U.S. patent application number 10/044623 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for apparatus and method for moving a workpiece through an opening in a container.
Invention is credited to Chavez, Hector, Hill, Brian.
Application Number | 20020066374 10/044623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24167994 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020066374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill, Brian ; et
al. |
June 6, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for moving a workpiece through an opening in a
container
Abstract
An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece
from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein
the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The
apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable
within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion
mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this
invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for
compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a
plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is
aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a
first bore and into a container.
Inventors: |
Hill, Brian; (Northbrook,
IL) ; Chavez, Hector; (Skokie, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric T. Krischke
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
2800 W. Higgins Road, Suite 365
Hoffman Estates
IL
60195
US
|
Family ID: |
24167994 |
Appl. No.: |
10/044623 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10044623 |
Oct 23, 2001 |
|
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|
09543426 |
Apr 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/540 ; 426/481;
426/482; 99/541; 99/542; 99/543 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/20 20130101;
B26D 7/0608 20130101; B26D 3/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/540 ; 426/481;
426/482; 99/541; 99/542; 99/543 |
International
Class: |
A23P 001/00; A23L
001/216 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for narrowing and moving a workpiece through an
opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider
than the opening, comprising: a loader forming a bore and having a
base portion mountable over the opening; and a plunger having an
extension portion, the extension portion slidably movable within
the bore.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extension portion is
coaxially aligned with the bore.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extension portion is
tapered.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the extension portion has a
generally circular cross section.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bore has a frusto-conical
shape corresponding to the tapered extension portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extension portion is longer
than the bore.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base portion is mountable
to a neck portion of the container, the neck portion forming the
opening.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base portion forms a
cavity, the cavity having a lip surface for contacting a surface of
the neck portion positioned about a periphery of the opening.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plunger is moveable between
a first position wherein the extension portion is not positioned
within the bore and a second position wherein the extension portion
is positioned within the bore, an outer surface of the plunger
contacts an inner surface of the bore, and the extension portion
extends past a bottom end of the bore.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide for the
plunger, an inner surface of the guide slidably engaging an outer
surface of the loader.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the loader and the plunger are
positioned together to form a bottle-shaped apparatus.
12. An apparatus for preparing and moving a workpiece through an
opening in a container, comprising: a base; a post fixedly mounted
to the base; a loader mounted to the post, the loader forming a
first bore and having a base portion for accepting at least a neck
portion of the container; a plunger mounted to the post, the
plunger aligned coaxially with the first bore, the plunger moveable
in a vertical direction; a compression piece mounted to the post,
the compression piece adapted to move in a vertical direction; a
support plate rotatably connected to the post and forming a second
bore, the support plate rotatable between a first position wherein
the second bore is coaxially aligned with the compression piece and
a second position wherein the second bore is coaxially aligned with
and positioned between the plunger and the loader; and a slicer
rotatably positioned within the second bore, including a plurality
of blades positioned radially within the slicer.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a handle pivotally
connected to the compression piece.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a lock-plunger
for locking the support piece in one of the first position and the
second position.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the slicer comprises a
plurality of sections, each section alignable with the plunger and
the first bore.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the support piece comprises a
plurality of indicators positioned around an outer periphery of the
second bore for indexing the position of each workpiece within the
slicer.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first bore has a
frusto-conical shape.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the base comprises a wall
segment for accepting a base portion of the container.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the slicer comprises a
cylinder rotatably positioned within the second bore, the plurality
of blades fixedly positioned within the cylinder.
20. A method for preparing a relatively larger workpiece from a
fruit or vegetable and moving the relatively larger workpiece
through a relatively smaller opening in a container comprising the
steps of: positioning a support plate having a slicer between a
plunger and a loader; aligning a section of the slicer holding the
workpiece with the plunger and the loader; and plunging the
workpiece through a bore formed in the loader, to compressively
narrow and move the workpiece through the opening.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:
aligning the fruit or vegetable between a compression piece and the
support plate, the fruit or vegetable positioned over the slicer;
forming workpieces by compressing the fruit or vegetable into the
slicer; and rotating the support plate to position the slicer
between the plunger and the loader.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for moving
a relatively wider workpiece through an opening in a container.
