U.S. patent application number 14/163223 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for bottle shipping system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul DiMauro. Invention is credited to Paul DiMauro.
Application Number | 20150210457 14/163223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53678349 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150210457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiMauro; Paul |
July 30, 2015 |
BOTTLE SHIPPING SYSTEM
Abstract
A bottle shipping system and method for packaging bottles that
prevents movement of the bottles during transport. The system
includes a first foam section is placed on the bottom wall of a
carton having a rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a
bottom wall and a top wall to provide a support surface on which
the bottles are placed. A second foam section having a first
plurality of openings therethrough adapted to receive the body of
the bottles is disposed within the carton above the first foam
section. A third foam section having a second plurality of openings
therethrough adapted to receive the neck of the bottles is disposed
between the second foam section and the top wall of the carton. A
fourth foam section to provide a buffer surface against which the
bottles are pressed is placed against the top wall of the
carton.
Inventors: |
DiMauro; Paul; (Oxford,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DiMauro; Paul |
Oxford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53678349 |
Appl. No.: |
14/163223 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/433 ; 53/472;
53/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/207 20130101;
B65D 2581/055 20130101; B65D 81/113 20130101; B65B 61/22 20130101;
B65D 81/107 20130101; B65B 21/08 20130101; B65B 55/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/113 20060101
B65D081/113; B65B 21/08 20060101 B65B021/08; B65B 55/20 20060101
B65B055/20; B65D 85/30 20060101 B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A bottle shipping system adapted for packaging bottles having a
body and a neck extending upward from the body in a carton having a
rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a bottom wall and
a top wall, that prevents movement of the bottles during transport,
comprising; a first foam section adapted to be placed on the bottom
wall of the carton to provide a support surface on which the
bottles are placed; a second foam section having a first plurality
of openings therethrough to receive the body of the bottles adapted
to being disposed within the carton above the first foam section; a
third foam section having a second plurality of openings
therethrough adapted to receive the neck of the bottles adapted to
being disposed within the carton between the second foam section
and the top wall; and a fourth foam section adapted to being placed
against the top wall of the carton to provide a buffer surface
against which the neck of the bottles are pressed.
2. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the carton has is
a hollow rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a bottom
wall comprising two flaps and a top wall comprising two flaps.
3. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the first foam
section is uniformly flat and acts as a buffer between a bottom of
the bottles and the bottom wall of the carton.
4. The bottle shipping system of claim 3 wherein the first foam
section, second foam section, third foam section, and fourth foam
section have uniform separation distance therebetween.
5. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the first
plurality of openings through the second foam section have a first
uniform diameter and are of a constant distance between centers of
adjacent openings.
6. The bottle shipping system of claim 5 wherein the second
plurality of openings through the third foam section have a second
uniform diameter and are of a constant distance between centers of
adjacent openings.
7. The bottle shipping system of claim 6 wherein the second
plurality of openings through the third foam section are spatially
placed immediately above corresponding ones of the first plurality
of openings through the second foam section.
8. The bottle shipping system of claim 7 wherein the first
plurality of openings has a larger diameter than the second
plurality of openings.
9. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the fourth foam
section is uniformly flat and acts as a buffer between a top of the
bottles and the top wall of the carton.
10. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the bottles are
wine bottles.
11. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the first foam
section, second foam section, third foam section, and fourth foam
section are rectangular in shape and are formed with an equal
distance between first and second pairs of parallel edges.
12. The bottle shipping system of claim 11 wherein the distance
between the first and second pairs of parallel edges of the first
foam section, the second foam section, the third foam section, and
the fourth foam section abut against an interior surface of
opposite facing side walls, and against an interior surface of
opposite facing front and rear side walls of the carton.
13. The bottle shipping system of claim 1 wherein the first foam
section, second foam section, third foam section, and fourth foam
section are constructed of polyethylene.
