Beverage Container Interlocking Carrier
A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) utilizing a container member that is preferably made of plastic, on which beverage containers are placed. The container member is folded upward following contours of the beverage containers. The beverage containers are secured within the BCIC by inserting each beverage neck, with or without a cap, into one of a plurality of container orifices on the container member. After the BCIC is used to package, transport and/or store beverage containers, the container member can be unfolded and the empty beverage containers removed and inserted into and maintained within the orifices prior to recycling. A grasping member allows a folded or unfolded container member to be carried by hand. Or, at least one strap that secures side edges of the BCIC together can be used as a grasping member. Indicia is placed on the container member and is visible on a folded or unfolded BCIC.
The invention generally pertains to carrying apparatuses, and more particularly to a beverage container interlocking carrier that is folded and secured around a group of beverage containers, and includes advertising or other indicia on the carrier.
BACKGROUND ARTOne of the most ubiquitous consumer items available today is a beverage, particularly beverage water. There are billions of beverages manufactured, purchased and consumed throughout the world each year.
Typically, beverage containers, are packaged and sold either in a plastic wrapping that envelopes a group of beverage containers, or a plastic holder that is located at the top of a group of beverage containers. The particularly packaging depends on the number of beverage containers grouped together. The plastic wrapping typical used for groups of twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-five, and the holder for groups of six or less.
While these packaging methods have been in use for a long time and are effective, there are problems associated with their use. One problem is that the packaging is not typically conducive to recycling, which produces additional material that eventually ends up in landfills. When in these packages, it can be difficult to extricate beverages, and especially for the wrapping. Once the wrapping is cut or otherwise torn open, the wrapping loses its structural integrity and the beverages within are not maintained in a tight group.
Additionally, there is the well-known problem that the six or less beverage holders often end up in oceans or other bodies of water, where fish/mammals accidentally get caught within the holder and/or ingest these foreign objects and succumb to injury and/or death.
What is needed is a new, improved method of packaging, storing and transporting beverage beverages, both for manufacturers and consumers. Optimally, an improved beverage carrier would allow any number of beverages to be easily secured together in a group, packaged for sale and transportation, and for end-use by a consumer. A beverage carrier that is easy to use by anyone and facilitates the recycling of empty beverages, and could even be recycled along with the beverages would provide a solution to the disposal problem.
Also, a means by which advertising could be visible on the packaging/carrier would provide beverage manufacturers or other an incentive as a result of new/increased service(s) of revenue. Consumers could also benefit from advertising by the inclusion of coups or other money-saving or information advertising.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
The application Ser. No. 15/788,180 for Tommy Patton discloses a plastic bottle retaining apparatus and advertisings platform that is used to captively hold at least one, and preferably multiple, plastic beverage bottles and includes advertising or promotional indicia printed thereon. The PBRAAP has a structure which is a strip or a panel which can be resilient and disposable, and have at least one and typically multiple, openings that are each dimensioned to allow a plastic bottle to be inserted and maintained within, or removed from, the opening. When a bottle is inserted into an opening, the PBRAAP with the retained bottle can be packaged, stored, transported or displayed.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,363 patent discloses a device for carrying and storing beverages. The device has a older frame utilizing a series of parallel rails inside the frame. The rails form between them uniform gaps and the edges of the rails have edge portions which yield upon introduction of a beverage neck and then squeeze the neck into a locking arrangement when the beverage is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the holder.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,873 patent discloses a beverage container holder having a unitary body with apertures therein adapted to receive containers. A handle is also included for easy hand carrying.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,427 patent discloses a recycling container member for holding, storing, toting and returning recyclable beverage containers. The container member has a plurality of collar holes distributed uniformly and unilinearly along the container member. The collar holes have a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of a common beverage container neck and have radial slits forming collars which enable a beverage neck flange to be engaged in the container member. The container member is used for transporting engaged beverage containers and can be recycled with the beverages. The container member is loaded into a dispenser which provides means of storing the container member. The dispenser also holds the container member securely so that a beverage may be engaged in the container member. The dispenser also provides an engagement mechanism, which aligns a collar holed in the container member with the collar opening of the dispenser and prevents the container member from uncontrolled travel out of the dispenser and a disengagement mechanism which meters the travel of the container member.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,322 patent discloses a carrier and storage unity for beverage beverages. A planar member has a plurality of cup-shaped recesses located in a predetermined array across its surface. Each of the recesses has a bottom wall which is sealed about its periphery to the circular wall of the recess. The recesses have a size and configurations adapted to receive and grip the neck of the beverage beverages, capturing the beverage insecure retention in the carrier and closing the neck of the beverage.
