U.S. patent application number 13/100025 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for method and apparatus for the transport of bottled liquids.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Wine Check. Invention is credited to Todd French, Shawnda HANSEN.
Application Number | 20110266107 13/100025 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44857400 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110266107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HANSEN; Shawnda ; et
al. |
November 3, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF BOTTLED LIQUIDS
Abstract
A luggage carrier for transporting a plurality of beverage
bottles, including a substantially rectangular-shaped housing
including a bottom panel, a top panel, a front panel, a back panel,
a right panel and a left panel that define an interior hollow
compartment having an interior length, width and height. The
luggage carrier further includes a pre-formed bottle shipping
container having an exterior length, width and height substantially
equal to the interior length, width and height of the interior
hollow compartment. The pre-formed bottle shipping container is
positioned within the interior hollow compartment. The pre-formed
bottle shipping container contains a plurality of cavities each
configured and dimensioned to accept a beverage bottle. A method of
transporting a plurality of beverage bottles is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
HANSEN; Shawnda; (Glen
Ellen, CA) ; French; Todd; (Dana Point, CA) |
Assignee: |
The Wine Check
Glen Ellen
CA
|
Family ID: |
44857400 |
Appl. No.: |
13/100025 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61330493 |
May 3, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A ;
190/110; 190/115; 190/121; 53/467; 53/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0583 20130101;
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/18.A ;
190/110; 190/115; 190/121; 53/467; 53/475 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14; B65B 7/00 20060101 B65B007/00; B65B 5/06 20060101
B65B005/06; A45C 13/02 20060101 A45C013/02; A45C 13/06 20060101
A45C013/06 |
Claims
1. A luggage carrier for transporting a plurality of beverage
bottles, comprising: a substantially rectangular-shaped housing
comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, a front panel, a back
panel, a right panel and a left panel that define an interior
hollow compartment having an interior length, width and height; a
pre-formed bottle shipping container having an exterior length,
width and height substantially equal to the interior length, width
and height of the interior hollow compartment, wherein the
pre-formed bottle shipping container is positioned within the
interior hollow compartment, and wherein the pre-formed bottle
shipping container contains a plurality of cavities each configured
and dimensioned to accept a beverage bottle.
2. The luggage carrier of claim 1, wherein the front panel of the
housing includes a zipperable opening for the insertion or removal
of the pre-formed bottle shipping container into and out of the
interior hollow compartment.
3. The luggage carrier of claim 2, wherein the front panel includes
four sides, and the zipperable opening extends along at least three
of the four sides of the front panel.
4. The luggage carrier of claim 1, further comprising a first wheel
and a second wheel each attached to the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing at an intersection of the back panel and
the bottom panel.
5. The luggage carrier of claim 4, further comprising a pulling
device attached to the front panel of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing.
6. The luggage carrier of claim 5, wherein the pulling device is
positioned substantially at a lower one-third of the top panel of
the substantially rectangular-shaped housing to engage the first
and second wheels for transport when pulled.
7. The luggage carrier of claim 1, wherein interior length of the
interior hollow compartment is about 19 inches, the interior width
of the interior hollow compartment is about 14 inches, and the
interior height of the interior hollow compartment is about 15.5
inches.
8. The luggage carrier of claim 1, wherein the pre-formed bottle
shipping container comprises a Styrofoam wine bottle shipper.
9. The luggage carrier of claim 8, wherein the pre-formed bottle
shipping container further includes a cardboard box surrounding the
Styrofoam wine bottle shipper.
10. The luggage carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
bottom panel, top panel, front panel, back panel, right panel and
left panel of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing
comprises a first fabric wall and a second fabric wall surrounding
a foam insert.
11. The luggage carrier of claim 1, further comprising a first
handle attached to the top panel of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing and a second handle attached to the
bottom surface of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing,
wherein the first handle and the second handle are substantially
parallel to one another on opposite sides of the internal hollow
compartment.