14. A method for packaging bottles having a body and a neck
extending upward from the body that prevents movement of the
bottles during transport, comprising; placing a first foam section
on an interior side of a bottom wall of a carton having a
rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a bottom wall and
a top wall to provide a support surface on which the bottles are
placed; placing the bottles within the carton atop the first foam
section; positioning a second foam section having a first plurality
of openings therethrough above the bottles; lowering the second
foam section within the carton whereby the bottles extend through
the first plurality of openings; positioning a third foam section
having a second plurality of openings therethrough whereby the
second plurality of openings are spatially placed immediately above
the first plurality of openings through the second foam section;
lowering the third foam section within the carton whereby the
bottles extend through the second plurality of openings; and
placing a fourth foam section within the carton onto a top of the
bottles.
15. The method of claim 14 further including lowering the second
foam section whereby the first plurality of openings are disposed
about the body of the bottles,
16. The method of claim 15 further including lowering the third
foam section whereby the second plurality of openings are disposed
about the neck of the bottles.
17. The method of 16 further including closing the top wall of the
carton against an upper surface of the fourth foam section whereby
the fourth foam section acts as a buffer between a top of the
bottles and the top wall of the carton.
18. The method of claim 17 further including forming the first foam
section, second foam section, third foam section, and fourth foam
section into a rectangular shape with an equal distance between
first and second pairs of parallel edges.
19. The method of claim 18 further including selecting the first
foam section, second foam section, third foam section, and fourth
foam section whereby the first and second pairs of parallel edges
of the first foam section, the second foam section, the third foam
section, and the fourth foam section abut against an interior
surface of opposite facing side walls, and against an interior
surface of opposite facing front and rear side walls of the
carton.
20. The method of claim 19 further including closing and securing
the top wall of the carton.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle shipping system
and more particularly to a system for packaging bottles having a
body and a neck extending upward from the body that prevents
movement of the bottles during transport.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Historically, bottles and containers have been shipped in
many styles and shapes of inner packaging using many different
kinds of materials. The goal of these packages, was and is, to
protect bottles and containers during rigorous parcel shipping
conditions such as the Post Office, UPS, Fed Ex, etc. So far, only
a few of those packages have been successful in their structural
protection of the shipped product, as well as satisfying additional
areas such as ease of assembly and packaging as well as cost
effectiveness to purchase and minimizing environmental impacts.
[0003] Specific difficulties arise in the transport of small
quantities of wines. The products are typically of high value and
mixed selections are often packaged together for transport.
Therefore, packaging has to be adapted to take bottles of varying
sizes and to be able to protect them from injury. For years there
have been ongoing design efforts to develop the "perfect package,"
but there has not been much success and the packaging companies'
design departments' struggle along every day with little or no
success. The products that are on the market today do not live up
to the needed requirements for safely shipping bottles and
containers as well as satisfying the other considerations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is disclosed a bottle shipping system adapted for packaging bottles
having a body and a neck extending upward from the body in a carton
having a rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a bottom
wall and a top wall, that prevents movement of the bottles during
transport. The bottle shipping system includes a first foam
section, a second foam section, a third foam section and a fourth
foam section. The first foam section is adapted to be placed on the
bottom wall of the carton adapted to provide a support surface on
which the bottles are placed. The second foam section having a
first plurality of openings therethrough to receive the body of the
bottles is adapted to being disposed within the carton above the
first foam section. The third foam section having a second
plurality of openings therethrough adapted to receive the neck of
the bottles is adapted to being disposed within the carton between
the second foam section and the top wall. The fourth foam section
adapted to being is to being placed against the top wall of the
carton adapted to provide a buffer surface against which the top of
the bottles are pressed.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is disclosed a method for packaging bottles having a body and
a neck extending upward from the body in a carton having a
rectangular shaped prism having four side walls, a bottom wall and
a top wall that prevents movement of the bottles during transport.
First, a first foam section is placed on an interior side of the
bottom wall of the carton to provide a support surface on which the
bottles are placed. Then, the bottles are placed within the carton
atop the first foam section. Next, a second foam section having a
first plurality of openings therethrough is placed above the
bottles and lowered into the carton whereby the bottles extend
through the first plurality of openings. Continuing, a third foam
section having a second plurality of openings therethrough is
positioned within the carton whereby the second plurality of
openings are spatially placed immediately above the first plurality
of openings through the second foam section. The third foam section
is lowered within the carton whereby the bottle necks extend
through the second plurality of openings. Finally, a fourth foam
section is placed within the carton onto the top of the
bottles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The structure, operation, and advantages of the present
invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted,
or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The
cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slices", or
"near-sighted" cross-sectional views, omitting certain background
lines which would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional
view, for illustrative clarity.
