BOTTLE TRANSPORT BOX WITH SHOCK ABSORBING ELEMENT.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a box (10) adapted to hold at least one bottle (12), the box (10) comprising a base (14) and a lid (26) for closing a receiving volume (16) for the bottle (12), the box (10) comprising at least one device (30) for holding the bottle (12) in the receiving volume (16), the holding device (30) comprising two plates adapted to hold the bottle (12) in the base (14) of the box (10), each of the plates comprising a contact edge which includes a contact portion forming a recess in the plate, the contact portion of the contact edge of each of the plates comprising a groove in which a damping element is housed, the damping element of each of the grooves extending beyond the groove into the receiving compartment for the bottle (12). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: BOTTLE TRANSPORT BOX WITH SHOCK ABSORBING ELEMENT. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a box for transporting bottles in a secure manner. Technical background

[0002] Bottles, whether intended to contain beverages or perfume, are often difficult to transport due to their fragility. It is therefore common practice to transport bottles in boxes where they are held in position by being secured in retaining devices, also known as "guillotines," which lock them securely in place within the box.

[0003] However, such retaining devices can cause damage to the bottles, particularly if labels are affixed to them. Indeed, the friction of the bottles in the retaining devices can tear or scratch the label and / or the bottle being held directly.

[0004] Means to limit damage to bottles during transport have already been proposed, but these are often costly and significantly lengthen the manufacturing time of the boxes due to the assembly complexity they impose.

[0005] Thus, the aim of the invention is to propose a holding device to be integrated into a transport box for a bottle, the design and machining of which are quick and inexpensive, while offering optimal efficiency in the protection of the bottles which are transported in the box. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention proposes a box suitable for housing at least one bottle, the box comprising a base which extends along a main longitudinal elongation direction and which delimits a bottle reception volume open at an upper end, the box comprising a lid intended to close the bottle reception volume at the upper end,

[0007] the box comprising at least one device for holding the bottle within the receiving volume,

[0008] the holding device comprising two plates adapted to cooperate with each other in the receiving volume so as to hold the bottle in the base of the box,

[0009] each of the plates comprising a contact edge which includes a portion of contact forming a recessed area in the plate and such that the contact portion of each of the plates of the retaining device helps to define a receiving chamber for the bottle when the plates cooperate with each other to form the retaining device,

[0010] the contact portion of the contact edge of each of the plates comprising a groove open to the receiving housing and in which a damping element is housed,

[0011] the damping element of each of the grooves extending beyond the groove, into the bottle receiving housing.

[0012] According to other features of the invention: - the groove of the contact portion of the contact edge of each of the plates extends over the entire length of the contact portion of its associated contact edge; - the retaining device extends into the receiving volume along a main transverse and vertical plane, the damping element of each of the grooves extending beyond the groove, in the main plane of the retaining device; - the contact portion of the contact edge of each of the plates of the retaining device includes an arc-shaped circular form such that the receiving housing of the retaining device has a cylindrical shape of revolution with axis of revolution; - the groove forms a radial recess in the contact portion of the contact edge of each of the plates, the damping element extending radially beyond the groove, into the receiving housing; - the box includes two devices for holding the bottle in the receiving volume, the holding devices being offset longitudinally from each other in the receiving volume, the receiving housings of the holding devices having perimeters of distinct dimensions and / or distinct shapes; - the base includes at least one pair of vertical grooves which extend into the receiving volume of the bottle, the plates of at least one retaining device being able to cooperate with the vertical grooves so that the plates are engaged in the vertical grooves when they extend into the receiving volume; - the damping element is made of cork. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the Read the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which refer to the attached drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] is a general perspective view of a bottle transport box comprising two bottle retention devices;

[0015] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the retaining devices of the [Fig.1], each support devices comprising two plates;

[0016] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one of the plates of the retaining devices of the [Fig.2] comprising a groove in which a damping element extends;

[0017] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the bottle engaged in the devices maintenance of the [Fig.l];

[0018] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal and vertical cross-sectional view of the box in [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of a plate of a retaining device according to a another example of the realization of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the V, L, T frame indicated in the figures, whose longitudinal L and transverse T axes extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted without limitation and without limiting reference to terrestrial gravity.

