Bottle opener for a bottle containing a sparkling liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle opener which is configured to remove a cork (10) from a bottle (1) containing a sparkling liquid. The cork (10) is initially inserted into a neck (11) of the bottle (1) and retained by a muselet (12) tied under a ring (13) of a neck (14) of the bottle (1). The bottle opener includes retaining means (42) for forming an abutment against the ring (13), and allows free access to a loop of the muselet (12) for the untying thereof. The bottle opener includes damping means (6) for accompanying the cork (10) as it exits the neck (11) in an extraction direction (F) until a released position, in cooperation with the retaining means (42).

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to a bottle opener configured to remove a cork from a bottle containing an effervescent liquid such as sparkling, semi-sparkling or sparkling wine, champagne, beer or cider, in particular to secure the opening of the bottle. Technique antérieure

[0002] Bottles containing sparkling wine, such as sparkling wine or champagne, are sealed with corks held in place by a wire cage (muselet) secured under a ring on the neck of the bottle. The wire cage is created by twisting a wire band, thus narrowing the band and tightening it around the neck under the ring. The contents are kept under pressure within the bottle. The cork typically consists of a stem that is inserted into the neck of the bottle and a head that remains outside the neck. A metal plate is usually inserted between the wire cage and the head of the cork.

[0003] Most bottles are opened manually, starting by loosening the wire cage by untying the wire cage's twist. When the wire cage is released and eventually removed, the cork is likely to be propelled by the pressure of the gas inside the bottle, becoming a projectile that can cause injury. It is often helpful to rotate the cork to initiate its removal. Even when the person opening the bottle holds the cork during extraction, it can still escape and cause damage or injury, especially to the person opening the bottle.

[0004] Document WO 2014 / 013204 A1 shows a corkscrew designed for champagne bottles. It includes a needle and a mechanism for inserting the needle into the cork to create a vent for the gases. The head is then grasped, and pulling on the head extracts the cork. However, it is necessary to remove the wire cage (museum) beforehand, which presents a risky step during which the cork can be ejected before the corkscrew is in place. Furthermore, removing the cork requires more effort since the gas pressure is no longer present to assist in extracting the cork from the neck of the bottle.

[0005] A corkscrew for this type of bottle, featuring a clamp articulated on a sleeve that fits onto the neck of the bottle, is described in document FR 3 005 307 A1. Although this device provides better leverage for the person opening the bottle, the success of the opening maneuver remains highly dependent on their dexterity.

[0006] Document EP 0 164 955 A1 shows a corkscrew according to the preamble of claim 1. Exposé de l'invention

[0007] The invention aims to provide a bottle opener configured to remove a cork from a bottle containing an effervescent liquid, in particular to secure the opening of the bottle.

[0008] With this objective in mind, the invention relates to a bottle opener according to claim 1, configured to remove a cork from a bottle containing an effervescent liquid, the cork being initially inserted into a neck of the bottle and held by a wire cage tied under a ring of a neck of the bottle, the bottle opener comprising retaining means to form a stop against the ring, and allowing free access to a loop of the wire cage to untie it, the bottle opener comprises damping means to accompany the exit of the cork from the neck in an extraction direction until a release position, in cooperation with the retaining means.

[0009] The bottle opener according to the invention makes the opening process safer, notably by being already in place before the wire cage is untied, thus preventing the cork from being loose. Furthermore, the damping means accompany the cork's release, preventing it from gaining speed and being ejected. This damping is also independent of the skill or dexterity of the person opening the bottle. The retaining means are supported under the neck ring so that the damping means have a reference position, allowing them to determine the release position relative to the bottle neck and to transmit the force exerted by the cork. This principle makes it possible to advantageously utilize the power developed by the cork itself, so that the user only needs to exert minimal force to open the bottle.

[0010] According to the invention, the bottle opener includes tilting means configured to tilt the stopper relative to the extraction direction, creating a partial opening between the stopper and the neck of the bottle in the released position to release the gas contained in the bottle. By tilting the stopper relative to the axis of the neck, a partial opening is created through which the gases contained in the bottle escape to relieve the pressure exerted on the stopper. Because the opening is partial, the gas release is controlled. The opening is partial in the sense that the base of the stopper is still partially engaged in the neck and partially disengaged. By being only very partially engaged in the neck, the stopper no longer requires significant mechanical force for its extraction.

