CARRYING CASE FOR MINIATURE LIQUOR BOTTLES

Abstract

A carrying case for miniature liquor bottles has an outer shell closable about its perimeter with one or more panels having a plurality of pockets attached inside the outer shell. Each panel has a plurality of pockets attached thereto, with each pocket configured to retain a miniature liquor bottle therein. A front side of each pocket includes a see-through material so that a label of each miniature liquor bottle is visible. The open top edge of each pocket has an elastomeric banding that provides an elastic opening to the pocket to hold the miniature liquor bottle therein.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for carrying miniature liquor bottles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a carrying case for transporting miniature liquor bottles.

Description of the Related Art

Alcoholic beverages come in a variety of bottle shapes and sizes. Because it is illegal in many jurisdictions to transport open liquor containers, miniature liquor bottles were introduced over 100 years ago. In Scotland and the Northeastern United States, they are often known as nips and shooters, and referred elsewhere as mini bottles, miniatures, airplane bottles, mini-bar bottles or travel-sized bottles. A mini bottle is a small bottle of a spirit, liqueur or other alcoholic beverage. Its contents, typically 50 ml or 1.7 oz., are intended to comprise an individual serving. Mini bottles are typically used when serving from a full-size liquor bottle is impractical or uneconomical.

Because of their relatively small size, it is sometimes difficult to transport the bottles unless they are carried in a bag or box. While some miniature liquor bottles are plastic, many are glass and can break if dropped or allowed to impact one another with sufficient force during transport. In addition, carrying such miniature liquor bottles in a bag or carrying them in a box can allow the bottles to be randomly mixed making it difficult to identify and select a particular bottle when bottles containing a variety of different liquors or alcohols are intermixed. The present invention is thus a significant improvement to devices for carrying miniature liquor bottles known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a carrying case for miniature liquor bottles having an outer shell with a left half and a right half. The left and right halves are closable relative to one another in a clamshell manner. A pair of panels each have a plurality of pockets arranged in rows with each pocket configured to retain a single miniature liquor bottle therein. A body of each pocket is comprised of a mesh fabric extending from a closed base of the pocket to proximate a top edge. The top edge defines an open end of the pocket and the mesh fabric is configured to retain the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket while allowing a label of the miniature liquor bottle to be visible through the mesh fabric. An elastomeric banding is attached to the top edge of the mesh fabric and to its respective panel at the sides of each of the plurality of pockets so as to require stretching of the elastomeric banding in order to insert a miniature liquor bottle in the pocket. The pocket has a length sufficient to receive a body of the miniature liquor bottle with the elastomeric banding residing proximate a neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when inserted within the pocket such that the elastomeric banding contracts around the neck portion to hold the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket.

In one embodiment, the carrying case has a second elastomeric banding attached to the each panel that extends above the top edge of the pocket and defines a second opening configured for receiving an upper portion of the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle, which is configured to retain the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle relative to the at least one panel and to protect the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

In another embodiment, the first elastomeric banding comprises a first elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the panel and forms the top edge of each of the plurality of pockets.

In yet another embodiment, the second elastomeric banding comprises a second elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the at least one panel, forms a second opening of each of the plurality of pockets of a particular row of pockets, and is configured to retain the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle relative to the panel and to protect the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

In still another embodiment, the pair of panels forms a respective front side or back side of the carrying case.

In yet another embodiment, a plurality of fastening devices is attached to interior surfaces of the left and right halves, the plurality of fastening devices configured to removably attach the pair of panels within the outer shell to inside surfaces thereof.

In another embodiment, the closure device comprises a zipper extending around at least a portion of respective perimeters of the left and right halves. When the zipper is completely unzipped, back sides of the left and right halves can lay flat to expose each of the plurality of pockets.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of fastening devices comprise hook and loop fastener, with first sections of hook and loop fastener attached to inside surfaces of the first half and second halves, and second sections of hook and loop fastener attached to back sides of the pair of panels and are arranged to attach to the first sections of hook and loop fastener so as to retain the first and second panels within the carrying case and to allow the pair of panels to be selectively removable from the carrying case.

In another embodiment, the pair of panels are configured to be interchangeable.

