Cork Holding Device

Abstract

A device including a bottle loop section, wherein said bottle loop section is configured to couple a bottle neck, in which said bottle loop section comprises a bottle loop arm, wherein a diameter of said bottle loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the bottle neck. The device further includes a cork loop section, wherein said cork loop section is configured to hold a cork, in which said cork loop section comprises a cork loop arm, wherein a diameter of said cork loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the cork. The bottle loop section and cork loop section are into engagement to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler to allow for an elegant display of the cork and proper inspection the cork's condition during wine consumption while coupled to the wine bottle.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a cork holder device. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a cork holder for storage and display of a cork.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

There may be many subtle factors to consider when judging the quality of wine. From the type of grape used to create the wine to the type of glass used to drink it, professional and amateur wine tasting may be influenced by a number of different criteria, and the slightest differences may make large impacts on a wine-tasting experience. The cork of a wine bottle may be able to reveal several critical qualities of the wine itself, even before consumption. For example, without limitation, cracks, damage, mold, discoloration, etc. may be signs of a lower quality wine. Additionally, the smell of the cork may be used to detect the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), a chemical that may be a sign of tainted wine. As such, proper inspection of the cork of a wine bottle may be a critical step in judging the quality of a wine. Additionally, wine corks are often kept as mementos or used to reseal wine bottles for storage of wine. It may be desirable to provide convenient storage of a cork to prevent the cork from being lost, placed on contaminated surfaces, or staining a tablecloth.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that cork dishes may be used to hold a cork on a table while consuming wine. Cork dishes may provide a means to keep a cork in a safe location and free from contamination. However, conventional cork dishes may take up limited space available on a table and may not provide an aesthetic means for displaying a cork. Further, if a cork is to be inspected, the cork must be handled directly by the inspector. Alternative cork display means may also result in damaging the cork itself. For example, without limitation, a conventional cork display means may utilize a pin to be inserted into a cork, which may not be desirable especially if the cork will be kept as a memento or used to reseal the wine bottle.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary cork holder, wherein FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a cork holder, FIG. 1B shows a side view of a cork holder, and FIG. 1C shows a top view of a cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary ring cork holder, wherein FIG. 2A shows a top view of a ring cork holder, and FIG. 2B shows a ring cork holder in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary two-piece cork holder, wherein FIG. 3A shows a top view of a two-piece cork holder, and FIG. 3B shows a side view of a two-piece cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary first spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary second spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary soft spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary over-molded cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary first silicone cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary second silicone cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary first molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary second molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary extrusion molding cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary third molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate an exemplary spider cork holder, wherein FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of a spider cork holder, FIG. 14B illustrates a side view of a spider cork holder, and FIG. 14C illustrates a top view of a spider cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claims should be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” and may accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word, specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words of approximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as “substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”, “essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settled law, as early as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in the claims even when such limits are not defined or specified in the specification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of the claims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not be entirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art” as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See Energy Absorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264, slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v. Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed. Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use of modifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not by itself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. Industrial Crating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76 (Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like “substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”, connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No. 2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010) Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote either language of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e] term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway” limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as a substitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinary meaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearly at the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsole and the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognized in case law to have the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly used by claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patents do not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether the thickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term ‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus, the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); see also Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We find that the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in the claims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness” denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying ‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broaden the meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase ‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection (e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used in patent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relying on such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing are clear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description herein or the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present written description, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitations to any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under such circumstances, relying on the written description and prosecution history to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the words themselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v. Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.” The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,” rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precise numeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” We noted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely or approximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecution history imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed for narrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor Wall Systems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed. Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1 requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returns precisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arises only as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dual ordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude; e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe the meaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon, 279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes language of approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifies language of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g., Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and “substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus., Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantially inward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entire height thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp., 90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in the common plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed to begin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinary skill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionaries and our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerous ordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” can mean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” can also mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th Century Dictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also be used in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the end points are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003) where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning of the phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. As pointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” is nonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g., painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out by Sollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is to include that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seating capacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numerical limit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint is included.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, as sanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is well established that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably to describe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood by persons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise see Verve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patent documents when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order to accommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure the invention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly point out and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed may be necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of his invention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usages such as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve to describe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology and without intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’ is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modify the term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such that there is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term “substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to “avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g., see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting that terms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,” and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims and that such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimed subject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have been accepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case, “substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where, for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is “substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42 USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said, “It is realized that “substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, or phrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon in patents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning can be determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it is improper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of the present patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in the preamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structure meeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s) that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded or admitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapable of enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, where the present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal, result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior art structure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in a very different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to and shall also implicitly include and cover additional corresponding alternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitly disclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s), and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure to support a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming such alternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior art structure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of the invention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the invention necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use of phrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are never meant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should instead be understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention” include the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean a human or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplated to mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, without limitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), and end user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, should not be otherwise inferred, or induced by any pattern(s) of description, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior art that may (or may not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, is generally intended to mean late-stage user(s) as opposed to early-stage user(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity of different types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process. Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels of embodiments of the invention comprising consumed retail products/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or Original Equipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, without limitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”, “enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, with some aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention may provide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in the foregoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodiments targeting various stages of the usage process are described, references to “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generally intended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in the foregoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment of the present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distribution channels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) may include, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, or interaction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect to selling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing, merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”, “creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context or particular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, it should be understood that such characterizations are sole by way of example, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any such usage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection with making, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of the present invention may be substituted by such similar performed by a suitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation, automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems, information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, and the like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art will readily recognize the practical situations where such living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise, when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations where such living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachings of the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to be suitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus to also cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, at least in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe the mechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein, without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is utilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or context for terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising” And “contain” and variations of them—Such terms are open-ended and mean “including but not limited to”. When employed in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structure by indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) the task even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The mechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or “operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms, structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a mechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for” perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C . . . sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, for that mechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

