Patent Publication Number: US-11390446-B2

Title: Container apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/722,346, filed Aug. 24, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/486,150, filed Apr. 17, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to containers for use in transporting items. An embodiment of the invention comprises a container apparatus adapted for transporting beverage bottles of varying size. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Craft beers, which generally refers to beers made in relatively small breweries using traditional non-mechanized brewing processes, have become very popular in recent times. Craft beers are sold in a variety of various sized glass bottles. Consumers often purchase particular craft beers that must be shipped to the purchaser from distant locations. As such, there is a need for a shipping container that can securely hold bottles of various sizes. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a shipping container that can securely contain multiple bottles of varying sizes. This and other objects of the invention can be achieved in the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
     One embodiment of the invention comprises a shipping container adapted for securely shipping fragile items, such as glass bottles. The terms “ship” and “shipping”, as used herein, refer broadly to transporting an item by any and all means of transportation on the ground, air and/or sea. 
     Another embodiment of the invention comprises a kit comprising a container, and at least one cushioning member adapted for positioning a bottle or can therein. 
     Another embodiment of the invention comprises a container apparatus comprising a housing comprising a first housing section releasably attached to a second housing section. A cushioning member is positioned within the interior area of the housing, and the cushioning member adapted to contain an item and provide a barrier between the item and the housing that absorbs force from an impact to the housing. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the housing is comprised of propylene plastic. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the cushioning member is comprised of polyethylene foam. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the container apparatus is adapted containing and transporting a bottle and a can. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the housing has a substantially rectangular prism shape. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the cushioning member comprises a body section having a substantially rectangular prism shape and has a substantially cylindrical cavity formed therein. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the item comprises a bottle and the substantially cylindrical cavity of the body section of the cushioning member receives the bottle therein. The cushioning member further comprises a top section removably positioned within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the body section, and the top section has a substantially cylindrical shape and defines a substantially cylindrical cavity for receiving at least a portion of the neck of a bottle therein. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the container apparatus can contain a pair of beverage cans. The cushioning member further comprises a first cylindrical member defining a cylindrical cavity for receiving the first can therein and a second cylindrical member defining a cylindrical cavity for receiving the second can therein. The first and second cylindrical members can be positioned within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the body section. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the housing has a substantially rectangular prism shape, and the first housing section and the second housing section each comprise a rectangular face panel and a rectangular sidewall extending outwardly from the face panel. The sidewall includes first and second opposed sides and third and fourth opposed sides. The first housing section includes a first tab member positioned on the first side of the first housing section and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second tab member positioned on the second side of the first housing section and extending outwardly therefrom. The second housing section includes a first locking member positioned on the first side of the second housing section to receive and releasably engage the first tab member of the first housing section, and a second locking member positioned on the second side of the second housing section to receive and releasably engage the second tab member of the first housing section, whereby the first housing section is releasably attached to the second housing section. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the face panel of each of the first housing section and the second housing section include a plurality of knobs extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of recesses formed therein to facilitate stacking of the container apparatus with a like container apparatus. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the second housing section further comprises a first tab member positioned on the first side of the second housing and a second tab member positioned on the second side of the second housing section. The first housing section further comprises a first locking member positioned on the first side of the first housing section to receive and releasably engage the first tab member of the second housing section, and a second locking member positioned on the second side of the first housing section to receive and releasably engage the first tab member of the second housing section. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the first side and the second side of each of the first housing section and the second housing section include indented sections. Each of the first and second tab members and each of the first and second locking members can be positioned in one of the indented sections. 
