Bottle holder

Abstract

A bottle holder to be used as packaging support device as well as storage and display furniture. The invention includes two panel members with four sides each and one of the side in each panel member includes at least one bay for receiving the body of a bottle. Elongated structural members are rigidly mounted panel members to keep the latter at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other and to keep bays of the two panel in alignment relationships so the holder can be used to keep bottles vertically and separated inside a case in one position and horizontally in another position.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to bottle holders, and more particularly, to the type that doubles as packaging support device as well as storage and display furniture.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Beverage bottles are typically shipped in cases containing several bottles and require the use of different types of packing materials to prevent their damage while in transit.

[0005] One of the packing devices utilized today includes a matrix of perpendicularly disposed elements providing cooperative elongated cavities for receiving the bottles. There are other packing devices or separators that accomplish essentially the same result by providing structural elements with cooperative cavities for receiving bottles with predetermined sizes. All these packing devices accomplish substantially the same results and they have in common the fact that once the case is opened and the bottles retrieved, their usefulness seizes. On the other hand, once the consumer retrieves the bottles he or she typically stores them in a cellar preferably in a substantially horizontal position. Many designs for small cellar furniture have been designed in the past for this purpose.

[0006] The present invention provides a device that can be utilized as a packing assembly to protect bottles in transit and as cellar furniture for holding and displaying the bottles after they are taken out of the cases. This dual function adds value to a product that would otherwise be discarded.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device that can be used as packing assembly for protecting bottles inside a case and will double as a holder for bottles after these are retrieved from the case.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide a volumetrically efficient device that can be readily assembled by a shipper prior to the insertion of the bottles in the case.

[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device that is structurally strong with relatively low weight.

[0010] It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

[0011] Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the bottle holder with a representation of a case C in phantom.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of two modules stacked up vertically and a partial representation of a third module in phantom adjacent to the former.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial isometric representation of two modules, each module having an interconnecting elongated structural member connecting the module's panels and the panels including cooperating pegs and holes for interlocking.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a similar representation when the interlocking mechanism is of the tongue and groove type.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial representation of two vertically stacked modules in the bottle holder configuration and showing bracing clips for securing the modules together.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 1, each module 5 (and 5′) comprises at least two panel members 10 and 11 having a substantially rectangular shape with four sides. One of the longer sides of panel 10 includes three bays 14 (and 15 for panel 11) with cooperative dimensions to receive the body of bottle B. Elongated structural members 12 and 13 interconnect panels 10 and 11. Similarly, members 12′ and 13′ interconnect panels 10′ and 11′. Slot 22; 22′; 23 and 23′ cooperatively receive members 12; 12′; 13 and 13′, respectively and they are kept in rigidly place with glue or other equivalent ments.

[0019] Panel members 10 and 11 include bays 14 and 15, respectively, which are aligned with each other. They have a substantially U-shape that substantially cooperates with the diameter of bottle B. Panel members 10 and 11 are spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance (not greater than the length of the body of bottle B).

[0020] Elongated members 12; 12′; 13 and 13′ extend a predetermined length that is substantially the same as the interior vertical clearance of case C. In this manner, members 12; 12′; 13 and 13′ serve as vertical reinforcement structural members for case C. Panel members 10 and 11 are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. The positioning of panel 10 and 11, as well as 10′ and 11′, is such that they are separated a predetermined distance from the ends of elongated member 12; 12′; 13 and 13′.

[0021] Panel members 10 and 11 (as well as 10′ and 11′) are provided with interlocking members such as cooperating pegs 16 and holes 17 that are distributed on their different sides. FIG. 3 shows this particular embodiment. Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 where a tongue 18 and groove 19 mechanism is used to implement the interlocking members.

[0022] In reference to FIG. 5, another way of implement the interlocking members is shown to include bracing clips 20 that grasp panel members 10 and 10′ through slots 21. Bracing clips 20 have a U-shape cross-section including inwardly extending nail 20′ that engage with slots 21. The objective being to keep panel members 10 and 10′ together.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows one configuration for the present invention wherein it is used inside case C. In this preferred embodiment Applicant is illustrating, by way of example only, a case that includes six bottles, which is a commercially popular packaging. Modules 5 and 5′ hold three bottles each and they are comprised of two panel members each. In this embodiment, modules 5 and 5′ act as separators or spacers that prevent the movement of bottle B avoiding breakage.

[0024] Once taken out of case C, modules 5 and 5′ can be reassembled to hold bottles B in a substantially horizontal position. By adding more modules, a cellar furniture can be crated of different dimensions to display and store bottles B.

[0025] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A holder for bottles, comprising:

A) first and second panel members each having first, second, third and fourth sides, and said first and second sides being parallel with respect to each other and said third and fourth sides being also parallel to each other, said first side including at least one bay for receiving the body of a bottle;

B) first and second elongated structural members, each mounted to said first and second panel members to keep the latter at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other and to keep said bays of said first panel in alignment relationships with the bays of said second panel so that said holder can be used to keep said bottles vertically and separated inside a case in one position and to keep said bottles horizontally in another position.

2. The holder set forth in

claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth sides of said first and second panel members include interlocking means for keep said first and second panel members removably mounted to other similar abuttingly disposed first and second panel member.

3. The holder set forth in

claim 2 wherein said first and second elongated structural members have cooperative dimensions that are substantially similar to the internal clearance of said cases thereby also functional as supporting members for said cases.

4. The holder set forth in

claim 3 wherein said first and second panel members are kept at predetermined separating distances from the bottom of said case.

5. The holder set forth in

claim 4 wherein said interlocking means includes a plurality of cooperating pegs and holes disposed on said sides.

6. The holder set forth in

claim 4 wherein said interlocking means includes a plurality of cooperating tongue and groove members disposed on said sides.

7. The holder set forth in

claim 4 including a plurality of cooperating bracing clips, said bracing clips having an U-shape cross-section and including inwardly extending nails to engage said third sides of said first and second panel members and also fourth sides of said first and second panel members.

8. The holder set forth in

claim 7 wherein said first and second elongated structural members include a plurality of cooperating slots conveniently disposed to receive said nails.