Corkscrew, particularly for cork or plastic stoppers

Abstract

 A corkscrew (1), particularly for stoppers made of cork or plastics, comprising a spiral tip (3), which is associated so that it can rotate eccentrically between two half-shells (5a, 5b), which have an approximately spiral perimetric shape in which there is a first region (6a, 6b), which is provided with a first arc-like perimetric edge (7a, 7b), which interacts during use with the upper rim (9) of the neck of a bottle (4). Each one of the shells has a second region, which constitutes grip means for the user. Means (45) are also provided for temporarily positioning the spiral tip (3) in the active and inactive positions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a corkscrew particularly for stoppers made of cork or plastics.

[0002] Corkscrews are currently in use which comprise a spiral tip that is for example fixed and protrudes at right angles from a handle; solutions are also known in which such spiral tip can be stored temporarily within a hollow support in order to facilitate its transport or storage in a pocket.

[0003] In these known corkscrews, the spiral tip is screwed into the stopper to be removed and is then pulled forcefully out of the bottle to be opened, together with the stopper, by pulling on the handle.

[0004] The main drawback of these known types of corkscrew is that they require substantial strength in order to be used.

[0005] Corkscrews are also known which use the principle of the lever in order to facilitate extraction of the stopper.

[0006] Substantially, they have a spiral tip, which is hinged at one end to a handle, and a hook-shaped element is in turn hinged to the handle at the opposite end and can engage the rim of the bottle to be opened: it is thus possible to apply a much smaller force to extract the stopper, by virtue of the second-class lever that is used by lifting the handle.

[0007] The main drawback of these second known corkscrews is that their use requires a certain skill and attention in order to prevent the hook-like element from slipping off the rim with which it is engaged, with the possibility of injuring the user, who usually has to grip the neck of the bottle in order to apply the lever action.

[0008] Corkscrews are also used which employ mechanical systems that are suitable to multiply the extraction force applied by the user, so as to make uncorking easy even for users which have limited strength, without requiring particular skill.

[0009] These corkscrews usually comprise two arms, which are pivoted to a support for the spiral tip and act as levers in order to apply an intense traction to the spiral tip, since the support for the spiral tip at one end engages the upper rim of the bottle to be opened.

[0010] The main drawback of these known types of corkscrew is that they are rather bulky and awkward to carry, since they cannot be stored in a pocket.

[0011] Another drawback of these known types of corkscrew relates to the fact that in the inactive position, with the arms arranged parallel to the support, the spiral tip protrudes from said support, and this is dangerous for nearby people or objects.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background, by providing a corkscrew that allows to obtain a high extraction force on the spiral tip with the application of limited force on the part of the user, at the same time ensuring very easy and safe use and the possibility of safe and easy transport.

[0013] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a corkscrew that is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

[0014] This aim and this and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a corkscrew, particularly for stoppers made of cork or plastics, characterized in that it comprises a spiral tip, which is associated so that it can rotate eccentrically between two half-shells, which have an approximately spiral perimetric shape in which there is a first region, which is provided with a first arc-like perimetric edge, which interacts during use with the upper rim of the neck of a bottle, and a second region, which constitutes grip means for the user, means being provided for temporarily positioning said spiral tip in the active and inactive positions.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the corkscrew according to the invention in the inactive position, in which one of the two half-shells is not shown for the sake of clarity;

Figure 2 is a side view of the corkscrew according to the invention in the active position;

Figures 3 to 6 are side views of the successive steps of uncorking;

Figure 7 is a perspective exploded view of the corkscrew according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a side view of a first half-shell of the corkscrew;

Figure 9 is a side view of a second half-shell of the corkscrew;

Figure 10 is a side view of the spacer of the corkscrew;

Figure 11 is a front view of the spacer;

Figure 12 is a front view of the spiral tip and of the first block to which it is fixed;

Figure 13 is a sectional view, taken along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 8;

Figure 14 is a front view of the second block and of the lever that supports it;

Figure 15 is a side view of the second block and of the lever that supports it;

Figure 16 is a partial sectional view of the corkscrew according to the invention, taken along the line XVI-XVI of Figure 2;

Figure 17 is a side view of a corkscrew according to the invention in the inactive position, in which one of the two half-shells is not shown for the sake of clarity;

Figure 18 is a side view of the corkscrew of Figure 17 in the active position;

Figure 19 is a side view of the corkscrew of Figure 17 in a step of the extraction of a stopper;

Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the corkscrew of Figure 17;

Figure 21 is a side view of a first half-shell of the corkscrew;

Figure 22 is a side view of a second half-shell of the corkscrew;

Figure 23 is a front view of the spiral tip and of the first block to which it is fixed;

Figure 24 is a front view of the third block of the corkscrew of Figure 17;

Figure 25 is an exploded side view of parts of a corkscrew according to the invention.

