Abstract:
A bottle protector for use in shipping bottles such as wine bottles or the like. The bottle protector includes a tri-fold bottom member which embraces the lower ends of the bottles positioned therein and a tri-fold top member which embraces the upper ends of the bottles positioned therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a bottle protector for use in shipping bottles such as wine bottles or other types of bottles. More particularly, this invention may be used to protect one or more bottles during the shipment thereof. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a pair of tri-fold protector members which protect the upper and lower portions of the bottles being shipped. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Bottles containing liquids such as wine, chemicals, etc. are frequently shipped in boxes and may be broken during shipment. Many attempts have been previously made to protect such bottles during shipping such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,911,300 and 6,702,115 and in Published Application Nos. 2003/0070951 and 2004/0031711. Although the prior art bottle protectors provide some protection to the bottles during shipment, it is believed that the instant invention provides greater protection to the bottles during shipment, is easier to use, is less costly, and more versatile. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    A bottle protector is disclosed for protecting bottles during shipment thereof. The protector of this invention includes a tri-fold bottom member and a tri-fold top member. Although the bottle protector may be designed to protect a single bottle or a plurality of bottles, this summary and the description of the preferred embodiment will describe a two-bottle protector. The bottom member includes a horizontally disposed lower base portion having a first end edge, a second side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. A first fold line is formed in the upper surface of the lower base portion inwardly of the first end edge which extends between the first and second side edges thereof in a parallel relationship to the first end edge. A second fold line is formed in the upper surface of the lower base portion inwardly of the second end edge which extends between the first and second sides thereof with the second fold line being parallel to the second end edge. The distance between the first end edge and a first fold line is equal to the distance between the second end edge and the second fold line. The distance between the first and second fold lines is greater than the distance between the end edges and the fold lines to create a first support segment between the first end edge and the first fold line, a second support segment between the first and second fold lines, and a third support segment between the second fold line and the second end edge. 
         [0007]    The first support segment has an upstanding support which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein. The second support segment has an upstanding support which has two circular recesses formed therein. The third support segment has an upstanding support which has two semi-circular recesses formed therein. Each of circular recesses in the second support segment is adapted to receive the base of a bottle therein. The first support segment is selectively foldable between first and second positions. The first support segment when in the first position is disposed in the same plane as the second support segment. The first support segment, when in its second position, is disposed at a right angle with respect to the second support segment with the semi-circular recesses of the first support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in the circular recesses of the second support segment. 
         [0008]    The third support segment is selectively foldable between first and second positions. The third support segment, when in its first position, is disposed in the same plane as the second support segment. The third support segment when in its second position is disposed at a right angle with respect to the second support member with the semi-circular recesses of the third support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in the circular recesses of the second support segment. 
         [0009]    The top member has a horizontally disposed upper base portion which has a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. A first fold line is formed in the lower surface of the upper base portion inwardly of the first end edge thereof which extends between the first and second side edges thereof with the first fold line of the upper base portion being parallel to the first end edge thereof. A second fold line is formed in the lower surface of the upper base portion inwardly of the second end edge which extends between the first and second side edges thereof with the second fold line of the upper base portion being parallel to the second end edge thereof. The distance between the first end edge and the first fold line of the upper base portion is equal to the distance between the second end edge and the second fold line of the upper base portion. The distance between the first and second fold lines of the upper base portion is greater than the distance between the end edges and the fold lines thereof to create a first support segment between the first end edge and the first fold line thereof, a second support segment between the first and second fold lines of the upper base portion, and a third support segment between the second fold line and the second end edge thereof. 
         [0010]    The first support segment of the upper base portion has a downwardly extending support which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein. The second support segment of the upper base portion has a downwardly extending support which has two circular recesses formed therein. The third support segment of the upper base portion has a downwardly extending support which has two semi-circular recesses formed therein. Each of the circular recesses in the second support segment is adapted to receive the upper end of the neck of a bottle therein. The first support segment of the upper base portion is selectively foldable between first and second positions. The first support segment of the upper base portion, when in its first position, is disposed in the same plane as the second support segment thereof. The first support segment of the upper base portion, when in its second position, is disposed at a right angle with respect to the second support segment thereof with the semi-circular recesses of the first support segment embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of the bottom member. The third support segment of the upper base portion is selectively foldable between first and second positions. The third support segment of the upper base portion, when in the first position, is disposed in the same plane as the second support segment thereof. The third support segment of the upper base portion, when in its second position, is disposed at a right angle with respect to the second support segment thereof with the semi-circular recesses of the third support segment of the upper base portion embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of the bottom member. 
         [0011]    In the preferred embodiment, the bottom and top members are comprised of a plastic material and have strengthening means formed therein. 
         [0012]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved bottle protector. 
         [0013]    A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle protector which may be used to protect one or more bottles during shipment. 
         [0014]    A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle protector of the type described which comprises tri-fold top and bottom members. 
         [0015]    A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle protector which is economical of manufacture and durable in use. 
         [0016]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the top and bottom members of the bottle protector of this invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the top and bottom members of the bottle protector of this invention in their folded position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating bottles placed in the bottom member with the upper ends of the bottles being received by the circular recesses in the top member prior to the top and bottom members being moved to their folded position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  except that the top and bottom members have been folded to their operative positions; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which the top and bottom members are folded. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0024]    The bottle protector or protector of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10 .  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate that the protector  10  is designed to accommodate two bottles. It should be noted that the protector  10  may be designed to accommodate a single bottle or a plurality of bottles. The two bottle protector  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  will be described in detail. 
         [0025]    Protector  10  includes a tri-fold lower or bottom member  12  and a tri-fold upper or top member  14 . Bottom member  12  is comprised of plastic and includes a base portion  16  having a first end edge  18 , a first side edge  20 , a second end edge  22 , a second side edge  24 , an upper side  26  and a lower side  28 . The upper side  26  of base portion  16  has an indented first fold line  30  formed therein which extends between side edges  20  and  24  inwardly of end edge  18 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . Fold line  30  is parallel to end edge  18 . The upper side  26  of base portion  16  has an indented second fold line  32  formed therein inwardly of end edge  22  which extends between side edges  20  and  24 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , fold line  32  is parallel to end edge  22 . The distance between end edge  18  and fold line  30  is equal to the distance between end edge  22  and fold line  32 . The distance between fold lines  30  and  32  is greater than the distance between the end edges  18 ,  22  and fold lines  30  and  32 . The fold lines  30  and  32  form or create first, second and third support segments  34 ,  36  and  38  respectively. 
         [0026]    Support segment  34  includes an upstanding support  40  which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses  42  and  44  formed therein, each of which are adapted to receive a portion of the base of a bottle therein. The support segment  34  is selectively foldable between a first position ( FIG. 1 ) and a second position ( FIG. 2 ). The support segment  34 , when in its first position of  FIG. 1  is disposed in the same plane as support segment  36 . The support segment  34 , when in its second position of  FIG. 2 , is disposed at a right angle with respect to support segment  36 . 
         [0027]    The support segment  36  has an upstanding support  46  which has two spaced-apart circular recesses  48  and  50  formed therein, each of which are adapted to receive the lower ends of a bottle therein. Support segment  38  includes an upstanding support  52  which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses  54  and  56  formed therein, each of which is adapted to receive a portion of the base of a bottle therein. 
         [0028]    The support segment  38  is selectively foldable between a first position ( FIG. 1 ) and a second position ( FIG. 2 ). The support segment  38 , when in its first position of  FIG. 1 , is disposed in the same plane as support segment  36 . The support segment  38 , when in its second position of  FIG. 2 , is disposed at a right angle with respect to support segment  36 . 
         [0029]    It is important to note that the inner side  58  of support  40  of support segment  34  is shaped so as to be complimentary in shape to the side  60  of support  46  so that sides  58  and  60  are in engagement with each other when support segment  34  is folded to its second position of  FIG. 2 . It is also important to note that the inner side  62  of support  52  of support segment  38  is shaped so as to be complimentary in shape to the side  64  of support  46  so that sides  62  and  64  are in engagement with each other when support segment  38  is folded to its second position of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]    Side  58  of support  40  has a plurality of spaced-apart recesses  66  extending downwardly thereinto for strengthening purposes. Side  60  of support segment  36  also has strengthening recesses  68  extending downwardly thereinto. Similarly, side  64  of support segment  36  has strengthening recesses  70  extending downwardly thereinto. The inner side  62  of support segment  38  also has strengthening recesses  72  extending downwardly thereinto. 
         [0031]    Top member  14  of protector  10  will be described in the inverted position of  FIG. 3  for placement on the upper ends of the bottles which are placed in recesses  48  and  50  of support segment  36 . 