[0021] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a box 10 suitable for housing at least one bottle 12, for example, but not limited to, a bottle of wine or a bottle of perfume.

[0023] It should be considered that the term "bottle" means any container, for example made of plastic or glass, intended to contain a liquid or paste-like fluid, whether or not it is fit for consumption.

[0024] The box 10 includes at least one base 14 which extends along a main longitudinal elongation direction L and which delimits a receiving volume 16 of the bottle 12, the receiving volume 16 being open on an upper end 18 of the base 14.

[0025] More precisely, the base 14 has a parallelepiped shape of which a rectangular bottom wall 20 is defined, from which four walls 22 extend perpendicularly from each of its sides.

[0026] Longitudinal walls 22a of the base 14 are then defined which extend mainly along the longitudinal direction L and are opposed to each other along a transverse direction T of the base 14.

[0027] Transverse walls 22b of the base 14 are also defined, extending mainly along the transverse direction T and being opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L of the base 14 and in such a way that they connect the longitudinal walls 22a.

[0028] The longitudinal walls 22a therefore each extend in a longitudinal plane L and vertical plane V and the transverse walls 22b each extend in a transverse plane T and vertical plane V.

[0029] Thus, the bottom wall 20 forms a lower end 24 of the base 14, vertically opposite the open upper end 18 of the base 14.

[0030] In other words, the open upper end 18 of the base 14 corresponds to an opening through which the bottle 12 can be installed in the receiving volume 16 delimited by the base 14.

[0031] It is also understood that the reference to the terms upper and lower is to be considered here according to the preferred transport position of the boxes 10, the lower end 24 corresponding to the end of support of the box 10 on a support during its transport or storage.

[0032] As seen in [Fig. 1], the box 10 includes a lid 26 intended to close the receiving volume 16.

[0033] It is understood in particular that the lid 26 closes the upper end 18 of the base 14, that is to say, closes the opening through which the bottle 12 can be installed in the receiving volume 16.

[0034] It is also understood that the lid 26 has a complementary shape with the base 14, the lid 26 being rectangular in shape here.

[0035] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the base 14 comprises at least two longitudinal grooves 28 which extend facing the receiving volume 16 and at the level of the upper end 18 of the base 14.

[0036] More precisely, the longitudinal grooves 28 extend along the longitudinal direction L, against the longitudinal walls 22a of the base 14 described previously and at the upper end 18 so as to allow the cover 26 to slide longitudinally in the longitudinal grooves 28 to close the upper end 18 of the base 14.

[0037] Furthermore, and as can be seen in [Fig.5], one of the transverse walls 22b of the base 14 extends vertically from the bottom wall 20 in such a way that it forms a stop for the lid 26 when the latter extends over the receiving volume 16, in the longitudinal grooves 28, and the other transverse wall 22b extends vertically from the bottom wall 20 below the longitudinal grooves 28 in such a way as to allow the longitudinal insertion of the lid 26 into the longitudinal grooves 28.

[0038] It is then understood that the transverse walls 22b of the base 14 extend vertically from the bottom wall 20 according to dimensions distinct from each other.

[0039] It is also understood that the longitudinal grooves 28 are dimensioned in such a way that they allow the insertion and longitudinal sliding of the cover 26 within them.

[0040] It should also be considered that, in a non-limiting and non-illustrated manner, the box may include a lid connected to the base by hinges allowing it to pivot around a hinge axis so as to close and open the receiving volume of the base.

[0041] According to the invention, the box 10 includes at least one device for holding the bottle 30 in the receiving volume.

[0042] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the box 10 here includes two retaining devices 30 for the bottle 12 in the receiving volume 16 of the base 14.

[0043] It should also be considered that the box, depending on the number of bottles it is intended to transport and depending on the size of these bottles, may include more than two holding devices according to the invention.

[0044] In order to facilitate reading, it should be considered that, for the common parts, only the structural and functional characteristics of one of the support devices 30 will be the subject of a detailed description but that these characteristics apply mutatis mutandis to all the support devices 30 of the base 14.

[0045] As seen in figures 2, 3 and 5, the retaining device 30 comprises two plates 32 capable of cooperating with each other in the receiving volume 16 of the base 14.

[0046] According to the illustrated example of the invention, in the receiving volume 16 of the base 14, the retaining devices 30 each extend in a transverse plane T and a vertical plane V. Thus, it is understood that the retaining devices 30 extend in the internal volume 16, in a plane perpendicular to the main elongation direction of the bottle 12 when it is installed in the receiving volume 16.

[0047] In order to fit into the parallelepiped receiving volume 16 of the base 14, the retaining device 30 has a peripheral rectangular shape, formed by the two plates 32 which compose it.

[0048] External edges 34 of the plates 32 are then defined which delimit the external periphery of the retaining device 30 when they are assembled together, as seen in [Fig.2].

[0049] Given the rectangular shape of the retaining device 30, it is understood that each plate 32 comprises three external edges 34.

[0050] As can be seen in figures 2 and 3, two of the external edges 34 extend parallel to each other and perpendicularly from the same third external edge 34.

[0051] It should also be considered that the peripheral shape of the retaining device is not limiting and that it could include beveled corners or a rounded perimeter, as long as its peripheral shape allows it to fit within the receiving volume.

[0052] An internal edge 36 of each of the plates 32 is also defined, intended to come at least partially into contact with the internal edge 36 of the associated plate 32 of the same retaining device 30.

[0053] In the following detailed description, the term inner edge 36 will be replaced by the term contact edge 36.

[0054] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the contact edge 36 of each of the plates 32 includes a contact portion 38 which forms a recessed area in its plate 32 so as to form a receiving housing 40 for the bottle 12 when the plates 32 of the same retaining device 30 cooperate with each other, as seen in [Fig.2].

[0055] Here and without limitation, the contact portions 38 of the contact edges 36 have a circular arc shape such that they define a half-moon recessed area in each of the plates 32, thus forming a receiving housing 40 in the shape of a cylinder of revolution in the retaining device 30.

[0056] In particular, it is defined that the receiving housing 40, in the form of a cylinder of revolution, extends around an axis R of revolution which is here parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the base 14 when the retaining device 30 is installed in the receiving volume 16 according to [Fig.1].

[0057] It is then understood that, depending on the thickness of the retaining device 30, the cylindrical receiving housing 40 extends axially over a greater or lesser distance. It is further specified that the thickness of the retaining device 30 is to be considered along the longitudinal direction L of the base 14 when the retaining device 30 is installed in the receiving volume 16 according to [Fig. 1].

[0058] According to another example of the invention visible in [Fig.6], the contact portion 38 of the contact edge 36 of each of the plates 32 can have a U-shaped form with straight sides such that the plates 32 of the same retaining device, once assembled, form a parallelepiped receiving housing.

[0059] It should also be considered that the contact portion 38 of the contact edge 36 of each of the plates 32 can have any shape without limitation, so that the receiving housing 40 of the retaining device 30 has a complementary shape with the bottle it receives.

[0060] As seen in [Fig.2], each of the retaining devices 30 includes a receiving housing 40 in the shape of a cylinder of revolution having a different diameter.

[0061] Thus and as can be seen in [Fig.4], a first retaining device 30a allows a wider end of the bottle 12 to be held at the level of the barrel, while a second retaining device 30b allows a narrower end of the bottle 12 to be held at the level of the neck.

