BOTTLE HOLDER

Abstract

A bottle holder including a body having a first bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a first plurality of bottles at a first orientation, and a second bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a second plurality of bottles at a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation. Preferably, each bottle-holding surface includes an aperture adapted to receive a cap end of each bottle, and a slot in communication with the aperture and adapted to support a bottle neck of each of the bottles.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to article carriers and holders, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bottle holder useful for storing and transporting bottles.

Ready-to-drink beverages such as soft drinks, water, and juice form a large and growing consumer market in many countries. As a trip to the local supermarket can attest, many of these beverages are provided in plastic bottles. The bottles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, such as, for example, the familiar tall and bulbous family-size bottle commonly used for soft drinks and water. Other examples include short, rectangular, wide-necked bottles sometimes used for juice and iced tea, and small half-liter bottles for individual use.

One consequence of the popularity of bottled beverages is that consumers tend to accumulate large numbers of the empty bottles in their homes. Proper disposal of the empty bottles can be a problem. Since the bottles are relatively bulky and non-biodegradable, it is environmentally unacceptable to simply throw them out with regular garbage. As a result, many municipalities have set up recycling programs in which consumers are encouraged to bring their empty bottles to designated collection sites, from which the bottles can be efficiently transported for recycling.

Many consumers appreciate the environmental benefits of recycling and look forward to participating in the program. However, practical inconveniences involved in storing, handling, and transporting the empty plastic bottles can cause frustration and non-cooperation on the part of some consumers. For example, the bottles generally have a non-standard and often bulbous shape, are bulky, very light in weight, and unable to be stacked. As a result, they tend to take up a relatively large amount of space in the home and are prone to being tipped or knocked over. Tipped bottles tend to roll randomly around the room, where they can be a tripping hazard, and accordingly have to be picked up and put back. These problems are magnified for consumers living in apartments or smaller homes lacking a garage or storage room.

Further, carrying the bottles or transporting them by vehicle to the recycling collection site can also be inconvenient, again due to their bulky and unwieldy nature. The consumer could choose to take fewer bottles, but then more trips would be needed while the bottles left behind continue to take up space at home. Another possibility is to use a large container to transport the bottles. However, carrying around the large container after depositing the bottles can itself be inconvenient and make use of the container impractical.

Many consumers end up using disposable plastic bags, such as the kind given out by grocery stores, to store and transport the empty bottles. The bags however are usually sized to hold only a small number of bottles, so several bags are usually needed. Further, the ungainly shape of the bottles leads them to fit somewhat unevenly, often extending partly out of the bag. As a result, inefficient storage remains an issue because the multiple bags still take up space, are prone to tipping over, and are difficult to stack. Carrying several of the bags, when full of bottles, is awkward and usually requires use of both hands. In addition, there is the inconvenience of keeping a supply of bags on hand, and the problems presented to recycling equipment when the bottles are deposited while still in the bags.

Some attempts have been made in the art to provide a bottle holder. Muscanelli, U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,286, shows a strip of plastic material having a slot with a number of distinct openings, each of which can support a bottle. The device however is not freestanding, and is limited by its length in the number of bottles that it can hold. Drebushenko, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,322, shows a large flat plate with evenly distributed apertures sized to receive bottle necks. Insertion of the individual bottle necks however requires active physical effort to thread or press-fit the bottle neck. Further, the device is fairly large and inconvenient to carry around after use. Peterson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,427, shows a perforated tape dispenser with holes for inserting bottle necks. The bottles are connected at their necks by the tape and accordingly tend to flop around when carried. The tape is made of recyclable material and is intended to be deposited along with the bottles. However, this creates unnecessary extra waste that has to be recycled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an improved bottle holder.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention the improved bottle holder comprises a body having a first bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a first plurality of bottles at a first orientation, and a second bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a second plurality of bottles at a second orientation, where the first orientation is different from the second orientation.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each bottle-holding surface comprises an aperture adapted to receive a cap end of each bottle of respective said plurality of bottles, and a slot in communication with said aperture and adapted to support a bottle neck of each bottle of said respective plurality of bottles. Optionally, the slot has a uniform width.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the first and second bottle-holding surfaces are connected to define an interior lumen.