[0007] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows,
both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may
be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are
intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way
be interpreted as limiting.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the
bottle shipping system within a shipping box, in accordance with
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded three-dimensional view of wine bottles
within the foam sections of the bottle shipping system, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of wine bottles secured
within the foam sections of the bottle shipping system, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the foam
sections of the bottle shipping system, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded three-dimensional view of an
alternative embodiment of wine bottles within the foam sections of
the bottle shipping system, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded three-dimensional view of an
alternative embodiment of wine bottles within the foam sections of
the bottle shipping system, in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] In the description that follows, numerous details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
variations of these specific details are possible while still
achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known
processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to
avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present
invention.
[0015] In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be
presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The
dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included
to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the
relationship between various elements, where they are located,
their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes
that is of significance.
[0016] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows,
often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text
descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are
provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and
should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
[0017] The transport of wine bottles poses well documented
problems. Such packing and shipping containers are relatively heavy
and susceptible to breakage. Although a number of packaging
solutions have been devised to overcome the problems associated
with transporting of glass bottles, no adequate options exist. For
example, cases of wine bottles in cardboard cartons can be
transported with a flimsy card web placed between neighboring
bottles to ensure that they do not damage one another. However,
this packaging is inadequate in a number of situations and
breakages occur all too readily. A breakage is not only a costly
exercise for the owner of the product but is also undesirable from
the point of view of those transporting the product.
[0018] The bottle shipping system 10 addressed the issue of
packaging and shipping bottles, specifically wine bottles 12.
Bottle shipping system 10 is directed to a packaging arrangement
suitable for use with wine bottles 12 and like bottles that
provides support against movement during transport for these
bottles. The carton 22 used with the bottle shipping system 10 has
also been designed to take into account the need to minimize space
and weight occupied by items to be transported, while being able to
be manufactured from materials such as cardboard. Further, bottle
shipping system 10 is designed to preserve the aesthetic labeling
of the wine bottles 12 during shipping.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a front three-dimensional cross-sectional
view of the bottle shipping system 10 for packaging bottles 12
having a body 12b and a neck 12c extending upward from the body
that prevents movement of the bottles during transport. In general
terms, the bottle shipping system 10 is used with a carton 22
having a rectangular shaped prism having two side walls 23 and 24,
and front and rear side walls 25 and 27, a bottom wall 30 and a top
wall 31. A first foam section 14 is placed on the bottom wall 30 of
the carton 22 adapted to provide a support surface on which the
bottles 12 are placed. A second foam section 16 is disposed within
the carton 22 above the first foam section 14, the second foam
section having a first plurality of openings 32 therethrough
adapted to receive the body 12b of the bottles 12. A third foam
section 18 is disposed within the carton 22 between the second foam
section 16 and the top wall 31, the third foam section having a
second plurality of openings 34 therethrough adapted to receive the
neck 12c of the bottles 12. A fourth foam section 20 is placed
against the top wall 311 of the carton 22 adapted to provide a
buffer surface against which the neck 12c of the bottles 12 are
pressed.
[0020] The foam sections 14, 16, 18 and 20 are designed to secure
the wine bottles 12 in position, and preclude them from hitting
into one another and into the carton 22 while in transport. The
wine bottles 12 will not get damaged if the carton 22 is dropped,
since the foam can withstand shock and retain its original shape
and strength. Typically, the wine bottles 12 are packed in the
carton 22 twelve at a time, and arranged in a 3.times.4 array.
However, it is within the terms of the embodiment that any amount
of wine bottles be used, such as six wine bottles or three wine
bottles, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. Also, while the
preferred embodiment is especially sized and configured to receive
filled wine bottles 12 each of about 750 ml. volume, the bottle
shipping system 10 may be designed to accommodate any size
bottles.