     Another embodiment of the invention comprises a container apparatus kit comprising a plurality of container apparatuses, and each apparatus comprises a housing comprising a first housing section releasably attached to a second housing section. A cushioning member can be positioned within the interior area of the housing, and the cushioning member is adapted to contain an item and provide a barrier between the item and the housing that absorbs force from an impact to the housing. The first housing section and the second housing section each comprise a substantially rectangular face panel and a substantially rectangular sidewall extending outwardly from the face panel. The face panel of the first housing section defining a top of the housing and the face panel of the second housing section defining a bottom of the housing, and the face panel of the first housing section and the face panel of the second housing section each have a plurality of knobs extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of recesses formed therein such that when a first container apparatus is positioned on the top of a second container apparatus the plurality of knobs extending outwardly from top of the second container apparatus are received in the plurality of recesses formed in the bottom of the first container apparatus and the plurality of knobs extending outwardly from the bottom of the first container apparatus are received in the plurality of recesses formed in the top of the second container apparatus, such that the first container apparatus is frictionally engaged with the second container apparatus. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an indented section is formed in the first and second housing sections of each container apparatus, and a fastening member can be within the indented section of a first container apparatus and the indented section of a second container apparatus when the first container apparatus is positioned on top of the second container apparatus. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the fastening member can be a strap having a first and a second surface opposed to the first surface, wherein a plurality of hook fasteners are positioned on the first surface and a plurality of loop fasteners adapted for complementary engagement with the plurality of hook fasteners are positioned on the second surface. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the kit can be used to contain and transport bottles and/or cans. The housing of each container apparatus has a substantially rectangular prism shape, and the cushioning member comprises a body section having a substantially rectangular prism shape and a substantially cylindrical cavity formed in the body section. A top section can be removably positioned within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the body section. The top section has a substantially cylindrical shape and defines a substantially cylindrical cavity for receiving at least a portion of the neck of a bottle, such as a wine or beer bottle. The kit can also include a pair of cylindrical members that each have a cylindrical cavity for receiving a can therein. The cylindrical members can be made of a shock absorbing material and sized such that the cylindrical members can be positioned within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the body section of the cushioning member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is another exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is another partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is another partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is another partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is another partial perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a method of using the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a like apparatus; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of the apparatuses of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the apparatuses of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is another perspective view of the apparatuses of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a component of a container kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another component of a container kit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is an environmental perspective view illustrating a method of using the component of  FIG. 18  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is another environmental perspective view of the component of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 22  is another environmental perspective view of the component of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an environmental perspective view of the components of  FIGS. 18 and 19 ; 
         FIG. 24  is another environmental perspective view the components of  FIGS. 18 and 19 ; 
         FIG. 25  is another environmental perspective view of the components of  FIGS. 18 and 19 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an environmental perspective view of components of a container kit according to another preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the components of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 29  is another environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 30  is another environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is another environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 32  is another environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 ; and 
         FIG. 33  is another environmental perspective view of a component of  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A container apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-19 , and shown generally at reference numeral  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a hollow housing  12 , and a cushioning member  50  contained within the housing  12 . The housing  12  is made of a hard and durable material, such as propylene plastic. The housing  12  can be made by injection molding, or other suitable process. The cushioning member  50  is made of a soft, durable and shock absorbing material, such as polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam. Preferably, the cushioning member  50  is made of a closed cell foam, such as 1.7 pound density polyethylene foam. The housing  12  preferably has a substantially rectangular prism shape, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The housing  12  can be comprised of first and second complementary sections  21 ,  22  that are releasably attached to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Each housing section  21 ,  22  can comprise a substantially rectangular face panel  26  face panel and a substantially rectangular sidewall  28  extending outwardly from the face panel  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The substantially rectangular sidewall  28  includes first and second opposed sides  28   a ,  28   b  and third and fourth opposed sides  28   c ,  28   d . The face panel  26  of one housing section  21  can be a top of the housing  12 , and the face panel  26  of the other housing section  22  can be the bottom of the housing. 
     Each housing section  21 ,  22  can have a pair of outwardly extending tab members  31 ,  32  and a pair of complementary locking members  41 ,  42  formed on the exterior of the housing sections  21 ,  22 . The tab members  31 ,  32  and the locking members  41 ,  42  are positioned proximate opposite ends of each section  21 ,  22 . The tab members  31 ,  32  are adapted to releasably engage the locking members  41 ,  42 . Openings are formed in the tab members  31 ,  32  such that the locking members  41 ,  42  can fit into the openings of the tab members  31 ,  32  thereby attaching the tab members  31 ,  32  and the locking members  41 ,  42  together. The tab members  31 ,  32  and the locking members  41 ,  42  are positioned at complementary positions on the housing sections  21 ,  22 , such that the tab members  31 ,  32  of the first section  21  engage the locking members  41 ,  42  on the second section  22 , and the tab members  31 ,  32  of the second section  22  engage the locking members  41 ,  42  on the first section  21 , as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
     Each housing section  21 ,  22  can have indented sections  24  that are concave in relation to the exterior surface, on which the tab members  31 ,  32  and the locking members  41 ,  42  are positioned, as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . The indented sections  24  improve the strength of the container  12  and facilitates nesting of the container  12  with other like containers. 
     The cushioning member  50  can be comprised of a main member  51  having a rectangular prism shape, shown in  FIG. 18 , and a top member  52 , shown in  FIG. 19 . The rectangular cushioning member  51  is hollow with a cylindrical opening  53  formed therein. The top member  52  is cylindrical with a cylindrical opening  54  formed therein. The top member  52  can fit into the cylindrical opening  53  formed in the rectangular member  51 . The cushioning member  50  has the following preferred dimensions. The rectangular member  51  preferably has a length of 14.25 inches, and a width of 4.375 inches. The diameter of the cylindrical opening  53  is preferably 3.41 inches, and the length of the cylindrical opening  53  is preferably 13.5 inches. The top member  52  preferably has a length of 3.0 inches, and a diameter of 3.375 inches. The diameter of the cylindrical opening  54  formed in the top member  52  is preferably 1.25 inches. 
