Container

Abstract

Container for drinking glasses includes a foot, in particular for sparkling wine glasses, and a base body. The base body includes a bottom and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom, retaining means for retaining the feet of the drinking glasses is associated with at least one side wall, and the retaining means is embodied and arranged such that in a transport position the drinking glasses are supported by the bottom and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container, and the bottom includes at least one folding line extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom and the bottom is foldable along the at least one folding line such that in a presentation position the drinking glasses have a substantially upright position and are supported by the side walls.

Claims

1. A container for retaining, transporting, and presenting drinking glasses of the type having a bowl, a stem, and a foot connected to the bowl by the stem, the container comprising: a) a base body, the base body including a bottom and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom; b) a retaining means provided for retaining the feet of the drinking glasses and being associated with at least one side wall, the retaining means being configured and arranged such that in a transport position the drinking glasses are supported by the bottom and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container; c) the bottom including at least one folding line extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, and the bottom being foldable along the at least one folding line such that in a presentation position the drinking glasses have a substantially upright position and are supported by the side walls; d) at least one of the first and second side walls is configured as a double wall including a first single wall and a second single wall, and a space defined between the first and second single walls is configured and arranged for receiving the feet of the drinking glasses; and e) the retaining means configured and arranged such that drinking glasses which, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the container, are adjacent to each other, and are alternately supported by the first and second side walls.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) the retaining means are integral with at least one of the first and second side walls.

3. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first and second single walls are connected by two webs which extend substantially parallel to the bottom; and b) an opening for inserting the foot of a drinking glass is defined between the two webs, respectively.

4. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) in the transport position of the container one of the two single walls facing an opposing one of the first and second side walls includes a cut-out for receiving the stem of a respective drinking glass.

5. Container according to claim 4, wherein: a) the clearance of the cut-out decreases towards the bottom, and the clearance of the cut-out is chosen such that a section of the stem of the drinking glasses is contained in the cut-out in a substantially form-locking manner.

6. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) clearance between the two single walls is chosen such that a foot of a drinking glass received in the space between the two single walls is held in a clamping and/or friction-locking manner.

7. Container according claim 3, wherein: a) the clearance of the space defined by the single walls decreases towards the bottom.

8. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) a fixing means is provided for fixing the base body in its presentation position.

9. Container according to claim 1, wherein: a) the container is manufactured from cardboard.

10. A container for retaining, transporting, and presenting drinking glasses of the type having a bowl, a stem, and a foot connected to the bowl by the stem, the container comprising: a) a base body, the base body including a bottom and first and second side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom; b) a retaining means provided for retaining the feet of the drinking glasses and being associated with at least one side wall, the retaining means being configured and arranged such that in a transport position the drinking glasses are supported by the bottom and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container, and are alternately supported by the first and second retaining sidewalls; c) the bottom including at least one folding line extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, and the bottom being foldable along the at least one folding line such that in a presentation position the drinking glasses have a substantially upright position and are supported by the side walls; d) at least one of the first and second side walls is configured as a double wall including a first single wall and a second single wall, and a space defined between the first and second single walls is configured and arranged for receiving the feet of the drinking glasses; and e) a first web and a second web provided between and connecting the first single wall and the second single wall, and the first and second webs being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bottom and defining an opening for receiving the respective feet of the drinking glasses.

11. Container according to claim 10, wherein: a) in the transport position of the container one of the two single walls facing an opposing one of the first and second side walls includes a cut-out for receiving the stem of a respective drinking glass.

