WO1997027790A1

WO1997027790A1 - Structure of modular rack container for bottles

Info

Publication number: WO1997027790A1
Application number: PCT/IT1997/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Menotti Sassano
Original assignee: Menotti Sassano
Priority date: 1996-01-29
Filing date: 1997-01-22
Publication date: 1997-08-07
Also published as: EP0818968A1; ITMI960152A1; ITMI960152A0

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a solid, easy to assemble, low manufacturing cost structure of modular rack container for bottles. Said structure consists of two frames (1 and 2) of intersected drawn steel obtained by an electrowelding process to be linked together through predrilled linking elements (8 and 9) - preferably of wooden construction - by means of protrusions of some rods of the frames (6, 7a and 7b). The rear frame, designed to be at lower level to house the bottles downwards, is provided with horizontal transverse bars between each row (5) in order to align and stop the bottles. The other object is to provide a modular rack container extensible in different forms and dimensions - both horizontally and vertically - extremely 'flat' before assembling, thus requiring little space in shipping and storing.

Description

Description Structure of modular rack container for bottles

Technical Field

I he stacking and conservation of bottles - in particular of those containing wine - demand adequate structures. This is not only to make sure that the bottles are kept in the correct position, namely at maximum angle of tilt with the cork completely immersed, to ensure best conservation over the course of time and allowing sediment to flow downwards, but to permit easy classification and access to individual bottles, without having to disturb the other ones. Such requirements are particularly acute in the professional field (wine- stores, liquor shops, restaurants) and in the private cellar of a wine connaisseur.

Background Art

The solution which recurs most often takes the form of components of superimposed plastic modules or wooden racks, needing some time to be spent on assembly, and which maintain the bottles in a more or less horizontal position Neither of these systems offers at any time any guarantee of robustness and stability, not to mention the questionable aesthetic aspect. Their overall versatility and capacities are therefore reduced and their use is limited principally to the small outlets and never in respect of the large cellar or the professional field.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention proposes various solutions that may be applied and realised, without any of the previously mentioned inconveniences, aimed at satisfying the needs of the kitchen, the cellar or public activities in general It consists of a unit having few components, which can be assembled in an extremely simple and rapid fashion with no need for any special tools. It has been formed making use of easily obtainable material and with the assistance of already existing automatic equipment for low cost production. It consists of two frames of intersected drawn steel obtained by an electro- welding process, which create square meshed grids of a variable number both horizontal and vertical, through which the bottles are inserted. The rods forming the meshed grids of both frames project by some centimetres from the peripheral grids, both horizontally and vertically. One of the two frames is provided with horizontal transverse bars, at the midway point of the grids, in order to ensure bottle alignment and to serve as a stop at the base.

The structure of the unit prior to assembly takes up extremely reduced space, and has thus a great advantage as regards costs of packing, transportation and storage.

Assembly is carried out by means of pre-drilled linking components of extended parallelepiped blocks of wooden construction or of other suitable material, into which the protruding upper and lower vertical rods of the two frames are inserted. The meshed grids on the two frames have been arranged at two different levels namely, lower at the rear frame, such that the bottles are disposed with a slight incline to the base, whilst permitting at the same time the cork to be fully immersed in the wine. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention can be clearly seen on examination of the following description of the preferred but not exclusive form of a modular rack container for bottles, in accordance with the present invention. This form has been illustrated for information purposes only and not limited thereby, with the help of the attached designs. Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows the assembled unit from the front Fig. 2 shows the assembled unit seen in profile Fig. 3 shows the assembled unit seen from above

Fig. 4 shows the linking together of two units one on top of another with wall anchorage

Fig. 5 shows the upper wall anchorage of a single large unit or of a unit on top of another Fig. 6 shows two structures coupled back to back

With specific reference to the numerical symbols of the afore-mentioned Figures, a structure of a unit for bottles, with modular components has been illustrated, containing : 1. -front frame 2. -rear frame

3a, 3b -vertical components (rods) of the frames

4a, 4b -horizontal components (rods)of the frames

5. -rear transverse bars for alignment and stopping the bottles 6. -protrusions of the horizontal rods from the peripheral meshed grids to connect units located laterally 7a, 7b -protrusions of the vertical rods from the peripheral meshed grids to connect front and rear frames and superimposed units 8 -component for lower linkage of the front frame to the rear frame and with the additional function of of being placed on the ground or on furniture

9 - component for upper linkage of the front and rear frames with the additional function of wall anchorage 10. - component for intermediate coupling for linking superimposed frames with the additional function of wall anchorage for larger units 11 -component for wall anchorage

More particularly, the front frame (1 ) is composed of upright vertical front rods (3a) linked one with another by transverse horizontal front rods (4a) creating in this way a grid structure composed of a number of frontal square meshes for bottle insertion.

The rear frame (2) is similarly composed of intersecting upright vertical rods (3b) and horizontal transverses (4b), thus forming the rear meshes These meshes have been designed to be at a lower level, such that bottles inserted through the front and rear meshes are tilted slightly downwards, whilst keeping the cork immersed in the wine. The rear frame is provided furthermore with a horizontal transverse bar midway between each row of meshes (5) in order to align the bottles and to serve as a bottle stop.

The vertical rods which protrude beyond the peripheral meshes of the front frame (7a) and the rear frame 7(b), on insertion into the concealed holes provided in the linking components both lower (8) and upper (9), permit the assembly of the container unit and the installation of any units placed on top (Fig.4)

There is no need for any fixing at the insertion zone of the rods into the holes of the linking components, using adhesive material, although this is quite possible. From what has previously been described it can be seen how the invention fulfils the functions proposed.

It must be emphasised in particular that aπ extremely practical and versatile unit has been created, which offers the possibility of achieving a number of different solutions, both in form and dimension and thus in capacity, and possessing overall considerably sturdy and stable characteristics.

Emphasis must also be placed on the reduced overall dimensions and size when the product is packed prior to assembly, with consequently reduced costs of transportation and storage.

It must also be pointed out that the unit already assembled may be easily recomposed to permit the returning to the original dimensions in case of its being used in another area or location.

The invention thus conceived can be made subject to numerous variations and modifications, all within the inventive ambit. Furthermore, all the materials and items of which it is composed can be replaced by other equivalent technical items. The designs have been presented for information only, since both dimensions and forms can take any shape according to requirements.

Claims

Claims - Structure of modular rack container for bottles characterised by its composition of two separate frames, one at the front and the other at the rear, that the end user may link together by means of linking and fixing components made of blocks of wood or other suitable material, after assembly, the two frames assume a parallel position, representing a grid structure composed of squared meshes, through which the bottles are inserted which, because of the different level of the front and fear meshes, are inclined downwards; - Structure of container in accordance with the afore-going claims characterised by the fact that the frames have vertical and preferably also horizontal extensions of the components constituting the frame (rods) protruding beyond the peripheral meshes, through which linking together of the frames and the connections to superimposed structures, can be achieved by means of predrilled components in wood or in other suitable material; such components can also serve as the anchorage of the structure to the wall; - Structure of unit in accordance with one or more of the afore-going claims, where components of extended parallelepiped blocks of wood or other material for the purpose, in vertical sections preferably rectangular or otherwise, serve to link together the frames comprising the structure, with linking components for structures superimposed, together with components for wall anchorage of single units, units placed side by side, or on top of each other; - Structure of modular rack container for bottles in accordance with the afore-mentioned claims, all fully described and illustrated and for the functions specified.