       FIGS. 20-25  illustrate a method of using the container apparatus  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the container apparatus  10  is used to ship a glass bottle, such as a beer, wine or other beverage bottle  60 . Preferably, the bottle  60  is a 22 oz. to 25.9 oz. (750 ml) beverage bottle, of the type typically used today for beer and other beverages. Such bottles are also known as “growlers.” 
     The housing sections  21 ,  22  of the container  12  are separated by detaching the tab members  31 ,  32  of the first section  21  from the locking members  41 ,  42  of the second section  22 , and detaching the tab members  31 ,  32  of the second section  22  from the locking members  41 ,  42  of the first section  21 . The cushioning member  50  is removed from the container  12 . The top member  52  is removed from the rectangular member  51 , and the bottle  60  is inserted base first into the cylindrical opening  53  of the rectangular member  51  until the bottom of the bottle  60  reaches the floor of the cylindrical opening  53 , as shown in  FIGS. 20-22 . The top cushioning member  52  is positioned on the top portion (neck)  62  of the bottle  60 , with the top  62  of the bottle  60  positioned in the cylindrical opening  54  of the top member  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 23-24 . The top member  52  is pressed downwardly so the neck  62  of the bottle  60  is positioned within the cylindrical opening  54  of the top member  52 , as shown in  FIG. 25 . The cushioning member  50 , with the bottle  60  securely contained therein, is positioned back into one of the housing sections  21 ,  22 . The housing sections  21 ,  22  are attached back together by engaging the tab members  31 ,  32  of the first section  21  with the locking members  41 ,  42  on the second section  22 , and the tab members  31 ,  32  of the second section  22  with the locking members  41 ,  42  on the first section  21 , as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . The housing sections  21 ,  22  attached together form a single container  12 . The bottle  60 , securely contained within the container  12 , can be securely shipped to a distant location, such as by U.S. mail or private delivery service. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container  12  can have a plurality of knobs  44  extending upwardly from the top surface of the container  12  and extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the container  12 , and a plurality of complementary circular recesses  46  formed in the top and bottom surfaces of the container  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . The recesses  46  are shaped and sized to receive and engage the knobs  44  to facilitate stacking of the container  12  on another like container  12 ′, as shown in  FIG. 14 . When one container  12  is positioned on top of another like container  12 ′, the knobs  44  extending upwardly from the top surface of the bottom container  12 ′ are received in the recesses  46  formed in the bottom surface of the top container  12 , thereby stabilizing the container  12  on the container  12 ′, and preventing the container  12  from slipping off of the container  12 ′. As such, multiple containers can be stacked on top of each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , the container  12  can have an indented channel  25  that is concave in relation to the exterior surface of the container  12 . The indented channel  25  is formed approximately mid-way on the container  12 , and extends around on all sides of the container  12 . Each housing section  21 ,  22  has a pair of panels  36 ,  37  positioned on opposite sides of the container  12  and extending over the indented channel  25  thereby forming an aperture through which a fastening member  80  can be positioned to secure multiple stacked containers  12 ,  12 ′ together, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The fastening member  80  can be a strap with first and second opposed sides. A plurality of hook fasteners can be positioned on one side, and a plurality of complementary loop fasteners can be positioned on the opposite side of the strap. The strap  80  can be wrapped around the containers  12 ,  12 ′, and the hook and loop fasteners engage each such that the strap  80  is tight around the containers  12 ,  12 ′. Alternatively, the fastening member  80  can be a plastic zip tie or cable tie. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the container apparatus  10  can be used to transport two cans  71 ,  72 , as shown in  FIGS. 26-33 . Preferably, the cans are the 16 oz. beverage cans typically sold in the United States for beer, soft drinks and the like. In this embodiment, the cushioning member  50  comprises the rectangular member  51  and a pair of hollow cylindrical cushioning members  52 ′,  52 ″. One can  71  is positioned top end first into a cylindrical member  52 ′, as shown in  FIG. 28 , and the cylindrical member  52 ′ is inserted open end first into the cylindrical opening  53  of the rectangular member  51  until the cylindrical member  52 ′ and can  71  reach the base of the cylindrical opening  53 , as shown in  FIGS. 31 and 33 . The other can  72  is likewise positioned into the other cylindrical member  52 ″, and the cylindrical member  52 ″ is inserted open end first into the cylindrical opening  53 , as shown in  FIG. 32 , until it contacts the other cylindrical member  52 ′. At this point, cylindrical member  52 ″ can be substantially flush with the rectangular member  51 , as shown in  FIG. 33 . The rectangular member  51  is positioned into one of the housing sections  21 ,  22 , and the housing sections  21 ,  22  are attached together again, as described above. The cans  71 ,  72  securely contained within the container  12 , can be securely shipped to a distant location, such as by U.S. mail or private delivery service. 
     A container apparatus and method of using same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above description of various embodiments of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—the invention being defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.