US20140197050A1 - Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers - Google Patents
Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140197050A1 US20140197050A1 US13/743,060 US201313743060A US2014197050A1 US 20140197050 A1 US20140197050 A1 US 20140197050A1 US 201313743060 A US201313743060 A US 201313743060A US 2014197050 A1 US2014197050 A1 US 2014197050A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- travel container
- container
- interior
- travel
- panel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/0003—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/36—Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C7/00—Collapsible or extensible purses, luggage, bags or the like
- A45C7/0059—Flexible luggage; Hand bags
- A45C7/0077—Flexible luggage; Hand bags collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/02—Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
- A45C2013/026—Inserts
Landscapes
- Packages (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
Abstract
A collapsible travel container allowing a consumer to safely transport beverage containers acquired abroad as baggage aboard a plane, ship, or other form of mass transit, while reducing the likelihood of breakage or compromise of one or more of the beverage containers.
Description
- All material in this document, including the figures, is subject to copyright protections under the laws of the United States and other countries. The owner has no objection to reproduction of this document or its disclosure as it appears in official governmental records. All other rights are reserved.
- The technical field is travel baggage and shipping containers.
- Alcohol-related tourism has exploded in the past few decades. Many breweries, wineries, and distilleries have developed handsome alternative income streams by marketing themselves as travel “destinations”, offering anything from tastings to hosting and catering major events. However, there are many restrictions governing the transportation of alcoholic beverages. For example, in the United States, while adults can purchase wine in person, shipping is often a problem. In 24 states, shipping wine from a vintner to a consumer is felony offense carrying a five-year prison sentence. Other parts of the world—such as areas of Europe—may have even more restrictive laws and prohibitions. Given the increasing importance of wineries as tourist destinations, not being able to ship wine to consumers visiting from out-of-area is a barrier to commerce.
- One solution was for consumers to hand-carry several newly purchased, unopened bottles on a return flight, thereby ensuring proper transport and reduced chance of breakage. However, this is modernly infeasible. In the past decade, the United States government has imposed severely heightened restrictions on individuals traveling by air, which prohibits such activity. While there is currently no per-passenger quantity limit on beverages with less than 24 percent alcohol—such as wine and beer—transport is difficult because containers capable of holding more than three ounces of fluid are prohibited in carry-on luggage. Subject to airline bag and weight limitations and fees, wine purchasers may still transport wine in checked luggage, but this presents several difficulties. First, travel luggage is often not designed for efficiently and properly protecting wine bottles. Second, wine-specific shipping containers exist, but are often ill-suited for air travel. They often comprise cardboard boxes with foam interiors surrounding bottle-shaped cavities, but are difficult for passengers and airline workers to handle. Furthermore, interior foam is bulky and difficult to collapse, making it impractical for consumers to bring their own shipping containers to a winery.
- What is needed is luggage that can transport easily when not in use, and that can provide sufficient protection of unopened beverage containers—such as wine bottles—when deployed.
- The invention pertains to a collapsible container made of flexible materials designed to surround industry standard beverage shipping containers, but with features to allow easy transport via plane, ship, or other form of mass transit. The flexible material allows one embodiment to be folded into a compact form when not in use such that the invention may be easily and efficiently stowed and carried when not in use. For example, consumers visiting a winery from out-of-state could fold the embodiment and pack it in their luggage. Upon arriving at the winery, and after purchasing a standard ease of wine, they can unfold the embodiment, secure the case inside, conveniently transport the wine in the travel container, and confidently check the embodiment containing the case when they arrive at the airport. An alternate embodiment eases transport from the winery further by incorporating wheels on the bottom or sides. A standard case of wine protects the wine bottles while the invention allows both the consumer and baggage handlers to conveniently handle the package.
-
FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the invention as fully deployed and ready to receive a shipping container. -
FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the invention as receiving a shipping container. -
FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the invention as being closed around the shipping container. -
FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment with additional features easing transport. -
FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment capable of being expanded. -
FIGS. 6-11 depict one embodiment in various stages of being folded for compact storage and transport. -
FIGS. 12-13 depict one embodiment with wheel assemblies as moving means. - The following describes preferred embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The description that follows is for purpose of illustration and not limitation. Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the inventive subject matter, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
- Wherever possible, the numbering of elements is consistent throughout the figures. A lack of numbering does not necessarily imply an element is not represented in the figure. Its labeling may be omitted to reduce clutter or improve clarity where appropriate.
- In a typical embodiment, the invention comprises a
travel container 1 which has abottom panel 2, at least fourside panels 3, and atop panel 4. In a typical embodiment, theside panels 3 are integrally coupled to thebottom panel 2, and to each other. This can be accomplished in any number of standard ways (e.g., stitching, plastic welding where materials allow, etc.). The various panels may even be made of one contiguous portion of like material that can bend or fold (e.g., fabric, flexible plastic, cardboard, even some metals coupled by hinges or hinge-like apparatuses), allowing the embodiment to be folded into a compact form for convenient stowing and travel. Thetop panel 4 is customarily (but not necessarily) integrally coupled to one of theside panels 3. This configuration forms aflap 8, aninterior 9, and anexterior 10. Theinterior 9 has interior dimensions comprising aninterior length 28,interior width 29, and aninterior height 30. - In this configuration, one or
more side panels 3 each has atop edge 5, and thetop panel 4 hasside edges 6. One ormore side edges 6 of thetop panel 4 may be fastened to one or more correspondingtop edges 5 of theside panels 3 by a non permanent fastening means 7, which as depicted is azipper 13 with twosliders 16. It could also be: a single zipper with a single slider; two or more zippers, each with one or more sliders; one or more snaps, buttons, clasps; hook-and-loop fasteners; or any fastening means, or combination thereof, typically used to non-permanently fasten one flexible material to another. Wherezippers 13 are used, each zipper typically comprises at least oneslider 16, a first set ofteeth 17, and a second set ofteeth 18. The first set of teeth is typically affixed to and disposed along theside edges 6 of thetop panel 4, and the second set ofteeth 18 is typically affixed to and disposed along one or moretop edges 5 of theside panels 3. Theslider 16 is coupled to first set ofteeth 17 and the second set ofteeth 18 such that when the slider is 16 operated in afirst direction 20, theside edges 6 of thetop panel 4 are non-permanently fastened to thetop edges 5 of theside panels 3, and when theslider 16 is operated in a secondreverse direction 21, theside edges 6 of thetop panel 4 are unfastened from thetop edges 5 of theside panels 3. - Coupled to the
exterior 10 are handles 11. These handles are typically permanently affixed to theexterior 10 via any appropriate means. In one embodiment, thehandles 11 havehorizontal reinforcements 12 also permanently affixed to theexterior 10. As depicted in the figures, thehandles 11 andhorizontal reinforcements 12 are affixed to two of theside panels 3. In another embodiment, thereinforcements 12 may pass vertically down theside panels 3 and optionally across the bottom panel 2 (not depicted). The material of thereinforcements 12 may be the same as thehandles 11 or may be a different flexible or rigid material (e.g., cloth, plastic, nylon, carbon fiber, wood, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride, steel, etc.). If the material of thereinforcements 12 is the same as thehandles 11, thereinforcements 12 and handles 11 may be fashioned from the same integral piece of material. - Typically, the
travel container 1 is constructed such that the interior dimensions closely approximate the dimensions ofboxes 15 commonly used in the industry to ship beverage containers 16 (e.g., a cardboard box commonly used to ship a case containing 12 bottles of wine). - In one embodiment, each
side panel 3 has two side edges 26. In such an embodiment, the non-permanent fastening means 7 extends to the side edges 26 allowing them to be fastened and unfastened along with the top panel, thereby allowing the consumer to more easily place thebox 15 into thetravel container 1. - The
box 15 typically contains lightweight,rigid inserts 17 for dissipating threes typically encountered by theexterior 10 of thetravel container 1 during handling and transit. These lightweight,rigid inserts 17 are typically constructed in such a way that when handling forces are applied to the exterior 10, they do not result in breakage of thebeverage containers 16. The lightweight,rigid inserts 17 are typically constructed of foam (e.g., polystyrene, closed cell foam, etc.), but could be constructed of any number of force-dissipating materials (e.g., fabric, cloth, rubber, etc.) or combinations thereof. - In one embodiment, as depicted in
FIGS. 1-3 and 12-13, the invention optionally comprises two or more moving means 33 allowing for more convenient transport when in use. The moving means could comprisewheel assemblies 14 affixed to the travel container 1 (e.g., thebottom panel 2, as depicted).Wheel assemblies 14 generally comprisewheels 22 and attachment means 23 such asslab 36 or abracket 24 and rivets 34, bolts, etc. In additional embodiments, the wheel assemblies could comprise means allowing the wheel to freely pivot, such as casters, bearingassemblies 25, or any other applicable means. In other embodiments, the moving means could comprise: nylon sliders allowing thetravel container 1 to slide across substantially smooth surfaces; captive ball bearings allowing thetravel container 1 to be moved across substantially flat surfaces in any direction; or any other commonly available means allowing the consumer to move thetravel container 1 while allowing the surface over which thetravel container 1 is being moved to hear some or all of its weight. - In another embodiment, as depicted in
FIG. 4 , the invention optionally comprises: a rigid, telescoping handle 32; “D” rings 19 to which to attach a carryingstrap 31; or rigid posts 35 upon which to rest the travel container when not being moved. - In yet another embodiment, as depicted in
FIG. 5 , the invention optionally comprises a means for expanding and collapsing one or more of the interior dimensions to more closely accommodate thebox 15 or other contents. This typically comprises a fastener and agusset 38 disposed substantially perpendicular to the dimension to be expanded or collapsed. As depicted, the dimension to be expanded or collapsed is thelength 28, and the fastener for expanding and collapsing is azipper 27. The fastener could also be a snap, button, clasp, hook-and-loop fastener, etc., or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, thegusset 38 could be fastener-less, using springs or other materials prone to elastic deformations to keep the gusset collapsed until pushed apart by contents placed in the travel container. -
FIGS. 6-12 depict thetravel container 1 in various stages between being fully deployed and fully collapsed for compact storage and transport when not in use. Optionally, thetravel container 1 can be stored in a slim travel case 37. - While the description of the embodiments focuses on beverage containers, the invention may be used to safely transport nearly any goods, especially those requiring care in handling via plane, ship, or other form or mass transit. For example, the invention could be used to transport plastic file containers, antique dinnerware packaged in cardboard, delicate sculptures with custom-cut foam, etc.
- The invention pertains to tourism and travel and beverage package handling and shipping.
Claims (23)
1. A travel container for transporting beverage containers comprising:
a. a bottom panel;
b. at least four side panels integrally coupled to the bottom panel;
c. a top panel coupled to at least one of the side panels;
d. one or more fasteners for coupling/fastening the top panel to the side panels such that when fastened, the bottom panel, side panels, and top panel form a substantially rectangular-shaped closed container having:
i. an interior for receiving a rigid box designed to enclose one or more beverage containers during transit, the interior having interior dimensions comprising an interior length, interior width, and interior height; and
ii. an exterior; and
e. a handle coupled to the exterior for allowing the container to be transported as luggage aboard a plane, ship, or other form of mass transit;
the bottom panel, top panel, and side panels being constructed of a flexible/collapsible material for compact storage when the travel container is not in use.
2. The travel container of claim 1 , wherein the fastener couples/fastens a side edge of one or more side panels to a side edge of any adjacent side panels.
3. The travel container of claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
4. The travel container of claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a zipper, wherein the zipper further comprises:
a. a first set of teeth disposed along at least one side edge of the top panel;
b. a second set of teeth disposed along a top edge of at least one of the side panels; and
c. a slider coupled to the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth in such a way that when the slider is operated in a first direction, the side edge(s) of the top panel are non-permanently fastened to the top edge(s) of the side panel(s), and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the side edge(s) of the top panel are unfastened from the top edge(s) of the side panel(s).
5. The travel container of claim 4 wherein the first set of teeth extends to a side edge of at least one side panel and the second set of teeth extends to a side edge of an adjacent side panel in such a way that when the slider is operated in the first direction, the side edge of the side panel is non-permanently fastened to the side edge of the adjacent side panel, and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the side edge of the side panel is unfastened from the side edge of the adjacent side panel.
6. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising rollers.
7. The travel container of claim 6 , wherein the rollers further comprise two or more wheel assemblies coupled to the exterior.
8. The travel container of claim 7 wherein at least two wheel assemblies can freely pivot.
9. The travel container of claim 6 , wherein the rollers further comprise captive ball bearings.
10. The travel container of claim 6 further comprising a rigid, telescoping handle.
11. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising sliders.
12. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising a gusset for expanding and collapsing at least one interior dimension for accommodating contents of varying sizes during use.
13. The travel container of claim 12 , further comprising a spring for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed.
14. The travel container of claim 12 , further comprising a fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed.
15. The travel container of claim 14 , wherein the fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
16. The travel container of claim 14 , wherein the fastener for ensuring the gusset remains collapsed until expansion is needed further comprises a zipper, wherein the zipper further comprises:
a. a first set of teeth disposed along one or more side panels substantially perpendicular to an axis corresponding to the interior dimension to be collapsed or expanded;
b. a second set of teeth disposed along one or more side panels substantially parallel to the first set of teeth; and
c. a slider coupled to the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth in such a way that when the slider is operated in a first direction, the travel container is collapsed perpendicular to the axis, and when the slider is operated in a second reverse direction, the travel container is expanded perpendicular to the axis.
17. The travel container of claim 1 , wherein the interior dimensions are approximately the same as exterior dimensions of a container commonly used in the industry for shipping eases of beverages.
18. The travel container of claim 17 , wherein the beverages are wine bottles.
19. The travel container of claim 17 , wherein the interior length is between 44 cm and 50 cm, the interior width is between 30 cm and 36.5 cm, and the interior height is between 38 cm and 46.5 cm.
20. The travel container of claim 17 , wherein the interior length is 49.8 cm, the interior width is 31.4 cm, and the interior height is 39.4 cm.
21. The travel container of claim 1 further comprising two or more strap attachments for allowing a carrying strap to be attached to the exterior.
22. The travel container of claim 21 , wherein the strap attachments are metal rings.
23. The travel container of claim 22 , wherein the metal rings are “D” rings.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/743,060 US20140197050A1 (en) | 2013-01-16 | 2013-01-16 | Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers |
CA2815871A CA2815871A1 (en) | 2013-01-16 | 2013-05-15 | Travel container for transporting of beverage containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/743,060 US20140197050A1 (en) | 2013-01-16 | 2013-01-16 | Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140197050A1 true US20140197050A1 (en) | 2014-07-17 |
Family
ID=51164360
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/743,060 Abandoned US20140197050A1 (en) | 2013-01-16 | 2013-01-16 | Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140197050A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2815871A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD739303S1 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2015-09-22 | Lf Centennial Ltd. | Non-twisting D-rings |
USD750371S1 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2016-03-01 | Lf Centennial Ltd. | Tool belt with non-twisting D-rings |
US20180354711A1 (en) * | 2017-06-07 | 2018-12-13 | Citadel Casing Ltd | Tamper-proof case systems and methods |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2254578A (en) * | 1940-08-29 | 1941-09-02 | Frank J O'brien | Duffel bag |
US20050036715A1 (en) * | 2003-08-14 | 2005-02-17 | Tom Delaney | Thermally insulating activity mat bag |
US20060169690A1 (en) * | 2005-01-28 | 2006-08-03 | Rothschild Wayne H | Multipurpose storage device and method |
US20090255770A1 (en) * | 2008-02-15 | 2009-10-15 | Owen Slater | Foldable carrying device |
US20120255824A1 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-10-11 | Scott Schnell | Mobile luggage system |
US8662269B2 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2014-03-04 | Avenues In Leather, Inc. | Carrying case for portable electronic devices with suspended inner compartment |
-
2013
- 2013-01-16 US US13/743,060 patent/US20140197050A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-05-15 CA CA2815871A patent/CA2815871A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2254578A (en) * | 1940-08-29 | 1941-09-02 | Frank J O'brien | Duffel bag |
US20050036715A1 (en) * | 2003-08-14 | 2005-02-17 | Tom Delaney | Thermally insulating activity mat bag |
US20060169690A1 (en) * | 2005-01-28 | 2006-08-03 | Rothschild Wayne H | Multipurpose storage device and method |
US20090255770A1 (en) * | 2008-02-15 | 2009-10-15 | Owen Slater | Foldable carrying device |
US8662269B2 (en) * | 2010-12-10 | 2014-03-04 | Avenues In Leather, Inc. | Carrying case for portable electronic devices with suspended inner compartment |
US20120255824A1 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-10-11 | Scott Schnell | Mobile luggage system |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD739303S1 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2015-09-22 | Lf Centennial Ltd. | Non-twisting D-rings |
USD750371S1 (en) | 2014-05-22 | 2016-03-01 | Lf Centennial Ltd. | Tool belt with non-twisting D-rings |
US20180354711A1 (en) * | 2017-06-07 | 2018-12-13 | Citadel Casing Ltd | Tamper-proof case systems and methods |
US10479597B2 (en) * | 2017-06-07 | 2019-11-19 | Citadel Casing Ltd | Tamper-proof case systems and methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2815871A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7815024B1 (en) | Collapsible balikbayan box apparatus | |
US10334936B2 (en) | Checkpoint-friendly backpack | |
CA2626937C (en) | Securable consumer goods transportation apparatus | |
US20080217130A1 (en) | Self-contained luggage carrier system | |
US20080128231A1 (en) | Dividable luggage | |
WO2010105147A2 (en) | Inflatable, reusable and leak-resistant carrier | |
US20190335703A1 (en) | Inflatable transport box | |
US20110266107A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for the transport of bottled liquids | |
US20140197050A1 (en) | Travel Container for Transporting Of Beverage Containers | |
US10405621B2 (en) | Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items | |
US9314077B2 (en) | Checkpoint-friendly bag for a laptop computer | |
US20200221838A1 (en) | Collapsible luggage | |
US20130284553A1 (en) | Luggage Case System | |
US20020125090A1 (en) | Portable carrying devices | |
US8973798B2 (en) | Backpack and protective cover for bicycle | |
US20180122344A1 (en) | Soft outer case for carrying two hard-shell guitar cases together as one travel item | |
US9189979B2 (en) | Display shield having a collapsible holder for a beverage | |
US20120155789A1 (en) | Flex bag | |
GB2566058B (en) | Container for attachment to luggage | |
NO327045B1 (en) | Emballeringsduk | |
KR102061278B1 (en) | Foldable Suitcase | |
US20210070535A1 (en) | Transport case for a folding bicycle | |
US11540606B2 (en) | Luggage cover and wheel well assembly for transporting luggage | |
GB2375096A (en) | A bulk bag for palletless transportation of goods | |
US20230210233A1 (en) | Recyclable trolley case |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FRANMARA, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHIORAZZI, FRANK P.;CHIORAZZI, FRANK O.;REEL/FRAME:030402/0752 Effective date: 20130131 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |