Spout protector and system

Abstract

A spout protector for protecting a neck or a spout of a container. In embodiments, the spout protector includes a substantially circular outer wall portion; a bottom portion that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of the outer wall portion; and a raised portion that extends vertically upwardly from the bottom portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spout protector for protecting a neck portion or a spout of a container, the spout protector comprising:
 an outer wall portion;   a bottom portion that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of the outer wall portion; and   a raised portion that extends vertically upwardly from the bottom portion;   wherein the outer wall portion is substantially circular.   
     
     
         2 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion includes a generally circular sidewall and an upper portion connected to the sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the spout protector is comprised of a polymer or plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the spout protector is comprised of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         5 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall portion of the spout protector comprises a tapered or angled portion. 
     
     
         6 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion that is radially offset from the upper portion of the outer wall portion. 
     
     
         7 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the spout protector is configured to be nested within a portion of an identical spout protector. 
     
     
         8 . The spout protector of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion of the raised portion includes an aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the spout protector is formed as a single, unitary component. 
     
     
         10 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein the spout protector is formed in two or more pieces that are combined or used in combination. 
     
     
         11 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the spout protector is greater than an outer diameter of a neck finish of an associated container. 
     
     
         12 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein an outermost diameter of the spout protector is less than an outermost width of an associated container. 
     
     
         13 . The spout protector of  claim 12 , wherein a diameter of the spout protector is smaller than an outer diameter of a neck finish of an associated container. 
     
     
         14 . The spout protector of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the spout protector is a minimum of 0.125 inches (3.18 mm) above a spout height of an associated container. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly comprising:
 a spout protector comprising an outer wall portion, a bottom portion that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of the outer wall portion, and a raised portion that is disposed vertically upwardly from the bottom portion; and   a container including a neck portion and a spout;   wherein the raised portion of the spout protector extends above the spout of the container.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the raised portion encloses or covers the spout of the container. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein an outermost diameter of the bottom portion of the spout protector is greater than a diameter of a neck finish of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein an overall diameter of the spout protector is less than an outer width of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a height of the spout protector will be a minimum of 0.125 inches (3.18 mm) above a height of the spout. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the container is a spray or aerosol container and the spout comprises a nozzle. 
     
     
         21 . A spout protector for protecting a neck portion or a spout of a container, the spout protector comprising:
 an outer wall portion; and   a top portion;   wherein the outer wall portion includes a lower portion having a bottom surface; the bottom surface is configured to contact a portion of a container; and the top portion is configured to be disposed over a spout of said container.   
     
     
         22 . A plurality of layers of containers, comprising:
 a first layer including a plurality of containers;   a second layer including a plurality of containers;   wherein the second layer is provided above the first layer, and more than one of the plurality of the containers in the first layer include a spout protector that extends vertically above a spout of the respective container.