Packaging system and method

Abstract

A method and system for packaging a plurality of bottles in an efficient, compact package that maximizes the useable space in the storage and shipping of materials, such as beverages. Each pair of bottles in the package may be arranged in a mated configuration to form a space-conserving block. A holding sleeve may be used to maintain the pair of bottles in the mated configuration, while securing the blocks of the package together. The blocks are arranged and maintained together in an outer housing (e.g., a box) in a manner substantially free of dead space.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 752,314 filed on Dec. 19, 2005. The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 752,314 is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to packaging, and, more particularly, to a system and method for packaging a plurality of bottles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Two of the most persistent and overarching challenges facing the packaging industry are space management and breakage concerns. Specifically, the packaging and storage of multiple bottles, such as water and / or wine bottles, in conventional lots, known as cases, often waste valuable space due to the inefficient geometry and arrangement of the bottles. This wasted, or “dead” space is commonly found around the curved surfaces of conventional bottles, such as, for example, the cylindrical neck and rounded base of a conventi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention satisfy these and other needs by providing a compact, re-enforced, and space-conserving packaging system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the packaging system includes a plurality of bottles, such as water or wine bottles, having a geometry which allows for two like bottles to “mate” when arranged in a mated configuration (i.e., with opposing ends together).

[0011] The compact packaging provided by the present invention reduces the amount of dead space, particularly the space typically present around the cylindrical necks of conventional bottles arranged in a package. Advantageously, breakage complications that stem from movement beyond the inherent tolerance of the packaged arrangement are also reduced.

Problems solved by technology

Two of the most persistent and overarching challenges facing the packaging industry are space management and breakage concerns.

Specifically, the packaging and storage of multiple bottles, such as water and / or wine bottles, in conventional lots, known as cases, often waste valuable space due to the inefficient geometry and arrangement of the bottles.

This wasted, or “dead” space is commonly found around the curved surfaces of conventional bottles, such as, for example, the cylindrical neck and rounded base of a conventional water or wine bottle.

This dead space creates two significant problems.

First, it provides the bottles with room to shift during movement and / or shipping, resulting in unwanted contact between the bottles and, ultimately, to breakage.

Second, this dead space is unused, creating significant inefficiencies in space management.

Many residual expenses flow from the breakage or damage of bottles, including re-shipping costs, replacement costs, clean up costs, loss of labels, ancillary damage or loss of packaging materials, contamination of other bottles in the same shipment, loss of product, and failure to meet business obligations.

This process increases costs and decreases productivity.

This failure to use significant portions of space leads to higher shipping costs.

In addition, when taken in the aggregate, a significant amount of space in warehouses, distribution centers, transportation means is ultimately wasted by the dead space between conventional bottles.

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