Abstract:
Described herein is a method for a bartender&#39;s easy selection of an appropriate pour spout for a bottle of interest from one or more pour spouts comprising providing one or more bottles each having an original closure; and providing one or more pour spouts essentially identical in outer shape to its corresponding original closure; wherein the bartender easily identifies the appropriate pour spout due to its similarity in shape to the shape of its corresponding original closure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is directed to a pour spout for a bottle and more particularly to a pour spout that will aid in the quick identification of a bottle, and methods of using the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pour spouts are frequently used to pour a beverage of choice from a bottle, such as alcoholic beverages, such as vodka or tequila. Often times, a number of bottles are stored in one location, perhaps at a bar in a home or a restaurant. These bottles may be constructed in all shapes and sizes, depending on the type and/or brand of alcohol stored therein. When one or more bottles are opened and are being made ready for use, a bartender or a person at home will want to insert a pour spout in each bottle to be used. Because each bottle may have different sized openings, it can be difficult to locate the properly sized pour spout for each specific bottle. Additionally, once a pour spout is inserted in the appropriate bottle, and the bottles are placed together, such as in a well at a bar, it can be difficult to distinguish one bottle from the other, if the pour spouts look similar. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of pouring a beverage from a beverage bottle having an original closure that includes the steps of providing a pour spout; removing the original closure from the bottle; inserting the pour spout into the bottle; and pouring the beverage. The pour spout is essentially identical in outward shape to the original closure but is provided with an air inflow conduit and a beverage outflow conduit. In one aspect of this embodiment, the beverage outflow conduit runs axially from an inside of the beverage bottle and then turns radially to an edge of the pour spout for pouring the beverage. Preferably, the pour spout comprises a top, and indicia disposed on the top. Preferably, the step of pouring the beverage comprises the step of viewing indicia to aid in locating the beverage outflow conduit and pouring the beverage. 
         [0004]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for a bartender&#39;s easy selection of an appropriate pour spout for a bottle of interest from one or more pour spouts comprising providing one or more bottles each having an original closure; and providing one or more pour spouts each essentially identical in outer shape to its corresponding original closure. The bottles may be housed in wells. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for easily identifying an appropriate pour spout for a bottle of interest is provided. The method may include the steps of viewing the bottle of interest from one or more bottles, and selecting the appropriate pour spout for the bottle of interest from one or more pour spouts based upon its similarity in shape to an original closure of the bottle of interest. The method may further include the step of inserting the selected pour spout into the bottle of interest and pouring the beverage. The method may further comprise the step of identifying the appropriate original closure for the bottle of interest based upon its similarity in shape to the selected pour spout. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of quickly and easily pouring drinks at a bar is provided. The method includes the steps of providing one or more bottles each having an original closure; selecting a bottle; removing the original closure from the selected bottle; identifying the appropriate pour spout for the selected bottle based upon its similarity in shape to the original closure of the selected bottle; and pouring the beverage from the selected bottle. In one aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of removing the pour spout from the selected bottle and inserting the original closure back into the selected bottle, wherein the appropriate original closure is identified based upon its similarity in shape to the pour spout of the selected bottle. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided. The kit may include at least one bottle; at least one original closure adapted for insertion into the bottle; and at least one pour spout essentially identical in outer shape to the original closure. The bottle may hold alcohol, such as tequila, vodka, rum, or the like. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided. The kit may include one or more bottles; and one or more matching pairs of original closures and pour spouts. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pour spout that is essentially identical in outward shape to its corresponding original closure. The pour spout may include an outer protruded portion including first and second conduits. The second conduit may be adapted for liquid outflow and first conduit is adapted for air inflow. The second conduit may be at about a ninety degree angle to a longitudinal axis of the bottle. The pour spout may include a second portion, contiguous with the outer protruded portion, for insertion into the neck of a bottle. In one aspect of this embodiment, neither the first nor the second conduits protrude from the outer protruded portion. Preferably, the pour spout includes a top and a bottom, and the top is flat. 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are front elevational views of an original closure and of a pour spout, respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b  received in a bottle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a back elevational view of pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of the pour spout of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the pour spout of  FIG. 1   b ; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  are front elevational views of an original stopper and a pour spout, respectively, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 11   b , the present invention is directed to a pour spout essentially identical in outward shape to the original closure of a bottle, generally indicated as  10 , and methods of using the same. 