Optionally, the body further includes an additional bottle-holding surface connected to the first and second bottle-holding surfaces. The three bottle-holding surfaces define an interior lumen having a triangular cross-section.

Optionally, the body further includes two additional bottle-holding surfaces connected to the first and second bottle-holding surfaces. The four bottle-holding surfaces define an interior lumen having a rectangular cross-section.

Optionally, at least one bottle-holding surface further includes a closeable slot in communication with the slot and with an outer edge of the bottle holding surface. The closeable slot optionally has a width at least as wide as the uniform width of the slot.

Optionally, the first bottle-holding surface has at least one wall hanging aperture.

According to some embodiments of the invention the first and second bottle-holding surfaces are connected by a hinge. Optionally, the hinge is detachable.

According to some embodiments of the invention at least one bottle-holding surface has a member projecting from it at a substantially right angle.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is further included a handle positioned above the interior lumen. Optionally, the handle is detachable from the body of the bottle holder.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first orientation is oriented 180 degrees from said second orientation.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a bottle holder comprising a body having at least one bottle-holding surface, an aperture on the at least one bottle-holding surface, the aperture being adapted to receive a cap end of each bottle of a plurality of bottles, and a slot having a uniform width in communication with the aperture and adapted to support a bottle neck of each bottle of the plurality of bottles. The uniform slot width is wider than the bottle neck of each bottle of the plurality of bottles, and narrower than the cap end of each bottle of the plurality of bottles.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a bottle holder comprising a body having at least two bottle-holding surfaces and operational and collapsed configurations. In the operational configuration the at least two bottle-holding surfaces are configured to support a plurality of bottles in at least two different orientations from one another. In the collapsed configuration the at least two bottle-holding surfaces are configured to be substantially parallel to one another.

Optionally, in the operational configuration the at least two bottle-holding surfaces are connected by a hinge. Optionally, the hinge is detachable to allow switching between the operational and collapsed configurations.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of loading bottles in a bottle holder. The method comprises inserting a first bottle into a first bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder, where the first bottle defines a first orientation, inserting a second bottle into a second bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder, the second bottle defining a second orientation different from the first orientation, and repeating until a desired number of bottles are inserted into the bottle holder.

Optionally, the method further includes inserting at least one additional bottle into at least one additional bottle holding surface, said at least one additional bottle defining an additional orientation.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing the spatial dimension of a bottle holder. The method comprises removing all bottles being held in the bottle holder, detaching a first bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder from a second bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder, and folding at least one bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder against an adjacent bottle-holding surface of the bottle holder so that the bottle-holding surfaces are substantially parallel.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle holder holding a plurality of bottles in different orientations, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottle holder having three bottle-holding surfaces forming a triangular tube shape, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottle holder having a cylindrical body, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottle holder having a bottle-holding surface for holding bottles in two different orientations, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a bottle-holding surface having wall-hanging apertures and containment members, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6B are front views of a bottle-holding surface having a closeable slot, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B are perspective views of a bottle holder handle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bottle holder in an operational configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bottle holder in a flat configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bottle holder in a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11A-11C are perspective views of a bottle holder transition from a flat configuration to an operational configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 12A-12C are end views of the bottle holder of FIGS. 11A-11C;

FIGS. 13A-13C are perspective views of a bottle holder transition from a flat configuration to a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A-14C are end views of the bottle holder of FIGS. 13A-13C; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method of reducing the spatial dimension of a bottle holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to article carriers and holders, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bottle holder useful for storing and transporting bottles.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a bottle holder 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figure, bottle holder 20 holds one or more bottles 22 in different orientations. Bottle holder 20 may be used to store bottles 22 in a particular location, such as in a household. Upon accumulating a desired number of bottles 22 the same bottle holder 20 may be used to conveniently transport bottles 22 to a desired destination. For example, empty bottles 22 may be stored after the beverages have been consumed, and then transported in bottle holder 20 to a recycling depot.

