Abstract:
The present invention is a collapsible holder for beverage containers (e.g., cans and bottles) that may present the containers in an appealing “bouquet” fashion while separately securing the containers within the beverage holder. The beverage containers may be placed substantially vertically in holes arranged in a hexagonal arrangement, similar to a vase for flowers with a base for support against tilting. The beverage holder may be made of cardboard with a plurality of fold lines, cut lines, and scored lines.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/190,499 filed on Jul. 9, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to carrying and presenting beverage containers and particularly, a collapsible beverage holder. One use of the present invention would be for gift-giving to present beverage containers in a useful arrangement supported by specific cuts, folds, scores, and marks in an unassembled beverage holder and assembling the beverage holder by using the specific cuts, folds, scores, and marks. 
         [0003]    Embodiments exist for presenting flowers or plants in a bouquet arrangement, made from cardboard, paperboard, or similar materials. Similar devices exist to display and carry beverage containers (e.g, cans, bottles) ornamentally in a bouquet type of arrangement, often suitable for presentation of gifts. 
         [0004]    These various devices are cumbersome in use and construction. It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus that would include one or more of the features of 1) lightweight, but of sturdy construction; 2) easily assembled by the end user or other person to readily allow placement of beverage containers in a decorative display; 3) easily disasembled by the end user or other person to readily allow storing the device in a compact fashion; and 4) easily recycled or reused. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a beverage display and carrying apparatus comprises; a base, a column inserted into the base, and an array of apertures supported within the column or a pedestal, wherein the array of apertures may support a plurality of beverage containers. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a beverage display and carrying apparatus comprises; a base, a column inserted into the base, and a platform supported within the column or a pedestal, the platform comprising an array of apertures, wherein the base is comprised of a precut sheet with nonparallel fold lines for folding the sheet such that the base constitutes a flat bottom for the apparatus and sides of the base of a polygonal section with the sides of the polygon widening downwards. 
         [0007]    in yet another aspect of the present invention, a beverage display and carrying apparatus comprises; a base, a column inserted into the base, and a platform supported within the column, the platform comprising an array of apertures, wherein the column is comprised of a precut sheet with nonparellel fold lines for folding the sheet such that the column constitutes a funnel-shaped portion of a prismatic section with the sides of a polygonal section widening upwards. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention, are specifically set forth in, or will become apparent from, the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a beverage container carrying apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container carrying apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage container carrying apparatus, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view Of a beverage container carrying apparatus with the beverage containers removed, according to still another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary base component, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary column component, according to a still further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary divider component, according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary platform component, according to a still yet further embodiment of the present Invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows another option for a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary platform component, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows yet another option for a pre-cut sheet for an exemplary platform component, according to still another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11-14  illustrate views of an exemplary beverage container carrying apparatus, according to a still further embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate views of components of an exemplary beverage container carrying apparatus, according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0022]    The present invention relates generally to carrying beverage containers in a pleasing arrangement for presentation or gift-giving purposes. Although the following description may primarily discuss using beverage containers that are bottles, it is understood that the present invention may also be used for any application for carrying containers, such as cans, cups, glasses, buckets, or any other desirable containers. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a beverage container apparatus  10 , which may carry a plurality of bottles  20 . Another beverage container  22  may be the same type of beverage container as the rest or may be a different type of beverage container. The beverage containers  20 ,  22  may be situated inside apertures  18  (or holes, slots, indentions, and the like) that may be inside a platform  16 . The apparatus  10  may further comprise a base  12  and a column  14 . The base  12  may be six-sided with trapezoidal faces and the base  12  may widen downward. The column  14  may be funnel-shaped, widening at the top with a prismatic polygonal section shape. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of beverage container apparatus  30 , with a base  32 , a column  34 , with a platform  36  supporting bottles  33  in a vertical position to simulate a “bouquet” arrangement reminiscent of a bouquet of flowers. The column  34  may be hollow, or otherwise comprise an empty chamber  40  in which additional beverage containers may be stored. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of another exemplary apparatus  50  is shown. The apparatus  50  may comprise a base  52 , a column  54 , supporting bottles  56  and a storage chamber  58 . In this embodiment, the bottles  56  are not necessarily situated precisely vertically, but may slant in various directions, possibly more reminiscent of a flower bouquet than the bottle arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    An overhead view is shown in  FIG. 4 , with the bottles removed. The apparatus  60  may comprise a platform  62  bound by a border  64  (optionally hexagonal) with an array of apertures  66  arranged to conveniently carry, present, and support beverage containers. It should be understood that although the apertures  66  are illustrated as being circular, the apertures  66  may be elliptical in shape or any other useful shape as desired. 