         [0032]    Top member  14  is comprised of plastic and includes a base portion  74  having a first end edge  76 , a first side edge  78 , a second end edge  80 , a second side edge  82 , an upper side  84  and a lower side  86 . The lower side  86  of base portion  74  has an indented first fold line  88  formed therein which extends between side edges  78  and  82  inwardly of end edge  76 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . Fold line  88  is parallel to end edge  76 . The lower side  86  of base portion  74  has an indented second fold line  90  formed therein which extends between side edges  78  and  82  inwardly of end edge  80 , as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , fold line  90  is parallel to end edge  80 . 
         [0033]    The distance between end edge  76  and fold line  88  is equal to the distance between end edge  80  and fold line  90 . The distance between fold lines  88  and  90  is greater than the distance between the end edges  76 ,  80  and fold lines  88  and  90 . The fold lines  88  and  90  form or create first, second and third support segments  92 ,  94  and  96  respectively. 
         [0034]    Support segment  92  is selectively foldable between a first position ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and a second position ( FIG. 2 ). The support segment  92 , when in its first position of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is disposed in the same plane as support segment  94 . The support segment  92 , when in its second position of  FIG. 2 , is disposed at a right angle with respect to support segment  94 . Support segment  96  is selectively foldable between a first position ( FIG. 1 ) to a second position ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ). The support segment  96 , when in its first position, is disposed in the same plane as support segment  94 . The support segment  96 , when in its second position of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , is disposed at a right angle with respect to support segment  94 . 
         [0035]    Support segment  92  includes a downwardly extending support  98  which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses  100  and  102  formed therein, each of which are adapted to receive the neck of a bottle therein. The support segment  94  includes a downwardly extending support  104  which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses  106  and  108  formed therein, each of which is adapted to receive the upper end of a bottle therein. Support segment  96  includes a downwardly extending support  110  which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses  112  and  114  formed therein, each of which are adapted to receive the neck of a bottle therein. 
         [0036]    It is important to note that the inner side  116  of support  98  of support segment  92  is shaped so as to be complimentary in shape to the side  118  of support  104  so that sides  116  and  118  are in engagement with each other when support segment  92  is folded to its second position of  FIG. 2 . It is also important to note that the inner side  120  of support  110  of support segment  96  is shaped so as to be complimentary in shape to the side  122  of support  104  of support segment  94  so that sides  120  and  122  are in engagement with each other when support segment  96  is folded to its second position of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    Side  116  of support  98  has a plurality of spaced-apart recesses or plugs  124  extending downwardly thereinto for strengthening purposes. Side  118  of support  104  also has strengthening recesses or plugs  126  extending downwardly thereinto. Side  122  has strengthening recesses or plugs  128  extending downwardly thereinto. Side  120  of support  110  also has strengthening recesses or plugs  130  formed therein. For purposes of description, the numerals  132  and  134  designate bottles which are to be protected during shipment or handling. 
         [0038]    Bottom member  12  is placed on a supporting surface so that the lower side or base portion  16  is resting thereon. The lower end of bottle  132  is placed in the circular recess  48  and the lower end of bottle  134  is placed in the circular recess  50 . Support segment  34  is then folded from the position of  FIG. 1  to the position of  FIG. 2 , about fold line  30 , so that the semi-circular recesses  42  and  44  embrace a side portion of the body of the bottles  132  and  134  respectively. Support segment  38  is then folded from the position of  FIG. 1  to the position of  FIG. 2  about fold line  32 , so that the semi-circular recesses  54  and  56  embrace a side portion of the body of the bottles  132  and  134  respectively. 
         [0039]    Top member  14  is then placed on top of the bottles  132  and  134  so that the recesses  106  and  108  receive the necks of the bottles  132  and  134  respectively. Support segment  92  is then foldably moved from the position of  FIG. 3 , about fold line  88  to the position of  FIG. 4  so that the semi-circular recesses  100  and  102  embrace a portion of the necks of bottles  132  and  134  respectively. Support segment  96  is then foldably moved from the position of  FIG. 3 , about fold line  50 , to the position of  FIGS. 2 and 4  so that the semi-circular recesses  112  and  114  embrace a portion of the necks of bottles  132  and  134  respectively. 
         [0040]    The bottles  132  and  134  with the top member  14  and the bottom member  12  mounted thereon are then placed in a shipping box. Depending on the size of the shipping box, other protected bottles may be placed in the shipping box. 
         [0041]    The protector of this invention may be designed to accommodate a single bottle or a plurality of bottles such as a three-pack, a four-pack, a six-pack, or a 12-pack. 
         [0042]    The tri-fold top and bottom members  12  and  14  protect the bottles during shipment to reduce the possibility of breakage of the bottles during shipment. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0043]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.