More specifically, the present invention is directed to an
apparatus for moving a segment of fruit, for example a wedge of
lime, through an opening in a beverage bottle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many people accentuate the flavor of a beverage they are
about to enjoy with a slice or wedge of a citrus fruit, for example
a slice of lemon or a wedge of lime. However, the slice or wedge is
often too wide to easily fit into the beverage bottle. making the
process difficult and messy.
[0003] There are several devices known to those skilled in the art
for subdividing a fruit or vegetable into segments. These devices
have a plunger assembly whereby the workpiece is manually forced
through a plurality of blades, which divide the workpiece into
sections.
[0004] One shortcoming of these devices is that after the workpiece
is divided into sections, the sections are not retained or
compartmentalized within the device and are allowed to fall into a
bowl placed below the device. Further, these devices do not move
the relatively wider cut sections through an opening in a
container, for example an opening in a beverage bottle.
[0005] There is thus a need or desire for an apparatus and method
for easily moving a relatively wider workpiece through an opening
in a container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for moving
a relatively wider workpiece through an opening in a container, for
example moving a segment of a lime through an opening in a beverage
bottle.
[0007] The apparatus has a loader with a base portion that is
mountable over the opening in the container. The loader forms a
tapered bore which extends through at least a portion of the
loader.
[0008] A plunger having a tapered extension portion is slidably
movable within the bore. A workpiece is positioned within the bore
and the plunger is then slidably moveable within the bore so that
the extension portion contacts the workpiece and the workpiece is
plunged through the bore and through the opening in the container.
The extension portion extends beyond the bore and into the opening
in the container to ensure that the workpiece is moved through the
opening and into the container, preventing the opening from being
closed or blocked by the workpiece. As the workpiece is plunged
through the tapered bore, the workpiece is gradually compressed
between the extension portion and the bore, thereby narrowing the
size of the workpiece and allowing it to move through the
opening.
[0009] The plunger has a guide that extends around a periphery of
the loader to align the extension portion with the bore as the
workpiece is plunged through the bore and the opening. The loader
and the plunger can be positioned together to form a bottle-shaped
apparatus.
[0010] A method for preparing and moving a relatively wider
workpiece through an opening in a container is also provided. The
workpiece is aligned between the plunger and the first bore. With
the workpiece aligned with the first bore, the plunger is moved
towards the support plate so that the plunger head contacts the
workpiece. As the plunger continues to move in a downward
direction, the workpiece is moved by the plunger head out of the
section and into the first bore.
[0011] As the workpiece is plunged through the first bore, the
workpiece is compressively narrowed. The workpiece continues to
narrow and move through the first bore and into the opening formed
in the container. The plunger head protrudes into the opening
formed by the neck portion of the container to ensure that the
workpiece does not get stuck within the neck portion of the
container.
[0012] With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of
the invention to provide an apparatus for narrowing and moving a
relatively wider workpiece through an opening in a container, for
example plunging a segment of lime into a beverage bottle.
[0013] It is also a feature and advantage of the invention to
provide an apparatus and method for cutting a fruit into a
plurality of workpieces and moving each workpiece individually
through an opening in one or more containers.
[0014] The foregoing and other features and advantages will become
further apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the drawings. The
detailed description and drawings are intended to be illustrative
rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a loader,
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a plunger,
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus,
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a loader,
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a plunger,
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a plunger
slidably positioned within the loader, according to one preferred
embodiment of this invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front view of an apparatus for preparing a
workpiece and moving the workpiece through an opening in a
container, according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of an apparatus for preparing a
workpiece and moving the workpiece through an opening in a
container, according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a top view of an apparatus for preparing a
workpiece and moving the workpiece through an opening in a
container, according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a loader
mounted to a post, according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention; and
[0025] FIG. 11 is a top view of a support plate having a slicer
with a plurality of radially-positioned blades, according to one
preferred embodiment of this invention.