         [0027]    A precut sheet is shown in  FIG. 5  to be folded to construct a base for the apparatus. A precut sheet as described herein may be comprised of cardboard, paperboard, or other light, but sturdy materials. The precut sheet  100  may comprise a pluarlity of first tabs  102  and second tabs  104 . Slots  106  may serve to matingly receive the first tabs  102  while slots  108  may serve to receive tabs  414  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Slots  106  may comprise retaining members  110  to help secure tabs in the slots  106 . The bottom panel  112  of the base  100  may comprise straight edges  114  and support tabs  116  for further supporting the apparatus, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Continuing with  FIG. 5 , first tabs  102  are shown to further comprise engaging members  120 , side tabs  122 , tab panels  124 , first tab first folding line  132 , first tab second folding line  136  and adjacent may be situated a pleating fold line  138 . Second tabs  104  may comprise engaging members  140 , tab panels  128 , tab folding lines  146 , second tab folding line  142 , second tab second folding line  144 , and second tab edges  148 . The base may comprise a plurality of bottom tabs  102 ,  104  that are folded downward and inserted into bottom tab slots  106  within the precut sheet  100  to secure the bottom tabs  102 ,  104  under the beverage display and carrying apparatus (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates a precut sheet  400  for assembling a column, such as the column illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A plurality of panels  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412  may comprise the faces of the column. Column-base tabs  414 , with engaging members  416  and protrusions  418 , may serve to mate with slots  108  from  FIG. 5  to secure the column to the base. The sheet  400  may further comprise score lines  420 ,  422  and fold lines  424 ,  426 ,  428 . Another fold line  434  may be situated between panel  412  and adhesive panel  430 . An adhesive layer  432  may be applied to adhesive panel  430  such that adhesive panel  430  is bound to one fiat surface of panel  402  to form the conical polygonal shape shown in  FIG. 1 , folding along the fold lines where useful to form a column or pedestal. 
         [0029]    Regarding the adhesive layer  432 , the adhesive may comprise a tackifier resin. The adhesive may have a first tack after a first period of time for forming a repositionable bond, and a second tack after a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is loinger than the first period of time, and the second tack is greater than the first tack for forming a substantially permanent bond. The adhesive may comprise comprises one or more of: an acrylic polymer, a hydorcarbon polymer; or a urethane polymer. The adhesive may comprise one or more of: an acrylic polymer, a block co-polymer, a natrual, reclaimed, or styrene-butadiene rubber, a tackified natural or synthetic rubber, a co-polymer of ethylene an dvinyl acetate, an ethylene-vinyl-acrylicterpolymer, a polyisobutylene, or a polyvinyl ether. The invention may further comprise an embodiment wherein a pressure-sensitive adhesive in the adhesive layer  132  is selected from the group consisting of a cross-linked acrylic resinous material, an internally cross-linked acrylic emulsion, and a cross-linked co-polymer emulation of butyl acrylate and ethyl hexyl acrylate. 
         [0030]    Continuing with  FIG. 6 , securement tabs  436  may comprise tab edges  438  and column tab fold lines  440 . The securement tabs  436  may be folded towards a major axis of the assembled column such that the fold lines  440  form the border  64  shown in  FIG. 4 . A plurality of securement tabs  436  may be folded towards a major axis of the column and resting in contact with a top surface of an aperture panel, such as platform  62  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    Proceeding to  FIG. 7  a pre-cut sheet  300  for an exemplary divider component is shown. The divider component may be inserted into an empty chamber of a column for further structual support and/or to further support beverage containers stored within the chamber of the column. The divider component precut sheet  300  may comprise a first portion  302  and a second portion  304 . A first slot  306  and a second slot  308  may be used to join two portions  302 ,  304  of the sheet  300  in a cross shape (e.g., approximately at a 90 degree angle between the two portions). Each portion may have a trapezoidal shape, with edge  310  being parallel with edge  322  and edge  312  parallel with edge  322 . Skewed edges  314  and  318  may follow a complete trapezoidal shape for the respective portions. 
         [0032]    A platform structure may be constructed from a precut sheet  200  shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  shows a precut sheet  200  to assemble a platform structure with nonparallel fold lines and a support panel  226  that may be folded downward and situated generally perpendicular with a major axis of the column (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and generally parallel with a plane of an aperture panel  206 , the aperture panel  206  comprising the array of apertures  202 . The aperture panel  206  may comprise a plurality of aperture panel tabs  208  for insertion within a plurality of support panel slots  224  in mating engagement. Aperture  204  may be situated at a center of the group of other apertures  202 , optionally of a different size and/or shape of the other apertures  202 . Aperture panel tab prongs  210  may serve to be inserted into support panel slots  224 , along with folding along aperture panel fold lines  212 . Support panel fold lines  222  may be used to direct folding of support panel tabs  220 . The folding of the support panel  226  to an arrangement below aperture panel  206  may be accomplished by folding along interpanel fold lines  214 ,  216 . 
