WO2014013204A1

WO2014013204A1 - Bottle opener for opening bottles containing pressurised liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2014013204A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051742
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Pitoux; Pierrick DURET
Original assignee: Excellence Innovation Limited
Priority date: 2012-07-18
Filing date: 2013-07-18
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Also published as: CN103569921A; FR2993549B1; FR2993549A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottler-opener-type device for opening bottles (28) closed by a stopper (26) and containing pressurised liquids such as sparkling wines. Said device comprises: a movable part (6) provided with a needle (9), that can release the gases contained in the bottle (28) when the needle (9) is fully engaged in said stopper (26), said movable part (6) being manoeuverable in translation between a low position, for said engagement of said needle (9) in said stopper (28), and a high position; means (3) for manoeuvering said movable part (6) in translation between said high and low positions; jaws (30) comprising means (15) for securing to said stopper (26), said jaws (30) being manoeuverable in translation between a low position for securing to said stopper (26) and a high position for the extraction of said stopper (26) secured to said jaws (30); and means (11, 14) for securing said movable part (6) and said jaws (30) in such a way that they can be detached in translation.

Description

CORKSCREW FOR OPENING BOTTLES

CONTAINING LIQUIDS UNDER PRESSURE

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention relates to a corkscrew with a degassing and extraction device for opening bottles containing pressurized liquids of the sparkling wine type, in particular but not exclusively Champagne wine.

BACKGROUND

The bottles of sparkling wines are generally closed by means of a cork which is held in the neck of the bottle by a metallic device, or muselet, which fixes the upper part of the stopper on the end of the neck.

It is necessary to fix the cap so that it is not ejected inadvertently, because the internal pressure of the bottles being a few bars, a significant force is exerted on the cap.

When opening the bottle, the wire cap, essentially made of iron wire, is removed by the operator who then opens the bottle, in an ideal case, taking the end of the cap and performing a rotary movement by compared to the bottleneck.

However, the pressure of the bottle is such that the cap can be ejected violently when the operator opens the bottle, which presents a risk for the operator and the people around him, especially for the face and specifically for the eyes.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitating the extraction of the cork from bottles containing an effervescent wine, and to prevent violent ejection of this cork.

To achieve this object, the invention provides a device of the corkscrew type for opening bottles closed by a stopper and containing pressurized liquids of the sparkling wine type.

This device comprises:

a mobile part provided with a needle, able to release the gases contained in the bottle during the total engagement of said needle in said plug, said mobile part being operable in translation between a low position, for said engagement of said needle; in said plug and a high position,

means for the translational maneuvering of said mobile part between said high and low positions, jaws comprising means for securing with said plug, said jaws being operable in translation between a low position, for said securing with said plug, and a high position, for extracting said plug secured to said jaws, and

- Means for the removable attachment in translation between said movable part and said jaws (which are advantageously implemented by the maneuver in translation of said movable part in the lower position).

Thus, one of the characteristics of the invention lies in the fact that the gases under pressure in the bottle escape from said bottle before the cap is released from the neck via the extraction jaws. Indeed, following its introduction through the cap, the needle allows the escape of pressurized gas from the bottle.

Advantageously, when said needle crosses the cap from side to side, the internal pressure of the bottle drops sharply before extraction of the cap.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that once the gases removed from the bottle, the movable jaws can extract effortlessly the cap of the neck by means of the maneuvering means of the needle (for example the extraction handle).

Preferably, the invention also comprises in the lower part of its body, a base formed with a hole, allowing the passage of the neck of the bottle, to position perfectly on said bottle, the corkscrew at the time of its use .

According to other advantageous characteristics, which can be taken in combination or independently:

the needle is traversed by a channel, in order to release the gases contained in the bottle during the total engagement of the needle in the stopper; in this case, preferably, the needle is equipped with a channel whose first end opens on the wall of said needle, in its lower part, and a second end of which opens into the upper part of said needle, to the place of its fixation on the movable part;

the device comprises a central part carrying: a base, for its positioning on the bottle, the movable part, and its means of maneuver in translation, and a body comprising two parts which are rotatably mounted and which are equipped with each of a movable jaw in translation.

In a particular embodiment, the jaws advantageously consist of two parts, movable in translation, namely:

a first part cooperating with the mobile part via the securing means between said movable part and said jaws, and

a second part provided with means for securing with said plug, which parts of the jaws comprise securing means which are operable between - a locked position, for interconnection of said jaw parts and in which said parts are together operable in translation, and - an unlocked position, for the separation between them said parts of jaws and wherein said second part is immobilized in translation.

