COLLAPSIBLE WINE CARRIER

Abstract

A collapsible wine carrier has front and rear panels, and a pair of side panels which each include a front edge and a rear edge connected by a corner hinge, which together form a rectangular enclosure. Each of the side panels is formed of a pair of half panels which are connected together with a middle hinge, which enables the side panels to move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The carrier further has a top panel that includes at least one bottle top receiving recess, and a bottom panel bottle bottom receiving recess. There are first engagement features for removably engaging the top panel with a top edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration, and second engagement features for removably engaging the bottom panel with a bottom edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels, when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/741,994, filed Jan. 6, 2025.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to travel carriers, and more particularly to a collapsible wine carrier for traveling with a plurality of bottles.

Description of Related Art

Transporting wine bottles by air presents significant logistical and structural challenges due to both airline security regulations and the fragility of glass containers. In most commercial airports, liquid products such as wine are prohibited from passing through security checkpoints in carry-on luggage, thereby requiring travelers to place wine bottles in luggage that is checked and stored in a cargo hold beneath an aircraft. Checked luggage is routinely subjected to rough handling, stacking, vibration, and forceful impacts during transit, which creates a substantial risk of bottle breakage and leakage.

To address these concerns, rigid wine carriers—often constructed from metal or other hard materials—have been developed to protect wine bottles during air travel. Such rigid carriers are generally capable of withstanding the rigors associated with checked baggage and provide superior protection as compared to placing bottles directly within conventional luggage. However, conventional rigid wine carriers suffer from significant drawbacks. In particular, these carriers are typically bulky, non-collapsible, and dimensionally fixed, making them impractical to transport when not actively being used to carry wine. As a result, travelers must often check such carriers as separate pieces of luggage, thereby incurring airline baggage fees, even when the carrier is empty.

In contrast, soft-sided or collapsible wine carriers are known in the art and may be folded or compressed when not in use. However, these devices are typically constructed from pliable, fabric-based, or canvas-like materials that provide limited structural rigidity. As a result, such soft collapsible carriers are generally unsuitable for protecting glass wine bottles from the forces and impacts associated with checked baggage handling and are not designed for reliable transport of wine bottles in the cargo hold of an aircraft.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a wine carrier that combines the protective benefits of rigid, impact-resistant structures with the convenience and portability of a collapsible form factor. More specifically, there is a need for a wine carrier that may be disassembled or collapsed into a substantially flat configuration such that it can be stored within a conventional piece of luggage, including carry-on luggage or personal items, until it is needed for transporting wine.

The prior art teaches rigid wine carriers capable of protecting bottles during checked air travel, as well as soft collapsible wine carriers that may be folded for storage. However, the prior art does not teach a wine carrier having rigid, impact-resistant outer panels that is fully collapsible into a substantially flat configuration suitable for storage within conventional luggage prior to use. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a collapsible wine carrier comprising front and rear panels, and a pair of side panels which each include a front edge and a rear edge, each of the front and rear edges having a corner hinge which is connected to the front and rear panels, respectively, to form a rectangular enclosure. Each of the side panels is formed of a pair of half panels which are connected together with a middle hinge, which enables the side panels to move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The carrier further has a top panel with a top surface and an inner surface that includes at least one bottle top receiving recess, and a bottom panel with an inner surface and a bottom surface. There are first engagement features for removably engaging the top panel with a top edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration, and second engagement features for removably engaging the bottom panel with a bottom edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels, when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible wine carrier having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a collapsible wine carrier that can be collapsed when empty for use as a flight carry-on, as well as safely checked when containing wine bottles.

A further objective is to provide a collapsible wine carrier that is adapted to protect wine bottles from damage during transport.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible wine carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention and showing a plurality of wine bottles;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, without the wine bottles;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof, illustrating first and second engagement features;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of the collapsible wine carrier;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof, shown in a partially collapsed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof, shown in a fully collapsed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inflatable sleeve protection system mounted on the plurality of wine bottles; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage bag for storing the collapsible wine carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a collapsible wine carrier for storing and transporting a plurality of liquid bottles, particularly for use in air travel and other forms of travel.

