Abstract
There is provided shipping container systems for bottles including an outer container and a two-part bottle retention insert system. The outer container receives the two-part retention system, including a tray including a pair of neck portion retention flaps and a pair of body portion retention flaps, wherein the neck portion and the body portion correspond to the neck and body portions of a bottle, and an insert, wherein the insert complements the tray, the insert including a shoulder tray for engaging with a bottle installed in the system, the shoulder tray for applying a retention force on the bottle to secure the bottle against a bottom of the tray, wherein the shoulder tray engages a cushion gap formed by the neck portion retention flaps and the body portion retention flaps resulting in a cushioning of the bottle in a length of the system.
Claims
1. A system comprising: an outer container; a tray including a pair of neck portion retention flaps and a pair of body portion retention flaps, wherein the neck portion and the body portion correspond to the neck and body portions of a bottle; and an insert, wherein the insert complements the tray, the insert including a shoulder tray for engaging with a bottle installed in the system, the shoulder tray for applying a retention force on the bottle to secure the bottle against a bottom of the tray, wherein the shoulder tray engages a cushion gap formed by the neck portion retention flaps and the body portion retention flaps resulting in a cushioning of the bottle in a length of the system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary blank for an outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an exemplary outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows another cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows another cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of another exemplary outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary blank for a tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of an exemplary tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the tray of FIG. 8, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of anther exemplary tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of an exemplary insert of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of an exemplary shipping container system, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following description contains specific information pertaining to implementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise, like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings and illustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, and are not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary blank for an outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The blank shows the single-piece blank that can be folded to form the outer container for shipping bottles. As shown in FIG. 1, the blank includes base flaps 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d, sidewalls 202, closure flaps 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d, and support elements 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d extending from the corresponding base flaps.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an exemplary outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, outer container 200 is in an open configuration with closure flaps 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d extended outwardly to allow outer container 200 to receive the internal components of the shipping container system. Outer container 200 includes securing flap 206 connected to the adjacent sidewall. In some embodiments, securing flap may be attached to the adjacent wall by glue, heat sealing, heat welding, semi-permanent adhesive, tape, or other fastening method. Attaching securing flap 206 to the adjacent wall forms the structure of outer container 200. Base flaps 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d may be folded to form the base of outer container 200.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, support elements 205a and 205c are shown extending into the internal volume of outer container 200. FIG. 4 shows another cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, support elements support elements 205a, 205b, and 205c are shown extending into the internal volume of outer container 200.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows another cross section of the exemplary container of FIG. 2, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, support elements 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d are shown extending into the internal volume of outer container 200. The interface accommodating slots allowing the support elements to engage with each other to form support structure 204. Support structure 204 may form a cushion gap above the base of outer container 200. Support structure 204 may create rigidity in outer container 200 to provide structural support while simultaneously creating a cushion air gap to cushion a bottle housed by system 100. The combination of rigidity and cushion may allow system 100 to safely ship a bottle and provide safety in the case of system 100 being dropped.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of another exemplary outer container of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, base 201 is formed by overlapping flaps and does not include support structure 204. In some embodiments, the support structure to provide a cushion gap below a bottle installed in the shipping container system may be included in other components of the system.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary blank for a tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the blank is configured to fold into a tray with a flat bottom for use with an outer container including support element 204. In other embodiments, the tray may include a support element and be utilized with an outer container with a flat bottom, as shown in FIG. 6. Tray 300 may be a box configured to complement outer container 200, having dimensions that allow tray 300 to be snuggly fit inside outer container 200. Tray 300 may include a base, a top, and four sidewalls extending between the base and the top. In some embodiments, sidewall 301 of tray 300 may be hingedly attached to the top of tray 300 such that tray 300 may be opened along the length of tray 300.
[0024] In some embodiments, sidewall 301 may include retention flaps for securing an insert in tray 300. As shown in FIG. 8, tray 300 includes body section retention flap 302a, body section retention flap 302b, neck section retention flap 303a, and neck section retention flap 303b. In some embodiments, retention flaps 302 and 303 form support gap 304 for receiving a shoulder shelf of an insert. Support gap 304 may be configured to engage with a shoulder shelf of insert 400. In some embodiments, support gap 304 may be formed at the distance complementing the size of the body portion of a bottle to be installed in the shipping container system. In some embodiments, support gap 304 may be approximately halfway between the bottom end of and the top end of tray 300. In other embodiments, support gap 304 may be approximately two thirds of the length between the bottom end of and the top end of tray 300, three quarters of the length between the bottom end of and the top end of tray 300. The distance between the bottom end of tray 300 and support gap 304 corresponds to the height of the shoulder of the bottle to be shipped and may be configured to match any bottle configuration, wherein the shoulder of the bottle is the transition from the body of the bottle to the neck of the bottle.
[0025] In some embodiments, support gap 304 may be tapered, such that, as sidewall 301 is closed after installation of insert 400 containing a bottle, cushion gap 304 is narrower along the side closest to sidewall 301 and widest at the opposite end of support gap 304. In some embodiments, the distance between the upper side of support gap 304 and the top end of tray 300 may be larger than the length of a neck portion of a bottle to be shipped using system 100. Such a configuration allows support gap 304 to create a support and cushion for a bottle installed in system 100 due to the gap maintained by support gap 304 and the top end of tray 300. In some embodiments, sidewall 301 may additionally include closure flap 305. Closure flap 305 may additionally include retention tab 306a and retention tab 306b.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of an exemplary tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, tray 300 includes support structure 304. FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the tray of FIG. 8, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, support structure 304 is shown folded from extension of the base
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of another exemplary tray of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, tray 300 may spacing tabs extending up from sidewall 301 and opposingly from sidewall 303 to create a cushion gap when tray 300 is installed in outer container 200.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of an exemplary insert of a shipping container system for bottles, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, insert 400 may be configured to receive a bottle, including a neck portion and a body portion. Insert 400 may be an insert that fits over the neck and a portion of the shoulder of the bottle and apply a retention force to the bottle installed in the shipping container system. The retention force resulting from engaging the bottle with insert 400 and installing the bottle in tray 300 may secure the bottle in the length of the shipping container system. Closing closure flap 305 to enclose the bottle and insert 400 in tray 300 may secure the bottle across the lateral dimensions of the shipping container system.
[0029] In some embodiments, insert 400 comprises shoulder shelf 401. Shoulder shelf 401 may secure the body portion of the bottle in the body portion of the tray/outer container. Shoulder shelf 401 may engage with support gap 304 to hold the body portion in place and maintain a gap between the top of the bottle and the top of tray 300.
[0030] The support gap allows for some movement, provides a spring force to hold the bottle in place and provides a cushion for movement due to jarring or impact that may be encountered during shipment or storage.
[0031] Shoulder shelf 401 is folded in insert 400 is included in insert 400 by folding. Shoulder shelf 401 comprises a body layer and a neck layer. The body layer comprises a body portion aperture for engaging with the shoulder portion of the bottle. The neck layer comprises a flanged aperture for receiving the neck of the bottle to be shipped. Insert 400 may have a body portion panel extending to the shoulder shelf, extending to a neck portion panel.
[0032] May have a top panel that extends from the upper end of the insert panel. In some embodiments, the top panel may provide a retention force by exerting pressure and creating friction with the inside of tray 300 when insert 400 is installed therein. As shown in FIG. 11, insert 400 includes side panels extending from the sides of the neck portion of insert 400 and side panels extending from the body portion of insert 400. The side panels may extend partway up the sidewalls of tray 300 when insert 400 is installed therein. In some embodiments, retention flaps 302a, 302b, 303a, and 303b may engage with insert 400 to apply a retention force when insert 400 is installed in tray 300.
[0033] The neck layer of the shoulder shelf includes a flanged aperture for engaging the neck and upper shoulder portion of a bottle installed in the shipping container system. In some embodiments, the flanges may allow insert 400 to engage a range of bottles. The flange configuration provides spring and cushion for the bottle in the length of the shipping container system extending from the base through the top of outer container 200. In some embodiments, the circumference of the body portion aperture and the neck portion aperture and the flanges in the neck portion aperture accommodate the particular shoulder of the bottle to be shipped or different shoulder configurations of a range of bottles.
[0034] In some embodiments, the system may be configured to accommodate bottles of any size, such as a piccolo bottle, a demi bottle, a standard wine bottle (750 ml), a Piccolo/Split bottle (187.5 ml), a Half/Demi bottle (375 ml), a Magnum bottle (1.5 L), a Jeroboam bottle (3 L), a Rehoboam bottle, (4.5 L), a Methuselah bottle (6 L), and other size wine bottles. In some embodiments, system 100 may be configured to accommodate other configurations of bottles, such as sake bottles, bottles for distilled spirits, beer bottles, etc.
[0035] FIG. 12 shows a diagram of an exemplary shipping container system, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The system includes outer container 200 and a two-part bottle retention insert system. Outer container 200 comprises a base at a bottom end, four sidewalls extending from the base, the top ends of the sidewalls defining an aperture at a top end of the outer container. Outer container 200 top end comprises one or more closure flaps hingedly connected to a top end of one of the four sidewalls. The one or more closure flaps allows the outer container to be selectively closed when the closure flap is in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the closure flap may include a retention flap configured to retain the closure flap in the closed configuration. In other embodiments, the outer container may include a complementary closure flap that may be glued or otherwise connected to the closure flap to optionally close the outer container in the closed configuration. In other embodiments, the outer container may include a closure flap hingedly attached to and extending from the upper end of each sidewall. The closure flaps may be folded inwardly, towards the center of the outer container with opposing pairs forming two layers to cover the aperture at the top end of the outer container.
[0036] In some embodiments, the bottom end of outer container 200 may include support structure creating an air cushion at the bottom end. As shown, support structure 204 includes support element 205 and support element 206. The support structure may extend from the bottom ends of the sidewalls. As shown in FIG. 12, support element 205 comprises support element 205a and support element 205b created by folding closure flap extensions upwards into the volume of outer container 200. As shown in FIG. 12, support element 206 comprises support element 206a and support element 206b created by folding closure flap extensions upwards into the volume of outer container 200. In some embodiments, support elements 205 and 206 may be configured to accommodate folding of the pair of support elements into outer container 200.
[0037] The two-part bottle retention system may include tray 300 and insert 400. Tray 300 and insert 400 may hold a bottle, such as a glass bottle, with the appropriate combination of rigidity and cushioning to keep the bottles safe in transit. Tray 300 may be a box configured to complement outer container 200, having dimensions that allow tray 300 to be snuggly fit inside outer container 200. Tray 300 may include a base, a top, and four sidewalls extending between the base and the top. In some embodiments, sidewall 301 of tray 300 may be hingedly attached to the top of tray 300 such that tray 300 may be opened along the length of tray 300. Opening the length of tray 300 allows insertion or removal of a bottle installed in insert 400.
[0038] From the above description, it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts described in the present application without departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while the concepts have been described with specific reference to certain implementations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the present application is not limited to the particular implementations described above, but many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
