Flexible Strand Corkscrew Shielding Tip for Pocket Carry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combination corkscrew, bottle opener, and key ring apparatuses are too large and heavy for daily carry, require disassembly for mode changes, and expose the corkscrew tip when stored, risking puncture damage.

Innovation Solution

A compact, lightweight apparatus with a corkscrew and bottle opener connected via a flexible strand that can be configured between storage and use modes without disassembly, shielding the corkscrew tip when not in use, using a flexible strand that can be wound around the corkscrew for storage and unwound for use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the corkscrew tip is exposed for use, then the corkscrew can be used to open bottles, but the corkscrew tip may puncture pocket material when stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorkscrew usabilityVSAvoidpuncture damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strand is wound around the corkscrew body, with the strand's end positioned to shield the corkscrew tip during storage. This nesting configuration allows the protective element to be integrated with the functional component without adding separate shielding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Weight of moving object

If the apparatus is made compact and lightweight for daily carry, then portability is improved, but the apparatus may become too small to effectively perform functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus weightVSAvoidfunctional effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus combines a corkscrew, bottle cap opener, and key ring into a single integrated unit. The corkscrew and bottle cap opener are connected by a flexible strand that also attaches to a key ring, merging multiple functions into one compact apparatus that weighs only a fraction of traditional separate tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible strand serves multiple functions: it connects the corkscrew to the bottle cap opener, acts as a protective shield when wound around the corkscrew, and attaches the entire apparatus to a key ring for portability. This multi-functionality allows the compact apparatus to maintain full functionality despite its small size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus requires disassembly and reassembly to change modes, then functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strand dynamically transitions between wound and unwound states to enable mode switching. When wound, the apparatus is in storage mode with the tip shielded; when unwound, the apparatus is in use mode with the tip exposed. This dynamic configuration allows mode changes without any disassembly or reassembly of the apparatus components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11198601B2Corkscrew and bottle opener apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 GREENSTEIN NOAH

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a pocket-sized corkscrew, bottle opener, and key chain combination apparatus that can be used to open corked and capped bottles, which when stored shields the corkscrew tip, and which can be converted from its storage configuration to its corked-bottle opener configuration with requiring disassembly of the pieces of the apparatus.