[0021] The carton 22 may be constructed of any desired material,
such as corrugated fiberboard. It is within the terms of the
embodiment to utilize a prefabricated carton 22, such as a
commercially available corrugated fiberboard box. Typically, the
fiberboard box is shipped flat to the packager who sets up the box,
fills it, and closes it for shipment. Once the box 22 is set up as
shown in FIG. 1, the box closure may be by tape, adhesive, staples,
or strapping. Alternatively, a specifically designed carton 22 with
the particular needs of the particular bottles being shipped, the
hazards of the shipping environment (shock, vibration, compression,
moisture, etc.), and the needs of retailers and consumers may be
utilized. As illustrated, there are two flaps 22a and 22b of the
carton 22 that form a top wall 31 that may be sealed during
shipping, and then opened upon reaching the destination of the
carton. It is also within the terms of the embodiment to form the
top wall 31 with an additional two flaps (not shown) which close
and are covered over by the two flaps 22a and 22b.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded three-dimensional view of the
foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20, and the wine bottles 12. The foam
sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be constructed of any suitable
material, such as polyethylene foam. The foam sections 14, 16, 18,
and 20 may have any suitable dimensions, such as 16''.times.14'' in
the event that twelve wine bottles 12 are being packaged and
shipped. The foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 are typically
rectangular in shape, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, and are formed with
an equal distance between opposite first and second pairs of
parallel edges 14c and 14d, 16a and 16b, 18a and 18b, and 20c and
20d, respectively. However, foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be
customized to accommodate any number of wine bottles 12 in any
desired configuration. The distance between the first and second
pairs of parallel edges 14c and 14d, 16a and 16b, 118a and 18b, and
20c and 20d of the first foam section 14, the second foam section
16, the third foam section 18, and the fourth foam section 20,
respectively, abut against the interior surface of the opposite
facing side walls 23 and 24, and against the interior surface of
the opposite facing front and rear side walls 25 and 27 of the
carton 22. The foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 keep the bottles 12
firmly in place and between about 2 inches and 2.5 inches and
preferably about 2'' away from the other bottles and carton walls.
The wine bottles 12 will not get damaged if the carton 22 is
dropped since the foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 can withstand
shock and retain their original shape and strength. The foam
sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 are arranged to be properly dimensioned
to provide a slight interference fit such that the sections are
positively positioned and frictionally engaged with the two side
walls 23 and 24, and the front and rear side walls 25 and 27,
respectively, of the carton 22 to avoid displacement and rattling
during shipment. When in use within a carton there is a uniform
separation distance between the foam sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 of
between about 1 inches and 3 inches and preferably about 2
inches.
[0023] First foam section 14 is placed along the interior side of
the bottom wall 30 of the carton 22 during packaging and acts as a
buffer between a bottom 12a of the bottles 12 and the bottom wall
of the carton. In a similar manner to the construction of the top
wall 31, there are typically two flaps (not shown) of the carton 22
that form a bottom wall 30 that may be sealed during shipping. It
is also within the terms of the embodiment to form the bottom wall
30 with an additional two flaps (not shown) which close and are
covered over by the two flaps (not shown). Typically, the height of
first foam section 14 is between about 0.5 inches and 2 inches and
preferably about 1 inch. Although it is within the terms of the
embodiment that the first foam section 14 has indentations or
openings to secure the bottles 12, in the preferred embodiment
first foam section 14 is uniformly flat. The bottoms 12a of the
bottles 12 simply rest on upper surface 14b of the foam section 14,
which acts as a buffer between the bottles and the bottom wall 30
of the carton 22.
[0024] Second foam section 16 is positioned above the first foam
section 14, and preferably has a thickness of between about 1.5
inches and 3 inches and preferably about 2 inch. There is a first
plurality of openings 32 extending through the second foam section
16, designed to temporarily secure the body 12b of the wine bottles
12, as seen in FIG. 3. The first plurality of openings through the
second foam section 16 have a first uniform diameter and are of a
constant distance x between centers of adjacent openings 32 that
prevent the wine bottles 12 from contacting each other. The first
plurality of openings 32 may have a range of diameters, but
typically have a diameter of approximately 3'' to accommodate a
commonly sized body 12b. However, any desired diameter may be used
to accommodate a variety of different bottle sizes.
