Abstract:
A beverage spout cover that may be configured to cover bottles that have been previously opened and fitted with standard bar/nightclub open-ended pourer. The cover preferably is configured to cover the bottle and help reduce contamination of the produce within the bottle by insects or otherwise, and at the same time be convenient for the user and attractive for the venue. In one arrangement, the cover provides ample room for the provision of branding or advertising indicia, such as the inclusion of brand names, product names, or other advertisements on the exterior of the cover.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/900,642, filed Feb. 9, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to beverage container covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to pouring spout covers for beverage containers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In the bar and nightclub industry, once most liquor bottles, or other beverage bottles, are opened the original bottle cap is replaced with a “pourer” or pour spout that enables the bartender to pour a manageable stream of liquor into a glass or measuring device. The pourer closes the mouth of the bottle, but the opening in the pourer through which the liquid is dispensed remains open. One major problem that exists with these pourers is that fruit flies, or other nuisance insects, are attracted to the liquor. The small size of fruit flies, and certain other insects, permits the insects to pass through the pourer and into the bottle. In such a situation, the entire bottle is considered to be contaminated, and the remaining liquor inside is the bottle is discarded. Over time, the contamination of liquor bottles by fruit flies, or other insects, can result in significant monetary losses. Furthermore, other contaminants may also be able to undesirably enter the bottle through the pourer. 
         [0006]    Several existing methods are used in the bar and nightclub industry to deal with this problem. For example, condom-style covers may be placed on bottles at the end of the night, and then removed at opening time, or prior to the bottle being used again. These covers are difficult and time consuming to put on and off, expensive for the proprietor to purchase, and not very pleasing to look at. 
         [0007]    There are also pourers designed with a flip cover that opens when being poured. However, these covers are prone to breaking off, sticking closed when the bottle is being poured, and can be left in an open position such that the pourer is not sealed, which still allows some fruit flies, or other insects, to enter the bottle. 
         [0008]    Another popular method involves using plastic wrap or small disposable paper cups to cover the liquor bottles at the end of the night. These options are not particularly effective, pleasing to look at, or the intended use of the products. In addition, the use of plastic wrap is time consuming. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention involve a beverage spout cover that preferably is configured to cover bottles that have been previously opened and fitted with standard bar/nightclub open-ended pourer. The cover is preferably configured to cover the bottle and help reduce the fruit fly problem, and at the same time be convenient for the user and attractive for the venue. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cover provides ample room for the provision of branding, such as the inclusion of brand names, product names, or other advertisements on the exterior of the cover. 
         [0010]    A preferred embodiment involves a reusable cover for a bottle that has a neck, wherein the neck defines a mouth, and a pour spout positioned in the mouth. The cover includes a cover body comprising a side wall and an end wall. The side wall and the end wall cooperate to define an enclosed interior space of the cover body. The cover body also includes an opening to the interior space opposite the end wall, which is sized and shaped to accommodate at least a portion of the neck of the bottle and the pour spout. A seal includes a seal body that extends at least partially across the opening of the cover body. The seal includes a penetrable portion, which in one arrangement includes an opening. The penetrable portion allows the pour spout and neck of the bottle to pass through the seal into the interior space and allows the pour spout and the neck of the bottle to be removed from the interior space. The seal body is configured such that, when the neck of the bottle is positioned within the interior space, the combination of the seal and the neck of the bottle occupy substantially the entire opening of the cover body. 
         [0011]    Another preferred embodiment is a kit for covering a plurality of bottles, each of the bottles having a pouring spout positioned within a mouth of the bottle. The kit includes a plurality of reusable covers, each of the covers having a cover body that defines an enclosed interior space sized and shaped to accommodate the pouring spout. Each of the covers further includes a seal that, when the cover is placed on the bottle, a substantial entirety of an opening to the interior space is occupied by the combination of the seal and the bottle. A tray is included in the kit and is configured to hold the plurality of reusable covers. 
