Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Nonrectangular sheet
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-05-08
Thomas, Alexander S. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Nonrectangular sheet
C428S136000, C215S392000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228459
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an absorbent wrap for placing around the neck of a bottle. More particularly, the invention pertains to an absorbent wrap for placing around a wine bottle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common in restaurants, wineries, and other settings to serve beverages from bottles by pouring a first portion from the bottle into a glass and then serving up subsequent portions from the same bottle. In the process, spillage and drips that accumulate around the bottle opening and run down the neck of the bottle can stain clothes, tableclothes, furniture, and carpeting, especially if the beverage is a substance such as a red wine. Another problem is that the surface of the bottle can become slippery and difficult to hold.
Servers therefore employ various means and techniques to surmount the problem. One approach is to wrap an absorbent towel around substantially the entire bottle, leaving just a portion of the neck and the opening exposed, to absorb any spillage. A problem with this approach is that the towel easily slips off the bottle or the bottle itself slips from one's grasp while serving. Another problem is that the towel often obscures the label portion of the bottle, proving a hindrance to patrons such as wine afficionados who enjoy reading the label or to vintners who wish to prominently display the vintage and other relevant label description in restaurants, at wine tastings, or at other special gatherings.
Another approach as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,214 employs an insulating/decorative jacket resembling a formal dinner attire. e.g. a tuxedo, that covers most of the bottle and into which the bottle is inserted. A problem with this approach is that once again the label is obscured. Another problem is that the jacket is not primarily fabricated to be absorbant but rather to insulate. Yet another problem is that the jacket is not adaptable to varying bottle sizes, shapes, or diameters since it is designed to receive just one size and shape of bottle.
Another device as found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,877 is an insulating wrap that is wrapped around substantially the entire bottle, again obscuring the label portion. It includes velcro-type fasteners along a bottom surface or perimeter. An additional problem with the device is that it is not designed to attach on the neck of the bottle and absorb spillage along the neck portion since its primary purpose is to maintain the bottle at a desired temperature. Another problem is that the device's apex is configured for just one bottle height and the device is therefore not readily adaptable for other bottle sizes or shapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, an absorbent wrap for placement on a neck of a bottle containing a beverage includes a flexible, absorbent sheet having a slit therethrough and having at least three sides defining two opposing corner portions. A first of the opposing corner portions is located proximate to the slit and includes a first edge. A second of the opposing comer portions is located distal from the slit, includes a second edge, and is tapered toward the second edge. The slit has a length sufficient to allow the second corner portion to be inserted therethrough. This configuration permits the absorbent wrap to be wrapped around the neck of the bottle and then to be secured to the bottle by inserting the second corner portion through the slit and pulling it snug. The wrap is thereby positioned to absorb drips and spillage of the beverage running down the neck of the bottle.
The wrap, or “Wine-Kerchief” as it is currently referred to for marketing purposes, prevents or minimizes drips running along the neck of a bottle, making it less likely that a beverage will spill on a diner or the bottle slip from the server's hand while serving. Once secured, both the interlocked corner portions and the main sheet portion of the wrap absorb spillage around substantially the entire circumference of the bottle neck, while the main sheet portion also absorbs spillage along a portion of the bottle's outer surface. An appropriately sized wrap carries out these functions without substantially obscuring a back or front label portion of the bottle. The wrap is both easily positioned on and removed from the bottle, which facilitates serving a beverage and subsequently disposing of the spent bottle separately from the wrap. In a restaurant or other food or beverage establishment setting, the presentation of a beverage such as a wine to a diner by a server is quicker and less intrusive, service features that are typically valued and appreciated by knowledgeable restaurant patrons, food and wine critics, wine afficionados, and other consumers. The wrap is fabricated either from a relatively durable, washable material or from a limited or single-use material, which in either case provides a convenient and inexpensive approach for a restaurant, a business, or an individual consumer. Another advantage is that one size of wrap is adaptable for use with a range of different sizes and shapes of bottles.
According to the invention, a method for absorbing drips from a bottle containing a beverage, the bottle including an upper neck portion and a lower body portion, includes the steps of providing an absorbent wrap comprising a flexible, absorbent sheet having at least three sides defining two opposing corner portions and having a slit therethrough, and wherein a first of the opposing corner portions is located proximate to the slit, a second of the opposing corner portions is located distal from the slit, and the slit has a length sufficient to allow the second corner portion to be inserted therethrough and tied to the first corner portion, positioning the wrap around the neck portion of the bottle, inserting the second corner portion into the slit, and drawing the second corner portion through the slit, whereby the wrap is secured on the neck of the bottle above the body portion to absorb drips running down the neck of the bottle.
According to the invention, an absorbent wrap for placement on a neck of a wine bottle includes a triangular-shape flexible, absorbent sheet having a first side, a second side, and a third side, wherein the first side has a length of between about 10 inches and about 14 inches, the second and third sides are of a substantially equal length and each of the second and third sides has a length between about 7 inches and about 9 inches, and the first side has a first end and a second end respectively located at a first corner and a second corner of the sheet, and a through-slit in the sheet having a transverse orientation with respect to the first side, wherein the slit has a length of between about ¾ inch and 1 ¼ inches, the slit includes an edge closest to the first side that is spaced between about 0.25 inch and about 1 inch from the first side, the slit includes a centerpoint located at least between about 1 inch and about 3 inches from the first end of the first side and at least between about 8 inches and about 10 inches from the second end of the first side, whereby the second corner may be inserted through the slit, thereby securing the wrap on the wine bottle with the wrap positioned to absorb drips running down the neck of the wine bottle.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 368000 (1996-03-01), Mazza et al.
patent: D. 403209 (1998-12-01), Zigterman
patent: 2200616 (1940-05-01), Cloud
patent: 2219562 (1940-10-01), Painter
patent: 3063590 (1962-11-01), Hopkins
patent: 4867214 (1989-09-01), Fuller
patent: 5188877 (1993-02-01), Magaro
Brown & Michaels, P.C.
Thomas Alexander S.
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