupling mechanism arranged couple the element to an attachment point, the coupling mechanism having mutually engageable first and second parts where the first part is attached to or coupled with .5 the element and the second part is attached to or coupled with the attachment point.

In such an embodiment one of the parts can be formed integrally with the element.

The integral part can be a part or component that mechanically couples to the second part, such as in a spring clip. But in yet a further variation the coupling io mechanism can be a magnetic mechanism where the element is made from a magnetic or a magnetisable material, and the second part is a magnet or made of a magnetisable material. That is one of the parts is a magnet and the other is either made from a magnetisable material or is a magnet.

!5 Thus, embodiments of the disclosed bottle opener with the locking or coupling mechanism can be formed with or without a sprung reel. But when the sprung wheel is incorporated, a line of the reel is associated with the parts of the locking mechanism so that the reel cannot be payed out and the element moved away from the without first disengaging the first and second parts.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude 35 the presence or addition of further features of the container as disclosed herein.

Claims

2019101344 05 Nov 2019

1. A bottle opener comprising:

an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type

5 bottle top; and; a locking or coupling mechanism arranged to couple the element to an attachment point, the locking coupling mechanism having mutually releasably engageable first and second parts, the first part being attached to or coupled with the element and the second part being attached to or coupled to the with attachment point.

.0
2. The bottle opener according to claim 1 wherein the first and second parts are mechanically engageable with and disengageable from, each other.
3. The bottle opener according to claim 1 wherein the first and second parts are .5 magnetically engageable with and disengageable from, each other.
4. The bottle opener according to any one of claims 1-3 comprising a retractable line supported by or attached to the element, the line having a portion that passes through the first part and is attached to the second part or the io attachment point through the second part.
5. The bottle opener according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein the recess is in the shape or configuration of a bone.

is
6. A bottle opener comprising:

an element having or forming a recess configured to engage a crown type bottle top; and a retractable line supported by or attached to the element and capable of connecting with an attachment point, the retractable line operable to enable the element to be extended away from and retracted back toward the

30 attachment point.
7. The bottle opener according to claim 6 wherein the retractable line is wound about a sprung rotary member.

35
8. The bottle opener according to claim 7 comprising a releasable locking mechanism having a locked state in which the locking mechanism prevents the rotary member from rotation to facilitate either paying out or winding in of the retractable line, and a released state enabling the rotary member to rotate to facilitate either paying out or winding in of the retractable line.
9. The bottle opener according to claim 8 wherein the releasable locking mechanism is biased to the locked state.

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10. The bottle opener according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first part coupled to the element and a second part attachable to the attachment point wherein first and second parts are selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, each other.
11. The bottle opener according to claim 10 wherein the line passes through the first part.
12. The bottle opener according to any one of claims 6-11 comprising a housing .0 from which the retractable line can extend and retract, and wherein (a) the element has a surface which forms a part of the housing; or (b) and the element has an aperture for seating the housing.