[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIGS. 1-3 show an apparatus 15, according to one preferred
embodiment of this invention, for narrowing and moving a workpiece
through an opening in a container. Preferably, but not necessarily,
the workpiece is a segment of a vegetable or a fruit, for example a
lemon or a lime. As used throughout this specification and in the
claims the term "workpiece" is understood to mean a segment,
section, wedge or portion of the starting fruit or vegetable. For
example, a lime and a segment or wedge of a lime constitutes a
workpiece. Apparatus 15 is specifically useful in moving a
relatively larger or wider workpiece through a relatively smaller
or narrower opening, for example moving a segment of a lime through
an opening in a beverage bottle or can.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 15 has a loader 20 having a
base portion 22 that is mountable over the opening in the
container. Preferably, but not necessarily, base portion 22 forms a
cavity 24 positionable around a neck portion of the container which
forms the opening. Preferably, a lip surface 26 is formed at a
first end portion of cavity 24. When loader 20 is mounted on the
container, lip surface 26 contacts a surface of the neck portion
surrounding a periphery of the opening.
[0029] Loader 20 forms a bore 28 which extends through at least a
portion of loader 20. Preferably, bore 28 is coaxially aligned with
cavity 24. Preferably, bore 28 is tapered to have a frusto-conical
shape and a circular cross-sectional area. However, bore 28 may
have any suitable shape and/or cross-section known to those having
ordinary skill in the art, for example bore 28 may be
cylindrical.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, apparatus 15 further has a plunger 40
having an extension portion 42, which preferably, but not
necessarily, has a length which is longer than a length of bore 28.
Preferably, extension portion 42 is slidably movable within bore
28. In one preferred embodiment, extension portion 42 is tapered as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Tapered extension portion 42 is easily
slidably movable within correspondingly tapered bore 28.
[0031] Plunger 40 is moveable between a first position wherein
extension portion 42 is not positioned within bore 28 and a second
position wherein extension portion 42 is slidably movable within
bore 28. With plunger 40 in the first position, a workpiece can be
position within bore 28. Plunger 40 is then slidably moveable to
the second position, as shown in FIG. 3, whereby extension portion
42 of plunger 40 is coaxially aligned with bore 28. An end portion
43 of extension portion 42 contacts the workpiece and the workpiece
is plunged through bore 28 and through the opening in the
container. In the second position, end portion 43 of extension
portion 42 extends beyond bore 28, as shown in FIG. 3, and into the
opening in the container to ensure that the workpiece is moved
through the opening and into the container. Thus, end portion 43
prevents the opening from being closed or blocked by the workpiece.
As the workpiece is plunged through tapered bore 28, the workpiece
is gradually compressed between an outer surface 29 of extension
portion 42 and an inner surface 30 of bore 28, thereby reducing the
size of the workpiece and allowing the relatively wider workpiece
to move through the opening.
[0032] In the second position, as shown in FIG. 3, a first contact
surface 44 of plunger 40 contacts a second contact surface 32 of
loader 20, to prevent further movement of extension portion 42
within bore 28.
[0033] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, plunger 40 has a guide 46 for plunger 40.
Preferably, but not necessarily, guide 46 is continuous, extending
around a periphery of loader 20. An inner surface 48 of guide 46
slidably engages an outer surface 34 of loader 20. Guide 46 may
have a plurality of guide sections. Guide 46 is positioned around
outer surface 34 to align extension portion 42 with bore 28 as the
workpiece is plunged through bore 28 and the opening. In one
preferred embodiment of this invention, an end surface 50 of guide
46 contacts a ledge or step 36 formed by outer surface 34 of loader
20. Preferably, but not necessarily, in the second position, loader
20 and plunger 40 are positioned together to form bottle-shaped
apparatus 15, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.
