Packaging System and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system includes a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles stand in a series of rows. The system also includes a bridge having a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the central planar portion. Each recess is sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles. A means of binding the bottles together is provided, wherein the means of binding creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles. The bridge counteracts the inwardly directed force and thereby maintains the bottles in an upright position on the base.

1 . A system for packaging bottles having a neck portion, said system comprising:
 a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles stand in a series of rows;   a bridge having a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of said central planar portion, each recess sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles; and   a means of binding the bottles together, wherein said means of binding creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles, said bridge counteracting the inwardly directed force and thereby maintaining the bottles in an upright position on said base.   
   
   
       2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a plurality of depressions, each depression sized to receive a corresponding bottom of one of the bottles. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein each recess has an arc of about 180° or less. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said central planar includes first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, said plurality of recesses extending into the periphery of said sides. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein each of said sides includes at least three of said recesses. 
   
   
       6 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said central planar portion includes at least one aperture extending therethrough and sized to receive the neck portion of a corresponding bottle. 
   
   
       7 . The packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein said central planar portion includes at least three linearly disposed apertures. 
   
   
       8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 
   
   
       9 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said plate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 
   
   
       10 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said means of binding the bottles is selected from the group consisting of shrink-wrap, banding, twine and rope. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said central planar portion includes a planar tab extending outwardly from at least one end thereof, said planar tab foldable against the bottles disposed on a corresponding end of said plate so that said planar tab lies on plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said central planar portion. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein each recess has one of a semi-circular configuration and a semi-elliptical configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said bridge includes angled comers, each of said corners intermediate an end and a corresponding side thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein said central planar portion includes first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, each of said sides including at least two recesses extending into the periphery thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging system of  claim 14 , wherein adjacent recesses on each of said sides form an extended projection extending outwardly from said central planar portion, said extended projection foldable downwardly and against adjacent bottles. 
   
   
       16 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end wall extending between and interconnecting a first end of said plate and a first end of said bridge. 
   
   
       17 . The packaging system of  claim 16 , further comprising a second end wall extending between and interconnecting a second end of said plate opposite said first end and a second end of said bridge opposite said first end. 
   
   
       18 . The packaging system of  claim 16 , wherein said first end wall includes nonparallel side edges. 
   
   
       19 . The packaging system of  claim 16 , wherein said first end wall includes a distal tab securable to said bridge so that said tab is substantially coplanar with said central planar portion. 
   
   
       20 . The packaging system of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second end walls abut bottles disposed on corresponding ends of said plate. 
   
   
       21 . The packaging system of  claim 16 , wherein said first end wall is substantially perpendicular to said central planar portion. 
   
   
       22 . The packaging system of  claim 17 , wherein said bridge, said plate, and said first and second end walls are configured from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       23 . A system for packaging bottles having a neck portion, said system comprising:
 a plate portion having a base for receiving a plurality of bottles arranged in a series of rows, said plate having first and second opposite ends;   a first end wall having a first end foldably connected to said plate first end and a distal second end;   a second end wall having a first end foldably connected to said plate second end and a second end;   a bridge having a central planar portion having first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, said central planar portion having a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of said sides thereof and sized to receive neck portions of the bottles, said first end of said bridge foldably connected to said second end of said second end wall.   
   
   
       24 . A method of packaging a plurality of bottles, including the steps of:
 providing a packaging system comprising a plate portion including a substantially planar base, a bridge portion including a central planar portion with a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery thereof, and a first end wall extending between and interconnecting the plate portion and the bridge portion;   arranging a plurality of bottles on the plate portion in a series of rows, each of the bottles having a neck portion, and each of the recesses sized to receive a neck portion;
 folding the first end wall upwardly and against the bottles adjacent thereto; and 
 folding the bridge portion downwardly until the recesses engage the neck portions of the bottles. 
   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , including the steps of:
 providing a packaging system further comprising a second end wall extending outwardly from an end of the plate portion opposite the first end wall; and   folding the second end wall upwardly and against the bottles adjacent thereto so that the second end wall extends between the plate portion and the bridge portion.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , including the further step of binding the packaged bottles together after said folding steps and thereby creating an inwardly directed force against the bottles, whereby the bridge portion counteracts the inwardly directed force and maintains the bottles in an upright position on the planar base.