BOTTLE SUPPORT INSERT

Abstract

A bottle support system designed for commercial and residential storage of single bottles. The design consists of one or more wavy surfaces that have a section with the shape of a periodic wave, where the distance representing the period of the wave allows bottles to sit in secure manner. The first row of bottles sitting on the wavy surface, creates the base for the second row. Multiple rows can be stacked on each other creating an space efficient bottle storage. This simple and inexpensive design, allows transforming any horizontal surface like a wood shelf, wire-frame shelf or cabinet space into a high density bottle storage, adding strength to the structural base and creating a solid support for several rows of bottles. The bottle support system presented in this invention can accommodate bottles with different diameters and lengths using the same parts.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bottle support insert used to store bottles on a conventional shelf. More specifically, the present invention relates to a very efficient system of modules that can be added to any type of horizontal support to convert the space into a high density bottle support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage of bottles in residential or commercial environments has historically been achieved by using simple frames and supports to prevent the bottles from moving or falling. Several designs can be found made of wood, metal, plastics or combinations thereof. However, none of the above designs are particularly space efficient. In fact, these conventional designs create voids between bottles that reduce the total bottle storage capacity for a given space, effectively reducing the efficiency of the storage system.

Existing bottle racks and trays are typically design to be self-supported making the solution more expensive that it needs to be.

What is needed, therefore, is bottle support insert that can be added to an existent shelf or surface with minimal material and maximum space efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one specific embodiment, the bottle support comprises of modular sections that can be added to a shelf or flat surface.

In one specific implementation (A), each of these modular sections are comprised of multiple base surfaces that can be positioned at different points along the bottle. With two base surfaces, one can be positioned on the top (or neck) of the bottle and the second close to the center of the gravity of the bottle. If there is a third surface, it can be placed at the bottom of the bottle.

In another style of embodiment (C), a single base surfaced is used to achieve similar results. This base surface features a variable section that transitions gradually between the same sections used in the first embodiment.

The shape of the sections of the base surfaces are designed to make bottles with round sections sit in two touching points or lines, preventing the bottle from rocking side to side.

Each bottle support insert can be adjusted to different bottle lengths. In the first embodiment described (A), different lengths of bottles can be accommodated by changing the relative position between the base surfaces that hold the bottles. In the second embodiment style (C), it is the design of the base surface that allows different lengths of bottles to sit securely inside the support insert.

This unique combination of features integrated in the bottle support insert system, maximizes the amount of bottles that can be stores in a certain volume of space, creates an elegant solution that can be added to existing or new furniture or appliances to improve storage efficiency.

The foregoing and additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment (A) of a bottle support system constructed in materials that are relatively expensive to bend. This embodiment (A) has 90 degree joints to avoid bending the material.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment (A) of a bottle support system showing a case with 3 surfaces where the bottles are supported.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment (B) of a bottle support system constructed in materials that may be relatively inexpensive to bend such as thermoplastics.

FIG. 4 is a representation of the sections of surfaces 1 and 2 from FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a 3-dimensional exploded view of embodiment (A).

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment (C).

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of embodiment (C).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment (D) with bottles

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment (D) without bottles.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wire-frame shelf filled to capacity with 16 bottles.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the same wire-frame shelf of FIG. 10 with two embodiments (A) placed side by side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the same arrangement shown in FIG. 11 filled to capacity with 26 bottles.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an open cabinet filled to capacity with 16 bottles.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same open cabinet from FIG. 13 with two embodiments (A) placed side by side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective of the same arrangement shown in FIG. 14 filled to capacity with 30 bottles.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Base surfaces that support bottles

2 Front wavy surface

3 Center support

4 Back support

5 Front support

6 Distance between cycles of the wave that represents the section of the base surface or period (P)

7 Bottles

8 Wire shelf

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In one embodiment (A) FIGS. 1, 2, 4 & 5, the bottles are supported by three wavy surfaces touching the bottles in two points per surface. A surface profile like the one shown in FIG. 4, has specific characteristics to make bottles stack in a very efficient way. Each of the base surface 1 and 2 in FIG. 4 has a section with the shape of a periodic wave. This periodic wave repeats with a distance or period (P) that equals the maximum ideal bottle diameter where the efficiency of the bottle support maximizes. When filling the bottle support system with bottles slightly smaller in diameter than the period (P) of the bottle support, the bottles in the first row get very close to each other. This first row of bottles creates a surface with similar characteristics of the base surface 1 in FIG. 1, allowing to stack a second row of bottles. This effect repeats to allow more rows to stack on each other. The particular shape of the section 1 of the base surface shown in FIG. 4 is optimal to create only two points of contact between a round bottle and the holding surface, reducing the movement of the bottle from side to side.