[0034] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in
FIGS. 7-11, an apparatus 115 for narrowing and moving the workpiece
through an opening in the container has a base 116. Base 116
provides support for apparatus 115 and is preferably placed on a
generally horizontal surface, for example on a restaurant bar.
Preferably, but not necessarily, base 116 has a generally
arcuate-shaped stop or wall segment 117. Wall segment 117 may have
any suitable shape. Wall segment 117 accepts a base portion of the
container and positions the container properly during the operation
of apparatus 115. Preferably, a post 118 is fixedly connected to
base 116 in a perpendicular direction.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, apparatus 115 has a loader 120
mounted to post 118. Preferably, but not necessarily, loader 120 is
mounted to post 118 with a support arm 128. As shown in FIG. 10,
loader 120 is removably positioned in a cylindrical aperture or
ring 130 of support arm 128. Ring 130 supports loader 120 during
operation of apparatus 115 and allows loader 120 to be removed for
easy cleaning and/or replacement.
[0036] Loader 120 forms a first bore 122 which extends through at
least a portion of loader 120, as shown in FIG. 10. Preferably,
first bore 122 is tapered to have a frusto-conical shape and a
circular cross-sectional area. However, first bore 122, may have
any suitable shape and/or cross-section known to those having
ordinary skill in the art, for example a cylindrical shape or a
triangular cross-section.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, loader 120 preferably, but not
necessarily, has a base portion 124 for accepting a neck portion of
the container, for example a beverage bottle, and aligning or
positioning the opening formed in the neck portion underneath first
bore 122. Preferably, but not necessarily, base portion 124 has an
arcuate shape corresponding to the neck portion of the container.
Wall segment 117 of base 116 and base portion 124 of loader 120
ensure proper alignment of the opening in the container with first
bore 122.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, apparatus 115 has a plunger 140
mounted to post 118. Preferably, but not necessarily, plunger 140
is mounted to post 118 with a support frame 142. Support frame 142
can have any shape and/or design that is suitable to withstand the
pressure applied to plunger 140 and post 118 during the plunging of
the workpiece, as discussed below. Plunger 140 is moveable in a
generally vertical direction. Handle portion 144 is used to move
plunger 140 in a downward or upward direction. Plunger 140 is
aligned coaxially with first bore 122, so that as plunger 140 is
moved in a downward direction using handle portion 144, a plunger
head 146 moves through and extends beyond first bore 122.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, a support plate 150 is rotatably
connected to post 118 and forms a second bore 152. As shown by
direction arrows 151 in FIG. 9, support plate 150 is rotatable
between a first position wherein second bore 152 is coaxially
aligned with a compression piece 170 and a second position wherein
second bore 152 is coaxially aligned with and positioned between
plunger 140 and loader 120. Preferably, but not necessarily,
support plate 150 has a lock-plunger 158 to lock support plate 150
in the first position or the second position.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, a slicer 160 is rotatably positionable
within second bore 152. Slicer 160 is removable from within second
bore 152 for easy cleaning, maintenance and/or replacement. Slicer
160 includes a plurality of blades 162 positioned radially within
slicer 160 to form compartments or sections 164. Blades 162 may be
any suitable conventional blade used for slicing or cutting
vegetables and fruit into wedges (i.e. workpieces). Preferably, but
not necessarily, blades 162 have an angled cutting surface to
provide support to the fruit or vegetable during the cutting or
slicing process, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0041] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, blades 162
are fixedly positioned within a cylinder 166, as shown in FIG. 11.
Cylinder 166 is rotatably positionable within second bore 152 and
provides for easy rotation of slicer 160 with respect to second
bore 152. Preferably, but not necessarily, support plate 150 has a
plurality of indicators 156 positioned around a periphery of second
bore 152, corresponding to each section 164 created by blades 162.
Indicators 156 index the location of a workpiece held within a
section 164 of slicer 160. Each section 164 can be aligned with
plunger 140 and first bore 122 to hold and position the workpiece
in alignment with plunger 140 and first bore 122.
[0042] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in
FIGS. 7-9, apparatus 115 further has compression piece 170 mounted
to post 118. Preferably, but not necessarily, compression piece 170
is mounted to post 118 with a support frame 172. Support frame 172
can have any shape and/or design that is suitable to withstand the
pressure applied to compression piece 170 and post 118 during the
compression of a workpiece, as discussed below.
[0043] Compression piece 170 is radially offset with respect to
post 118 from loader 120 and plunger 140. Compression piece 170 is
adapted to move in a vertical direction. In one preferred
embodiment, a handle 176 is pivotally connected to compression
piece 170. Handle 176 pivots to move compression piece 170 in a
downward direction towards second bore 152 to compress the whole
vegetable or fruit into slicer 160. Preferably, compression piece
170 has an inner surface (not shown) corresponding generally to the
shape of the vegetable or fruit to tightly hold it. By moving
compression piece 170 towards slicer 160, the vegetable or fruit is
compressed into slicer 160 and sliced or cut by blades 162 into a
plurality of wedges or segments (workpieces). Compression piece 170
may have other shapes, for example compression piece 170 may have a
generally flat surface.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7-11, a method for preparing and moving a
relatively larger or wider workpiece through a relatively smaller
or narrower opening in a container begins with positioning support
plate 150 between plunger 140 and loader 120. Slicer 160 is
positioned within second bore 152 and contains a workpiece in at
least one section 164. Section 164 holding or retaining the
workpiece is aligned with plunger 140 and first bore 122 of loader
120 with reference to indicator 156 corresponding to section 164
holding the workpiece.
[0045] With the workpiece aligned with first bore 122, handle
portion 144 of plunger 140 is moved in a downward direction to move
plunger 140 towards support plate 150. Plunger head 146 contacts
the workpiece. As plunger 140 continues to move in a downward
direction, the workpiece is pushed or moved by plunger head 146 out
of section 164 and into first bore 122 formed in loader 140.
[0046] As the workpiece is plunged through first bore 122, the
workpiece is compressively narrowed as a result of the
frusto-conical shape of first bore 122. Plunger head 146 continues
to narrow and move the workpiece through first bore 122 and into
the opening formed in the container until the workpiece is moved
through the opening and into the container. Plunger head 146
protrudes into the opening to ensure that the workpiece does not
get stuck within the neck portion thereby restricting the flow of
beverage through the neck portion.
[0047] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in
FIGS. 7-11, the method for preparing and moving the relatively
wider workpiece through the opening further includes the following
steps before support plate 150 is positioned between plunger 140
and loader 120.
[0048] With support plate 150 aligned in the first position with
compression piece 170, the vegetable or fruit is placed onto or
over slicer 160 positioned within second bore 152. Handle 176
pivots to move compression piece 170 in a downward direction
towards slicer 160 to compress the vegetable or fruit into slicer
160, whereby the vegetable or fruit is sliced or cut by blades 162
to form workpieces which are held or retained in sections 164 of
slicer 160.
[0049] With each section 164 holding a workpiece, support plate 150
is rotated to the second position and preferably, but not
necessarily, locked in the second position with lock-plunger 158,
wherein support plate 150 is positioned between plunger 140 and
loader 120. The plunging process then continues wherein the
workpiece is plunged from section 164, through first bore 122 and
through the opening into the container.
[0050] After removing the container from under first bore 122, a
second container can then be placed under first bore 122. Slicer
160 is rotated with respect to second bore 152 so that a second
section 164 holding a workpiece is aligned with plunger 140 and
first bore 122. This process can be repeated until each workpiece
is plunged from corresponding section 164. Support plate 150 is
then rotated to the first position to compress a second workpiece
into slicer 160.
[0051] While the embodiments of the invention described herein are
presently considered preferred, various modifications and
improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by
the appended claims, and all changes that fall within the meaning
and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *