WO2021097789A1

WO2021097789A1 - Bottle cases with tamper-proof security and methods thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021097789A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/120145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lewis Ka Hang Cheng; Douglas RUMSAM; Timothee Lesne; Timothy Ross; Matthieu CHARLIER
Original assignee: Citadel Casing Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-22
Filing date: 2019-11-22
Publication date: 2021-05-27

Abstract

Tamper-proof bottle cases for securely storing and shipping products are disclosed. In some examples, the bottle case is a single-piece molded casing (100) that includes a face surface (104), a bottle cavity (102), a neck recess (106), and a first flap (108) hingeably connected to the face surface (104). The first flap (108) can include a bottle door (112) that is tearably connected to the first flap (108). The bottle door (112) can include a neck-holding protrusion (113). When a bottle (502) is stored within a casing (100), the neck-holding protrusion (113) abuts the bottle neck. The first flap (108) is then permanently secured to the face surface (104), and the only way to remove the bottle (502) is to tear and open the bottle door (112). In other examples, the bottle case is a two-piece system including a molded cover (1202) and a molded base (1204). The molded cover (1202) can include the neck-holding protrusion (113). The molded cover (1202) is permanently attached to the molded base (1204) to secure the bottles (502).

Description

BOTTLE CASES WITH TAMPER-PROOF SECURITY AND METHODS THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved case or portions thereof for shipping and storing various products, including bottled liquids, and, more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products such as beverage bottles.

BACKGROUND

Wine and other beverage producers commonly use rectangular cases made of either wood or cardboard to transport bottles. These cases comprise internal compartments separated by wood, cardboard, plastic, or foam to provide a certain level of protection for the bottles inside. After the bottles are placed within the cases, the cases are closed and set out for shipment to the wholesaler, retailer, or customer. These closed cases of bottles present a number of problems due to the inherent flaws of the case designs. For example, a wholesaler, retailer, or customer may have difficulties viewing the contents of the case, determining if someone has tampered with the contents of the case, displaying the contents of the case, or any combination of these limitations.

Ordinarily, to view the contents within a bottle case, each individual bottle must be removed from the case. The handling of each bottle creates an opportunity to damage the bottle. The ability to remove each individual bottle from the case also enables someone to tamper with the contents within the cases. For example, someone inspecting the bottles can replace a bottle with a different, less-valuable bottle. Current cases do not provide any evidence of this tampering. Finally, current methods do not provide an aesthetic system for displaying the bottles. A carboard case, for example, is made to be an expensive shipping container that is discarded once opened. The wooden case requires tools to wedge open the lid, which can be easily damaged when being pried apart from the body of the case. What is needed, therefore, is a system that provides bottle viewability, prevents tampering, and maintains an aesthetic form for displaying the bottles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns as well as other needs that will become apparent upon reading the description below in conjunction with the drawings. Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved case or portions thereof for shipping and storing various products, including bottled liquids, and, more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products such as beverage bottles.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes a single-piece casing for storing and securing bottles. The single-piece casing can include a face surface, a first bottle cavity, and a first neck recess. The first bottle cavity and the first neck recess can be sunken into the casing such that a bottle sits behind the face surface. Along one side of the face surface can be a first flap hingeably connected to the face surface. The first flap can include a first bottle door tearably connected to the first flap. The first bottle door can include a first neck-holding protrusion. When the first flap is in an open configuration, a bottle can be placed within the first bottle cavity and first neck recess. The first flap can then be closed such that the first neck-holding protrusion extends at least partially into the first neck recess. When a bottle is in the casing, the first neck-holding protrusion can abut the bottle neck to secure the bottle within the casing.

The first bottle door can act as a security mechanism for a bottle stored in the casing. To remove the bottle, the first bottle door must be at least partially torn from the first flap. Once the bottle door is partially torn and opened, the first neck-holding protrusion attached to the first bottle door is no longer abutting the bottle neck, and the bottle can be removed from the first neck recess. Importantly, the systems described herein can store and secure multiple bottles. If a first bottle door is at least partially torn and opened, only the one or more bottles that correspond to that bottle door can be removed. The other bottles remain secure because pulling one bottle door does not affect the integrity of any other bottle doors.

In some examples, along one side of the face surface can be a second flap hingeably connected to the face surface. The second flap can include a heel-holding tab. When the second flap is in a closed configuration, the heel-holding tab can extend at least partially into the first bottle cavity to hold and secure the bottle heel. The first flap and/or the second flap can be permanently attached to the face surface so that the only way to remove a bottle is to tear the first bottle door. In some examples, the first and/or second flap can be secured by an adhesive, tamper-evident tape, and/or a mechanical fastener. An example mechanical fastener described herein is a rivet. The one or more rivets can pass through a first rivet hole in the first flap and/or second flap and pass through a second rivet hole in the face surface to secure the flaps to the face surface.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a two-piece case. The two-piece case can function similar to the single-piece casing but with a molded cover and a molded base. The molded base can include the first bottle cavity and the first neck recess described above. The molded cover can be sized to fit upon the molded base, and the molded cover can include the first neck-holding protrusion described above. In these examples, the molded cover can be permanently attached to the molded base by adhesive, tamper-evident tape, and/or mechanical fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference now will be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example casing in an open configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an example casing in a closed configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a side view of an example casing in an open configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 3-4 are rear perspective views of an example casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of bottles ready for loading within a casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example casing storing bottles, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 7A-7B are perspective views showing a neck-holding protrusion abutting the neck of a bottle, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a partially-torn bottle door, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 8B-8D are example perforation lines 802, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 9A-9D are perspective views of an exemplary mechanical attachment system including a rivet, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an example method of securing a bottle within a casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method of removing a bottle secured within a casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a two-piece case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 13A-13B are perspective views showing the neck-holding protrusion abutting the neck of a bottle, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[Rectified under Rule 91, 02.01.2020]
FIG. 13C is a perspective view of a molded cover upon a molded base, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 14A-14C are perspective views of an example tamper-proof design for a neck-holding protrusion, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 15A-15E depict an example molded base, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 16A-16B are perspective views of an example molded cover, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an example method of securing a bottle within a two-piece molded case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an example method of removing a bottle secured within a tamper-proof case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “example embodiment, ” “some embodiments, ” “certain embodiments, ” “various embodiments, ” etc., indicate that the embodiment (s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or. ” Further, the terms “a, ” “an, ” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first, ” “second, ” “third, ” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the disclosed technology, for example.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a tamper-proof case for storing and transporting bottles of wine. In various embodiments, a tamper-proof wine case may provide improvements to protecting the integrity of the 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 may be used by wine manufacturers to package bottles of wine and also may be used by consumers to store the wine bottles at home or to transport the bottles.

