Patent Publication Number: US-2018044064-A1

Title: Coconut tap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for draining coconut water from a coconut. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     The sale of young coconuts for the coconut water contained within is a growing industry. Such coconuts are generally sold intact with some of the outer layers removed. In a common form of processing, the outer part of the coconut is cut such that there is provided a flat base and a conical top. 
     A common problem however is that opening the coconut to gain access to the water within is difficult. The inner shell of the coconut must be penetrated and this inner shell is relatively hard. Many methods are proposed for achieving this result, generally comprising cutting or striking the coconut with a knife or other tool. 
     The present invention relates to a device and method provided for tapping a coconut to allow the water to either be drained or consumed directly from the shell. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a coconut tap comprising: 
     a tubular body having a tapered portion adjacent a first end;
 
a pin received an open second end of the body such that a pointed first end of the pin protrudes through an opening in the first end of the body;
 
one or more apertures in a side wall of the body adjacent the first end thereof;
 
wherein the first end of the body may be inserted through the inner shell of a coconut at the site of an eye of the coconut such that the apertures are located inside the inner shell of the coconut such that water from within the coconut may enter the body and exit the body via the open second end.
 
     Preferably the pin comprises an elongate shaft including a head adjacent the second end thereof such that the head engages with the second end of the body. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises a tube being circular in transverse cross section. 
     Preferably the tapered portion tapers inwardly such that the diameter of the tube remains constant or decreases from the second end to the first end. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the tube tapers inwardly from the second end to the first end. 
     Preferably the shaft of the pin includes an inwardly taper corresponding with the taper of the tube. 
     Preferably the pointed first end of the shaft of the pin protruding beyond the opening in the tube includes a solid outer surface. 
     Preferably the shaft includes a solid outer surface such that the outer surface of the shaft engages against an inner surface of the tube along the length thereof and blocks the apertures in the tube. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the shaft comprises an unbroken frustoconical outer wall. 
     Preferably the body is provided also with ribs on the outer surface thereof. 
     The ribs preferably comprise elongate planar protrusions extending longitudinally along the body from the second end to a location between the second end and the first end. 
     Preferably the ribs extend from the second end of the tube to a location adjacent the apertures such that ends thereof engage with the inner shell when the apertures are located inside the inner shell. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the head of the pin include protrusions on an underside located adjacent the ends of the ribs. 
     In one embodiment, the body is provided with a pair of apertures adjacent the first end. 
     Preferably the apertures comprise elongate apertures aligned along the length of the body. 
     In one embodiment, the pin is provided with an applicator connected to the second end thereof. 
     Preferably the applicator comprises a T-shaped handle having a shaft connected to the second end of the pin and a handle portion extending transversely to the shaft at an end remote from the pin. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coconut tap comprising: 
     a tubular body having first and second ends, the body having a tapered portion adjacent the first end;
 
one or more apertures in a side wall of the body adjacent the first end thereof;
 
wherein the first end of the body may be inserted through the shell of a coconut at the site of an eye of the coconut such that the apertures are located inside the inner shell of the coconut such that water from within the coconut may enter the body via the apertures and exit the body via the open second end.
 
     In one embodiment, the body has a closed first end comprising the nose portion of the coconut tap. 
     In one embodiment, an outer surface of the body is provided with a helical thread and the first end of the body is provided with a pair of handles extending outwardly from the body on opposite sides thereof such that the body may be rotated to draw the body through the coconut. 
     In one embodiment, the body is movable from a tubular configuration to a flattened configuration for packaging. 
     In one embodiment, the body includes a plurality of grooves extending from the second end to the first end such that the body may bend about the grooves to be collapsed from the tubular configuration to the flattened configuration. 
     The body may be provided with an air channel comprising a conduit extending from the second end of the body to a location adjacent the apertures to allow air to be drawn into the interior of the coconut as the water flows outwardly through the body. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of tapping a coconut comprising the steps: 
     locating an eye of the coconut;
 
inserting a tapered first end of a tubular body through an inner shell of the coconut at the position of the eye; and
 
draining water from within the coconut.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a front view of a coconut tap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a cross sectional view of the pin of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a front view of the pin of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 c    is a cross sectional view of the body of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 d    is a front view of the body of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  prior to insertion into a coconut; 
         FIG. 4 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  prior to insertion into the coconut; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  prior to insertion into the coconut; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  prior to insertion into the coconut; 
         FIG. 6 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 6 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 7 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 7 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 8 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing removal of the pin; 
         FIG. 8 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing removal of the pin; 
         FIG. 9 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing removal of the pin; 
         FIG. 9 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing removal of the pin; 
         FIG. 10 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing use of a straw for accessing the coconut water; 
         FIG. 10 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 1  showing use of the straw for accessing the coconut water; 
         FIG. 11  is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a coconut tap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12 b    is a first side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12 b    is a top view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12 d    is a rear view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12 e    is a bottom view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12 f    is a second side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 13 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 14 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 14 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 11  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 15  is an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a coconut tap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 16 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16 b    is a first side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16 c    is a top view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16 d    is a rear view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16 e    is a bottom view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a second side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 17 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 18 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 18 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 15  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 19  is an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a coconut tap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 20 a    is a first side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 20 b    is a top view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 20 c    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 20 d    is a bottom view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 20 d    is a second side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19  in a flattened configuration; 
         FIG. 22 a    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 22 b    is an upper perspective view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 23 a    is a side view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 23 b    is a cross sectional view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 19  inserted into the coconut; 
         FIG. 24 a    is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a coconut tap in accordance with the present invention prior to insertion into the coconut; 
         FIG. 24 b    is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 24 a    inserted into the coconut; and 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of the coconut tap of  FIG. 24  with the pin and handle removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 10 , there is shown a coconut tap  10  comprising a body  12  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The body  12  comprises a tube  13  such that the body  12  is generally hollow. In the embodiment shown, the tube  13  is circular in transverse cross section. 
     The body  12  includes a tapered portion adjacent the first end  14  thereof. The tapered portion tapers smoothly inwardly towards the first end  14  of the body  12  from a location offset from the first end  14  such that the diameter of the tube  13  remains constant or decreases from the second end  16  to the first end  14 . In the embodiment shown, the tube  13  tapers inwardly from the second end  16  to the first end  14 . 
     The coconut tap  10  is provided with a nose portion  20  at the first end  14  thereof. The nose portion  20  comprises a pointed first end of the coconut tap  10  such that the nose portion  20  may be used to pierce the inner shell  13  of a coconut  11  to provide access to the water within. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 10 , the coconut tap  10  is formed from the tubular body  12  and a central pin  22 . The pin  22  comprises an elongate shaft  24  having pointed first end and a head  26  at a second end thereof. 
     The pin  22  is receivable within the body  12  such that the first end thereof protrudes through an opening  18  provided in the first end  14  of the body  12 . The pointed first end of the pin  22  protrudes beyond the body  12  and forms the nose portion  20  of the coconut tap  10 . The head  26  of the pin  22  engages with the second end  16  of the body  12  to prevent further movement of the pin  22  through the body  12 . 
     The body  12  includes also one or more apertures  28  therein. The apertures  28  are provided in the body  12  adjacent the first end  14  thereof such that when the body  12  is inserted through the inner shell  13  of the coconut  11 , the apertures  28  are located on an inner side of the inner shell  13 . In the embodiment shown, the body  12  is provided with a pair of such apertures  28  on opposite sides of the body  12 . The apertures  28  comprise elongate apertures aligned along the length of the body  12 . 
     The shaft  24  of the pin  22  includes an inwardly taper corresponding with the taper of the tube  13 . The shaft  24  of the pin  22  therefore tapers inwardly from the second end to the first end in the embodiment shown. The pointed first end protruding beyond the opening  18  in the tube  13  includes a solid outer surface as shown in the Figures. The shaft  24  includes a solid outer surface such that the outer surface of the shaft  24  engages against an inner surface of the tube  13  along the length thereof. In the embodiment shown, the shaft  24  comprises an unbroken frustoconical outer wall  25  (as can be seen in  FIG. 3 a   ). The outer surface of the shaft  24  of the pin  22  therefor engages against the inner surface of the tube  13  to provide rigidity to the tube  13  as the coconut tap  10  is pressed into the coconut  11 . The outer surface  24  of the shaft  22  blocks the apertures  28  when received within the tube  13  and the solid nose portion  20  provides strength to pierce the coconut  11 . 