In still another embodiment, the number of rows of first and second sections of hook and loop fastener is one greater than the number of rows of the plurality of pockets, with each row of the first and second sections of hook and loop fasteners extending proximate one of a top or a bottom of each row of the plurality of pockets.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the carrying case for miniature liquor bottles has an outer shell with a front side and a back side. The front and back sides are closable relative to one another with a closure device. At least one panel has a plurality of pockets attached thereto arranged in at least two rows with each pocket configured to retain a miniature liquor bottle therein. A front side of each pocket is at least partially comprised of an at least partially see-through material extending from a bottom of the pocket to proximate a top edge of the pocket. The pocket defines a first opening along the top edge for receiving the miniature liquor bottle therein. The at least partially see-through material is configured to retain the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket while allowing a label of the miniature liquor bottle to be visible through the at least partially see-through material. A first elastomeric banding is attached to the top edge of the pocket to provide an elastic opening to the pocket and requires stretching of the elastomeric banding in order to insert the miniature liquor bottle into the pocket. The pocket has a length sufficient to receive a body of the miniature liquor bottle with the elastomeric banding residing proximate a neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when inserted within the pocket such that the elastomeric banding contracts around the neck portion to hold the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket.

In another embodiment, the at least on panel forms the back side of the carrying case.

These and other aspects of the present invention may be realized in an improved calf stretching apparatus as shown and described in the following figures and related description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an inside view of a carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a panel for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an inside view of the carrying case for miniature liquor bottles with the panel for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles removed therefrom.

FIG. 4 is an inside view of the carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the carrying case in a closed configuration for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the carrying case in a closed configuration for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another embodiment of a carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the carrying case in a closed configuration for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the carrying case in a closed configuration for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a partial front view of the pocket of the carrying case illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an inside view of the carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a panel for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 an inside view of the carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles shown in FIG. 11 with the panels shown in FIG. 12 removed.

FIG. 15 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a carrying case for holding a plurality of miniature liquor bottles in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a back view of the carrying case illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are inside views of the carrying case illustrated in FIG. 15.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons, including, without limitation, combinations of features of the illustrated embodiments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. While various methods and structures of the present invention are described herein, any methods or structures similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. In addition, while the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages including combinations of components of the various embodiments. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “user” refers to an individual of sufficient age that is legal to possess alcoholic beverages under the law.

As used herein, the term “transport” refers to the carrying of a miniature liquor bottle. It does not in the classic sense mean one must go from one point to another though that is certainly included in the definition. It refers to the miniature liquor bottles being on the body of the user as the user moves about whether from point to point or just on the person.

As used herein the term “miniature liquor bottles” refers to hard alcoholic sealed bottles of about 50 mL that are typically sold in liquor stores or the like. They do not include bottles to which a liquid has been added to or to larger size sealed alcoholic beverage containing bottles.

As used herein, the term “strip” is meant to encompass any elongate member, including cross-sectionally flat, rectangular members formed of webbing material, polymeric, synthetic and non-synthetic fabrics, hook and loop fastening material, elastic and resilient materials, and any other material.

The terms “elastic” and “elastomeric” are used herein to mean any material which, upon application of a biasing force, is stretchable, that is, elongatable, to a stretched, biased length which is at least about 125 percent of its relaxed unbiased length, and which, will recover at least 40-65 percent of its elongation upon release of the stretching, elongating force.

As used herein, the term “elastomeric fabric” or “elastic banding” refers to a flat fabric which can be a woven textile fabric, knit textile fabric, nonwoven fabric, or web, and which includes a sufficient amount of elastomeric fibers, filaments, threads, strands and/or binders (i.e., fibers, filaments, threads, strands and/or binders which are made of an elastomeric material and which have stretch and recovery properties), so that the fabric itself is “elastic” as defined above.

