Neck Extender Device

Abstract

A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle may include a cylinder body to connect to the neck of the bottle, and the cylinder body may include a first rib to aid in the support of the pour spout. The cylinder body may include a first depression having a curved surface and extending from the first rib to the distal end of the pour spout. The cylinder body may include a second rib to aid in support of the pour spout. The cylinder body may include a second depression between the first rib and the second rib. The cylinder body may include a third rib to aid in the support of the pour spout. The cylinder body may include a third depression between the second rib and the third rib. The cylinder body may include a fourth rib to aid in support of the pour spout. The cylinder body may include a fourth depression between the third rib and the fourth rib.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle which may include liquor and more particularly a pour spout for dispensing liquid from a vessel such as a glass bottle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Pour spouts for dispensing liquids are well known in the art. Such spouts can be commonly found in taverns and pubs where large amounts of liquor are dispensed from various sized bottles through the general course of business. During busy periods, a bar tender is often required to pour and mix drinks quickly in order to efficiently serve the patrons of the establishment. In addition to speed, accuracy is also important. It is undesirable that liquor is wasted through spillage or by dispensing excessive amounts of liquor into individual drinks. A pour spout inserted into the neck of a liquor bottle allows the fluid contents of the bottle to be poured out quickly and smoothly, in controlled manner. With a properly designed pour spout, the fluid contents of a bottle are dispensed in a narrow continuous stream, without the characteristic backing up of liquid in the throat of the bottle as is common when liquids are poured too quickly from bottles not fitted with a pour spout.

[0003] A typical pour spout including features common to most models is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,099 issued to Sanford, Jr. et al. There, a pour spout is disclosed including a lower portion which is insertable into the neck of a bottle; a vent tube; a spout; and a horizontal disc separating the lower insertable portion from the external spout portion. The lower insertable portion includes a plurality of resilient sealing fins which engage the internal surface of the bottle neck when the pour spout is inserted therein, forming a liquid tight seal which prevents fluid from leaking out of the bottle around the outer surfaces of the pour spout. A channel or bore is formed within the spout portion, and extends through the entire pour spout. Apertures at either end of the channel allow liquid to enter the lower portion of the pour spout inserted into the bottle neck, and be poured out through the aperture in the spout at the opposite end. The vent tube extends through the lower insertable portion of the pour spout and includes a second narrow bore. The second bore extends only as far as the horizontal surface of the disc, where a small aperture opens to the external environment surrounding the pour spot and bottle. When the contents of the bottle are to be poured out, the bottle is tipped from a vertical position toward a more horizontal orientation. The external spout portion is angled such that to pour the contents of the bottle, the bottle must be tipped in the same direction as the angle of the spout. This ensures that the fluid contents of the bottle will properly enter the pouring channel without requiring excessive tipping of the bottle. As the liquid is dispensed out of the bottle through the spout, the vent tube allows air to enter the bottle, equalizing the pressure within the bottle and preventing the contents of the bottle from backing up and pouring out in an uneven manner. While there have been innumerable variations to the basic design just described, these basic features are common to most, if not all, presently used beverage pour spouts.

[0004] As noted, pour spouts such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,099 patent are typically used by taverns and pubs and other purveyors liquors and spirits. The bottles in which such pours spouts are most often inserted are bottles containing liquor of one kind or another, such as whiskey, gin, vodka, and others. Generally most liquor dispensing establishments will have an entire assortment of liquor bottles lined up behind the bar, each opened, and each having a pour spout inserted into the neck thereof Thus, in the crush of business, a bar tender need only reach for a particular bottle and quickly pour a controlled volume of liquid into a glass in order to mix a particular drink requested by a patron. Having pour spouts in all of the bottles greatly increases the bar tender's efficiency, and cuts down on excess spillage and over filling of drinks.

[0005] The direct placement of the pour spout into the bottle results in strain on the wrist, hand and back. Furthermore, dimly lit taverns make it difficult to identify the bottle, and a misidentification of the bottle may result in the drink being improperly prepared. Lastly, different sized bottles makes it difficult to dispense the drinks properly.

[0006] What is needed is a pour spout which can be inserted into the neck of a fluid containing vessel through which the liquid contents of the vessel can be poured in a smooth and controlled manner. Furthermore, such a pour spout should be easily manufactured and inexpensive to produce. Preferably, the pour spout should be made of plastic by injection molding.

SUMMARY

[0007] A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle may include a cylinder body to connect to the neck of the bottle, and the cylinder body may include a first rib to aid in the support of the pour spout.

[0008] The cylinder body may include a first depression having a curved surface and extending from the first rib to the distal end of the pour spout.

[0009] The cylinder body may include a second rib to aid in support of the pour spout.

[0010] The cylinder body may include a second depression between the first rib and the second rib.

[0011] The cylinder body may include a third rib to aid in the support of the pour spout.

[0012] The cylinder body may include a third depression between the second rib and the third rib.

[0013] The cylinder body may include a fourth rib to aid in support of the pour spout.