[0011] According to a specific design, the bottle opener comprises a body in which a sliding guide is mounted. The retaining means include a guide foot shaped like a fork, designed to be inserted under the wire cage with a lateral movement and to butt against the cage with an upward movement on the bottle. The dimensions of bottle necks and corks are highly standardized, as is the presence of the wire cage under which the wire cage engages. The fork shape allows the foot to be inserted onto the neck from the side in a snug manner and to bear against the wire cage when the cork exerts extraction pressure on the guide. Furthermore, a significant length of contact with the wire cage can be achieved, thus reducing the risk of breakage of the bottle neck.The sliding of the guide allows some play while the wire cage is being loosened, then to come into contact after the wire cage has been released and pulled beyond the ring with the exit of the cork.

[0012] According to a specific design, the guide includes a cap attached to the base. The damping mechanism comprises a stopper designed to bear against the head of the cork and mounted to slide within the cap between a waiting position and a release position. The travel of the stopper is limited to the release position to restrict the cork's ejection from the neck. Thus, when the cork is released, it rests against the stopper in the waiting position. The stopper then slides within the guide to guide the cork's ejection and stop its movement.

[0013] According to an improvement, the cap is pivotally mounted on the base, with the tilting mechanism configured to tilt the cap and thus the cork. Since the cap is in contact with the cork, its pivoting causes the cork to pivot as well. Various positions can be chosen for the pivot axis, but preferably it is located near the neck of the bottle. In this way, the cap follows the pivoting of the cork at the end of the neck and moves with it, ensuring that the pivoting occurs with minimal stress. This pivoting action is also used in a manual opening technique.

[0014] According to one design, the tilting means comprise a follower cooperating with a cam to tilt the cap. One element of the follower and the cam is supported by the body of the bottle opener, and the other element is supported by the cap. The tilting means thus defined determine a trajectory for the cap and ensure that it tilts during its ejection stroke. These means are simple to implement and utilize the energy supplied by the cork and the gases that push against it to achieve the movement. The follower can, for example, be supported by the body, and the cam can be an external surface of the cap. In another variant, the cam can be a groove in the cap, and the follower a finger supported by the body.

[0015] According to an improvement, the stopper's resting position leaves a predetermined gap between the cork and the stopper when the retaining means are pressed against the ring. Thus, the cork is not held at the beginning of its exit stroke from the neck. This avoids the need for a large stroke to dampen the cork's ejection and therefore allows for a more compact design. Furthermore, the cork is not jammed, as the initial stroke is generally slowed by the larger contact area of ​​the cork's base still contained within the neck.

[0016] According to one design feature, the damping means further include a plunger fixed to the guide and forming a piston with the stop to define a damping chamber. This creates a cylinder with a chamber in which air can be compressed to oppose the exiting movement of the stopper. When the stopper begins to exit, it first slides the stopper, which compresses the air in the chamber and increases its pressure. This pressure opposes the exiting movement of the stopper, thus dampening it.

[0017] According to an improvement, the damping chamber is connected to the outside air via a nozzle configured to restrict the escape of air from the chamber. This restricted escape dissipates energy by gradually releasing the resistance of the stopper at the outlet of the plug.

[0018] According to an improvement, the damping means include a valve for rapid chamber filling. The bottle opener can thus be quickly reset for subsequent use by allowing the stop to return rapidly to its initial position to contact the cork.

[0019] According to its design, the bottle opener features a hinged door on the body, positioned opposite an opening in the guide's foot. The door includes a window to access the wire loop when closed. When open, the guide's foot can be placed on the bottle neck after removing any foil capsule. Closing the door secures the bottle opener while still allowing access to untie the wire cage. This operation is therefore performed safely.

[0020] According to an improvement, the door includes an indexing means mounted to slide in the extraction direction. This indexing means has a pointer adapted to penetrate the head of the cork. This indexing means rotates the cork within the neck of the door, while simultaneously guiding its ejection by sliding it in the extraction direction. The rotation of the cork facilitates its removal through a swaying motion.

[0021] According to a design feature, the door is held closed by a tensioner. The tensioner facilitates the stylus's insertion into the cork head and also holds the bottle opener in place during operation. Its effectiveness is increased when the tensioner's attachment point is opposite the door's pivot point, thus creating leverage for the stylus's insertion.

[0022] According to an improvement, the bottle opener also includes indicators to visualize when the release position has been reached. This allows the user to know that the button is extended and the bottle opener can be removed. These indicators can be audible, visual (with an electrically or electronically controlled light source), or simply mechanical.

[0023] According to an improvement, the indicator means include a marker from the indexing means mounted to slide in a through slot. The marker is movable within the slot and linked to the movement of the indexing means. This allows the user to visualize the position of the indexing means, which is linked to the movement of the stopper during uncorking because the finger rests against it. The user thus has a means of monitoring this phase.

[0024] According to another improvement, the indicator means include a marker protruding from the cap through a slot in the body. The marker is movable within the slot and linked to the tilting of the cap. A recessed position of the marker indicates that the cap has not yet tilted and therefore the cork has not yet been removed. Conversely, a flush position of the marker indicates that the cap has tilted and therefore the uncorking operation is complete. Brève description des figures

[0025] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, the description referring to the attached drawings, among which: there [ Fig.1 ] is a perspective view of a bottle opener according to a first embodiment of the invention; the [ Fig.2 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.1 ] in an open position before being placed on the bottle; the [ Fig.3 ] is a similar longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottle opener after it has been fitted onto the bottle; the [ Fig.4 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.2 ] in the position of the [ Fig.3 ] ; there [ Fig.5 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.4 ] after closing the bottle opener; the [ Fig.6 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.3 ] after the wire cage of the bottle has been opened; the [ Fig.7 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.3 ] after a partial exit of the stopper into a first intermediate position; the [ Fig.8 ] is a view of the bottle opener from the side opposite the door with a cutaway of the body and cap after partial removal of the cork into a second intermediate position; the [ Fig.9 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.3 ] after the stopper has fully extended into a relaxed position; the [ Fig.10 ] is a view of detail X of the [ Fig.9 ] ; there [ Fig.11 ] is a view of a guide's hat; the [ Fig.12 ] is a view of one foot of the guide on which; the [ Fig.13 ] is a top view of the guide, the hat being shown sectioned by a roughly horizontal plane; the [ Fig.14 ] is a cross-sectional view showing the guide and body in the second intermediate position in a second embodiment; the [ Fig.15 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.14 ] in a relaxed position; the [ Fig.16 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.6 ] of a bottle opener according to a third embodiment of the invention; the [ Fig.17 ] is a view of the bottle opener of the [ Fig.16 ] in a relaxed position; the [ Fig.18 ] is a view from the outside of the bottle opener in the position of the [ Fig.16 ] ; there [ Fig.19 ] is a view from the outside of the bottle opener in the position of the [ Fig.17 ] ; there [ Fig.20 ] is a cross-sectional view of a bottle opener according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in a position before the cork is extracted; the [ Fig.21 ] is an exterior view of the bottle opener of the [ Fig.20 ] ; there [ Fig.22 ] is a view similar to the [ Fig.20 ] in the relaxed position; the [ Fig.23 ] is an exterior view of the bottle opener of the [ Fig.22 ]. Description détaillée

[0026] A bottle opener conforming to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures 1 à 12 The bottle opener is configured to remove a cork 10 from a bottle 1 containing a sparkling liquid. In the example shown, the cork 10 is, in the conventional manner, initially inserted into a neck 11 of the bottle 1 and held in place by a wire cage 12 tied under a ring 13 of a neck 14 of the bottle 1. The loop-shaped tie 120 is made by a twist 121 on a band 122 of the wire cage which surrounds the neck 14 under the ring 13.

[0027] The bottle opener comprises a body 2 which, in this example, takes the shape of the upper part of a bottle and defines a cavity 20. The body 2 extends in an extraction direction F with a substantially circular shape about an axis parallel to the extraction direction F. The bottle opener includes a base 21 attached to the body 2 and having a substantially disc-shaped form in which a notch 210 has been made. The width of the notch 210 is greater than the diameter of the neck 14 of the bottle 1. The base 21 defines the cavity 20 in the lower part of the body 2.