For the purposes of this application, the liquid targeted for transportation will be referred to herein as wine, however, the present invention's utility extends to any liquid, and wine is merely shorthand for any similar liquid being transported.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible wine carrier 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and showing a plurality of wine bottles 12, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, without the wine bottles 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier 10 includes a means for collapsing the side panels from an expanded configuration wherein the front, rear, and pair of side panels together form a rectangular enclosure, and a collapsed configuration wherein the side panels lie flat against the front or rear panel. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the collapsible wine carrier 10 comprises front and rear panels 20 and 22, and a pair of side panels 24 which each include a front edge 26a and a rear edge 26b. In this embodiment, the means for collapsing includes a structure wherein each of the front and rear edges 26 have a corner hinge 25 which is connected to the front and rear panels 20 and 22, respectively, to form a rectangular enclosure 28.

As illustrated, each of the side panels 24 is formed of a pair of half panels which are connected together with a middle hinge 27, which enables the side panels 24 to move between an expanded configuration (FIGS. 1-2) and a collapsed configuration, said collapsed configuration being best shown in FIG. 6 and discussed further below. FIGS. 1-2 further show a top panel 30 and a bottom panel 40, also discussed further below.

In various embodiments, the top panel 30 may have a central, collapsible handle 32 that can be used for lifting the carrier 10 by hand. When a user pulls on the collapsible handle 32, it ascends, giving the user enough clearance to grab by hand. When not in use, the collapsible handle 32 collapses into its recess. The top panel 30 may further include a cutout portion for additional handling options. Furthermore, the carrier 10 may further comprise a telescopic handle 50 mounted on the rear panel 22, discussed in greater detail below.

In this embodiment, the rectangular enclosure has approximately 21.8″ width×14.2″ height×9.6″ depth. Other possible measurement variations may be possible, one example being shown in FIGS. 4-6, and the provided dimensions are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible wine carrier 10, illustrating first and second engagement features 34 and 42 for removably engaging the top and bottom panels with the rear 22, front 20, and pair of side panels 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the top and bottom panels 30 and 40 are separable from the rest of the rectangular enclosure 28, wherein they can be connected or disconnected via the engagement features 34 and 42.

As illustrated, the first engagement features 34 are provided for removably engaging the top panel 30 with a top edge 31 of the front 20, rear 22, and pair of side panels 24 (when the pair of side panels 24 are in the expanded configuration). In this embodiment, the first engagement 34 features include shaped features 36a in the top panel 30 that removably engage mating features 36b of the top edge 31 of the front 20, rear 22, and pair of side panels 24, e.g., downward protrusions that engage with a lip or slots of the top edge 31. Said shaped features 36a may simply align the top panel 30 with the rest of the rectangular enclosure, or they may lock in place for a more secure engagement. In some embodiments, the first engagement features 34 further comprise security knobs 38 that removably insert through holes 39 in the top edge 31 of the pair of side panels 24 and in the top panel 30.

Similarly, the second engagement features 42 are provided for removably engaging the bottom panel with a bottom edge 29 of the front 20, rear 22, and pair of side panels 24. In this embodiment, the second engagement features 42 are shaped features 44a in the bottom panel that removably engage mating features 44b of the bottom edge 29 of the front 20, rear 22, and pair of side panels 24. Said shaped features 44a may be in the form of tabs which “snap” into the bottom panel, wherein a user may compress the tabs 44a to release them from the mating features 44b of the bottom panel. The second engagement features 42 may further comprise security knobs 46 that removably insert through holes 48 of the bottom edge 29 of the pair of side panels 24 and in the bottom panel 40. The security knobs 38 and 46 of the top and bottom panels 30 and 40 may either snap or screw into place, and provide enough strength to the carrier 10 to allow it to be carried by its center handle while at max capacity with wine bottles.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top panel 30 has a top surface 33 and an inner surface 37, wherein the inner surface 37 includes at least one bottle top receiving recess 41. The bottle top receiving recess(es) 41 may be in the form of cylindrical neck support receptacles that receive the top portion of a wine bottle neck, offering enhanced security by minimizing movement and shifting of the bottles 12 during transport. In this embodiment, the neck support receptacles 41 extend approximately 1″ from the inner surface 37 of the top panel 30. FIG. 3 further illustrates the bottom of the collapsible handle 32 when it is in a collapsed configuration. As shown, the bottom panel 40 includes an inner surface 43 and a bottom surface 45, the inner surface 43 having at least one bottle bottom receiving recess 49. In one embodiment, the at least one bottle bottom receiving recess includes at least three bottle bottom receiving recesses. In another embodiment, there are at least six. These recesses 49 align with those on the top panel 30 to provide additional support and cushioning for the wine bottles 12.

In other embodiments, the means for collapsing includes brackets (not shown) or other structures that enable the removal of the side panels from the front and rear panels. Those skilled in the art may devise many alternative mechanisms for providing for the means for collapsing, so that the rigid enclosure may be collapsed for shipping, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

For purposes of this application, in regards to the bottle top receiving recesses and the bottle bottom receiving recesses, the term “recess” is defined to include not only an indentation or alcove as shown, but also structures and features that are functionally the same, shaped to receive and engage the bottle to hold the bottle in place.

In some embodiments (not shown) the bottom panel 40 that has a thin, rigid, reversible insert that may be positioned on the inner surface 43 of the bottom panel 40. One side of the insert has recessed depressions for wine bottles 12 to fit into, adding more stability by further restricting the movement of the bottles 12. The other side of the reversible bottom insert is flat for situations where the depressions are not wanted. In some embodiments, multiple inserts may be provided, for different bottle sizes, e.g., champagne vs. olive oil vs. wine. In some embodiments, said inserts may be stacked on top of each other or capable of “mix-and-matching” the recesses for carrying different bottle sizes at the same time.

The modular design of the carrier 10, as depicted in the exploded view of FIG. 3, allows for easy assembly and disassembly. Each panel is constructed from durable materials, such as reinforced plastic or lightweight metal alloys, to ensure robustness while maintaining a manageable weight for portability. The design is compliant with TSA carry-on regulations, making it suitable for air travel.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment 52 of the collapsible wine carrier. As shown in FIG. 4, the present invention may be provided in a plurality of dimensions for carrying different quantities of bottles. In this embodiment, the carrier 52 has approximately 19″ width×13.5″ height×8.75″ depth. As previously mentioned, other possible measurement variations may be possible, and the provided dimensions are not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, the telescopic handle 50 may be rotatable and adapted for wheeling the carrier 10/52 on wheels 54 affixed to the bottom panel 40 for ease of transport. In this case, the wheels 54 are in the form of two low-profile wheels below the area where the telescoping handle is located. The two low-profile wheels 54, when used in conjunction with the telescoping handle, allow the user to pull the carrier 10/52 rather than carry the device via the collapsible handle 32. In this configuration, the user would tilt the telescoping handle and carrier 10/52 at an angle and pull the unit as a rolling wine carrier, in a similar manner to the wheeled luggage options found in many two wheel suitcases. The section of the bottom panel 40 opposite of the low-profile wheels 54 may include two studs 56 (also known as suitcase feet) that serve a dual purpose by creating a: 1) natural brake; and 2) level, balanced resting position when the user is not actively pulling the device.

As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the telescopic handle 50 is positioned outside of the rear panel 22, but in other embodiments (FIGS. 1-3), the telescopic handle 50 is positioned inside of the rear panel 22. Either configuration may be selected based on the needs of the manufacturer.

In some embodiments, the bottom surface 45 of the bottom panel 40 may contain a plurality of slots/recesses 58 that can accept a caster wheel. The caster wheel is capable of swiveling in any direction and will either snap or screw into place. When in place, the caster wheels will give the carrier 10/52 a range of motion of 360 degrees, meaning the device can be pushed or pulled in a similar fashion to the wheeled luggage options found in many four wheel suitcases. When in place, the caster wheels will create enough clearance so that neither the low-profile wheels 54 or studs 56 will be in contact with the ground. When not needed, there are four receiving areas located in the bottom panel 40 (not shown) where the caster wheels can be snapped into place and stored. Other types of wheels may be used, such as fixed wheels, of any number or location, which should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wine carrier 52, shown in a partially collapsed configuration, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof, shown in a fully collapsed configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the side panels 24 include the pair of half panels which are connected together with a middle hinge 27, allowing each side panel 24 to collapse in half along its vertical axis.

