Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
  • B65D85/305—Bottle-crates
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
  • B65D81/025—Containers made of sheet-like material and having a shape to accommodate contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
  • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
  • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
  • B65D2501/24866—Other details
  • B65D2501/24955—Means for inserting or extracting the bottles
  • B65D2501/24974—Bottle extracting means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2555/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D2555/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
  • B65D2555/025—Applied tearing or cutting means, e.g. tear-strings

Definitions

• the tamper-proof case can include additional features within the case that can support the bottles, protect the bottles, and provide tamper-resistance to ensure security of the bottle.
• these features can include a top insert for supporting the neck of a bottle.
• the top insert can be positioned proximate the top face of the frame.
• the top insert can include a series of elongated bottle holders that are configured to surround and contain the bottle neck.
• Each elongated bottle holder can have an inner channel accepting the bottle neck and a perimeter surface surrounding the inner channel.
• each elongated bottle holder can include a tab attached to the perimeter surface of the elongated bottle holder. This tab can create a security feature of the tamper-proof bottle case. For example, this tab can be pulled away from the elongated bottle holder such that the tab pulls with it a removable portion of the perimeter surface. Once the removable portion of the perimeter surface is removed, the bottle neck can be pulled from the elongated bottle holder.
• the components of the frame can comprise wood, plastic, and the like or any combination thereof.
• the top insert and/or bottom insert can comprise pressed paper pulp, cardboard, plastic materials, and the like or any combination thereof.
• the panels can comprise wood, plastic, cardboard, nano crystalline cellulose cardboard, PVC, rubber, metal, cork, and the like or any other suitable material or combination of materials to provide protection for the contents within the tamper proof case.
• the transparent panel can include glass, clear plastic materials (including but not limited to acrylic glass), and the like.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an unfolded top insert, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example bottom insert, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 10 is a top view of an example bottom insert, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example frame, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIGs. 17A-17D show an example frame that is foldable from a horizontal, planar configuration into a rectangular configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
• FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an example method for securing bottles, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an example method for removing a bottle from a tamper-proof case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a tamper-proof case for storing and transporting bottles of wine.
• a tamper-proof wine case can provide improvements to protecting the integrity of bottled wine, as well as features that allow a user to more easily use the wine case.
• a tamper-proof bottle case according to the present disclosure can be used by wine manufacturers to package bottles of wine and also can be used by consumers to store the wine bottles at home or to transport the bottles.
• top inserts and bottom inserts can be configured for spirit bottles, beer bottles, water bottles, and other bottles having different shapes and sizes.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of example securing components for a tamper-proof bottle case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1 does not include an outer case or frame for a case.
• the figure shows example components that can be included within an outer case or frame for securing bottles. Accordingly, the components shown in FIG. 1 can be modular and used in a variety of outer cases or frames.
• the securing components within a case can include a top insert 102.
• the top insert 102 can be positioned proximate the top of a tamper-proof bottle case.
• the top insert 102 can include one or more elongated bottle holders 104.
• the elongated bottle holders 104 can extend at least partially down the neck of a bottle 106 to constrain the bottle 106 from moving from side to side.
• Each of the one or more elongated bottle holders 104 can have a perimeter surface 108 along the length of the elongated bottle holder 104.
• the perimeter surface 108 can include material that surrounds the neck of the bottle 106.
• a top insert 102 can include a tab 110.
• the tab 110 can be positioned proximate the perimeter surface 108 and attached to at least a portion of the perimeter surface 108.
• the tab 110 can be used to remove a removable portion of the perimeter surface 108 such that the bottle 106 can be pulled laterally from the top insert 102.
• the removable portion is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGs. 3 and 5, for example.
• a top insert 102 can include securing platforms 112.
• the securing platforms 112 can include material that contacts the top of the bottle 106. In FIG. 1, the full securing platforms 112 are not visible as they are placed inside the top insert 102 and proximate the top of the bottle 106.
• a top insert 102 can include notches 114.
• the notches 114 can meet or mate with components of a frame and/or case so as to prevent movement of the top insert 102.
• the notches 114 can meet with a tab of a frame and/or case to prevent lateral movement of the top insert 102.
• the cup 118 can create a snug fit for the bottle heel.
• the cup 118 can be smooth to allow the bottle to be rotated within the cup 118. This embodiment would allow a user to inspect the bottle 106 by rotating the bottle 106 without removing the bottle 106 from the bottom insert 116 or top insert 102.
• the cup 118 can comprise a friction-fit surface to prohibit the bottle 106 from rotating.
• the friction-fit surface also can provide additional padding and protection for the bottle 106.
• the friction-fit surface can include a rubber pad, rubber grommet, and/or the like.
• the top insert 102 can be manufactured from a variety of materials. These materials can include but are not limited to, paper pulp, cardboard, foam, plastics, or similar materials. It is also contemplated that the bottom insert 116 can include similar materials as described for the top insert 102. None, however, requires the material composition of the top insert 102 to be the same as the material composition of the bottom insert 116, though it can be the same.
• FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment with six bottles 106, which is in accordance with some embodiments. It is contemplated that three bottles 106 can be along one side of the top insert 102 and bottom insert 116, and another three bottles can be along another side of the inserts 102,116. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the construct shown in the figure. The systems described herein can equally apply to more or fewer bottles 106 than shown in the figure. It is also contemplated that the present disclosure can be used in a single bottle construct.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an unfolded top insert 102, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• a top insert 102 can include a first configuration and a second configuration.
• the first configuration can be a substantially horizontal configuration, as shown in FIG. 3.
• the second configuration can be similar to the configurations shown in FIGs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, for example.
• These two configurations can allow the top insert to be manufactured as a sheet and then folded into the final protecting insert to be placed atop a bottle 106.
• the components of the top insert 102 can be pressed into shape in a single sheet of, for example, cardboard or paper pulp. Once pressed and formed, the top insert 102 can be folded into the final configuration to protect the neck of a bottle 106.
• the bottom level 302 of the unfolded top insert 102 can also include one or more ramps 309 to add additional support for a top level of the unfolded top insert 102.
• the inner channels 304 can be smooth to allow the bottle to be rotated within the elongated bottle holder 104. This embodiment would allow a user to inspect the bottle 106 by rotating the bottle 106 without removing the bottle 106 from the top insert 102 or bottom insert 116.
• the inner channels 304 can include a friction-fit surface to prohibit the bottle 106 from rotating. The friction-fit surface also can provide additional padding and protection for the bottle 106.
• the friction-fit surface can include a rubber pad, rubber grommet, and/or the like.
• the securing platforms 112a,b can contact the top of a bottle when the top insert 102 is in a folded, second configuration. As described above, the securing platforms 112a,b can constrain the bottle from moving up the inner channels 304, thereby further securing the bottles in the top insert 102. It is also contemplated that the securing platforms 112a,b can be used to maintain pressure on a cork in the top of a bottle so as to prevent the cork from rising from the bottle during shipping and handling.
• a securing platform 112a, b can include a recess 312a,b that can be shaped to fit the top of the bottle.
• the recess 312a,b can be a half-circular recess that is shaped to fit one half of the top of the bottle, as shown in the figure.
• the recess 312a,b can be a full-circular recess to fit the top of the bottle.
• the securing platforms 112 can be created by pressing the top insert 102 into a final form, thereby creating the securing-platform recesses 402.
• the securing-platform recesses 402 may not be present.
• the elongated bottle holders 104 can have a variety of shapes.
• the elongated bottle holders 104 in FIG. 4 have a perimeter surface 108 having a conical frustum shape, which is in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the removable portion of the perimeter surface 108 can be placed within the conical frustum shape.
• Other shapes are contemplated, for example, rectangular shapes, cylindrical shapes, and the like, and these embodiments are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example top insert 102, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the perimeter surface 108 of an elongated bottle holder 104 can include a removable portion 308 that is flat, or planar.
• the perimeter surface 108 of the elongated bottle holder 104 can be substantially conical, round, cylindrical, and/or the like; the removable portion 308 connected to a tab 110, however, can be substantially planar or flat. It is contemplated that a planar removable portion 308 can facilitate the tab’s 110 ability to remove the removable portion 308 so as to create a smooth opening to remove the bottle.
• top inserts 102 can include a removable portion 308 that is secured to the elongated bottle holder 104 with adhesive, tamper-evident tape, and/or the like to indicate whether the removable portion 308 has been removed from the top insert 102.
• Tamper-evident tape can include any tape known in the art used to indicate whether the tape has been removed, broken, or cut.
• tamper-evident tape can include wording that prohibits the tape from being realigned and reattached once removed. Tamper-evident tape also can include language similar to“check contents if seal is broken” and the like.
• FIG. 6 is a front view of a top insert 102 within a frame 602, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the top insert 102 can be inserted into a frame 602 that contains the components described herein and the one or more bottles 106.
• the frame 602 can be a substantially rectangular prism, as shown in the figure.
• the frame 602 can have six planar faces, including a top face 604, four substantially horizontal side faces 606 (one side face is in the foreground and another side face is in the background of this view), and a bottom face (not shown in the figure).
• the top insert 102 can be proximate the top face 604. Each face can accept a panel to protect the contents within the frame 602. It is contemplated that one or more faces can include tabs 608 that provide an outward force on a panel so as to prevent the panel from vibrating or excessively moving during handling and transport.
• FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the top insert 102 inside a frame 602, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• a frame 602 can include latches 802 that can accept a feature of a panel so as to secure the panel to the frame 602.
• the front lip 902 be have a height of from 0.5 cm to about 3.0 cm (e.g., from about 0.5 cm to about 1.5 cm; from about 1.0 cm to about 2.0 cm; from about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm; or from about 2.0 cm to about 3.0 cm).
• FIG. 15 depicts atop panel 1206 that comprises security seal 1502 and is positioned above a top insert 102, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the top panel 1206 can provide enclosure of the top face 604 of the tamper-proof case 1400.
• a top insert 102 can be positioned below of top panel 1206.
• the top insert 102, top panel 1206, and security seal 1502 can each fit together based on each layer decreasing in size as the layers go from top to bottom.
• top panel 1206 has finger grooves 1504 and is positioned above top insert 102.
• security seal 1502 can be positioned around the perimeter of the top panel 1206.
• the tamper-proof case can include a frame 602 to provide support for the components within the frame 602 and provide faces for accepting panels (e.g., side panels 1206).
• the frame can be a rectangular prism, as shown in FIG. 12.
• the frame 602 can have a first configuration that is substantially horizontal and a second configuration that has the rectangular shape, for example. The frame 602 can, therefore, be folded from the first configuration into the second configuration.
• FIGs. 17A-17D depict an embodiment with a foldable frame 602.
• FIG. 17A shows an example frame 602 for a tamper-proof case having various living hinges 1702 prior to folding the frame 602 into a final shape, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the frame 602 can contain one or more living hinges 1702.
• a living hinge 1702 can be a thin piece or portion of the frame 602 designed to allow the frame 602 to fold along the living hinge 1702.
• frame 602 can be positioned so as to allow the frame 602 to be folded into a desired position.
• frame 602 can contain one or more tabs 1704.
• FIG. 17B shows a partially assembled tamper-proof case having a frame 602 comprising various living hinges 1702 (as shown in FIG. 17A), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the tamper-proof case can include panels 1206.
• slots can be portions of the panel 1206 that are cut out or otherwise configured to receive a portion of the frame 602.
• slots can be formed in the fashion of a mortise and tenon joint or any other suitable formation that would allow for connection to be made between the panel 1206 and the frame 602.
• frame 602 can have living hinges 1702 positioned on both sides of the bottom insert 116. As will be appreciated, such positioning of the living hinges 1702 can allow for the sides of the frame 602 to be folded upwards towards the panels 1206. Side edges of panels 1206 can connect to the frame 602 in a similar manner to the bottom edges of panels 1206 as discussed above. For example, side edges of panels 1206 can have one or more slots (not shown) and the frame 602 can have one or more tabs 1704 corresponding to the one or slots.
• a security seal 1502 can be placed on top of the top panel 1206 to prevent tampering.
• the symmetric top lid frame portions 1706a and 1706b can close to prevent removal of a top panel 1206, with or without the use of a security seal 1502.
• FIGs. 18A-18S show an example frame 602 that is foldable from a horizontal, planar position to a rectangular configuration and depict a process flow for securing bottles in and removing bottles from a case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the example frame 602 shown in FIGs. 18A-18S is similar to the frame 602 shown in FIGs. 17A-17D, but in this case the frame 602 includes a unibody top portion 1808, instead of the two top lid frame portions, or edge attachment arms 1706a and 1706b, shown in FIGs. 17A- 17D.
• FIG. 18A-18S show an example frame 602 that is foldable from a horizontal, planar position to a rectangular configuration and depict a process flow for securing bottles in and removing bottles from a case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the example frame 602 shown in FIGs. 18A-18S is similar to the frame 602 shown in FIGs. 17A-17D, but in this case the frame 602 includes a unibody
• the bolts 1810 can latch onto the material of the front portion 1802 of the frame 602 to secure the case into its closed configuration.
• the opening holes 1812 described above can provide access to the bolts 1810, such that they can be bent slightly to disengage the bolts 1810 from the front portion 1802 of the frame 602. This can be completed, for example, by inserting one or more pins 1816 into an opening hole 1812 to engage the bolts 1810, bend the bolts 1810, and release the front portion 1802 of the frame 602. If more than one bolt 1810 (and corresponding opening hole 1812) is present, then each bolt 1810 can be bent simultaneously with more than one pin 1816 to open the front portion 1802 of the frame 602.
• one aspect of the present discourse is the ability to remove a single bottle 106 without tampering with adjacent bottles stored in the case.
• the front portion 1802 of the frame 602 can be hinged back into place to close the frame 602. Since the bolts 1810 remain in place, the case can be resealed for storage of the remaining bottles 106.
• Method 2000 can be used, for example, to remove a bottle that was secured using the steps shown in method 1900 of FIG. 19.
• Method 2000 can begin at step 2005, which includes receiving a case.
• the case can include a top insert having an elongated bottle holder. A neck of a bottle can be held and secured by the elongated bottle holder.
• method 2000 can include pulling a tab on the elongated bottle holder to remove a removable portion of the elongated bottle holder. Removal of the portion can create an opening in the elongated bottle holder so as to enable removal of the bottle.
• method 2000 can include pulling the bottle neck from the opening created by pulling the tab. Method 2000 can end after step 2015. In other examples, additional steps can be performed according to the examples described herein.
• Clause 6 The method for securing bottles of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the perimeter surface has a conical frustum shape, and wherein the tab is configured to remove the removable portion of the conical frustum shape.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=70927731

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2019
  • 2019-06-25 CN CN201920961637.5U patent/CN210708457U/zh active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-06-24 EP EP20832022.6A patent/EP3990366B1/de active Active
  • 2020-06-24 WO PCT/US2020/039385 patent/WO2020263999A1/en not_active Ceased

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