[0016] In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other embodiments.

[0017] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0018] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a corkscrew particularly for stoppers 2 made of cork or plastics.

[0019] The corkscrew 1 comprises a spiral tip 3, which can be inserted in the stopper 2 of a bottle 4, which is associated so that it can rotate eccentrically between two half-shells 5a and 5b, which lie and are retained on mutually parallel planes.

[0020] Each one of the half-shells 5a and 5b has an approximately spiral perimetric shape, in which there is a first region 6a and 6b, which has a first arc-like perimetric edge 7a and 7b that approximately traces half a circle, and is contiguous to a second perimetric edge 8a and 8b, which is substantially flat and is not directly connected to the first region 6a and 6b; the first perimetric edges 7a and 7b and second perimetric edges 8a and 8b interact during use with the upper rim 9 of the neck of the bottle 4.

[0021] A cavity is provided at the first regions 6a and 6b on each one of the facing surfaces of each half-shell 5a and 5b and forms an expansion chamber 10a and 10b for the stopper 2, with a preferably flat bottom 11a and 11b; the expansion chambers 10a and 10b allow, during the extraction of the stopper 2, its expansion in a radial direction without this increasing friction with the half-shells 5a and 5b.

[0022] The expansion chambers 10a and 10b contain a first cylinder 12a and a second cylinder 12b, which have the same longitudinal axis, which is perpendicular to the bottom 11a and 11b of the expansion chambers 10a and 10b.

[0023] The first cylinder 12a and the second cylinder 12b are arranged eccentrically with respect to the first regions 6a and 6b and are approximately as high as the expansion chambers 10a and 10b are deep.

[0024] The first cylinder 12a and the second cylinder 12b have first holes 13a and 13b along the same central axis.

[0025] The first cylinder 12a has, on a first lateral surface 14, a first radial slot 15, which has a cross-section that is shaped substantially like an isosceles trapezoid, in which the catheti converge toward the axis of the first cylinder 12a; the first slot 15 is arranged, with respect to the axis of the first cylinder 12a, on the opposite side with respect to the second perimetric edge 8a.

[0026] The second cylinder 12b has a radial slit 16, which lies on the plane formed by the axis of the cylinders 12a and 12b and by the axis of symmetry of the first slot 15; the radial slit 16 is arranged, with respect to the axis of the second cylinder 12b, on the same side of the second perimetric edge 8b.

[0027] The half-shells 5a and 5b have a second region 17a and 17b, which constitutes a grip means for the user, obtained by means of first tabs 18a and 18b that have an approximately triangular profile that interacts between the first perimetric edges 7a and 7b and the second perimetric edges 8a and 8b.

[0028] The first tabs 18a and 18b have third arc-like perimetric edges 19a and 19b, which are contiguous to the first perimetric edges 7a and 7b, and fourth flat perimetric edges 20a and 20b, which meet approximately at right angles the second perimetric edges 8a and 8b and lie approximately on a plane that is parallel and spaced with respect to the plane formed by the axis of the first and second cylinders 12a and 12b and by the axis of symmetry of the first slot 15.

[0029] The first tabs 18a and 18b are delimited laterally by second lateral flat surfaces 21a and 21b, which face each other and are parallel to the plane of arrangement of the bottom 11a and 11b of the expansion chambers 10a and 10b.

[0030] A spacer 22 is arranged between the two half-shells 5a and 5b and has a profile shaped substantially like an inverted letter L, with a first arc-like wing 23, which is shaped so as to match the third perimetric edges 19a and 19b and a second flat wing 24, which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the fourth perimetric edges 20a and 20b and is directed toward the first and second cylinders 12a and 12b.

[0031] The first wing 23 is connected to the second wing 24 by a surface 25, which is inclined with respect to the first wing 23 and acts as a stroke limiter for the rotation of the spiral tip 3 with respect to the half-shells 5a and 5b, as described hereinafter.