In use, the top and bottom panels 30 and 40 are first removed, and then the side panels 24 are collapsed inwardly. The split side panel feature allows the left and right side panels 24 to reserve a space for the telescoping handle when collapsed, resulting in a minimal footprint for the side panel piece. In this configuration, the telescoping handle and left and right side panels 24 consist of the middle layer and are “sandwiched” by the rear and front panels 22 and 20. The top and bottom panels 30 and 40 may then be stacked on/beneath the rest of the carrier 10/52. In some embodiments (not shown), the top and bottom panels 30 and 40 may be fastened or otherwise secured to the rest of the carrier 10/52 in the collapsed configuration. In various embodiments, the carrier 10/52 may be collapsible to a thickness of approximately 1-4 inches when disassembled, though other measurements may apply.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inflatable sleeve protection system 60 mounted on the plurality of wine bottles 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the system 60 comprises an air bladder 62 that envelops each bottle 12, providing an additional layer of cushioning to mitigate the impact and reduce the risk of breakage during handling. The sleeve 62 may include a manual inflation nozzle 64 and is open at the bottom to accommodate the placement of bottles 12 within the recesses 49. The interior of the carrier 10 is sized and adapted so that wine bottles 12 can be transported with or without the inflatable sleeve protection system 60. This innovative feature addresses the need for protective transport solutions for fragile items.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage bag 66 for storing the collapsible wine carrier 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the carrier 10 may be configured to be either constructed or disassembled and stored within the storage bag 66, wherein the storage bag 66 may include openings 68 for the wheels 54, and an opening 69 for the telescopic handle 50 of the carrier 10 to pass through for use while the carrier 10 is inside the storage bag 66. In this manner, additional protection is provided to the collapsible wine carrier 10, without compromising the use of the wheels 54 and telescopic handle 50, in either the collapsed or constructed configurations. The storage bag 66 may further include its own bag handles 70, and may be constructed of a durable fabric(s), like canvas, nylon, leather, etc.

After the carrier 10 is placed in the storage bag 66, the storage bag 66 may be secured to the carrier 10 either through a zipper, button or similar fastener system, ensuring the outer shell and carrier 10 remain intact. A cinch/strap feature 72 may be included that allows the bag 66 to be firmly attached to the carrier 10. When tightened, the cinch feature 72 further secures the carrier's contents by minimizing movement and shifting of the wine bottles 12 during transport.

In some embodiments (not shown), the storage bag 66 has zippered side pockets/slots that can accept rigid inserts to provide additional protection from rough treatment and forceful impacts, especially when being checked underneath an airplane. The rigid inserts will not impact the cinch system 72, as the pockets for the inserts will be located on the outermost portion of the bag 66.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean +/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible wine carrier comprising:

front and rear panels;

a pair of side panels which each include a front edge and a rear edge, each of the front and rear edges having a corner hinge which is connected to the front and rear panels, respectively, to form a rectangular enclosure;

wherein each of the side panels is formed of a pair of half panels which are connected together with a middle hinge, which enables the side panels to move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration;

a top panel having a top surface and an inner surface, and wherein the inner surface includes at least one bottle top receiving recess;

a bottom panel having an inner surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the inner surface includes at least one bottle bottom receiving recess;

first engagement features for removably engaging the top panel with a top edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration; and

second engagement features for removably engaging the bottom panel with a bottom edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels, when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration.

2. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one bottle bottom receiving recess includes at least three bottle bottom receiving recesses.

3. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, wherein the first engagement features are shaped features in the top panel that removably engage mating features of the top edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels.

4. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, wherein the second engagement features are shaped features in the bottom panel that removably engage mating features of the bottom edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels.

5. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, wherein the second engagement features further include security knobs that removably engage the bottom panel to the bottom edge of the pair of side panels; and

wherein the first engagement features further include security knobs that removably engage the top edge of pair of side panels and the top panel.

6. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, further comprising a telescopic handle mounted on the rear panel, and further comprising wheels affixed to the bottom panel for ease of transport.

7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein the carrier is configured to be disassembled and stored within a storage bag, wherein the storage bag may include openings for the wheels and the telescopic handle of the carrier to pass through for use while the carrier is inside the storage bag.

8. The carrier of claim 6, further comprising a pair of feet extending from the bottom panel opposite the at least one wheel.

9. The collapsible wine carrier of claim 1, wherein the panels are configured to be disassembled and laid flat for compact storage.

10. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier is collapsible to a thickness of approximately 1-4 inches when disassembled.

11. A collapsible wine carrier comprising:

front and rear panels;

a pair of side panels;

a means for collapsing the side panels from an expanded configuration wherein the front, rear, and pair of side panels together form a rectangular enclosure, and a collapsed configuration wherein the side panels lie flat against the front or rear panel;

a top panel having a top surface and an inner surface, and wherein the inner surface includes at least one bottle top receiving recess;

a bottom panel having an inner surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the inner surface includes at least one bottle bottom receiving recess;

first engagement features for removably engaging the top panel with a top edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration; and

second engagement features for removably engaging the bottom panel with a bottom edge of the front, rear, and pair of side panels, when the pair of side panels are in the expanded configuration.