Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System

Abstract

A wine and spirit carrying suitcase system comprising spaces with customizable forms comprising customizable cavities to safely transport bottled beverages.

Claims

1. A wine carrying suitcase system comprising: a first shell portion and a second shell portion each comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls; said first and second shell portions hingeably connected together; a fastening system disposed around edges of said one or more side walls and said one or more end walls, to releaseably join said shell portions; said one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottom, and openable top defining at least one independent bottle carrying space in each shell portion; securing straps inside said bottle carrying spaces; and bottle accommodating form comprising die cut independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in said bottle carrying spaces; said die cut independent bottle cavities are surrounded by one or more form walls, and a bottom; and a removeable lid with a protrusion that mates with a groove in said bottle accommodating form to secure said lid in place on said bottle accommodating form wherein said lid and said bottle accommodating form removeably fit within said first shell portion and said second shell portion.

2. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein one of said shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly.

3. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 2 wherein said telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy loads.

4. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said first shell portion and said second shell portion further comprises a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels.

5. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said securing straps inside said bottle carrying spaces comprise a fastening system.

6. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 5 wherein said fastening system comprises buckles.

7. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said openable top comprises a zipper.

8. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said fastening system is a zipper.

9. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle neck lengths.

10. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle widths and lengths.

11. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 further comprising one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells.

12. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 11 wherein said handles are reinforced to withstand heavy loads.

13. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said lid total area covers said bottle accommodating forms when said bottle accommodating forms are positioned in said first shell portion or said second shell portion of said wine carrying suitcase.

14. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating forms and said lid are formed of an open cell foam.

15. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 14 wherein said open cell foam is expanded polyethlene.

16. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 14 wherein said open cell foam is between 36-45 newtons.

17. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is formed from a die cut.

18. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is modular.

19. The wine carrying suitcase of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form with said lid positioned thereon and located within said first shell portion and said second shell portion are each covered when said openable top is secured to each shell portion when the openable top is in the closed position.

20. The wine carrying suitcase of claim 1 wherein said bottle accommodating form is not manually cut to form its shape or bottle cavity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the invention.

[0038] As used throughout this specification and claims, the terms suitcase or luggage refer to portable cases designed to hold personal or commercial articles for transportation.

[0039] Some embodiments of the present invention comprise suitcase systems. Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, bottled beverage-carrying suitcase 10 comprises first shell portion 12 and second shell portion 14. In one embodiment, first shell portion 12 and/or the second shell portion 14 are formed of a hard plastic such as polycarbonate. Shell portions 12 and 14 comprise one or more side walls 16, one or more end walls 18, bottom 20, and openable top 22. In one embodiment, shell portions 12 and 14 are hingedly connected at one of their side walls 16. Shell portions 12 and 14 preferably comprise a fastening system disposed around edges of side walls 16 and end walls 18, to releaseably join them when suitcase 10 is in the closed configuration. For example, through zipper 13. Optionally, at least one of the shell portions comprises telescopic handle assembly 17. In one embodiment, telescopic handle assembly 17 preferably comprises a tubular structure and can optionally be reinforced. In addition, shell portions 12 and 14 optionally comprise wheel skid assemblies 19 comprising a plurality of wheels 21. The wheels may be removable and replaceable.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, openable top 22 is preferably connected to an interior of side walls 16 and end walls 18 and comprises opening/closing mechanism 24, which can optionally be a zipper. Side walls 16, end walls 18, bottoms 20, and openable tops 22 preferably define at least one independent carrying space 26 in each shell portion. Each shell cavity may be of the same depth or of different depth. In one embodiment, spaces 26 comprise securing straps 28, which secure one or more accommodating forms 30. Preferably, straps 28 comprise a fastening system, e.g., buckles 31 and 33, etc. In one embodiment, additional straps 28 are provided, which are preferably attached to the same side of space 26 where straps 28 comprising male buckles 33 are attached. Preferably, the additional straps 28 are adjustable in length and comprise an additional set of female buckles 31 and are disposed under one or more segments 32 (see FIG. 5) of accommodating forms 30. Preferably, the additional straps 28 wrap around and secure one or more segments 32.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, accommodating forms 30 comprise one or more form segments 32, which in turn preferably comprise cavities 34. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are configured and arranged to safely transport bottles in carrying spaces 26. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are bottle size customizable, e.g., to different neck sizes, etc. Cavities 34 are defined by one or more form walls 36, form bottoms 38, and one or more form tops 40. In one embodiment, form walls 36 and form bottoms 38 are attached. Form top 40, which can optionally be segmented (e.g., three segments, to cover, for example, three segments 32), is preferably detached and covers cavities 34. See FIGS. 5-6. For example, form 30 can be of any shape but is preferably of a shape and size to fit within the carry space 26 of shell of at least one of the shell portions 12. For example, if the carry space is about 16.25 inches23.5 inches, a preferred form for use therein would have dimensions of about 15.75 inches22.5 inches but is not limited thereto. Form 30 may be segmented into three separate form units with each form unit measuring about 5.25 inches22.5 inches as measured width to height.

[0042] In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck and are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 3 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 1.5 and approximately 0.75 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck and are between approximately 1 and approximately 8 inches in length, preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 7 inches in length, and most preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 6 inches in length. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle shoulders area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle base area between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise bottle body area between approximately 2 and approximately 8 inches long, preferably between approximately 3 and approximately 7 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 4 and approximately 6 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise total bottle body (body plus neck) area between approximately 3 and approximately 20 inches long, preferably between approximately 5 and approximately 18 inches long, and most preferably between approximately 6 and approximately 15 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are between approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches deep, preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches deep, and most preferably between approximately 1 and approximately 4 inches deep.

[0043] In one embodiment, forms 30 comprise three segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises two cavities 34 each, for a total of six cavities 34 in each carrying space 26. In a different embodiment, forms 30 comprise two segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises three cavities 34 to carry the same number of bottles. The number of segments 32 can vary depending of the needs of the users. For example, a user may use one to six segments. For example, a user may customize the form by tracing the shape of the user's bottle onto a form as illustrated in FIG. 9 and removing the material inside of the tracing lines to produce a customized cavity in the form. Each square represents the area of the form about which is a line such as a score line which may be a cut through the entire form, or the cut may only extend to a limited depth of the form such that a base of the form upon which the bottle rests remains intact. Similarly, additional foam shapes can be inserted into a cavity 32 of form 30 to wedge between the side of the bottle and the side of the cavity 32 of form 30 when the bottle does not touch the sides of the cavity when centered within the cavity. Similarly, segments 32 can have different number of cavities 34, depending on the dimensions of the bottles to be transported. In one embodiment, segments 32 are customizable for different bottles and/or other products. In one embodiment, a fastening system, for example, straps 28, is configured and arranged to secure one or more form segments 32. Alternatively, each form segment may have a single cavity or an initial form can have a single cavity to accommodate, for example, a 750 ml bottle. For example, a user may wish to only carry two out of three form segments 32. In that case, one or more straps 28 comprising, for example, buckles 31 and 33, may be adapted to secure a smaller number of segments 32 through, for example, a system to adjust the length of straps 28. Optionally, additional straps 28 of different lengths are disposed in spaces 26 to secure a smaller number of segments 32. If only two segments are to be used, space within the cavity of the shell not occupied by the form is left available to carry bottle openers, glasses, labels, cold packs, temperature-sensing strips, etc. Alternatively, a cold pack and/or a temperature-sensing strip and/or a temperature-recording device which is capable of recording temperature over time may be placed between the lid 40 and form 30. In one embodiment, the initial form is unitary and contains a separation line or score line that runs parallel along the length of the form between bottle cavity pairs from top to bottom which score line allows separation along the score line to separate the form into units of a smaller size as is illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, an initial form that holds six bottles can be separated into three separate forms when the initial form is segmented along two score lines (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), or alternatively, a four-bottle form can be created if the initial form is separated along one score line and each segment holds two bottles. It is further envisioned that a smaller carry-on size suitcase (of the size permitted on commercial airlines) with inserts would accommodate one or more bottles and would be useful for purchases made at the airport (for example, after a security checkpoint) in order to take advantage of duty-free or wine-shop purchases. The suitcase insert forms are not limited in the number of cavities for carrying items such as bottles and glasses. The suitcase insert in another embodiment may be used to carry other items other than wine bottles.

[0044] In a different embodiment, beverage-carrying suitcase 10 further comprises outside strap 42 as a safety measure. The suitcase may also include a lock. In one embodiment, strap 42 comprises buckle 43. Preferably, strap 42 goes under handle 46 or next to it so as to not affect its functionality. Optionally, one or more corners are reinforced with covers 44. Preferably, one or more handles 46 are disposed on beverage-carrying suitcase 10, which are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one embodiment, handles 46 are disposed on the side/end of both shell portions 12. In one example, the straps are removeable.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 10, modular manufactured bottle-accommodating form is illustrated. The bottle-accommodating form is formed from a die cut process but is not limited thereto as the bottle-accommodating form could be formed from injection molding or a casting process. A segment to accommodate one or two wine bottles is illustrated having a groove 60 formed into modular manufactured bottle-accommodating form 32. A wine bottle can be placed in bottle-accommodating form 32. The bottle shape is the outline of a wine bottle such as a Bordeaux bottle or Burgundy bottle and represents a depression/cavity in the foam segment 32 into which a wine bottle can be placed. The wine bottle positioned within the cavity 34 fits snuggly against the bottom and sides of the cavity 34 within the segment/form 32. The wine bottle cavity 34 accepts wine bottles with different length necks as is illustrated between the solid line and the broken line at the end of the wine bottle shape which indicates additional space for longer wine bottle necks. To secure a wine bottle having a shorter length neck within the cavity, a manufactured form of the dimension seen in the broken line section is positioned at the end of the wine bottle cavity. The volume of a material that is removed from the segment to form the groove is the same or similar volume of material as is positioned on the bottom side of the lid that interfaces with the groove on the segment(s) of the suitcase insert. The protrusion 50 on the lid is illustrated in FIG. 13 and the protrusion is shaped to fit within the groove 60 while allowing the remaining portion of the lid 30 to rest upon the uppermost surface of the segment 32 when the lid 40 is placed on the top surface of the segment 32. The groove 60 on the segment 30 accepts the lid protrusion 50 that is found on the bottom surface of the lid 40, and the combination of the protrusion 50 within the groove 60 acts to secure/lock the lid 40 in place to prevent movement of the lid side to side or lengthwise over the top of the segment 32. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are additional modular insert segments 32 that can be mixed such that any of modular insert segments in FIG. 10-12 can be combined in any combination. For example, there are two inserts of FIG. 12 with one insert of FIG. 11 or FIG. 10. Alternatively, there can be three inserts of FIG. 12 or three inserts of FIG. 11 or FIG. 10 used within the clam shell suitcase if all three inserts are needed. For example, the clam shell suitcase is hard sided, for example made from a non-deformable polymer, such as polypropylene. Alternatively, fewer than all three inserts may be utilized within a side of the clam shell suitcase such as one insert or two inserts in one or both sides of a suitcase. The bottle the form accommodates can be, for example, a beer bottle.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 13, an embodiment of the plurality of segments 32 with the lid 40 located in the closed position on top of the plurality of segments with the groove 60 and lid protrusion 50 mated is illustrated wherein all three segments of the inserts are present. Together, the lid 40 and the segments 32, according to one embodiment of the present invention, form the suitcase insert system. The lid 40 and the segment 32 are manufactured from the same material. For example, the material is open cell foam, more preferably, the foam is expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam, still more preferably, the foam has a firmness measure of between 36-42 newtons. Further still, the foam is malleable so that a bottle, that is larger than the cavity in the segment, will be accommodated within the cavity, and the foam will flex and compress to permit the bottle to be positioned within the segment 38. In one embodiment, the foam will resume its original shape once the larger-than-cavity-size bottle is removed from the cavity.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, each side view of the insert segment with the lid in place is illustrated. The lid 40 has a dimension that covers the cavity portions of the segments and preferably extends to the ends of the segment 30. When three segment 30 are combined, the lid outer perimeter extends to the left and right side of the combined three segments when the segments are positioned within the clam shell portion of the suitcase. Further, the bottom surface of the lid interfaces with the top surface of the segment 40.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, front and back views of the ends of the segments with three insert segments 51 showing a lid in place are illustrated.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 18, a top view of the lid covering the insert with cross section 21 is illustrated and further described in FIG. 21.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 19, a bottom view of the three insert portions together is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 20, a view of the bottle-accommodating form 40 positioned within the environment of a suitcase with the lid 40 in an open position is illustrated wherein the protrusion 50 mates with the groove 60 when the lid is in position on the form.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 21, cross section 21 from FIG. 18 is illustrated such that the negative space where the wine topper if present would be located is shown.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 22, another embodiment of the system is illustrated wherein the bottle form is positioned within the suitcase, the lid illustrates protrusions at the center and the edges 61 wherein the protrusion in the center 50 mates with the groove 60 of the form when the lid is closed. Similarly, protrusion 61 mates with cavity 61 when the lid is closed on the top of the accommodating form. The embodiment may have the edge protrusions and/or the center protrusion to mate with the corresponding structure on the bottle-accommodating form to secure the lid in place when the lid and form are positioned in the suitcase.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 23-24, another embodiment provides for an insert that illustrates a bottle-accommodating form for a Bordeaux and a Burgundy wine bottle wherein a Bordeaux cavity is illustrated with additional foam sections that are perforated by the die that creates the cavity at the factory and can be left in place if a Burgundy bottle is placed within the cavity otherwise the wings can be removed to accept a Bordeaux bottle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cavity of the bottle-accommodating form is die-cut and/or stamped with a die at the factory to create the cavity. The end user does not create the cavity in the foam insert. While the form of FIG. 23 does not illustrate the groove, a groove to accept the protrusion on the lid may be present.

