Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System
A wine and spirit carrying suitcase system comprising spaces with customizable forms comprising customizable cavities to safely transport bottled beverages.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/622,508, entitled “Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System”, filed on Feb. 13, 2015, which itself is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/967,177, entitled “Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System”, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, and the specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (Technical Field)The present invention relates to luggage systems for carrying bottled beverages, particularly to wine-carrying suitcases.
Description of Related ArtAir travel security constraints require that quantities of liquid that are greater than 3 oz not be transported as carry-on items in airplanes. Because a great number of beverage bottles are breakable, and handling of luggage designated as cargo often results in the breaking of beverage bottles in the luggage, there is a need for bottled beverage-carrying suitcases that can keep bottles safe and unbroken. Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by providing bottled beverage-carrying suitcase systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention comprise wine-carrying suitcase systems comprising a first and a second shell portions comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to the one or more side walls and the one or more end walls. The first and second shell portions are preferably hingeably connected together. For example, each shell has about the same dimension of open space prior to receiving the bottle-accommodating form. A fastening system is preferably disposed around the edges of the one or more side walls and the one or more end walls, to releaseably join the shell portions. The one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottoms, and openable tops preferably define at least one independent wine-carrying space in each shell portion. Embodiments of the present invention comprise securing straps inside the wine-carrying spaces, and bottle-accommodating forms comprising independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in the wine-carrying spaces. Preferably, the bottle cavity in the bottle-accommodating forms are surrounded by one or more form walls, bottoms, and one or more tops.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wine carrying suitcase system comprising a first shell portion and a second shell portion each comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to said one or more side walls and said one or more end wall. The first and second shell portions are hingeably connected together and a fastening system disposed around the edges of said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls releaseably joins said shell portions. The one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottom, and openable top defines at least one independent bottle carrying space in each shell portion. Securing straps are inside said bottle carrying spaces. The bottle accommodating form comprises die cut independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in said bottle carrying spaces. The die cut independent bottle cavities are surrounded by one or more form walls, and a bottom. A removeable lid with a protrusion that mates with a groove in said bottle accommodating form to secure said lid in place on said bottle accommodating form is provided wherein the lid and the bottle accommodating form removeably fit within the first shell portion and the second shell portion. In one embodiment, the lid total area covers said bottle accommodating forms when said bottle accommodating forms are positioned in said first shell portion or said second shell portion of said wine carrying suitcase.
In one embodiment thee bottle accommodating form and/or lid are formed of an open cell foam for example expanded polyethylene, preferably between 36-45 newtons. In one embodiment the bottle accommodating form is formed from die cut and is considered modular. In one embodiment, the bottle accommodating form with the lid positioned thereon when located within said first shell portion and said second shell portion are each covered entirely when the openable top is secured to each shell portion when the openable top is in the closed position.
In one embodiment, one of the shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly. In one embodiment, the telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one embodiment, the first and second shell portions further comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels. In one embodiment, the securing straps inside the wine-carrying spaces comprise a fastening system, optionally comprising buckles.
In one embodiment, the openable top comprises a zipper. In one embodiment, the two shell portions are fastened with a zipper system. In one embodiment, the bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to diverse bottle neck lengths. In one embodiment, the bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle widths and lengths.
One embodiment of the invention further comprises one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells. The handles are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the invention.
As used throughout this specification and claims, the terms “suitcase” or “luggage” refer to portable cases designed to hold personal or commercial articles for transportation.
Some embodiments of the present invention comprise suitcase systems. Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention shown in
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In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck and are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 3 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 1.5 and approximately 0.75 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck and are between approximately 1 and approximately 8 inches in length, preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 7 inches in length, and most preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 6 inches in length. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle shoulders area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle base area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle body area between approximately 2 and approximately 8 inches long, preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 7 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 4 and approximately 6 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise total bottle body (body plus neck) area between approximately 3 and approximately 20 inches long, preferably between approximately 5 and approximately 18 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 6 and approximately 15 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches deep, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches deep, and most preferably between approximately 1 and approximately 4 inches deep.
In one embodiment, forms 30 comprise three segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises two cavities 34 each, for a total of six cavities 34 in each carrying space 26. In a different embodiment, forms 30 comprise two segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises three cavities 34 to carry the same number of bottles. The number of segments 32 can vary depending of the needs of the users. For example, a user may use one to six segments. For example, a user may customize the form by tracing the shape of the user's bottle onto a form as illustrated in
In a different embodiment, beverage-carrying suitcase 10 further comprises outside strap 42 as a safety measure. The suitcase may also include a lock. In one embodiment, strap 42 comprises buckle 43. Preferably, strap 42 goes under handle 46 or next to it so as to not affect its functionality. Optionally, one or more corners are reinforced with covers 44. Preferably, one or more handles 46 are disposed on beverage-carrying suitcase 10, which are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one embodiment, handles 46 are disposed on the side/end of both shell portions 12. In one example, the straps are removeable.