         [0012]    Yet another preferred embodiment is a kit for covering a plurality of bottles, each of the bottles having a pouring spout positioned within a mouth of the bottle. The kit includes a plurality of reusable covers, each of the covers having a cover body that defines an enclosed interior space sized and shaped to accommodate the pouring spout. Each of the covers further includes a seal that, when the cover is placed on the bottle, a substantial entirety of an opening to the interior space is occupied by the combination of the seal and the bottle. A tube is also included in the kit and is configured to hold the plurality of reusable covers end to end. 
         [0013]    A preferred embodiment is a method of removably covering a bottle for a limited period of time while the bottle is not in use, wherein the bottle has a neck, which defines a mouth, and a pour spout positioned in the mouth. The method includes placing a cover over the pour spout such that the pour spout and at least a portion of the neck of the bottle are positioned within an enclosed space defined by a cover body of the cover, and such that a seal portion of the cover substantially separates the enclosed space from an outside of the cover. The cover is left on the bottle while the bottle is not in use. The cover is removed from the bottle prior to pouring from the bottle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventions are described in greater detail below with reference to drawings of preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present invention. The drawings contain forty (40) figures. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a bottom and side of a beverage spout cover having certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 , showing the top and side of the cover. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1  and, more particularly, a top view of the cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is another side view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 , showing indentations in a side wall of the cover, which provide a grip surface. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1  and, more particularly, a bottom view that illustrates an opening to an interior space of the cover and a seal that is configured to engage the neck of a bottle when the cover is in use. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an assembly view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial assembly view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a side of a housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a side of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is another side view of a side of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an interior surface of the housing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is another side view of a side of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the exterior surface of the housing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is an end view of a side of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1  and, more particularly, a top view. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is another top view of the side of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the seal, or flexible wall, of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the seal of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the seal of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the retaining ring of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is an end view of the retaining ring of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is another end view of the retaining ring of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the retaining ring of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIGS. 22-26  are a variety of views of one member of the housing of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 22  is an end view,  FIG. 23  is a side view of the interior,  FIG. 24  is another side view of the interior,  FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view, and  FIG. 26  is a perspective view, showing the interior and bottom. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 27-29  are a variety of views of the retaining ring of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 27  is a top view,  FIG. 28  is a side view, and  FIG. 29  is a bottom view. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 30-32  are a variety of views of the seal of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 30  is a top view,  FIG. 31  is a side view, and  FIG. 32  is a bottom view. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 33 and 34  are perspective views of a washing tray that can be used with a plurality of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 33  shows the tray empty, and  FIG. 34  shows the tray filled with beverage spout covers. 
           [0040]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1  installed on a beverage bottle. 
           [0041]      FIG. 36  is a perspective view of a modification of the beverage spout cover of  FIG. 1 . The cover of  FIG. 36  includes a modified version of the seal, which is illustrated separately from the cover body. 
           [0042]      FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the cover of  FIG. 1 . The cover of  FIG. 37  incorporates a second seal within an interior of the cover that preferably partially or fully obstructs the opening of the pourer. 
           [0043]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of two versions of tube storage or shipping containers for holding multiple beverage spout covers. 
           [0044]      FIGS. 39 and 40  are perspective views of an embodiment of the beverage spout cover installed on a beverage bottle and illustrating an area (in dashed lines) on the cover well-suited to receiving advertising indicia, or other branding illustrations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-40 , in a preferred arrangement, the beverage spout cover  50  generally includes a cover body  52  and a flexible wall, or seal  54 . The cover body  52  generally defines a cup-like shape wherein one end defines an opening  56  through which the end of a bottle can be inserted. The seal  54  preferably extends at least partially over the opening  56 . The illustrated cover body  52  and seal  54  are configured such that, when a bottle having a pour spout, or pourer, installed is inserted into the cover  50 , the bottle and the seal  54  cooperate to substantially close the opening  56 . Accordingly, with such an arrangement, the likelihood of contaminants entering a bottle is reduced or eliminated. Preferably, the seal  54  occupies a substantial entirety of a radial space between the neck of the bottle and the cover body  52 . 
