Stopper for a bottle pourer

Abstract

A stopper for a bottle pourer includes a shaft tapering from a wide end to a narrow end, the shaft having a substantially straight portion from the narrow end to a midpoint of the shaft and having a curved portion from the midpoint to the wide end and a head attached to the wide end.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/550,330, filed on Mar. 8, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to fluid stoppers or plugs, and more particularly, to a stopper for a bottle pourer.

BACKGROUND

Bottle pourers that are inserted into the neck of a bottle are frequently used to pour fluids from a bottle. Bottle pourers typically consist of a long plastic or rubber plug with a channel for fluid flow terminating in a spout. The channel is typically curved near the spout such that the spout is curved to one side thereby making it easier to pour fluid from a bottle.

The bottle pourer provides fast and accurate liquid pouring, however, some liquid may evaporate from the bottle and the bottle can still spill if it tips over. Thus, a need exists to seal the bottle pourer when not in use.

SUMMARY

The stopper of the present invention is configured to seal the channel of the bottle pourer thereby preventing evaporation and spillage.

In one general aspect, a stopper for a bottle pourer includes a shaft tapering from a wide end to a narrow end. The shaft is straight from the narrow end to a midpoint of the shaft is curved portion from the midpoint to the wide end. A head or top is attached to the wide end.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the shaft may have a circular cross-section or an oval cross-section. The curved portion may have an increasing radius of curvature from the midpoint to the wide end. The curved portion may be configured so that a central axis of the head is at an angle of 30°relative to a central axis of the straight portion.

The stopper may be made of a resilient elastomeric material. As another feature, the head may be a circular disc or a sphere.

In another general aspect, a liquid pouring system for a bottle includes a liquid pourer and an elongated stem configured to seal the liquid pourer. The liquid pourer has a base, a spout extending from the base at an arcuate angle relative to a central axis of the base, and a central bore through the base and the spout defining a channel.

The elongated stem has a wide end tapering to a narrow end, with a substantially straight portion from the narrow end to a midpoint of the stem and an arcuate portion with a radius of curvature about equal to the radius of curvature of the arcuate angle of the spout. The stem can be inserted into the channel of the liquid pourer thereby sealing the channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, a stopper 5 includes a shaft 10 and a head 12. The shaft tapers from a wide end to a narrow end. The shaft 10 is straight from the narrow end 16 to a midpoint 18 of the shaft and is curved from the midpoint 18 to the wide end 14.

FIG. 1B shows a bottle pourer 20 that includes a base 22 and a spout 24. A pouring channel 26 extends from the tip of the spout 26 through the base 22. The channel 26 is curved to one side of the spout 24, with the angle of curvature increasing toward the tip of the spout.

An air tube 28 extends from a mid-portion of the spout 24 to a position extending below the base 22. In addition, a series of sealing fins 30 encircle the base 22 and a wider top fin 32 is positioned on the lower portion of the spout 24.

FIG. 1C shows the stopper 5 inserted into the bottle pourer 20. The stopper 5 is configured to fit into the curved channel 26 in the bottle pourer 20. The stopper 5 may be made of a resilient elastomeric material. Thus, the stopper 5 flexes as it is pushed into the channel thereby facilitating a tight fit between the channel 26 walls and the stopper 5.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the head may have a variety of configurations, such as, for example, a cone (FIG. 2A) or a sphere (FIG. 2B). Other shapes may also be used to vary the aesthetic appearance.

Claims

1. A stopper for a bottle pourer, the stopper comprising:

a shaft tapering from a wide end to a narrow end, the shaft having a substantially straight portion from the narrow end to a midpoint of the shaft and having a curved portion from the midpoint to the wide end; and

a head attached to the wide end.

2. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a circular cross-section.

3. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises an oval cross-section.

4. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the curved portion comprises an increasing radius of curvature from the midpoint to the wide end.

5. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the curved portion comprises a curved portion configured to position a central axis of the head at an angle of 30° relative to a central axis of the straight portion.

6. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the stopper comprises a resilient elastomeric material.

7. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a circular disc.

8. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a sphere.

9. A liquid pouring system for a bottle, comprising:

a liquid pourer having a base, a spout extending from the base at an arcuate angle relative to a central axis of the base, and a central bore through the base and the spout defining a channel;

an elongated stem having a wide end tapering to a narrow end, the stem having a substantially straight portion from the narrow end to a midpoint of the stem and an arcuate portion with a radius of curvature about equal to the radius of curvature of the arcuate angle of the spout the, stem being insertable into the channel thereby sealing the channel.