12. Container according to claim 10, wherein: a) clearance between the two single walls is chosen such that a foot of a drinking glass received in the space between the two single walls is held in a clamping and/or friction-locking manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention in its transport position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the container according to FIG. 1 in a slightly perspective side view in its presentation position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the container according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from above in its presentation position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a base body of a slightly modified embodiment of a container according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the container according to FIG. 4 in its presentation position, wherein for explanation purposes the drinking glasses are omitted;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cardboard blank used for manufacturing the container according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the container according according to FIG. 4 in its presentation position with drinking glasses retained on the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, wherein FIGS. 4 to 7 show a second embodiment which in comparison to the first embodiment is slightly modified, in particular with respect to fixing means which will be explained below and are used for fixing the container in its presentation position. With respect to the essential features, both embodiments coincide.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention for a plurality of drinking glasses including a foot, wherein in this embodiment the drinking glasses are sparkling wine glasses. In other words, for drinking glasses of the type having a bowl, a stem, and a foot connected to the bowl by the stem. For simplification purposes, in FIG. 1 only two drinking glasses are referred by reference numbers 4, 6. The container 2 includes a base body 8, said base body including a bottom 10 and first and second side walls 12, 14 extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom 10.

(11) According to the invention, retaining means for retaining the feet 16, 18 of the drinking glasses 4, 6 are associated with the side walls 12, 14. In this embodiment, retaining means are associated with both side walls 12, 14. The retaining means are embodied and arranged such that in a transport position shown in FIG. 1 the drinking glasses 4, 6 are lying on the bottom 10 of the container 2 and are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container 2 symbolized by a dotted line 20 in FIG. 1.

(12) According to the invention, the bottom 10 is foldable along a folding line which extends in the longitudinal direction 20 of the bottom 10 such that in a presentation position of the container 2 the drinking glasses 4, 6 are standing on the side walls 12, 14 in a substantially upright position.

(13) FIG. 2 shows the container 2 in its presentation position in which the drinking glasses 4, 6 are in a substantially upright position so that the drinking glasses 4, 6 may be filled and presented for catering purposes.

(14) FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the container 2 in its presentation position.

(15) As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment the retaining means are embodied and arranged such that drinking glasses which, seen in the longitudinal direction of the container 10, are adjacent to each other, are alternately supported by the first and second side walls 12, 14. As can be taken from FIG. 3, according to the invention at least one side wall is embodied as a double wall including two single side walls, wherein a space defined between the single walls is embodied and arranged for receiving the feet of the drinking glasses. In the following, only the second side wall 14 is explained in greater detail. The first side wall 12 is embodied in the same manner and therefore will not be explained in detail.

(16) The second side wall 14 includes two single walls or respective first and second single walls 22, 24, wherein a space 26 is defined between the single walls 22, 24, said space 26 being embodied and arranged for receiving the feet 16, 18 of the drinking glasses 4, 6. The single walls or first and second single walls 22, 24 are connected by webs, which are substantially parallel to the bottom 10, wherein in FIG. 3 only two webs are referenced by reference numbers 28, 30. Between two first and second webs 28, 30 respectively an opening for inserting a foot of a drinking glass 36 is defined. In other words, as may be readily appreciated, a first web and a second web 28, 30 are provided between and connecting the first single wall 22 and the second single wall 24, and the first and second webs 28, 30 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 20 of the bottom 10 and define an opening 32 for receiving the respective feet of the drinking glasses.

(17) The side wall 24, which in the transport position of the container 2 faces the first side wall 12 includes a cut-out 38 for each drinking glass for inserting a shaft or stem 40 of a drinking glass 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the clearance of the cut-out 38 decreases towards the bottom 10, wherein the clearance of the cut-out 38 is chosen such that the shaft 40 of the drinking glass 36 is contained in a substantially form-locking manner.

(18) Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the space between the single walls 22, 24 is chosen such that a foot of a drinking glass 36 is held in the space between the single walls 22, 24 in a clamping and/or friction-locking manner. In the shown embodiment, the construction is such that the clearance of the space 26 defined between the single walls 22, 24 decreases towards the bottom 10.

(19) When the container 2 is in its transport position (see FIG. 1) a drinking glass 36 is inserted such that the foot of the drinking glass 36 is inserted into the opening 32 from above, wherein the shaft 40 of the drinking glass is guided by the cut-out 38.

(20) In a transport position of the drinking glass 36, in which the same lies on the bottom 10 (see FIG. 1), the shaft 40 is held at the end of the cut-out 38 in a substantially form-locking manner. Since the clearance of the space 26 between the side walls 22, 24 decreases towards the bottom 10, namely towards the end of the cut-out 38, the foot 34 of the drinking glass is retained in a clamping manner to a distinct degree between the single walls 22, 24.