Throughout this disclosure, certain examples are described in exemplary fashion in relation to storing and transporting bottles of wine. But examples of the disclosed technology are not so limited. The disclosed technique may be effective in storing and transporting bottles or containers of many other types of liquids. For example, the bottle cavities, neck recesses, heel-holding tabs, and the like, as described herein, could be configured for spirit bottles, beer bottles, water bottles, and other bottles having different shapes and sizes.

Various devices and methods are disclosed for providing and using a tamper-proof bottle case, and exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. FIG. 1 is a front view of an example casing 100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A casing 100 can be a standalone case for transporting bottles, or the casing 100 can be an insert that is to be placed into an outer casing, for example a wooden case. According to some examples, and as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 100 can be a single-piece material prepared, for example, by thermoforming or vacuum-molding the casing 100 into its desired configuration. Thermoforming can include the process of pressing and heating the casing 100 into a single-piece unit that includes each of the desired features of the casing 100. Vacuum molding can include providing a formation mold, dipping the formation mold into fiber-pulp, and vacuuming the fiber-pulp onto the formation mold. Throughout this disclosure, molding can refer to any process for making non-flat sheets of pulp material, for example, and not limitation, the thermoforming or vacuum-molding processes described above. A “molded” component can refer to a component created by those molding processes. In some examples, the molded casing 100 can comprise fiber-pulps from natural biomass materials. For example, the fiber-pulp material can include paper, vine clippings, grape seeds, grape skins, barley, rye, sugarcane, bamboo, and/or the like or any combinations thereof. The casing 100 can also include synthetic polymers, e.g., plastics, and/or a combination of synthetic polymers and fiber-pulps.

The casing 100 in FIG. 1 is capable of holding six rounded bottles. This is merely exemplary, as the casing 100 can be modified, for example molded, to include any shapes of bottles or quantity of bottles, including one bottle. Many spirit bottles can be square or rectangular, and it is contemplated that the bottle cavity 102 can also be square or rectangular to support and secure the bottle. The shape of the bottle cavity 102 can also be altered to correspond to the size of the bottle being stored within the casing 100. Typical bottles can have many different shapes and sizes (e.g., piccolo or split (187.5 ml) , demi or half (375 ml) , standard (750 ml) , magnum (1.5 L) , double magnum (3.0 L) , etc. ) , and a bottle cavity 102 can be provided to hold these and other sized bottles.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example casing 100 shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A casing 100 can include a face surface 104. The face surface 104 can be the upper edge of the casing 100, wherein the features for holding the bottle are recessed into, or behind, the face surface 104. For example, the bottle cavity 102 and a neck recess 106 for securing and supporting the neck of a bottle can be recessed behind the face surface 104, as shown in the figure.

Along one side of the face surface 104 can be a first flap 108. The first flap 108 can be connected to the face surface 104 via a first hinge 110. It is contemplated that the first hinge 110 can be a thinner-formed piece of the molded casing 100. It is also contemplated that the first flap 108 and the face surface 104 can be manufactured separately, and the first hinge 110 can connect the two features. In these examples, the first hinge 110 can include a fabric hinge and/or a metal hinge, including but not limited to a butt hinge, a case hinge, a bi-fold hinge, a piano hinge, and the like.

As a result of being hingeably connected to the face surface 104, the first flap 108 can have an open configuration and a closed configuration. FIG. 2A shows the first flap 108 in its open configuration. As is shown, the open first flap 108 can be substantially planar with the face surface 104 when in its open configuration. Of course, it is contemplated that the first flap 108 can open farther than shown in the figure. An example closed configuration for the first flap 108 is shown in FIG. 2B.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the first flap 108 can include one or more bottle doors 112. The one or more bottle doors 112 can be tearably connected to the first flap 108. As will be described in greater detail herein, the bottle door 112 can be attached to the first flap 108 at a perforation line 802 to help facilitate at least partially tearing the bottle door 112 from the first flap 108. The bottle door 112 can include one or more neck-holding protrusions 113 extending from the bottle door 112. the neck-holding protrusion 113 can extend into the neck recess 106 when the first flap 108 (and bottle door 112 when it is not torn from the first flap 108) is in a closed configuration. When the neck-holding protrusion 113 extends into the neck recess 106, the neck-holding protrusion 113 can come in contact with, e.g., abut, the neck of a bottle to support the bottle to prevent it from sliding out of the neck recess 106. The bottle door 112 can be tearably connected to the first flap 108 such that, once the bottle door 112 is at least partially torn from the first flap 108, the neck-holding protrusion 113 is removed from the neck recess 107 and the neck of a bottle can be slid up the neck recess 106. The casing 100 can have a quantity of neck-holding protrusions 113 that equals the quantity of bottles capable of being stored in the case, i.e., the quantity of neck-holding protrusion 113 can equal the quantity of neck recesses 106 in the casing 100. Additionally, the casing 100 can have any quantity of bottle doors 112. For example, the example casing 100 shown in FIG. 2A has two bottle doors 112, each bottle door 112 having three neck-holding protrusions 113.

Reference is made herein to “at least partially” tearing a bottle door 112 and/or a neck-holding protrusion 113. This is to be understood to mean that the bottle door 112 and/or neck-holding protrusion 113 does not need to be completely detached in order to remove a bottle. The neck-holding protrusion 113 merely needs to be removed sufficiently to enable a bottle to be removed.

In some examples, along one side of the face surface 104 can be a second flap 114. The second flap 114 can be connected to the face surface 104 via a second hinge 116, which can be similar to the first hinge 110. As a result of being hingeably connected to the face surface 104, the second flap 114 can have an open configuration and a closed configuration, similar to that of the first flap 108. FIG. 2A shows the second flap 114 in its open configuration; FIG. 2B shows an example second flap 114 in a closed configuration.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the second flap 114 can include a heel-holding tab 118 extending from the second flap 114. The heel-holding tab 118 can be positioned on the second flap 114 such that, when the second flap 114 is in a closed configuration, the heel-holding tab 118 extends into the bottle cavity 102. When a bottle is provided in the bottle cavity 102, the heel-holding tab 118 can conform to the bottle heel, protecting it from moving in the bottle cavity 102 and preventing the bottle from being removed from the casing 100. The heel-holding tab 118 can be shaped to conform to the bottle being stored in the casing 100. For example, the heel-holding tab 118 in FIG. 2A is a partial circle, which corresponds to holding a round bottle. The heel-holding tab 118 can be of any shape enabling the heel-holding tab 118 to secure the bottle or bottles being stored. The casing 100 can have a quantity of heel-holding tab 118 that equals the quantity of bottles capable of being stored in the casing.