The 2010/0163445 publication discloses a beverage holder having a first beverage-holding surface adapted to hold a plurality of beverages at a first orientation, and a second beverage-holding surface adapted to hold a second plurality of beverages at a second orientation. Each beverage-holding surface includes an aperture adapted to receive a cap end of each beverage, and a slot in communication with the aperture and adapted to support a beverage neck of each of the beverages.
For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.
A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) that allows a group of beverage containers, to be easily carried by hand and transported to a desired location. The BCIC is a substantially flat container member, preferably plastic, on which a group of beverage containers is placed on an inner surface. The container member is then folded upwards, following the contours of the group of beverage containers. A grasping member with an open section is located at a first section and second side of the container member. Once the container member is folded around the group of beverage containers the two sides of the grasping member interface either on the top of the group of beverage containers or on a side of this group of beverage containers. To secure the two sides of the grasping members together attachment means can be utilized.
Located on the container member is at least one container orifice each of which is dimensioned to allow a beverage container, with or without a cap, to be inserted into the container orifice, thereby maintaining each beverage container within the folded container member. After the BCIC is used to transport a group of beverage containers, especially beverage containers containing a beverage, and the beverage containers have been removed for consumption, the container member can be replaced in the original flat orientation and the empty beverage containers inserted into the container orifices. The container member with empty beverage containers can then be stored and/or transported, such as to a recycling facility. It should be noted that the BCIC is particularly designed to allow the container member with empty beverage containers to be placed within a proprietary machine that facilitates the removal and crushing of the empty beverage containers for further recycling.
To increase the functionality of the BCIC, advertising or other indicia can be placed on the outer surface of the container member, thereby allowing the indicia to be visible when the container member is folded around a group of beverage containers. The indicia is also visible on the container member when the container member is flat and used to store or transport empty beverage containers. The indicia can be applied onto the container member by various means including printing, etching, painting, adhesive or other methods.
Also, the BCIC can utilize various types of container member configurations to secure the open side edges of the BCIC when the BCIC is configured as a carrier. Typically, at least one container member extending from a side edge of the BCIC is inserted into a corresponding slot on an opposing side edge, thereby securing the opposite edges together.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a beverage container interlocking carrier that allows full or empty beverage containers to be easily stored or transported, and also includes advertising or other indicia.
In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a beverage container interlocking carrier that:
-
- is easy to use by adults and children,
- can be used with various types, sizes and shapes of beverage containers,
- is durable and long-lasting,
- is easy and economical to manufacture,
- can be made of a variety of materials,
- when made of plastic can be recycled along with empty beverage containers,
- can be used with standard water beverages and larger sport drink beverage containers, and
- is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's point of view.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) 10. There are various conventional methods of packaging and/or carrying beverage containers. Two of the most common methods are a plastic holder that is placed on a group of beverage containers and holds the beverage containers by the necks, or a plastic wrapping that encloses a group of beverage containers. The holder on the necks is typically used to hold groups of six beverage containers or less, and the plastic wrapping is used for groups of twelve, twenty-four or thirty-five beverage containers.
While these two methods do function as intended, there are problems associated with their use. The beverage container are removed from the holder or wrapping, which is then usually discarded to end up in a landfill. Also, the holder can often end up in oceans which presents serious danger to fish and other aquatic life.
The BCIC 10, as shown in
The BCIC's 10 first orifice design configuration, as shown in
There are multiple shapes and designs of the container orifice 26 that can be used with efficacy. Each orifice has preferably triangular shaped segments 30 that extend inward towards the center of the container orifice and slices 32 that extend outward from the edges of the container orifice. The cutlines 34 are perpendicularly located adjacent a distal end of each slice, or each container orifice can be configured similar to the first design but does not have the cutouts. There are also other orifices designs which will be disclosed supra.
As shown in
As shown in
Also when the container member 12 is folded around a group of beverage containers 124, the grasping member can be located at the substantial center above the group of beverage containers, as shown in
Forty container orifices 26 allows the insertion and securement of six beverage containers to create a six-beverage container interlocking carrier 52 when the container member is folded around the group of six-beverage containers, or forty beverage containers when the container member 12 is in an open, flat orientation.
To increase the functionality of the BCIC 10, the container member can also be used. Indicia 60 is placed on the outer surface 14 of the container member 12, as shown in
The second design configuration of the BCIC 10, as shown in
In addition to the basic designs of the BCIC 10 as disclosed above, other modifications can be made or features added to increase the functionality of the BCIC 10. Other shapes and styles of container orifices can be utilized, including a four-sided container orifice 58 with indented side edges to varying degrees and rounded corners, as shown in
In order to secure the open sides when the BCIC 10 is configured as a carrier, various designs and uses of straps can be utilized. As shown in
An additional design includes at least one non-attached/separate strap 76 with one end having a truncated triangle tab 78 and extending from the opposite distal end 80, a row of triangular/downward pointing tabs 82. Located adjacent the side edges of the BCIC are slots 84 that are dimensioned to accept and maintain the ends of the strap 76, which are inserted into one of the slots 84.
A further design, as shown in
An alternate depiction of a single strap 94 is shown in
In another alternate design, as shown in
In a further alternate design the BCIC 10 is configured with twenty-five or fifty container orifices 26 on the container member 12, as shown in
The first unique configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrier 158 has the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers. The second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers The second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, as shown in
In a second design configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrier the neck of each beverage container extends upward through one of the container orifices. The container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers. The second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers. The second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward across the first side, and then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, as shown in
A third unique configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrier has the first end of the container member folded upward and over onto the beverage container necks with each container neck inserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier. The second end extends upward and is then folded downward across the previously folded first end and terminates at a first side of the carrier, opposite the second side, and the attachment means secure the second end.
As with the previous designs of the BCIC 10, the twenty-five or fifty orifice carriers 158 are configured to provide space 62 for advertising indicia 60 or other indicia 60. The attachment means 174 for securing the second ends of the container member 12, as shown in
It should be noted that the use of fifty container orifices allows the total number of beverage containers on the flat configuration container member to be quickly and easily determined. This ability significantly increases the BCIC 10 functionality when utilized for recycling and can be considered a de facto requirement as a mandatory count of beverage containers rather than by weighing the beverage containers.
In yet another alternate design, the BCIC 10 is configured to enclose eight beverage containers 170, as shown in
Other additions and modifications include a liner 108, as shown in
It could be advantageous to secure multiple BCICs 10 together for storage or transportation. To facilitate the securement of multiple BCICs 10 there are different means that can be used. First, as shown in
In conclusion it must be noted that when the container member 12 is used in an open, flat orientation to carry empty or full beverage containers, the beverage containers can be inserted from the top or inner surface 16 or the bottom or other surface 14. Also, the BCIC container orifice 26 can accept almost any size beverage container 124, with or without a cap 126. This includes all types and sizes of water beverage containers as well as larger beverage containers such as Gatorade™.
Also, the BCIC 10 can be utilized to quickly and accurately count the number of beverage containers within the BCIC or when the BCIC is in the unfolded, flat configuration, empty or full. Beverage container can be counted visually by a person, with or without the assistant of numerical indicators adjacent each container orifice, or a scanning device 174, as shown in
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface.
2. The BCIC of claim 1, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
3. The BCIC of claim 1, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
4. The BCIC of claim 1, further comprising indicia on the outer surface of the container member, the indicia selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional and educational.
5. The BCIC of claim 4, wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, and adhesion.
6. The BCIC of claim 1, further comprising securing means for maintaining the folded container member together, the securing means selected from the group consisting of adhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip, tape, hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle and strap.
7. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface.
8. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
9. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
10. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice,
- at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,
- a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
11. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member.
12. The BCIC of claim 7, further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward perimeter edge curving that taper to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
13. The BCIC of claim 7, further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle.
14. The BCIC of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges of the container member wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, with the curves creating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sections along the container member edges.
15. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface.
16. The BCIC of claim 15, wherein the container member comprising indicia that is selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional and educational.
17. The BCIC of claim 15, wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching and adhesion.
18. The BCIC of claim 15, further comprising a container strap that is placed around a group of beverage containers that are located within the BCIC, the container strap securing the containers together as a single body that is within or removed from the BCIC.
19. The BCIC of claim 15, further comprising four side straps that extend outward from each side edge of the container member, wherein two of the straps, one on each opposing side edge, include truncated-triangle shaped tabs on a distal end, and two straps, one on each opposing side edge, that are positioned to interface with the triangle tabs and having at least one slot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle shape tabs, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, the side straps secure open sides of the BCIC together.
20. The BCIC of claim 15, further having four slots, with two slots correspondingly positioned on each opposite side edge of the container member, and a securing strap comprising a length of material with a truncated triangle shaped tab on one distal end and a row of triangle shaped tabs correspondingly positioned and extending inward from the opposite distal end, wherein the strap end with the single tab is inserted into one of the slots on the container member side edge, and the strap edge with the series of tabs is inserted into one of the slots on the opposite side edge of the container member, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, the side straps secure open sides of the BCIC together.
21. The BCIC of claim 23 further comprising two straps that are correspondingly positioned on opposite side edges of the container member and have a series of triangle shaped tabs, with a row of tabs on each side edge extending outward from a distal end of the strap, wherein correspondingly positioned on each opposite side edge of the container member is a slot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle tabs on each strap, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, each strap is inserted into the corresponding slot, thereby securing open sides of the BCIC.
22. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an ° open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface.
23. The BCIC of claim 22, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
24. The BCIC of claim 22, wherein each of the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
25. The BCIC of claim 22, further comprising indicia on the container member, the indicia selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional educational and image.
26. The BCIC of claim 22, wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, and adhesion.
27. The BCIC of claim 22, further comprising a liner within the BCIC.
28. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one circular container orifice comprising, at least one segment inwardly angled and directed into the orifice, at least one slice that extends from the orifice, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, a beverage container is placed on the container member, with a lower surface of the beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the beverage container with the beverage container neck entering the container orifice, the container member is folded further, elongating the container orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring.
29. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
30. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap.
31. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the grasping member is located at a substantial mid-point above the beverage containers.
32. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the grasping member is located on a side of the beverage containers.
33. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member.
34. The BCIC of claim 28, further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
35. The BCIC of claim 28, further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle.
36. The BCIC of claim 28, further comprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges of the container member wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, with the curves creating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sections along the container member edges.
37. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, at least one strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, at least one circular container orifice, with at least one beverage container placed on the container member, a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded upward around the beverage container with the beverage container neck entering the container orifice, the container member is folded further, elongating the container orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member lying substantially flat on an upper surface of the at least one beverage container, and the container member secured in the flat configuration by the beverage container interlocked within the container orifice, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers.
38. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
39. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at least one strap is permanently attached to one side edge and removably attached to an opposing side edge.
40. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at least one strap is configured as a grasping member that allows a person to grasp the strap and carry or lift the BCIC.
41. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
42. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice,
- at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,
- a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
43. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member.
44. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein a plurality of container orifices are linearly arranged, equidistant from each other.
45. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the number of beverage containers enclosed within the BCIC is selected from the group consisting of four, six, eight, ten, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six.
46. The BCIC of claim 37, further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle.
47. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member of material having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first side edge, a second side edge, at least one opening, a grasping member having: a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface.
48. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising securing means for securing the handle side edges together, the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of adhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip, tape, hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle and strap.
49. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising means for securing at least two BCICs together, the securing means selected from the group comprising at least one attachment tube, at least one strap tube and at least one carrier strap.
50. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising at least one adhesive bead for securing an individual beverage container within the BCIC to at least one other beverage container.
51. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising indented corners.
52. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, a plurality of container orifices, a first horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, a second horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge and below the first strap, a vertical strap extending from the substantial center of the first horizontal strap to the substantial center of the second horizontal strap, and a group of containers is placed on the container member with a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the beverage container with one beverage container neck entering one of the container orifices, as the container member is folded the container orifice is elongated into an elliptical shape with at least one orifice segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member configured as a four surface structure having the two opposed side edges substantially open, and attachment means securing the side ends, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member first end and second end, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers.
53. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein the attachment means secure the second end.
54. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward across the first side and then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein attachment means secure the second end.
55. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the first end of the container member is folded upward and over onto a group of beverage containers with each container neck inserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier, wherein the second end extends upward and is then folded downward across the previously folded first end and terminating at a first side of the carrier, opposite the second side, wherein the attachment means secure the second end.
56. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
57. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the plurality of container orifices are comprised of twenty-five orifices.
58. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the plurality of container orifices are comprised of fifty orifices.
59. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the horizontal straps and vertical strap are configured as grasping members that allow a person to grasp the straps and carry or lift the BCIC.
60. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
61. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice,
- at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,
- a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
62. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the segment having two sides that are inwardly angled and directed into the orifice.
63. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the container orifices are configured to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member.
64. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, at least one snap closer, at least one male and female detent, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, a tab and slot, at least one hook, and at least one plastic interlocking latch.
65. The BCIC of claim 52, further comprising a grasping opening adjacent the first end and second end of the container member.
66. The BCIC of claim 52, further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
67. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
- a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, fifty container orifices, a first horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, a second horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge and below the first strap, a vertical strap extending from the substantial center of the first horizontal strap to the substantial center of the second horizontal strap, and eight beverage container is placed on the container member with a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the eight beverage containers with one beverage container neck entering one of the container orifices, as the container member is folded the container orifice is elongated into an elliptical shape with at least one orifice segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member configured as a four surface structure having the two opposed side edges substantially open, and attachment means securing the side ends, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member first end and second end, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers.
68. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of eight beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein the attachment means secure the second end.
69. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward across the first side and then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein attachment means secure the second end.
70. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the first end of the container member is folded upward and over onto a group of beverage containers with each container neck inserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier, wherein the second end extends upward and is then folded downward across the previously folded first end and terminating at a first side of the carrier, opposite the second side, wherein the attachment means secure the second end.
71. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
72. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the horizontal straps and vertical strap are configured as grasping members that allow a person to grasp the straps and carry or lift the BCIC.
73. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and
- at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
74. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
- at least one segment that extends into the orifice,
- at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,
- a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
75. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the container orifices are configured to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member,
76. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, at least one, snap closer, at least one male and female detent, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, a tab and slot, at least one hook, and at least one plastic interlocking latch.
77. The BCIC of claim 67, further comprising a grasping opening adjacent the first end and second end of the container member.
78. The BCIC of claim 67, further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
79. The BCIC of claim 67, further comprising scanning means that facilitates automated counting or other identification of beverage containers within the carrier or on the container member when the member is in an unfolded, flat configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 4, 2019
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2020
Inventor: Tommy L. Patton (Oak Glen, CA)
Application Number: 16/292,077