FIG. 1 illustrates a carrying case for miniature liquor bottles, generally indicated at 10, in accordance with the present invention. The carrying case 10 is comprised of an outer shell 12 having a left side and a right side, the left and right side closable relative to one another in a clamshell manner, and having a pair of pocket panels 14 and 16, each configured with a plurality of attached pouches or pockets, such as pocket 20, arranged in rows with each pocket 20 configured to retain a single miniature liquor bottle 22 therein. The body portion 24 of each pocket 20 is comprised of a see-through or at least partially see-through material such as a mesh fabric and extends from the base 26 of the pocket to proximate the upper open end 28 of the pocket 20. The mesh fabric is configured to retain the miniature liquor bottle 22 within the pocket 20 while allowing the label 30 of the bottle 22 to be visible through the mesh fabric so that the user can identify the particular type of miniature liquor bottle 22 is contained in the pocket 20 without having to remove the miniature liquor bottle 22 from the pocket 20. Moreover, if it happens that the miniature liquor bottle 22 has been placed in the pocket 20 with the front label 30 facing away from the mesh fabric, the user can simply grab the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle 22 and rotate the miniature liquor bottle until the label 30 is facing forward without having to remove the miniature liquor bottle 22 from the pocket 20.

The open end 28 of the pocket 20 is terminated by a fabric elastic banding 32 that is attached to the top edge of the mesh fabric as by sewing. The length of the elastic banding 32 is such that the opening 28 has a slightly smaller diameter than a diameter (or effective diameter of miniature liquor bottles that are of non-circular shapes) of the body portion of a standard miniature liquor bottle 22, typically 1.25 inches. Thus, in order to insert the miniature liquor bottle into the pocket 20, the elastic banding 32 is stretched to a degree until the bottom end of the miniature liquor bottle can pass through the elastic banding 32. The body of the pocket 20 formed by the mesh fabric has sufficient volume to house the body of the miniature liquor bottle when fully inserted therein. When the body of the miniature liquor bottle 22 is sufficiently inserted into the pocket 20, the elastic banding 32 will contract around the neck portion of the bottle 22 to hold the miniature liquor bottle 22 within the pocket 20 until manually pulled therefrom. Thus, the configuration of each pocket 20 is such that each miniature liquor bottle 22 can be easily recognized for its contents with each miniature liquor bottle securely held in its respective pocket until removed by the user. To do so, the user can simply grasp the exposed neck or lid of the miniature liquor bottle and pull it from its pocket 20.

A 50 mL miniature liquor bottle is held by stretching out the fabric. The fabric is biased by placing the miniature in the pocket and then releasing the fabric causes the elastomeric fabric to attempt to return to its unbiased state, thus creating a holding pressure. Clearly, the amount of stretch of the fabric must be sufficient to hold the bottle and its 50 mL of liquid. The user can take a miniature liquor bottle and while stretching the fabric of one of the pockets, place the bottle underneath the fabric and release the fabric. The pressure created by the elastomeric fabric trying to relax and regain an unbiased configuration against the bottle will create sufficient pressure and friction to hold the bottle in place.

As shown with respect to the panel 40, adjacent to the top of each pocket 20′, and more specifically adjacent the top of the elastic banding 32′ is a secondary elastic banding 33′. The secondary elastic band 33′ is wider than the elastic banding 32′ and extends above and parallel to the elastic banding 32′. The secondary elastic banding 32′ is provided to cover the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle 22 to protect the neck portion and to secure taller miniature liquor bottles within the pocket 20′ that may not allow the primary elastic banding 32′ to reach the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when the miniature liquor bottle is fully inserted within the pocket 20′.

In the embodiment of the carrying case 10, shown in FIG. 1, the shell 12 is comprised of two halves 40 and 42 that are integrally formed along one common side thereof and attachable to one another along the other three sides by a closure device such as zipper 44 in order to close the carrying case 10. The pocket panels 14 and 16 each include two rows of seven pockets. However, it is to be understood that the pocket panels could be configured with greater or fewer numbers of rows of pockets and with greater or fewer numbers of pockets per row depending on the size of the carrying case desired. The open ends 28′ of pockets 20′ of pocket panel 14 face toward the top end 46 of the case half 40. The open ends 28 of the pockets 20 of pocket panel 16 face toward the top end 48 of the case half 42 such that when the case halves 40 and 42 are folded together when the carrying case 10 is closed, the bottles 22 will each be carried in an upright manner when the carrying case 10 is carried by the handle 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket panels 40, 42 are identically configured. Each pocket panel 40, 42 is comprised of a rectangular fabric panel 50 having a perimeter edge trim 52 sewn thereto and that extends around the entire perimeter of the fabric panel 50. The pockets 20 are evenly distributed in rows across the fabric panel 50, in this embodiment, two rows of seven pockets each. The pockets 20 are formed from a rectangular mesh panel 23 of a mesh fabric that extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound on its lateral sides 25 and 27 by the perimeter edge trim 52, on its bottom edge 29 by a fabric strip 31 that extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52 and its top edge by the elastic banding 32 that also extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52.

Adjacent to the top of each pocket 20, and more specifically adjacent the top of the elastic banding 32 is a secondary elastic banding 33. The secondary elastic banding 33 is wider than the elastic banding 32 and extends above and parallel to the elastic banding 32. The secondary elastic banding 33 also extends the width of the panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52. As previously noted, the secondary elastic banding 32 is provided to cover the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle 22 to protect the neck portion and to secure taller miniature liquor bottles within the pocket 20 that may not allow the primary elastic banding 32 to reach the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when the miniature liquor bottle is fully inserted within the pocket 20.

The individual pockets 20 are formed by a seam 37 that extends along the sides of and thus between each pocket. The seams may be formed by sewing the mesh fabric panel 23 and elastic bands 32 and 33 to the fabric panel 50 in vertical lines.

Likewise, the pockets 20″ that form the lower row of pockets, are formed from a rectangular mesh panel 23′ of a mesh fabric that extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound on its lateral sides 25′ and 27′ by the perimeter edge trim 52, on its bottom edge 29′ by a fabric strip 31′ that extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52 and its top edge by the elastic banding 32′ that also extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52.

Adjacent to the top of each pocket 20′, and more specifically adjacent the top of the elastic banding 32′ is a secondary elastic banding 33′. The secondary elastic banding 33′ is wider than the elastic banding 32′ and extends above and parallel to the elastic banding 32′. The secondary elastic banding 33′ also extends the width of the fabric panel 50 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52. As previously noted, the secondary elastic banding 32′ is provided to cover the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle 22 to protect the neck portion and to secure taller miniature liquor bottles within the pocket 20″ that may not allow the primary elastic banding 32′ to reach the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when the miniature liquor bottle is fully inserted within the pocket 20.

As will be described in more detail, the panels 40, 42 are configured to be removable from the case 10 so that the user can have a variety of different panels containing different types of miniature liquor bottles tailored for certain types of cocktails and select from a variety of prefilled panels to place in the case 10 for transport. For example, the user could have several prefilled panels ready to go and then simply replace an empty panel with a full one as needed, and then later fill an empty panel when time permits.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order for the panels 40, 42 to be removable, the inner surface 51 of the shell 12 has a plurality of hook and loop fastener strips 60, 61 and 62 attached to the inner surface 51 in a spaced apart manner. The hook and loop fastener strip 60 substantially spans the width of the inner surface 51 of the shell 12 and is positioned proximate the midportion of the case 10 when the case is laid open as shown so as to attach across the back of the bottom edge portion of the panel 40 or 42 attached thereto. The hook and loop fastener strip 62 substantially spans the width of the inner surface 51 of the shell 12 and is positioned proximate the top of the shell 12 so as to attach across the back of the top edge of the panel 40 or 42 attached thereto. The hook and loop fastener strip 61 substantially spans the width of the inner surface 51 of the shell 12 and is positioned across the middle of the inner surface 51. The panels 40, 42 have correspondingly positioned hook and loop fastener strips that laterally extend across their back surfaces to attach to the hook and loop fastener strips 60, 61 and 62 attached to the shell 12 so as to be attachable and removable from the shell 12 as desired.

As shown in FIG. 4, the shell 12 includes an inner flap 70 comprised of a rectangular fabric panel having a size and shape similar to the size and shape of the panel 16 so as to fit within the case 10 as depicted in FIG. 4. The flap 70 is configured to lay on top of the panel 16 and between the panel 16 and the panel 14 when the case 10 is closed. The flap 70 is provide as an extra layer of padding/protection to prevent direct contact between the miniature liquor bottles contained in the pockets of the panel 16 with the miniature liquor bottles contained in the pockets of the panel 14.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the carrying case 10 in a fully closed and zipped configuration. The carrying case 10 includes a handle 50 and a carrying strap 82. In addition, a pocket 84 is provided on the front side of the carrying case. In this orientation, each of the miniature liquor bottles contained within the carrying case 10 are held in an upright position in their individual pockets and protected from one another by the intermediate flap 70, the mesh fabric and elastic banding strips.