In example casings 100 that store more than one bottle, as shown in FIG. 2A, the casing 100 can include a neck divider 120 to separate the neck of a first bottle from the neck of an adjacent bottle. It is contemplated that the neck divider 120 can extend beyond the neck recess 106 to a position that is substantially planar with the face surface 104. In these examples, it can be said that the top of the neck divider 120 defines part of the face surface 104, which can be beneficial when the first flap 108 is in its closed configuration, as will be described in greater detail herein. In some examples, the neck divider 120 can continue down the length of the bottle cavity 102 so that a first bottle is entirely separated from an adjacent bottle, i.e., not only the necks of the bottles are separated by the neck divider 120.

A casing 100 can include a first rivet hole 122 in the first flap 108. As will be described in greater detail herein, the first flap 108 can be permanently attached to the face surface 104 by mechanical attachment such as via a rivet 504. A casing 100 can also include a second rivet hole 124 positioned in the face surface 104, including around the perimeter of the face surface 104 or within a neck divider 120, ifpresent. As shown in FIGs. 1A-2B, the first flap 108 can have a plurality of first rivet holes 122 and a plurality of second rivet holes 124, and the plurality of first rivet holes 122 and second rivet holes 124 can be positioned at any point of the first flap 108 and face surface 104, respectively. The second flap 114 can also have one or more first rivet holes 122, as shown. The first rivet hole 122 of the second flap 114 can also align with second rivet holes 124 positioned in the face surface 104, similar to the description above for the rivet holes 122 of the first flap 108.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an example casing 100 in a closed configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described above, a first flap 108 and/or a second flap 114 can be hinged closed to create the enclosed case for storing bottles. When the first flap 108, and along with it the tearably attached bottle door 112, is in the closed configuration, the neck-holding protrusion 113 can extend into the neck recesses 106. For single-piece, molded casings 100, when the first flap 108 is hinged closed, the exposed face of the first flap 108 can have protrusion holes 126. The protrusion holes 126 can be the reverse-side of the neck-holding protrusion 113 caused by forming the casing 100. It is contemplated that these protrusion holes 126 can be filled to create a smooth front surface of the first flap 108, and/or the first flap 108 can be veneered with a decal or similar material so as to cover the protrusion holes 126.

In some cases, the process of molding materials can create a smooth surface and a rough surface. Referring for example to vacuum molding, the fiber-pulp is vacuumed into a mesh-like surface, which creates a meshed surface on one side and a smooth surface on the other side of the material. In some examples, the rough surface of the molded material can face toward the bottle, while the smoother material can face away from the bottle. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the side of the casing 100 viewable in the figure can be the rough side of the material, while the opposite side (not viewable) can include the smooth surface. This example is counterintuitive in pulp manufacturing, as most pulp-fiber products place the smooth surface toward the contents of the package for aesthetic purposes. In the present systems, however, swapping this convention provides the benefit of displaying the smooth surface of the material once the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114 is closed-the smooth material is now facing toward the customer. Another benefit is that, if the meshed or rough surface is facing the bottle (e.g., the bottle cavity 102 is defined by the meshed surface) , the bottle will have less surface-area contact with the material, thereby enabling the bottle to rotate more easily within the bottle cavity 102. The ability to rotate the bottle is described in more detail herein.

FIG. 2C is a side view of an example casing 100 in an open configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The inset image in FIG. 2C depicts an example first hinge 110 enabling the first flap 108 to open and close. As described above, the first hinge 110 can be created in the molding process of the single piece of molded material, as shown. In other embodiments, the first flap 108 can be attached to the casing 100 by the first hinge 110, for example if the two components are separate. The second hinge 116 can be similar in all regards to the first hinge 110.

The thickness of the casing 100 material described herein can be from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2.50 mm (for example from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.00 mm, from approximately 1.00 mm to approximately 1.50 mm, from approximately 1.50 mm to approximately 2.00 mm, or from approximately 2.00 mm to approximately 2.50 mm) , or for example approximately 0.8 mm. In some examples, the first hinge 110 (or second hinge 116) can be slightly thinner so as to enable the opening and closing of the

flaps

108, 114. To illustrate, the casing 100, other than the first hinge 110 or second hinge 116, can be approximately 1.00 mm, and the hinge can be approximately 0.6 mm.These dimensions are used to illustrate example embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As will be appreciated, these dimensions can be altered, of course, according to the stiffness and/or rigidity of the material being used.

FIGs. 3-4 are rear perspective views of an example casing 100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a casing 100 in an open configuration; FIG. 4 is a casing 100 in a closed configuration. In some examples, the back side of the casing 100 can include dampening elements 302. The dampening element 302 can provide shock and impact support to the bottles on the other side of the material (e.g., within the bottle cavities 102) .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of bottles 502 ready for loading within a casing 100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described above, the casing 100 can be a single piece of material molded into its desired form. To this end, the quantity of components required to package the bottles 502 is decreased, to the benefit of the packager and the consumer. As can be seen, the packaging can consist only of (1) the casing 100 and (2) the fastener required to attach the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114 to the face surface 104. In FIG. 5, the fastener includes four rivets 504, which is in accordance with some embodiments. In other examples, the fastener can include adhesives. It is also contemplated that other mechanical fasteners could be used, such as staples, nails, pins, or male-and-female fasteners where one end is positioned upon the

flap

108, 114 and the second end is positioned upon the face surface 104.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example casing 100 storing bottles 502, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, when the bottles 502 have been placed within the bottle cavities 102 (not shown) and the first flap 108 and second flap 114 have been closed, the edge 602 of the first flap 108 and the edge 604 of the second flap 114 can define an observation window 606. The observation window 606 enables a view of the bottle 502. For example, a customer can view the contents of a bottle label without removing the bottle 502 from the case. As described above, previous systems for storing and transporting bottles included wood or carboard cases. To view the bottles within these previous designs, the bottles had to be removed from the wood or cardboard case. It is contemplated herein that a casing 100 enables a bottler, customer, customs agent, or any other person to view the contents within the casing 100 without removing an individual bottle 502.

It is also contemplated that the bottles 502 within the casing 100 can be rotated such that all labels can be read on the bottles 502. Accordingly, in some examples, the features supporting the bottle 502 (e.g., the bottle cavities 102, neck recesses 106, heel-holding tabs 118, etc. ) may provide minimal friction to enable the bottles 502 to be rotated. As described above, if the meshed surface of a pulp material is facing the bottle 502, the bottle 502 may experience less friction. In other example casings 100, the bottles 502 may not be rotatable.

