EP0659375A1 - A bottle support - Google Patents

A bottle support Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0659375A1
EP0659375A1 EP94108936A EP94108936A EP0659375A1 EP 0659375 A1 EP0659375 A1 EP 0659375A1 EP 94108936 A EP94108936 A EP 94108936A EP 94108936 A EP94108936 A EP 94108936A EP 0659375 A1 EP0659375 A1 EP 0659375A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bottle
support
head portion
neck
bottle support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94108936A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0659375B1 (en
Inventor
Kam Tim 22Nd Floor Flat B Yam
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RUBY TOWER Co Ltd
Original Assignee
RUBY TOWER Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=10746972&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0659375(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by RUBY TOWER Co Ltd filed Critical RUBY TOWER Co Ltd
Publication of EP0659375A1 publication Critical patent/EP0659375A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0659375B1 publication Critical patent/EP0659375B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G23/00—Other table equipment
    • A47G23/02—Glass or bottle holders
    • A47G23/0241—Glass or bottle holders for bottles; Decanters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B73/00—Bottle cupboards; Bottle racks
    • A47B73/004—Bottle cupboards; Bottle racks holding the bottle by the neck only

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a free-standing bottle support for receiving and supporting an individual bottle in a balanced manner.
  • a known free-standing bottle support for supporting and displaying an individual bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a support surface is made from a curved wooden stave of a wine barrel which is cut to an appropriate length. Near one end, the stave is provided with a through hole which extends between the two major surfaces of the stave and is dimensioned to receive the neck portion of a bottle to be supported. The other end of the stave is cut at an angle to the major surfaces of the stave to form an end face upon which the bottom support carrying the bottle is balanced on end on the support surface.
  • Such a known bottle support is illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. Clearly for this configuration to balance, the centre of gravity of the assembly of the bottle and the bottle support must be almost directly above the end face.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a bottle support which overcomes the above mentioned problem.
  • the present invention provides a free-standing bottle support for supporting a bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a horizontal support surface upon which the support is stood, which support has a head portion rigidly connected to a base portion, in which support the head portion comprises means for receiving and retaining a neck of the bottle, the base portion has a curved contact face for resting on the support surface when the support is stood on the support surface, the arrangement being such that the head portion supports the bottle in a balanced condition with the centre of gravity of the assembly of support and bottle above the curved contact face for a range of positions of the neck of the bottle relative to the receiving and retaining means of the head portion.
  • a free-standing bottle support 1 embodying the invention comprises a single curved block of a generally rigid material, such as acrylic plastics material, the block having a major convex surface 2 and a major concave surface 3, two parallel side surfaces 4, 5 and two end surfaces 6, 7.
  • the portion of the block near the one end surface 6 is herein termed the head portion.
  • the head portion of the bottle support 1 embodying the present invention is provided with a through hole 8 which extends through the thickness of the block from the convex surface 2 to the concave surface 3.
  • the hole 8 is dimensioned to receive and retain a neck portion of a bottle such as a wine bottle or the like.
  • the convex surface 2 and the concave surface 3 of the bottle support 1 are formed as arcs of a circle. Each arc extends through approximately 90° so that the bottle support 1 defines, in cross-section as shown in Figure 2, a quarter of a circle.
  • the portion of the support near end surface 6 is oriented substantially vertically and the portion of the support near the other end surface 7 lies substantially horizontally such that the bottle support rests on a curved contact portion of the convex surface 2 of the bottle support.
  • the hole 8 defines a first circular edge 9 where it debouches onto the convex surface 2 and a second circular edge 10 where it debouches onto the concave surface 3.
  • the hole 8 tapers slightly from the first circular edge 9 to the second circular edge 10 such that the diameter of the hole 8 at the concave surface 3 is smaller than that at the convex surface 2.
  • the end 6 of the bottle support 1 formed with the hole 8 is formed as a planar surface and the opposite end 7 is rounded. Both ends 6, 7 connect the convex surface 2 and the concave surface 3 together.
  • a neck portion of a bottle is inserted into the hole 8 in the head portion from the concave side such that the opening (or cork end) of the bottle projects beyond the convex surface 2 of the bottle support 1 and the main body of the bottle lies on the concave surface 3 side of the bottle support 1.
  • an upper part 9a of the first circular edge 9 contacts an upper part of the bottle neck near the bottle opening and a lower part 10a of the second circular edge 10 contacts a lower part of the bottle neck near the main body of the bottle, thereby supporting and retaining the bottle in the hole 8.
  • the centre of gravity of the assembly of the bottle and the bottle support is moved forwardly or rearwardly of the initial balanced position, for example by pushing the bottle neck further into the hole 8 or pulling the bottle neck further out of the hole 8, then the bottle support 1 will "rock" into a new balanced position, since the location of the base portion 11 of the convex surface 2 is variable due to the curved configuration of the bottle support.
  • the centre of gravity is also moved in the same direction and, therefore, the base portion 11 would need to be located further in the same direction in order to be under the new centre of gravity.
  • the base portion 11 is curved it is possible for the bottle support 1 simply to tilt such that the new centre of gravity is suitably aligned over the new position of the base portion 11.
  • the bottle support 1 can be provided with a curved portion only near the end 7 to form the base portion 11 and a linear portion projecting from the curved base portion having a hole 8 for receiving the bottle neck.
  • the bottle support 1 is a one-piece structure made from acrylic plastics material.
  • the bottle support 1 may be formed from two or more components.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A free-standing bottle support (1) for supporting a bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a horizontal support surface upon which the support (1) is stood, which support (1) has a head portion (6) rigidly connected to a base portion (7), the head portion (6) comprising means (8,9,10) for receiving and retaining a neck of the bottle, which bottle support (1) is characterised in that the base portion (7) has a curved contact face (11) for resting on the support surface when the support is stood on the support surface, the arrangement being such that the head portion (6) supports the bottle in a balanced condition with the centre of gravity of the assembly of support and bottle above the curved contact face (11) for a range of positions of the neck of the bottle relative to the receiving and retaining means (8,9,10) of the head portion.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a free-standing bottle support for receiving and supporting an individual bottle in a balanced manner.