[0032] The spacer 22 is delimited laterally by third flat lateral surfaces 26a and 26b, which are parallel to the planes of arrangement of the two half-shells 5a and 5b.

[0033] The third lateral surfaces 26a and 26b are associated respectively with the second lateral surfaces 21 a and 21b of the first tabs 18a and 18b, so that the first wing 23 is arranged at the third perimetric edges 19a and 19b of the first tabs 18a and 18b.

[0034] A receptacle 27 for enclosing the spiral tip 3 in an inactive position is formed between the second lateral surfaces 21a and 21b, the first wing 23 and the surface 25.

[0035] The spiral tip 3 is fixed, at one of its ends, approximately at right angles to a first block 28, which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and is rotatably associated, by way of pivoting means, between the two half-shells 5a and 5b.

[0036] The first block 28 has two faces 29a and 29b, which are parallel to the planes of arrangement of the half-shells 5a and 5b and face respectively the first cylinder 12a and the second cylinder 12b.

[0037] The first block 28 has a second through hole 30, which is formed transversely to the axis of the spiral tip 3, on the same axis as the first holes 13a and 13b, and is provided with third through holes 31a and 31b, which are parallel to each other and to the axis of the spiral tip 3.

[0038] The first block 28 has, at the end of the third through holes 31 a and 31b that is directed toward the spiral tip 3, two second semicircular slots 32a and 32b, whose axis is perpendicular to the plane that contains the axes of the third through holes 31a and 31b.

[0039] The pivoting means comprise advantageously two substantially cylindrical pivots 33a and 33b, which are associated slidingly with the second through hole 30 and are pushed respectively into the first holes 13a and 13b by elastic pusher means, which are advantageously constituted by a helical spring 34 that is interposed between the pivots 33a and 33b.

[0040] The corkscrew 1 comprises means for temporarily positioning the spiral tip 3 in the active and inactive positions.

[0041] Such means for temporarily positioning the spiral tip 3 in the active and inactive positions advantageously comprise at least one release and positioning lever 35, which is slidingly associated with the third through holes 31a and 31b and is rigidly coupled at its ends 38a and 38b to a locking element, which can engage selectively the first cylinder 12a and/or the second cylinder 12b in order to mutually lock them in the active position.

[0042] The lever 35 is constituted advantageously by two mutually parallel arms 36a and 36b, which are substantially L-shaped.

[0043] The arms 36a and 36b have first portions 37a and 37b, which are arranged slidingly at the third through holes 31a and 31b; their ends 38a and 38b protrude beyond the first block 28 on the opposite side with respect to the spiral tip 3 and are fixed to the locking element, which is advantageously constituted by a second block 41.

[0044] The arms 36a and 36b are provided with second portions 39a and 39b, which are substantially perpendicular to the first portions 37a and 37b, which are connected at their ends by a handle 40, which is substantially U-shaped and is arranged on an inclined plane with respect to the plane of arrangement of the second portions 39a and 39b: its dimensions are such that it protrudes radially from the half-shells 5a and 5b.

[0045] In the inactive position, the handle 40 is arranged approximately at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the second perimetric edges 8a and 8b.

[0046] The sliding of the first portions 37a and 37b in the third through holes 31a and 31b is limited by the abutment of the second portions 39a and 39b against the second slots 32a and 32b.

[0047] The second block 41 is shaped like a parallelepiped, has the same width and length as the first block 28, and faces it on the opposite side with respect to the spiral tip 3; the second block 41 is provided with two fourth through holes 42a and 42b, which are arranged on the same axes as the third through holes 31a and 31b and faces them, and in which the ends 38a and 38b of the first portions 37a and 37b engage.

[0048] The second block 41 is provided with a second tab 43, which is substantially cylindrical and has an axis that is parallel to the axis of the second through hole 30 and is directed toward the first cylinder 12a; the second tab 43 can engage selectively the first slot 15 in order to lock the mutual rotation between the second block 41 and the half-shells 5a and 5b in the active position.

[0049] The second block 41 is provided with a third slot 44, which is parallel to the axis of the second through hole 30.

[0050] The means for temporary positioning in the active and inactive positions advantageously comprise a torsion spring 45, which is arranged around the second cylinder 12b and has the dual function of applying a torque for returning the spiral tip 3 into the receptacle 27 and of applying a force for returning the second block 41 toward the first block 28 in order to prepare the second tab 43 for engagement with the first slot 15 when they match up.

