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Abstract

The decorative and protective display case, for a fragile or expensive good(s) for example, typically a bottled liquid such as wine or spirits that not only provides adequate protection, but also provides a way to showcase or display an item of value. The generally tubular display material is circular or polygonal and made from materials that can withstand high levels of shock. The ends are fitted with caps that serve not only for decorative purposes, but also contain a shock absorber system or material that further isolates the good from shock or impact that helps prevent and/or limits breakage of the good.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61813261, filed Apr. 18, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and display cases. This carrier is suitable for holding, containing, displaying and protecting items of value from shock resulting from dropping the item or good. Also, in a non-limiting embodiment, with increased regulation and demand for rigorous and effective containers suitable for travel by the Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA), said container provides a means for carrying and storing, protecting and displaying items of value. The present invention also provides an aesthetically pleasing, nearly unbreakable container and security for the goods.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many carriers or display cases have been developed, produced, and distributed throughout the years, however none of which adequately showcase and protect the good(s).

In U.S. Design Patent No. D643,2175, Pedersen provides an ornamental design for a sealable container.

Jacobson (U.S. D675,0195) discloses a portable organizer.

In U.S. Des. Pat. No. D674,1885, Sabadicci discloses an ornamental design for a wine aerator travel case.

Waters U.S. Pat. No. 2,166,513 discloses a material to help protect commodities of the nature particularly valuable using pilferproof closures for the bottle.

Okulla (U.S. D660,5915) discloses an ornamental design for a container.

Yumita (U.S. PG Pub. 2013/0020339A1) discloses a wine transport and storage box in a favorable state whilst aiding in reducing the chances for wine to undergo putrefaction (decomposition).

Tagliati (U.S. D516,809) discloses an ornamental design for an insulated wine carrier. In a subsequent design patent (U.S. D521,731) Tagliati discloses another insulated wine carrier, also with a closure from the top.

Yueh-Chun Le (U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,201 B2) discloses a packaging container for a bottled commodity made from a hollow cylinder with a cylindrical cover both made from paper. The hollow area is for receiving bottled commodity, the container especially suits containing a bottled liquid commodity such as wine, bubbled beverage, liquid edible oil, etc. The container also provides some insulation to keep the temperature of the bottle consistant, or cool.

Prevot (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,215) discloses advanced shock-proof packing for fragile objects such as bottles to help aid in the safe transportation and shipment of fragile objects and more specifically bottles of similar items.

Snyder (US PG Pub. 2008/0116101 A1) discloses an article for safely transporting wine and spirit class bottles and the like, utilizing layers of material generally shape to that of the bottle. Snyder's work is similar to that of Waters, discussed earlier.

Vargas (U.S. D374,975) discloses an ornamental design for a beverage carrier, equipped with a strap of in determining length, with a tied up or closure.

As an object of the present invention, there exists a need to improve upon the prior art of containers suitable for holding goods, specifically bottles, that provides adequate protection, and further provides a method to display said goods, as many of these bottles may contain a valuable item that requires both protection and the display of ornamental, expensive, or otherwise valuable bottles or goods. Although, many of the inventions discussed have made attempts to protect bottles, they often do not provide adequate protection. Furthermore, none provide a method to display the goods, in particular bottles of wine, or spirits, that are of valuable.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe instant invention as claimed.

Current U.S. Classification: D03/201, D3/272, D03/300, 206/521, 206/591, 206/592

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of containers and display cases. This carrier is suitable for holding, containing, displaying and otherwise protecting items of value from shock, for example, from dropping said item or good from at least one height. Also, in a non-limiting embodiment, with increased regulation and demand for rigorous and effective containers suitable for travel by the

Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA), said container provides a means for carrying and storing, protecting and displaying items of value, for example in one's suitcase. The present invention also provides an aesthetically pleasing, nearly unbreakable container that also provides integrity and/or security for the goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the container suitable for display and protection of the said goods, in this non-limiting example, and not claimed as part of the invention is, a wine bottle, shown contained within the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the multipiece end-caps; and

FIG. 3 shows the end cap assembly can be removed for the wine bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

The present invention is a carrier for items or articles containing fluids or items of value. With increasing regulation and demand for rigorous and effective containers suitable for travel by the TSA, this container provides a method to carry and store containers and/or display items of value. The present invention also provides an aesthetically pleasing, nearly unbreakable container and security for the goods.

In FIG. 1, the container is shown that is suitable for display and protection of the said goods, and in this non-limiting example, and not claimed as part of the invention is, a wine bottle, shown contained within the device. The protective display material 101 is generally translucent and allows for the good inside to be displayed clearly, which is equipped with multi-functional end-cap assemblies 102. The end-caps 102 are made up of several parts: the decorative cap 201, the sealing cap 202, and the shock absorber 203. The end cap assembly can be removed for the wine bottle 103 allowing for the insertion of the good, in this case, the wine bottle 103. The display material is made from durable materials capable of absorbing a tremendous amount of energy when the container of FIG. 1 is dropped from at least one height.

In one embodiment, the protective display material 101 is generally translucent and tubular (either circular or shaped like a polygon (polygonal) with n number of sides selected from the group consisting of n=3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, or 12) and allows for the good inside to be displayed clearly, which is equipped with multi-functional endcaps 102.

According to our tests, the container preserved the wine bottle, containing liquid, for approximately eleven (11) drops from at least one height, specifically at least about the height of chest height of an adult. This display material 101 is made from generally clear and/or translucent materials selected from the group consisting of bulletproof plastic, polycarbonate (such as LexanO), Kevlar® reinforced materials, and combinations thereof. This display material is further capable of providing some shock resistance for the good. The end cap assemblies 102 are equipped with a shock-absorbent material capable of reducing the impact on the goods made from plastic, rubber, rubber or plastic with internal rebound spring, or any other material capable of reducing shock to the good, further capable of shimming or setting a preload against the good to further isolate it from shock (physical, electrical, mechanical, etc).

FIG. 2 illustrates the multipiece end-caps 102 that are made up of several parts: the decorative cap 201, the sealing cap 202, and the shock absorber 203.

FIG. 3 shows the end cap assembly can be removed for the wine bottle 103 allowing for the insertion of the good, in this case, the wine bottle 103.

In summary, the present invention holds or contains the goods in a fashion that not only displays, but also protects the said good(s). The container is also easy to use, and provides for adequate protection, whilst displaying the goods.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

REFERENCES (incorporated herein by reference)

Please find references discussed above.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that many modifications can be made to the embodiments, and features can be interchanged between embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A protective case for receiving at least one fragile or valuable good, comprising:

a. a display material having a generally tubular shape with at least one thickness;

b. an end-cap assembly;

c. a means of preloading or shimming the good with the shock absorber component;

d. a sealing cap, capable of further isolating the good from shock;

e. a decorative end cap forming the outside of said end cap assembly.

2. The protective case of claim 1 wherein said first display material is fitted with said end-cap assembly.

3. The protective case of claim 1 wherein display material having a generally tubular shape is selected from group consisting of polygonal or circular.

4. The protective case of claim 3 wherein the polygon has n number of sides, selected from n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 12.