All terms of exemplary language (e.g., including, without limitation, “such as”, “like”, “for example”, “for instance”, “similar to”, etc.) are not exclusive of any other, potentially, unrelated, types of examples; thus, implicitly mean “by way of example, and not limitation . . . ”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions, concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upon a specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claim elements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (or variations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or method steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp. v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir. 2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims an embodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain set of elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood as obvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention also covers all possible varying scope variants of any described embodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentially of”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that each of these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consists essentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s) of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that it will be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity of alternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consisting essentially of a certain functional combination of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forth therein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments as if they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consisting essentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, the disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either of the other two terms. Thus, in some embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, and thus, for the purposes of claim support and construction for “consisting of” format claims, such replacements operate to create yet other alternative embodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elements recited in the original “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of all other elements.

Moreover, any claim limitation phrased in functional limitation terms covered by 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) which has a preamble invoking the closed terms “consisting of,” or “consisting essentially of,” should be understood to mean that the corresponding structure(s) disclosed herein define the exact metes and bounds of what the so claimed invention embodiment(s) consists of, or consisting essentially of, to the exclusion of any other elements which do not materially affect the intended purpose of the so claimed embodiment(s).

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries. Moreover, it is understood that any system components described or named in any embodiment or claimed herein may be grouped or sub-grouped (and accordingly implicitly renamed) in any combination or sub-combination as those skilled in the art can imagine as suitable for the particular application, and still be within the scope and spirit of the claimed embodiments of the present invention. For an example of what this means, if the invention was a controller of a motor and a valve and the embodiments and claims articulated those components as being separately grouped and connected, applying the foregoing would mean that such an invention and claims would also implicitly cover the valve being grouped inside the motor and the controller being a remote controller with no direct physical connection to the motor or internalized valve, as such the claimed invention is contemplated to cover all ways of grouping and/or adding of intermediate components or systems that still substantially achieve the intended result of the invention.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary cork holder device, wherein FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a cork holder, FIG. 1B shows a side view of a cork holder, and FIG. 1C shows a top view of a cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cork holder 100 may be used to, for example, without limitation, secure a cork to the neck of a wine bottle. The cork may be an important factor in determining the quality of the wine, and as such it may be desirable to display the cork in an easily viewable manner without damaging the cork itself. Cork holder 100 may comprise cork loop or narrow end section 105 and bottle loop or wide end section 110, wherein narrow end section 105 may firmly hold a cork in place while wide end section 110 may be coupled to the neck of a wine bottle. It may be critical for cork holder 100 to firmly grasp both the neck of the wine bottle and the cork in such a manner as to allow for pouring of the wine without cork holder 100 being dislodged from the neck of the wine bottle, or the cork being dislodged from cork holder 100. To maintain such a firm grasp, cork holder 100 may include first living spring 115 having a pair of cork loop arms 145 on narrow end 105 of cork holder 100 where the pair of cork loop arms 145 may be shaped to fit a standard cork. Second living spring 120 may include a pair of bottle loop arms 130 on wide end 110 of cork holder 100 and shaped to fit a standard bottle neck. Bridge 135 may connect the pair of bottle loop arms 130 to form a generally C-shaped wide end 110 and may function as a bottle neck coupler. Bridge 135 may be shaped as an arc. The approximate C-shape of cork loop arms 145 and the arc of bridge 135 may comprise a diameter that conforms to the shape of a portion of a cork. The diameter formed by cork loop arms 145 and the arc of bridge 135 may be smaller than the diameter formed by bottle loop arms 130. The living springs may provide for the