In another embodiment of the carrying case 100, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the carrying case 100 in a fully closed and zipped configuration. The carrying case 100 includes a handle 150 and a carrying strap 182. In addition, a pocket 184 is provided on the front side of the carrying case. In this orientation, each of the miniature liquor bottles (not visible) contained within the carrying case 100 are held in an upright position in their respective individual pockets (shown below) and protected from one another by the intermediate flap, the mesh fabric and elastic banding strips as discussed below.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the carrying case 100. The two halves 1010 and 103 of the case 100 are held together by a zipper 144, which includes a pair of zipper pulls 144′ and 144″. The zipper 144 circumscribes the case perimeter so that the carrying case 100 can open in a clamshell manner.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pocket 184 is sewn about its perimeter edge 185 to the body 186 of the carrying case 100 along three sides thereof with the top edge 187 being open. A pair of magnetic closures 189 comprised of magnetic clasps are attached on opposite sides of the opening of the pocket, with one set on the pocket 184 and one corresponding set on the case to hold the top edge 187 against the body 186 of the carrying case 100 when the pocket 1184 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 11, the shell 112 of the carrying case is comprised of two halves 140 and 142 that are integrally formed along one common side thereof that forms the base 143 of the case 100 between the dashed lines. The two halves 140 and 142 of the case are attachable to one another along the other three sides by the zipper 144 in order to secure the carrying case 100 in a closed position as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Pocket panels 114 and 116 each include two rows of seven pockets. However, it is to be understood that the pocket panels 114 and 116 could be configured with greater or fewer numbers of rows of pockets and with greater or fewer numbers of pockets per row depending on the size of the carrying case desired. Referring to pocket 120, the open end 128 of pocket 120 of pocket panel 114 faces toward the top end 146 of the case half 140. Similarly, the open end 128′ of the pocket 120′ of pocket panel 116 faces toward the top end 148 of the case half 142 such that when the case halves 140 and 142 are folded together when the carrying case 100 is closed, the bottles contained in the pockets 20 and 20′ will each be carried in an upright manner when the carrying case 100 is carried by the handle 150.

Attached to the shell 112 is an inner flap 170 comprised of a rectangular fabric panel having a size and shape similar in size and shape to the panel 116 so as to fit within the case 110 when laid over the panel 116. The flap 170 is attached along one edge thereof to the shell proximate a top of the panel 116 and is configured to lay on top of the panel 116 when folded over the panel 116 and to lay between the panel 116 and the panel 114 when the case 100 is closed. The flap 170 is provide as an extra layer of padding/protection to prevent direct contact between the miniature liquor bottles contained in the pockets 120 and 120′ of the panels 114 and 116, respectively, with the miniature liquor bottles contained in the pockets 120 and 120′.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each pocket panel, such as pocket panel 114, is identically configured. The pocket panel 114 is comprised of a rectangular fabric panel 150 having a perimeter edge trim 152 sewn thereto that extends around the entire perimeter of the fabric panel 150. The pockets 120 are evenly distributed in rows across the fabric panel 150, in this embodiment, two rows of seven pockets each. The pockets 120 are formed from a rectangular mesh panel 123 of a mesh fabric that extends approximately the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound on its lateral sides 125 and 127 by the perimeter edge trim 152, on its bottom edge 129 by a fabric strip 131 that extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 152 and its top edge by the elastic banding 132 that also extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 152.

Proximate to the top of each pocket 120, and more specifically proximate to and extending parallel to the top of the elastic banding 132 is a secondary elastic banding 133. The secondary elastic banding 33 is wider than the elastic banding 132 and extends above the elastic banding 132. The secondary elastic banding 133 also extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 152. The secondary elastic banding 132 is provided to cover the neck and/or lid portion of each miniature liquor bottle to further secure the miniature liquor bottle in the pocket 120 and to protect the neck/lid portion, and to secure taller miniature liquor bottles within the pocket 120 that may not be fully secured by the primary elastic banding 132 when the miniature liquor bottle is inserted within the pocket 120.

The individual pockets 120 are formed by a seam 137 that extends along the sides of and thus between the pockets. The seams 137 may be formed by sewing the mesh fabric panel 123 and elastic bands 132 and 133 to the panel 150 in vertical lines.

