U.S. patent application number 14/622508 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for bottled beverage carrying suitcase system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Saul Barry Wax. Invention is credited to Saul Barry Wax.
Application Number | 20150150348 14/622508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53264006 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wax; Saul Barry |
June 4, 2015 |
Bottled Beverage Carrying Suitcase System
Abstract
A wine carrying suitcase system comprising spaces with
customizable forms comprising customizable cavities to safely
transport bottled beverages.
Inventors: |
Wax; Saul Barry; (Sandia
Park, NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wax; Saul Barry |
Sandia Park |
NM |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53264006 |
Appl. No.: |
14/622508 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13967177 |
Aug 14, 2013 |
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14622508 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A ;
190/115; 190/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/03 20130101; A45C
5/14 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C 13/30 20130101; A45C
2013/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20060101
A45C013/02; A45C 13/26 20060101 A45C013/26; A45C 13/30 20060101
A45C013/30; A45C 5/14 20060101 A45C005/14 |
Claims
1. A wine carrying suitcase system comprising: a first and a second
shell portions comprising one or more side walls, one or more end
walls, a bottom, and an openable top connected to said one or more
side walls and said one or more end walls; said first and second
shell portions hingeably connected together; a fastening system
disposed around edges of said one or more side walls and said one
or more end walls, to releaseably join said shell portions; said
one or more side walls, one or more end walls, bottoms, and
openable tops defining at least one independent wine carrying space
in each shell portion; securing straps inside said wine carrying
spaces; and bottle accommodating forms comprising independent
bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely transport bottles
in said wine carrying spaces; said bottle accommodating forms
surrounded by one or more form walls, bottoms, and one or more
tops.
2. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein one of said
shell portions further comprises a telescopic tubular handle
assembly.
3. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 2 wherein said
telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand heavy
loads.
4. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said first
and second shell portions further comprise a wheel skid assembly
comprising wheels.
5. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said
securing straps inside said wine carrying spaces comprise a
fastening system.
6. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 5 wherein said
fastening system comprises buckles.
7. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said
openable top comprises a zipper.
8. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said
fastening system is a zipper.
9. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said bottle
cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle neck
lengths.
10. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 wherein said
bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle
widths.
11. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 1 further comprising
one or more handles disposed on at least one of said shells.
12. The wine carrying suitcase system of claim 11 wherein said
handles are reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/967,177, entitled "Bottled
Beverage Carrying Suitcase System", filed on Aug. 14, 2013, and the
specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
[0003] The present invention relates to luggage systems for
carrying bottled beverages, particularly to wine carrying
suitcases.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Air travel security constraints require that large
quantities of liquid not be transported as carryon items in
airplanes. Because a great number of beverage bottles are
breakable, and handling of luggage designated as cargo often
results in the breaking of beverage bottles in the luggage, there
is a need for bottled beverage carrying suitcases that can keep
bottles safe and unbroken. Embodiments of the present invention
solve this problem by providing bottled beverage carrying suitcase
systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention comprise wine carrying
suitcase systems comprising a first and a second shell portions
comprising one or more side walls, one or more end walls, a bottom,
and an openable top connected to the one or more side walls and the
one or more end walls. The first and second shell portions are
preferably hingeably connected together. A fastening system is
preferably disposed around the edges of the one or more side walls
and the one or more end walls, to releaseably join the shell
portions. The one or more side walls, one or more end walls,
bottoms, and openable tops preferably define at least one
independent wine carrying space in each shell portion. Embodiments
of the present invention comprise securing straps inside the wine
carrying spaces, and bottle accommodating forms comprising
independent bottle cavities configured and arranged to safely
transport bottles in the wine carrying spaces. Preferably, the
bottle accommodating forms are surrounded by one or more form
walls, bottoms, and one or more tops.
[0007] In one embodiment, one of the shell portions further
comprises a telescopic tubular handle assembly. In one embodiment
the telescopic tubular handle assembly is reinforced to withstand
heavy loads. In one embodiment the first and second shell portions
further comprise a wheel skid assembly comprising wheels. In one
embodiment, the securing straps inside the wine carrying spaces
comprise a fastening system, optionally comprising buckles.
[0008] In one embodiment, the openable top comprises a zipper. In
one embodiment the two shell portions are fastened with a zipper
system. In one embodiment, the bottle cavities are bottle size
customizable to diverse bottle neck lengths. In one embodiment, the
bottle cavities are bottle size customizable to different bottle
widths.
[0009] One embodiment of the invention further comprises one or
more handles disposed on at least one of said shells. The handles
are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads.
[0010] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The
objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The
drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more
preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed
as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
an open configuration;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
accommodating form comprising various segments; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5
further comprising a segmented top.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a segmented insert.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a segmented insert in the
suitcase.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a form that is customizable by the user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of
explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the
invention.
[0022] As used throughout this specification and claims, the terms
"suitcase" or "luggage" refer to portable cases designed to hold
personal or commercial articles for transportation.
[0023] Some embodiments of the present invention comprise suitcase
systems. Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 1-5, bottled beverage carrying suitcase 10 comprises
first shell portion 12 and second shell portion 14. Shell portions
12 and 14 comprise one or more side walls 16, one or more end walls
18, bottom 20, and openable top 22. In one embodiment, shell
portions 12 and 14 are hingedly connected at one of their side
walls 16. Shell portions 12 and 14 preferably comprise a fastening
system disposed around edges of side walls 16 and end walls 18, to
releaseably join them when suitcase 10 is in the closed
configuration. For example, through zipper 13. Optionally, at least
one of the shell portions comprises telescopic handle assembly 17.
In one embodiment, telescopic handle assembly 17 preferably
comprises a tubular structure and can optionally be reinforced. In
addition, shell portions 12 and 14 optionally comprise wheel skid
assemblies 19 comprising a plurality of wheels 21. The wheels may
be removable and replaceable.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, openable top 22 is
preferably connected to an interior of side walls 16 and end walls
18 and comprises opening/closing mechanism 24, which can optionally
be a zipper. Side walls 16, end walls 18, bottoms 20, and openable
tops 22 preferably define at least one independent carrying space
26 in each shell portion. Each shell cavity may be of the same
depth or of different depth. In one embodiment, spaces 26 comprise
securing straps 28, which secure one or more accommodating forms
30. Preferably, straps 28 comprise a fastening system, e.g.,
buckles 31 and 33, etc. In one embodiment, additional straps 28 are
provided, which are preferably attached to the same side of space
26 where straps 28 comprising male buckles 33 are attached.
Preferably, the additional straps 28 are adjustable in length and
comprise an additional set of female buckles 31 and are disposed
under one or more segments 32 (see FIG. 5) of accommodating forms
30. Preferably the additional straps 28 wrap around and secure one
or more segments 32.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, accommodating forms
30 comprise one of more form segments 32, which in turn preferably
comprise cavities 34. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are configured
and arranged to safely transport bottles in carrying spaces 26. In
one embodiment, cavities 34 are bottle size customizable, e.g., to
different neck sizes, etc. Cavities 34 are defined by one or more
form walls 36, form bottoms 38, and one or more form tops 40. In
one embodiment, form walls 36 and form bottoms 38 are attached.
Form top 40, which can optionally be segmented (e.g. three
segments, to cover, for example, three segments 32), is preferably
detached and covers cavities 34. See FIGS. 5-6. For example, form
30 can be of any shape but is preferably of a shape and size to fit
within the carry space 26 of shell of at least one of the shell
portions 12 for example if the carry space is about 16.25
inches.times.23.5 inches, a preferred form for use therein would
have dimensions of about 15.75 inches.times.22.5 inches but is not
limited thereto. Form 30 may be segmented into three separate form
units with each form unit measuring about 5.25 inches.times.22.5
inches as measured width to height.
[0026] In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a bottle neck are
between approximately 0.1 and approximately 3 inches wide,
preferably between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2 inches
wide, and most preferably between approximately 1.5 and
approximately 0.75 wide. In one embodiment, cavities 34 comprise a
bottle neck are between approximately 1 and approximately 8 inches
in length, preferably between approximately 2 and approximately 7
inches in length, and most preferably between approximately 3 and
approximately 6 inches in length. In one embodiment, cavities 34
comprise bottle shoulders area between approximately 0.1 and
approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5
and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between
approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment,
cavities 34 comprise bottle base area between approximately 0.1 and
approximately 6 inches wide, preferably between approximately 0.5
and approximately 5 inches wide, and most preferably between
approximately 2 and approximately 4 inches wide. In one embodiment,
cavities 34 comprise bottle body area between approximately 2 and
approximately 8 inches long, preferably between approximately 3 and
approximately 7 inches long, and most preferably between
approximately 4 and approximately 6 inches long. In one embodiment,
cavities 34 comprise total bottle body (body plus neck) area
between approximately 3 and approximately 20 inches long,
preferably between approximately 5 and approximately 18 inches
long, and most preferably between approximately 6 and approximately
15 inches long. In one embodiment, cavities 34 are between
approximately 0.1 and approximately 6 inches deep, preferably
between approximately 0.5 and approximately 5 inches deep, and most
preferably between approximately 1 and approximately 4 inches
deep.
[0027] In one embodiment, forms 30 comprise three segments 32 and
each segment 32 comprises two cavities 34 each, for a total of six
cavities 34 in each carrying space 26. In a different embodiment,
forms 30 comprise two segments 32 and each segment 32 comprises
three cavities 34 to carry the same number of bottles. The number
of segments 32 can vary depending of the needs of the users. For
example a user may use one to six segments. For example a user may
customize the form by tracing the shape of the user's bottle onto a
form as illustrated in FIG. 9 and removing the material inside of
the tracing lines to produce a customized cavity in the form. Each
square represents the area of the form about which is a line such
as a score line which may be a cut through the entire form or the
cut may only extend to only a limited depth of the form such that a
base of the form upon which the bottle rests remains intact.