openings of the cork holder. In one embodiment, the arms 130 145 of the living springs may be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape when released and may be used chiefly to exert constant tension or absorb movement. The living springs may be made of plastic or other similar materials. In additional embodiments, each of the living springs may comprise of two spring arm pairs 130 145 that may work independently from each other and the two sides including the first and second living spring of the device may work independently from each other as well. The pair of cork loop arms 145 of first living spring 115 may couple to an outer surface 140A 140B of the pair of bottle loop arms 130 of second living spring 120 and may firmly grasp the cork, and may operate independently from second living spring 120, which pair of bottle loop arms 130 may firmly grasp the neck of the wine bottle.

In the present embodiment, the cork may be held firmly in a vertical orientation to provide for an optimal viewing angle. However, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, narrow end section 105 may be at an angular offset to wide end section 110 such that a different viewing angle may be achieved. Anti-slip material may optionally be used on the interior surfaces of the pair of cork loop arms 145 of first living spring 115 and the pair of bottle loop arms 130 of second living spring 120 to provide additional grip and/or protection. For example, without limitation, anti-slip material may include rubber composition, vinyl composition, etc. Cork holder 100 may be formed of one continuous material and may not incorporate moving parts to allow for additional durability and fewer points of failure. In the present embodiment, cork holder 100 may not include magnets, corrodible materials, etc. such that cork holder 100 may be dishwasher safe and reusable over many iterations. Further, cork holder 100 may not damage the cork through multiple uses. Cork holder 100 may include one or more notification surfaces 125 to allow for printing or engraving of, for example, without limitation, images, lettering, advertisements, graphics, etc. for aesthetic or display purposes. The single/one piece cork holder and bottle coupler device using dual living springs to hold any size cork to any size bottle may allow for an elegant display of the cork, and proper inspection the cork's condition during wine consumption. The independently operating cork holder and bottle coupler design may allow for inward and/or outward deflections of either the cork loop arms 145 and/or the pair of bottle loop arms 130. The device may not contain moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly.

As there may be a variety of different shapes and sizes for both the cork and the neck of the wine bottle, cork holder 100 may be composed of a rigid, elastic material to allow first living spring 115 and second living spring 120 to be flexible around the variety of different sizes as need. In the present embodiment, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic may be used to provide an appropriate amount of elasticity and rigidity. Additionally, cork holder 100 may be manufactured using injection molding, which may result in a better elasticity than, for example, without limitation, 3D printing. Cork holder 100 may be of a constant thickness throughout its design such that, when using injection molding, the entirety of cork holder 100 may cool at a constant rate, which may result in a final product with more precise dimensions. Because cork holder 100 may include openings at both narrow end section 105 and wide end section 110, maintaining a constant thickness throughout the design may allow for accurate injection molding without the use of supporting structure.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, alternative materials and fabrication techniques may be used to manufacture cork holder 100. For example, without limitation, cork holder 100 may be composed of plastics, including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, High-Density Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polypropylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polystyrene, Polylactic Acid, Polycarbonate, Acrylic, Acetal, Nylon, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), etc., metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, Titanium, brass, Alloy steel, hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, tool steel, etc., wood, bamboo, hemp, wood composites, plastic wood, soy, cork, cardboard, flax, etc. Additionally, cork holder 100 may not be limited to being composed of a single material and may be composed of two or more materials. Silicone, EPDM, Butyl, Viton, natural Rubber, Buna, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitril Rubber, Timprene, Synthetic Rubber, Foam and Sponge rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Manniglas, etc. Various dyes and finishes may also be used to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Cork holder 100 may also incorporate several optional features to further increase the utility of the overall design. For example, without limitation, a means for opening a bottle of wine may be incorporated onto cork holder 100 such as, but not limited to, a corkscrew. The corkscrew may also be used in place of narrow end 105 as a means for holding the cork. Additionally, a sharp edge may be incorporated onto cork holder 100 to remove the foil capsule of a wine bottle. A thermometer may also be incorporated onto cork holder 100 to track the temperature of the wine and encourage consumption of the wine at an ideal temperature. An incorporated or detachable filter may also be included on cork holder 100 to place over the opening of the wine bottle and prevent debris from entering the bottle, or debris from the wine from being poured into with the wine into a wine glass.

