Multi-functional bartender's tool and related methods

• US 8,631,722 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2009
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James C. Davis
• Original Assignee: James C. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri, Hadi
• Application Number:
  US12/372,718
• Time in Patent Office: 1,799 Days
• Field of Search: 81/30.9, 81/34.7, 81/35.6, 81/33.6, 81/33.5, 711/0, 711/3, 715/4, 715/5, D7665-668
• US Class Current: 81/3.09
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 2007/0458 Means for cutting sealing capsules
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/0423 of wine-waiter, i.e. sommelier type
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/16 for removing flanged caps, e.g. crown caps
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/44 Combination tools, e.g. comprising cork-screws, can piercers, crowncap removers combinations of opening devices with cutting tools B26; with devices serving other purposes, see appropriate subclasses, e.g. B25F; B43K29/00

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a combination tool useful for bartending or the like. The tools combined for efficiency, convenience, and other purposes include one or more zesters, bottle openers, corkscrews, juicers, jiggers or measuring cups, knives, pouring spout, and/or others. In one embodiment, the combined tools are in a shape that is safe to the user, a size that is relatively portable and lightweight, and from materials that are non-contaminating and readily cleaned. Methods include using the tool for bartending or similar activities.

Claims

1. A combination tool comprising:

a first handle including a first end and second end and a second handle including a front end and a back end, said first end of said first handle connected to a measuring element and said front end of said second handle connected to a juicing element, said juicing element sized and configured to receive a bottom portion of said measuring element, wherein said measuring element and said juicing element are hingedly connected and wherein the first handle and the second handle are pressed together by a user so that the bottom portion of the measuring element is received within the juicing element;

a cork screw element hingedly connected to an exterior bottom portion of the juicing element at the front end of the second handle, wherein said cork screw is positioned along a bottom portion of the second handle when in a retracted or closed orientation;

a lever element hingedly connected to a second exterior bottom portion of the juicing element, wherein said lever portion is configured to be placed over said cork screw element when the lever portion and the cork screw element are in a retracted or closed orientation;

at least one zesting element attached to an exterior side portion of said juicing element; and

wherein the second handle comprises a housing portion, said housing portion including at least one knife pivotably attached to the back end of the second handle.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said housing portion of said second handle includes at least two knives pivotably attached to the back end of the second handle.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein at least one of said at least two knives is a serrated knife.

4. The tool of claim 1, further including a locking mechanism at the back end of said second handle for temporarily retaining said at least one knife within the housing portion of the second handle.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein said juicing element includes at least one opening for draining liquid.

6. The tool of claim 1, further including a second zesting element attached to a second exterior side portion of the juicing element.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein said at least one zesting element includes at least one opening for grating the surface of an object such as fruit.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein said at least one zesting element includes at least four openings for grating the surface of an object such as fruit.

9. The tool of claim 1, further including a spout element attached to the second exterior bottom portion of the juicing element and the lever element.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein the spout element connects to an opening in said juicing element so that liquid can drain from the juicing element to the spout element.

11. The tool of claim 1, further including a bottle opener element attached to a hinge element at a hinged connection between the measuring element and the juicing element.