Similarly, additional foam shapes can be inserted into a cavity 32
of form 30 to wedge between the side of the bottle and the side of
the cavity 32 of form 30 when the bottle does not touch the sides
of the cavity when centered within the cavity. Similarly, segments
32 can have different number of cavities 34, depending on the
dimensions of the bottles to be transported. In one embodiment,
segments 32 are customizable for different bottles and/or other
products. In one embodiment, a fastening system, for example straps
28, is configured and arranged to secure one or more form segments
32. Alternatively, each form segment may have a single cavity or an
initial form can have a single cavity to accommodate for example a
750 ml bottle. For example, a user may wish to only carry two out
of three form segments 32. In that case, one or more straps 28
comprising, for example, buckles 31 and 33, may be adapted to
secure a smaller number of segments 32 through, for example, a
system to adjust the length of straps 28. Optionally, additional
straps 28 of different lengths are disposed in spaces 26 to secure
a smaller number of segments 32. If only two segments are to be
used, space within the cavity of the shell not occupied by the form
is left available to carry bottle openers, glasses, labels, cold
packs, temperature sensing strips etc. Alternatively, a cold pack
and/or a temperature sensing strip and/or a temperature recording
device which is capable of recording temperature over time may be
placed between the lid 40 and form 30. In one embodiment the
initial form is unitary and contains a separation line or score
line that runs parallel along the length of the form between bottle
cavity pairs from top to bottom which score line allows separation
along the score line to separate the form into units of a smaller
size as is illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, an initial form that
holds six bottles can be separated into three separate forms when
the initial form is segmented along two score lines (see FIG. 7 and
FIG. 8) or alternatively a four bottle form can be created if the
initial form is separated along one score line and each segment
holds two bottles. It is further envisioned that a smaller carry-on
size suitcase (of the size permitted on commercial airlines) with
inserts would accommodate one or more bottles and would be useful
for purchases made at the airport (for example after a security
checkpoint) in order to take advantage of duty free or wine shop
purchases. The suitcase insert forms are not limited in the number
of cavities for carrying items such as bottles and glasses. The
suitcase insert in another embodiment may be used to carry other
items other than wine bottles.
[0028] In a different embodiment, beverage carrying suitcase 10
further comprises outside strap 42 as a safety measure. The
suitcase may also include a lock. In one embodiment, strap 42
comprises buckle 43. Preferably, strap 42 goes under handle 46 or
next to it so as to not affect its functionality. Optionally, one
or more corners are reinforced with covers 44. Preferably, one or
more handles 46 are disposed on beverage carrying suitcase 10,
which are optionally reinforced to withstand heavy loads. In one
embodiment, handles 46 are disposed on the side/end of both shell
portions 12. In one example the straps are removeable.
[0029] Optionally, embodiments of the present invention are used in
conjunction with state of the art luggage tracking technology. For
example, in one embodiment, a tracking device capable of tracking
and reporting the location of luggage through, for example, GPS
and/or ground-based cellular telephone technologies is integrated
in bottled beverage carrying suitcase 10.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0030] The invention is further illustrated by the following
non-limiting examples.
Example 1
[0031] A wine carrying suitcase system was manufactured. The system
comprises two rectangular shell portions. Each shell portion has
two side walls, two end walls, a bottom, and an openable top. The
openable top is of fabric and is connected to one side wall and
includes a zipper around the sides that are not connected to the
side wall. The zipper connects the openable top to the inside tops
of the end walls and the remaining side wall when the top is in the
closed configuration to define two wine carrying spaces (one in
each shell portion). The two shell portions are connected, in turn,
to each other at one of their side wall portions through hinges. A
zipper is disposed around the edges of the remaining side wall and
end walls to fasten the suitcase in the closed configuration.
Securing straps are disposed inside each wine carrying space. A
long set of straps to secure three bottles accommodating forms, and
a shorter set of straps for securing one or two bottle
accommodating forms. Each bottle accommodating form has three
cavities in the shape of a wine bottle. The neck portion of the
cavity has spongy material that could optionally be removed to
customize the cavity to different bottle neck sizes. The bottle
neck part of the cavity is one inch wide and five inches long. A
removable one inch long by one inch wide by two inches tall sponge
was placed in one end of the neck area to make it four inches long.
In this manner, the cavity could accommodate bottles with necks
that were either four or five inches long. The bottle body part of
the cavity is three inches wide at the bottle shoulders, and three
inches wide at the bottle base, and five and a half inches long.
The whole cavity is two inches deep. A single top covering all
three bottle accommodating forms is provided for each wine carrying
space. One shell portion comprised a reinforced a telescopic
tubular handle assembly on the outside. Both shell portions
comprise reinforced handles on one side and one end for carrying
the suitcase. Both shell portions comprise a wheel skid assembly
comprising wheels.
[0032] The preceding example can be repeated with similar success
by substituting the generically or specifically described operating
conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding
example.
[0033] Note that in the specification and claims, "about" or
"approximately" means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical
amount cited.
[0034] Although the invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other
embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and
modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those
skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended
claims all such modifications and equivalents. For example, the
suitcase form 30 can accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and the
number of units of the segmented form can vary from one or more
units that are separately combined inside the suitcase. The
suitcase can be made of any material for example 100% polycarbonate
shell. The entire disclosures of all references, applications,
patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by
reference.
* * * * *