FIG. 2A-2B illustrate an exemplary ring cork holder, wherein FIG. 2A shows a top view of a ring cork holder, and FIG. 2B shows a ring cork holder in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Ring cork holder 200 may include narrow end 205 for holding cork 220 and wide end 210 for slipping over the neck of wine bottle 215. Ring cork holder 200 may be composed of, for example, without limitation, insulated or uninsulated metal wiring such that both narrow end 205 and wide end 210 may be adjusted for different sized corks and wine bottles similar if not identical to the list of materials above. As lip 225 of wine bottle 215 may be of a larger diameter than the neck of wine bottle 215, wide end 210 may be slipped over lip 225 and adjusted to maintain close contact with the neck of wine bottle 220 while preventing ring cork holder 200 from inadvertently slipping over lip 225. Although ring cork holder 200 may be less-secure, ring cork holder 200 may be inexpensively manufactural in comparison to conventional designs. Alternatively, the two rings may be made like, but not a limitation, a strap that can be slid to adjust the opening. A buckle or fixing device may allow for enlarging or restricting the size of the openings including but not limited to clasps on the straps of swimming goggles or the sliding clasp on the drawstring of some pants or hoods.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary two-piece cork holder, wherein FIG. 3A shows a top view of a two-piece cork holder, and FIG. 3B shows a side view of a two-piece cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Two-piece cork holder 300 may comprise bottle loop 305 and cork loop 310. Bottle loop 305 may use bottle arm 315 to be secured onto, for example, without limitation, the neck of a wine bottle, while cork loop 310 may use cork arm 320 to be secured onto, for example, without limitation, a cork. Bottle loop 305 may be permanently adhered, or removably adhered to cork loop 310, or bottle loop 305 and cork loop 310 may be a one-piece design. For example, without limitation, glue, welding, string, wire, screws, rivets, clamping, soldering, brazing, and other mechanical bonding, welding, and adhesive bonding, etc. may be used to permanently adhere bottle loop 305 to cork loop 310. Similarly, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, pins, snaps, buttons, etc. may be used to removably adhere bottle loop 305 to cork loop 310. Cork loop 310 may be secured in a fixed position to bottle loop 305 such that the cork may be displayed in a fixed position. Additionally, cork loop 310 may be adjustably secured such that the cork may be displayed in a number of different positions. Two-piece cork holder 300 may also be modular in design and allow for different combinations of various designs of loops.

The single- or one-piece device using cork holder to hold any size cork and bottle coupler to engage any size bottle may allow for an elegant display of the cork, and proper inspection the cork's condition during wine consumption. The independently operating cork holder and bottle coupler design may allow for inward and/or outward deflections of either the cork arm 315 and/or bottle arm 320. The device may not contain moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary first spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First spring-clip cork holder 400 may allow for an easily securable fit to a wine bottle. Spring-clip cork holder 400 may comprise bottle loop 405 and cork loop 410. Bottle loop 405 may include bottle clip 415 pivoting around central spring 425. Bottle clip 415 may be secured to, for example, without limitation, the neck of a wine bottle for upright display of a cork while consuming wine. Opposite to bottle loop 405, cork loop 410 may include band 420 for the holding of a cork. Band 420 may be composed of an elastic material in the present embodiment, such that the cork may be securely held by cork loop 410 without risk of slipping out. Spring-clip cork holder 400 may further comprise a plastic clip that opens and closes using central spring 425 like a hinge in the middle similar to a hair clip. However, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art other materials may also be used for band 420 such as, without limitation, plastics, metals, wood, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary second spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Second spring-clip cork holder 500 may include bottle loop 505 and cork loop 510. Bottle loop 505 may be secured firmly to for example, without limitation, the neck of a wine bottle, while cork loop 510 may firmly grasp, for example, without limitation, a cork. Second spring-clip cork holder 500 may be a two-piece design comprising left half 515 and right half 520 pivotal about central spring 530. Each of bottle loop 505 and cork loop 510 may include one or more arms 525 to provide a secure grip of the neck of the wine bottle and the cork, respectively. In the present embodiment, two arms 525 may be used. However, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, fewer or additional arms may be used for each loop, and each loop may utilize a different number of arms. Cork loop 510 may require additional flexibility to allow accommodate for various cork sizes. As such, cork loop 510 may include gasket 535 which may be compressible to allow for larger cork sizes, while still accommodating smaller cork sizes. Gasket 535 may be composed of any flexible material such as, without limitation, rubber, Silicone, EPDM, Butyl, Viton, natural Rubber, Buna, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitril Rubber, Timprene, Synthetic Rubber, Foam and Sponge rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Manniglas, etc. Similarly, a gasket may be incorporated within bottle loop 505 for additional grip and support of the neck of the wine bottle. Various dimensions may be used for second spring-clip cork holder, depending on the needs of the user. Assuming an average bottle diameter of 28.5 mm and an average cork diameter of 23.3 mm, in the present embodiment, the inner diameter and outer diameter of bottle loop 505 may be 28.5 mm and 34.5 mm, respectively. Similarly, the outer diameter of cork loop 510 may be 27.3 mm, the inner diameter may be 21.3 mm, and the inner diameter of gasket 535 may be 19.3 mm. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, different dimensions for second spring-clip cork holder 500 may be used for different applications and sizes of wine bottles, and the aforementioned dimensions are not limiting.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary soft spring-clip cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Soft spring-clip cork holder 600 may be similar in design to second spring-clip cork holder 500 as described with reference to FIG. 5. Soft spring-clip holder 600 may comprise bottle loop 605 and cork loop 610. Bottle loop 605 may be firmly secured to the neck of wine bottle 615, while cork loop 610 may firmly grasp cork 620. In contrast to second spring-clip cork holder 500, soft spring-clip cork holder may be composed of a softer material for a better-quality feel. For example, without limitation, silicone, rubber Silicone, EPDM, Butyl, Viton, natural Rubber, Buna, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitril Rubber, Timprene, Synthetic Rubber, Foam and Sponge rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Manniglas, etc. may be used for the entirety of soft spring-clip cork holder 600. Alternatively, soft spring-clip cork holder 600 may utilize a sturdy inner material such as, without limitation, plastic, metal, etc. and have an outer coating of the softer material to provide for additional structure while maintaining a higher quality outer finish.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary over-molded cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Over-molded cork holder 700 may incorporate various of the aforementioned designs, as well as the designs described below. Over-molded cork holder 700 may be composed of over-molded plastic 705 formed using an over molding process. As used herein, over molding may be a multi-shot injection molding process that may produce a single product from two or more different thermoplastics. The first shot may be the substrate, which may be the more rigid of the materials being used and may be used to accept any subsequent shots (i.e., over molds). A variety of different plastics may be used for the over molds, and the over mold plastics may be softer and more flexible than the substrate. The over mold material may be mixed with add-ons such as, without limitation, colorants, foaming agents, etc. to achieve a desired effect within the final product. Over molding may enable the unification of the substrate material with the over mold material in a smaller amount of time than it would take to join two or more parts together using conventional methods. After the substrate is injected, the substrate may be placed into an over mold tool or cavity and molten overload material may be injected onto or around the substrate. After the over mold material cools, the substrate and over mold may be chemically and/or mechanically bonded. Over molding may be advantageous in creating strong, multi-material parts rather than using an adhesive to bind separate parts together.