Automatic corkscrew
OwnerFrank W. Spencer, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic corkscrew is capable of both extracting and reinserting a cork from and into a bottle. The corkscrew includes an extraction tube which engages the bottle and forms a cork receiving area. The auger extends through the extraction tube. When rotated in a clockwise direction, the corkscrew first penetrates and then extracts the cork from the bottle. When rotated in the opposite direction, the corkscrew reinserts the cork into the bottle. A gripping means if formed on the extraction tube for gripping the bottle during reinsertion of the cork into the bottle.
Claims12
An electric corkscrew for removing and reinserting a cork from a bottle, comprising:
- (a) a reversible drive unit;
- (b) an auger driven by the drive unit;
- (c) a cylindrical housing structure surrounding the auger and including:
- (1) a cork extraction sleeve extending around the auger and having a terminal end, wherein the inside diameter of the sleeve is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the bottle;
- (2) a bottle stop formed at the terminal end of the cork extracting sleeve for abutting against the end of the bottle;
- and
- (3) bottle gripping means projecting beyond the terminal end of the cork extracting sleeve for engaging the bottle and holding the bottle stationary with respect to the cork extraction sleeve;
- (d) wherein the auger is rotated in a first direction to initially penetrate the cork and pull the extraction tube downwardly into engagement with the bottle, whereafter the auger pulls the cork from the bottle into the cork extraction sleeve which confines the cork in a compressed condition and prevents the cork from radially expanding;
- and
- (e) wherein the auger is rotated in a second direction while the bottle gripping collar grips the bottle to reinsert the cork into the bottle.
An electric corkscrew for removing a cork from a bottle and then reinserting the cork into the bottle comprising:
- (a) a reversible drive unit;
- (b) a guide tube fixedly secured to the drive unit;
- (c) a cork extraction tube mounted on the guide tube so that the extraction tube and guide tube slide axially, with respect to one another, between an extended position and a retracted position, said cork extraction tube including:
- (1) a sleeve defining a cork-receiving area for receiving the cork as it is extracted from the bottle;
- (2) bottle-engaging means formed on a terminal end of the sleeve for engaging the bottle during extraction of the cork from the bottle;
- (3) stop means to limit the relative axial movement between the extraction tube and guide tube when they assume a retracted position;
- and
- (d) bottle gripping means formed on extraction tube for gripping the bottle;
- (e) an auger driven by said drive means and extending through said guide tube and extraction tube;
- (f) wherein the auger is rotated in a first direction to first penetrate the cork while the extraction tube and the guide tube extracts the cork from the bottle;
- and
- (g) wherein the auger is rotated in a second direction while the bottle gripping means grips the bottle to reinsert the cork into the bottle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.