Carrier having stabilizing tabs

Abstract

Apparatus for use with a plurality of beverage containers is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cradle for each of said plurality of containers and, for and secured to each cradle, at least a pair of resilient tabs. Each cradle, in use, supports the container for which it is provided in the manner in which a clay wine cooler supports a wine bottle. The cradles are operatively secured to one another in use to define a tote for transporting said containers. The tabs for each cradle, in use, collectively stabilize the container supported by said each cradle. The cradles can have stepped bases to accommodate containers of varying girth.

1 . Apparatus for use with a plurality of beverage containers, the apparatus comprising:
 a cradle for each of said plurality of containers, each cradle, in use, supporting the container for which it is provided in the manner in which a clay wine cooler supports a wine bottle, the cradles being operatively secured to one another in use to define a tote for transporting said containers; and   for and secured to each cradle, at least a pair of resilient tabs,   wherein the tabs for each cradle, in use, collectively stabilize the container supported by said each cradle.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each tab, in use, extends, from the cradle for which it is provided, towards the container supported by said cradle, and downwardly, and exerts force against said container. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is adapted so as to permit a plurality of the apparatus to be stackable upon one another in nested relation such that, in a stacked pair of the apparatus, the cradles of one of the pair are supported by the cradles of the other of the pair. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the tote is defined by:
 a generally planar platform portion having at least one slot defined therethrough and, for each cradle, and leading thereto, an aperture;   projecting from one side of the platform portion, a carrying handle for and bridging each slot; and   for each cradle, a cradle bottom disposed opposite the one side of the platform portion, and at least a pair of sidewall portions extending from the platform portion to the cradle bottom, said each cradle tapering in girth as the sidewall portions so extend.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sidewall portions and the tabs are offset such that, in the stacked pair of apparatus, the cradles of the one of the pair are not stabilized by the tabs of the other of the pair. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one slot is a single, central slot. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein, for each socket, there are three tabs and three sidewall portions. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , sized and dimensioned such that each cradle can support, and such that the tabs for said each cradle can stabilize, a beverage cup which ranges in size from 8 oz to 24 oz. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , sized and dimensioned such that each cradle can support, and such that the tabs for said each cradle can stabilize, a wine bottle which ranges in size from 750 ml to 1.5 litres. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the tote and the tabs are injection-molded as a single piece of plastic. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the tote is defined by a bin part and an insert part. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the bin part is watertight and has a drain plug. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the bin part is adapted to be constructed on a snap-together basis from a substantially planar blank. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the insert part, in use, comprises
 a plurality of parallel, vertically orientated, substantially planar, partitions, disposed inside the bin part;   a plurality of platform segments interleaved between the partitions, each platform segment being associated with at least one of the cradles and having an aperture defined therein for and leading into each of the associated cradles, the platform segments being substantially coplanar and horizontally orientated; and   the tabs.   
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein, in use,
 the partitions include an outermost pair of partitions and at least one inner partition;   the outermost partitions are defined by a single partition segment connected to the adjacent platform segment along a respective first fold line; and   each of the inner partitions is defined by a pair of partition segments, the pair of partition segments being disposed in horizontally stacked relation and secured to one another along a respective second fold line and each of the pair being secured to a respective one of the adjacent platform segments along a respective third fold line.   
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the insert has an expanded configuration, wherein the platform segments are coplanar and spaced apart from one another and each platform segment has the adjacent partition segments extending therefrom in the manner in which the legs of a sawhorse extend from the bed. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the insert is injection-molded as a single piece of plastic and folded for use. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the tote is defined by:
 a generally planar platform portion having at least one slot defined therethrough and, for each cradle, and leading thereto, an aperture;   projecting from one side of the platform portion, a carrying handle for and bridging each slot; and   for each cradle, a cradle bottom disposed opposite the one side of the platform portion, and at least a pair of sidewall portions extending from the platform portion to the cradle bottom, said each cradle having stepped portions which reduce in girth as the sidewall portions so extend. 4