GB2344095A

GB2344095A - Stackable bottles

Info

Publication number: GB2344095A
Application number: GB9927369A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Rigney; Ernst Bell
Original assignee: ROARING WATER BAY VODKA COMPAN
Current assignee: ROARING WATER BAY VODKA COMPAN
Priority date: 1998-11-24
Filing date: 1999-11-22
Publication date: 2000-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-22
Also published as: GB2344095A8; IE990967A1; GB9927369D0; GB2344095B; IES990969A2

Abstract

A bottle assembly 1 comprises a number of bottles 2, 3, 4 stacked one upon the other and stabilising tape means 5 adhesively bonded to the bottles 2, 3, 4 to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles. The tape means is provided by two strip labels 5 of transparent material which extend longitudinally along portions of a side wall of each of the bottles 2, 3, 4. Each strip label 5 includes a head portion 6 for peeling and gripping the strip label 5 for removal. The bottles 2, 3, 4 are so shaped that a recess in the bottom may receive the neck of an underlying bottle.

Description

'TACKAGING" Introduction The invention relates to bottles and in particular to bottles having a recess in the base thereof for receiving a neck of a similar bottle to forrn a stacking assembly for display.

One of the problems with such bottles is that, when stacked, they are generally unstable and can easily be knocked over.

This invention is therefore directed towards providing a bottle assembly which will overcome this problem.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a bottle assembly comprising a number of bottles stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attache to the bottles to provide a stabilised stack of assemble bottles, the stabilising means comprising a joining tape means extending at Ieast between and bonded to adjacent bottles in the stack.

Ideally, the tape means is adhesively bonded to the bottles.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tape means extends longitudinally with respect to the side wall of the bottles.

Preferably the tape means is a strip label which extends longitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles in the assembly. Most preferably tape means are provided on opposite sides of the bottles In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the tape means includes a head portion for gripping the tape for removal of the tape from the bottes.

Preferably the joining tape means is of transparent material.

IdeaIly the tape is a monomeric calendered matt transparent PVC film. The adhesive is preferably an mulsion based acrylic pressure sensitive permanent adhesive.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of assembling a number of bottles comprising the steps of : placing the bottles in a stack one upon the other ; and applying a joining tape means between the bottles to stabilise the stack.

Preferably the method includes the steps of : applying labels to each bottle ; stacking the bottles one upon the other with the labels uniformly positioned and aligned.

Brief Description of me Drawing The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which :- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a bottle assembly according to the invention ; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the assembly; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a number of bottles in the assembly ; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively exploded elevational and perspective views illustrating the bottles in the assembly; Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively elevadonal and cross section views of a top bottle of the assembly; and Fig. 9 and 10 and respectively elevational and cross section views of a lower bottle of the assembly.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a bottle assembly 1 according to the invention. The bottle assembly 1 comprises a number of bottles 2,3,4 stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attached to the bottles 2,3,4 to provide a stabilised stack of assemble bottles. The stabilising means comprises a joining means in the form of a tape means which is bonded, preferably adhesively bonded to the bottles 2, 3,4.

In this case the tape means is provided by two strip labels 5 which extend Iongitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles 2, 3,4 in the assembly. Strip labels 5 are arranged on opposite sides of the bottles to provide a stabilised bottle assembly.

Each of the strips 5 includes a head portion 6 for peeling and gripping the strip 5 for removal of the strips 5 from the bottles as illustrated by interrupted lines in Fig.

1.

Each strip 5 is preferably of a transparent material to allow the contents of the bottles or an underlying label to be viewei Typically e stip is formed from monomeric calendered matt clear (transparent) PVC film. The adhesive used to bond the film to the bottles is preferably an emulsion based acrylic pressure sensitive permanent adhesive. Thus, the strips complement the glass of the botdes and can be easily removed without marking the glass while providing sufficient strength to hold the bottles in place in the stack assembly.

The bottles used in the assembly are glass bottles which are typically used to hold separate beverages, such as different flavoured spirits. Each bottle is labelle individually and then bonded together to provide an integrated botde assembly which is, itself in the shape of a bottle.

The botdes 2,3,4 in this case each have a recess 10 in the base thereof to receive a corresponding projecting neck portion 11 of another bottle to form a stacked bottle assembly. The bottles also include a stabilising ledge 20 and recess 21 features which inter-engage, on assembly.

The stabilising strip labels used in the bottle assembly of the invention effecrvely bond individual bottles together as one unit. The arrangement ensures that the bottles and labels are uniformly positioned and face forward. In addition, the stabilising means is extremely effective and wnobtrusive in use. It eliminates the risk of breakage in transit or at the point of sale and is easily released by a consumer. The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore descnbed which may be varied in detail.

Claims

Claims 1. A bottle assembly comprising a number of bottles stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attache to the bottles to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles, the stabilising means comprising a joining tape means extending at least between and bonded to adjacent bottles in the stack.
2. A bottle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tape means is adhesively bonded to the bottles.
3. A bottle assembly as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein the tape means extends longitudinally with respect to the side wall of the bottles.
4. A bottle assembly as claimed in any of claims I to 3 wherein the tape means is a strip label which extends longitudinally along portion of a side waR of each of the bottles in the assembly.
5. A bottle assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein tape means are provided on opposite sides of the bottles.
6. A bottle assembly as claimed in any of claims I to 5 wherein the tape means includes a head portion for gripping the tape for removal of the tape from the bottles.
7. A bottle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the joining tape means is of transparent materiaL
8. A method of assembling a number of bottles comprising the steps of. placing the bottles in a stack one upon the other ; and applying a joining tape means between the bottles to stabilise the stack.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 induding the steps, prior to application of the joining tape means, of applying labels to each bottle ; stacking the bottles one upon the other with the labels uniformly positioned and aligned.
10. A bottle assembly whenever assemble by a method as claimed in claim 8 or 9.

I 1. A bottle assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.