Beverage container spout cover, storage rack and method for use

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.

1 . A reusable cover for a bottle that has a neck, wherein the neck defines a mouth, and a pour spout positioned in the mouth, said cover comprising:
 a cover body comprising a side wall and an end wall, said side wall and said end wall cooperating to define an enclosed interior space of said cover body, said cover body comprising an opening to said interior space opposite said end wall, said interior space sized and shaped to accommodate at least a portion of the neck of the bottle and the pour spout;   a seal comprising a seal body that extends at least partially across said opening of said cover body, said seal comprising a penetrable portion, which allows the pour spout and neck of the bottle to pass through said seal into said interior space and allows the pour spout and the neck of the bottle to be removed from said interior space, wherein said seal body is configured such that, when the neck of the bottle is positioned within said interior space, the combination of said seal and the neck of the bottle occupy substantially said entire opening of said cover body.   
   
   
       2 . The bottle cover of  claim 1 , wherein said penetrable portion comprises an opening in said seal body. 
   
   
       3 . The bottle cover of  claim 2 , wherein said penetrable portion further comprises a plurality of slits extending in a radial direction relative to said opening. 
   
   
       4 . The bottle cover of  claim 3 , wherein an end of one or more of said plurality of slits extends into said opening. 
   
   
       5 . The bottle cover of  claim 1 , wherein said penetrable portion comprises one or more slits in said seal body. 
   
   
       6 . The bottle cover of  claim 1 , wherein an outer periphery of said seal body is secured to said cover body. 
   
   
       7 . The bottle cover of  claim 6 , wherein said outer periphery of said seal body is received within a groove defined by said cover body. 
   
   
       8 . The bottle cover of  claim 6 , wherein said cover body defines a plurality of projections, each of which are received within one of a plurality of apertures defined in said outer periphery of said seal body. 
   
   
       9 . The bottle cover of  claim 8 , wherein said cover body comprises a housing and a retaining ring, and said retaining ring defines said plurality of projections. 
   
   
       10 . The bottle cover of  claim 9 , wherein said housing defines an annular groove, and said retaining ring is received within said annular groove. 
   
   
       11 . The bottle cover of  claim 1 , wherein said cover body comprises a pair of members that are substantially mirror images of one another and are configured to be coupled to one another. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for covering a plurality of bottles, each of the bottles having a pouring spout positioned within a mouth of the bottle, said kit comprising:
 a plurality of reusable covers, each of said covers having a cover body that defines an enclosed interior space sized and shaped to accommodate the pouring spout, each of said covers further comprising a seal that, when said cover is placed on the bottle, a substantial entirety of an opening to said interior space is occupied by the combination of said seal and the bottle; and   a tray configured to hold said plurality of reusable covers.   
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said tray is dishwasher-safe. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein said tray comprises peripheral side walls that extend above a top of said plurality of covers when said plurality of covers are placed in said tray. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein said tray further comprises a plurality of internal walls that cooperate to form separated compartments for each of said plurality of covers. 
   
   
       16 . A kit for covering a plurality of bottles, each of the bottles having a pouring spout positioned within a mouth of the bottle, said kit comprising:
 a plurality of reusable covers, each of said covers having a cover body that defines an enclosed interior space sized and shaped to accommodate the pouring spout, each of said covers further comprising a seal that, when said cover is placed on the bottle, a substantial entirety of an opening to said interior space is occupied by the combination of said seal and the bottle; and   a tube configured to hold said plurality of reusable covers end to end.   
   
   
       17 . 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 comprising:
 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;   leaving the cover on the bottle while the bottle is not in use; and   removing the cover from the bottle.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the leaving of the cover on the bottle comprises leaving the cover on the bottle overnight. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing the cover and placing the cover in a tray. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising placing a plurality of covers in the tray, and placing the tray into a dishwasher.