[0014] The cylinder body may include a fourth depression between the third rib and the fourth rib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the neck extender device of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the neck extender device of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom cross sectional view of the neck extender device of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the neck extender device of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bottle and the neck extender device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention extends the length of the neck of a bottle for example a liquor bottle or other type of bottle requiring extension by providing a neck extender device to cooperate with a pour spout in order to facilitate pouring the liquid from the bottle. The neck extender device of the present invention may be of different sizes in order to accommodate bottles of different sizes in order to achieve a uniform height when the neck extender device has been placed on the bottles. In addition, the neck extender device of the present invention may be different colors in order to identify different flavors.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a neck portion 107 of a bottle 106 being positioned within the neck extender device 100 (to cooperate with a pour spout not shown in FIG. 1) which may include a cylinder body 103 which may be a substantial cylinder having a circular cross-section. Other cross-sections such as oval, rectangular or other cross-sections are within the scope of the present invention. The cylinder body 103 may include a central aperture 105 which may extend in the longitudinal direction and which may extend through the cylinder body 103 in order to communicate with the opening 109 of the neck portion 107. The central aperture 105 may be connected to a first wider aperture 157 which may include female threads 153 to threadably connect to male threads 151 of the neck portion 107 and which may have a wider diameter than the central aperture 105. The first wider aperture 157 may be connected to a second wider aperture 159 and the second wider aperture 159 may have a wider diameter than the first wider aperture 107. The neck extender device 100 may include a first rib 111 which may extend radially around the periphery of the cylinder body 103, a second rib 113 which may extend radially around the periphery of the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with the first rib 111, a third rib 115 which may extend radially around the periphery body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with the first rib 111 and the second rib 113, a fourth rib 117 which may extend radially around the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with respect to the first rib 111, the second rib 113, the third rib 115 and the fifth rib 118 which may extend radially around the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with respect to the first rib 111, the second rib 113, the third rib 115 and the fourth rib 117. The first rib 111, the second rib 113, the third rib 115 and the fourth rib 117 aid in the support of the neck extender device 100 by providing raised surfaces to allow the user an improved grip. The neck extender device of the present invention may eliminate or reduce the strain on the wrist, hand and back which may otherwise be caused by pouring drinks.

[0023] The surface of the cylinder body 103 may include a first depression 119 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and may include a concave surface and may extend from the first rib 111 to the distal end of the cylinder body 103, a second depression 121 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the first rib 111 and a second rib 113, a third depression 123 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the second rib 113 and the third rib 115, a third depression 123 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the third rib 115 and the fourth rib 117, a fourth depression 125 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 113 and which may be positioned between the fourth rib 117 and the fifth rib 118.

[0024] The cylinder body 103 maybe formed by extrusion and maybe formed from a first material 201 which may be a relatively hard plastic material and may be positioned on the interior of the cylinder body 103 to form a base for the second material 203 and a second material 203 which may substantially cover the first material 203 and may be relatively softer than the first material 201 in order to aid in maintaining a secure grip on the cylinder body 103 and may be flexible.

[0025] FIG. 1 additionally illustrates that the neck portion 107 of the bottle 106 may include male threads 151 which may be used to seal the bottle 106 with a bottle lid (not shown) and alternatively can be threaded into the neck extender device 100 by cooperating with female threads 153 of a first portion 161 of the neck extender device which may define the first wider aperture 157. The second wider aperture 159 may be defined by a second portion 163 of the neck neck extender device 100.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the neck extender device 100 which may include the central aperture 105 and the second portion 163.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view the neck extender device 100 which may include the first portion 161 and the second portion 163.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a neck portion 107 of a bottle being positioned within the neck extender device 100 (to cooperate with a pour spout) which may include a cylinder body 103 which may be a substantial cylinder having a circular cross-section. Other cross-sections such as oval, rectangular or other cross-sections are within the scope of the present invention. The cylinder body 103 may include a central aperture 105 which may extend in the longitudinal direction and which may extend through the cylinder body 103 in order to communicate with the opening 109 of the neck portion 107. The neck extender device 100 may include a first rib 111 which may extend radially around the periphery of the cylinder body 103, a second rib 113 which may extend radially around the periphery of the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with the first rib 111, a third rib 115 which may extend radially around the periphery body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with the first rib 111 and the second rib 113, a fourth rib 117 which may extend radially around the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with respect to the first rib 111, the second rib 113, the third rib 115 and the fifth rib 118 which may extend radially around the cylinder body 103 and which may be in a spaced relationship with respect to the first rib 111, the second rib 113, the third rib 115 and the fourth rib 117.

[0029] The surface of the cylinder body 103 may include a first depression 119 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and may include a concave surface and may extend from the first rib 111 to the distal end of the cylinder body 103, a second depression 121 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the first rib 111 and a second rib 113, a third depression 123 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the second rib 113 and the third rib 115, a third depression 123 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 103 and which may be positioned between the third rib 115 and the fourth rib 117, a fourth depression 125 which may extend radially around the cylindrical body 113 and which may be positioned between the fourth rib 117 and the fifth rib 118.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottle 106 having a neck 107 which may include male threads 151 which may cooperate with the female threads 153 of the cylinder body 103. FIG. 5 additionally illustrates a pour spout 501 which may be inserted into the opposing end of the neck extender device 100 and which may be connected to the neck extender to by a friction fit.

[0031] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle, comprising: a cylinder body to connect to the neck of the bottle; the cylinder body including a first rib to aid in the support of the pour spout.

2. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 1, the cylinder body including a first depression having a curved surface and extending from the first rib to the distal end of the pour spout.

3. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 2, wherein the cylinder body includes a second rib to aid in support of the pour spout.

4. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 3, wherein the cylinder body includes a second depression between the first rib and the second rib.

5. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 4, wherein the cylinder body includes a third rib to aid in the support of the pour spout.

6. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 5, wherein the cylinder body includes a third depression between the second rib and the third rib.

7. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 6, wherein the cylindrical body includes a fourth rib to aid in support of the pour spout.

8. A pour spout to extend the neck of a bottle as in claim 7, wherein the cylindrical body includes a fourth depression between the third rib and the fourth rib.

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