BOTTLE CARRIER

Abstract

Bottle carriers for transporting liquids in glass bottles or other breakable containers may be either flexible or rigid and provide leak-proof containment for any spillage of the contents of the breakable container. Flexible bottle carriers have a leak proof bag and a wrap that provides additional cushioning and protection to the contents as well as provides an aesthetically appealing covering. Rigid and semi-rigid bottle carriers have two segments that are capable of interlocking to form a reservoir for containing a glass bottle or other breakable container and which are leak-proof. Rigid and semi-rigid bottle carriers may additionally be nestable or collapsible for ease in transporting the empty carrier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/954,421, filed Aug. 7, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of containers. More specifically the invention is directed to various containers for the transport of liquids.

BACKGROUND

In the summer of 2006, in response to threats of bombs from on domestic and international flights, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued restrictions to quantities of liquids taken on board aircraft in carry-on, hand luggage. In part, these restrictions limit liquids to 3 oz. per container. Such restrictions are a constraint on travelers who would have ordinarily carried bottles of wine, distilled spirits, specialty cooking oils, marinating liquids or sauces on board the an airliner as carry-on baggage to avoid breakage of the container in checked luggage. However, these bottles must currently be placed in checked luggage creating the risk of breakage and leakage and risking costly damage to luggage contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier for carrying two bottles according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a flexible bottle carrier for carrying multiple bottles according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a semi-rigid bottle carrier according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a rigid bottle carrier according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more.”

Bottle carriers embodied herein, are lightweight containers that may be configured in various ways to provide a protected, liquid-tight solution for transporting glass bottles, or other breakable containers, in checked luggage. The bottle carriers general have characteristics of expanding to contain a bottle of a liquid, but are also capable of being capable of being packed flat, collapsing, nesting, or changing shape. Such characteristics allow for storage of the bottle carrier within luggage or a drawer when not in use, but will expand to accommodate a bottle of liquid. Such bottle carriers are also capable of being sealed to prevent spillage or leakage of the contents. In some embodiments a protecting covering is provide to aid in preventing breakage in low-level impact or contact with other objects. Such a protective covering provides cushioning, puncture resistance, and/or sealing capabilities, and are durable and reusable. An exterior surface of the bottle carrier should be amenable to various stylings, decorating, or labeling options. The bottle carriers also accommodate a variety of bottle diameters and heights.

The bottle carrier may be configured in a flexible or rigid configuration. One such flexible configuration is a sewn bottle carrier that may be made from a variety of travel-grade fabrics or natural materials with an integrated or insertable liquid-tight bag and seal. On such rigid or semi-rigid housing is collapsible or nestable to minimize product volume when stored.

With reference to the figures, each of the above configurations is described. First, and with reference to FIGS. 1-4, flexible bottle carriers may be made from two or more primary components that wrap around the contents and secure the opening with buckles, clips, hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro), or other methods known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the bottle carrier comprises a leak proof bag or other containment device to contain the bottle and retain liquids in the event that a bottle contained within the bottle carrier leaks or breaks. The bottle can be inserted into the bag or other containment device from either a long side of the bag or an end of the bag depending upon design preference and sealing method utilized. Such bottle carriers may have the ability to contain one or more bottles.

In one embodiment, a separate leak proof bag is contained within a wrap, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, a separate leak proof bag is inserted into a sewn pocket or pouch as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a permanent, leak-proof liner is integrally contained within a sewn pocket or pouch as also shown in FIG. 3.

As indicated above, a sealing device is used to close the leak proof bag. For example, the sealing device is amenable to repeated closures and openings of the bag, providing a leak proof seal with each closing. Such sealing devices are known to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to a press seal (i.e. Ziploc®), a zipper style press seal, a disassociated clip that is placed around the top and is then clamped down upon the end of the bag to be sealed, or a molded component that is mechanically attached to the bag. Other such methods will be recognized by those of skill in the art.

For both utility and aesthetic aspect, a fabric, leather, rubberized material, or other wrap is provided as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In some embodiments, the wrap has padding that, upon closing of the bottle carrier, wraps around the bottle thereby protecting it from bottle-to-bottle and outside impacts. The padding comprises a foam, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other material that provides impact absorption and cushioning. A carrying feature such as a handle, attachment point for a shoulder strap or lanyard may also be included, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, a place for labeling may be provided. Such labeling place may be appropriate for private labels for vineyards, distillers, retailers, distributors or other custom identification.

In another aspect, a semi-rigid or rigid bottle carrier is provided. The semi-rigid carrier comprises two or more, user-assembled components joined together with a threaded or quarter turn, or bayonet-style closure to form a liquid-tight seal. In some embodiments, the semi-rigid or rigid bottle carrier is collapsible for storage and is expandable to variable heights to accommodate multiple bottle styles. Such embodiments are depicted in FIG. 5, without limitation to such drawings.