Still according to other advantageous characteristics, which can be taken in combination or independently of each other:

- The jaws are made of two parts, which can be secured or disengaged by the action of a latch when the head of the cap bears on a lever;

the first part of the jaw comprises a slide and a cavity, in order to guide locking tabs equipping the moving part towards said cavity; in this case, preferably, the locking tabs, once housed in the cavities, allow to extract the cap of the bottle, by actuating a hinge lever arm;

- The locking tongues allow, once housed in their respective cavities, to actuate the jaws by means of an articulating lever arm, to extract at first the cap of the bottle, and in a second step l needle of the cap;

- The second part of the jaw comprises a cylindrical tip allowing penetration into the cap to extract it from the bottle and a lever for actuating a latch to separate the two parts constituting each of the jaws; in this case, preferably, the latch is integral with the lever, and is articulated by a return spring for keeping said latch in the locking position;

- The separation of the parts constituting the jaw, allows to extract the needle from the cap.

According to a preferred embodiment, said invention consists of a fixed central part in which is introduced a movable portion consisting of a finished guide axis of a rack and a part for fixing a needle and the installation of a spring and two locking tabs, and a vent for the evacuation of gases.

On this central part is advantageously fixed, by means of an axis, a hinge lever arm also formed at one of these ends of a cylindrical rack portion.

Still on the central portion of said invention, is advantageously fixed by two axes, a metal body in two parts having at their base a holding handle. Each of its two parts is provided on their inner walls, guide rails for housing a movable jaw, and a cavity for retaining said jaws. Said movable jaw is constituted in two parts, a first part in the form of a slide to serve as a guide to the two tabs of locking and a cavity, for receiving said locking tabs, and a second detachable and movable portion, provided with a cylindrical tip allowing penetration into the cap and a small lever for actuating a latch to separate the two parts that constitute each jaw; the latch is secured to the small lever, and is articulated by a return spring for keeping said latch in the locking position to secure the two parts that constitutes each jaw. The central portion of said invention comprises in its lower part, a base formed with a hole.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device consists of a metal body in two parts having at their base a fixed holding handle and a movable extraction lever arm at the top, as well as a control system. jaws consisting of two detachable and movable parts, each provided with a cylindrical tip allowing penetration into the cap and a small lever for actuating a latch to separate the two parts that constitutes each jaw, when it is in contact with the upper part of the cap. Said invention also comprises in the central part a needle equipped with a channel, a first end opens on the wall of said needle in its lower part and a second end of which opens into the upper part of said needle at the location of its attachment. on the corkscrew. The said needle is integral with the central and movable portion of the corkscrew and is actuated in a vertical movement by the extraction handle, provided with a gear reduction rack so that the said needle penetrates and passes through the cork without effort by its center, to reach the gases contained in the bottle, whereby the total engagement of said needle in said plug, so that said first end of said needle channel, opens into said bottle, for communicate the inside of the bottle with the outside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG 1 is a side view of a corkscrew device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from above of the device according to FIG. 1;

3 represents, according to a longitudinal sectional plane, the structure of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, assembled;

FIG. 4 partially and magnetically represents the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a transverse section plane, to show the central part which supports the needle, and the locking tongues and the push spring, and the small vent allowing the gases to come out; FIG. 5 is a front view of one of the jaws of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the locked position;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of one of the jaws of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the locked position, showing the return spring;

-The Figure 7 is a side view, in section, of one of the jaws of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, in the locked position revealing the small lever and latch;

FIG 8 is a side view, in section, of one of the jaws of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, in the unlocked position;

FIG 9 is a perspective view in section of the needle of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, revealing the gas evacuation channel;

FIG 10 is a side view of one of the two metal bodies of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, revealing the guide rails and the cavity for, respectively, the guide and the retention of the jaws and having at its base a holding handle;

FIG 1 1 is a general view of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, exploded, revealing all the parts that constitutes the invention;

12 is a sectional view of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, revealing its positioning on the neck of the bottle and its needle passing through the stopper;

13 is a sectional view of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, revealing the extraction of the plug with the jaws in the high position;

FIG. 14 is a sectional and front view of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the stopper extracted from the bottle and before the extraction of the needle;

FIG 15 is a sectional and front view of the device according to Figures 1 and 2, revealing the needle, once extracted from the cap;

16 is a general view, in perspective, of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, suitably positioned on a bottle.

The device according to the invention, represented in FIGS. 1 to 16, consists of a corkscrew for opening bottles containing pressurized liquids of the sparkling wine type, in particular but not exclusively Champagne wine.