         [0025]    It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “side” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a - 11   b , the present invention is directed to a pour spout and methods of using thereof. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in  FIGS. 1   a - b , the present invention is generally directed to a pour spout  12  that is essentially identical in outward shape to the shape of the original closure  34  of the bottle. Preferably, and as used herein, “shape” does not include texture, color scheme, color, material, or the like. As used herein, “essentially identical in outward shape” or “essentially identical in outer shape” may refer to a comparison of the shape of each of the original closure and the pour spout when each is received in a bottle, or when one is received in the bottle, and the other is not, and/or may refer to a comparison of the shapes of each of the original closure and the pour spout when both are outside of the bottle and/or when both are above the lip of the bottle. As such, it follows that, as used herein, “essentially identical in outward shape” or “essentially identical in outer shape” refers to a comparison of the shape of each of the original closure and the pour spout irrespective of texture, color scheme, color, material composition, or the like. As used herein, “bartender” may refer to any individual pouring drinks, whether at a bar, home, restaurant, or other location. As used herein, “pour spout” may refer to any structure that forms an airtight, or substantially airtight, seal with a neck of a bottle and is adapted for pouring a beverage from the bottle. The pour spout may be any shape or size depending on the particular bottle that it is designed to fit. As used herein, “original closure” may refer to the stopper, cork, plug or other structure that closes a bottle as sold. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the original closure  34  and the pour spout  12  have the same or similar color scheme, translucency, or the like. In addition, the original closure  34  and the pour spout  12  may be comprised of same or similar materials. As such, each may have the same or similar textures. In yet other embodiments, the original closure  34  and the pour spout  12  may have different color schemes, translucencies, and/or compositions. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in  FIGS. 3-7  and  FIG. 10 , the pour spout  12  comprises a first portion  14  (also referred to herein as “outer protruded portion”) and a second portion  16  (also referred to herein as “stopper portion”) engaged or attached to each other. Preferably, and as best seen in  FIG. 9 , a top surface  26   a  of top portion  26  of the pour spout  12  is flat. In other embodiments, top portion  26  of pour spout  12  may be substantially flat or may not be flat. In yet other embodiments, first portion  14  and second portion  16  may be attached to each other in another suitable fashion, or may be not be separate from each other, i.e., may be one unit. 
         [0030]    Preferably, and as best seen in  FIG. 2 , first portion  14  of pour spout  12  protrudes from a bottle  18  when received in the bottle  18 , and houses first conduit  20  and second conduit  22 . In a preferred embodiment, first conduit  20  is adapted for the inflow of air, and second conduit  22  is adapted for the outflow of liquid (as used herein, first conduit may be referred to as “air inflow conduit” and second conduit may be referred to as “beverage outflow conduit”). 