[0051] A first end 46 of the torsion spring 45 is inserted in the third slot 44 of the second block 41 and a second end 47 of the torsion spring 45 is inserted in the radial slit 16 of the second cylinder 12b.

[0052] Operation is therefore as follows: with reference to Figure 1, the corkscrew is in the inactive position; the return torque applied by the torsion spring 45 keeps the spiral tip 3 within the receptacle 27, pressed against the surface 25, and the corkscrew 1 can be carried easily without the danger of the spiral tip 3 protruding from the receptacle 27.

[0053] In this inactive position, the second tab 43 is not arranged at the first slot 15 and interferes with the first lateral surface 14 of the first cylinder 12a, keeping the second block 41 spaced from the first block 28.

[0054] With reference to Figure 2, by applying a clockwise traction to the handle 40, which in the inactive position protrudes from the half-shells 5a and 5b, the first block 28 and the second block 41 are turned with respect to the half-shells 5a and 5b, accordingly causing the spiral tip 3 to exit from the receptacle 27.

[0055] When the second tab 43 arrives at the first slot 15 as a consequence of this rotation, the torsion spring 45, by drawing the second block 41 toward the first block 28, causes the insertion of the second tab 43 in the first slot 15, with the consequent locking of the spiral tip 3 in the active position, in which the spiral tip 3 protrudes from the half-shells 5a and 5b proximate to the second perimetric edges 8a and 8b of the first regions 6a and 6b, approximately at right angles thereto.

[0056] In this active position, the spiral tip 3 can be screwed into the stopper 2 by turning the half-shells 5a and 5b with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spiral tip 3; by continuing the screwing action, the second perimetric edges 8a and 8b make contact with the upper rim 9 of the bottle 4 and therefore the stopper 2 starts to climb along the spiral tip 3 until it makes contact with the second portions 39a and 39b of the lever 35.

[0057] As the screwing action continues, the stopper 2 pushes the lever 35 in the opposite direction with respect to the bottle 4, moving the second block 41 away from the first block 28 and thus freeing the second tab 43 from the first slot 15; from this point onward, it is possible to turn the half-shells 5a and 5b with respect to the axis that passes through the pivots 33a and 33b.

[0058] With reference to Figure 3, by applying a counterclockwise traction to the second regions 17a and 17b, the first perimetric edges 7a and 7b are moved into engagement with the upper rim 9 of the bottle 4, and if traction continues said second perimetric edges slide along the upper rim 9; due to the eccentric arrangement of the first and second cylinders 12a and 12b with respect to the first regions 6a and 6b, the distance between the pivoting axis of the spiral tip 3 and the upper rim 9 gradually increases, causing the exit of the spiral tip 3, and of the stopper 2 screwed thereon, from the neck of the bottle 4.

[0059] During extraction, the stopper 2 gradually enters the expansion chambers 10a and 10b.

[0060] The rotation of the spiral tip 3 with respect to the half-shells 5a and 5b is at this point prevented by the friction between the stopper 2 and the edges of the expansion chambers 10a and 10b.

[0061] Once extraction has been completed, a rotation of the stopper 2 with respect to the spiral tip 3 in reverse with respect to the screwing direction allows its separation from said tip.

[0062] The spiral tip 3 is again free to rotate with respect to the half-shells 5a and 5b; the torsion spring 45 draws the second block 41, the first block 28 and the spiral tip 3 rigidly coupled thereto toward the receptacle 27, making them rotate until the second tab 43 arrives at the first slot 15 and enters it, under the action of the torsion spring 45, again locking the spiral tip 3 in the active position.

[0063] By applying to the handle 40 a pressure that makes the second tab 43 exit from the first slot 15, the rotation of the spiral tip 3 with respect to the half-shells 5a and 5b is allowed again, and the torsion spring 45 is allowed to return the spiral tip 3 into the receptacle 27 in the inactive position.

[0064] It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and object, a corkscrew particularly for stoppers made of cork or plastic material having been provided which allows to obtain a high uncorking force by means of the application of a limited force on the part of the user, at the same time retaining very easy use and further being suitable for easy and safe transport.