Bottle holder 20 comprises a body 23 having at least two bottle-holding surfaces 24. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, bottle holder 20 comprises a first bottle-holding surface 24x adapted to hold a first plurality of bottles 22x at a first orientation 26x, and a second bottle-holding surface 24y adapted to hold a second plurality of bottles 22y at a second orientation 26y. First orientation 26x is different from said second orientation 26y. Bottle holder 20 further includes an optional handle 28.

The bottle-holding surfaces 24 are configured to hold a single bottle 22 as well as a plurality of two or more bottles 22. For clarity of illustration, in FIG. 1 single bottles 22 are also used to represent first and second pluralities of bottles 22x and 22y, respectively. As indicated in the figure, first plurality of bottles 22x points to first orientation 26x that is at an angle from a horizontal or zero line 21. Similarly, second orientation 26y of second plurality of bottles 22y is at an angle from the horizontal or zero line 21. First orientation 26x is different from second orientation 26y.

In bottle holder 20 first and second bottle-holding surfaces 24x and 24y, respectively, are optionally connected to define an interior lumen 30. The embodiment of bottle holder 20 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 further includes two additional bottle-holding surfaces 24z and 24w connected to first and second panels 24x and 24y. As indicated in FIG. 1, the four connected panels 24 define interior lumen 30 having a rectangular cross-section. The additional two bottle-holding surfaces 24z and 24w similarly define corresponding orientations 26z and 26w of bottles 22 (bottles 22 for these surfaces not shown in the figure). Accordingly, the embodiment of FIG. 1 may receive bottles 22 in up to four bottle-holding surfaces 24, and may accordingly hold four pluralities of bottles 22 having four different orientations 26.

Bottle holding surface 24 may be any structure capable of supporting a bottle 22 at a given orientation 26 in space. As shown in FIG. 1, bottle holding surface 24 optionally comprises an aperture 32 and a slot 34 in communication with aperture 32. Aperture 32 is adapted to receive a cap end 25 of bottle 22, and slot 34 is adapted to support a bottle neck 27 of bottle 22. Optionally, slot 34 has a uniform width.

It may be appreciated that the structure of a particular embodiment of bottle holder 20 may vary, as long as there are first and second bottle-holding surfaces 24 adapted to hold respective pluralities of bottles 22 at different orientations 26. FIGS. 2-4 show some embodiments of bottle holder 20. In FIG. 2 bottle holder 20 has three bottle-holding surfaces 24 connected to define interior lumen 30 having a triangular cross-section. As indicated, first bottle-holding surface 24x holds plurality of bottles 22x at first orientation 26x, and second bottle-holding surface 24y holds plurality of bottles 22y at second orientation 26y. First orientation 26x is different from second orientation 22y. In this embodiment, a third bottle-holding surface 24z can also be included that holds third plurality of bottles 22z at a third orientation 26z. Third orientation 26z is different from first orientation 26x and second orientation 26y.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of bottle holder 20 in which body 23 has the cylindrical shape, such as a tube. Four bottle holding surfaces 24w, 24x, 24y, and 24z are arranged around the circumference of body 23 and define a circular inner lumen 30. It may be appreciated that the corresponding pluralities of bottles 22 associated with the four bottle holding surfaces 24 are 90° apart. It should be noted that the cylindrical shape of the body 20 may comprise a number of bottle holding surfaces 24, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 15. As each bottle holding surface 24 requires a certain space on the surface area of the body 23, the number of bottle holding surfaces 24 may affect the diameter of the cylindrical shape.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of bottle holder 20 in which body 23 comprises a single panel. In this configuration there is one bottle-holding surface 24 having aperture 32 and slot 34. Bottles 22 may be inserted on either side of bottle-holding surface 24, as indicated in the figure. Accordingly, there are two orientations 26 that differ from each other by 180°.