Bottles on the bottle support can be of different diameters. In fact, the bottle support allows stacking bottles with different diameters and different lengths, at the cost of just lowering the efficiency compared to the ideal diameter (P). Even bottles with diameters in excess of the distance (P) can be supported in the bottle support in a very stable manner due to the shape of the section of the surface 1 (FIGS. 1-4).

In FIG. 5 the components are shown in one assembly. FIG. 5 shows the middle part 3 screwed, glued or attached to the front part 5 capturing the back part 4 through the channels in the horizontal plate. This particular embodiment allows the front and back part to move relatively to each other. This mechanism adjusts the depth of the bottle support to accommodate a range of different bottles (short or tall bottles).

Another embodiment (B) is shown in FIG. 3. The difference in this embodiment compared to the first proposed (A) is that the material of the base is bended as opposed to form a rectangular corner. This shape is more economical to use with materials that can be bent. The first embodiment (A) is more economical for hard materials expensive to bend like wood. The second embodiment (B) is a better option for materials inexpensive to bend or mold, like acrylic, polycarbonate or other thermoplastics or composites.

FIG. 6 and 7 shows another embodiment (C). In this embodiment (C) there is only one surface that changes section along the axes of the bottle. The surface sections transitions from the front surface wavy surface 2 from FIG. 2 to the middle section surface 1 from FIG. 2. This embodiment (C) is more suitable for vacuum thermoforming of a thermoplastic material or molding of a composite material.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 is proposed an embodiment (D) with the same principles described for FIG. 1 only using 2 surfaces to support the bottles. This embodiment (D) is inexpensive to manufacture in solid materials like plastics or wood.

The key advantages of using the bottle support system described in this invention are shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15. In FIG. 10 a typical wire-frame shelf that supports 16 bottles is shown. In practice, this setup is relatively unstable; since the wire-frame shelf touches the base of the bottles in specific points. Depending on how this points are aligned with the center of gravity of the bottle, the bottle may stand rigid or may bounce side to side. If is this same wire-frame shelf we add two of the proposed bottle supports side by side, this shelf is transformed into a solid and stable bottle rack that can hold up to 26 bottles in the same shelf footprint.

FIG. 13 shows a similar example with an open cabinet. In this example, the original capacity is the same as before (16 bottles). After adding two of the bottle supports proposed in this invention, the same footprint can store 30 bottles. It becomes clear now, how this invention can drastically improve the capacity of shelves and cabinets to store bottles in a stable manner using a simple concept that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Any of the embodiments shown can be easily used independently or can be integrated to furniture and kitchen equipment like pantry shelves, refrigerators, wine cabinets, drawers, kitchen cabinets or book shelves improving bottle capacity and safety.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.

Claims

1. A bottle support system for at least one of commercial and residential storage of one or more bottles comprising:

a. at least one base surface,

b. said base surface is in contact with a supported bottle,

c. said base surface has a section in the shape of a periodic wave, where a distance representing the period of the wave can vary to accommodate different bottle diameters.

2. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein the said periodic wave that represents the section of the base surface is triangular, sinusoidal or combination of the two.

3. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein the said base surface provide additional strength to the structure supporting the bottle support system.

4. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein the distance representing the period of the wave is fixed or adjustable to accommodate different bottle diameters.

5. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein the base can accommodate different bottle shapes and bottle lengths by changing the distance between the multiple base surfaces or by changing the sections of the single base surface.

6. The bottle support system according to claim 1, further comprising of at least one module that can be placed side by side to increase capacity to at least twice the capacity of each module individually.

7. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein the base maintains the bottles in angle in reference to the horizon, to allow multiple rows of bottles to be stacked on top of each other in a stable structure.

8. The bottle support system according to claim 1, wherein at least one strap holds the supported bottles against the base allowing the safe transportation of bottles in moving vehicles and boats.