Threaded champagne stopper

Abstract

A stopper for selectively sealing a beverage bottle is provided. The beverage bottle may be made from glass, plastic, or another suitable material. The beverage bottle may be configured to store champagne or other carbonated beverages. The stopper is preferably configured to slowly release internal pressure and gases (e.g., carbon dioxide) from the bottle as the stopper removed from the beverage bottle. For example, the stopper may include a plurality of threads positioned and located on an outer surface of the stopper. As the stopper is removed from the bottle, the threads may allow gases (e.g., carbon dioxide) to be released therebetween. As a result, the stopper preferably reduces the risk of internal pressure pushing the stopper off of the bottle. Accordingly, the stopper may reduce the risk of injuries or damage to fragile objects when opening a bottle of champagne.

1 . A stopper for a beverage bottle, the stopper comprising:
 a lower portion configured to be received in a mouth of the beverage bottle, the lower portion including an outer surface; and   at least one thread protruding outward from the outer surface of the lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is made of at least one of cork and rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stopper extends from a lower end to an upper end;   each thread of the at least one thread extends from the lower end of the stopper to a terminal end of the at least one thread; and   each of the terminal ends is positioned and located in between the upper end and the lower end of the stopper.   
     
     
         4 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thread is wrapped at least partially around the outer surface of the lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thread is curved between 60 degrees and 120 degrees around a circumference of the lower portion. 
     
     
         6 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the stopper is hour-glass shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thread includes at least four threads. 
     
     
         8 . A beverage bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle including an internal cavity and an aperture extending into the internal cavity;   at least one internal thread positioned and located in the internal cavity;   a stopper selectively receivable in the aperture in the bottle;   at least one external thread positioned and located on the stopper; and   wherein the at least one external thread is configured to engage with the at least one internal thread.   
     
     
         9 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the bottle is made of at least one of glass and plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one internal thread is positioned and located proximate to the aperture in the bottle. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the bottle is configured to hold at least one of champagne, sparkling wine, sparking juice, beer, soda, and carbonated water. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one internal thread is wrapped at least partially around an inner surface of the bottle. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the stopper moves out from the aperture as the stopper is rotated in a first direction. 
     
     
         14 . A beverage bottle assembly comprising:
 a bottle including an internal cavity and an aperture extending into the internal cavity;   a stopper selectively receivable in the aperture in the bottle;   at least one external thread positioned and located on the stopper;   wherein when the at least one external thread is in a first position, the stopper is positioned and located in the aperture to seal the internal cavity; and   wherein when the at least one external thread is rotated into a second position, fluid communication is established between the internal cavity and the ambient environment.   
     
     
         15 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the at least one external thread includes a plurality of external threads, each of the external threads spaced apart from one another;   the stopper further includes one or more channels positioned and located between each of the one or more external threads; and   when the at least one external thread is in the second position, fluid communication is established between the internal cavity and the ambient environment through the one or more channels.   
     
     
         16 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the stopper further includes:
 an upper end;   an upper cross section positioned and located proximate to the upper end;   a lower end positioned and located opposite from the upper end;   a lower cross section positioned and located proximate to the lower end; and   a middle cross section positioned and located in between the upper end and the lower end, the middle cross section smaller than at least one of the upper cross section and the lower cross section.   
     
     
         17 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one external thread is positioned and located within the internal cavity when the at least one external thread is in the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein an end of the at least one external thread is positioned and located outside of the internal cavity when the at least one external thread is in the second position. 
     
     
         19 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein in the second position of the at least one external thread, the beverage bottle assembly releases at least one of internal pressure and excess gases from the internal cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The beverage bottle assembly according to  claim 14 , further including at least one internal thread positioned and located in the internal cavity, each internal thread of the at least one internal thread being selectively engageable with an external thread of the at least one external thread.