Body 23 of bottle holder 20 may be constructed from any material that has sufficient strength and rigidity to support plurality of bottles 22. It is advantageous for the material to be light enough to permit bottle holder 20 to be carried conveniently. In the case of an embodiment of bottle holder 20 used to store and transport empty plastic and glass bottles, an adequate material is a strong plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene Styrene polypropylene, glass-filled polypropylene (PP), ABC and high density polythene. Plastic has an additional benefit in that it permits easy manufacture of bottle holder 20 by injection molding. Where it is desired to hold filled bottles and/or heavy bottles, bottle holder 20 may be made of a strong metallic sheet such as an aluminous sheet, a stainless steel, and a tapered metal sheet steel.

FIG. 5 is a front view of bottle-holding surface 24, showing aperture 32 and slot 34. As noted, aperture 32 is sized and shaped to receive cap end 25 of bottle 22, and slot 34 is sized and shaped to support bottle neck 27 of bottle 22. When in use to support a bottle, cap end 25 of bottle 22 is inserted in and through aperture 32 until bottle neck 27 is inside aperture 32, above slot 34. Bottle 22 may then be lowered into bottle-holding surface 24 by passing bottle neck 27 through slot 34.

In FIG. 5 slot 34 has a uniform width. Accordingly, bottle 22 will settle either at the bottom of slot 34 if slot 34 is empty, or will rest on another bottle 22 previously inserted in slot 34. Uniform slot 34 is accordingly sized and shaped to be both wider than bottle neck 27, to allow passage of bottle 22, and also narrower than cap end 25, to prevent bottle 22 from slipping out after insertion. In order to accommodate a 1.5 liter size soft drink bottle 22, for example, an aperture 32 having a semi-circular shape with a maximum diameter of 35 mm and a slot 34 having a uniform width of 28.5 mm have been found to be adequate. For some larger sized bottles having wider necks 27, these dimensions may be increased to 43 mm for aperture 32 and 37.6 mm for slot 34. A length of slot 34 of approximately 44 cm has been found to be convenient to hold five 1.5 liter bottles. It may be appreciated that the present invention comprehends adopting other sizes and dimensions of aperture 32 and slot 34 as appropriate, to accommodate other bottles of different sizes and different numbers of bottles.

Several optional elements of bottle-holding surface 24 are also shown in the figures. For example, FIG. 5 shows two pairs of containment members 36 positioned inside slot 34. The containment members are relatively small projections on either side of the interior of slot 34. When bottles 22 made of plastic or other flexible material are inserted into slot 34, the bottles may pass by either of the pairs of containment members 36 by flexing very slightly under the pressure of the insertion. However, once bottles 22 are inside slot 34, containment members 36 act as a barrier restricting excessive movement of bottles 22 within the slot.

More particularly, a first pair of containment members 36 is generally positioned at the top of slot 34, at or near the point where slot 34 meets aperture 32. In this position first pair of containment members 36 helps keep the top bottle 22 in slot 34 from inadvertently sliding up and out of slot 34, from where it could possibly slip out of bottle holder 20. A second pair of containment members 36 is generally positioned close to the bottom of slot 34, at a distance from the bottom about equal to a width of bottle neck 27. In this position only one bottle 22, the bottom bottle, can fit snugly between containment members 36 and the bottom of slot 34. In this way bottom bottle 22 is held in place relatively firmly and at an orientation substantially perpendicular to bottle-holding surface 24. As a result, when additional bottles 22 are subsequently loaded into slot 34, bottom bottle 22 provides a stable and properly aligned base that assists additional bottles 22 to also line up substantially perpendicular to bottle-holding surface 24. It may also be appreciated that when slot 34 is at full capacity of bottles 22, the presence of containment members 36 at both the top and bottom of slot 34 helps keep the plurality of bottles 22 neat, orderly, and securely in place.