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary first silicone cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First silicone cork holder 800 may use silicone as a flexible, durable material for displaying cork 820 on the neck of wine bottle 815. First silicone cork holder 800 may comprise bottle loop section 805 and cork loop section 810, wherein bottle loop 805 may slip over and be tightly secured to the neck of wine bottle 815, cork 815 may be slipped into cork loop 810 and firmly held in a vertical orientation. Connector 835 couples bottle loop section 1005 and cork loop section 1010 to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler allow for an elegant display of the cork and proper inspection the cork's condition during wine consumption and without moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly. Bottle loop 805 and cork loop 810 may include bottle loop tab 825 and cork loop tab 830 for additional grip while adjusting silicone cork holder 800. For example, without limitation, bottle loop tab 825 and cork loop tab 830 may be pulled in an outward direction to expand the inner diameter of bottle loop 805 and cork loop 810, respectively, allowing for ease of installation or removal. Additionally, the silicone of first silicone cork holder 800 may be dyed a variety of different colors and patterns to increase the aesthetic appearance of first silicone cork holder 800. Silicone, EPDM, Butyl, Viton, natural Rubber, Buna, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitril Rubber, Timprene, Synthetic Rubber, Foam and Sponge rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Manniglas, etc. . . . . The elastomers above may be reinforced using reinforcing fillers, or the elastomers could be chemically bonded to a metal.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary second silicone cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Second silicone cork holder 900 may alleviate horizontal stretching in comparison to first silicone cork holder 800 as described with reference to FIG. 8. Second silicone cork holder 900 may comprise bottle loop 905 and cork loop 910, wherein bottle loop 905 may be securely attached to the neck of wine bottle 915 and cork loop 910 may firmly grasp cork 920. Bottle loop 905 may include first bottle opening 925 and second bottle opening 930. First bottle opening 925 and second bottle opening 930 may slide over the neck of wine bottle 915 and, because second silicone cork holder 900 may be composed of silicone, the elasticity of the silicone may provide for a secure grip onto the neck of wine bottle 915. Similarly, Cork holder 900 may include first cork opening 935 and an optional second cork opening 940. The design of second silicone cork holder 900 may allow for vertical pressure to be applied in the installation and removal processes, which may prolong the longevity of second silicone cork holder 900 when compared to first silicone cork holder 800. However, second silicone cork holder 900 may not provide as secure a hold as first silicone cork holder 800, as less contact may be made between second silicone cork holder 900 and each of wine bottle 915 and cork 920. The elastomers above could be reinforced using reinforcing fillers, or the elastomers could be chemically bonded to a metal.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary first molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First molded plastic cork holder 1000 may be secured to the neck of wine bottle 1015 by slipping bottle loop section 1005 over the neck of wine bottle 1015 or horizontally through flared bottle opening 1025 where the neck of wine bottle 1015 rests on the pair of bottle loop arm 1045. Similarly, cork 1020 may be inserted into cork loop 1010 or snapped in through flared cork opening 1030 where the cork 1020 rests on the pair of cork loop arm 1040. Connector 1035 couples bottle loop section 1005 and cork loop section 1010 via outer surfaces of bottle loop arm 1045 and cork loop arm 1040 to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler with no moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly. First molded plastic cork holder 1000 may be fabricated using injection molding, creating a firm and slightly flexible design that may accommodate for different sized wine bottles and corks. As injection molding may be used, first molded plastic cork holder 1000 may be of a constant thickness to allow for consistency in fabrication. Additional material may also be applied to the inner diameter of one or more of bottle loop 1005 and cork loop 1010 to provide support for smaller corks or wine bottles and/or provide extra grip for a more secure fit. The additional material may be, for example, without limitation, rubber, silicone, etc. including materials having excellent elastic properties such as ABS or Acetal.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary second molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Second molded plastic cork holder 1100 may be similar in design to first molded plastic cork holder 1000 as described in FIG. 10. In comparison to first molded plastic cork holder 1000, second molded plastic cork holder 1100 may include one or more support ribs 1115 and connector 1120 between bottle loop 1105 and cork loop 1110 where the neck of wine bottle rests on the pair of bottle loop arm 1135 and the cork rests on the pair of cork loop arm 1130. Support ribs 1115 may add additional structural integrity to second molded plastic cork holder 1100 and hold the cork in a more rigid position relative to the wine bottle. As such, when inverting the wine bottle, the cork may be firmly held in place with very little variation in position.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary extrusion molding cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Extrusion molding cork holder 1200 may adopt similar designs to those described with reference to FIGS. 1-11 and FIGS. 13-14, albeit using extrusion molding. Extrusion molding may be advantageous in that large volumes of extrusion molding cork holders 1200 may be manufactured at a lower cost when compared to more conventional approaches. Additionally, when using hot extrusion, post execution alterations may be possible while extrusion molding cork holders 1200 are still in a heated condition. With high production volumes, extrusion molding may offer continuous operation, and various types of raw materials may be utilized, such as, without limitation, plastics, thermoplastics, Polyvinyl Chloride, Polycarbon, polyurethane, etc. Elastomers—Silicone, EPDM, Butyl, Viton, natural Rubber, Buna, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitril Rubber, Timprene, Synthetic Rubber, Foam and Sponge rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomers, etc. Metals—aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, nickel, etc.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary third molded plastic cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Third molded plastic cork holder 1300 may make a more secure fit with wine bottle 1315 using increased contact when compared with the designs shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Bottle loop section 1305 may include a single bottle loop arm 1335 which may have increased surface area to make additional contact with wine bottle 1315, creating more stability when installed. Additionally, cork loop 1310 may be secured to bottle loop 1305 using fixed arms 1325. Fixed arms 1325 on either side of cork loop 1310 may provide two fixed location points 1330 rather than one, allowing cork loop 1310 to be more flexible when opening and closing. As such, a wider variety of cork sizes may be accommodated for when compared to the aforementioned designs as described in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Third molded plastic cork holder 1300 may be manufactured as a single-piece or multiple pieces subsequently adhered together.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate an exemplary spider cork holder, wherein FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of a spider cork holder, FIG. 14B illustrates a side view of a spider cork holder, and FIG. 14C illustrates a top view of a spider cork holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, spider cork holder 1400 may be formed as a single piece using injection molding to provide for optimal durability and flexibility. However, as will be appreciated by ones skilled in the art, alternative fabrication techniques, such as, but not limited to, 3D printing, etc. may be used to manufacture spider cork holder 1400. Spider cork holder 1400 may comprise bottle loop section 1405 for secure fitment onto for example, without limitation, the neck of a wine bottle, and cork loop section 1410 for securement of, for example, without limitation, a cork. To allow for additional flexibility of both bottle loop section 1405 and cork loop section 1410 while still maintaining structural integrity, intermediate support 1415 may be used as a supporting structure between the two loops. Bottle loop 1405 may include a pair of bottle loop arms 1420 coupled to a middle portion of intermediate support 1415. Cork loop 1410 may include a pair of cork loop arms 1425 coupled to an outer portion of intermediate support 1415. Intermediate support 1415 may form an arc to conform to a shape of a cork. Because cork loop section 1410 may be decoupled from bottle loop section 1405 in this way, a wider variety of wine bottle sizes and cork sizes may be accommodated for. However, in comparison to cork holder 100 of FIG. 1, cork loop section 1410 may be more closed off such that the cork may be inserted from either the top or bottom of cork loop section 1410 and may not support side insertion of a cork.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the aforementioned designs for cork holders may not be limited to being used with wine bottles, and may be adapted to being utilized to, for example, without limitation, secure a bottle cap to a bottle, Champaign bottles, water, or beverage bottles with caps where you don't want to lose the cap, etc. Additionally, elements of each of the aforementioned designs may be combined and usable together. For example, without limitation, the living spring design of FIG. 1 may be combined with the spring clip design of FIG. 4. As such, various different design possibilities may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” or “steps for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patents and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a cork holder according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the cork holder may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the cork holder described in the foregoing were principally directed to cork storage and display implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to bottle cap storage and display which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Only those claims which employ the words “means for” or “steps for” are to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph (pre-AIA) or 35 USC 112(f) post-AIA. Otherwise, no limitations from the specification are to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a wide end or bottle loop section, wherein said bottle loop section is configured to couple to a bottle neck, in which said bottle loop section comprises; a first bottle loop arm; a second bottle loop arm; wherein said first bottle loop arm and said second bottle loop arm forms a proximate C-shaped bottle loop section; and wherein a diameter of said proximate C-shaped bottle loop section formed by said first bottle loop arm and second bottle loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the bottle neck;

