Collapsible tote carriage for bottles

Abstract

A foldable tote designed for safely transporting large bottles of liquid is disclosed. The tote features two individual compartments, each with a base and three walls extending vertically, designed to securely hold large bottles. A handle, which includes an ergonomic aperture, extends between the compartments and forms a common wall. The tote transitions from a folded, compact state to an unfolded, functional state through the movement of inner tabs and triangular members that lock into place to provide a solid base for each compartment. The inner tabs fold from a vertical position adhered to the compartment walls to a horizontal position covering the base. The compartments extend halfway up the bottle height, preventing tilting and ensuring safe transport.

Claims

1. A tote for carrying 2-liter bottles comprising: a bottle carrying tote convertible from a folded position to an unfolded position; a first compartment having a first plurality of walls; a second compartment having a second plurality of walls; a handle; and a common wall; wherein said first plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a first base; wherein said second plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a second base; wherein said handle having an aperture for enabling a plurality of fingers to extend therethrough; wherein said handle extending between said first compartment and said second compartment when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position; wherein said common wall extending between said first compartment and said second compartment; wherein said first plurality of walls having a first outer wall; wherein said second plurality of walls having a second outer wall; wherein said first outer wall and said second outer wall parallel to said handle; wherein said first base having a first foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said first base; wherein said second base having a second foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said second base; wherein said first outer wall having a first inner tab hingedly adhered to said first outer wall and movable towards said first base for overlapping said first foldable triangular member and covering said first base; and further wherein said second outer wall having a second inner tab hingedly adhered to said second outer wall and movable towards said second base for overlapping said second foldable triangular member and covering said second base.

2. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 1, wherein said aperture having an oval geometric shape.

3. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 1, wherein said first inner tab hingedly adhered to a bottom edge of said first outer wall.

4. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 3, wherein said second inner tab hingedly adhered to a bottom edge of said second outer wall.

5. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 4, wherein said first inner tab is horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position.

6. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 5, wherein said second inner tab is horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position.

7. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 6, wherein said first inner tab is vertical when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position.

8. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 7, wherein said second inner tab is vertical when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position.

9. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 8, wherein said first foldable triangular member folded along a first bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position.

10. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 9, wherein said second foldable triangular member folded along a second bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position.

11. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 10, wherein said first foldable triangular member horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position.

12. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 11, wherein said second foldable triangular member horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position.

13. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 12, wherein said first plurality of walls having a first pair of parallel walls extending orthogonally between said first outer wall and said common wall.

14. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 13, wherein said second plurality of walls having a second pair of parallel walls extending orthogonally between said second outer wall and said common wall.

15. The tote for carrying 2-liter bottles of claim 14, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment having a height from 4 inches to 6 inches.

16. A tote for carrying 2-liter bottles comprising: a bottle carrying tote convertible from a folded position to an unfolded position; a first compartment having a first plurality of walls; a second compartment having a second plurality of walls; a handle; and a common wall; wherein said first plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a first base; wherein said second plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a second base; wherein said handle having an aperture for enabling a plurality of fingers to extend therethrough; wherein said handle extending between said first compartment and said second compartment when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position; wherein said common wall extending between said first compartment and said second compartment; wherein said first plurality of walls having a first outer wall; wherein said second plurality of walls having a second outer wall; wherein said first outer wall and said second outer wall parallel to said handle; wherein said first base having a first foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said first base; wherein said second base having a second foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said second base; wherein said first outer wall having a first inner tab hingedly adhered to said first outer wall and movable towards said first base for overlapping said first foldable triangular member and covering said first base; wherein said second outer wall having a second inner tab hingedly adhered to said second outer wall and movable towards said second base for overlapping said second foldable triangular member and covering said second base; wherein said first foldable triangular member folded along a first bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position; wherein said second foldable triangular member folded along a second bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position; wherein said first compartment and said second compartment having a height from 4 inches to 6 inches; and further wherein said handle having a height from two times to four times said height of first compartment and said second compartment.

17. A tote for carrying a plurality of bottles comprising: a bottle carrying tote convertible from a folded position to an unfolded position; a first compartment having a first plurality of walls; a second compartment having a second plurality of walls; a handle; and a common wall; wherein said first plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a first base; wherein said second plurality of walls extending vertically upward from a second base; wherein said handle having an aperture for enabling a plurality of fingers to extend therethrough; wherein said handle extending between said first compartment and said second compartment when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position; wherein said common wall extending between said first compartment and said second compartment; wherein said first plurality of walls having a first outer wall; wherein said second plurality of walls having a second outer wall; wherein said first outer wall and said second outer wall parallel to said handle; wherein said first base having a first foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said first base; wherein said second base having a second foldable triangular member adapted to cover a portion of said second base; wherein said first outer wall having a first inner tab hingedly adhered to said first outer wall and movable towards said first base for overlapping said first foldable triangular member and covering said first base; wherein said second outer wall having a second inner tab hingedly adhered to said second outer wall and movable towards said second base for overlapping said second foldable triangular member and covering said second base; wherein said first foldable triangular member folded along a first bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position; wherein said second foldable triangular member folded along a second bisecting line when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position; wherein said first inner tab is horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position; wherein said second inner tab is horizontal when said bottle carrying tote is in said unfolded position; wherein said first inner tab is vertical when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position; and further wherein said second inner tab is vertical when said bottle carrying tote is in said folded position.