[0055] Optionally, embodiments of the present invention are used in conjunction with state-of-the-art luggage-tracking technology. For example, in one embodiment, a tracking device capable of tracking and reporting the location of luggage through, for example, GPS and/or ground-based cellular telephone technologies, is integrated in bottled beverage-carrying suitcase 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0056] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1

[0057] A wine-carrying suitcase system was manufactured. The system comprises two rectangular shell portions. Each shell portion has two side walls, two end walls, a bottom, and an openable top. The openable top is of fabric and is connected to one side wall and includes a zipper around the sides that are not connected to the side wall. The zipper connects the openable top to the inside tops of the end walls and the remaining side wall when the top is in the closed configuration to define two wine-carrying spaces (one in each shell portion). The two shell portions are connected, in turn, to each other at one of their side wall portions through hinges. A zipper is disposed around the edges of the remaining side wall and end walls to fasten the suitcase in the closed configuration. Securing straps are disposed inside each wine-carrying space. A long set of straps to secure three bottle-accommodating forms, and a shorter set of straps for securing one or two bottle-accommodating forms. In one embodiment, each shell portion has about the same dimensions.

[0058] In one embodiment, a bottle-accommodating form has at least one cavity in the shape of a wine bottle. The neck portion of the cavity has spongy material such as the same foam as the rest of the insert that could optionally be removed to customize the cavity to different bottle neck sizes and lengths. The bottle neck part of the cavity is one inch wide and five inches long. A removable one inch long by one inch wide by two inches tall sponge was placed in one end of the neck area to make it four inches long. In this manner, the cavity could accommodate bottles with necks that were either four or five inches long. The bottle body part of the cavity is three inches wide at the bottle shoulders, and three inches wide at the bottle base, and five and a half inches long. The whole cavity is two inches deep. A single top covering one, two or all three bottle-accommodating forms is provided for each wine-carrying space. One shell portion comprised a reinforced a telescopic tubular handle assembly on the outside. Both shell portions comprise reinforced handles on one side and one end for carrying the suitcase. Both shell portions comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels. Both shell portions can accommodate one, two or three modular bottle-accommodating inserts/forms wherein each modular insert may accept one or two wine bottles and wherein a suitcase containing three modular inserts in each shell can accept twelve wine bottles and wherein the weight of the suitcase with inserts and wine bottles combined is less than 50 lbs. For travelers checking luggage, most airlines will not charge a weight surcharge for checked luggage that is less than 50 lbs.

[0059] The preceding example can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding example.

[0060] Note that in the specification and claims, about or approximately means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical amount cited.

[0061] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. For example, any spirit or beer die can be used to create a cavity in the foam. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. For example, the suitcase form 30 can accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and the number of units of the segmented form can vary from one or more units that are separately combined inside the suitcase. The suitcase can be made of any material, for example, 100% polycarbonate shell or other plastic such that the shell portion is non-deformable or hard-sided clam shell. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.