     The body  12  is provided also with ribs  30  on the outer surface thereof. The ribs  30  comprise elongate planar protrusions extending longitudinally along the body  12  from the second end  16  to a location between the second end  16  and the first end  14 . The ribs  30  provide additional strength and engage with the inner shell  13  to locate the tubular body  12  relative to the inner shell  13 . In the embodiment shown, there is provided a pair of ribs  30  on opposite sides of the outer surface of the tube  13 . 
     The ribs  30  extend from the second end  16  of the tube  13  to a location adjacent the apertures  28 . Ends of the ribs  30  adjacent the apertures  28  are located to engage with the inner shell  13  of the coconut in use to correctly locate the apertures  28 . 
     The second end of the body  12  is provided also with a lip portion  32 . The lip portion  32  extends outwardly from around the periphery of the body  12  around the second end  16  such that the head  26  of the pin  22  engages against the lip portion  32  when the pin  22  is received within the body  12 . 
     The head  26  of the pin  22  include also protrusions  31  on an underside thereof adjacent the lip portion  32 . The protrusions  31  are provided to engage with the lip portion  32  adjacent the ends of the ribs  30 . The protrusions  31  provide strength to the head  26  and aid in transferring force through to the ribs  30  of the tube  13 . 
     In use, the coconut tap  10  is used as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 10 . The coconut tap  10  is to be inserted by pushing the nose portion  20  through the outer layers of the coconut  11  and through the inner shell  13 . The coconut tap  10  is to be inserted through one of the eyes  15  of the coconut  11 . Coconuts generally include three such eyes  15 , located on the base side of the coconut  11 . It has been discovered that by locating the correct position on the coconut, the coconut tap  10  of the present invention may be simply pushed through the eye  15  by hand without the need for further tools. 
     The ends of the ribs  30  are spaced from the apertures  28  such that the ends thereof engage with the inner shell  13  (as can be seen in  FIG. 6 a   ) when the apertures  28  are located inside the inner shell  13 . 
     Once the coconut tap  10  has passed through the inner shell  13  of the coconut  11 , the pin  22  may be removed (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The water from within the coconut  11  may then be drained through the body  12  by tipping the coconut  11 . The water will pass into the body  12  through the apertures  28  and the opening  18  and out of the open second end  16 . The opening  18  left at the first end  14  of the body  12  by removal of the pin  22  will also allow a straw  34  to be inserted through the body  12  (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) so that the water may alternatively be consumed directly from the coconut  11 . 
       FIGS. 11 to 14  show a second embodiment of a coconut tap  10 . The coconut tap  10  of  FIGS. 11 to 14  is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. 
     The coconut tap  10  comprises a body  12  having a closed first end  14  and does not therefore utilise the separate pin  22 . The closed first end  14  therefore includes the nose portion  20 . An outer surface of the body  12  is provided with a helical thread  36  and the first end  16  of the body  12  is provided with a pair of handles  38  extending outwardly on opposite sides thereof. 
     The body  12  may therefore be inserted through the inner shell  13  of the coconut  11  in a similar manner to that described previously, however the body  12  is rotated through the inner shell  13  by the handles  38 . The helical thread  36  acts to draw the body  12  through the outer layer and inner shell  13  of the coconut  11 . 
     The body  12  is provided also with an air channel  40 . The air channel  40  comprises a conduit  42  extending down an inner surface of the body  12 , as best seen in  FIG. 11 . The conduit  42  extends from the second end  16  of body to a location adjacent the apertures  28  and is provided to allow air to be drawn into the interior of the coconut  11  as the water flows outwardly through the body  12 . It will be appreciated that the first embodiment may also be provided with such an air channel  40 . 
       FIGS. 15 to 18  show a third embodiment of a coconut tap  10  in accordance with the present invention. The coconut tap  10  of  FIGS. 15 to 18  is similar to the second embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The coconut tap  10  is similar in shape to the second embodiment but does not incorporate the helical thread  36  or handles  38 . The body  12  is therefore pushed through the inner shell  13  as described in the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 19 to 23  show a fourth embodiment of a coconut tap  10  in accordance with the present invention. The coconut tap  10  of  FIGS. 19 to 23  is similar to the third embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. 
     The coconut tap  10  also comprises a body  12  having a closed first end  14  and does not therefore utilise the separate pin  22 . The body  12  is conical in shape and generally circular in cross section. The body  12  tapers inwardly from the second end  16  to the first end  14 . 
     The body  12  includes a plurality of grooves  44  extending from the second end  16  to the first end  14 . The body  12  may bend about the grooves  44  such that the body  12  may be collapsed from the tubular configuration to a flattened configuration (as shown in  FIG. 21 ). The coconut tap  10  may therefore be provided in the flattened configuration at the point of sale. For example, the coconut tap  10  may be packed in with the coconut packaging. The coconut tap  10  may then be expanded when the coconut  11  is unpacked and used as described previously. 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  show a fifth embodiment of a coconut tap  10  in accordance with the present invention. The coconut tap  10  of  FIGS. 24  and  25  is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. 
     The coconut tap  10  includes the same arrangement as that of  FIGS. 1 to 10 , however the pin  22  is provided with an applicator  46  connected to the second end thereof. The applicator  46  comprises a T-shaped handle having a shaft  48  connected to the second end of the pin  22  and a handle portion  50  extending transversely to the shaft at an end remote from the pin  22 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the coconut tap  10  works in the same manner as the first embodiment but the applicator  46  allows the coconut tap  10  to be gripped by the handle portion  50  for insertion of the nose portion  20  into the coconut  11 . The coconut tap  10  is expected to comprise a disposable item constructed from a suitable plastic. The applicator  46  however may comprise a re-usable device formed, for example, from a metallic material such as stainless steel. 
     It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.