(21) Since the drinking glasses 4, 6, 36 and the further drinking glasses are securely retained on the side walls 12, 14 by the retaining means, the drinking glasses are brought into an upright position when the base body 8 of the container is folded, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

(22) By means of the container 2 according the invention, a plurality of drinking glasses may be transported in a secure and space-saving manner. In order to fill the drinking glasses 4, 6, the same are brought into the upright position by folding the container 2 from its transport position (see FIG. 1) into its presentation position (see FIG. 3).

(23) FIG. 4 shows the base body 8 of a second embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention.

(24) FIG. 5 shows the container 2 in its presentation position, wherein for simplification purposes the drinking glasses are omitted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

(25) FIG. 6 shows a cardboard blank for manufacturing the base body 8.

(26) As can be seen from FIG. 4, the bottom 10 includes two bottom parts 44, 46 which are connected with each other via a folding area including two folding lines 48, 50.

(27) For manufacturing the base body 8, the cardboard blank 42 shown in FIG. 3 is used. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the cardboard blank 42 is integral. The cardboard blank 42 includes bottom parts 44, 46, which are connected via folding lines 48, 50, and is symmetrical relative to the folding lines 48, 50. Therefore, in the following only the lower part of the cardboard blank 42 of FIG. 6 is explained in greater detail. The upper part shown in FIG. 6 is constructed in an identical manner and therefore is not explained in greater detail.

(28) The bottom part 46 is connected with the single wall 22 via a folding line 52, the single wall 22 being connected by folding lines 54, 56 with the single wall 24. A glue tab is connected with the single wall 24 via a folding line 48. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the single wall 24 includes the cut-out 38, wherein the webs 28, 30 are located on both sides of the cut-out 38.

(29) For manufacturing the base body 8, the glue tab is folded along the folding lines 54, 56 towards the bottom part 46 and is glued to the same, as shown in FIG. 4.

(30) Subsequently, the side wall 14 constituted by the single walls 22, 24 is folded along the folding line 52 and is brought into a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular position with respect to the bottom part 46. In this position, the side wall 14 is glued via glue tabs 62, 62 located on the single wall 22 to glue tabs 64, 64 which are located on the bottom part 46.

(31) In this manner, the base body 8 is constituted in its transport position, wherein for example a shaft 40 of a drinking glass 36 may be inserted into the opening 32. The same holds for further drinking glasses.

(32) By folding the base body 8 along the folding lines 48, 50, the base body 8 is brought into its presentation position shown in FIG. 5.

(33) FIG. 7 shows the container 2 with drinking glasses 4, 6 in its presentation position. As can be seen, for example from FIG. 7, in the presentation position the drinking glasses 4, 6 stand on the side walls 12, 14 and may be removed towards the side.

(34) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 includes fixing means for fixing the base body 8 in its presentation position. For this purpose, keyhole-like flaps 66, 66 are punched out of the bottom part 44, 46. The flaps 66, 66 may be pressed into openings 68, 68 which have a substantially complementary keyhole-like form.

(35) As can be seen in FIG. 5, in the presentation position of the container 2, the bottom parts 44, 46 are abutting against each other, so that the flap 66 substantially coincides with the opening 68 and the flap 66 coincides substantially with the opening 68. In this position, the flap 66 may be pushed through the opening 68 towards the bottom part 46. In a similar manner, the flap 66 may be pressed into the opening 68 towards the bottom part 44, so that the container 2 is fixed in its presentation position in a secure manner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the fixing means are constituted by flaps and openings respectively, which are located in the area of the longitudinal median plane of the base body 8 in FIG. 3. The flaps are referenced by reference numerals 68 and 68 respectively.

(36) As far as in the context of the invention, reference is made to drinking glasses, the term glass exclusively refers to the function of receiving drinkable liquids. The term glass does not refer to the material from which the drinking glasses are manufactured. Consequently, drinking glasses within the terms of the invention may be manufactured from glass or another suitable material, for example plastics.

(37) While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.