US20140367398A1

US20140367398A1 - Wine glass charm

Info

Publication number: US20140367398A1
Application number: US13/917,929
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelsey Ellsbury
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-14
Publication date: 2014-12-18

Abstract

A wine glass charm having an edible portion which may be easily removable or detachable from the remainder of the wine glass charm for consumption while drinking wine. The edible portion may be chocolate, bread, crackers, or other foods commonly paired with wine. In this regard, the edible wine glass charm serves the dual purpose of creating a visual identifier for identifying a user's wine glass, and coupling the food to the wine glass charm to make the food readily available to the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to a wine glass charm, and more specifically to a wine glass charm having an edible portion which may be selectively removed for consumption by the user, while the remaining portion of the wine glass charm remains connected to the wine glass.
2. Related Art
Social gatherings and celebrations are oftentimes accompanied with festive drinks and food. One of the most regularly served drinks during social gatherings and celebrations is wine. The wine is frequently paired with food, such as chocolate, cheese, bread, crackers, meat, nuts, fruit, etc. In some cases, specific food items may be intended to complement specific wines so as to create smooth synergy on ones palate. For instance, milk chocolate is commonly paired pinot noir or merlot wines, while dark chocolate is typically paired with zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon wines.
Traditionally, wine is served in wine glasses, which are often identical and cannot easily be distinguished from one another. As people congregate and socialize, their wine glasses may be placed on counters and tables next to other wine glasses, making it difficult for the rightful owner to subsequently retrieve the proper wine glass. If the wrong glass is misidentified, someone may mistakenly consume from a wine glass belonging to someone else, which may cause social disgrace and lead to the spread of germs.
In view of this problem, various wine glass identification devices have been developed and utilized to uniquely associate a specific wine glass with a corresponding user. One example of a wine glass identification device is a paper roundel, which typically is a circular disc that has been cut from the perimeter to permit insertion of the stem of the wine glass into the paper roundel. The roundel may be closed via adhesive tape to secure the roundel to the wine glass. A user may then write his or her name on the paper roundel for identification purposes.
Another example of a wine glass identification device is a wine glass charm, which typically includes a wire clasp that is used to connect the wine glass charm to the wine glass stem. One or more unique charm elements may be connected to the wire clasp, wherein the unique charm elements serve to distinguish one wine glass charm from the next wine glass charm.
Although the foregoing wine glass identification devices may be used for purposes of visually distinguishing the wine glasses, similar identification problems may arise in connection with the food served or paired with the wine. In some cases, individuals may prepare a tray of food and place the tray down on a counter or table next to several similar trays, thereby making it difficult to easily discern which tray belongs to the individual.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved wine glass charm which is specifically configured and adapted to uniquely identify a corresponding wine glass and also provide identification or association with food. The present invention addresses this need, as will be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a wine glass charm having an edible portion which may be easily removable or detachable from the remainder of the wine glass charm for consumption while drinking wine. The edible portion may be chocolate, bread, crackers, or other foods commonly paired with wine. In this regard, the edible wine glass charm serves the dual purpose of creating a visual identifier for identifying a user's wine glass, and coupling the food to the wine glass charm to make the food readily available to the user.
According to one embodiment, there is provided a wine glass charm configured for use with a wine glass. The wine glass charm includes a retaining element configured to be selectively engageable with the wine glass, and a first edible charm element connected to the retaining element. The first edible charm element includes a first cover element attached to the retaining element, and a first edible element enclosed within the first cover element.
The wine glass charm may further include a second edible charm element connected to the retaining element. The second edible charm element may include a second cover element attached to the retaining element and a second edible element enclosed within the second cover element. The first edible element and the second edible element may be formed from different edible materials. The first and second edible elements may be formed from cheese, chocolate, and crackers. The first and second edible elements may further define different external configurations.
The first cover element may create a fluid tight seal around the first edible element. The first cover element may include a hole for connecting the first cover element to the retaining element. The first cover element may be configured to be sacrificial to enable a user to disconnect the first edible charm element from the retaining element.
The retaining element may include a flexible ring. The edible charm element may be slidably connected to the retaining element.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a wine glass charm configured for use with a wine glass. The wine glass charm includes a charm body having an upper surface, a lower surface, a sidewall extending between the upper and lower surfaces, and a pair of slot walls connected to the side wall and extending between the upper and lower surfaces to define an access slot therebetween. An inner wall is connected to the pair of slot walls and defines an inner opening in communication with the access slot. The pair of slot walls and the inner wall is configured to allow the stem of a wine glass to be advanced through the access slot and received within the inner opening to connect the charm body to the wine glass. A first cavity extends into the charm body from the upper surface toward the lower surface. A first edible element is disposed within the first cavity, and a first sealing element connected to the charm body and extending over the first cavity to create a fluid tight seal between the charm body and the first sealing element.
The charm body may further include a second cavity extending into the charm body from the upper surface toward the lower surface and in spaced relation to the first cavity. The wine glass charm may further include a second edible element disposed within the second cavity. A second sealing element may be connected to the charm body and extend over the second cavity to create a fluid tight seal between the charm body and the second sealing element.
The pair of slot walls may be moveable between an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the size of the access slot increases as the slot walls move from the retracted position toward the expanded position, the pair of slot walls being biased toward the retracted position.
The wine glass charm may include indicia displayed on the sidewall.
The presently contemplated embodiments will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a wine glass charm constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of a wine glass charm constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a wine glass charm constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded upper perspective view of the wine glass charm shown in FIG. 3 removed from the wine glass;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the wine glass charm shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a wine glass charm having two cavities.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present devices may be developed or utilized. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first, second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is provided a wine glass charm 10 having an edible portion which may be eaten while enjoying a glass of wine. The wine glass charm 10 may include unique attributes (i.e., color, shape, indicia, etc.) to allow the wine glass charm 10 to be used to identify the user's wine glass 14. The edible wine glass charm 10 is multifunctional due to its unique capability to create a visually distinct appearance in connection with the wine glass 14, while also securing food/snacks to the wine glass 14 to make the food easily and readily retrievable by a user while enjoying the wine. Thus, various aspects of the present invention are directed toward combining the functions of a conventional wine glass charm and a snack plate/tray in an attractive an easy-to-use device.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that wine glasses 14 may be constructed in a wide range of shapes and configurations. The exemplary wine glass 14 shown in the drawings includes a bowl portion 16, a stem portion 18, and a foot portion 20. In general, many wine drinkers prefer a wine glass 14 having a tall, broad bowl portion 16 for drinking red wine, and a smaller, narrower bowl portion 16 for drinking white wine. In this regard, the term “wine glass” as used herein is intended to encompass many different variations of wine glasses 14, including wine glasses 14 intended for both red wine and white wine. Furthermore, the term “wine glass” is broad enough to encompass conventional champagne flutes, mugs, cups (including coffee cups), beer steins, water bottles.
According to one embodiment, and referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the wine glass charm 10 includes a retaining element configured to be selectively engageable with the wine glass 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the retaining element 22 a includes a ring having a slit 24 formed therein to allow the retaining element 22 to extend around the stem portion 18 of the wine glass 14. The ring is preferably formed from bendable/flexible material, such as metal, plastic, rubber, or the like, for opening of the slit 24 to allow for advancement of the stem portion 18 into the retaining element 22, and for closing of the slit 24 to secure the retaining element 22 to the stem portion 28. Furthermore, the opening and closing of the slit 24 further accommodates removal of the stem portion 18 from the retaining element 22.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a wine charm 10 having a retaining element 22 b that is different from the retaining element 22 a shown in FIG. 1. The retaining element 22 b includes a clasping mechanism 26 to effectuate connection and disconnection of the retaining element 22 b to the wine glass 14. In the particular implementation depicted in FIG. 2, the clasping mechanism 26 includes a hook portion 25 formed at a first end portion of the retaining element 22 b, wherein the hook portion 25 is configured to selectively engage with a second end portion 27 of the retaining element 22 b. When the hook portion 25 is engaged with the second end portion 27 of the retaining element 22 b, the retaining element 22 b defines a closed loop so as to secure the retaining element 22 b to the wine glass 14. When the hook portion 25 is disengaged from the second end portion 27 of the retaining element 22 b, an opening is created through which the stem portion 18 passes for connecting and disconnecting the retaining element 22 thereto.
The retaining elements 22 a, 22 b shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary in nature only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Along these lines, it is contemplated that other retaining elements, such as twist-ties, may additionally be used in different embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the size, shape, and color of the retaining element 22 may vary from one wine charm 10 to the next. For instance, the retaining element 22 may be star-shaped, oval-shaped, triangular, quadrangular, etc. The retaining element 22 may also be bendable and configured to retain its shape to define a unique shape. In this regard, the size, shape and color of the retaining element 22 may provide a visually distinct characteristic used to identify a user's wine charm 10 (and corresponding wine glass 14).
The wine glass charm 10 further includes one or more edible charm elements 28 connected to the retaining element 22. The exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 includes three edible charm elements 28, although it is contemplated that other embodiments may include as few as one edible charm element 28, while other embodiments include more than three edible charm elements 28. The connection of the edible charm element 28 to the retaining element 22 conveniently attaches the food element/snack to the wine glass 14, thereby making the food element readily available and easily retrievable by the user when drinking wine. Furthermore, in view of the integration of the food element/snack item into the unique wine glass charm 10, it is highly unlikely that the user would inadvertently retrieve a food item/snack belonging to someone else.
According to one embodiment, the edible charm elements 28 include an edible element 30 (i.e., the snack or food portion) wrapped or enclosed within a cover element 32. The edible element 30 preferably includes a food product that is typically paired with wine. For instance, the edible element 30 may include various cheeses, chocolates, crackers, fruits, dried fruits, meats, dips, breads, or other foods known by those skilled in the art to be paired or served with wine.
The edible charm elements 28 may be specifically sized, configured and packaged to have a desirable and unique aesthetic appearance to allow the edible charm elements 28 as a visual identifier for the user's wine glass 14. For instance, a first wine glass charm 10 may include edible elements 30 wrapped in pink-colored wrappers 32, while a second wine glass charm 10 may include edible elements 30 wrapped in yellow-colored wrappers 32. Thus, the color of the wrapper/cover element 32 may serve as the unique identifier for distinguishing one wine glass 14 from the next.
It is also contemplated that the unique identifier may relate to the edible element 30. For instance, a first wine glass charm 10 may only include crackers as the edible element 30, while a second wine glass charm 10 may only include chocolate as the edible element 30. Alternatively, one wine glass charm 10 may include white chocolate, while another wine glass charm 10 include dark chocolate. It is further contemplated that the shapes of the edible elements 30 may vary and be unique to their respective wine glass charm 10.
It is further contemplated that the unique identifier may not relate to the edible element 30 (i.e., the edible elements 30 may be the same or substantially similar from one wine charm to the next), but relates to some other aspect of the wine charm element 10. For instance, the retainer element 22 may be different (i.e., different colors, shapes, etc.), or the wine glass charm 10 may include other features, such as gems, stones, auxiliary charms, which are not edible, yet add to aesthetics of the wine glass charm, and also serve to uniquely identify the corresponding wine glass 14.
The cover element 32 covers the edible element 30 to preserve and maintain the edible element 30 within a sanitary environment. Along these lines, the cover element 32 preferably encloses the edible element 30 within a substantially fluid tight compartment formed by the cover element 32. In this regard, the cover element 32 may be wrapped around the edible element 30 and then sealed to create the fluid tight seal around the edible element 30. The cover element 32 may be formed from materials commonly used in the food packaging industry for preserving food, such as plastic, cellophane, or the like.
The cover element 32 preferably includes an aperture 34 formed therein for slidably connecting the cover element 32 to the retaining element 22. In FIG. 1, a link 36 extends through the aperture 34 and around the retaining element 22 a for coupling the cover element 32 to the retaining element 22 a. In FIG. 2, the retaining element 22 b passes directly through the apertures 34 formed within the respective cover elements 32.
The cover element 32 may be configured to be sacrificial when removing the edible charm element 28 from the retaining element 22. According to one embodiment, the user may pull on the edible charm element 28 with a sufficient force to cause the cover element 32 to tear away from retaining element 22. In this regard, the cover element 32 may include perforations or other features directed toward effortlessly removing the edible charm element 28 from the retaining element 22.
Although the foregoing description describes the edible charm element 28 as including a cover element 32 for covering the edible element 30, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention do not include a cover element 32. In particular, attention is drawn to the star-shaped edible element 30 depicted in FIG. 2, which is connected to directly the retaining element 22 b without a cover element 32. To this end, the star-shaped edible element 30 includes an aperture formed therein for enabling connection to the retaining element 22 b. For instance, in the case of a chocolate edible element 30, the aperture may be molded into the chocolate during the formation of the edible element 30, while in the case of cheese, crackers, bread, etc., the aperture may be drilled, stamped or otherwise formed into the edible element 30 during the formation thereof.
It is contemplated that the edible portion of the wine glass charm 10 may not be limited to the edible charm element 28, but may also include the retaining element 22. In this regard, the retaining element 22 may additionally be formed from an edible material, such as crackers, cheese, meat, or other edible materials known in the art. It may be desirable to form the edible retaining element 22 from a formable material to allow a user to bend or otherwise attach the retaining element 22 to the wine glass. Along these lines, it is contemplated that certain embodiments of the edible retaining element 22 may be formed completely from the edible material, or only partially from the edible material (e.g., the retaining element may include a non-edible structural portion encased within an edible material).
It is contemplated that the wine glass charm 10 may be sold as an entire unit (i.e., including the retaining element 22 and one or more edible charm elements 28) or as separate components (i.e., the retaining element 22 and the edible charm elements 28 sold separately). The retaining element 22 may be reusable and thus, reloaded/restocked with edible charm elements 28 as needed. Along these lines, the edible charm elements 28 may be packaged and sold as refills for use with an existing retaining element 22. Furthermore, given that the edible charm elements 28 may be reloaded onto the retaining element 22, the edible wine glass charm 10 may be selectively placed on or otherwise connected to the retaining element 22 to suit the user's palate and to complement the wine which the user is drinking. In this regard, the edible charm elements 28 may be packaged and marketed for use with particular types/varietals of wine.
Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3-6, there is depicted another embodiment of a wine glass charm 100 configured for use with a wine glass 14. The primary distinction between the wine glass charm 100 shown in FIGS. 3-6 and the wine glass charm 10 shown in FIGS. 1-2 is that the wine glass charm 100 includes a charm body 102 having one or more cavities for storing food (i.e., edible elements). The food storage cavities within the charm body 102 may provide a robust and secure area for storing food. Furthermore, the size of the cavities may allow for storage of a more generous amount of food.
According to one embodiment, the charm body 102 is a disk-like element having an upper surface 104, a lower surface 106 and a peripheral sidewall 108 extending between the upper and lower surfaces 104, 106. The charm body 102 further includes a pair of slot walls 110, 112 connected to the peripheral side wall 108 and extending between the upper and lower surfaces 104, 106 to define an access slot 114 therebetween. The access slot 114 is sized to accommodate passage of the stem portion 18 of a wine glass 14 therethrough and into an inner opening 116 formed within the charm body 102. The inner opening 116 is formed by an inner wall 118 connected to the pair of slot walls 110, 112, such that the inner opening 116 is in communication with the access slot 114.
According to one embodiment, the pair of slot walls 110, 112 are moveable between an expanded position and a retracted position during passage of the wine glass stem portion 18 through the slot 114. In particular, the size of the access slot 14 increases as the slot walls 110, 112 move from the retracted position toward the expanded position. The pair of slot walls are biased toward the retracted position so as to maintain the stem portion 18 within the inner opening 116 after the stem portion 18 passes through the slot 114.
The charm body 102 defines a thickness, “T” between the upper surface 104 and the lower surface 106 to accommodate the storage cavities. The exemplary charm body 102 depicted in FIGS. 3-5 includes three cavities 118, 120, 122 for storing food, wherein each cavity 118, 120, 122 extends into the charm body 102 from the top surface 104 toward the bottom surface 106. The cavities 118, 120 are separated by dividing wall 124, while cavities 120, 122 are separated by dividing wall 126. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the charm body 102 having only two cavities 128, 130 separated by dividing wall 125. As such, the number of cavities in the charm body 102 may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and may include as few as one cavity, or more than three cavities. Furthermore, the cavities formed within a single charm body 102 may be equal in size and shape, or alternatively, may have different sizes and shapes. For instance, a cavity for crackers may define a first size and shape, while a cavity for cheese may define a second size and shape different from the first size and shape.
According to various aspects of the present invention, the charm body 102 may include one or more distinctive attributes which serve as visual identifiers to allow a user to readily identify the wine glass connected to his or her wine glass charm 100. Along these lines, the charm body 102 may have a distinctive color, shape, texture, etc.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the wine glass charm 100 includes sealing elements 132, 134, 136 connected to the charm body 102 to seal food items stored within the cavities 118, 120, 122 and to prevent food from spilling out of the respective cavity when the user tips the wine glass 14 when drinking wine from the glass 14. The sealing elements 132, 134, 136 are preferably coupled to the charm body 102 such that a fluid tight seal is created between the sealing elements 132, 134, 136 and the charm body 102 to create a barrier over the respective cavity 118, 120, 122. Although the exemplary embodiment includes a separate sealing element 132, 134, 136 for each cavity 118 120, 122, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, a single sealing element may extend over a plurality of cavities. The sealing elements 132, 134, 136 may be formed from a material commonly used in the food packaging industry.
In order to access the food item(s) stored within the cavities, the sealing element covering the cavity is removed. According to one embodiment, the sealing element may be easily peeled away from the charm body 102 to uncover the corresponding cavity.
It is contemplated that certain embodiments of the wine glass charm 100 may be adapted for one-time use (e.g., disposable), while other embodiments of the wine glass charm 100 are adapted for repeated use (e.g., reusable). In the reusable embodiments, the charm body 102 may be formed from a more durable material capable of withstanding repeated uses. Furthermore, the reusable charm body 102 may be used with replaceable sealing elements having an adhesive strip for connecting the sealing elements to the charm body 102.
Although the foregoing describes a preferred embodiment of the wine glass charm 100 including sealing elements connected to the charm body 102, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the wine glass charm 100 may be used without sealing elements. In this regard, the charm body 102 may function as an individual serving tray for the food items.
It is further contemplated that the wine glass charm 100 may include indicia 138 displayed on the charm body 102 to create a visual indicator for identifying a user's wine glass charm 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the indicia 138 is displayed on the sidewall 108, although the indicia 138 may be displayed on any exposed surface of the charm body 102. The indicia 138 may be different wine terms (e.g., merlot, cabernet, Bordeaux, malbec, sauvignon, chardonnay, etc.), different names (e.g., personalized to include the first and/or last names of the attendees of the social gathering), different designs (repeating square design, repeating circle design, etc.) or other visually distinct markings.
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, no attempt is made to show more details than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the presently disclosed invention may be embodied in practice.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wine glass charm configured for use with a wine glass, the wine glass charm comprising:

a retaining element configured to be selectively engageable with the wine glass; and

a first edible charm element connected to the retaining element, the first edible charm element including:

a first cover element attached to the retaining element; and

a first edible element enclosed within the first cover element.

2. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, wherein the edible charm element is slidably connected to the retaining element.

3. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, further comprising a second edible charm element connected to the retaining element, the second edible charm element including:

a second cover element attached to the retaining element; and

a second edible element enclosed within the second cover element.

4. The wine glass charm recited in claim 3, wherein the first edible element and the second edible element are formed from different edible materials.

5. The wine glass charm recited in claim 3, wherein the first and second edible elements are formed from at least one of: cheese, chocolate, and crackers.

6. The wine glass charm recited in claim 3, wherein the first and second edible elements define different external configurations.

7. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover element creates a fluid tight seal around the first edible element.

8. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover element includes a hole for connecting the first cover element to the retaining element.

9. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, wherein the first cover element is configured to be sacrificial to enable a user to disconnect the first edible charm element from the retaining element.

10. The wine glass charm recited in claim 1, wherein the retaining element includes a flexible ring.

11. A wine glass charm configured for use with a wine glass and a retaining element configured to be selectively engageable with the wine glass, the wine glass charm comprising:

a first cover element attached to the retaining element; and

a first edible element enclosed within the first cover element.

12. The wine glass charm recited in claim 11, wherein the first cover element creates a fluid tight seal around the first edible element.

13. The wine glass charm recited in claim 11, wherein the first cover element includes a hole for connecting the first cover element to the retaining element.

14. The wine glass charm recited in claim 11, wherein the first cover element is configured to be sacrificial to enable a user to disconnect the first edible charm element from the retaining element.

15. A wine glass charm configured for use with a wine glass having a stem, the wine glass charm comprising:

a charm body having:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

a sidewall extending between the upper and lower surfaces;

a pair of slot walls connected to the side wall and extending between the upper and lower surfaces to define an access slot therebetween;

an inner wall connected to the pair of slot walls and defining an inner opening in communication with the access slot, the pair of slot walls and inner wall being configured to allow the stem of a wine glass to be advanced through the access slot and received within the inner opening to connect the charm body to the wine glass; and

a first cavity extending into the charm body from the upper surface toward the lower surface;

a first edible element disposed within the first cavity; and

a first sealing element connected to the charm body and extending over the first cavity to create a fluid tight seal between the charm body and the first sealing element.

16. The wine glass charm recited in claim 15, wherein the flexible charm body further includes a second cavity extending into the charm body from the upper surface toward the lower surface and in spaced relation to the first cavity, the wine glass charm further comprising:

a second edible element disposed within the second cavity.

17. The wine glass charm recited in claim 16, further comprising a second sealing element connected to the charm body and extending over the second cavity to create fluid tight seal between the charm body and the second sealing element.

18. The wine glass charm recited in claim 16, wherein the first and second edible elements are formed from different edible materials.

19. The wine glass charm recited in claim 15, wherein the pair of slot walls are moveable between an expanded position and a retracted position, wherein the size of the access slot increases as the slot walls move from the retracted position toward the expanded position, the pair of slot walls being biased toward the retracted position.

20. The wine glass charm recited in claim 15, further comprising indicia displayed on the sidewall.