  • A known free-standing bottle support for supporting and displaying an individual bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a support surface is made from a curved wooden stave of a wine barrel which is cut to an appropriate length. Near one end, the stave is provided with a through hole which extends between the two major surfaces of the stave and is dimensioned to receive the neck portion of a bottle to be supported. The other end of the stave is cut at an angle to the major surfaces of the stave to form an end face upon which the bottom support carrying the bottle is balanced on end on the support surface. Such a known bottle support is illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. Clearly for this configuration to balance, the centre of gravity of the assembly of the bottle and the bottle support must be almost directly above the end face. However, to achieve the balanced condition, it is usually necessary to "fine tune" the position of the bottle neck within the through hole since, if the neck is placed too far forward or rearward of the balanced position, then the bottle support will topple over due to the moment exerted about the end face.
  • The present invention seeks to provide a bottle support which overcomes the above mentioned problem.
  • Accordingly, the present invention provides a free-standing bottle support for supporting a bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a horizontal support surface upon which the support is stood, which support has a head portion rigidly connected to a base portion, in which support the head portion comprises means for receiving and retaining a neck of the bottle, the base portion has a curved contact face for resting on the support surface when the support is stood on the support surface, the arrangement being such that the head portion supports the bottle in a balanced condition with the centre of gravity of the assembly of support and bottle above the curved contact face for a range of positions of the neck of the bottle relative to the receiving and retaining means of the head portion.
  • In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a known bottle support supporting a bottle;
    • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view, taken on the line A-A of Figure 3, of a bottle support embodying the present invention supporting a bottle; and
    • Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a bottle support embodying the present invention.
  • Referring to Figure 2, a free-standing bottle support 1 embodying the invention comprises a single curved block of a generally rigid material, such as acrylic plastics material, the block having a major convex surface 2 and a major concave surface 3, two parallel side surfaces 4, 5 and two end surfaces 6, 7. The portion of the block near the one end surface 6 is herein termed the head portion. In a similar manner to the known bottle support shown in Figure 1, the head portion of the bottle support 1 embodying the present invention is provided with a through hole 8 which extends through the thickness of the block from the convex surface 2 to the concave surface 3. The hole 8 is dimensioned to receive and retain a neck portion of a bottle such as a wine bottle or the like.
  • In the embodiment of the bottle support 1 shown in Figure 2, the convex surface 2 and the concave surface 3 of the bottle support 1 are formed as arcs of a circle. Each arc extends through approximately 90° so that the bottle support 1 defines, in cross-section as shown in Figure 2, a quarter of a circle. When the bottle support 1 and the bottle supported thereby are in a balanced position standing on a support surface as shown in Figure 2, the portion of the support near end surface 6 is oriented substantially vertically and the portion of the support near the other end surface 7 lies substantially horizontally such that the bottle support rests on a curved contact portion of the convex surface 2 of the bottle support.
  • The hole 8 defines a first circular edge 9 where it debouches onto the convex surface 2 and a second circular edge 10 where it debouches onto the concave surface 3. The hole 8 tapers slightly from the first circular edge 9 to the second circular edge 10 such that the diameter of the hole 8 at the concave surface 3 is smaller than that at the convex surface 2.
  • The end 6 of the bottle support 1 formed with the hole 8 is formed as a planar surface and the opposite end 7 is rounded. Both ends 6, 7 connect the convex surface 2 and the concave surface 3 together.
  • In use of the illustrated bottle support, a neck portion of a bottle is inserted into the hole 8 in the head portion from the concave side such that the opening (or cork end) of the bottle projects beyond the convex surface 2 of the bottle support 1 and the main body of the bottle lies on the concave surface 3 side of the bottle support 1. As shown in Figure 2, an upper part 9a of the first circular edge 9 contacts an upper part of the bottle neck near the bottle opening and a lower part 10a of the second circular edge 10 contacts a lower part of the bottle neck near the main body of the bottle, thereby supporting and retaining the bottle in the hole 8. With the bottle in this position, the bottle is balanced in the bottle support 1 on a curved base portion 11 of the convex surface 2 near the rounded end surface 7. In the balanced position, the centre of gravity of the assembly of the bottle, the contents of the bottle and the bottle support 1 is located over the base portion 11.
  • If the centre of gravity of the assembly of the bottle and the bottle support is moved forwardly or rearwardly of the initial balanced position, for example by pushing the bottle neck further into the hole 8 or pulling the bottle neck further out of the hole 8, then the bottle support 1 will "rock" into a new balanced position, since the location of the base portion 11 of the convex surface 2 is variable due to the curved configuration of the bottle support. Thus, if the neck of the bottle is pushed further into the hole 8, the centre of gravity is also moved in the same direction and, therefore, the base portion 11 would need to be located further in the same direction in order to be under the new centre of gravity. As the base portion 11 is curved it is possible for the bottle support 1 simply to tilt such that the new centre of gravity is suitably aligned over the new position of the base portion 11.
  • Accordingly, it is not necessary to be as accurate when positioning the bottle within the hole 8 of the bottle support 1 as one would have to be if one was positioning a bottle neck in the known bottle support.
  • Whilst the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 and 3 shows the bottle support 1 made of an entirely curved configuration, it is envisaged that the bottle support 1 can be provided with a curved portion only near the end 7 to form the base portion 11 and a linear portion projecting from the curved base portion having a hole 8 for receiving the bottle neck.
  • Preferably, the bottle support 1 is a one-piece structure made from acrylic plastics material. The bottle support 1 may be formed from two or more components.
  • The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the following claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (7)