18. The tote for carrying a plurality of bottles of claim 17, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment having a height from 4 inches to 6 inches, and further wherein said handle having a height from two times to four times said height of first compartment and said second compartment.

19. The tote for carrying a plurality of bottles of claim 17, wherein said first inner tab hingedly adhered to a bottom edge of said first outer wall.

20. The tote for carrying a plurality of bottles of claim 19, wherein said second inner tab hingedly adhered to a bottom edge of said second outer wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of beverage bottles carriage tote of the present invention in an unfolded position in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle carriage tote of the present invention in the unfolded position in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle carriage tote of the present invention showing the pulling of inner tabs to cover the base to fully transition the tote in the unfolded state in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the tote with the inner tabs in the folded position and adhered to the sidewalls of the compartments in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the tote with the inner tabs in the folded state in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(7) FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view showing folding of a triangular member for folding the compartment to collapse the tote in accordance with the disclosed structure;

(8) FIG. 6B illustrates the bottles carriage tote of the present invention in a collapsed or folded state in accordance with the disclosed structure; and

(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the two bottles accommodated in the tote for transportation in accordance with the disclosed structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(10) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

(11) As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a tote for securely storing and transporting a plurality of 2-liter bottles full of liquid. There is also a long felt need in the art for a sturdy, reusable, and foldable tote specifically designed for the safe transportation of 2-liter bottles. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a specially designed tote that can be collapsed when it is not required to carry bottles. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a unique tote to provide a secure fit for 2-liter bottles, preventing them from rolling or tilting during transit. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a tote that eliminates the need to store 2-liter bottles in a plastic bag. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed tote that provides a visually appealing way to transport and store bottles, enhancing the overall user experience.

(12) The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a beverage bottle carriage tote. The tote includes a first compartment and a second compartment, each compartment having three walls and a base, the each compartment being configured to independently carry a 2-liter bottle. A handle is disposed between the compartments and forms a common wall for both compartments and includes an aperture for ergonomic handling. A foldable inner tab is secured to one wall of each compartment, the tabs being movable to a horizontal position to cover the base and overlap a foldable triangular member for providing additional support to the base.

(13) Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

(14) Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of beverage bottles carriage tote of the present invention in an unfolded position in accordance with the disclosed structure. The beverage bottles carriage tote 100 of the present invention is designed for safely transporting bottles of liquid and preferably 2-litre bottles of liquid. The tote 100 can be made from corrugated cardboard or another durable, reusable material. More specifically, the tote 100 is foldable and can be folded to a compact form when not in use. The tote 100 can be unfolded to retain the tote shape for carrying bottles.

(15) The tote 100 includes a first compartment 102 and a symmetrical second compartment 104 for carrying bottles. The compartments 102, 104 are individual and can be independently used for carrying bottles. The first compartment 102 includes three walls 106, 108, 110 extending vertically upward from a base 112. A handle 114 used for carrying the tote 100 in the unfolded position extends between the individual compartments 102, 104 and forms the common wall 116 for the compartments 102, 104. The second compartment 104 also includes three walls 118, 120, 122 that extend vertically upward from the base 124 thereof.

(16) The wall 106 of the first compartment 102 and the wall 118 of the second compartment 104 are substantially parallel to the handle 114. The walls 108, 110 of the first compartment 102 extend from the opposite side edges 126, 128 of the wall 106 to the common wall 116. Similarly, the walls 120, 122 of the second compartment 104 extend from the opposite side edges 130, 132 of the wall 118 to the common wall 116.

(17) The base 112 includes a first foldable triangular member 134 that is adapted to cover a portion of the base 112. An inner tab 136 is adhered to the wall 106 and is configured to be pulled towards the base 112 to overlap the triangular member 134 to cover the base 112. The tab 136 is locked in the horizontal position at the base 112 and is configured to create a solid base for the compartment 102.

(18) The base 124 includes a corresponding foldable triangular member 138 adapted to form a portion of the base 124. A corresponding inner tab 140 of the second compartment 104 is pulled to strengthen the base 124 to support a bottle stored in the second compartment 104. The inner tabs 136, 140 are pivotally movable along the sewn edges 142, 144 (which are bottom edges of the walls 106, 118) thereof for enabling the tabs 136, 140 to move from the installed position as illustrated in FIG. 1 to a folded position as described later in the disclosure. The handle 114 also includes an aperture 142 disposed near the top end 144 of the handle 114. The aperture 142 is preferably oval but can be of any geometric shape and is adapted to be easily held by a user using fingers for carrying the tote 100.

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle carriage tote of the present invention in the unfolded position in accordance with the disclosed structure. The handle 114 extends above the compartments 102, 104 such that the tote 100 can be easily handled and carried by a user. As illustrated, in the unfolded state, the inner tabs 136, 140 are in a pulled position to substantially cover the base 112, 124 for supporting the accommodated bottles. The triangular members 134, 138 are positioned underneath the inner tabs 136, 140 to provide additional strength to the base 112, 124. In the preferred embodiment, the compartments 102, 104 have a height from about 4 to about 6 to prevent the accommodated bottles from tilting or falling off. The handle 116 can have a height from about two times to about four times of the height of the compartments 102, 104.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle carriage tote of the present invention showing the pulling of inner tabs to cover the base to fully transition the tote in the unfolded state in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated, the tab 136 is pulled down to cover the base 112 and overlap the triangular member 134 to unfold the bottles carriage tote 100 and strengthen the base 112. The tab 136 is sturdy and is adapted to move along the edge 142. When the tote 100 is not required, the tab 136 can be pulled back to adhere to the wall 106.

(21) The tab 140 is similarly transitioned to cover the base 124 to overlap the triangular member 138. The tabs 136, 140 provide a strong and stable base for the bottles accommodated in the compartments 102, 104. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inner tabs 136, 140 can adhere to any wall of the compartments 102, 104 and further, are dimensioned to cover the base of the compartments.

(22) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the tote with the inner tabs in the folded position and adhered to the sidewalls of the compartments in accordance with the disclosed structure. When the tote 100 is required to be folded, the inner tabs 136, 140 are folded from the substantial horizontal position as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 to adhere to one of the walls such as 106 of the compartment 102 and the wall 118 of the second compartment 104. In the folded state, the inner tabs 136, 140 remain adhered to the walls of the compartments 102, 104. The inner tabs 136, 140 are of substantially the same size as of the bases 112, 124, respectively.

(23) FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the tote with the inner tabs in the folded state in accordance with the disclosed structure. The triangular member 134 is adapted to cover a portion of the base 112 and is configured to be folded along the folding edge or bisecting line 146 (FIGS. 1 and 5) when the tote 100 is folded. The triangular member 134 in the folded state enables the compartment 102 to be folded to the folded state as illustrated in FIG. 6B. Similarly, the triangular member 138 is adapted to be foldable along the folding edge or bisecting line 148.

(24) Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, when the triangular members 134, 138 are folded, the triangular members 134, 138 extend down from the bases 112, 124 enabling the walls of the compartments 102, 104 to collapse and positioned on opposite sides of the handle 116.

(25) FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view showing folding of a triangular member for folding the compartment 102 to collapse the tote in accordance with the disclosed structure. The triangular member 134 is folded along the folding edge 146 to extend below the compartment 102. The triangular member 134 is folded after folding the inner tab 136. Similarly, the second triangular member 138 is also folded, thereby facilitating folding of the durable and reusable beverage bottle carriage tote 100 when is not required for carrying bottles.

(26) FIG. 6B illustrates the bottles carriage tote of the present invention in a collapsed or folded state in accordance with the disclosed structure. In the folded state, the compartments 102, 104 are collapsed to become flat and the triangular members 134, 138 are folded to extend below the handle 116 and the compartments 102, 104. The handle 116 is elongated and the aperture 142 can be used for carrying the tote 100 in the collapsed state.

(27) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the two bottles accommodated in the durable and reusable beverage bottle carriage tote for transportation in accordance with the disclosed structure. A first bottle 702 is accommodated in the first compartment 102 and a second bottle 704 is accommodated in the second compartment 104. The bottles 702, 704 are stored in the upright position and walls 106, 108, 110 of the first compartment 102 and the walls 118, 120, 122 of the second compartment 104 prevent the bottles 702, 704 from tilting or displacing laterally. The aperture 142 is ergonomically held by a user to carry the bottles easily and conveniently.

(28) Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein durable and reusable beverage bottle carriage tote, bottles carriage tote, beverage bottles carriage tote, and tote are interchangeable and refer to the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 of the present invention.

(29) Notwithstanding the forgoing, the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the bottle carriage foldable tote 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

(30) Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

(31) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.