[0028] The bottle opener comprises a door 3 pivotally mounted on the body 2 opposite the notch 210 of the base 21, between a closed position in which the door 3 appears continuous with the body 2 and closes the cavity 20, and an open position in which access to the cavity 20 is permitted. The door 3 is held in the closed position by a tensioner 32. The door 3 includes an indexing means 33 mounted to slide in a guide 34 extending in the extraction direction F. The indexing means 33 includes a pointer 330 projecting into the cavity 20 when the door 3 is in the closed position. The door 3 further includes a window 30 for accessing the interior of the cavity 20 when the door 3 is in a closed position and a finger 31 protruding into the notch 210 to come to rest against the neck 14 of the bottle 1.

[0029] The bottle opener has a guide 4 mounted to slide inside the cavity 20. The guide 4 consists of a cap 41 and a foot 42, as shown separately on the figures 11 And 12 , and assembled into [ Fig.13 ], the foot 42 forming retaining means to act as a stop against the ring 13. The foot 42 of the guide 4 has a fork shape adapted to be inserted under the ring 13 by a lateral movement and to come to rest against the ring 13 in a movement in the extraction direction F upwards of the bottle 1. An opening X between the arms 420 of the fork is therefore very slightly larger than the diameter of the neck 14 of the bottle 1 under the ring 13 and smaller than the diameter of the ring 13. The cap 41 and the foot 42 of the guide 4 are mounted to pivot on each other about a pivot axis B. For this purpose, the foot 42 has two lugs 421 which fit into two bearings 410 of the cap 41. The pivot axis is offset from the center of the opening between the arms 420 in a direction opposite to the gate 3. As can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.13 ] , the foot 42 further comprises two wings 423 which are engaged with a pillar 213 originating from the base 21 so as to index the position of the rotating guide in the body with respect to the extraction direction F.

[0030] The bottle opener further includes tilting means 5 configured to rotate the cap 41 around the tilting axis B. The tilting means 5 include a follower 51 cooperating with a cam 52 to tilt the cap 41. The follower 51 is carried by the body 2 above the opening of the door 3 and the cam is an external surface 52 of the cap 41.

[0031] The bottle opener further includes damping means 6 housed in the guide 4. The damping means 6 include a cylinder formed on the one hand by a plunger 61 fixed on the cap 41 and on the other hand by a stop 62 mounted sliding in the cap 41 substantially in the extraction direction F so as to delimit a damping chamber 63 with the plunger 61.

[0032] The stop 62 has a thrust surface 620 substantially shaped like an imprint of the cap head 10. The stop 62 is adapted to bear against the cap head 10 with the thrust surface 620 fitted to the shape of the cap 10. The stroke of the stop 62 extends between a resting position, as shown in the figures 3 , 6 And 7 , and a relaxed position as shown on the [ Fig.9 As can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.13 The cap 41 has a rib 411 oriented in the extraction direction and the stop 62 has a groove 621 in which the rib 411 is housed so as to index the position of the stop 62 in rotation in the cap 41. A spiral-conical spring 64 is housed around the plunger 61 and it bears against the cap 41 to push the stop 62 towards the waiting position until the stop 62 is abutted against a tab 421 from the foot 42 of the guide 4. In this position, the damping chamber 63 is enlarged to its maximum. The damping chamber 63 is connected to a nozzle 65 by a channel 66 which passes through the plunger 61. The nozzle 65 opens to the open air outside the cap 41 and inside the body 2. The damping means 6 include a valve 67 for the rapid filling of the chamber 63.The valve 67 has the form of an elastomeric ring placed inside the damping chamber 63 against a flat wall 621 carrying the stop surface 620. The ring 67 is held in place by a circular groove 630 inside the chamber 63. Conduits 68 connect the stop surface 620 to the damping chamber 63 by passing through the wall and opening at the ring 67.

[0033] The use and operation of the bottle opener will now be described.

[0034] In its initial position, before the bottle opener is placed on bottle 1, the door 3 is closed and the stop 62 is in the standby position. When the user wishes to open a bottle 1, they first remove the cap covering the top of bottle 1. They then move the ligature 120 aside so that it protrudes from bottle 1 in a substantially horizontal direction, as shown in the diagrams. figures 2 And 3 He unlocks the tensioner 32 to open the door 3 of the bottle opener 1. He checks that the indexing means 33 is in its lowest, standby position, as is the guide 4. He inserts the foot 42 of the guide 4 around the neck 14 under the ring 13, ensuring that the foot 42 is close to the wire cage 12. He then closes the door 3, ensuring that the ligature 120 protrudes opposite the window 30. He then closes the door 3 by operating the tensioner 32. During this operation, the pin 330 is forced into the head of the cork 10. The finger 31 presses against the neck of the bottle to ensure that the foot 42 remains engaged with the ring 13.

