147

Edward

R.

Mackey,

Dracut,

Massachusetts applied for a patent on

July 21, 1988 for his “Pressurized cork-

removal apparatus for wine bottles and

other containers.” On April 13, 1990

another

filing

was

made

as

a

continuation of several applications.

Patents were granted on April 9, 1991

(No. 5,005,446) and June 4, 1991 (No.

5,020,395).

With this invention, we return to the

“Sparklets” type CO

2

cylinder instead of

the currently popular “food grade” or

“odorless”

capsules

found

in

the

Cameron, Federighi, Meshberg, and

Reinbacher

designs.

Mackey

was

concerned with prior inventions in which

“The

use

of

repetitive

piercing

and

sealing of the gas cylinder…is attendant

with gas leak problems and a significant variation in performance efficacy during

successive used of the device.” Ultimately, to resolve this problem, Mackey’s idea is to

pierce the cartridge only once and keep the piercing pin in a fixed position and depth. Gas

would then be released into a reservoir sealed by the gas pressure acting on a piston.

When the actuator button is depressed, gas is released from the reservoir through the

needle and into the bottle. The gas released from the opened cartridge replenishes the

supply in the reservoir. When the button is released, the reservoir is again sealed. Mackey

claims “This operation provides substantial uniformity of operation during repetitive

uses.”

Mackey filed for a Trademark for the “Wine Mate” on September 21, 1989 having first

used the name in promotion on June 24 of the same year.