         [0031]    Preferably, and as seen in  FIGS. 3-7 , second portion  16  is adapted for insertion into bottle  18  and comprises ribs  24  for contacting and sealing bottle  18 . In other embodiments, the second portion  16  may include other types of engagement members and/or other means of forming an airtight seal, or substantially airtight seal, between the pour spout and the bottle. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first conduit  20  protrudes from the second portion  16  into the bottle  18 . Preferably, the first conduit  20  is situated relative to second conduit  22  such that when the bottle  18  is tipped to pour a beverage, the beverage does not seep into the first conduit  20 . In this regard, the first conduit  20  may be in a position above second conduit  22  when the bottle  18  is in the horizontal pouring position. Preferably, the first conduit  20  runs axially through the first portion  14  and the second portion  16  of pour spout  12 , and second conduit  22  runs axially through pour spout  12 , but radially turns at about a ninety degree angle to an edge of pour spout  12 . In other embodiments, the first conduit  20  and the second conduit  22  are situated relative to each other such that when the bottle is tipped horizontally to pour the beverage from the pour spout, the beverage does not seep into the air inflow conduit. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, and referring to  FIGS. 3-10 , first conduit  20  does not protrude from a top  26  of pour spout  12 ; however, it does protrude from a bottom  32  of second portion  16 . Preferably, second conduit  22  does not protrude from a side  28  of pour spout  12 , nor does it protrude from bottom  32  of second portion  16 . In other embodiments, the first  20  and/or second  22  conduits may be arranged in any fashion, and may or may not protrude from the pour spout in any configuration that allows for the pour spout to have essentially identical outward shape as the shape of the original closure of the bottle. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, and referring to  FIG. 2 , the liquid in the bottle  18  is alcohol, such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, cognac, or the like. In other embodiments, the liquid may be any other type of beverage, or any other consumable or non-consumable liquid. 
         [0035]    In a preferred embodiment, the first portion  14  of pour spout  12  is clear and transparent, while second portion  16  of pour spout  12  is not clear and transparent, but is rather solid. In other embodiments, however, second portion  16  may not be solid and/or first portion  14  may not be clear and transparent. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, and referring to  FIG. 7 , indicia  30  is disposed on top  26  or top surface  26   a  of pour spout  12  at a location above second conduit  22  such that it aids the person in determining the location of the second conduit  22  within the pour spout  12 . As used herein, “indicia” is any marking, such as words, letters, arrows, drawings, combinations of the foregoing, and/or the like, to indicate the location of the beverage outflow conduit. In this regard, indicia  30  preferably aids the person in properly rotating the bottle  18  with respect to the glass so that when the beverage is poured out, it falls into the glass. As such, indicia  30  allows the person pouring the beverage to determine which part of the bottle  18  or pour spout  12  to tip downwards in order to pour the beverage from the pour spout  12  and into the glass. In a highly preferred embodiment, indicia  30  is a strip that is disposed on the pour spout  12  in a manner such that is parallel or substantially parallel to a portion of the second conduit  22 . In other embodiments, any suitable marker or indicia configured to visually aid a person in pouring liquid from the pour spout may be used. In yet other embodiments, indicia may be formed from the top surface  26   a  of the pour spout  12 . In yet other embodiments, pour spout  12  may not include indicia  30 . 
         [0037]    In another preferred embodiment, and referring to  FIGS. 11   a - b , the invention is generally directed to a pour spout  102  that is essentially identical in outward shape to an original closure of the bottle, and the original closure of the bottle is a cork  104 . Preferably, pour spout  102  includes a first portion  114 . 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, pour spout  102  includes first conduit  120  and second conduit  122 . First conduit  120  is adapted for the inflow of air, and second conduit  122  is adapted for the outflow of liquid. Preferably, neither first conduit  120  nor second conduit  122  conduits protrude from the first portion  114 . Preferably, pour spout  102  includes indicia (not shown) to aid in pouring the beverage from the pour spout  102  and into a glass. In other embodiments, pour spout  102  may not include indicia. 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, a kit is provided. The kit preferably includes one or more matching pairs of pour spouts and original closures. As used herein, “matching pair(s)” may refer to one or more original closures and one or more corresponding pour spouts essentially identical in outer shape to its corresponding original closure. Preferably, the kit includes at least one bottle having alcohol or the like. In other embodiments, the kit may not include bottle, and the matching pairs may be sold separately. 
         [0040]    Many brands of beverages are recognized by their original closure. The similarity of the pour spout to the original closure of the bottle allows for quick and easy identification of the appropriate pour spout to use with the bottle, having, for example, the alcohol of interest and when many different drinks need to be poured at, for example, a bar, in a short period of time, where bottles are frequently placed in “wells” where only the top of the bottle can be seen by the bartender, it is then useful, when possible, to use a pour spout which can be recognized by simply viewing the original closure of the bottle. 
         [0041]    For example, the appropriate pour spout for a particular bottle may easily be located simply by observing the shape of the original closure, and comparing it to the shape of the available pour spouts. This allows for easy selection of the appropriate pour spout and then easy drink pouring, especially when the person pouring the drinks is located in a dark environment. The ease of identification of the appropriate pour spout is increased if the color scheme, material composition, and the like of each of the original closure and the pour spout is essentially identical. In this way, the appropriate pour spout from those available may be selected easily. In a like manner, the appropriate original closure for a particular bottle may easily be located simply by observing the shape of the pour spout already inserted in the bottle, and comparing it to the shape of available original closures. 
         [0042]    In addition, the angular construction of the second conduit with respect to the first conduit allows for efficient, spill-free pouring of the beverage of choice. For example, since a portion of second conduit is essentially at a ninety degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the bottle, liquid is more easily poured out, as the bottle itself does not need to be tipped all the way horizontally to pour the beverage. 
         [0043]    The following examples are presented to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the invention and to identify the presently preferred embodiments thereof. This example is provided for illustrative purposes and not to indicate the scope of the invention which is defined only by the appended claims. 
       Example 1 
       [0044]    At a bar, a variety of different types of alcohol are available. Each type of alcohol is housed in differently shaped bottles. For example, the size, such as the diameter, of a mouth of one bottle is different from the diameter of the mouth of another bottle. In addition, the appearance of the mouth of one bottle is different from the appearance of the mouth of another bottle. These bottles are placed on a shelf or other structure for easy access. Many bar patrons are eagerly awaiting their drinks. The bartender serving the drinks must act fast. One of the bar patrons requests a vodka drink. The bartender, removes the original closure of a bottle of vodka. Since the appropriate pour spout has essentially the same outward shape as the outward shape of the original closure of the bottle of vodka, the bartender is immediately able to determine which pour spout to use on that particular bottle of vodka. 
         [0045]    The bartender then inserts the pour spout into the bottle of vodka, tips the bottle slightly to pour the beverage, and then puts the bottle down. The pour spout is removed, and the original closure is easily identified, as it has essentially the same outward shape as the outward shape of the pour spout. The bartender inserts the original closure back into the bottle, so the beverage will not spill if the bottle is tipped over. The bartender is quickly able to serve the next anxious customer. 
       Example 2 
       [0046]    At a bar, a variety of different types of alcohol are available. Each type of alcohol is housed in a bottle of varying dimensions and appearance. For example, the size, such as the diameter, of a mouth of one bottle is different from the diameter of the mouth of another bottle. Each of these bottles is stored in a well at the bar. Each well is of sufficient depth to hold each bottle securely in place. For example, the depth of the well may almost be equal to the height of the bottle. As such, only the pour spout of each bottle may be seen by an individual, such as a bartender, when the bottle is housed in the well. The pour spout of each bottle is essentially identical in outer shape to the shape of the corresponding original closure of the bottle. A bar patron requests a tequila drink. Since the appropriate pour spout has essentially the same outward shape as the shape of the original closure of the bottle of tequila, the bartender is immediately able to determine which bottle is the bottle of tequila requested simply by remembering the shape of the original closure of the bottle of tequila. 
         [0047]    The bartender then tips the bottle slightly to pour the tequila, and then puts the bottle down into the well. The bartender quickly serves another bar patron in a similar fashion. 
         [0048]    At the end of the night, the pour spout of each bottle is removed, and the original closure that corresponds with each bottle is easily identified, as it has essentially the same outward shape as its pour spout. The bartender inserts the original closure back into the bottle, so the beverage will not spill if the bottle is tipped over. 
         [0049]    While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and elements described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.