         [0046]    One particular advantage provided by the above-described arrangement, over the existing methods, is the marketing opportunity that exists on the cover  50 . The spout cover  50  preferably is sized and shaped such than an interior space  58  of the cover  50  is large enough to accommodate a standard pourer and, preferably, a portion of the neck of the bottle. In addition, the material from which the cover body  52  is constructed preferably allows advertising indicia, such as logos, brand or product names, and the like, to be easily printed on the cover  50 . The cover  50 , constructed as described, preferably is functional with at least a significant portion of bottles typically used in a bar or nightclub. Desirably, the cover  50  is functional with the most bottles that are typically used. Thus, the cover  50  provides a unique and attractive branding opportunity for suppliers. Furthermore, the use of the covers  50  provides an establishment with a professional and neat appearance, and provides a reassurance to customers as to the cleanliness of the establishment. 
         [0047]    As described above, the beverage spout cover  50  preferably includes comprises a cover body  52 , which in some embodiments, may comprise a clamshell like structure in which the cover body  52  includes a plurality, preferably a pair, of housing members  60   a ,  60   b  that cooperate to form a housing  60  of the cover body  52 . Preferably, the housing members  60   a ,  60   b  are separable from one another, as described below. Such an arrangement assists in assembly of the cover  50  and, in particular, in assembling the seal  54  within the cover body  52 . 
         [0048]    In the illustrated arrangement, an outer surface of the cover body  52  defines at least one indentation  62 , and preferably one indentation  62  on each side of the cover body  52 , which provides a grip surface for a user when installing the cover  50  onto a bottle or removing the cover  50  from a bottle. The indentations  62  also provide the cover  50  with a unique and pleasing outward appearance. In the illustrated arrangement, the indentations  62  are in the shape of an elongated oval that has a major axis extending in a lengthwise (top to bottom) direction along the cover body  52 . In some arrangements, the indentations  62  may provide advantageous stiffness properties to the side wall of the cover body  52 , such that the wall thickness of the housing members  60   a ,  60   b  can be reduced. 
         [0049]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 7-9 ,  11 , and  22 - 26 , the cover body  52  preferably includes an annular groove  64  adjacent the opening  56 . In the illustrated arrangement, the housing members  60   a ,  60   b  each define a portion of the groove  64 . However, in alternative arrangements, the cover body  52  may include additional components that partially or completely define the groove  64 . The groove  64  is sized and shaped to receive an outer periphery of the seal  54  within the groove  64  to support the seal  54  in a fixed location relative to the cover body  52 . 
         [0050]    The seal  54  preferably is generally annular in shape and defines an opening  66  centrally located in the seal  54 . The opening  66  is sized and shaped to accommodate a typical bottle neck and pourer, and to permit the pourer and bottle neck to pass through the opening  66 . Preferably, the opening  66  is generally circular in shape and is sized to be smaller than a typical bottle neck, such that the seal  54  maintains contact with at least a significant portion of a circumference of a neck of a bottle onto which the cover  50  is placed. The seal  54  preferably is constructed from a flexible material that will flex, stretch or otherwise deform to allow a bottle neck to pass through the opening  66  and to generally conform to the shape of a bottle neck that is positioned within the opening  66 . In one arrangement, the seal  54  may be constructed of a relatively firm foam material or a soft rubber material. 
         [0051]    Moreover, cuts or slits  68  may be provided to assist in allowing the seal  54  to accommodate a bottle neck. In the illustrated arrangement, the slits  68  extend in a generally radial direction away from the opening  66 . The slits  68  may extend from, or intersect the opening  66 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Alternatively, the slits  68  may not intersect with the opening  66 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . A combination of one or more of each type of slit  68  may also be used. Other suitable arrangements to assist the opening  66  in accommodating a variety of bottle neck shapes and sizes may also be used. 
