Abstract:
A fruit holder for removable attachment to the top of an open bottle such as, for example, an open beer bottle. The fruit holder is characterized by its construction including a bottle top engaging portion in fluid communicating relation to a beverage contained by the bottle, a funnel portion integrally formed above the bottle top engaging portion, and a wedge holder integrally formed on a segment of the funnel and extending outwardly from the funnel so that a fruit wedge may be placed and held on the wedge holder and juice from the fruit wedge, when squeezed, will flow along the wedge holder into the funnel, and through the bottle top engaging portion to the beverage contained by the bottle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fruit holder constructed for removable attachment to the open top of a bottle such as, for example, a beer bottle. The fruit holder includes a wedge holder integrally formed thereon whereby a fruit wedge such as, for example, lime may be placed on the wedge holder even while the invention is attached to the bottle. Juice squeezed onto the wedge holder may drain through the invention into the open bottle to mix with the beverage contained therein. Four (4) preferred embodiments are disclosed and claimed hereinafter. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that many persons enjoy the taste provided by the addition of a fruit flavor to a wide variety of beverages. Such beverages may include a broad range of products such as, for example, water, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, and even mixed alcoholic cocktails. Perhaps best recognized by many people is the addition of lime juice to beer, as a result of extensive advertisements distributed by a Mexican beer producer. However, as those advertisements illustrate, the current method for introducing the lime juice into the beer is by lodging a lime wedge into the open top of the beer bottle. The consumer then removes the wedge and squeezes it over the open bottle so that at least some of the juice goes into the bottle. The consumer then typically forces the squeezed lime wedge through the open bottle so that it drops into the beer. Of course a similar operation can be performed with virtually any beverage contained within a bottle-type container. Also obvious is the fact that it is relatively difficult for the consumer to ensure that all of the juice, or even most of the juice, actually finds its way to the intended beverage. Almost without exception, a significant quantity of juice spills down the side of the bottle. 
     Clearly, there is a need in the art for a device that will not only present a fruit segment with an opened bottled beverage, but also will provide a construction whereby virtually all of the juice squeezed from the fruit section will actually flow into the beverage contained within the bottle. Such a device must engage the open bottle so that the juice may flow therethrough into the beverage, but such a device must also be removable from the bottle so that the consumer may enjoy the beverage into which the juice has been introduced. For purposes of sanitation, any such device must be constructed from a material that can be thoroughly cleaned and should preferably be of unitary construction so that no joints, cracks, nor crevices are present to provide an environment for the growth of bacteria. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fruit holder that is removably attachable to the open top of a bottle. The fruit holder comprises a bottle top engaging segment defined by a hollow cylinder having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, a bottom edge and a top. Integrally formed on the top of the hollow cylinder is a funnel portion that is in fluid communicating relation to the interior diameter of the hollow cylinder. The funnel portion comprises a funnel wall that extends upwardly away from the top of the hollow cylinder. A wedge holder is integrally formed on a segment of the funnel wall, and the wedge holder extends outwardly from the funnel wall. The wedge holder comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a distal end. When attached to an open bottle, a fruit wedge may be placed on the top surface of the wedge holder. When a consumer squeezes the fruit wedge over the holder, the resulting juice flows down the top surface of the holder, into the funnel portion, and through the hollow cylinder into the bottle and any beverage contained therein. 
     The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the fruit holder removably attached to the open top of a bottle (shown in phantom) and having a fruit wedge (also shown in phantom) such as, for example, a lime wedge placed thereon. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation of a second preferred embodiment of the fruit holder including a crown top opener integrally formed thereon. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the fruit holder removably attached to the open top of a bottle (shown in phantom) and having a fruit wedge (also shown in phantom) such as, for example, a lime wedge placed thereon. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation of the third preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the third preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment of the fruit holder removably attached to the open top of a bottle (shown in phantom) and having a fruit wedge (also shown in phantom) such as, for example, a lime wedge placed thereon. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation of the fourth preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before providing a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, attention is invited to the fact that four (4) preferred embodiments are disclosed. The first preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and the structural elements are identified by numerals in a 1xx series. The second preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 , and the structural elements are identified by numerals in a 2xx series. The third preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , and the structural elements are identified by numerals in a 3xx series. The fourth preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , and the structural elements are identified by numerals in a 4xx series. The last two digits of the reference numerals indentify similar parts in each of the four preferred embodiments. 
     As is more fully described below, all elements of the present invention, with a single exception relating to the second preferred embodiment, are preferably formed as a single piece as by, for example, molding or stamping. 
     While any suitable material for such manufacturing processes may be used, it is recommended that the invention be molded from a suitable plastic or rubber material. This not only ensures a snug, substantially fluid-tight seal with the open bottle top, but also enhances the ease with which the invention may be cleaned and/or sanitized. It is also to be understood that while the following detailed description is given with regard to a wedge of lime, this is for purposes of explanation and clarity only. The specific fruit chosen is not a limiting factor on the scope of the present invention. 
     Attention is now invited to the first preferred embodiment as shown in the views of  FIGS. 1-4 . The fruit holder is generally indicated as  110 . In the view of  FIG. 1 , fruit holder  110  is illustrated as being operatively attached to the open top of bottle  112 , and a wedge of lime  114  is shown as resting on fruit holder  110 .  FIG. 2  illustrates additional details of fruit holder  110 . 
     Fruit holder  110  includes a bottle top engaging segment defined by a hollow cylinder, generally indicated as  116 . The interior diameter of hollow cylinder  116  is defined by inner wall  118 , and the outside diameter of hollow cylinder  116  is defined by outer wall  120 . Hollow cylinder  116  further includes a bottom edge  122  and a top  124 . A funnel portion, generally indicated as  126  is integrally formed on top  124  in fluid communicating relation to the hollow cylinder  116  and comprises funnel wall  128  which extends upwardly away from top  124 . Next, a wedge holder, generally indicated as  130 , is integrally formed on a segment of funnel wall  128  and extends outwardly from funnel wall  128 . Wedge holder  130  comprises a top surface  132 , a bottom surface  134 , and a distal end  136 . 
     As best seen in the view of  FIG. 1 , fruit holder  110  is removably attached to the open top of bottle  112  by receiving the open top within the inside diameter of hollow cylinder  116 . The inside diameter defined by inner wall  118  is equal to or slightly less than the outside diameter of the bottle top, thereby providing a snug, substantially fluid-tight, removable attachment of the fruit holder  110  to bottle  112 .  FIG. 1  also shows placement of a wedge of lime  114  onto top surface  132  of wedge holder  130 . As a customer squeezes lime wedge  114  over top surface  132 , the resulting juice will flow across top surface  132  into funnel portion  126 , and then through hollow cylinder  116  into the beverage contained within bottle  112 . The customer may then simply remove fruit holder  110  and consume the beverage. 
     The view of  FIG. 2  also shows additional elements which may be included in the construction of fruit holder  110 . Formed on top surface  132  is at least one ridge  138 , and preferably a plurality of ridges  138 . Each ridge  138  serves not only to assist in holding lime wedge  114  on top surface  132 , but also will assist drainage of juice toward funnel portion  126 . Finally, an aperture  140  may be provided through wedge holder  130  in spaced apart relation to distal end  136 . The aperture  140  may be used to hang fruit holder  110  on a rack or pin, or may be used for the attachment of a lanyard or cord so that fruit holder  110  may be worn around the neck of the user. 
     The second preferred embodiment of the fruit holder is generally indicated as  210  in the views of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Specifically, the fruit holder is generally indicated as  210 . 
     Fruit holder  210  includes a bottle top engaging segment defined by a hollow cylinder, generally indicated as  216 . The interior diameter of hollow cylinder  216  is defined by inner wall  218 , and the outside diameter of hollow cylinder  216  is defined by outer wall  220 . Hollow cylinder  216  further includes a bottom edge  222  and a top  224 . A funnel portion, generally indicated as  226  is integrally formed on top  224  in fluid communicating relation to the hollow cylinder  216  and comprises funnel wall  228  which extends upwardly away from top  224 . Next, a wedge holder, generally indicated as  230 , is integrally formed on a segment of funnel wall  228  and extends outwardly from funnel wall  228 . Wedge holder  230  comprises a top surface  232 , a bottom surface  234 , and a distal end  236 . Formed on top surface  232  is at least one ridge  238 , and preferably a plurality of ridges  238 . Each ridge  238  serves not only to assist in holding lime wedge  214  on top surface  232 , but also will assist drainage of juice toward funnel portion  226 . Finally, an aperture  240  may be provided through wedge holder  230  in spaced apart relation to distal end  236 . The aperture  240  may be used to hang fruit holder  210  on a rack or pin, or may be used for the attachment of a lanyard or cord so that fruit holder  210  may be worn around the neck of the user. The structural elements of fruit holder  210  are the same as those of fruit holder  110  with one addition. As clearly shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , fruit holder  210  further comprises a crown top opener, generally indicated as  242 , which may be used to remove a crown cap such as is typically used to seal beverages contained in glass bottles. As shown in  FIG. 5 , crown top opener  242  is integrally formed on outer wall  220  and on bottom surface  234 . Crown top opener comprises a first opener leg defined by an integral first raised segment  244  of outer wall  220 , an integral second raised segment  246  of bottom surface  234 , and an integral crown engaging leg  248  extending downwardly from the second raised segment  246 . Crown engaging leg  248  includes an interior surface  250  that is spaced apart from first raised segment  244  and an exterior surface  252  that extends upwardly to join bottom surface  234 . Also as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , crown top opener  242  may further comprise a reinforcing plate  254  attached to interior surface  250 . While the use of reinforcing plate  254  is generally preferred, it may be omitted if the material from which fruit holder  210  is formed is of sufficient strength and rigidity. 
     All of the structural elements of the third preferred embodiment for fruit holder  310  are the same as those found in fruit holder  110  but for a single modification. Specifically, the fruit holder is generally indicated as  310 . Fruit holder  310  is illustrated as being operatively attached to the open top of bottle  312 , and a wedge of lime  314 . 
     The fruit holder  310  includes a bottle top engaging segment defined by a hollow cylinder, generally indicated as  316 . The interior diameter of hollow cylinder  316  is defined by inner wall  318 , and the outside diameter of hollow cylinder  316  is defined by outer wall  320 . Hollow cylinder  316  further includes a bottom edge  322  and a top  324 . A funnel portion, generally indicated as  326  is integrally formed on top  324  in fluid communicating relation to the hollow cylinder  316  and comprises funnel wall  328  which extends upwardly away from top  324 . Next, a wedge holder, generally indicated as  330 , is integrally formed on a segment of funnel wall  328  and extends outwardly from funnel wall  328 . Wedge holder  330  comprises a top surface  332 , a bottom surface  334 , and a distal end  336 . Formed on top surface  332  is at least one ridge  338 , and preferably a plurality of ridges  338 . Each ridge  338  serves not only to assist in holding lime wedge  314  on top surface  332 , but also will assist drainage of juice toward funnel portion  326 . Finally, an aperture  340  may be provided through wedge holder  330  in spaced apart relation to distal end  336 . The aperture  340  may be used to hang fruit holder  310  on a rack or pin, or may be used for the attachment of a lanyard or cord so that fruit holder  310  may be worn around the neck of the user. 
     As clearly shown in the views of  FIGS. 7-9 , the outside diameter defined by outer wall  320  of hollow cylinder  316  is dimensioned and configured to fit within the open top of bottle  312 . As a result of this modification, top  324  includes a lip  356  from which funnel portion  326  extends and a thickened base  358  for bottom surface  334  adjacent funnel portion  326 . 
     Turning to the views of  FIGS. 10-12 , the fourth preferred embodiment of fruit holder  410  is the same as that of fruit holder  310  with a single addition. The fruit holder  410  is illustrated as being operatively attached to the open top of bottle  412 , and a wedge of lime  414  is shown as resting on fruit holder  410 . 
     Fruit holder  410  includes a bottle top engaging segment defined by a hollow cylinder. The interior diameter of the hollow cylinder is defined by inner wall  418 , and the outside diameter of hollow cylinder is defined by outer wall  420 . Hollow cylinder further includes a bottom edge  422  and a top  424 . A funnel portion, generally indicated as  426  is integrally formed on top  424  in fluid communicating relation to the hollow cylinder and comprises funnel wall  428  which extends upwardly away from top  424 . Next, a wedge holder, generally indicated as  430 , is integrally formed on a segment of funnel wall  428  and extends outwardly from funnel wall  428 . Wedge holder  430  comprises a top surface  432 , a bottom surface  434 , and a distal end  436 . Formed on top surface  432  is at least one ridge  438 , and preferably a plurality of ridges  438 . Each ridge  438  serves not only to assist in holding lime wedge  414  on top surface  432 , but also will assist drainage of juice toward funnel portion  426 . Finally, an aperture  440  may be provided through wedge holder  430  in spaced apart relation to distal end  436 . The aperture  440  may be used to hang fruit holder  410  on a rack or pin, or may be used for the attachment of a lanyard or cord so that fruit holder  410  may be worn around the neck of the user. 
     Fruit holder  410  further comprises a bottle ring, generally indicated as  460 , integrally formed on the funnel portion  426  and the thickened base  458  extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  422  to define an interior bottle ring wall  462  in substantially concentric spaced apart relation to outer wall  420 . The space between interior bottle ring wall  462  and outer wall  420  is dimensioned and configured to receive the top of bottle  410  therein. 
     It is also to be noted that in all four preferred embodiments of this invention, the wedge holders  130 ,  230 ,  330 , and  430  each not only extend outwardly but also upwardly in order to promote the passage of juice into the beverage contained within each respective bottle  112 ,  212 ,  312 , and  412 . 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently obtained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
     Now that the invention has been described,