[0035] The user can then release the wire cage 12 by undoing the twist 121 of the ligature 120. When the wire cage 12 is open, as shown in the [ Fig.6 ], the user can impart a rotational movement around the extraction axis. This movement is transmitted to the stopper 10 via the pointer 330 of the indexing means 33. The gas pressure inside the bottle 1 then pushes the stopper 10 in the extraction direction F, and this movement is accompanied by the indexing means 33, which slides in the door 3. The stopper carries the wire cage 12 with it, and the space under the ring 13 is released. When the stopper 10 has traveled the guard distance, it comes into contact with the stop surface 620 of the stopper 62, as shown in the [ Fig.7 ]. The stop 62 is then pushed towards the plunger 61 so as to begin compressing the air inside the damping chamber 63. The air contained in the damping chamber 63 is blocked by the valve 67 and can only escape slowly through the nozzle 65. In this movement, the guide 4 is also pushed upwards, notably by the pressure exerted in the compression chamber 63 against the plunger 61, so that the foot 42 comes into contact and rests on the ring 13. In the same movement, the tilting means 5 impose a movement of the cap 41 in a pivoting motion opposite to the door 3, in the direction of arrow C. At the same time, the pressure rising in the damping chamber 63 escapes through the nozzle 65 so that the upward movement of the cap 10 is accompanied and dampened, up to the position shown in the [ Fig.8 The movement continues until the release position in which the guide 4 is against the body 2 and cannot tilt further, as shown in the [ Fig.9 ]. In this position, the stopper 10 is still partially engaged in the neck 11, but because the stopper 10 has been forced to tilt by the tilting means 5, a partial opening P has been created between the neck 11 and the stopper 10 through which the pressurized gas from the bottle 1 can escape, as shown in the [ Fig.10 Bottle 1 is then safely opened. The user can then release the tensioner 32, open the door 3, and remove the bottle opener. The partial opening P may not be completely open, depending on the dimensions of the cap or the bottle, but the gas pressure is sufficient in any case to deform the cap and thus create the opening P for the gas to escape.

[0036] In a second embodiment, shown on the figures 14 And 15 The bottle opener differs from the first embodiment in that the tilting means 5' comprise a follower 51' fixed to the body 2' and projecting into the cavity 20, and a cam-forming groove 52' is provided on the cap 41'. The groove 52' extends in an oblique direction relative to the extraction direction F. When the guide 4 moves from the second intermediate position to the release position, the groove 52' moves by being positioned on the follower 51' from the upper end, as shown in the [ Fig.14 ], up to the lower end of groove 52', as shown on the [ Fig.15 ].

[0037] In a third embodiment, as shown in the figures 16 à 19 The bottle opener differs from the first embodiment in that it additionally includes indicator means 7 to visualize that the release position has been reached. The indicator means 7 comprise a slot 71 in the body 2" extending opposite the door 3 and a marker 72 projecting from the cap 41" of the guide 4. Up to the second intermediate position, the marker 72 is recessed inside the body 2", as shown in the figures 16 And 18 When the cap 41" has tilted to the release position, the witness 72 enters the slot 71 and is flush with the outer surface of the body 2", as shown in the figures 17 And 19 The user thus has a visual representation of the position reached by the bottle opener mechanism.

[0038] In a fourth embodiment, shown on the figures 20 à 23 The bottle opener differs from the first embodiment in that it also includes indicator means 7‴, but these indicator means 7‴ are visible on the side of the 3‴ door. Furthermore, these indicator means 7‴ are combined with the indexing means 33‴. For this purpose, the indexing means 33‴, which slides in the 34‴ guide, includes a marker 72‴ projecting radially outwards and fitting into a slot 71‴ through the 3‴ door extending in the extraction direction F. The figures 20 et 21 shows the initial position in which witness 72‴ is in the lowest position of slot 71‴ and is visible from the outside. figures 22 et 23 show the release position into which the indexing means 33"' has slid upwards, the witness 72‴ then being placed at the upper end of the slot 71"', thus providing a visual rendering that the release position is reached.

[0039] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described by way of example. The damping means 6 could grip the wire cage 12 rather than pressing on the head of the cork 10. For the tilting means, the groove could be carried by the body and the follower by the cap.

Claims

1. A bottle opener configured to remove a cork (10) from a bottle (1) containing a carbonated liquid, with the cork (10) being initially inserted into a neck (11) of the bottle (1) and held in place by a wire cage (12) bound under a ring (13) on a neck (14) of the bottle (1), with the bottle opener comprising retaining means (42) to form a stop against the ring (13) during movement in an upward extraction direction (F) from the bottle (1), and allowing free access to a loop (120) of the wire cage (12) to unbind it, with the bottle opener comprising shock-absorbing means (6) to assist the exit of the cork (10) from the neck (11) in the extraction direction (F) to a release position, in cooperation with the retaining means (42), characterised in that it comprises tilting means (5) configured to tilt the cork (10) relative to the extraction direction (F) in order to create a partial opening (P) between the cork (10) and the neck (11) in the release position to release the gas contained in the bottle (1).

2. A bottle opener according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a body (2) in which a guide (4) is mounted so that it can slide, with the retaining means comprising a base (42) of the guide (4) having a fork-like shape capable of being inserted under the ring (13) by a lateral movement and of stopping against the ring (13) in an upward movement of the bottle (1).

3. A bottle opener according to claim 2, in which the guide (4) comprises a cap (41) connected to the base (42), with the shock-absorbing means (6) comprising a stop (62) capable of bearing against the head of the cork (10) and mounted so that it can slide within the cap (41) between a rest position and the release position, with the stroke of the stop (62) being limited to the release position to limit the outward travel of the cork (10) out of the neck (11).

4. A bottle opener according to claim 3 in combination with claim 2, in which the cap (41) is mounted so that it can pivot on the base (42), with the tilting means (5) being configured to tilt the cap (41) and thus the cork (10).

5. A bottle opener according to claim 4, in which the tilting means (5) comprise a follower (51, 51') cooperating with a cam (52, 52') to tilt the cap (41), with one of the elements comprising the follower (51, 51') and the cam (52, 52') being carried by the body (2) of the bottle opener and the other element being carried by the cap (41).

6. A bottle opener according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the rest position of the stop (62) leaves a predetermined clearance between the cork (10) and the stop (62) when the retaining means are in contact with the ring (13).

7. A bottle opener according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the shock-absorbing means (6) further comprise a plunger (61) secured to the guide (4) and forming a piston (61) with the stop (62) in order to enclose a shock-absorbing chamber (63).

8. A bottle opener according to claim 7, in which the shock-absorbing chamber (63) is vented to the atmosphere via a nozzle (65) configured to restrict the escape of air contained within the chamber (63).

9. A bottle opener according to claim 8, wherein the shock-absorbing means (6) comprise a valve (67) to rapidly fill the chamber (63).

10. A bottle opener according to claim 2, in which the shock-absorbing means (6) comprise a stop (62) capable of bearing against the head of the cork (10) and having a stroke between a rest position and the release position, with the stroke of the stop (62) being limited to the release position in order to limit the outward movement of the cork (10) out of the neck (11).

11. A bottle opener according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that it comprises a door (3) mounted to pivot on the body (2) opposite an opening in the base (42) of the guide (4), with the door (3) comprising a window (30) to access the loop when the door (3) is in a closed position.

12. A bottle opener according to claim 11, wherein the door (3) comprises an indexing means (33) mounted to slide in the extraction direction (F), with the indexing means (33) comprising a pointed spindle (330) capable of penetrating the head of the cork (10).

13. A bottle opener according to one of claims 11 or 12, in which the door (3) is held in the closed position by a tensioning device (32).

14. A bottle opener according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises indicator means (7) to indicate that the release position has been reached.

15. A bottle opener according to claim 14 and claim 4 taken in combination, wherein the indicator means (7) comprise an indicator (72) projecting from the cap (41") into a slot (71) passing through the body (2"), with the indicator (72) being movable within the slot (71) and linked to the tilting of the cap (41").

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