[0065] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0066] Thus, for example, with reference to Figures 17 to 25, it is possible to provide a corkscrew 101 in which the first and second cylinders 112a and 112b, respectively of the half-shells 105a and 105b, each have, on the respective lateral surface, instead of the first slot 15 and the radial slit 60 respectively provided in the case of the first embodiment described earlier, a fourth radial slot, designated by the reference numerals 148a and 148b, which has a cross-section that is shaped substantially like an isosceles trapezoid.

[0067] The fourth slots 148a and 148b are arranged, with respect to the axis of the respective first or second cylinders 112a and 112b, on the opposite side with respect to the second perimetric edge 108a and 108b respectively of the half-shells 105a and 105b and face each other.

[0068] Proximate to each fourth slot 148a and 148b there is a fifth slot 149a and 149b, which is substantially similar in shape to the contiguous fourth slot 148a and 148b and is rotated with respect to it in the direction of the region of connection between the first perimetric edges 107a and 107b and the second perimetric edges 108a and 108b of the half-shells 105a and 105b.

[0069] In this second embodiment, the first block 128 has two fifth through holes, designated by the reference numerals 164a and 164b, which are parallel to each other and to the axis of the spiral tip 103; the opening for access to the fifth through holes 164a and 164b that is directed away from the spiral tip 103 is smaller than the inside diameter of the fifth through holes 164a and 164b, so as to form inside each one of the fifth holes an annular abutment designated by the reference numerals 150a and 150b.

[0070] In this second embodiment, the pivoting means comprise advantageously two pins 163a and 163b, which are substantially cylindrical and protrude approximately at right angles respectively from the faces 129a, 129b of the first block 128 and are arranged substantially along the same axis as the first holes 113a and 113b.

[0071] The corkscrew 101 comprises means for temporarily arranging the spiral tip 103 in the active and inactive positions; said means are advantageously constituted, in this second embodiment, by a third block 151, which is approximately as wide as the first block 128, and an approximately flat lower portion 152, which faces the first block 128 on the opposite side with respect to the spiral tip 103.

[0072] A substantially flat inclined portion 153 protrudes toward the first block 128 from a longitudinal end of the lower portion 152 of the third block 151 and has such dimensions that it protrudes radially from the half-shells 105a and 105b in the inactive position.

[0073] The lower portion 152 and the inclined portion 153 are connected, at their free ends and on the opposite side with respect to the first block 128, by an arc-like surface 154, the transverse cross-section of which preferably repeats the shape of the first perimetric edge 107a and 107b of the half-shells 105a and 105b.

[0074] A cavity 155 is formed in the third block 151, starting from the lower portion 152 thereof, and is shaped substantially complementarily with respect to the first block 128, so that it can contain said block approximately completely.

[0075] Two cylindrical seats, designated respectively by the reference numerals 156a and 156b, are provided on the bottom of the cavity 155, approximately along the same axes as the fifth through holes 164a and 164b, and have, on their internal surface, a thread that is not shown in the accompanying figures.

[0076] Two third substantially cylindrical tabs 158a and 158b protrude respectively from the fourth lateral surfaces 157a and 157b of the third block 151 and approximately at right angles thereto, said surfaces being directed respectively toward the first and second cylinders 112a and 112b; the third tabs 158a and 158b have such dimensions that they can be inserted respectively in the fourth slots 148a and 148b and in the fifth slots 149a and 149b.

[0077] The third block 151 is associated with the first block 128 by means of two screws, designated by the reference numerals 159a and 159b, which are associated slidingly with the fifth through holes 164a and 164b.

[0078] The screws 159a and 159b have a head 160a and 160b whose dimensions are such that it can slide within the fifth through holes 164a and 164b and engage the abutment 150a and 150b; each one of the screws 159a and 159b has a stem 161a and 161b, which is threaded, at its free end, complementarily with respect to one of the seats 156a and 156b respectively of the third block 151 and can thus be fixed to said seat.

[0079] Elastic means are interposed between the heads 160a and 160b of each one of the screws 159a and 159b and the abutment 150a and 150b of the respective fifth through hole 164a and 164b and are suitable to contrast the advancement of the heads 160a and 160b toward the abutments 150a and 150b; said elastic means are advantageously constituted, for each screw 159a and 159b, by a helical spring 162a and 162b.

