Hinged blade knife with bottle opener
The knife's rotatable wire structure with a support and hooking element addresses the challenge of secure bottle opener positioning, facilitating efficient uncapping by self-centering on bottle caps.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023000252
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-10
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing knives with integrated bottle openers often struggle with secure and easy positioning on bottle caps, leading to difficulties in efficient uncapping.
A knife design featuring a rotatable wire structure with a rectilinear transverse portion and a support element for easy and secure positioning on bottle caps, combined with a hooking element for stable uncapping.
Enables easy and secure uncapping of bottles by allowing the bottle opener to self-center on the cap, ensuring stable deformation of the cap without slipping during the uncapping process.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Articulated blade knife equipped with a bottle opener
[0001] The present invention relates to a knife-type hand instrument, comprising a handle and a blade hinged on the handle, the blade being retractable into an interior space of the latter and capable of being used substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle.
[0002] It relates more particularly to such a knife equipped with a bottle opener.
[0003] Knives are known to include at least one additional tool such as a screwdriver, punch or similar.
[0004] For example, the best known is a hand tool commonly referred to as a "Swiss Army knife", comprising a block forming a handle. On this handle are mounted, articulated along a transverse axis, several tools such as scissors, a file, a punch blade, a screwdriver, a corkscrew, a USB key, etc.
[0005] He is particularly known to use a bottle opener as a tool. A bottle opener is a small instrument designed to open bottles sealed with metal caps by deforming them.
[0006] There are two main types of bottle opener: blade or lip bottle openers and fork, claw, tooth or hook bottle openers.
[0007] Blade or lip bottle openers consist of a handle with a rectangular opening at one end large enough to allow partial passage of the bottle cap. The operator inserts the bottle cap into the opening so that the blade rests under the crown and its opposite side rests in the center of the cap. By applying upward pressure, the blade engages several teeth, which deforms the metal and releases the trapped glass neck.
[0008] Fork, claw, tooth, or hook bottle openers consist of a small metal blade with a cut point opposite a fulcrum. The whole assembly forms a kind of rigid clamp. The operator inserts the point under one of the folds of the collar and positions the opposite edge in the center of the bottle cap. As with blade or lip bottle openers, the cap is opened by applying upward pressure. This type of bottle opener is frequently used in multi-bladed knives of the "Swiss Army knife" type.
[0009] The invention proposes a knife with an articulated blade equipped with an improved bottle opener, allowing easy positioning of the bottle opener on the capsule and easy uncorking.
[0010] The invention thus relates to a knife comprising a handle with a longitudinal axis and a blade mounted for rotation at a first longitudinal end of the handle, between a position deployed out of the handle and in line with it, and a position folded into a space provided in the handle.
[0011] According to the invention, the knife further comprises a bottle opener, the bottle opener being placed at a second longitudinal end of the handle, the bottle opener comprising a wire structure mounted for free rotation about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the wire structure defining with the handle a closed contour delimiting a decapsulation opening intended to receive a capsule, and the bottle opener comprises a support element allowing the bottle opener to rest on an upper part of the capsule, said support element being formed by a support area of the handle, and a hooking element allowing the bottle opener to be hooked under the capsule, said hooking element being formed by a straight transverse portion of the wire structure.
[0012] Thus, the use of a wire structure mounted for free rotation around the handle and equipped with a straight transverse portion makes it possible to position the bottle opener easily and securely on the capsule and then to easily perform the decapping.
[0013] The handle support area can be a flat surface of the handle, disposed at the second longitudinal end of the handle and inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
[0014] The wire structure can be made of a bent metal wire.
[0015] Preferably, the wire structure is flat and the wire has a circular cross-section.
[0016] The diameter of the wire is advantageously less than 3 mm.
[0017] Preferably, the diameter of the wire is between 1.5 and 1.8 mm.
[0018] The wire structure may successively comprise, from the second longitudinal end of the handle and moving longitudinally away from said second longitudinal end: a) two transverse end portions each engaged in a transverse housing of the handle, b) two longitudinal portions each connected upstream to a transverse end portion, c) two portions inclined in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle and each connected upstream to a longitudinal portion, and d) said straight transverse portion which is connected to the two inclined portions.
[0019] The knife may include a first ferrule, called the fixed ferrule, in the form of a split ring, fitted to the first end of the handle and through which a rotating rod passes, on which the blade is mounted for rotation, and a second ferrule, called the rotating ferrule, in the form of a split ring, disposed at the first end of the handle at the level of the axis of rotation of the blade, concentrically with the fixed ferrule, and capable of rotating on itself along the longitudinal axis of the handle.
[0020] The knife may include a storage recess in which a corkscrew is located.
[0021] The invention also relates to the use of a knife written above for uncorking a bottle.
[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, of a non-limiting example of implementation, made with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
[0023] [Fig-1] is a general perspective view of a knife according to the invention,
[0024] [Fig.2] is a top view of the knife of [Fig.1],
[0025] [Fig.3] is a bottom view of the knife of [Fig.1],
[0026] [Fig.4] is a side view of the knife of [Fig.1], without the wire structure of the knife,
[0027] [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of the knife in [Fig.1], and
[0028] [Fig.6] is a view illustrating the uncorking of a bottle using the knife of the [Fig.l].
[0029] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, a knife 1 according to the invention, of the folding blade type, comprises a handle 2, made of wood or of plastic material such as polyamide (with a filler such as fiberglass), and a blade 3 that folds into the handle 2. The blade 3 is mounted for rotation on a rotating rod 4 passing through the handle 2.
[0030] A ferrule system 5, placed at a first end of the handle 2, allows, by means of a ring rotating along the longitudinal axis of the handle, to lock the blade 3 in position once it has been deployed for use.
[0031] A first ferrule 5a, called the fixed ferrule, in the form of a split ring, is fitted to the end of the handle 2 and is crossed by the axis of articulation of the blade on the handle 2. A second ferrule 5b, called the rotating ferrule, is also in the form of a split ring, is arranged concentrically to the fixed ferrule 5a (at the end of the handle at the level of the axis of rotation of the blade), and is able to rotate on itself, along the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 ([Fig.5]).
[0032] The slot provided on each ferrule 5a, 5b allows the passage of the blade 3 from the folded position (in the handle 2) to the deployed position and vice versa.
[0033] In order to lock the blade 3 in the deployed position of use, for safety reasons, the user rotates the rotating ferrule 5b, which brings the proximal part of the blade 3 (towards the handle 2) against the distal periphery of the ferrule, preventing the pivoting of the blade 3 and thus maintaining it in position.
[0034] The handle 2 advantageously includes a lateral recess 6, of long-line shape and arranged along the longitudinal axis of the handle 2, arranged laterally on the handle 2 and open on the outside along its entire length ([Fig.3]).
[0035] In the recess 6 is disposed a corkscrew 7 which is mounted for rotation on a rotating rod 8 transverse to the axis of the handle 2. The rotating rod 8 of the corkscrew 7 is orthogonal to the rotating rod 4 of the blade 3.
[0036] According to the invention, the knife 1 includes, at the second end of the handle 2, a bottle opener 9.
[0037] The bottle opener 9 comprises a wire structure consisting of a wire 10, which is, for example, metallic, and typically stainless steel. The wire 10 advantageously extends in a plane and is bent so as to define, with the end of the handle 2, a closed loop that delimits a bottle-opening opening IL
[0038] The wire structure 10 is advantageously symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.
[0039] The wire 10 includes in particular two transverse end portions 10a, which constitute two studs which engage radially in two corresponding housings (drillings) 12 of the handle 2. The two housings 12 are aligned and define the axis of rotation of the wire structure, said axis being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 ([Fig.4]).
[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the two transverse end portions 10a of the wire 10, proximal to the handle 2, each extend outwards from the handle by a longitudinal portion 10b, and then by an inclined portion 10c. The inclined portions 10c connect the longitudinal portions 10b to a distal transverse portion lOd, in the direction of the axis of the handle 2. Thus, the length of the transverse portion lOd is less than the distance between the two longitudinal portions 10b.
[0041] The transverse end portions 10a and the longitudinal portions 10b substantially delimit a rectangle, while the inclined portions 10c and the central transverse portion 1Od substantially delimit an isosceles trapezoid.
[0042] The transverse end portions 10a, the longitudinal portions 10b, the inclined portions 10c and the central transverse portion lOd are advantageously straight.
[0043] Alternatively, the longitudinal portions 10b and the inclined portions 10c can be curved or aligned.
[0044] The decapsulating opening 11, delimited by the wire structure 10 and by the handle 2, is intended to accommodate part of a bottle cap.
[0045] A bottle cap is typically of the crown cap type. A crown cap is designed to seal a bottle neck whose edge has a semi-toric shaped retainer or a thread with at least one undercut. The crown cap is mainly made up of a metal disc, placed concentrically on the neck, the edges of which are folded laterally to set it on the retainer, forming a notched crown.
[0046] The straight transverse portion lOd of the wire structure 10 constitutes an attachment zone for the bottle opener 9 under at least one notch of the toothed crown.
[0047] The bottle opener 9 also includes a support area 2a designed to rest against the upper part of the capsule, at the center of the capsule. The support area 2a is a flat surface of the handle 2 located at its second end. The handle 2 may include two support areas 2a, each support area 2a being inclined with respect to the axis of the handle. The two support areas 2a are advantageously symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 ([Fig. 4]). For optimal positioning of the bottle opener 9 on the capsule, the angle of inclination between each support area 2a and the longitudinal axis of the handle is between 30° and 60°.
[0048] The free rotation of the wire structure 10 also allows the knife 1 to be suspended and hung on a support.
[0049] To facilitate the passage of the central radial portion lOd under the capsule, the wire has a diameter of less than 3 mm, in particular 2 mm, and preferably between 1.5 and 1.8 mm.
[0050] Finally, the wire 10 is advantageously cylindrical (with a circular cross-section), which has the advantage that the wire does not slip under the capsule. The central transverse portion lOd is advantageously cylindrical and straight, which allows for a better grip on the capsule by the bottle opener, and thus the bottle opener 9 does not come loose during the opening operation.
[0051] Fig. 6 illustrates the knife 1 in the operational configuration of the bottle opener 9.
[0052] A cap 13 from a bottle 14 is engaged in the opening 11 of the bottle opener 9. With the wire structure 10 mounted freely rotating around the handle 2, the bottle opener 9 can be positioned easily and naturally on the capsule 13, and in particular, self-centering of the bottle opener 9 on the capsule 13 is obtained.
[0053] The user engages the capsule 13 in the opening delimited by the wire structure, so that the straight cross portion lOd rests under the crown of the capsule 13 and a bearing face 2a of the handle 2 rests in the center of the capsule 13. By pressing from bottom to top, the straight cross portion lOd engages some teeth, which deforms the metal and releases the clamped glass neck.
Claims
Claims
1. Knife (1) comprising a handle (2) with a longitudinal axis and a blade (3) rotatably mounted at a first longitudinal end of the handle (2), between a position deployed outside the handle (2) and aligned with the latter, and a position folded into a space provided in the handle (2), the knife (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a bottle opener (9), the bottle opener (9) being placed at a second longitudinal end of the handle (2), the bottle opener (9) comprising a wire structure (10) mounted to rotate freely about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle (2), the wire structure (10) defining with the handle (2) a closed contour delimiting a decapping opening (11) intended to receive a capsule (13), and in that the bottle opener (9) comprises a support element (2a) allowing the bottle opener (9) to rest on an upper part of the capsule (13),said support element (2a) being formed by a support zone of the handle (2), and a hooking element (10d) allowing the bottle opener (9) to be hooked under the capsule (13), said hooking element (10d) being formed by a transverse rectilinear portion of the wire structure (10).,
2. Knife (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support zone (2a) of the handle is a flat surface of the handle (2), arranged at the second longitudinal end of the handle (2) and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle (2).
3. Knife (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wire structure (10) consists of a folded metal wire.
4. Knife (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the wire structure (10) is flat and in that the wire is of circular section.
5. Knife (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the diameter of the wire is less than 3 mm.
6. Knife (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the diameter of the wire is between 1.5 and 1.8 mm.
7. Knife (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wire structure (10) successively comprises, from the second longitudinal end of the handle (2) and moving away longitudinally from said second longitudinal end: a) two transverse end portions (10a) each engaged in a transverse housing (12) of the handle (2), b) two longitudinal portions (10b) each connected upstream to a transverse end portion (10a), c) two inclined portions (10c) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle (2) and each connected upstream to a longitudinal portion, and d) said transverse rectilinear portion (10d) which is connected to the two inclined portions (10c).
8. Knife (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a first ferrule (5a), called fixed ferrule, in the form of a split ring, fitted at the first end of the handle (2) and crossed by a rotation rod (4) on which the blade (3) is rotatably mounted, and a second ferrule (5b), called rotating ferrule, in the form of a split ring, arranged at the first end of the handle (2) at the level of the axis of rotation of the blade (3), concentrically to the fixed ferrule (5a), and capable of rotating on itself along the longitudinal axis of the handle (2).
9. Knife (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a storage recess (6) in which a corkscrew (7) is arranged.
10. Use of a knife (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for uncapping a bottle (14).