Bottle protector

Abstract

A bottle protector for use in shipping bottles such as wine bottles or the like. The bottle protector includes a tri-fold bottom member which embraces the lower ends of the bottles positioned therein and a tri-fold top member which embraces the upper ends of the bottles positioned therein.

1 . A bottle protector, comprising:
 a bottom member comprising:   a horizontally disposed lower base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line being parallel to said first end edge and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line being parallel to said second end edge and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line;   the distance between said first and second fold lines being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge;   said first support segment having an upstanding support which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein;   said second support segment having an upstanding support which has two circular recesses formed therein;   said third support segment having an upstanding support which has two semi-circular recesses formed therein;   each of said circular recesses in said second support segment adapted to receive the base of a bottle therein;   said first support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said first support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment with said semi-circular recesses of said first support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in said circular recesses of said second support segment;   said third support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said third support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support member with said semi-circular recesses of said third support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in said circular recesses of said second support segment;   a top member comprising:   a horizontally disposed upper base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to first end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to said second end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line of said upper base portion being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line of said upper base portion;   the distance between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines thereof to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line thereof, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has two spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein;   said second support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has two circular recesses formed therein;   said third support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has two semi-circular recesses formed therein;   each of said circular recesses in said second support segment adapted to receive the upper end of the neck of a bottle therein;   said first support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recesses of said first support segment embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of said bottom member;   said third support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recesses of said third support segment of said upper base portion embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of said bottom member.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein said bottom and top members are comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein the bottles are wine bottles. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein each of said bottom members and said top members has strengthening means formed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein said upstanding support of said first support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer Wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said first support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein said upstanding support of said third support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein said downwardly extending support of said first support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle protector of  claim 1  wherein said downwardly extending support of said third support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A bottle protector, comprising:
 a bottom member comprising:   a horizontally disposed lower base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line being parallel to said first end edge and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line being parallel to said second end edge and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line;   the distance between said first and second fold lines being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge;   said first support segment having an upstanding support which has a semi-circular recess formed therein;   said second support segment having an upstanding support which has a circular recess formed therein;   said third support segment having an upstanding support which has a semi-circular recess formed therein;   said circular recess in said second support segment adapted to receive the base of a bottle therein;   said first support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said first support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment with said semi-circular recess of said first support segment embracing the side of the bottle in said circular recess of said second support segment;   said third support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said third support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support member with said semi-circular recess of said third support segment embracing the side of the bottle in said circular recess of said second support segment;   a top member comprising:   a horizontally disposed upper base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge; a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to first end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to said second end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line of said upper base portion being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line of said upper base portion;   the distance between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines thereof to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line thereof, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a semi-circular recess formed therein;   said second support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a circular recess formed therein;   said third support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a semi-circular recess formed therein;   said circular recess in said second support segment adapted to receive the upper end of the neck of a bottle therein;   said first support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recess of said first support segment embracing a portion of the neck of the bottle positioned in the circular recess of the second support segment of said bottom member;   said third support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recess of said third support segment of said upper base portion embracing a portion of the neck of the bottle positioned in the circular recess of the second support segment of said bottom member.   
     
     
         10 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein said bottom and top members are comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein the bottle is a wine bottle. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein each of said bottom members and said top members has strengthening means formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein said upstanding support of said first support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recess thereof is formed in said top wall of said first support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         14 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein said upstanding support of said third support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recess thereof is formed in said top wall of said third support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         15 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein said downwardly extending support of said first support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recess thereof is formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The bottle protector of  claim 9  wherein said downwardly extending support of said third support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recess thereof is formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A bottle protector, comprising:
 a bottom member comprising:   a horizontally disposed lower base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line being parallel to said first end edge and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said upper surface of said lower base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line being parallel to said second end edge and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line;   the distance between said first and second fold lines being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge;   said first support segment having an upstanding support which has a plurality of spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein;   said second support segment having an upstanding support which has a plurality of circular recesses formed therein;   said third support segment having an upstanding support which has a plurality of semi-circular recesses formed therein;   each of said circular recesses in said second support segment adapted to receive the base of a bottle therein;   said first support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said first support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment with said semi-circular recesses of said first support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in said circular recesses of said second support segment;   said third support segment being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment;   said third support segment when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support member with said semi-circular recesses of said third support segment embracing the sides of the bottles in said circular recesses of said second support segment;   a top member comprising:   a horizontally disposed upper base portion having a first end edge, a first side edge, a second end edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a first fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said first fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to first end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   a second fold line formed in said lower surface of said upper base portion which extends between said first and second side edges thereof;   said second fold line of said upper base portion being parallel to said second end edge thereof and spaced therefrom;   the distance between said first end edge and said first fold line of said upper base portion being equal to the distance between said second end edge and said second fold line of said upper base portion;   the distance between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion being greater than the distance between said end edges and said fold lines thereof to create a first support segment between said first end edge and said first fold line thereof, a second support segment between said first and second fold lines of said upper base portion, and a third support segment between said second fold line and said second end edge thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a plurality of spaced-apart semi-circular recesses formed therein;   said second support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a plurality of circular recesses formed therein;   said third support segment of said upper base portion having a downwardly extending support which has a plurality of semi-circular recesses formed therein;   each of said circular recesses in said second support segment adapted to receive the upper end of the neck of a bottle therein;   said first support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said first support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recesses of said first support segment embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of said bottom member;   said third support segment of said upper base portion being selectively foldable between first and second positions;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said first position being disposed in the same plane as said second support segment thereof;   said third support segment of said upper base portion when in said second position being disposed at a right angle with respect to said second support segment thereof with said semi-circular recesses of said third support segment of said upper base portion embracing a portion of the necks of the bottles positioned in the circular recesses of the second support segment of said bottom member.   
     
     
         18 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein said bottom and top members are comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein the bottles are wine bottles. 
     
     
         20 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein each of said bottom members and said top members has strengthening means formed therein. 
     
     
         21 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein said upstanding support of said first support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said first support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         22 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein said upstanding support of said third support segment of said bottom member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment of said bottom member. 
     
     
         23 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein said downwardly extending support of said first support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The bottle protector of  claim 17  wherein said downwardly extending support of said third support segment of said top member includes a vertically disposed outer wall, a top wall, and an inclined inner wall and wherein said semi-circular recesses thereof are formed in said top wall of said third support segment thereof.