12. A method for transporting a plurality of beverage bottles,
comprising the steps of: placing the plurality of beverage bottles
in respective cavities of a pre-formed beverage shipping container,
the pre-formed beverage shipping container defining an exterior
length, width and height; opening a front panel of a substantially
rectangular-shaped housing a zipper device, the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing including a bottom panel, a top panel, a
front panel, a back panel, a right panel and a left panel that
define an interior hollow compartment having an interior length,
width and height; placing the pre-formed beverage shipping
container into the interior hollow compartment of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing, wherein the interior length, width and
height of the interior hollow compartment is substantially equal to
the external length, width and height of the pre-formed beverage
shipping container; and closing the front panel of the
substantially-rectangular shaped housing the zipper device.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
placing the pre-formed beverage shipping container into a cardboard
box, wherein the interior length, width and height of the cardboard
box is substantially equal to the exterior length, width and height
of the pre-formed beverage shipping container; and placing the
cardboard box into the substantially rectangular-shaped housing,
wherein the interior length, width and height of the internal
hollow compartment is substantially equal to an external length,
width and height of the cardboard box.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
pulling a pull strap attached to the front panel of the
substantially-rectangular shaped housing; and thereby rolling the
substantially-rectangular shaped housing on a first wheel and a
second wheel, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are each
attached to the substantially rectangular-shaped housing at an
intersection of the back panel and the bottom panel.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
folding the bottom panel, top panel, right panel and left panel;
and thereby collapsing the front panel in towards the back panel
for storage of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing.
16. A luggage carrier for transporting a plurality of beverage
bottles, comprising: a substantially rectangular-shaped housing
comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, a front panel, a back
panel, a right panel and a left panel that define an interior
hollow compartment, the interior hollow compartment defining an
interior length, width and height that are substantially equal to
an exterior length, width and height of a pre-formed bottle
shipping container; a zipperable opening located along at least
three of the four sides of the front panel of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing for the insertion or removal of the
pre-formed bottle shipping container into or out of the interior
hollow compartment, and wherein the bottom panel, top panel, right
panel and left panel are flexible such that the front panel
collapses towards the back panel for storage of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing.
17. The luggage carrier of claim 16, further comprising a first
wheel and a second wheel each attached to the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing at an intersection of the back panel and
the bottom panel.
18. The luggage carrier of claim 17, further comprising a pulling
device attached to the front panel of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing.
19. The luggage carrier of claim 18, wherein the pulling device is
positioned substantially at a lower one-third of the top panel of
the substantially rectangular-shaped housing to engage the first
and second wheels for transport when pulled.
20. The luggage carrier of claim 16, wherein the interior length of
the interior hollow compartment is about 19 inches, the interior
width of the interior hollow compartment is about 14 inches, and
the interior height of the interior hollow compartment is about
15.5 inches.
21. The luggage carrier of claim 16, wherein at least one of the
bottom panel, top panel, front panel, back panel, right panel and
left panel of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing
comprises a first fabric wall and a second fabric wall surrounding
a foam insert.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/330,493,
filed on May 3, 2010. The contents of the foregoing application is
expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This patent application relates generally to a method and
apparatus for the transport of bottled liquids. More specifically,
this patent application relates to a luggage carrier adapted for
airline transport of a wine shipper box containing a plurality of
sealed wine bottles.
[0003] There are extensive limitations to the various methods of
transporting wine. In many areas of the country, such as Napa,
Calif., shipping wine is not possible for half of the year due to
weather, lest the contents of the box be damaged. Shipping of
alcohol is prohibitive in many states and can be very expensive.
Adult signatures are required to ship alcohol, and can result in
additional delays, which, when combined with the general
inefficiencies of shipping, can result in damage to the valuable
and expensive contents.
[0004] Wine purchased in various wine-making regions of the world
is often transported in what is known as a "wine shipper." A wine
shipper is typically a cardboard box containing an insert of shaped
Styrofoam, formed paper pulp, or some other shaped or formed
protection container for the plurality of bottles contained inside.
Typically these boxes and their inserts hold 3, 4, 6 or 12 bottles
of wine. These boxes can be shipped or checked as luggage in an
airport. However, checking a wine shipper at the airport requires
that the owner sign a waiver that releases the airline from any
damage or loss. These boxes, when full of wine, weigh in at 40
pounds or more, and are cumbersome and extremely heavy to carry and
transport.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an embodiment, a luggage carrier may transport
a plurality of beverage bottles. The luggage carrier may include a
substantially rectangular-shaped housing having a bottom panel, a
top panel, a front panel, a back panel, a right panel and a left
panel that define an interior hollow compartment having an interior
length, width and height. The luggage carrier may further include a
pre-formed bottle shipping container having an exterior length,
width and height substantially equal to the interior length, width
and height of the interior hollow compartment. The pre-formed
bottle shipping container may be positioned within the interior
hollow compartment. The pre-formed bottle shipping container may
contain a plurality of cavities each configured and dimensioned to
accept a beverage bottle.