         [0052]    In the illustrated arrangement, the cover body  52  includes a retaining ring  70  that is received within the groove  64 , along with the seal  54 , to assist in retaining the seal  54  in the groove  64 . The illustrated retaining ring  70  preferably is a relatively rigid ring that is configured to engage the outer peripheral edge of the seal  54 . The retaining ring  70  preferably includes one or more protrusions  72 , which may be generally cylindrical in shape and which extend in an axial direction from an end surface of the annular base portion of the retaining ring  70 . An outer peripheral edge of the seal  54  preferably includes one or more holes  74  configured to receive one or more of the projections  72 . In the illustrated arrangement, one hole  74  is provided for each projection  72 ; however, in other arrangements, a single hole  74  may be sized and shaped to receive more than one protrusion  72 . Moreover, other suitable arrangements may be used to secure the seal  54  to the cover body  52 . For example, protrusions (or securing members) may be formed by the housing members  60   a ,  60   b.    
         [0053]    When combined, the seal  54  and the retaining ring  70  reside in the groove  64  located near the opening  56  of the cover body  52 . The retaining ring  70  assists in keeping the seal  54  in the groove  64  of the cover body  52  such that when the cover  50  is installed onto a bottle or other container, the seal  54  remains in the groove  64  and is not pulled out of engagement with the cover body  52  due to the installation or removal force produced when the cover  50  is installed or removed from a bottle or other container. Such an arrangement allows the cover  50  to be reusable for a significant period of time. 
         [0054]    As described above, preferably, the cover body  52  includes a housing  60  that is an assembly of a pair of housing members  60   a ,  60   b . Desirably, the housing members  60   a ,  60   b  are generally mirror images of one another and configured to be snap-fit together. In a preferred arrangement, the members  60   a  and  60   b  are identical to one another, such that any two members  60   a ,  60   b  can be snap-fit together. Such an arrangement eases designing of the molds, when the members  60   a ,  60   b  are molded, and eases assembly because it is not necessary to sort between two different members  60   a ,  60   b.    
         [0055]    Although any suitable type of snap-fit design may be used, in the illustrated arrangement, each member  60   a ,  60   b  includes one or more projections  80  and one or more depressions  82 . Preferably, the projections  80  are in the form of elongate ribs and the depressions  82  are in the form of elongate grooves configured to receive the ribs in a snap-fit, friction-fit, or other similar or suitable type of interconnection. That is, desirably, no additional fastening materials/components are necessary, such as mechanical fasteners or adhesives. However, if desired, such fastening materials/components may be used. In the illustrated arrangement, at least one projection  80  and at least one depression  82  are defined in each side wall and in the top wall of the members  60   a ,  60   b.    
         [0056]    Although the seal  54  preferably includes the opening  66 , in other arrangements the opening  66  may be omitted and the seal  54  may utilize alternative configurations to define a penetrable portion of the seal  54 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 36 , the seal  54  includes one or more slits  68 , and preferably a pair of slits  68 , arranged in a generally X-shaped configuration. The X-shaped slits  68  also allow for the neck of a bottle or container to pass through the seal  54  and into the cover body  52  of the cover. Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art other possible configurations of the seal  54  may also be used. The seal  54  may be constructed of a relatively firm foam material or a soft rubber material. Further, the cover may include a second flexible insert (not shown), similar to the seal  54 , spaced inwardly from the seal  54  and configured to cover the opening of the pourer. 
         [0057]      FIG. 37  illustrates a modification of the cover  50 , in which a spout seal  110  is provided. The spout seal  110  preferably is used in combination with the seal  54 , but may be used alone in some arrangements. The illustrated spout seal  110  is generally disc-like in shape and is held within a groove  112  defined by the cover body  52 , preferably in a manner similar to the groove  64  that supports the seal  54 . As illustrated in  FIG. 37 , the spout seal  110  preferably is configured to partially or fully cover or obstruct an opening of the pourer  114  to operate along with the seal  54  and provide additional security against contamination, or as the only seal in some applications. The spout seal  110  may be constructed of any suitable material, such as a material similar one from which the seal  54  is constructed. Preferably, the spout seal  110  is flexible such that it can be deflected by the pourer  114  and generally conform to the particular shape of the pourer  114 . Furthermore, the spout seal  110  preferably is located towards an upper end of the interior space  58  of the cover  50 , opposite the opening  56 . However, the position of the spout seal  110  may be altered to accommodate a particular application of the cover  50 , such as use with unusually short or long pourers  114 , or bottles  116  having unusually short or long necks, for example. Also, the seal  54  is shown contacting the bottle  116  and, together with the bottle  116 , obstructing substantially the entire opening  56 . 
         [0058]    In one arrangement, the cover  50  is preferably approximately 3 inches in height with an approximate diameter of about 2 inches, and the outer material is preferably a strong plastic or light stainless steel. The size of the cover  50  is particularly advantageous in increasing efficiency in space in the back bar (an area behind the serving portion of the bar). This particular diameter is generally based on the width of the narrowest bottle used in the industry in order to avoid hitting bottle on either side of it. The height is to allow the cover  50  to fit over the average pourer regardless of bottle style. However, as will be appreciated, the dimensions of any particular cover  50  may be altered depending on the desired end use. 
         [0059]    In the illustrated arrangement, the cover  50  preferably is of a generally cylindrical shape so as to allow stacking of a plurality of covers  50 . The cover  50  may be slightly tapered in order to enhance the stacking, and may permit some overlap of adjacent covers  50  by permitting a portion of the upper end of one cover  50  to be received within the opening  56  of the cover  50  above it. 
         [0060]    When the covers  50  are stacked, in some embodiments, the covers can be stored in an elongated cylindrical tube  90  ( FIG. 38 ). The tube  90  permits a number of covers to be stored vertically in a relatively small area. Furthermore, in some embodiments the elongated tubes  90  can be used to as packaging in which the covers  50  are sold and delivered. The tube  90  may be constructed of a clear material to allow the covers  50  to be visible through the tube  90 . The ends of the tube  90  may be closed by friction fit closures  92 , for example, or by any other suitable mechanism. The tube  90  may be provided in any suitable length, such as about 20 inches or about 38 includes, for example. 
         [0061]    A plurality of covers  50  may also be stored in a grid-like tray  100  ( FIGS. 33 and 34 ). Preferably, the tray  100  includes side walls  102  that create an interior space in the tray  100  and a plurality of internal walls  104  that divide the interior of the tray  100  into discrete sections. Preferably, the side walls  102  are tall enough that the covers  50  do not protrude above the tops of the side wall  102  and each section is sized to accommodate a cover  50 . In one arrangement, the tray  100  is a generally open, lattice-work structure and preferably is dishwasher safe. The open structure allows water to pass over and around the covers  50  while the covers  50  are in the washing tray  100 . 
         [0062]    Furthermore, it is possible that the covers  50  may be packaged and sold to the end user along with a washing tray  100  as a kit. This configuration can be the standard case size shipped from the factory, which in some arrangements may hold about 36 covers  50 . There can, in some embodiments, be 2 cases per carton, that is, two (2) trays and seventy-two (72) covers  50 , for example. 
         [0063]    In operation, the dishwasher tray or rack  100  can provide a convenient spout cover  50  storage space allowing the back bar to be freed up. At closing, spout covers  50  can be removed from dishwasher racks and placed on bottles. The next shift can remove the spout covers  50  and place them back into the dishwasher racks  100 . The covers  50  can then be placed in the glass washer, removed and stored behind bar, or at another designated location. At closing, these dishwasher racks  100  can be brought out and the closing procedure can be repeated. Alternatively, the covers  50  may be kept on the bottles while the establishment is open, simply being removed to allow pouring. This approach may be especially useful in relatively open or outdoor environments. 
         [0064]    Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present bottle pour spout cover, kit and method has been described in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features and aspects of the cover, kit and method may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.