FIG. 5 also shows bottle-holding surface 24 with optional wall-hanging apertures 38. These apertures enable bottle holder 20 to be mounted, optionally detachably, on a wall or other vertical surface. Accordingly, apertures 38 are sized and shaped to receive a projecting nail, screw, hook, or other projecting member fixed to a vertical surface. In such an embodiment, the bottle holder 20 is hanged on a wall or on any other supporting element and allows the user to easily mount bottles in the bottle-holding surfaces 24. The bottle holder 20 may be detached from the wall with the mounted bottles and carried by the user to a remote location, such as the recycling bin.

At least one wall-hanging aperture is needed to support bottle holder 20. However, it is advantageous to have two wall-hanging apertures 38 to provide better and more level support. The embodiment of bottle-holding surface 24 of FIG. 5 has three apertures 38, designated as aperture 38x, 38y, and 38z. Aperture 38x has a vertical tip 39, aperture 38y has a vertical tip 39 and a horizontal tip 40, and aperture 38z has a horizontal tip 40. When it is desired to mount bottle holder 20 vertically, through vertical mounting of component bottle-holding support 24, nails or wall fixtures may be inserted through vertical tips 39 of apertures 38x and 38y. Similarly, bottle holder 20 may be mounted horizontally by rotating bottle-holding support 24 by 90° so that “horizontal” tips 40 of apertures 38y and 38z are pointed vertically. In this way, three wall-hanging apertures 38 can provide a pair of support apertures for both vertical and horizontal mounting of bottle holder 20.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an optional quick-release feature of bottle holder 20. In any embodiment of the present invention bottle 22 may be removed from bottle holder 20 by reversing the insertion process. Specifically, bottle 22 may be lifted up slot 34 by sliding bottle neck 27 within the slot, until bottle neck 27 is within aperture 32. In that position bottle 22 may be removed without obstruction from cap end 25 due to the larger size of aperture 32.

The quick release feature provides another option for removal of bottles 22 from bottle holder 20. Bottle-holding surfaces 24 with this feature include a slot extension 42 which provides an opening between slot 34 and an outer edge of bottle holding surface 24. A slot plug 44 sized and shaped to fit slot extension 42 is removably inserted in slot extension 42. Slot extension 42 has a width at least as wide as the uniform width of slot 34.

With reference to FIG. 6A, slot plug 44 is inserted in slot extension 42 when bottle holder 20 is receiving and storing bottles 22. When it is desired to remove bottles 22, slot plug 44 may be removed, as shown in FIG. 6B. Removal of slot plug 44 permits free passage of bottles 22 from slot 34 to the exterior of bottle-holding surface 24. More particularly, rather than remove each bottle 22 individually and in two motions through aperture 32, the quick release feature enables all the bottles 22 held in slot 34 to be removed as a group. The bottles 22 may fall out under the force of gravity or be pushed out by pressure applied to the top bottle 22 in slot 34.

Optional handle 38 provides a convenient and secure gripping surface when moving or transporting bottle holder 20. Handle 38 is positioned above the interior lumen 30 defined by the connected bottle holding surfaces 24. In this position handle 38 is above body 23 and balanced between opposing body-holding surfaces 24 enabling bottle holder 20 to be carried relatively easily and efficiently.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show further detail of the handle 38 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As indicated, handle 38 is permanently attached to bottle-holding surface 24x and removably attached to bottle holding surface 24y. The connection to bottle-holding surface 24x is rotatable, so that when not in use handle 38 may be rotated down, substantially parallel to bottle holding surface 24x. When it is needed handle 38 may be rotated upward, as shown in FIG. 7A, and then folded over and attached to bottle holding surface 24y, as shown in FIG. 7B. In this embodiment handle 38 includes a button 46 sized and shaped to form a press fit with an aperture 48 located on opposing bottle holding surface 24y. It may be appreciated that other structures that enable a detachable connection between an end of handle 28 and bottle holding surface 24y are also comprehended by the invention.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which adjacent bottle-holding surfaces 24 may be moved relative to one another. More particularly, at least two adjacent bottle-holding surfaces 24 are connected to each other by a hinge. Further, at least one of the hinged connections is detachable. As shown in FIG. 8, there is a hinge 50 joining bottle-holding surfaces 24x and 24y, a hinge 52 connecting bottle-holding surfaces 24w and 24x, another hinge 52 connecting bottle-holding surfaces 24y and 24z, and a detachable hinge 54 connecting bottle-holding surfaces 24z and 24w.

