Bottle opener

Bottle Opener is a device that enables the removal of metal bottle caps from bottles. More generally, it might be thought to include corkscrews used to remove cork or plastic stoppers from wine bottles. A metal bottle cap is affixed to the rim of the neck of a bottle by being pleated or ruffled around the rim. A bottle opener is a specialized lever inserted beneath the pleated metalwork, which uses a point on the bottle cap as a fulcrum on which to pivot.

History

The bottle opener was invented at the same time as the crown cork. The crown cork was invented by William Painter on February 2, 1892 (U.S. Patent 468,258). It had 24 teeth and a cork seal with a paper backing to prevent contact between the contents and the metal cap. The current version with 21 teeth was invented by William Painter's son in 1898.

Types of Bottle Openers

There are several distinct designs of such bottle openers. Wall mounted openers are typically found behind bars in pubs, whilst hand-tool bottle openers tend to be found and used in domestic environments. The functional elements of bottle openers (a tooth or lip to catch the underside of the cap, a fulcrum across which to exert the force that will remove the cap, and usually a lever for mechanical advantage) tend to be the same, although their design, positioning and length vary.

Churchkey

A churchkey or church key has a pointed end, for punching a hole in can lids—either to let out the liquid or to let air in while pouring it out.

Bar Blade

A bar blade is a style of bottle opener used in bars around the world. They are flat, about 7 inches long, and normally made of stainless steel. They have a hole at one end and a rectangular cut at the other end to open bottles.

Speed Opener

A speed opener is a variation of the bar blade that has a rounded end with a slit in the metal that is used to remove pour spouts from glass liquor bottles.

See Also

• Can opener
• Corkscrew
• Cap lifter