In one embodiment, the semi-rigid bottle carrier of FIG. 5, comprises a container comprising a locking collar, a bellows, a base, and a cap. The parts may be made from any of number of materials including a thermoplastic polyolefin resin, such as, but not limited to polyethylene or polypropylene; a thermoplastic elastomer such as, but not limited to Santoprene®, Kraton®; or a thermoset elastomer such as a silicone; or other materials known to those of skill in the art. Such semi-rigid bottle carrier may be capable of containing one or more bottles. In another embodiment, the bottle carrier further comprises a leak proof expandable bellows component attached to the base and locking collar. The bellows may be either transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. The bellows may also be attached to a leak proof bag, thus forming a single part.

The semi-rigid bottle carrier cap may have interior threads to allow threading or locking to the bellows-locking collar thereby sealing the contents into the closed, semi-rigid bottle carrier. Leak proof sealing is achieved by molding seal geometry into the part or by means of an integrally attached or separate elastomeric gasket. The semi-rigid bottle carrier may also have a carrying feature such as a handle, attachment point for a shoulder strap, or lanyard. The semi-rigid bottle carrier may also have the ability to private label for vineyards, distillers, retailers, distributors or other custom identification.

In another aspect, a rigid bottle carrier is provided. Such rigid bottle carriers utilize two or more rigid parts that are secured together to seal a bottle within the rigid bottle carrier. In some embodiments, the rigid bottle carrier has a compliant insert that is compressible to accept various bottle lengths. In one embodiment, the rigid solution comprises a base and a cap as shown in FIG. 6. The base and cap may be prepared from rigid, leak proof, transparent, semi-transparent or opaque rigid materials. Such materials include thermoplastic polyolefin resins such as, but not limited to polyethylene or polypropylene; metals such as stainless steel or anodized aluminum; or a combination of metal and plastic. The rigid bottle carriers may be capable of containing one or more bottles depending upon form. In other embodiments, the rigid bottle carrier has a carrying feature such as a handle, attachment point for a shoulder strap or lanyard. In yet other embodiments, the rigid bottle carrier is capable of receiving a private label for vineyards, distillers, retailers, distributors or other custom identification.

In some embodiments, the cap has interior threads to allow threading or locking to the bellows-locking ring thereby sealing the contents. Leak proof sealing is achieved by molding seal geometry into the part or by means of an integrally attached or separate elastomeric gasket.

One skilled in the art will readily realize that all ranges and ratios discussed can and do necessarily also describe all subranges and subratios therein for all purposes and that all such subranges and subratios also form part and parcel of this invention. Any listed range or ratio can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range or ratio being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range or ratio discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

While several, non-limiting examples have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A flexible bottle carrier comprising:

a wrap; and

a leak proof bag;

wherein a bottle of liquid may be contained within the leak proof bag and the wrap is capable of surrounding the bottle and bag.

2. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, wherein the wrap comprises buckles, clips, hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro), or a combination thereof capable of securing the wrap around the bottle and bag.

3. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, wherein the leak proof bag comprises a press seal, a zipper style press seal, a disassociated clip or a molded component that is mechanically attached to the bag.

4. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 3, wherein the leak proof bag is capable of repeated closures and openings of the bag, providing a leak proof seal with each closing.

5. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, wherein an exterior of the flexible bottle carrier is made from fabric, leather, rubberized material, or a combination thereof.

6. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, further comprising padding capable of wrapping around the bottle.

7. The flexible bottle carrier of claim 1, further comprising a carrying feature selected from the group consisting of a handle, a shoulder strap, or lanyard.

8. A rigid bottle carrier comprising:

a base comprising tubular shaped side wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises threads on an external surface of the side wall and the second end is a closed end; and

a cap comprising a tubular shaped side wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is a closed end and the second end comprises threads on an internal surface of the side wall;

wherein the threads of the base and the cap are gasketed threads and the rigid bottle carrier is capable of containing a bottle or other container.

9. The rigid bottle carrier of claim 8, further comprising a compressible and compliant elastomeric insert to accept various bottle lengths.

10. The rigid bottle carrier of claim 8, further comprises a carrying feature selected from the group consisting of a handle, a shoulder strap, and lanyard.

11. A semi-rigid bottle comprising:

a base comprising

a tubular shaped side wall comprising: a first end comprising a locking collar comprising threading or a first part of a bayonet connection; a second end; and a bellows located between the first end and the second end to allow the base to be expanded or contracted in a longitudinal direction; wherein the first end is an open end and the second end is a closed end; and

a cap comprising a tubular shaped side wall having a first end, and a second end, the second end comprising threading or a second part of a bayonet connection, wherein the first end is a closed end and the second end is an open end;

wherein,

the first end of the base and the second end of the cap are engagable via the threading or the bayonet connections to form a liquid-tight seal; and

the semi-rigid bottle carrier is capable of containing a bottle or other container.