The dimensions of an observation window 606 can be customized based on the size of the one or more bottles 502 being stored in the casing 100. It is contemplated that the edge 602 of the first flap 108 does not obscure a view of the level of the liquid within the bottle 502. Consider, for example, a bottle 502 comprising wine. The edge 602 of the first flap 108 can be designed such that the first flap 108 does not extend over the uppermost level of the wine. This can enable a customer to view the bottle to make sure that no liquid has been removed from the bottle 502. In some examples, the edge 602 of the first flap 108 may extend approximately 60 mm or less over the top ora bottle 502 when the first flap 108 is in a closed configuration. For example, the first flap 108 may obscure only the top 60 mm (for example from the top of the cork) of the bottle 502. Below this level, the bottle 502 may be viewable through the observation window 606. Similarly, it is contemplated that the edge 604 of the second flap 114 does not obscure bottle 502 labeling. In some examples, the edge 604 of the second flap 114 may extend approximately 40 mm or less over the base of the bottle 502 when the second flap 114 is in a closed configuration. Above this level the bottle 502 may be viewable through the observation window 606. Of course, these dimensions can be altered depending on the shape and design of the bottle 502. The dimensions above may be appropriate, for example, for storing and securing wine bottles, but other dimensions may be preferred for other types of bottles.

FIGs. 7A-7B are perspective views showing the neck-holding protrusion 113 abutting the neck of a bottle 502, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described herein, once the first flap 108 is closed and attached to the face surface 104, the tops, or necks, of the bottle 502 can be secured within a neck recess 106 by the neck-holding protrusions 113 that are protruding from the bottle door 112. As will be described in greater detail herein, the first flap 108 can be permanently attached to the face surface 104 so that the only way to remove the bottle is to open the bottle door 112 separately from the attached first flap 108. Throughout this disclosure, reference to “permanent attachment” of a first component to a second component can be understood to mean that the first component is sealed to the second component. This means that the bottles 502 are securely stored in the case and the permanently-attached components are not intended to be separated. To remove the first component from the second component would cause significant damage that provides evidence of tampering with the bottles 502.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a partially-torn bottle door 112, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A bottle door 112 has been opened by tearing the bottle door 112 at least partially from the first flap 108. In some examples, the bottle door 112 can be removed completely from the casing 100, though complete removal from the casing is not necessary 100. The opening of the bottle door 112 can be facilitated, for example, by a perforation line 802 connecting the bottle door 112 to the first flap 108. As can be seen in the figure, once the bottle door 112 is opened, the neck-holding protrusions 113 are separated from the bottle, which allows any bottle 502 protected by the neck-holding protrusions 113 of that bottle door 112 to be removed, but only the bottles 502 under that bottle door 112. The bottle 502 is removable because the neck-holding protrusion 113 that previously extended into the neck recess 106 to abut the bottle neck is no longer present. To this end, the bottle 502 can be tilted forward and slid through the neck recess 106. Once the top of the bottle 502 is beyond the first flap 108, the bottle 502 can be pulled axially and out of the heel-holding tab 118.

A novel feature of the present disclosure includes the ability to remove a single bottle 502 or a single set of bottles 502 from the casing 100 without tampering with adjacent bottles. In FIG. 8A, for example, the bottle door 112 that is open comprises three neck-holding protrusions 113, which correspond to three bottles 502 behind the bottle door 112. The three bottles 502 behind the one bottle door 112 can be removed from the casing 100 without tampering with an adjacent bottle door and/or neck-holding protrusions. In other words, if the one bottle door 112 is opened by at least partially tearing it from the first flap 108, adjacent bottle doors 112 can remain intact. Other systems and methods for storing bottles 502 do not enable removal of one bottle or one set of bottles while maintaining the security of the other bottles. For example, in the case of a cardboard box or wooden case, if the case is open to inspect one bottle, each and every bottle within the case can be tampered with. Nothing provides any evidence of which bottle may have been tampered with. In the present systems and methods, if one bottle has been tampered with, i.e., removed by removing the neck-holding protrusion 113, a customer can rest assured that the other bottles have not been tampered with if their respective bottle doors remain intact.

The bottle door 112 can have a plurality of neck-holding protrusions 113, as shown in FIG. 8A. In some examples, opening one bottle door 112 by tearing the bottle door 112 at least partially from the first flap 108 can open all corresponding neck-holding protrusions 113 attached to the bottle door 112, thus enabling removal of all bottles 502 secured by those neck-holding protrusions 113. In other examples, a bottle door 112 can have perforation lines 802 between each individual neck-holding protrusion 113 such that each bottle 502 is independently removable without tampering with an adjacent bottle 502 or neck-holding protrusion 113.

As described above, the partial-tearing of the bottle door 112 from the first flap 108 can be facilitated by a perforation line 802. FIGs. 8B-8D are example perforation lines 802, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition to facilitating the tearing, the perforation line 802 can also evidence tampering and prohibit fraudulent repair, and a variety of designs for perforation lines 802 may be used for this purpose. Simple perforation holes, or slotted perforation holes, can be used to create the tearable neck-holding protrusion 113. In other examples, the perforation line 802 can include other designs to alert the consumer of possible tampering. For example, some designs can create a wider, more jagged edge once torn. In FIG. 8B, an example perforation line 802 includes a series of alternating crescents 804, or half circles. If the alternating crescents 804 are torn, the resulting tear will be a curving line that is difficult to repair. In FIG. 8C, an example perforation line 802 includes a series of alternating wishbone shapes 806. If the alternating wishbone shapes 806 are torn, the resulting tear line will include a series of knobs 808 remaining from the wishbone shapes 806. These knobs 808 may, again, be difficult to repair without showing significant damage to the perforation line 802. In FIG. 8D, an example perforation line 802 includes a series of alternating caret shapes 810. If the alternating caret shapes 810 are torn, the resulting saw-tooth tear line would be difficult to repair and hide the tampering. The above perforation shapes are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.

In some examples, in addition to or as an alternative to a perforation line 802, the bottle door 112 may be connected to the first flap 108 with tamper-evident tape to indicate whether the neck-holding protrusion 113 has opened and/or removed. Throughout this disclosure, reference to tamper-evident tape may include any tape known in the art used to indicate whether the tape has been removed, broken, or cut. For example, tamper-evident tape may include wording that prohibits the tape from being realigned and reattached once removed. Tamper-evident tape also may include language similar to “check contents if seal is broken” and the like.

FIGs. 9A-9D are perspective views of an exemplary mechanical attachment system including a rivet 504, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The first flap 108 and/or the second flap 114 can be permanently secured to the face surface 104 such that, once the bottles 502 are secured within the casing 100, the only way to remove the bottles 502 is to open the corresponding bottle door 112 . One method of securing the first flap 108 and/or the second flap 114 to the face surface 104 is to use a rivet 504. Referring to FIG. 2A for illustration, the first flap 108 and/or the second flap 114 can include a first rivet hole 122 to accept a rivet 504. The face surface 104 can include a second rivet hole 124 to accept a rivet 504. As described herein, when more than one bottle 502 is stored in a casing 100, the casing can include a neck divider 120. The second rivet hole 124 can be in the neck divider 120 and/or along the perimeter of the face surface 104. The first flap 108 and/or the second flap 114 can be hinged from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations such that the first rivet hole 122 meets with the second rivet hole 124. A rivet 504 can be passed through both

holes

122, 124 and engaged to secure the

flaps

108, 114 to the face surface 104.

A rivet 504 can be of any type that holds the first flap 108 and/or the second flap 114 to the face surface 104. For example, the rivet 504 can be a blind rivet (e.g., a pop rivet) to enable the rivet 504 to be inserted and engaged from one side of the casing 100. The blind or pop rivet also provides efficient bottle loading and securing because the back side of the casing 100 does not need to be accessed to complete the attachment. For example, a bottle can be loaded, the

flaps

108, 114 can be closed, and the rivets can be engaged all from one side of the casing 100. If the rear side of the casing 100 is accessible (see for example FIGs. 3-4) , other rivets, such as sold or split rivets, can be used. In some examples, a rivet head 506 can be flush with the surface of the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114. In other examples, as shown in FIG. 12, the rivet head 506 can be recessed into the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114.

As described above, the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114 can also be permanently attached to the face surface 104 by providing an adhesive between the components. It is also contemplated that the first flap 108 and/or second flap 114 can be attached to the face surface 104 with tamper-evident tape.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an example method 1000 of securing a bottle within a casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 1000 in FIG. 10 can be used to secure a bottle within a casing similar to the casing 100 shown in FIG. 2A, for example. In block 1010, the method 1000 includes providing a molded casing comprising a face surface, a first bottle cavity, a first neck recess, and a first flap hingeably connected to the first surface. The first flap can have a first bottle door tearably connected to the first flap. In block 1020, the method 1000 includes placing a first bottle in the first bottle cavity, a neck of the first bottle resting in the first neck recess. In block 1030, the method 1000 includes hinging the first flap from an open configuration to a closed configuration such that a first neck-holding protrusion on the first bottle door hinges to abut the neck of the first bottle. In block 1040, the method 1000 includes permanently attaching the first flap to the face surface to secure the first bottle within the molded casing. As described herein, the first flap can be permanently attached to the face surface via rivets, adhesives, tamper-evident tape, and/or the like.

The method 1000 can end after block 1040. In some examples, additional steps may be included in the method 1000 according to the examples described herein. Additionally, in casings that provide a second bottle cavity, a second neck recess, and a second neck-holding protrusion, the steps in the method 1000 can be completed for a second bottle.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method 1100 of removing a bottle secured within a casing, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. When the steps of the method 1000 in FIG. 10 are complete, the one or more bottles are secured within the casing, and a single bottle cannot be removed without tearing a corresponding first bottle door. The method 1100 provides steps to remove the bottle from the secured casing. In block 1110, the method 1100 includes tearing, at least partially, the first bottle door from the first flap. As described herein, this tearing can be facilitated by a perforation line where the first bottle door is connected to the first flap.

In block 1130, the method 1100 includes pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess. Once the neck of the first bottle is beyond the first flap, the bottle can be removed. In block 1130, the method 1100 includes removing the first bottle from the molded casing. This can be completed, for example, by pulling the bottle axially and out of a heel-holding tab, as described herein.

The method 1100 can end after block 1130. In some examples, additional steps may be included in the method 1100 according to the examples described herein. Additionally, in casings that provide a second bottle cavity, a second neck recess, and a second neck-holding protrusion, the steps in the method 1100 can be completed for a second bottle. The present systems and methods also enable the first bottle door to be torn from the first flap without tearing a second bottle door from the first flap.

FIGs. 1-11 all describe a system and method that can include a single-piece casing 100 that is molded to include all of the features for storing and securing the one or more bottles. Another example of the present systems and methods includes a two-piece design with a cover and a base. FIGs. 12-18 relate to an example bottle case according to a two-piece design. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a two-piece case 1200, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The case 1200 can include a molded cover 1202 and a molded base 1204. In this design, the features described herein for the single-piece casing 100 can either be incorporated into the molded cover 1202 or the molded base 1204. The molded cover 1202 and the molded base 1204 can be created by the molding processes described above, for example by thermoforming and/or vacuum molding.

In some examples, the molded cover 1202 can include a neck-holding protrusion 113, as described herein. The neck-holding protrusion 113 can be tearably connected to the molded cover 1202. As can be seen in FIG. 12, and as is described in greater detail in FIGs. 14A-14C, the neck-holding protrusion 113 can all be independently connected to the molded cover 1202. To remove a bottle 502, a corresponding neck-holding protrusion 113 can be removed by at least partially tearing it from the molded cover 1202. The molded cover 1202 can include a heel-holding tab 118. The molded cover 1202 can also include an observation window 606, which may be defined by an edge 602 proximate the neck-holding protrusion 113 and an edge 604 proximate the heel-holding tab 118.

A benefit of the two-piece design of the case 1200 is that the molded cover 1202 can be produced with a degree of three-dimensionality, or depth. For example, the molded cover 1202 can include walls 1206 that are created in the molding processes. The walls 1206 can slide over the molded base 1204 to help improve the integrity of the case 1200 and to also conceal all or a portion of the molded base’s 1204 sides.

In some examples, the molded base 1204 can include bottle cavities 102 and neck recesses 106 in a quantity equal to the bottles 502 to be stored in the case 1200. One aspect of the two-piece case 1200 that is different than the casing 100 described above is the permanent attachment that securely stores the bottles 502. Instead of a first or second flap being permanently sealed, in the two-piece case 1200, the molded cover 1202 is permanently attached to the molded base 1204. This can be completed by a me504chanical fastener, for example rivets 504. If rivets 504 are used to attach the molded cover 1202 to the molded base 1204, the first rivet holes 122 can be disposed in the molded cover 1202, and the second rivet holes 124 can be disposed in the molded base 1204. The molded cover 1202 and the molded base 1204 can also be permanently attached by other fasteners, for example adhesive or tamper-evident tape.