[0062] It is then understood that the vertical dimensions V and transverse dimensions T of the contact portions 38 are adapted according to the dimensions of the bottle 12 to be kept in the receiving volume 16.

[0063] Furthermore, and as can be seen in [Fig.1], the bottle 12 retaining devices 30, 30a, 30b are arranged in the receiving volume 16 of the base 14, being longitudinally offset from each other.

[0064] As seen in [Fig.3], the contact portion 38 of the contact edge 36 of each of the plates 32 includes a groove 42 open to the receiving housing 40 and in which a damping element 44 is housed.

[0065] More particularly and considering the cylindrical shape of axis R of revolution of the receiving housings 40, the groove 42 of each of the plates 32 forms a recess of radial depth in the contact portions 38 and which extends circularly along the contact portion 38 of each of the plates 32.

[0066] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the grooves 42 of each of the plates 32 of the same retaining device 30 extend along the contact portions 38 in such a way that they extend over the entire circumference of the receiving housing 40.

[0067] The groove 42 of each of the plates 32 has a “U” shaped section in axial section along the axis of revolution, visible in [Fig.5], of which a bottom wall 46 is defined.

[0068] According to non-limiting examples of the invention, the groove 42 of each of the plates 32 may have a square or semi-circular cross-section. Such a cross-section of the groove 42 of each of the plates 32 may be produced by means of a milling cutter controlled by a numerically controlled machine.

[0069] According to the invention, the damping element 44 of each of the grooves 42 extends beyond a space delimited by the groove 42, towards the receiving housing 40 of the bottle 12.

[0070] Furthermore, the damping element 44 extends from the bottom wall 46 of the groove 42 as seen in [Fig.5].

[0071] In other words, the damping element 44 extends from the bottom wall 46 and radially beyond the groove 42 in which it is housed, towards the receiving housing 40 of the bottle 12, considering the axis R of revolution.

[0072] Thus, the damping element 44 forms a projection in the receiving housing 40 of the bottle 12.

[0073] Furthermore, the damping element 44 extends along the entire length of its groove 42 associated in such a way that it extends over the entire circumference of the receiving housing 40 of its associated retaining device 30.

[0074] It is then understood that the damping element 44 is intended to be in contact with the bottle 12 housed in the receiving housing 40 of the retaining device 30.

[0075] More specifically, the damping element 44 is configured to extend over the entire circumference of the bottle 12 when the latter is engaged in the receiving housing 40 of the retaining device 30.

[0076] According to an example of the invention, the damping elements 44 can be press-fitted into their respective groove 42.

[0077] According to another example of the invention, the damping elements 44 can be fixed by gluing in their respective groove 42.

[0078] Such a structure of the retaining devices 30 is then advantageous in that it allows in a simple way to integrate the damping elements 44 to protect the bottle during its storage.

[0079] Furthermore, when the damping elements 44 are press-fitted, it is easy to change them, for example when they are worn or when a different radial thickness of the damping elements 44 is desired in order to adapt to the shape of the bottle 12.

[0080] Visible in figures 1 and 5, the base 14 includes at least one pair of vertical grooves 48 which extend into the receiving volume 16 of the bottle 12.

[0081] More specifically, the vertical grooves 48 extend vertically along the longitudinal walls 22a from the bottom wall 20, until they open vertically outside the receiving volume 16 of the bottle 12.

[0082] Furthermore, the vertical grooves 48 of the same pair are aligned with each other along the transverse direction T of the base 14.

[0083] It is then understood that the plates 32 of the same retaining device 30 are configured to slide in the vertical grooves 48 of the same pair, so as to fit in the receiving volume 16.

[0084] It is also understood that the bottom wall 20 of the base 14 forms a vertical stop for the retaining device 30 when its plates 32 are inserted into the vertical grooves 48.

[0085] Thus, the plates 32 of the same retaining device 30, inserted into the receiving volume 16 via the vertical grooves 48 are locked longitudinally and transversely in position in the receiving volume 16.

[0086] Furthermore, the closure of the upper end 18 of the base 14 by the cover 26 allows the retaining devices 30 to be locked in a vertical position in the receiving volume 16.

[0087] According to the illustrated example of the invention, the box 10 comprises two pairs of grooves vertical 48 such that each of the pairs cooperates with one of the two holding devices 30.

[0088] It is then understood that, once the bottle 12 is engaged in the retaining devices 30 and installed in the receiving volume 16 of the base 14 closed by the lid 26, it is held securely in the base 14.

[0089] In particular, the radially projecting damping elements 44 in the receiving housings 40 of the retaining devices 30 help to limit the risk of breakage or damage to the bottle during its transport.

[0090] According to the invention, the damping element can be made of a natural and recyclable material.

[0091] For example, and without limitation, the damping element can be made of cork. According to other non-limiting examples of the invention, the damping element can be made of rubber or felt or textile or leather or rush or wool or canvas, felt or foam or plastic or cardboard or silicone or elastomer or cellulose or latex or nylon or cotton or jute or hemp or wood wool or flax or ramie or natural fiber.

[0092] According to the invention, the box 10, apart from the damping element 44, can be made of wood.

Claims

Demands

1. Box (10) adapted to house at least one bottle (12), the box (10) comprising a base (14) extending along a principal longitudinal elongation direction (L) and defining a receiving volume (16) for the bottle (12) open at an upper end (18), the box (10) comprising a lid (26) for closing the receiving volume (16) for the bottle (12) at the upper end (18), the box (10) comprising at least one device for retaining the bottle (12) in the receiving volume (16), the retaining device (30) comprising two plates (32) adapted to cooperate with each other in the receiving volume (16) so as to retain the bottle (12) in the base (14) of the box (10),each of the plates (32) comprising a contact edge (36) which includes a contact portion (38) forming a recess in the plate (32) and such that the contact portion (38) of each of the plates (32) of the retaining device (30) helps to define a receiving housing (40) of the bottle (12) when the plates (32) cooperate with each other to form the retaining device (30), the contact portion (38) of the contact edge (36) of each of the plates (32) comprising a groove (42) open to the receiving housing (40) and in which a damping element (44) is housed, the damping element (44) of each of the grooves (42) extending beyond the groove (42), into the receiving housing (40) of the bottle (12).

2. Box (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the groove (42) of the contact portion (38) of the contact edge (36) of each of the plates (32) extends over the entire length of the contact portion (38) of its associated contact edge (36).

3. Box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (30) extends into the receiving volume (16) along a main transverse (T) and vertical (V) plane, the damping element (44) of each of the grooves (42) extending beyond the groove (42), in the main plane of the retaining device (30).

4. Box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in in which the contact portion (38) of the contact edge (36) of each of the plates (32) of the retaining device (30) comprises an arc-shaped circular form such that the receiving housing (40) of the retaining device (30) has a cylindrical shape of revolution with axis (R) of revolution.

5. Box (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the groove (42) forms a radial recess in the contact portion (38) of the contact edge (36) of each of the plates (32), the damping element (44) extending radially beyond the groove (42), into the receiving housing (40).

6. Box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two retaining devices (30) for the bottle (12) in the receiving volume (16), the retaining devices (30) being longitudinally offset from each other in the receiving volume (16), the receiving housings (40) for the retaining devices (30) having contours of distinct dimensions and / or distinct shapes.

7. Box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (14) comprises at least one pair of vertical grooves (48) which extend into the receiving volume (16) of the bottle (12), the plates (32) of at least one retaining device (30) being able to cooperate with the vertical grooves (48) so that the plates (32) are engaged in the vertical grooves (48) when they extend into the receiving volume (16).

8. Box (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the damping element (44) is made of cork.

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