  1. A free-standing bottle support (1) for supporting a bottle in a substantially horizontal attitude above a horizontal support surface upon which the support (1) is stood, which support (1) has a head portion rigidly connected to a base portion, the head portion (6) comprising means (8) for receiving and retaining a neck of the bottle, which bottle support (1) is characterised in that the base portion (11) has a curved contact face (2) for resting on the support surface when the support (1) is stood on the support surface, the arrangement being such that the head portion (6) supports the bottle in a balanced condition with the centre of gravity of the assembly of support (1) and bottle above the curved contact face (2) for a range of positions of the neck of the bottle relative to the receiving and retaining means (8) of the head portion (6).
  2. A bottle support (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the bottle support (1) is a one-piece structure.
  3. A bottle support (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottle support (1) is of a curved configuration.
  4. A bottle support (1) according to Claim 3, wherein the bottle support (1) defines an arc of a circle extending through approximately 90°.
  5. A bottle support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the means (8) for receiving and retaining a neck of the bottle comprises a hole (8) passing through the head portion (6) of the bottle support (1).
  6. A bottle support (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the hole (8) is tapered far retaining the bottle neck.
  7. A bottle support (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the bottle support (1) is manufactured from acrylic plastics material.
EP19940108936 1993-12-21 1994-06-10 A bottle support Expired - Lifetime EP0659375B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9326105 1993-12-21
GB9326105A GB2284984B (en) 1993-12-21 1993-12-21 A bottle support