         [0033]    Another option for a precut sheet is shown in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  shows a precut sheet  900  to assemble a platform structure with nonparallel fold lines and a support panel  930  that may be folded downward and situated generally perpendicular with a major axis of the column (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and generally parallel with a plane of an aperture panel  910 , the aperture panel  910  comprising the array of apertures  902 . The aperture panel  910  may comprise a plurality of aperture panel tabs  912  for insertion within a plurality of support panel slots  928  in mating engagement. Aperture  904  may be situated at a center of a group of other apertures  902 , optionally of a different size and/or shape of the other apertures  902 . 
         [0034]    Apertures  902  may be sized to fit various sizes of beverage containers. For example, perforations  906  may be used to remove a portion to create a hole to accommodate a larger diameter of container (such as a standard can of beer). In another example, perforations  908  may be separated to remove a smaller portion to create a smaller diameter hole to accommodate a smaller diameter of a different beverage container (such as a standard bottle of beer). 
         [0035]    Aperture panel tab prongs  914  may serve to be inserted into support panel slots  928 , along with folding along aperture panel fold lines  916 . Support panel fold lines  926  may be used to direct folding of support panel tabs  924 . The folding of the support panel  930  to an arrangement below aperture panel  910  may be accomplished by folding along interpanel fold lines  918 ,  920 . Tabs  922  may comprise a straight fold lock underneath fold down tabs  914 . The tabs  922  may lock in place when assembled precut sheet  900  for a platform is inserted into the column  14  of the beverage container carrying apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    Yet another option for a precut sheet is shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  shows a precut sheet  1000  to assemble a platform structure with nonparallel fold lines and a support panel  1030  that may be folded downward and situated generally perpendicular with a major axis of the column has shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and generally parallel with a plane of an aperture panel  1010 , the aperture panel  1010  comprising the array of apertures  1002 . The aperture panel  1010  may comprise a plurality of aperture panel tabs  1012  for insertion within a plurality of support panel slots  1028  in mating engagement. Aperture  1003  may be situated at a center of a group of other apertures  1002 , optionally of a different size and/or shape of the other apertures  1002 . 
         [0037]    Apertures  1002  may be flexibly and resiliently adjusted to fit various sizes of beverage containers. For example, support tabs  1004  may be created by cutting slits  1006  for the support tabs  1004  to flexibly urge toward and away from beverage containers inserted into an aperture  1002 , accomodating various sizes of beverage containers and permitting repeated insertion and removal of beverage containers over several uses. 
         [0038]    Aperture panel tab prongs  1014  may serve to be inserted into support panel slots  1028 , along with folding along aperture panel fold lines  1016 . Support panel fold lines  1026  may be used to direct folding of support panel tabs  1024 . The folding of the support panel  1030  to an arrangement below aperture panel  1010  may be accomplished by folding along interpanel fold lines  1018 ,  1020 . Tabs  1022  may comprise a straight fold lock underneath fold down tabs  1014 . The tabs  1022  may lock in place when assembled precut sheet  1000  for a platform is inserted into the column  14  of the beverage container carrying apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 11-14  illustrate exemplary views of a beverage container carrying apparatus. The beverage container carrying apparatus my take a variety of forms, as illustrated, and may be composed of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, plastic, styrofoam, or other suitable materials, which may be stamped into foldable pieces for simple construction. The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 15-17  may correspond to a modular beverage container carrying apparatus comprising one or more of a base, column, pedestal, platform, or some suitable combination of the foregoing. The embodiment may be formed of a single piece. 
         [0040]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary assembled base component, such as a base component assembled from the precut sheet  100  shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 16  illustrates a top view of an assembled base component.  FIG. 17  illustrates an assembled column component such as a column assembled from the precut sheet  400  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0041]    As the precut sheets may be easily constructed into an apparatus as shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention may also be dissassembled back into sheet form for convenient storage, transport, and recycling or reuse. All apertures should be understood to optionally comprise more than one set of perforations for choosing the size of the hole formed for carrying a beverage container, such as explicitly illustrated in  FIG. 9 . All apertures should be understood to optionally comprise support tabs that may be created by cutting slits for the support tabs to flexibly urge toward and away from beverage containers inserted into an aperture, accomodating various sizes of beverage containers and permitting repeated insertion and removal of beverage containers over several uses, such as explicitly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Furthermore, a method herein described may be performed in one or more sequences other than the sequence presented expressly herein.