In some examples, the molded cover 1202 can include a first rivet recess 1208 to enable an engaged rivet 504 to be at least partially countersunk into the molded cover 1202. The molded base 1204 can also include a second rivet recess 1210 in the face surface 104 (e.g., on the perimeter of the face surface 104 or on the neck divider 120) to further facilitate countersinking an engaged rivet 504. The rivet recesses 1208, 1210 can further prevent product tampering. For example, a fraudster could not place a flat object, for example a knife or screw driver, under the rivet head 506 to pry the rivet 504 open if the rivet 504 is slightly countersunk in the molded cover 1202. At the very least, the fraudster could not pry on the rivet 504 without causing significant damage to the case 1200. The first rivet recess 1208 and/or second rivet recess 1210 can also have a tight tolerance around the rivet head 506 so that the flat object cannot be placed under the rivet head 506 to pop open the rivet 504. For example, and not limitation, if the rivet head 506 has a diameter of 16 mm, the diameter of the first rivet recess 1508 can have a diameter of approximately 17 mm to approximately 18 mm, thereby providing a tolerance of approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.00 mm on each side of the rivet head 506. These dimensions are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

FIGs. 13A-13B are perspective views showing the neck-holding protrusion 113 abutting the neck of a bottle 502, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar to the examples shown in FIGs. 7A-7B, the two-piece case 1200 enables the bottles 502 to be secured within the case 1200 via the tearable neck-holding protrusion 113 extending into the neck recess 106. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGs. 7A-7B, however, the example case 1200 shown in FIGs. 13A-13B does not have a bottle door 112, per se. Instead, the neck-holding protrusions 113 are independently removable from the case 1200 by at least partially tearing the single neck-holding protrusion 113 from the molded cover 1202.

FIG. 13C is a detailed view ora molded cover 1202 being placed upon the molded base 1204. As described above, the molded cover 1202 can include walls 1206 that extend at least partially over the sides of the molded base 1204. To increase the structural integrity of the molded base 1204, the manufacturing of the molded base 1204 can include flaps (e.g., the top flap 1502, bottom flap 1504, and/or side flaps 1506a, b, shown in 15A-15C) that fold up to create the sides of the molded base 1204.

FIGs. 14A-14C are perspective views of an example tamper-proof design for a neck-holding protrusion 113, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, a molded cover 1202 can include individually-tearable neck-holding protrusions 113. Each neck-holding protrusion 113 can be at least partially torn from the molded cover 1202 to enable a bottle to be removed from the case 1200. In some examples, a perforation line 802, as described above, can be present to facilitate the opening of the neck- holding protrusion 113. Although not shown in the figure, the perforation line 802 can track the entire perimeter of the neck-holding protrusion 113 to facilitate tearing the entire neck-holding protrusion 113 from molded cover 1202. It is not required that the perforation line 802 track the entire perimeter of the neck-holding protrusion 113, however. As will be appreciated and is described above, the neck-holding protrusion 113 does not need to be removed entirely from the case 1200 for a bottle 502 to be removed.

In some examples, the molded cover 1202 can include an additional layer of security in the form of a security tab 1402. The security tab 1402 can be tearably connected to both the molded cover 1202 and the neck holding protrusion 113, as shown. One benefit of the security tab 1402 is that it evidences even the slightest tampering of the neck-holding protrusion 113. For example, if a person pulls on the security tab 1402 in the slightest, the security tab 1402 can detach from the molded cover 1202 and the neck-holding protrusion 113. If the neck-holding protrusion 113 is not torn, this can evidence that a person attempted to open the neck-holding protrusion 113 but ultimately did not. Another benefit of the security tab 1402 is that it would be difficult to reattach without showing significant damage to the molded cover 1202. For example, with the neck-holding protrusion 113 and the security tab 1402 both present as security mechanisms, it is difficult to reattach both features without showing significant damage. It is also contemplated that the security tab 1402 can be connected to the neck-holding protrusion 113 and/or the molded cover 1202 via a perforation line similar to the aforementioned perforation lines 802. A molded cover 1202 can include a plurality of security tabs 1402, the quantity of course depending on the quantity of neck-holding protrusions 113.

FIG. 14B shows a security tab 1402 being detached, or torn, from the molded cover 1202. The neck-holding protrusion 113 remains intact. In this example, the embodiment includes perforation lines 802 that remain intact. In FIG. 14C, one neck-holding protrusion 113 has been removed by tearing it from the molded cover 1202. As stated above, it is contemplated that the bottle 502 can be removed from the case 1200 without tearing the neck-holding protrusion 113 entirely from the molded cover 1202.

FIGs. 15A-15E depict an example molded base 1204, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 15A is a top view of an example molded base 1204. The process of manufacturing the molded base 1204 can provide a series of flaps that can be folded down to create the sides of the molded base 1204. These flaps can include a top flap 1502, a bottom flap 1504, and/or side flaps 1506a, b. After the molded base 1204 is manufactured, each flap can be folded down to create each side of the molded base 1204.

The thickness of the molded cover 1202 and/or the molded base 1204 can be similar to the thickness described above for the casing 100. For example, the material can have a consistent thickness of from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2.50 mm, for example approximately 2.00 mm. As will be appreciated, these dimensions can be altered, of course, according to the stiffness and/or rigidity of the material being used.

FIG. 15B is a side view of an example molded base 1204, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, any of the flaps of the molded base 1204 (e.g., the top flap 1502, bottom flap 1504, and/or side flaps 1506a, b) can be connected to the face surface 104 of the molded base 1204 via a flap hinge 1508. The flap hinge 1508 can be similar to the first hinge 110 and/or the second hinge 116 described herein. FIG. 15C is a detailed image of an example flap hinge 1508.

FIG. 15D is a front perspective view of a molded base 1204, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In example molded bases 1204 with flaps (e.g., the top flap 1502, bottom flap 1504, and/or side flaps 1506a, b) , each flap can be connected together at corners 1510, for example with adhesive or another fastener. In other examples, the corners 1510 of the flaps can be held together instead by the walls 1206 of the molded cover 1202 extending over the molded base 1204. FIG. 15E is a rear perspective view of a molded base 1204, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A molded base 1204 can include dampening elements 302, as described herein.