[0080] Operation is therefore as follows: with reference to Figure 17, the corkscrew is in the inactive position; the third tabs 158a and 158b of the third block are retained respectively in the fifth slots 149a and 149b by the action of the springs 162a and 162b.

[0081] By moving, in contrast with the action of the springs 162a and 162b, the third block 151 away from the first block 128 until the third tabs 158a and 158b protrude respectively from the fifth slots 149a and 149b, it is possible to turn the first block 128 and the third block 151 with respect to the half-shells 105a and 105b.

[0082] With reference to Figure 17, by applying traction counterclockwise to the inclined portion 153 of the third block 151, said third block is turned, and therefore so is the first block 128, with respect to the half-shells 105a and 105b.

[0083] When, with reference to Figure 18, as a consequence of this rotation, the third tabs 158a and 158b arrive respectively at the fourth slots 148a and 148b, the springs 162a and 162b draw the third block 151 toward the first block 128 and thus cause the insertion of the third tabs 158a and 158b in the fourth slots 148a and 148b, with consequent locking of the spiral tip 103 in the active position.

[0084] In this active position, the spiral tip 103 can be screwed into a stopper, until said stopper, by pushing the third block 151 in the opposite direction with respect to the first block 128, frees the third tabs 158a and 158b from the fourth slots 148a and 148b, allowing the rotation of the half-shells 105a and 105b with respect to the spiral tip 103 and allowing, in a manner similar to the one shown with reference to Figures 4 to 6, to extract the stopper.

[0085] The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to specific requirements.

[0086] The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.

[0087] The characteristics that are indicated as being advantageous, convenient or the like can also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

[0088] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2004A000043 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0089] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A corkscrew, particularly for stoppers made of cork or plastics, characterized in that it comprises a spiral tip, which is associated, so that it can rotate eccentrically, between two half-shells, which have an approximately spiral perimetric shape in which there is a first region, which is provided with a first arc-like perimetric edge, which interacts during use with the upper rim of the neck of a bottle, and a second region, which constitutes grip means for the user, means being provided for temporarily positioning said spiral tip in the active and inactive positions.

2. The corkscrew according to claim 1, characterized in that said first region comprises a second perimetric edge, which is substantially flat and is not directly connected to said first region and interacts, during use, with said upper rim of the neck of said bottle.

3. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said half-shells comprise, at said first regions, on each one of the mutually facing surfaces, a cavity that forms an expansion chamber for said stopper, which has a flat bottom.

4. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said expansion chambers contain a first cylinder and a second cylinder, which have the same longitudinal axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of said expansion chambers, said first and second cylinders being arranged eccentrically with respect to said first regions and being approximately as high as said expansion chambers are deep, said first and second cylinders having first holes that are provided along the same central axis.

5. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first cylinder has, on a first lateral surface, a first radial slot, which is arranged, with respect to the axis of said first cylinder, on the opposite side with respect to said second perimetric edge.

6. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second region, which constitutes a grip means for the user, comprises first tabs, which have an approximately triangular profile that interacts between said first perimetric edges and said second perimetric edges.

7. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first tabs have third arc-like perimetric edges, which are contiguous to said first perimetric edges, and fourth perimetric edges, which are substantially flat and join approximately at right angles said second perimetric edges, said first tabs being delimited laterally by second lateral surfaces, which are substantially flat, face each other and are approximately parallel to the plane of arrangement of said bottom of said expansion chambers.

8. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spacer is arranged between said half-shells.

9. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that said spacer has a profile that is substantially shaped like an inverted letter L, with a first arc-like wing, which is shaped so as to match said third perimetric edges, and a second flat wing, which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of said fourth perimetric edges and is directed toward said first and second cylinders, said first wing being connected to said second wing by a surface that is inclined with respect to said first wing.

10. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that said spacer is delimited laterally by third flat lateral surfaces, which are parallel to the planes of arrangement of said half-shells and are associated respectively with said second lateral surfaces of said first tabs, said first wing being arranged at said third perimetric edges of said first tabs.

11. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receptacle is formed between said second lateral surfaces, said first wing and said inclined surface, in order to enclose said spiral tip in said inactive position.

12. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spiral tip is fixed, at one of its ends, approximately at right angles to a first block, which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and is rotationally associated, by way of pivoting means, between said two half-shells.

13. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pivoting means comprise two pivots, which are associated slidingly with a second through hole formed in said first block transversely to the axis of said spiral tip, on the same axis as said first holes, said pivots being pushed by elastic pusher means into said first holes.

14. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic pusher means are constituted by a helical spring that is interposed between said pivots.

15. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for temporarily positioning in the active and inactive positions said spiral tip comprise a release and positioning lever, which is slidingly associated with third through holes, which are formed in said first block and are parallel to each other and to the axis of said spiral tip, said lever being rigidly coupled to a locking element, which can engage selectively at least one of said first and second cylinders in order to mutually lock them in said active position.

16. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 15, characterized in that said lever is constituted by two mutually parallel arms, which are substantially L-shaped and have first portions, which are arranged slidingly at said third through holes, the ends of which protrude beyond said first block on the opposite side with respect to said spiral tip, and are fixed to said locking element.

17. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 16, characterized in that said arms have second portions, which are substantially perpendicular to said first portions and are joined at their ends by a handle that protrudes radially from said half-shells in said inactive position.

18. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 17, characterized in that said locking element is constituted by a second block, which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped that has approximately the same width and length as said first block, and is arranged so as to face it on the opposite side with respect to said spiral tip.

19. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 18, characterized in that said second block is provided with two fourth through holes, which are arranged along the same axes as said third through holes and face them, said ends of said first portions being engaged therein.

20. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 19, characterized in that said second block has a second substantially cylindrical tab, whose axis is parallel to the axis of said second through hole, said tab being directed toward said first cylinder, said second tab being selectively engageable in said first slot of said first cylinder.

21. The corkscrew according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for temporary positioning in the active and inactive positions comprise a torsion spring, which is arranged around said second cylinder, a first end of said torsion spring being inserted in a third slot of said second block and a second end of said torsion spring being inserted in a radial slit provided in said second cylinder.

22. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said first and second cylinders each have, on their respective lateral surface, a fourth radial slot, which has a cross-section that is shaped substantially like an isosceles trapezoid and is arranged, with respect to the axis of the respective said first or second cylinder, on the opposite side with respect to said second perimetric edge of said half-shells, said fourth slots facing each other, a fifth slot being provided proximate to each one of said fourth slots and having a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the contiguous said fourth slot and is rotated with respect to it toward the region of connection between said first perimetric edges and said second perimetric edges of said half-shells.

23. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 12, characterized in that said pivoting means comprise two substantially cylindrical pins, which protrude approximately at right angles respectively from two faces of said first block, which are parallel to the planes of arrangement of said half-shells, said pins being arranged substantially along the same axis as said first holes.

24. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 23, characterized in that said first block has two fifth through holes, which are parallel to each other and to the axis of said spiral tip, the opening for accessing said fifth holes that is directed away from said spiral tip being smaller than the internal diameter of said fifth through holes, so as to form an annular abutment inside each one of said holes.

25. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 24, characterized in that said means for temporarily positioning said spiral tip in the active and inactive positions are constituted by a third block, which is approximately as wide as said first block, and by an approximately flat lower portion, which faces said first block on the opposite side with respect to said spiral tip, an inclined portion protruding toward said first block from a longitudinal end of said lower portion and having such dimensions as to protrude radially from said half-shells in said inactive position.

26. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 25, characterized in that a cavity that is substantially shaped complementarily to said first block is provided in said third block starting from said lower portion thereof, two cylindrical seats being formed on the bottom of said cavity, approximately along the same axes as said fifth through holes, said seats having, on their internal surface, a thread; two substantially cylindrical third tabs protruding from fourth lateral surfaces of said third block that are directed respectively towards said first and second cylinders, said tabs protruding approximately at right angles to said surfaces, said third tabs having such dimensions that they can be inserted respectively in said fourth slots and in said fifth slots.

27. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 26, characterized in that said third block is associated with said first block by way of two screws, which are associated slidingly with said fifth through holes and have a head whose dimensions are such that it can slide within said fifth through holes and can engage said abutment, each one of said screws having a stem, which is threaded complementarily, at its free end, with respect to one of said seats of said third block.

28. The corkscrew according to claims 1 and 27, characterized in that elastic means suitable to contrast the advancement of said heads toward said abutments are interposed between said heads of each one of said screws and said abutment of the respective said fifth through hole and are suitable to contrast the advancement of said heads toward said abutments, which are advantageously constituted by a helical spring for each screw.

Drawing