[0006] According to another embodiment, a method for transporting a
plurality of beverage bottles may include the step of placing the
plurality of beverage bottles in respective cavities of a
pre-formed beverage shipping container, the pre-formed beverage
shipping container defining an exterior length, width and height.
The method may include the step of opening a front panel of a
substantially rectangular-shaped housing a zipper device, the
substantially rectangular-shaped housing including a bottom panel,
a top panel, a front panel, a back panel, a right panel and a left
panel that define an interior hollow compartment having an interior
length, width and height. The method may include the step of
placing the pre-formed beverage shipping container into the
interior hollow compartment of the substantially rectangular-shaped
housing, wherein the interior length, width and height of the
interior hollow compartment is substantially equal to the external
length, width and height of the pre-formed beverage shipping
container. The method may include the step of closing the front
panel of the substantially-rectangular shaped housing the zipper
device.
[0007] According to an embodiment, a luggage carrier may transport
a plurality of beverage bottles. The luggage carrier may include a
substantially rectangular-shaped housing having a bottom panel, a
top panel, a front panel, a back panel, a right panel and a left
panel that define an interior hollow compartment, the interior
hollow compartment defining an interior length, width and height
that are substantially equal to an exterior length, width and
height of a pre-formed bottle shipping container. The luggage
carrier may include a zipperable opening located along at least
three of the four sides of the front panel of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing for the insertion or removal of the
pre-formed bottle shipping container into or out of the interior
hollow compartment. The bottom panel, top panel, right panel and
left panel may be flexible such that the front panel collapses
towards the back panel for storage of the substantially
rectangular-shaped housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be
apparent from the following, more particular, description of
various exemplary embodiments including a preferred embodiment, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or
structurally similar elements.
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a left-front-top perspective view of a
luggage carrier for transporting a plurality of beverage
containers, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the luggage carrier of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a left side view of the luggage carrier of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a right side view of the luggage carrier of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a top view of the luggage carrier of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of the luggage carrier of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 8 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier with a
front panel opened for insertion of a pre-formed bottle shipping
container into an internal hollow compartment of the luggage
carrier housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier with the
front panel opened and a bottom portion of a pre-formed bottle
shipping container positioned within the internal hollow container,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 9A depicts a front view of the luggage carrier with the
front panel opened and a cardboard box housing bottom portion of a
pre-formed bottle shipping container positioned within the internal
hollow container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier with the
front panel opened and a top and bottom portion of a pre-formed
bottle shipping container positioned within the internal hollow
container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a collapsed view of the luggage carrier for
storage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 12A depicts a collapsed view of the luggage carrier
prior to use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 12B depicts a front view of the luggage carrier in a
"ready-to-use" position where the front panel has been unzipped,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12C depicts a front view of the luggage carrier where a
bottom portion of the pre-formed bottle shipping container is
positioned within the internal hollow compartment, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 12D depicts a front view of luggage carrier in which
beverage bottles have been placed inside the bottom portion of the
pre-formed bottle shipping container, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 12E depicts a front view of the luggage carrier where
the top portion of the pre-formed bottle shipping container has
been positioned over the bottom portion in the internal hollow
compartment, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0026] FIG. 12F depicts a front view of the luggage carrier that
has been closed and sealed by a zipper device, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention including
preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specific
exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that
this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in
the relevant art will recognize that other components and
configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
[0028] FIGS. 1-7 depict various views of a luggage carrier 100 for
transporting a plurality of beverage containers (not shown),
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
luggage carrier 100 may include a substantially rectangular-shaped
housing 10 having a bottom panel 12, a top panel 14, a front panel
16, a back panel 18, a right panel 20, and a left panel 22 that
define an interior hollow compartment 24 (See FIG. 8).
[0029] According to an embodiment, the panels of housing 10 may be
made of a polyester and/or nylon fabric material. According to
another embodiment, the fabric material may be woven into a
ballistic type of fabric on the exterior of the housing 10.
According to a further embodiment, at least one of the panels of
housing 10 may include an insert (not shown) of foam or other
material to provide additional support and cushioning of the
beverage bottles during transport. For example, the insert may be
approximately 5/8 inch to 1 inch foam padding or an open cell foam.
The insert may have insulating properties that help maintain the
temperature of liquids stored in the interior hollow compartment 24
within a desired range.
[0030] According to another embodiment, housing 10 does not contain
a rigid interior support or skeletal structure. This embodiment may
allow the luggage carrier 100 to be lightweight and
semi-collapsible so that it can be packed and stored to be used
again as needed. Additionally, the light weight nature of luggage
carrier 100 may allow it to remain light enough to satisfy typical
airline requirements for checked bag weight.
[0031] According to an embodiment, at least one panel of housing 10
may be openable to provide user access into the interior hollow
compartment 24. This may alternatively be referred to as a "flap
top." For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a zipper 26 may extend along
at least one edge of the front panel 16 to allow access into the
interior hollow compartment 24. In this embodiment, the zipper 26
may extend along three of four sides of the front panel 16,
including the sides neighboring the left panel 22, top panel 14 and
right panel 20. The front panel 16 may remain permanently attached
to the housing 10 along an edge neighboring bottom panel 12. This
configuration may allow the three edges of the front panel 16 to be
un-zippered and pulled away from the housing 10 to expose the
interior hollow compartment 24 underneath.
[0032] As seen in FIG. 7, the zipper 26 may further extend along a
portion of the side edges of bottom panel 12 to allow for
additional access to and maneuverability within the interior hollow
compartment 24 space when the front panel 16 is pulled back.
[0033] According to a further embodiment, a zippered pocket may be
included on at least one of the panels of housing 10 for additional
storage. As shown in FIG. 1, a zippered pocket 28 is incorporated
into the front panel 16 of the housing 10. The zippered pocket 28
may be used, for example, to store smaller flat travel items, such
as plane tickets, a book, or a map.
[0034] According to an embodiment, the housing 10 may include at
least one handle for lifting the luggage carrier 100 during
transport. As shown in FIG. 6, a handle 30 may be positioned on the
top panel 14 of the housing 10. The handle 30 may include two
connecting portions 32 and a hand grip 34. The two connecting
portions 32 may be made of, for example, nylon or another durable
material. The hand grip 34 may be made of, for example, folded
nylon, plastic or rubber. A support strap 36 may fasten the handle
30 to the top panel 14 of the housing 10. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 6, the ends of each connecting portion 32 may be positioned
between the exterior surface of the top panel 14 and the bottom
surface of the support strap 36. Durable thread stitching of the
three layers may fasten the top 14, the connecting portions 32, and
the support strap 36 together in overlapping regions 38. Additional
thread stitching may be used to reinforce the support strap 36 to
the exterior surface of the top panel 14. The support strap 36 may
be made of, for example, nylon or the same material as is used for
the connecting portions 32. The support strap 36 may span across a
width of the top panel 14.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, an additional handle 40 may be
positioned on the bottom panel 12 of the housing 10. The handle 40
may include two connecting portions 42 and a hand grip 44. A
support strap 46 may attach the connecting portions 42 of handle 40
to the bottom panel 12 of the housing 10 at an overlapping region
48 in a similar manner to that described above. In this embodiment,
the support strap 46 may be positioned just beneath the ends of
zipper 26. Additional stitching may be provided around the
perimeter of the support strap 46 and through the wall and foam
insert (not shown) of the bottom panel 12. The separated area
defined by this additional stitching may produce a flexible bending
region 50 on the inside wall of the bottom panel 12, as shown in
FIG. 8. The flexible bending region 50 may facilitate a fold of the
front panel 16, and thus a wider opening into the interior hollow
compartment 24, when the front panel 16 is un-zipped and folded
away from the housing 10.
[0036] According to an embodiment, the handles 30, 40 may be
positioned substantially parallel to one another on opposite ends
of the housing 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. The handles 30,
40 may be positioned so that a user can lift the luggage carrier
100 from a position above the housing 10.
[0037] According to another embodiment, the front panel 16 may
include a logo 52 to enhance the decorative appearance of the
luggage carrier 100. The logo 52, in this embodiment, shaped in
part as a wine bottle, may also alert airline employees that the
contents of the luggage carrier 100 are glass bottles and, thus,
breakable. The logo 52 may alternatively be any design.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a pair of wheels 54 may be
attached to the housing 10 at an intersection between the rear and
bottom panels 18, 12. The wheels 54 may be attached to the housing
10 via two wheel casings 56. According to an embodiment, each wheel
54 may be riveted onto a solid, rigid backing of respective wheel
casing 56, having an I-shaped plastic support panel.
[0039] According to another embodiment, the wheels 54 may be made
of polyurethane and the wheel casings 56 may be ball bearing
cassettes. Additionally, the wheels 54 may be semi-recessed into
the wheel casings 56. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 8, the wheel casings
56 may attach to the corners of the rear and bottom panels 18, 12
of the housing 10 by a plurality of fasteners 58, such as rivets.
Reinforcement tabs 60 may be positioned between the fasteners 58
and the interior surfaces of the rear and bottom panels 18, 12, as
shown in FIG. 8 to prevent damage to or tearing of the interior
panel surfaces by the fasteners 58 during transportation. The
reinforcement straps 60 may, for example, be made of a nylon strap
material.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the top panel 14 may include an
adjustable pull strap 62 to pull the luggage carrier 100 forward
onto wheels 54 for transportation. The pull strap 62 may include
two connecting portions 64 and a hand grip 66. The two connecting
portions 64 may be made of, for example, nylon or other another
durable material. The hand grip 66 may be made of, for example,
folded nylon, plastic or rubber. A support strap 68 may attach the
connecting portions 64 of handle 62 to the top panel 14 of the
housing 10 at an overlapping region 70 in a similar manner to that
described above with respect to handles 30, 40. Alternatively, the
connecting portions 64 may attach to the support strap 68 via a
D-ring hook 69 or other fastening device, as shown in FIG. 2. The
pull strap 62 may be adjustable to a length that will enable a user
to easily pull the luggage carrier 100 forward to roll on wheels 54
for transport. When not in use or during flight, the adjustable
pull strap 62 may be removed and stored in zippered pocket 28.
[0041] According to one embodiment, the adjustable pull strap 62
may be positioned to transfer the weight of the contents of the
luggage carrier 100 to the wheels 54 for transportation by rolling.
For example, the pull straps 62 may be positioned along the lower
third of the top panel 14 so that when lifted, the weight shift is
sufficient to relieve the individual from bearing the full weight
of the load. Alternatively, the adjustable pull strap 62 may be
positioned substantially parallel to the wheels 54 at opposite ends
of the housing 10.
[0042] FIG. 8 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier 100 with
the front panel 16 opened for insertion of a pre-formed bottle
shipping container (See FIG. 9) into the internal hollow
compartment 24 of the housing 10, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The interior hollow
compartment 24 includes an interior length L.sub.I, width W.sub.I
and height H.sub.I that may be substantially equal to the exterior
length, width and height of the pre-formed bottle shipping
container. According to an embodiment, the interior length L.sub.I
of the interior hollow compartment 24 may be about 19 inches, the
interior width W.sub.I of the interior hollow compartment 24 may be
about 14 inches, and the interior height H.sub.I of the interior
hollow compartment 24 may be about 15.5 inches.
[0043] FIG. 9 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier 100 with
the front panel 16 opened and a bottom portion 72 of the pre-formed
bottle shipping container positioned within the internal hollow
compartment 24, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The bottom portion 72 of the pre-formed bottle shipping
container includes a plurality of cavities 74 each configured and
dimensioned to hold a bottled beverage, such as a glass bottle of
wine. The bottom portion 72 of the pre-formed bottle shipping
container may fit tight within the internal hollow compartment 24
to prevent movement or damage of the beverage bottles during
transportation. According to an embodiment, about one-half inch to
about two inches of space should exist between the exterior of the
pre-formed bottle shipping container and the interior panels of the
housing 10. According to alternative embodiments, additional space
can exist between the pre-formed bottle shipping container and the
interior panels of the housing 10 to allow for extra storage space
for items such as clothes or reading materials.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 9A, the pre-formed bottle shipping
container may further be placed within a cardboard box 75 prior to
being placed within the internal hollow compartment 24 of the
luggage carrier 100 housing 10. This adds additional padding and
prevents the top and bottom portions 72, 76 of the pre-formed
bottle shipping container from shifting during transport within the
luggage carrier 100. In this embodiment, the interior length, width
and height of the cardboard box may be substantially equal to the
exterior length, width and height of the pre-formed beverage
shipping container. Similarly, the interior length L.sub.I, width
W.sub.I and height H.sub.I of the internal hollow compartment 24
may be substantially equal to an external length, width and height
of the cardboard box.
[0045] FIG. 10 depicts a front view of the luggage carrier 100 with
the front panel 16 opened and a top and bottom portion 76, 72 of a
pre-formed bottle shipping container positioned within the internal
hollow compartment 24, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The top portion 76 of the pre-formed bottle
shipping container includes a plurality of cavities (not shown)
that correspond to the cavities 74 of the bottom portion 72 to
store a plurality of bottled beverages. The distance between the
cavities 74 of the pre-formed bottle shipping container may, for
example, be approximately a half-inch to one-inch variance to pad
each of the bottled beverages.
[0046] According to an embodiment, the pre-formed bottle shipping
container may be a 3-, 6-, or 12-bottle Styrofoam wine shipper. The
external dimensions of wine shippers vary and may include, for
example, any one of the following approximate dimensions:
TABLE-US-00001 Number of bottles Length Width Height 3-bottle 5.25
inches 16.25 inches 13.25 inches wine shipper 6-bottle 10.75 inches
15.25 inches 13.25 inches wine shipper 12-bottle 16.25 inches 17.75
inches 13.25 inches wine shipper 12-bottle 18.25 inches 12.25
inches 14.75 inches wine shipper 12-bottle 17 inches 13.5 inches
14.5 inches wine shipper 12-bottle 19 inches 15 inches 16.5 inches
wine shipper
Styrofoam wine shippers of different dimensions may also be used as
the pre-formed bottle shipping container disclosed in this
embodiment.
[0047] Other types of wine shippers are available, including those
made of cardboard, plastic inflatable air pockets and wooden
shipping boxes. Styrofoam wine shippers meet the basic requirements
air travel under the FAA guidelines, including atmospheric pressure
conditioning, random vibration with and without top load, shock
testing. Other types of wine shippers may also be approved for
flight.
[0048] According to another embodiment, the pre-formed bottle
shipping container may be a 6-, 12-, 18-, or 24-bottle case of
beer. The exterior dimensions of a case of beer bottles may be, for
example, approximately 24 inches long by approximately 16 inches
wide by approximately 16 inches high. Thus, the luggage carrier 100
may be used to transport beverages, including beer, soda, liquor,
water, juice, liquid medicines etc., in addition to wine.
[0049] According to a further embodiment, the luggage carrier 100
may transport the beverage bottles in a substantially upright
position and/or may include a symbol or diagram to instruct airline
personnel how to properly load the luggage carrier 100 into a plane
cargo hold with the beverage bottles in a substantially upright
position.
[0050] According to an embodiment, the bottom portion 72 of the
pre-formed bottle shipping container may be fixed or permanently
attached within the interior hollow compartment 24 of the housing
10.
[0051] According to a different embodiment, different types of
pre-formed bottle shipping containers, having different shapes and
sizes, may be inserted within the same interior hollow compartment
24 of housing 10, to create a modular beverage bottle packing
system. In this embodiment, Styrofoam filler blocks, gel packs
and/or inflatable/bubble wrap may be inserted in the interior
hollow compartment 24 of the housing to bridge the gap between a
smaller-sized pre-formed bottle shipping container and the inside
panels of the housing 10 to prevent movement or shifting during
transport. Alternatively, foam inserts of varying sizes may be
positioned within the housing panel walls to narrow the distance
between the pre-formed bottle shipping container and the interior
surface of housing 10.
[0052] FIG. 11 depicts a collapsed view of the luggage carrier 100
for storage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. According to an embodiment, the bottom panel 12, top
panel 14, right panel 20, and left panel 22 of the housing 10 may
include pre-contoured or pre-folded walls 78 to aid in collapsing
the front panel 16 towards the back panel 18 for storage of the
luggage carrier 100. The walls of the panels 12, 14, 20, 22 may be
pre-contoured by using foam inserts having foldable centers or
contoured bends. Alternatively, each wall of the panels 12, 14, 20,
22 may include two segmented foam inserts positioned above and
below a horizontal centerline to facilitate a fold in the center of
the panel wall during the collapsing stage. According to another
embodiment, the panels 12, 14, 20, 22 may use open cell foam which
easily folds into the collapsed position.
[0053] According to another embodiment, the housing 10 of the
luggage carrier 100 may be made of a flexible and bendable fabric
material to allow the luggage carrier to fold into a collapsed
storage position. Upon re-use of the luggage carrier 10 to
transport bottled beverages at a later date or time, the housing 10
may be pulled back into the expanded position, as shown and
described above with respect to FIGS. 1-10.
[0054] FIGS. 12A-12F depict various views showing the assembly of
the luggage carrier 100, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 12A shows the luggage carrier 100 in a collapsed
position prior to use. FIG. 12B shows the luggage carrier 100 in a
"ready-to-use" position where the front panel 14 has been unzipped
using zipper device 26. FIG. 12C shows the luggage carrier 100
where a bottom portion 72 of the pre-formed bottle shipping
container positioned within the internal hollow compartment 24.
FIG. 12D shows the luggage carrier 100 where beverage bottles 77
have been placed inside the bottom portion 72 of the pre-formed
bottle shipping container positioned within the internal hollow
compartment 24. FIG. 12E shows the luggage carrier 100 where the
top portion 76 of the pre-formed bottle shipping container has been
positioned over the bottom portion 72 in the internal hollow
compartment 24. FIG. 12F shows the luggage carrier 100 that has
been closed and sealed by zipper device 26. Other or alternative
steps in the assembly of the luggage carrier 100 are also
possible.
[0055] According to one embodiment, a method for transporting a
plurality of beverage bottles may include the steps of placing the
plurality of beverage bottles 77 in respective cavities 74 of a
pre-formed beverage shipping container and placing the pre-formed
beverage shipping container into a substantially rectangular-shaped
housing 10, such as the internal hollow compartment 24 of the
luggage carrier 100. The housing 10 may include a bottom panel 12,
a top panel 14, a front panel 16, a back panel 18, a right panel 20
and a left panel 22 that define an interior hollow compartment 24.
An interior length L.sub.I, width W.sub.I and height H.sub.I of the
internal hollow compartment 24 may be substantially equal to an
external length, width and height of the pre-formed beverage
shipping container. The housing 10 may be collapsible when not in
use.
[0056] According to another embodiment, the method may further
include the steps of placing the pre-formed beverage shipping
container into a cardboard box and placing the cardboard box into
the interior hollow compartment 24. In this embodiment, the
interior length, width and height of the cardboard box may be
substantially equal to the exterior length, width and height of the
pre-formed beverage shipping container. Similarly, the interior
length L.sub.I, width W.sub.I and height H.sub.I of the internal
hollow compartment 24 may be substantially equal to an external
length, width and height of the cardboard box.
[0057] According to a further embodiment, the method may include
the step of transporting the housing via at least one of a pair of
wheels 25 pulled with an adjustable pull strap 62 or lifted with at
least one handle 30, 40. The method may also include the steps of
opening the front panel 16 of the substantially rectangular-shaped
housing 10 using a zipper device 26 to access the interior hollow
compartment 24, and inserting or removing the pre-formed beverage
shipping container into or out of the interior hollow compartment
24 of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing 10.
[0058] According to an embodiment, the method may include the steps
of bending or folding the bottom panel 12, top panel 14, right
panel 20 and left panel 22 that each contain a pre-contoured wall,
and collapsing the front panel 16 in towards the back panel 18 for
storage of the substantially rectangular-shaped housing 10.
[0059] The luggage carrier 100 for transport of bottled beverages,
as described in the various embodiments above, offers many benefits
over other beverage bottle carriers. The luggage carrier 100 adds
at least double protection to the transport of bottled beverages by
combining a pre-formed beverage shipping container with a padded
and insulated housing enclosure. The luggage carrier 100 can
conveniently transport 12 or more beverage bottles using a
transport system, including a pair of wheels and an adjustable
guide strap to roll the pre-formed beverage shipping container to
its final destination without heavy lifting. The luggage carrier
100 enables users to check their beverage bottles on a flight, as
it is designed to house Styrofoam wine shippers and to remain under
the FAA weight limit. The luggage carrier 100 is also collapsible
and reusable, so that it can be stored and used when
convenient.
[0060] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the
breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by
any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should
instead be defined only in accordance with the following claims and
their equivalents.
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