A bottle opener is an apparatus which allows the opening of soft or metal bottle caps in wine bottles with corks. Generally speaking, it may be regarded as a type of opener that includes corkscrews for removing plastic or soft stoppers in wine bottles. This device is usually made up of two or more pieces and is designed to allow lifting of the caps with the use of leverage or power. The major parts of this opener are the handle or fore grip and the blade, which may be fixed on the top surface of the device.
The mechanism of the bottle opener consists mainly of a pair of barbs, a counterweight, and the blade or teeth. The barbs are adapted to be inserted into holes drilled in the bottle caps or the tops of wine glasses with the help of a screw thread or bolt. As mentioned, levering the corkscrew requires at least one hand. To facilitate convenience, most models are provided with a second hand piece or a fore grip that allows users to lift the bottle without taking their hands off the other hand.
One can conveniently use one hand for controlling the operation of the bottle opener, while the other hand is used for applying pressure to the blade or counterbalance. Most lever operated bottle openers are operated by a pinion which is inserted into one hole or the top of the bottle cap. The second hand piece or fore grip is then placed into the other hole and is squeezed or pressed into position by the lever. This method of operation ensures that there is complete control of the bottle opener during opening and closing of the corks.
Another variant of the bottle opener includes the belt buckle device. In this case, the lever is mounted on a belt that is connected to a bar or a buckle that fits inside the mouth of the bottle. As the lever is pulled, the belt buckles and the handlebar moves upward or downward to guide the opening of the bottle.
There are two major advantages of the belt buckle bottle opener. First, the lever is mounted inside the mouth of the bottle, which eliminates the need for an extra hole or screw for mounting the handle. Also, since the lever is not engaged in the cap, the user can manipulate the device without engaging any part of the bottle cap. However, the most common complaint about this device is that some people have found it difficult to manipulate the device because of insufficient muscle strength. This problem can be solved by adding a strong, heavy key on the belt that can be pushed down through the loop that secures the handle on the bottle cap.
Other types of bottle openers include the screwdriver type, ratchet type, and the electric meter reader bottle opener. All these variants have a basic similarity including a blade that locks or that is locked by means of a screw or bolt on the handle, a bar or clip to hold the bottle opener firmly in place, and the blade. The screwdriver bottle opener is perhaps the oldest type of opener and it usually features a long handle and a tapered blade. The ratchet type is similar to the screwdriver bottle opener in that it also features a tapered blade but it does not feature the blade locking mechanism. Electric meter reader bottle openers, also known as the T-disc type, are the most widely used modern variation and they are basically identical to the screwdriver type except for the fact that they do not feature the screw or the blade that locks into place.
Cold one: This particular variant is designed with a metal shaft that is extended to both ends so that the user can grasp the bottle opener and pull it outwards. When the bottle opener is pulled out, the metal shaft shoves the bottle opener back into the opener’s housing so that the user can either close the bottle or open it again. One of the most popular types of cold one openers is the corded version which has a rechargeable battery installed under its handle. Corded bottle openers are extremely popular with seniors who live alone because the battery will last for over twenty years. The rechargeable batteries do not rust and they do not require a lot of maintenance either.
Speed blade: These are the most common varieties of bottle openers and the most convenient ones. There is a flat steel blade that is gripped by the handle and is used to glide smoothly along the surface of the bottle. The speed blade allows the user to control how much liquid is poured out and it is ideal for squeezing liquids from hard to reach bottles. Some bottle openers can also function as mixers, which makes them especially useful if you regularly make homemade sodas or juices.