a narrow end or cork loop section, wherein said cork loop section is configured to hold a cork, in which said cork loop section comprises; a first cork loop arm; a second cork loop arm; wherein said first cork loop arm and second cork loop arm forms a proximate C-shaped narrow end or cork loop section; and wherein a diameter of said proximate C-shaped formed by said first cork loop arm and second cork loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the cork;

and

wherein said bottle loop section and cork loop section are into engagement to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler.

2. The device of claim 1, in which said engagement comprises a bridge, wherein said bridge is configured to engage said first bottle loop arm and said second bottle loop arm to form a generally C-shaped wide end.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a notification surface that is configured to allow for printing or engraving of, at least one of, an image, a lettering, an advertisement, and graphics.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising an anti-slip material disposed on an inner portion of said first and second bottle loop arms, wherein said anti-slip material is configured to provide additional grip or protection, in which said anti-slip material comprises at least one of a rubber composition and a vinyl composition.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate support, wherein said intermediate support engages said bottle loop section and cork loop section.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said first and second bottle loop arms are coupled to a middle portion of said intermediate support.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said first and second cork loop arms are coupled to an outer portion of said intermediate support, and wherein said device do not contain moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second bottle loop arms comprises flared openings, and wherein said first and second bottle loop arms are configured to allow for inward or outward deflection.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first and second cork loop arms comprises flared openings, and wherein said first and second cork loop arms are configured to allow for inward or outward deflection.

10. The device of claim 1, in which said engagement comprises a connector that is configured to couple said bottle loop section and said cork loop section to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler.

11. The device of claim 10, in which said connector comprises two end portions, wherein one end portion is configured to couple an outside surface of said bottle loop section and the other end portion is configured to couple an outside surface of said cork loop section.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising at least one or more support ribs, wherein said one or more support ribs are configured to provide additional structural integrity to said device, and wherein said device may not contain moving parts, detachable parts, or other affixing hardware required for the device to work properly.

13. A device comprising:

means for coupling a bottle neck;

means for forming said bottle neck coupling means;

means for holding a cork;

means for forming said cork holding means;

means for engaging said bottle neck coupling means and said cork holding means to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler;

means for allowing for printing or engraving of, at least one of, an image, a lettering, an advertisement, and graphics;

means for providing anti-slip grip or protection for said bottle holding means; and

means for providing anti-slip grip or protection for said cork holding means.

14. A device comprising:

a bottle loop section, wherein said bottle loop section is configured to couple to a bottle neck, in which said bottle loop section comprises; a bottle loop arm; wherein said bottle loop arm forms a proximate C-shaped bottle loop section; and wherein a diameter of said proximate C-shaped bottle loop section formed by said bottle loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the bottle neck;

a cork loop section, wherein said cork loop section is configured to hold a cork, in which said cork loop section comprises; a cork loop arm; wherein said cork loop arm forms a proximate C-shaped cork loop section; and wherein a diameter of said proximate C-shaped narrow end formed by said cork loop arm is configured to commensurate a diameter of the cork;

and

wherein said bottle loop section and cork loop section are into engagement to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler.

15. The device of claim 14, in which said bottle loop arm comprises a first bottle loop arm and a second bottle loop arm.

16. The device of claim 15, in which said cork loop arm comprises a first cork loop arm and a second cork loop arm.

17. The device of claim 14, in which said engagement comprises at least two fixed arms, each of said two fixed arms is configured to couple said bottle loop section and said cork loop section to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler, wherein said single unit cork holder and bottle coupler is operable for an elegant display and inspection of the cork's condition during a wine consumption, and wherein said two fixed arms are configured to couple to at least two fixed location points on an outside surface of said bottle loop section and on an outside surface of said cork loop section.

18. The device of claim 14, in which said engagement comprises a bridge, wherein said bridge is configured to couple said bottle loop section and said cork loop section to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler, wherein said single unit cork holder and bottle coupler is operable for display of the cork and a proper inspection of the cork's condition during a wine consumption.

19. The device of claim 14, in which said engagement comprises a connector that is configured to couple said bottle loop section and said cork loop section to form a single unit cork holder and bottle coupler.

20. The device of claim 19, in which said bottle loop section comprises a bottle loop section tab and said cork loop section comprises a cork loop section tab for additional grip while making adjustments.