Protector device for containers

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a protector device (1) for containers (C), and especially for containers (C), such as bottles or cans, containing beverages. The protector device (1) comprises: a plurality of receptacles (2), each of which is configured to receive and hold a respective container (C). Each of the receptacles (2) is configured to extend at least partially around a circumference or periphery of the respective container and comprises a material that is adapted to isolate the respective container from impacts or shocks.

1 . A protector device for beverage containers, the protector device comprising:
 a plurality of receptacles, each of which is configured to receive and hold a respective container;   wherein each of the receptacles is configured to extend at least partially around a circumference or a periphery of the respective container and comprises a material that is adapted to isolate the respective container at least partially from an impact or shock.   
     
     
         2 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle includes a band or a sleeve of the said material configured to extend substantially fully around the circumference or outer periphery of the respective container. 
     
     
         3 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle forms or defines a generally cylindrical cavity for receiving and accommodating a body of the container. 
     
     
         4 . A protector device according to  claim 3 , wherein, each receptacle comprises one or more aperture that exposes part of a side of the respective container received and held by the receptacle, the aperture preferably being elongate and extending along a side of the respective container received and held by the receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle has a base for supporting a bottom part of the respective container, wherein the base of each receptacle is configured to stack on top of another respective container. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A protector device according to  claim 5 , wherein an underside of the base of each receptacle includes a recess configured to receive and/or nest with a top of another respective container arranged below it. 
     
     
         8 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receptacles are interconnected with one another in a rectangular array to hold the containers together in a compact group. 
     
     
         9 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle includes one or more inwardly directed projection(s) for engaging or contacting a side of a container inserted into the respective receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . A protector device according to  claim 9 , wherein each receptacle includes a plurality of the inwardly directed projections spaced apart around a circumference of the receptacle for engaging or contacting a side of a container inserted into the respective receptacle, wherein each of the inwardly directed projections is formed as an elongate fin or rib or bead. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one gripping element is provided to facilitate carrying of the protector device when it accommodates containers, the at least one gripping element formed as a recess or hole for insertion of a finger of a user during lifting or carrying. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of each receptacle is less than a height of the respective container. 
     
     
         16 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material that is adapted to isolate the respective container from an impact or shock has a hardness in a range of 20 to 80 on the Shore 00 scale. 
     
     
         17 . A protector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the protector device is moulded or 3D-printed as an integral or unitary component from a resilient polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A protector device according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of receptacles of the protector device are configured in one of: a 3×2 array for receiving and holding six cans or six bottles; a 2×2 array or in a 4×1 array for receiving and holding four cans or four bottles; or a 2×1 array for receiving and holding two cans or bottles. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A protector device for one or more beverage containers, comprising:
 at least one receptacle configured to receive and hold a container;   wherein each receptacle is configured to extend at least partially around a circumference or an outer periphery of the container and comprises a material having a hardness in a range of 0 to 60 on the Shore A scale that is adapted to isolate the container at least partially from an impact or shock;   wherein each receptacle has a plurality of inwardly directed projection(s) spaced apart around a circumference of the receptacle for engaging or contacting a side of a container inserted into the respective receptacle.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A protector device according to  claim 23 , wherein each receptacle forms or defines a generally cylindrical cavity for receiving and accommodating a body of the container, wherein each receptacle comprises at least one aperture that exposes part of a side of a container received and held by the receptacle, wherein the aperture is extends along a side of the respective container received and held by the receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A protector device according to  claim 23 , wherein each receptacle has a base for supporting a bottom part of the respective container, and wherein an underside of the base of each receptacle includes a recess configured to receive or nest with a top of another respective container arranged below it. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A protector device according to  claim 23 , comprising a plurality of receptacles interconnected with one another in a rectangular array to hold containers together in a compact group. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A protector device according to  claim 23 , wherein each inwardly directed projection is formed as a fin or rib or bead. 
     
     
         34 . A set of protector devices for containers, wherein each protector device of the set is a protector device according to  claim 1 .