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Optionally, embodiments of the present invention are used in conjunction with state-of-the-art luggage-tracking technology. For example, in one embodiment, a tracking device capable of tracking and reporting the location of luggage through, for example, GPS and/or ground-based cellular telephone technologies, is integrated in bottled beverage-carrying suitcase 10.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYThe invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.
Example 1A wine-carrying suitcase system was manufactured. The system comprises two rectangular shell portions. Each shell portion has two side walls, two end walls, a bottom, and an openable top. The openable top is of fabric and is connected to one side wall and includes a zipper around the sides that are not connected to the side wall. The zipper connects the openable top to the inside tops of the end walls and the remaining side wall when the top is in the closed configuration to define two wine-carrying spaces (one in each shell portion). The two shell portions are connected, in turn, to each other at one of their side wall portions through hinges. A zipper is disposed around the edges of the remaining side wall and end walls to fasten the suitcase in the closed configuration. Securing straps are disposed inside each wine-carrying space. A long set of straps to secure three bottle-accommodating forms, and a shorter set of straps for securing one or two bottle-accommodating forms. In one embodiment, each shell portion has about the same dimensions.
In one embodiment, a bottle-accommodating form has at least one cavity in the shape of a wine bottle. The neck portion of the cavity has spongy material such as the same foam as the rest of the insert that could optionally be removed to customize the cavity to different bottle neck sizes and lengths. The bottle neck part of the cavity is one inch wide and five inches long. A removable one inch long by one inch wide by two inches tall sponge was placed in one end of the neck area to make it four inches long. In this manner, the cavity could accommodate bottles with necks that were either four or five inches long. The bottle body part of the cavity is three inches wide at the bottle shoulders, and three inches wide at the bottle base, and five and a half inches long. The whole cavity is two inches deep. A single top covering one, two or all three bottle-accommodating forms is provided for each wine-carrying space. One shell portion comprised a reinforced a telescopic tubular handle assembly on the outside. Both shell portions comprise reinforced handles on one side and one end for carrying the suitcase. Both shell portions comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels. Both shell portions can accommodate one, two or three modular bottle-accommodating inserts/forms wherein each modular insert may accept one or two wine bottles and wherein a suitcase containing three modular inserts in each shell can accept twelve wine bottles and wherein the weight of the suitcase with inserts and wine bottles combined is less than 50 lbs. For travelers checking luggage, most airlines will not charge a weight surcharge for checked luggage that is less than 50 lbs.
The preceding example can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding example.
Note that in the specification and claims, “about” or “approximately” means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical amount cited.
Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. For example, any spirit or beer die can be used to create a cavity in the foam. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. For example, the suitcase form 30 can accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and the number of units of the segmented form can vary from one or more units that are separately combined inside the suitcase. The suitcase can be made of any material, for example, 100% polycarbonate shell or other plastic such that the shell portion is non-deformable or hard-sided clam shell. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
1. A wine carrying suitcase system comprising:
- a first shell portion and a second shell portion each comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls;
- said first and second shell portions hingeably connected together;
- a fastening system disposed around edges of said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls, to releaseably join said shell portions;
- said one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottom, and openable top defining at least one independent bottle carrying space in each shell portion;
- securing straps inside said bottle carrying spaces; and
- bottle accommodating form comprising die cut independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in said bottle carrying spaces;
- said die cut independent bottle cavities are surrounded by one or more form walls, and a bottom; and
- a removeable lid with a protrusion that mates with a groove in said bottle accommodating form to secure said lid in place on said bottle accommodating form wherein said lid and said bottle accommodating form removeably fit within said first shell portion and said second shell portion.
2. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein one of said shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly.
3. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 2 wherein said telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
4. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said first shell portion and said second shell portion further comprises a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels.
5. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said securing straps inside said bottle carrying spaces comprise a fastening system.
6. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 5 wherein said fastening system comprises buckles.
7. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said openable top comprises a zipper.
8. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said fastening system is a zipper.
9. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle neck lengths.
10. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle widths and lengths.
11. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 further comprising one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells.
12. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 11 wherein said handles are reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
13. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said lid total area covers said bottle accommodating forms when said bottle accommodating forms are positioned in said first shell portion or said second shell portion of said wine carrying suitcase.
14. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating forms and said lid are formed of an open cell foam.
15. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 14 wherein said open cell foam is expanded polyethlene.
16. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 14 wherein said open cell foam is between 36-45 newtons.
17. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is formed from a die cut.
18. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is modular.
19. The wine carrying suitcase of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form with said lid positioned thereon and located within said first shell portion and said second shell portion are each covered when said openable top is secured to each shell portion when the openable top is in the closed position.
20. The wine carrying suitcase of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is not manually cut to form its shape or bottle cavity.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 21, 2019
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2019
Inventor: Saul Barry Wax (Sandia Park, NM)
Application Number: 16/547,381