[0025] Third foam section 18 is positioned above the second foam
section 16, and preferably has a height of between about 0.5 inches
and 2 inches and preferably about 1 inch. There is a second
plurality of openings 34 extending through third foam section 18,
designed to temporarily secure the neck 12c of the wine bottles 12,
as seen in Figure The second plurality of openings 34 are spatially
placed immediately above the corresponding ones of the first
plurality of openings 32 through the second foam section 16, which
secure the body 12b of the wine bottles 12. The second plurality of
openings 34 through the third foam section 18 have a second uniform
diameter and are of a constant distance d between centers of
adjacent openings 34 that prevent the wine bottles 12 from
contacting each other. The openings 34 may have a range of
diameters, but typically have a diameter of between about 0.75
inches and 1.25 inches and preferably about 1 inch to accommodate a
commonly sized neck 12c. However, any desired diameter of opening
34 may be used to accommodate a variety of different bottle sizes.
Typically, the first plurality of openings 32 has a larger diameter
than the second plurality of openings 34.
[0026] Fourth foam section 20 is positioned above the third foam
section 18, and against the two flaps 22a and 22b of the carton 22
during packaging. Typically, the height of the fourth foam section
14 is between about 0.75 inches and 2 inches and preferably about 1
inch. Although it is within the terms of the embodiment that the
fourth foam section 20 has indentations or openings to secure the
bottles 12, in the preferred embodiment upper facing surface 14a of
first foam section 14 is uniformly flat. The tops 12d of the
bottles 12 simply rest against the bottom facing surface 20a of
foam section 20, which acts as a buffer between the tops 12d of the
bottles and the two flaps 22a and 22b of the carton 72.
[0027] Preferably, the distance y between the upper surface 20b of
the fourth foam section 20 and the bottom facing surface 14a of the
first foam section 14 is selected to correspond to the height z of
the carton 22 so that the four foam sections 14, 16, 18 and 20 are
securely held within the carton 22 when the flaps 22a and 22b are
closed as shown in FIG. 1. Further the length l and width w of each
of the four foam sections 14, 16, 18 and 20 corresponds to the
inner shape of the carton 22 so that bottles 12 will be secure when
packed within carton,
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of e bottle
shipping system 100. Bottle shipping system 100 is designed such
that wine bottles 102 are packed in the carton not shown) six at a
time, arranged in a 3.times.2 array. Otherwise, it has the same
function and design as the bottle shipping system 10 as described
with regards to FIG. 1.
[0029] A carton (not shown) is a rectangular shaped prism having
four side walls (not shown), a bottom wall (not shown) and a top
wall (not shown). A first foam section 104 is placed on the bottom
wall (not shown) of the carton (not shown) adapted to provide a
support surface on which the bottoms 102a of the bottles 102 are
placed. A second foam section 106 is disposed above the first foam
section 104, the second foam section having a first plurality of
openings 112 therethrough adapted to receive the body 102b of the
bottles 102. A third foam section 108 is disposed between the
second foam section 106 and the top wall (not shown), the third
foam section having a second plurality of openings 114 therethrough
adapted to receive the neck 102c of the bottles 102. A fourth foam
section 110 is placed against the top wall (not shown) adapted to
provide a buffer surface against which the neck 102c of the bottles
102 are pressed.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the bottle
shipping system 200. Bottle shipping system 200 includes a first
foam section 204, a second foam section 206, third foam section 208
and a fourth foam section 210. The bottle shipping system 200 is
designed such that wine bottles 202 are packed in the carton (not
shown) three at a time, arranged in a 3.times.1 array. Otherwise,
it has the same function and design as the bottle shipping system
10 as described with regards to FIG. 1.
[0031] A carton (not shown) is a rectangular shaped prism having
four side walls (not shown), a bottom wall (not shown) and a top
wall (not shown). A first foam section 204 is placed on the bottom
wall (not shown) of the carton (not shown) adapted to provide a
support surface on which the bottoms 202a of the bottles 202 are
placed. A second foam section 206 is disposed above the first foam
section 204, the second foam section having a first plurality of
openings 212 therethrough adapted to receive the body 202b of the
bottles 202. A third foam section 208 is disposed between the
second foam section 206 and the top wall (not shown), the third
foam section having a second plurality of openings 214 therethrough
adapted to receive the neck 202c of the bottles 202. A fourth foam
section 210 is placed against the top wall (not shown) adapted to
provide a buffer surface against which the neck 202c of the bottles
202 are pressed.
[0032] Further disclosed is a method for packaging bottles 12
having a body 12b and a neck 12c extending upward from the body
that prevents movement of the bottles during transport. The method
includes using the bottle shipping system 10 with a carton 22
having a rectangular shaped prism having four side walls 24, 25,
and 27, a bottom wall 30 and a top wall 31. The method further
includes placing a first foam section 14 on an interior side 30a of
the bottom wall 30 to provide a support surface on which the
bottles 12 are placed, and then placing the bottles within the
carton atop the first foam section. The method further includes
positioning a second foam section 16 having a first plurality of
openings 32 therethrough above the bottles 12, and lowering the
second foam section within the carton 22 whereby the bottles extend
through the first plurality of openings. The method further
includes positioning a third foam section 18 having a second
plurality of openings 34 therethrough whereby the second plurality
of openings are spatially placed immediately above the first
plurality of openings 32 through the second foam section 16, and
lowering the third foam section within the carton 22 whereby the
bottles 12 extend through the second plurality of openings.
Finally, the method includes placing a fourth foam section 20
within the carton 22 onto a top 12d of the bottles 12.
[0033] The method further includes lowering the second foam section
16 whereby the first plurality of openings 32 are disposed about
the body 12b of the bottles 12, and lowering the third foam section
18 whereby the second plurality of openings 34 are disposed about
the neck 12c of the bottles.
[0034] The method further includes closing the top wall 31 of the
carton 22 against an upper surface 20b of the fourth foam section
20 whereby the fourth foam section acts as a buffer between a top
12d of the bottles 12 and the top wall 31 of the carton.
[0035] The method includes forming the first foam section 14,
second foam section 16, third foam section 18, and fourth foam
section 20 into a rectangular shape with an equal distance between
first and second pairs of parallel edges 14c and 14d, 16a and 16b,
18a and 18b, and 20c and 20d, respectively.
[0036] The method further includes selecting the first foam section
14, second foam section 16, third foam section 18, and fourth foam
section 20 whereby the first and second pairs of parallel edges 14c
and 14d, 16a and 16b, 18a and 18b, and 20c and 20d, respectively of
the first foam section, second foam section, third foam section,
and fourth foam section abut against the interior surface of the
opposite facing side walls 23 and 24, and against the interior
surface of the opposite facing front and rear side walls 25 and 27
of the carton 22.
[0037] The method further includes closing and securing the top
wall 31 of the carton 22.
[0038] It is also within the terms of the embodiment that prior to
the wine bottles 12 being placed within the carton 22, the second
foam section 16 will be lowered and then secured about the middles
of the body 12b of the wine bottles 12. Then, the third foam
section 18 is positioned above the wine bottles 12, with openings
34 spatially placed immediately above the corresponding openings 32
of second foam section 16. The third foam section 18 will be
lowered and then secured about the neck 12c of the wine bottles 12.
After the second foam section 16 and the third foam section 18 have
been secured about the bottles 12, the bottles and foam sections
will be placed within the carton 22, atop the first foam section
14. Then, the fourth foam section 20 is placed against the tops 12d
of the bottles 12 and acts as a buffer between the tops of the
bottles and the two flaps 22a and 22b of the carton 22. Finally,
the two flaps 22a and 22b may be closed and secured, typically with
tape or other adhesive.
[0039] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain
equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others
skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this
specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the
various functions performed by the above described components
(assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a
"means") used to describe such components are intended to
correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which
performs the specified function of the described component (i.e.,
that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally
equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function
in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have
been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments,
such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other
embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application.
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