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0659375A1 true EP0659375A1 (en) 1995-06-28
EP0659375B1 EP0659375B1 (en) 1997-07-02

Family

ID=10746972

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19940108936 Expired - Lifetime EP0659375B1 (en) 1993-12-21 1994-06-10 A bottle support

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0659375B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69404019T2 (en)
GB (1) GB2284984B (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202010013685U1 (en) 2010-09-22 2011-01-13 Henkel, Richard Flaschenständer

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU614258B3 (en) * 1990-12-20 1991-07-01 Peter John Gittoes Bottle stand
DE9113073U1 (en) * 1991-10-21 1992-11-19 Langenbach, Klaus, 4780 Lippstadt, De

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU614258B3 (en) * 1990-12-20 1991-07-01 Peter John Gittoes Bottle stand
DE9113073U1 (en) * 1991-10-21 1992-11-19 Langenbach, Klaus, 4780 Lippstadt, De

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2284984A (en) 1995-06-28
EP0659375B1 (en) 1997-07-02
DE69404019T2 (en) 1997-10-16
DE69404019D1 (en) 1997-08-07
GB9326105D0 (en) 1994-02-23
GB2284984B (en) 1996-10-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4721276A (en) Pivoting beverage dock
US5180066A (en) Wine bottle holder and display rack
US5624043A (en) Wine bottle supporting and serving tray
US4944415A (en) Bottle support apparatus
CA2264136A1 (en) Adjustable static umbrella
US6059249A (en) Device for holding pages
CA2045877A1 (en) Article loading device on an unpiling carousel
USD427275S (en) Optical sight for firearms
USD397010S (en) Corkscrew
USD436465S1 (en) Foldable guitar stand
USD371309S (en) Laser bubble level
EP0659375B1 (en) A bottle support
CA2392133A1 (en) Tilt tray conveyor including dual action single bellows
US5033707A (en) Holder for office equipment
US20030034262A1 (en) Golf bag base
USD425723S (en) Tool holder
US5482237A (en) Mounting block
US5445378A (en) Playing card holder
USD358951S (en) Adjustable height telephone pedestal
USD370340S (en) Golf ball holder
US8141724B2 (en) Double sided bin holder assembly
USD403969S (en) Bottle
USD448670S1 (en) Bottle
USD397630S (en) Liquid level gauge
USD335656S (en) Pointed instrument with a combined tilting and coupling assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CH DE FR IT LI NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950807

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19961210

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): CH DE FR IT LI NL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ISLER & PEDRAZZINI AG

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69404019

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970807

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: A COEUR BOIS

Effective date: 19980401

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: A COEUR BOIS

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBO Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REJO

PLBN Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED

27O Opposition rejected

Effective date: 19990301

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20001124

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20001128

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20001130

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010605

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010630

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020101

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020228

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20020101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030101

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050610

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO