Abstract:
A spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. The spigot is comprised of a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. The coconut having a partially inserted spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position with a grommet provided as an insertion stop for the spigot. An optional air vent is provided to aid in fluid flow from the spigot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to spigots and, more specifically, to a spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. The spigot is comprised of a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween. A retaining ring is also provided as a stop for the spigot. A spigot cap is placed over the spigot and covered with a protective member. 
     The coconut having a spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position. 
     Initially the spigot is inserted through the husk and into the coconut meat having a length of un-inserted conduit extending from the exterior. The spigot remains within the coconut meat until time of use maintaining the sterile condition of the coconut water until selective consumption by the consumer. 
     The present invention further provides for an optional air vent and straw that optionally provides for a filter to prevent pulp from being drawn into the straw. 
     Further provided are the additional elements of a coconut stand and handle mountable to the coconut and a spigot having a plunger movable from a fluid blocking position within the spigot to an unblocking position so that the coconut water can be poured into a glass. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other spigot devices designed for containers. While these spigots may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     It is thus desirable to provide a spigot for a coconut that will allow a consumer to easily extract the sterile coconut water within a coconut 
     It is further desirable to use the coconut husk as opposed to re-packaging the coconut water since the husk is biodegradable and the coconut water remains sterile while contained within the husk 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide spigot access to the coconut water within a coconut. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide access to coconut water within a coconut by initially inserting the spigot through the husk and into the coconut meat without piercing the coconut water cavity. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigot having a cap that is placed over the partially inserted spigot to prevent casual displacement of the spigot during shipping and handling. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigot a protective member serving as a tamper evident seal. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide easy access by consumers to the coconut water within a coconut without comprising its sterile contents. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a spigot that will provide access to the coconut water within a coconut by a consumer pressing the spigot through the remained of the coconut meat and into the coconut water cavity. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an optional air vent having a resealable aperture. 
     A still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a straw that may have a filter on one end to prevent pulp from being drawn in. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for a coconut. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handle attachable to a coconut. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spigot having a plunger that is movable from a blocking position to an unblocking position so that the coconut water can be poured into a glass. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a spigot for a coconut that allows easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut. The spigot is comprised of a conduit having a lance on one end and a flange on the other having a through bore therebetween. A retaining ring is provided as a stop for the spigot. A spigot cap is placed over the spigot and covered with a protective member. The coconut having a spigot is provided to the consumer whereby the consumer gains easy access to the sterile coconut water by pushing the partially inserted spigot to its seated position. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a coconut with and without the coconut husk providing means for accessing the coconut water when desired. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut with spigot cap removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted into the coconut cavity. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut with cap removed. 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. 
         FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted into the coconut cavity. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view of a coconut having a straw with slits and a closed end. 
         FIG. 24  is an illustrative view of a stand and handle for a coconut. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Coconut with Spigot of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
       10  Coconut With Spigot of the present invention     12  consumer     14  coconut     16  coconut husk     18  coconut seed     20  coconut seed-case     22  coconut meat     24  coconut seed-case cavity     26  coconut water     28  spigot     30  spout     32  conduit     34  spike-tip     36  grommet     38  spigot cap     40  cap flange     42  cap seal     44  air valve     46  tethered bung     48  straw     50  straw filter     52  stand     54  handle     56  plunger     58  glass   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a coconut with and without the coconut husk providing means for accessing the coconut water when desired. The present invention  10  provides a spigot  28  that is partially inserted into the coconut meat  22  and then shipped to consumers who then complete inserting the spigot  28  through the coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity  24  providing access to the sterile coconut water  26 . As illustrated, the present invention provides that the spigot  28  can be used with coconuts  14  having husk  16  or with the husk removed leaving the coconut seed having coconut seed-case  20 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention  10  provides a spigot  28  that is partially imbedded into a coconut seed  18  so that a consumer  12  can gain access to the coconut water  26  by completing the insertion of the spigot  28  through the coconut meat. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water  26  from coconut cavity  24  by partially inserting a spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spigot cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a protective member in cap seal  42 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal  42  removed from its seated position. Cap seal  42  serves as a tamper evident covering for the consumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap  38  prior to consumer access. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water  26  from coconut cavity  24  by partially inserting spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spout cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a protective member  42 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut with spigot cap removed. With the cap seal removed the spigot cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  is removed providing access to spigot  28 , comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  that has been positioned within coconut meat  22  of coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot  28  through the remainder of coconut meat  22  into the coconut water cavity  24  thereby having access to the sterile coconut water  26 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot  28  comprising spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  fully inserted through coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity  24  of coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  thereby providing access to coconut water  26 . Grommet  36  serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot  28  into coconut cavity  24 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal  42  removed from its seated position. Cap seal  42  serves as a tamper evident covering for the consumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap  38  prior to consumer access. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water via partially inserting spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spout cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a protective member  42 . 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. Shown is the cap seal removed from spigot cap  38  with flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  preventing casual displacement of spigot  28  during shipping and handling. Spigot  28  is comprised of spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34 . Spigot  28  is inserted trough grommet  36  into coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  until spike-tip  34  is imbedded in coconut meat  22  without compromising the coconut cavity having the coconut water therein. 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap  38  having flange  40  removed from its frictional engagement with grommet  36  thereby providing access to spigot  28 , comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  that has been positioned within coconut meat  22  of coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot  28  through the remainder of coconut meat  22  into the coconut water cavity to access the sterile coconut water. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted into the coconut cavity. Illustrated is spigot  28  comprising spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  fully inserted through coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity of coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  thereby providing access to coconut water. Grommet  36  serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot  28  by the consumer into the coconut cavity. 
       FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention  10  provides a spigot  28  that is partially imbedded into a coconut  14  having coconut husk  16  so that a consumer  12  can gain access to the coconut water  26  by completing the insertion of the spigot  28  through the coconut meat  22  into coconut cavity  24 . Coconut  14  has coconut husk  16  encasing coconut seed  18  having seed-case  20 . The present invention provides for the present invention with husk  16  or without husk  16  as previously illustrated. Grommet  32  is placed on coconut husk  16  and spigot  28  is inserted through husk  16  and coconut seed  18  having seed-case  20  into coconut meat  22  so that consumer  12  can easily complete the spigot insertion into coconut cavity  24  to access coconut water  26 . 
       FIG. 12  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract the coconut water  26  of coconut  14  from coconut cavity  24  by partially inserting a spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36 , coconut husk  16 , coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering spigot  28  with spigot cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a cap seal. Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water  26  from coconut  14  having husk  16  by partially inserting a spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36 , coconut husk  16  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spigot cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a protective member in cap seal  42 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal  42  removed from its seated position. Cap seal  42  serves as a tamper evident covering for the consumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap  38  prior to consumer access. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water  26  from coconut cavity  24  by partially inserting spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  through grommet  36  into coconut  14  having coconut husk  16  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spout cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and a protective member  42 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partial inserted into a coconut with cap removed. With the cap seal removed the spigot cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  is removed providing access to spigot  28 , comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  that has been positioned within coconut meat  22  of coconut  14  having husk  16  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot  28  through the remainder of coconut meat  22  into the coconut water cavity  24  thereby having access to the sterile coconut water  26 . Alternately provided is air valve  44  having tethered bung  46  for bleeding air into the coconut cavity  24  as the coconut water  26  is removed. 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot  28  comprising spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  fully inserted through coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity  24  of coconut  14  having husk  16  encompassing coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  thereby providing access to coconut water  26 . Grommet  36  serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot  28  into coconut cavity  24 . 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal  42  removed from its seated position. Cap seal  42  serves as a tamper evident covering for the consumer and to prevent contamination of the spigot cap  38  prior to consumer access. The present invention  10  provides means for a consumer to easily extract coconut water via partially inserting spigot  28  comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  having spike-tip  34  positioned through grommet  36  situated on coconut  14  husk  16  encompassing coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  and into the coconut meat  22  and then covering the spigot  28  with spout cap  38  having flange  40  frictionally engaging grommet  36  and covered by cap seal  42 . 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap  38  having flange  40  removed from its frictional engagement with grommet  36  thereby providing access to spigot  28 , comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  that has been positioned within coconut meat  22  of coconut  14  having husk  16  encompassing coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot  28  through the remainder of coconut meat  22  into the coconut water cavity to access the sterile coconut water. 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot partially inserted into the coconut. Illustrated is the cap seal and spigot cap  38  having flange  40  removed from its frictional engagement with grommet  36  thereby providing access to spigot  28 , comprising spout  30 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  that has been positioned within coconut meat  22  of coconut  14  having husk  16  encompassing seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  wherethen the consumer can easily push spigot  28  through the remainder of coconut meat  22  into the coconut water cavity to access the sterile coconut water. 
       FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot fully inserted into the coconut cavity. Illustrated is spigot  28  comprising spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  fully inserted through coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity of coconut  14  having coconut husk  16  encompassing coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  thereby providing access to coconut water. Grommet  36  serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot  28  into the coconut cavity. 
       FIG. 21  is a sectional view of an additional element comprising closable grommet and straw. The present invention  10  alternately provides for spigot  28  having spout  30  with closable bung  46 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  placed through grommet  36  and coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  through coconut meat  22  and into coconut cavity  24  wherethen the consumer can extract the coconut water through straw  48  having filter  50  to prevent pulp from being drawn into the straw. 
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view of an additional element comprising closable grommet and straw. The present invention  10  also provides for spigot  28  having spout  30  with closable bung  46 , conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  placed through grommet  36  positioned on coconut  14  having husk  16  encompassing coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  through coconut meat  22  and into coconut cavity  24  wherethen the consumer can extract the coconut water through straw  48  having filter  50  to prevent pulp from being drawn into the straw. 
       FIG. 23  is a sectional view of the coconut spigot inserted into the coconut water cavity. Illustrated is spigot  28  comprising spout  30  and conduit  32  terminating in spike-tip  34  fully inserted through coconut meat  22  into the coconut cavity  24  of coconut seed  18  having coconut seed-case  20  thereby providing access to coconut water  26  via straw  48  having filter  50 . Grommet  36  serves as attachment for the spigot cap and as a stop for completing the insertion of spigot  28  into coconut cavity  24  with bung  46  serving as closure to keep any unconsumed coconut fresh. 
       FIG. 24  is an illustrative view of additional elements of the present invention. The present invention  10  further provides for a coconut stand  52  and coconut handle  54  as a convenience for accessing the coconut water. Further provided is spigot  28  having a plunger  56  that seals spigot  28  to keep the coconut water fresh until the plunger is selectively removed from the spigot conduit wherethen the consumer can dispenses the coconut water into glass  58 .