FIGs. 16A-16B are perspective views of an example molded cover 1202, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described above, some manufacturing processes for molded materials, for example molded pulps, provide a smooth surface on one side and a rough, or meshed, surface on the other side. The smooth surface of the material can be placed such that the visible surface of the molded cover 1202 is the smooth surface and the meshed surface faces toward the bottles.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an example method 1700 of securing a bottle within a two-piece molded case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 1700 in FIG. 17 can be used to secure a bottle within a case similar to the case 1200 shown in FIG. 12, for example. In block 1710, the method 1700 includes providing a molded base. In block 1720, the method 1700 includes placing a first bottle within a first bottle cavity of the molded base. A neck of the first bottle can rest in a first neck recess of the molded base. In block 1730, the method 1700 includes placing a molded cover on the molded base. The molded cover can comprise a first neck-holding protrusion tearably connected to the molded cover. The molded cover can also comprise a first heel-holding tab. In block 1740, the method 1700 includes sliding the molded cover on to the molded base such that the first neck-holding protrusion abuts the neck of the first bottle and the first heel-holding tab abuts a heel of the first bottle. In block 1750, the method 1700 includes permanently attaching the molded cover to the molded base to secure the first bottle. As described herein, the molded cover can be permanently attached to the molded base via rivets, adhesives, tamper-evident tape, and/or the like.

The method 1700 can end after block 1750. In some examples, additional steps may be included in the method 1700 according to the examples described herein. Additionally, in cases that provide a second bottle cavity, a second neck recess, and a second neck-holding protrusion, the steps in the method 1700 can be completed for a second bottle.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an example method 1800 of removing a bottle secured within a tamper-proof case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. When the steps of the method 1700 in FIG. 17 are complete, the one or more bottles are secured within the tamper-proof case, and a single bottle cannot be removed without tearing a corresponding neck-holding protrusion. The method 1800 provides steps to remove the bottle from the secured case. In block 1810, the method 1800 includes tearing the first neck-holding protrusion from the molded cover. As described herein, this tearing can be facilitated by a perforation line where the first neck-holding protrusion attaches to the molded cover. In some examples, the step in block 1810 can be preceded by tearing a first security tab from the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion.

In block 1820, the method 1800 includes pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess. Once the neck of the first bottle is beyond the molded cover, the bottle can be removed. In block 1830, the method 1800 includes removing the first bottle from the molded base. This can be completed, for example, by pulling the bottle axially and out of a heel-holding tab, as described herein.

The method 1800 can end after block 1830. In some examples, additional steps may be included in the method 1800 according to the examples described herein. Additionally, in tamper-proof cases that provide a second bottle cavity, a second neck recess, and a second neck-holding protrusion, the steps in the method 1800 can be completed for a second bottle. The present systems and methods also enable the first neck-holding protrusion to be torn from the molded cover without tearing a second neck-holding protrusion from the molded cover. In examples with security tabs, a first security tab can be torn from the molded cover without (1) the first neck-holding protrusion or (2) tearing a second security tab or second neck-holding protrusion.

It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. It is also to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

A tamper-proof bottle case comprising:

a molded casing comprising:

a face surface;

a first bottle cavity;

a first neck recess; and

a first flap hingeably connected to the face surface and comprising a first bottle door tearably connected to the first flap, the first bottle door comprising a first neck-holding protrusion,

wherein the first flap has an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein, when the first flap is in its open configuration, the first flap is substantially planar with the face surface, and

wherein, when the first flap is in its closed configuration, the first neck-holding protrusion extends at least partially into the first neck recess.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1, wherein the first bottle door is connected to the first flap via a perforation line.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1, wherein the molded casing further comprises a second flap hingeably connected to the face surface and comprising a heel-holding tab,

wherein the second flap has an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein, when the second flap is in its open configuration, the second flap is substantially planar with the face surface, and

wherein, when the second flap is in its closed configuration, the heel-holding tab extends at least partially into the first bottle cavity.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 3,

wherein the first flap and the second flap are in their respective closed configurations; and

wherein the molded casing is configured to secure a bottle within the first bottle cavity and the first neck recess.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 4, wherein the first flap and the second flap define an observation window coplanar with the face surface.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 5 further comprising the bottle disposed within the first bottle cavity, the bottle being viewable through the observation window.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 4 further comprising the bottle, the bottle comprising a bottle heel and a bottle neck,

wherein the first neck-holding protrusion abuts the bottle neck, and

wherein the heel-holding tab abuts the bottle heel.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 4, wherein:

the first flap and the second flap are permanently secured to the face surface; and

the first bottle door is configured to be at least partially torn from the first flap to remove the first neck-holding protrusion from the first neck recess.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 8 further comprising a rivet, wherein the first flap is secured to the face surface with the rivet.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 8, wherein the first flap is secured to the face surface via an adhesive.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1, wherein the molded casing comprises a fiber-pulp material.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1,

wherein the molded casing is a single piece of material comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being rough and the second surface being smooth;

wherein the first bottle cavity is defined by the first surface of the molded casing; and

wherein, when the first flap is in its closed configuration, an exposed surface of the first flap is defined by the second surface of the molded casing.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1, wherein the molded casing further comprises:

a second bottle cavity;

a second neck recess; and

a neck divider disposed between the first neck recess and the second neck recess,

wherein the first flap further comprises a second bottle door tearably connected to the first flap, the second bottle door comprising a second neck-holding protrusion, and

wherein, when the first flap is in its closed configuration, the second neck-holding protrusion extends at least partially into the second neck recess.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 13, wherein:

the first flap is permanently secured to the face surface;

the first bottle door is configured to be at least partially torn from the first flap to remove the first neck-holding protrusion from the first neck recess;

the second bottle door is configured to be at least partially torn from the first flap to remove the second neck-holding protrusion from the second neck recess; and

the first bottle door and the second bottle door are tearable from the first flap independently from each other.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 13,

wherein the first flap is secured to the face surface with a rivet; and

wherein the rivet passes through the neck divider.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 1, wherein the first bottle door further comprises a second neck-holding protrusion.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 16, wherein the first neck-holding protrusion and the second neck-holding protrusion are separated from each other by a perforation line and are openable independently from each other.
A method of securing bottles, the method comprising:

providing a molded casing comprising a face surface, a first bottle cavity, and a first neck recess, and a first flap hingeably connected to the face surface, the first flap comprising a first bottle door tearably connected to the first flap;

placing a first bottle in the first bottle cavity, a neck of the first bottle resting in the first neck recess;

hinging the first flap from an open configuration to a closed configuration such that a first neck-holding protrusion on the first bottle door abuts the neck of the first bottle; and

permanently attaching the first flap to the face surface to secure the first bottle within the molded casing.
The method of Claim 18, wherein the first bottle door is connected to the first flap via a perforation line.
The method of Claim 18 further comprising hinging a second flap from an open configuration to a closed configuration such that a heel-holding tab hinges to abut a heel of the first bottle.
The method of Claim 20, wherein the first flap and the second flap define an observation window coplanar with the face surface;

the method further comprising rotating the first bottle within the first bottle cavity.
The method of Claim 18, wherein permanently attaching the first flap to the face surface comprises:

passing a rivet through a first rivet hole of the first flap;

passing the rivet through a second rivet hole of the face surface; and

engaging the rivet.
The method of Claim 18, wherein permanently attaching the first flap to the face surface comprises adhering the first flap to the face surface via an adhesive.
The method of Claim 18 further comprising:

at least partially tearing the first bottle door from the first flap, thereby separating the first neck-holding protrusion from the neck of the first bottle;

pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess; and

removing the first bottle from the molded casing.
The method of Claim 18 further comprising placing a second bottle in a second bottle cavity of the molded casing, a neck of the second bottle resting in a second neck recess of the molded casing,

wherein the first flap further comprises a second bottle door tearably connected to the first flap, and

wherein hinging the first flap from the open configuration to the closed configuration causes a second neck-holding protrusion on the second bottle door to abut the neck of the second bottle.
The method of Claim 25 further comprising:

at least partially tearing the first bottle door from the first flap, thereby separating the first neck-holding protrusion from the neck of the first bottle without tearing the second bottle door;

pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess; and

removing the first bottle from the molded casing.
The method of Claim 18 further comprising placing a second bottle in a second bottle cavity of the molded casing, a neck of the second bottle resting in a second neck recess of the molded casing,

wherein the first bottle door further comprises a second neck-holding protrusion, and

wherein hinging the first flap from the open configuration to the closed configuration causes the second neck-holding protrusion on the first bottle door to abut the neck of the second bottle.
The method of Claim 27, wherein the first neck-holding protrusion and the second neck-holding protrusion are separated from each other by a perforation line and are openable independently from each other.
A tamper-proof bottle case comprising:

a molded base comprising:

a first bottle cavity; and

a first neck recess; and

a molded cover sized to fit upon the molded base, the molded cover comprising:

a first neck-holding protrusion tearably connected to the molded cover; and

a first heel-holding tab.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29, wherein the first neck-holding protrusion is connected to the molded cover via a perforation line.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29, wherein the molded cover comprises an observation window extending from a first position proximate the first neck-holding protrusion to a second position proximate the first heel-holding tab.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29 further comprising a first bottle only removable from the tamper-proof bottle case in response to tearing the first neck-holding protrusion at least partially from the molded cover.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29 further comprising a first security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 33, wherein the first security tab is tearably connected to the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion via a perforation line.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 33 further comprising a first bottle removable from the tamper-proof bottle case in response to at least partially tearing the first neck-holding protrusion from the molded cover but not removable in response to tearing the first security tab.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29, wherein the molded cover is permanently attached to the molded base.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 36 further comprising a rivet, wherein the molded cover is secured to the molded base via the rivet.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 37, wherein the molded cover comprises a rivet recess such that, once the molded cover is secured to the molded base, the rivet is at least partially countersunk within the molded cover.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 36 further comprising an adhesive, wherein the molded cover is secured to the molded base via the adhesive.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29, wherein the molded cover and the molded base comprise a fiber-pulp material.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 29,

wherein the molded cover further comprises:

a second neck-holding protrusion tearably connected to the molded cover; and

a second heel-holding tab; and

wherein the molded base further comprises:

a second bottle cavity;

a second neck recess; and

a neck divider disposed between the first neck recess and the second neck recess.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 41,

wherein the molded cover is secured to the molded base with a rivet; and

wherein the rivet passes through the neck divider.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 41, wherein the molded cover further comprises:

a first security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion; and

a second security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the second neck-holding protrusion.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 43, wherein the second security tab is configured to tear independently of the first security tab.
The tamper-proof bottle case of Claim 43,

wherein the first security tab is connected to the first neck-holding protrusion via a first perforation line; and

wherein the second security tab is connected to the second neck-holding protrusion via a second perforation line.
A method of securing bottles, the method comprising:

providing a molded base;

placing a first bottle within a first bottle cavity of the molded base, a neck of the first bottle resting in a first neck recess of the molded base;

placing a molded cover on the molded base, the molded cover comprising:

a first neck-holding protrusion tearably connected to the molded cover; and

a first heel-holding tab;

sliding the molded cover on to the molded base such that the first neck-holding protrusion abuts the neck of the first bottle and the first heel-holding tab abuts a heel of the first bottle; and

permanently attaching the molded cover to the molded base to secure the first bottle.
The method of Claim 46, wherein the first neck-holding protrusion is connected to the molded cover via a perforation line.
The method of Claim 46, wherein the molded cover comprises an observation window extending from a first position proximate the first neck-holding protrusion to a secondposition proximate the first heel-holding tab;

the method further comprising rotating the first bottle within the first bottle cavity.
The method of Claim 46, wherein permanently attaching the molded cover to the molded base comprises:

passing a rivet through a first rivet hole of the molded cover;

passing the rivet through a second rivet hole of the molded base; and

engaging the rivet.
The method of Claim 49, wherein the molded cover comprises a rivet recess such that, once engaged, the rivet is at least partially countersunk within the molded cover.
The method of Claim 46, wherein permanently attaching the molded cover to the molded base comprises adhering the molded cover to the molded base via an adhesive.
The method of Claim 46 further comprising:

tearing the first neck-holding protrusion at least partially from the molded cover;

pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess; and removing the first bottle from the molded base.
The method of Claim 46, wherein the molded cover further comprises a first security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion.
The method of Claim 53, wherein the first security tab is connected to the first neck-holding protrusion via a perforation line.
The method of Claim 53 further comprising:

tearing the first security tab from the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion;

tearing the first neck-holding protrusion at least partially from the molded cover;

pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess; and

removing the first bottle from the molded base.
The method of Claim 46 further comprising placing a second bottle in a second bottle cavity of the molded base, a neck of the second bottle resting with a second neck recess of the molded base, wherein sliding the molded cover on to the molded base causes a second neck-holding protrusion to abut the neck of the second bottle.
The method of Claim 56, wherein the molded cover further comprises:

a first security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion; and

a second security tab tearably connected to both the molded cover and the second neck-holding protrusion.
The method of Claim 57, wherein the first security tab is connected to the first neck-holding protrusion via a first perforation line; and

wherein the second security tab is connected to the second neck-holding protrusion via a second perforation line.
The method of Claim 57 further comprising:

tearing the first security tab from the molded cover and the first neck-holding protrusion, without tearing the second security tab from the molded cover;

tearing the first neck-holding protrusion at least partially from the molded cover without tearing the second neck-holding protrusion from the molded cover;

pulling the neck of the first bottle from the first neck recess; and

removing the first bottle from the molded base,

wherein the second bottle remains secure within the molded base.