When hinge 54 is detached, bottle-holding surfaces 24z and 24w may be separated. Handle 28 may also be detached by removing button 46 from aperture 48. Then each of the bottle-holding surfaces 24 may be rotated along hinges 50 and 52 so that all four of the bottle-holding surfaces 24 are substantially in a common plane. This is shown in FIG. 9 and may be designated as a flat configuration of bottle holder 20. Bottle holder 20 may be further folded into a collapsed configuration (also called “folded” configuration) shown in FIG. 10. In this configuration the four bottle-holding surfaces 24 are substantially parallel to one another and packed together in close contact.

For further clarity, bottle holder 20 may be referred to as being “closed” when detachable hinge 54 is attached, so that bottle-holding surfaces 24w and 24z are connected. Similarly bottle holder 20 may be referred to as “open” when detachable hinge 54 is detached and bottle-holding surfaces 24w and 24z are disconnected. In FIG. 8 bottle holder 20 is closed and may be described as in an operational configuration. In FIGS. 9 and 10 bottle holder 20 is open and as noted above has a flat and collapsed configuration, respectively.

Turning to the flat configuration of FIG. 9, for clarity a front of bottle-holding surfaces 24 is indicated by arrow 66 and a back of bottle-holding surfaces 24 is indicated by arrow 68. Hinge 50 is a living hinge or flexure bearing with no moving parts, permitting full freedom of rotation between bottle-holding surfaces 24x and 24y. In particular, with reference to the perspective view of FIG. 9, bottle-holding surface 24x may be rotated clockwise and bottle-holding surface 24y may be rotated counter-clockwise so that the front surfaces of the two bottle-holding surfaces lie flat against each other.

The two hinges 52 also generally provide freedom of rotation between their adjacent bottle-holding surfaces. The hinges 52 however include an additional element, projecting member 56. This element projects outward from the front of hinge 52 at a substantially right angle. As indicated in FIG. 9, in this embodiment each hinge 52 has four projecting members 56 spaced uniformly over the length of the bottle surfaces. As a result of projecting members 56, when bottle-holding surface 24w is rotated clockwise, the front of surface 24w is prevented from meeting face-to-face with the front of adjacent bottle-holding surface 24x. The four projecting members 56 stop bottle-holding surface 24w at approximately a right angle or 90° orientation to bottle-holding surface 24x. Projecting members 56 are positioned on front side 66 of hinges 52 and not on back side 68. Accordingly, if bottle-holding surface 24w is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the back of bottle-holding surface 24w may be fully rotated so that it meets face-to-face with the back of bottle-holding surface 24x. The other hinge 52 operates similarly with respect to bottle-holding surfaces 24z and 24y. It may be appreciated that projecting member 56 may be any element that functions to restrict the movement of adjacent bottle-holding surfaces 24 in one direction.

Detachable hinge 54 is shown detached in the flat configuration of bottle holder 20 of FIG. 9. In this view the latches used to form the detaching feature of hinge 54 may be more clearly seen. As indicated, there is a first tongue 58 which detachably attaches to first groove 60, and a second groove 62 which detachably attaches to second tongue 64. There are two pairs of each type of latch, with first pair 58/60 arranged on the inside and second pair 62/64 arranged at the top and bottom of the bottle-holding surfaces. First tongue 58 and first groove 60 comprise projecting elements that project outwards from front side 66 of hinge 54. Second groove 62 is much smaller than first groove 60 and also projects outwards. Second tongue 64 is a small aperture in the bottle-holding surface.

