Bottle Carrier

Abstract

A bottle carrier including a body defining at least two openings each for receiving the neck of a bottle to be carried, and a side wall which extends around part of the periphery of each opening. A lip associated with each of the openings is formed on the side wall. A bottle locking arm associated with each opening extends from the body to a free end so that the free end is movable radially of the opening towards and away from the lip to permit insertion of the bottle neck into the opening. A locking arrangement is connected to the body between the openings and is movable to a locking position to engage the bottle locking arms and prevent movement of same away from the lip to permit withdrawal of the neck of the bottle from the opening, thereby locking the bottle carrier to the bottle or bottles.

Description

The present invention relates to a container, in particular, to a container for mounting on the neck of a bottle or other vessel having an annular abutment surface formed thereon.

As a promotional measure, it has become increasingly common to offer gifts as an incentive to purchasers of products of various kinds, including those supplied in bottles, for example, beverages and other liquid products. Where the main purchase is supplied in a bottle, difficulty arises in finding a suitable means of mounting the container or package containing the gift on the bottle. If the gift is secured to the body of the bottle, the overall circumference of the item is increased, making it more difficult to fit an appropriate number of bottles on a shelf for display to purchasers. Whatever part of the bottle the gift is secured to, there is difficulty in securing it so that it simply cannot be removed and taken away without having been paid for.

We have also appreciated that there may be a need to couple together pairs or multiples of bottles along with a gift item as part of a special sales promotion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a bottle carrier comprising a body defining at least two openings each for receiving a portion of the neck of a bottle to be carried by means of the bottle carrier and having side wall means which extend around a part of the periphery of each of said openings. A lip associated with each of said openings is formed on the side wall means extending partially around the periphery thereof, each said lip projecting radially-inwardly of said opening. A bottle locking arm associated with each opening extends from said body to a free end so that said free end is movable radially of the opening towards and away from the lip formed on the side wall means around the periphery of said opening to permit insertion of the neck of a bottle to be carried into the opening. The free end of the bottle locking arm and the lip formed on the side wall means co-operate to engage an abutment formed on the neck of the bottle or by the bottle cap to oppose withdrawal of the bottle from the opening. Locking means connected to the body between said openings are movable in use to a locking position in which the locking means engages the bottle locking arms so as to prevent movement of the bottle locking arms away from the lip on the side wall means to permit withdrawal of the neck of said bottle from the opening, thereby locking the bottle carrier to the bottle or bottles.

In a preferred embodiment of the bottle carrier of the invention the bottle locking arms are resilient and can flex to move the free ends thereof towards and away from the associated lip on the side wall means. The locking means may be hingeably fixed to the body so that hingeing movement thereof moves said locking means into the locking position, in use. Preferably, the body, bottle locking arms and locking means are formed integrally by molding.

The bottle carrier may optionally comprise a container for a gift or other item secured to said body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and to one side of a bottle carrier according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the bottle carrier of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 3 shows the neck of a bottle being inserted into the bottle carrier of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows the bottle carrier of FIG. 1, in use

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottle carrier 10 of the invention is formed of a main body 12 of rigid or semi-rigid moulded plastics material to which is secured a blister pack or other container 14 for containing a gift or other promotional item.

The main body 12 is, in the two-bottle embodiment shown, of generally elongate shape and comprises a side wall 16 of substantially uniform depth which extends around the whole periphery of the main body. Between the two ends of the main body, a bridging member 18 extends between the edges of opposed regions of the side wall so that the resulting structure comprises two openings 20 with a substantially rigid U-section region between them.

Each opening 20 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the upper part of the neck of a bottle 40 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In particular, the side wall is provided at its edge remote from the bridging member 18 with a generally radially-inwardly directed lip 22 which projects into the opening 20 towards the bridging member 18. Diametrically opposite the lip, each opening is provided with a bottle-locking arm 24. The bottle locking arms 24 extend from the free edges of the bridging member 18 through the main body and terminate in a tab 26 which extends generally radially-inwardly, towards the centre of the opening. The length of the bottle locking arms 24 and the material from which they are formed are such that the bottle locking arms 24 can flex about their edges which are fixed to the bridging member 18, to allow the tabs to move a small distance away from the centres of their associated openings. Preferably, the bottle locking arms 24 extend a little beyond the inwardly extending tabs so as to form finger tabs 28.

A locking flap 30 is secured to the main body 12 along one edge of the side wall 16 opposite the bridging member 18. The locking flap 30 is hinged to the edge of the side wall 16 along its entire length and is of dimensions such that, when folded into the U-shaped channel formed by the bridging member 18 and the central regions of the side wall 16, it fills the entire space between the side walls 16 and the bottle locking arms 24. As shown in the drawings, the locking flap 30 is preferably provided with a perpendicularly-extending rib 32 along the whole of its length. The rib 32 serves to maintain the locking flap 30 rigid but also locks the bottle locking arms 24 in place as will be described below.

One edge of a blister pack or other container 14 is fixed to the side wall 16 opposite the locking flap 30. As shown, the container 14 is of blown plastics material, formed in two parts sealed together by means of a matching peripherally-extending flanges 34 which, together, form a rim by means of which the container can be adhered or welded to the side wall 16 of the main body of the bottle carrier. However, it will be appreciated that other methods of construction and materials may be used, according to the nature of the gift or other content to be held in the container 14. The container 14 is preferably so shaped and dimensioned that it fits neatly against or between the necks of the bottles held by the bottle carrier 10 so that it does not project between the ‘footprint’ of the bottles held in the carrier. This permits close stacking of bottles on store shelves or for transport purposes.

Conveniently, the main body 12 can be formed as a single piece by moulding with the bridging member 18, side wall 16, bottle locking arms 24 and locking flap 30 formed integrally and hinges being formed as areas or lines of reduced thickness. Again, however, it will be understood that the parts of the bottle carrier may, alternatively, be formed separately and assembled together by gluing or welding.

In use, the container 14 with the associated gift or promotional item is secured to the main body 12 of the bottle carrier along the edge of the side wall 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the neck of a bottle is inserted into each of the openings 20 from the side of the bottle carrier 10 remote from the bridging member 18. This is achieved by moving the bottle locking arm 24 associated with the opening 20 aside, using the finger tab 28 or simply by applying pressure to the tab 26 at the end of the bottle locking arm 24, until the free end of the arm 24 moves away from the opening 20. The bottle is positioned so that the lip 22 at the edge of the side wall 16 engages under the bottle cap or under an annular ring or abutment moulded on the neck of the bottle. The bottle locking arm 24 then returns to its unflexed position with the tab 26 at its free end also engaging under the annular ring or abutment on the bottle neck. The engagement of the lip 22 and tab 26 with the abutment on the neck of the bottle prevents the bottle being withdrawn from the opening 20.

The locking flap 30 is then folded inwards until it lies against the side wall 16, along the inside of the main body 12. In this position, the perpendicularly-extending rib 32 lies parallel to the bridging member 18 and fills the entire space between the bottle locking arms 24 and the side walls 16 of the main body 12. Most importantly, the ends of the perpendicular rib 32 engage the bottle locking arms 24, preventing them being moved aside to release the bottle or bottles, the necks of which are in the openings 20 in the main body 12. In this position, the perpendicular rib 32 presents a flat surface with no free edges and so it is difficult for a shoplifter or other unauthorised person to pull out the locking flap 30 to release the bottles or to remove the gift pack 14 from the bottles. Furthermore, in this position, the locking flap 30, as mentioned above, lies against the inside of the side wall 16 of the main body 12, preventing the perpendicular rib 32 being pushed inwards so to allow an unauthorised person to get a grip on a free edge and pull the locking flap 30 out to release the bottles.

Thus it will be seen that the invention can provide means for securing together two or more bottles quickly and easily but, further, in a manner which is safe, so that bottles are not accidentally dropped, and convenient since the bottle carrier acts as a convenient carrying handle. The bottle carrier of the in its preferred embodiment also allows gifts or other promotional items to be fixed to pairs or multiples of bottles quickly and securely, preventing easy removal.

While the embodiment described above is elongate in shape and is intended for use with a pair of bottles, it will readily be understood that other shapes may be employed and that different numbers of battles ma be secured together. For example, a triangular carrier might be used to secure together and carry three bottles or a circular one any chosen number. The bottle carrier of the invention is consequently useful for all kinds of promotional schemes in which bottles are offered in multiples.

Claims

1. A bottle carrier comprising:

a body defining at least two openings each for receiving a portion of the neck of a bottle to be carried by means of the bottle carrier and having side wall means which extend around a part of the periphery of each of said openings;

a lip associated with each of said openings and formed on the side wall means extending partially around the periphery thereof, each said lip projecting radially-inwardly of said opening;

a bottle locking arm associated with each opening and extending from said body to a free end so that said free end is movable radially of the opening towards and away from the lip formed on the side wall means around the periphery of said opening to permit insertion of the neck of a bottle to be carried into the opening and the free end of the bottle locking arm and the lip formed on the side wall means cooperating to engage an abutment formed on the neck of the bottle or by the bottle cap to oppose withdrawal of the bottle from the opening; and

locking means connected to the body between said openings, said locking means being movable in use to a locking position in which it engages the bottle locking arms so as to prevent movement of the bottle locking arms away from the lip on the side wall means to permit withdrawal of the neck of said bottle from the opening, thereby locking the bottle carrier to the bottle or bottles.

2. The bottle carrier of claim 1 wherein the bottle locking arms are resilient and can flex to move the free ends thereof towards and away from the associated lip on the side wall means.

3. The bottle carrier of claim 1 wherein the locking means is hingeably fixed to the body so that hinging movement thereof moves said locking means into the locking position, in use.

4. The bottle carrier of claim 1 wherein the body, bottle locking arms and locking means are formed integrally by molding.

5. The bottle carrier of claim 1 wherein said side wall means extend along the periphery of the body between said openings and said locking means is so shaped and dimensioned that, in the locking position, its edges engage said side wall means between said openings so that said side wall means and said bottle locking arms together engage substantially the whole peripheral edge of said locking means.

6. The bottle carrier of claim 5 wherein the locking means is provided with projecting stop means which, as the locking means is moved into the locking position, is brought into engagement with the body to prevent movement of the locking means beyond the locking position.

7. The bottle carrier of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the body is shaped to form a carrying handle for said bottles.

8. The bottle carrier of claim 1 further comprising a container for a gift or other item secured to said body.