Such bottles are generally closed by means of a cork, the lower part of which is pushed forcibly in translation onto the neck of the bottle; this stopper is held in the neck of the bottle by a metal device, or muselet, which fixes the upper part of the stopper on the end of the neck.

Referring to these drawings, in Figures 1 to 3 and 16 is shown the device according to the invention, revealing a body 1 in two parts 50, preferably metal, having - at their base, a holding handle 2 and - a movable hinge lever arm 3, in the upper part. The device also comprises a central portion 4 which allows the assembly of all the parts that constitutes said device; it also comprises a base 5 arranged with a hole 27 which allows positioning on the bottle 28 (described below in connection with Figure 12 in particular).

FIG. 3 represents the device according to the invention, revealing a mobile part 6, forming a mobile carriage in translation.

This movable part 6 consists of - a guide pin 7, designed to cooperate with a complementary housing of the central portion 4 and completed with a rack 8, and - a support portion, extending opposite the hole 27, allowing the attachment of a needle 9 and the installation of a spring 10.

This moving part 6, and the associated needle 9, are intended to be operated in translation along a maneuvering axis (not shown) between a low position and a high position.

The maneuvering axis advantageously extends parallel (or coaxially), or at least approximately parallel, to the longitudinal axis of the bottle 28 intended to be associated with it.

This axis of maneuver is defined by the orientation of the guide axis 7 and the complementary housing of the central portion 4.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the movable portion 6, revealing locking tongues January 1 and a vent 12, connected to the needle 9, allowing the evacuation of gases.

The locking tabs 1 1 are movable in translation perpendicular to the axis of operation of the needle 9, between an extended position and a retracted position.

They cooperate with the spring 10, so as to tend to keep them in the deployed position.

These locking tabs 1 1 are intended to cooperate with jaws 30 carried by the metal body 1, to form detachable fastening means in translation.

Still in Figure 4, there is shown a sectional view of the jaws 30 (still shown in Figures 5 to 8).

Each jaw 30, carried by a portion 50 of the metal body 1, consists of two parts (or two parts), namely:

- A first part 19, upper, provided with a toboggan-shaped surface 13 (or retraction ramp), for guiding one of the two locking tongues January 1, and a cavity 14 under adjoining, to receive said locking tab 1 1, and

- A second part 20, lower, provided with a cylindrical tip 15 for penetration into the plug 26 and a small lever 16 allowing to actuate a latch 17 in order to separate the two parts 19, 20 constituting each jaw 30.

In particular, the latch 17 is movable between - a locking position, for securing the two parts 19, 20 of the jaw 30 and - an unlocking position, for the separation of the two parts 19, 20 of the jaw 30.

The latch 17 is secured to the small lever 16 (advantageously forming a single piece), and is articulated by a return spring 18 to keep said latch 17 in the locking position.

The latch 17, in the idle locking position, is advantageously designed to cooperate with the first part 19 of the jaw 30 by a clipping-type phenomenon (or snap-in) during a maneuver in the lower position of this first jaw portion 30. .

The lever 16 comprises, opposite its free end, a lug 40 intended to cooperate with a cavity 25 of a portion of the metal body 1. This structure allows locking in translation of the second portion 20 of the jaw 30, during pivoting of the latch 17 in the unlocked position.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a jaw 30 seen from the front and in section, in the locked position (FIG. 7) and unlocked (FIG. 8), revealing the parts 19 and 20 forming the jaw 30.

In Figure 5, we can see, on the first part 19, the slide 13 and the cavity 14 to receive one of said locking tongues January 1.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are shown, in section and in profile, a jaw 30 in which the lever 16 and the latch 17 and the return spring 18 are distinguished.

Still in FIGS. 7 and 8, there is a cylindrical tip 15 allowing penetration into the stopper 26.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the needle 9 revealing a channel 21 whose first, lower end 22 opens onto the wall of said needle 9, in its lower part, and whose second end 23, which is upper, , opens into the upper part of said needle 9, at the location of its attachment.

This needle 9 has a pointed lower end, to sink into the stopper 26.

FIG. 10 represents one of the two parts 50 of the metal body 1, comprising at its base a holding handle 2.

Each portion 50 of the metal body 1 is secured to the central portion 4 by means of a hinge allowing its maneuverability in rotation along a pivot axis arranged parallel to the axis of operation of the needle 9.

On their inner walls, each of its two parts 50 of the metal body 1 are provided with:

- Guide rails 24, for accommodating the movable jaw 30, and a cavity 25 allowing translation retention of said jaw 30 (in particular of its second part 20) at the time of extraction of the needle 9 with respect to the stopper 26.

The guide rails 24, of a portion 50 of the metal body 1, cooperate with a jaw 30 so as to ensure that it is guided in translation parallel to the axis of operation of the needle 9.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the device according to the invention, comprising each element constituting the corkscrew, which consists of the metal body 1 in two parts, comprising at their base a holding handle 2 and a movable extraction arm 3 at the top.

This device also comprises the central part 4 and the base 5.

The base 5 is provided with a hole 27 for positioning on the bottle 28.

The articulating lever arm 3 is constituted, at one of these ends, by a cylindrical rack part 29 engraining with the rack 8 of the movable part 6, in order to increase the extraction force of the plug 26.

This articulating lever arm 3 is pivotally operable along an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the axis of maneuvering of the mobile part 6 and its hand 9.

When the rack 29 of the articulating lever arm 3 is in motion with the rack 8 of the movable part 6, this increases the extraction force of the plug 26.

According to one mode of operation, the operator positions the device on the bottle 28 using the base 5 of the hole 27 having taken care to articulate the lever arm 3 in the lower position to raise the needle 9 and its mobile part 6 in the high position (this position is similar to Figure 13); the needle 9 does not touch the head of the stopper 26.

The jaws 30 are in their lower position within their respective guide rails 24 (advantageously under the effect of gravity in particular). The two parts 19, 20 of each jaw 30 are secured to one another by means of their latch 17 in the locking position.

The user then squeezes the handles 2 to allow the cylindrical tips 15 of the jaws 30 to enter the plug 26; these jaws 30 are facing each other. The two parts 19, 20 of each jaw 30 remain secured to one another by means of their latch 17 in the locking position.

By an upward movement of the lever arm 3, the movable part 6 is moved in translation in the lower position towards the bottle 28.

The needle 9 penetrates and passes through the plug 26. Its lower end 22 opens into the bottle 28, allowing the gas to be released through the channel 21 (FIGS. 12). There is thus no more risk of a projection of the plug under the effect of the internal gas overpressure.

During this operation, the locking tabs 1 1 of the movable part 6 slide along the slide 13 of the jaws 30, in order to reach and to be housed in their respective cavities 14 by a clipping-type phenomenon, to make it possible to join together in translation the jaw assembly 30 with the movable portion 6 (Figure 14).

Now the jaw assembly 30 secured to the movable part 6, it remains for the operator to operate the lever arm 3 in a reverse movement, to raise the movable portion 6 in the up position, causing the jaws 30 also upward in their high position.

This movement of the jaws 30 causes the plug 26 to be extracted from the bottle 28, thanks to their cylindrical tips 15 anchored in the plug 26 and by a translational movement along the axis of maneuver.

Once the plug 26 has been withdrawn from the bottle 28, the operator brings the hinge arm 3 back to its starting point by an inverse (upward) movement, causing the jaw assembly 30 and the moving part 6 to return to its starting position. low position.

It clasps the handles 2 at their maximum stroke, so that the head of the cap 26 bears on the small unlocking levers 16, thus actuating the latches 17 in the unlocked position (Figure 14).

This action allows:

- the separation of the first part 19 with respect to the second part 20 constituting the jaw 30, said parts 19, 20 then being movable in translation independently of one another, and

- immobilization in translation of the second part 20 of the jaws 30, in the low position, by the introduction of the lug 40 of the unlocking levers 16 in their respective cavities 25.

The operator again articulates the lever arm 3 in the low position, causing the upward movement of the first portions 19 of the jaws 30, the movable portion 6 and the associated needle 9. The plug 26 remains in the lower position with the second portions 20 of the jaws 30 which are locked in translation.

The needle 9 is thus released with respect to the stopper 26.

The plug 26 is extracted from the corkscrew by a maneuver spaced from the two parts 50 of the metal body 1. This maneuver also allows a separation between the mobile part 6 and the jaws 30.

In general, the device according to the invention facilitates the extraction of the stopper from the bottles containing an effervescent wine, while preventing any violent ejection of the stopper.

It also has the advantage of allowing a simple and effective separation of the plug with respect to the gas evacuation needle.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1. - Device of the corkscrew type for opening bottles (28) closed by a stopper (26) and containing pressurized liquids of the effervescent wine type, characterized in that it comprises:

- a movable part (6) provided with a needle (9), able to release the gases contained in the bottle (28) during the total engagement of said needle (9) in said plug (26), said movable part (6) being operable in translation between a low position, for said engagement of said needle (9) in said plug (28), and a high position,

means (3) for the translational maneuvering of said mobile part (6) between said high and low positions,

jaws (30) comprising means (15) for securing with said plug (26), said jaws (30) being operable in translation between a low position, for said securing with said plug (26), and a high position, for extracting said plug (26) secured to said jaws (30), and

- Means (1 1, 14) for the removable attachment in translation between said movable part (6) and said jaws (30).

2. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle (9) is traversed by a channel (21), in order to release the gas contained in the bottle (28) during the total engagement of the needle (9) in the plug (26).

3. - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the needle (9) is equipped with a channel (21), a first end (22) opens on the wall of said needle (9), in its lower part. , and a second end (23) opens into the upper part of said needle (9), at its location on the movable part (6).

4. - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a central portion (4) carrying:

a base (5) for its positioning on the bottle (28),

the mobile part (6), and its means of maneuver in translation (3), and

- A body (1) having two parts (50) which are rotatably mounted and which are each provided with a jaw (30) movable in translation.

5. - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the jaws (30) consist of two parts (19, 20) movable in translation, namely:

a first part (19) cooperating with the mobile part (6) via the securing means (1 1, 14) between said movable part (6) and said jaws (30), and

a second portion (20) provided with means (15) for securing with said plug (26), which parts (19, 20) of the jaws (30) comprise securing means (17) which are operable between - a locked position, for the interconnection between said parts (19, 20) of jaws (30) and wherein said parts (19, 20) are operable together in translation, and - an unlocked position, for the separation between them of said parts (19, 20) of jaws (30) and wherein said second portion (20) is immobilized in translation.

6. - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the jaws (30) consist of two parts (19, 20), which can be secured or disengaged by the action of a latch (17) when the cap head (26) pressing on a lever (16).

7. - Device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the first portion (19) of the jaw (30) comprises a slide (13) and a cavity (14), for guiding tongues of locking (1 1) equipping the moving part (6) to said cavity (14).

8. - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking tongues (1 1), once housed in the cavities (14), allow to extract the cap (26) of the bottle (28), by actuating a hinge arm (3).

9. - Device according to claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking tongues (1 1) allow, once housed in their respective cavities (14), to actuate the jaws (30) by means of an arm hinge lever (3), to extract first the stopper (26) of the bottle (28), and secondly the needle (9) of the stopper (26).

10. - Device according to claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the second portion (20) of the jaw (30) comprises a cylindrical tip (15) allowing penetration into the plug (26) to extract it from the bottle (28) and a lever (16) for actuating a latch (17) to separate the two parts (19, 20) constituting each of the jaws (30).

1 1. - Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the latch (17) is integral with the lever (16), and is articulated by a return spring (18) for keeping said latch (17) in the locking position.

12. - Device according to any one of claims 5 to 1 1, characterized in that the separation of the parts (19, 20) constituting the jaw (30), allows to extract the needle (9) of the plug (26). ).

13. - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises:

- a body (1) in two parts (50), each having at their base a holding handle (2) and a movable hinge lever arm (3) at the top,

a central part (4) which allows the assembly of all the parts constituted by said device,

- a base (5) arranged with a hole (27) which allows positioning on the bottle (28), - a movable part (6) comprising a guide shaft (7) completed with a rack (8), a part for fixing a needle (9) and the establishment of a spring (10) and two locking tongues (1 1), a vent (12) allowing the evacuation of gases,

- jaws (30), constituted in two parts, a first portion (19) shaped slide (13) for guiding the two locking tongues (1 1) and a cavity (14) for receiving said locking tabs (1 1), and a second portion (20) having a cylindrical tip (15) for penetrating the plug (26) and a lever (16) for actuating a latch (17) in order to separate the two parts that constitute each of the jaws (30), which latch (17) is integral with the lever (16), and is articulated by a return spring (18) for keeping said latch (17) in the position of locking,

which needle (9) is crossed by a channel (21), a first end (22) opens on the wall of said needle (9) in its lower part and a second end (23) opens into the upper part of said needle (9) at the point of attachment to the movable part (6),

which body (1) in two parts is provided on its inner wall with guide rails (24) for accommodating the movable jaw (30), and a cavity (25) for retaining the second portion (20) of said jaws (30) at the time of extraction of the needle (9) from the plug (26),

when the handles (2) are at their maximum stroke, the head of the cap (26) bears on the unlocking lever (16) and actuates the latch (17) which disengages and releases the first part (19) of the second part (20) that constitutes the jaw (30).