It may be appreciated that any type of latch or removable connector known in the art is comprehended by detachable hinge 54. For example, instead of a tongue and groove connector, a ball and socket or magnetic connector may be used. In addition, a number of latches greater or lesser than the four shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be used. All of the latches could be of the first pair 58/60 type or alternatively of the second pair 62/64 type.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate how bottle holder 20 may be moved from the open, flat configuration to the closed, operational configuration. FIGS. 11A-11C show a perspective view and FIGS. 12A-12C show the corresponding end view. As indicated by the arrows in the figures, all of the bottle-holding surfaces 24 are rotated towards front 66 of bottle-holding surfaces 24. The rotation of each bottle-holding surface 24 relative to its neighbour is stopped at a right angle due to the presence of projecting members 56 in hinges 52. The outer ends of bottle-holding surfaces 24w and 24z meet and may be attached by connecting the latches of detachable hinge 54. The detachable end 46 of handle 28 (not shown in these figures) may be inserted into aperture 48. The result is the operational configuration of bottle holder 20, having four bottle-holding surfaces 24 defining inner lumen 30 having a rectangular cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 12C.

FIGS. 13 and 14 similarly illustrate the transition of bottle holder 20 from the flat configuration to the packed or folded configuration. FIGS. 13A-13C show a perspective view and FIGS. 14A-14C show the corresponding end view. As indicated by the arrows in the figures, the two inner bottle-holding surfaces 24x and 24y rotate towards the front 66 of bottle-holding surfaces 24. In this case, their respective front faces fully meet and lie flat against one another. The outer bottle-holding surfaces 24w and 24z rotate towards back side 68. They too rotate fully, so that the back of bottle-holding surface 24w lies flat against the back of bottle-holding surface 24x, and the back of bottle-holding surface 24z lies flat against the back of bottle-holding surface 24y. The result is the collapsed or folded configuration of bottle holder 20, in which the four bottle-holding surfaces 24 are substantially parallel and in close contact, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 14C.

It may be appreciated that the present invention shows a method of reducing the spatial dimension of a bottle holder. Beginning with the operational configuration, all bottles 22 held in bottle holder 20 are removed. Hinge 54 is opened, detaching one of the bottle-holding surfaces from an adjacent bottle-holding surface. At least one of the bottle-holding surfaces 24 may then be folded against an adjacent bottle-holding surface so that the two bottle-holding surfaces are substantially parallel. As shown above with respect to FIGS. 13-14, in one embodiment of the invention all of the bottle-holding surfaces 24 may be folded against adjacent bottle-holding surfaces so that bottle holder 20 is in the collapsed or folded configuration. In this way, the spatial dimension of bottle holder 20 may be reduced. A flow chart illustrating the application of this method is shown in FIG. 15.

The present invention also defines a method of loading bottles in a bottle holder. The method comprises inserting a first bottle into a first bottle-holding surface. The first bottle, when supported in the first bottle-holding surface, defines a first orientation. Next a second bottle is inserted into a second bottle-holding surface. The second bottle similarly defines a second orientation different from the first orientation. The above is repeated until a desired number of bottles are inserted into the bottle holder. If the bottle holder has any additional bottle-holding surfaces, the method further includes inserting at least one additional bottle into at least one additional bottle-holding surface, where the at least one additional bottle defines an additional orientation. An example of the application of this method may be shown with respect to the bottles of FIG. 1. Bottle 22x is inserted into bottle-holding surface 24x, which defines orientation 26x. Bottle 22y is then inserted into bottle-holding surface 24y, which defines orientation 26y, which is different from orientation 26x.

Bottle holder 20 can store bottles 22 in a variety of ways. As shown in FIG. 1, bottle holder 20 may be placed freestanding on a floor. Unlike loose bottles which can easily be tipped, bottles 22 stored in bottle holder 20 are prevented from tipping or rolling by their secure support in a bottle-holding surface. Bottle holder 20 holding bottles 22 can also be mounted on a wall or other vertical surface, through support in wall-hanging apertures 38. When mounted in the flat configuration all of the bottle-holding surfaces may be used to hold bottles 22. When mounted in the operational configuration, either vertically or horizontally, bottles 22 may be supported in any bottle-holding surface that is not flush with the wall.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

1. A bottle holder comprising:

a body having a first bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a first plurality of bottles at a first orientation, and a second bottle-holding surface adapted to hold a second plurality of bottles at a second orientation,

wherein said first orientation is different from said second orientation.

2. A bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein each said bottle-holding surface comprises:

an aperture adapted to receive a cap end of each bottle of respective said plurality of bottles, and

a slot in communication with said aperture and adapted to support a bottle neck of each bottle of said respective plurality of bottles.

3. A bottle holder according to claim 2, wherein said slot has a uniform width.

4. A bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein said first and second bottle-holding surfaces are connected to define an interior lumen.

5. A bottle holder according to claim 4, wherein said body further includes an additional bottle-holding surface connected to said first and second bottle-holding surfaces, said three bottle-holding surfaces defining an interior lumen having a triangular cross-section.

6. A bottle holder according to claim 4, wherein said body further includes two additional bottle-holding surfaces connected to said first and second bottle-holding surfaces, said four bottle-holding surfaces defining an interior lumen having a rectangular cross-section.

7. A bottle holder according to claim 3, wherein at least one bottle-holding surface further includes a closeable slot in communication with said slot and with an outer edge of said bottle holding surface.

8. A bottle holder according to claim 7, wherein said closeable slot has a width at least as wide as said uniform width of said slot.

9. A bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein said first bottle-holding surface has at least one wall-hanging aperture.

10. A bottle holder according to claim 4, wherein said first and second bottle-holding surfaces are connected by a hinge.

11. A bottle holder according to claim 10, wherein said hinge is detachable.

12. A bottle holder according to claim 10, wherein at least one bottle-holding surface has a member projecting from said bottle-holding surface at a substantially right angle.

13. A bottle holder according to claim 4, further including a handle positioned above said interior lumen.

14. A bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein said first orientation is oriented 180 degrees from said second orientation.

15. A bottle holder comprising:

a body having at least one bottle-holding surface,

an aperture on said at least one bottle-holding surface, said aperture being adapted to receive a cap end of each bottle of a plurality of bottles, and

a slot having a uniform width in communication with said aperture and adapted to support a bottle neck of each bottle of said plurality of bottles.

16. A bottle holder according to claim 15, wherein said uniform slot width is wider than said bottle neck of each bottle of said plurality of bottles and narrower than said cap end of each bottle of said plurality of bottles.

17. The bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein:

said body has at least said two bottle-holding surfaces and operational and collapsed configurations,

wherein in said operational configuration said at least two bottle-holding surfaces are configured to support a plurality of bottles in at least two different orientations from one another, and in said collapsed configuration said at least two bottle-holding surfaces are configured to be substantially parallel to one another.

18. A bottle holder according to claim 17, wherein said at least two bottle-holding surfaces are connected by a hinge in said operational configuration.

19. A bottle holder according to claim 18, wherein said hinge is detachable to allow switching between said operational and collapsed configurations.

20. A method of reducing the spatial dimension of a bottle holder, the method comprising:

removing all bottles being held in said bottle holder,

detaching a first bottle-holding surface of said bottle holder from a second bottle-holding surface of said bottle holder, and

folding at least one bottle-holding surface of said bottle holder against an adjacent bottle-holding surface of said bottle holder so that said bottle-holding surfaces are substantially parallel.