Likewise, the pockets 120″ that form the lower row of pockets, are formed from a rectangular mesh panel 123′ of a mesh fabric that extends the width of the panel 150 and is bound on its lateral sides 25′ and 27′ by the perimeter edge trim 152, on its bottom edge 129′ by a fabric strip 131′ that extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 152 and its top edge by the elastic banding 132′ that also extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 152.

Proximate to the top of each pocket 120′, and more specifically proximate the top of the elastic banding 132′ is a secondary elastic banding 133′. The secondary elastic banding 133′ is wider than the elastic banding 132′ and extends above and parallel to the elastic banding 132′. The secondary elastic banding 133′ also extends the width of the fabric panel 150 and is bound at its ends by the fabric edge trim 52. As previously noted, the secondary elastic banding 132′ is provided to cover the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle to protect the neck portion and to secure taller miniature liquor bottles within the pocket 120″ that may not allow the primary elastic banding 132′ to reach the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when the miniature liquor bottle is fully inserted within the pocket 120″.

As shown in FIG. 13, each panel, such as panel 114, is configured to be removable from the case 100 so that the user can have a variety of different panels containing different types of miniature liquor bottles tailored for certain types of cocktails and select from a variety of prefilled panels to place in the case 100 for transport. In order for the panel 114 to be removable, the back surface 159 of the panel 114 includes three strips 160′, 161′ and 162′ of hook or loop fastener that approximately span the width of the panel 114, with one strip 160′ extending proximate and parallel to a top edge of the panel 114, one strip, 162′ extending proximate and parallel to a bottom edge of the panel 114 and one strip 161′ extending across the middle of the panel 114.

As shown in FIG. 14, the inner surface 151 of the shell 112 has a plurality of corresponding hook or loop fastener strips 160, 161 and 162 attached to the inner surface 151 in a spaced apart manner to match the arrangement of the hook or loop fastener strips 160′, 161′ and 162′ of the panel 114. The hook or loop fastener strip 160 substantially spans the width of the inner surface 151 of the shell 112 and is positioned proximate the midportion of the case 100 when the case is laid open as shown so as to attach across the back of the bottom edge portion of the panel attached thereto. The hook or loop fastener strip 162 substantially spans the width of the inner surface 151 of the shell 112 and is positioned proximate the top of the shell 112 so as to attach across the back of the top edge of the panel attached thereto. The other half of the case 100 is similarly configured as shown with the back of the panel 116 configured as panel 114 so that each panel 114 and 116 can be attachable and removable from the shell 12 as desired.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate yet another embodiment of a case, generally indicated at 200, for carrying miniature liquor bottles in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The case 200 is configured in the form of a belt bag and has a bag portion 202 and a belt portion 204 configured to wrap around and be secured to the waist of a user. The front portion 206 of the bag portion 202 is provided with zipper closure 208 for access into the bag portion 202. Likewise, the back portion 210 is provided with zipper closure 212 for access into the bag portion 202 through the back portion 210.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, the inside of the case 200 is provided with front and back panels 220 and 222, respectively. The front panel 220 is configured with three pockets 224, 225 and 226, each configured like the pocket 20 shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, the back panel 222 is configured with three pockets 230, 231 and 232, each configured like the pockets 224, 225 and 226. The case 200 is thus configured to hold six miniature liquor bottles in the six pockets contained in the case 200. The zippers when closed secure the miniature liquor bottles within the case 200.

While the carrying case for miniature liquor bottles of the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other similarly configured embodiments will readily suggest themselves upon an understanding of the principles of the present invention. Thus, the present invention of a lumbar support pouch and the appended claims are not limited to the features of the specific embodiments. For example, the lumbar support pouch for a carrying case for miniature liquor bottles could be configured to have a different overall shape, size or construction but still be within the scope of the claims.

Accordingly, the illustrated embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the concepts of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.

Claims

1. A carrying case for miniature liquor bottles, comprising: an outer shell having a left half and a right half, the left and right halves closable relative to one another in a clamshell manner;a pair of panels, each having a plurality of pockets arranged in rows with each pocket configured to retain a single miniature liquor bottle therein, a body of each pocket comprised of a mesh fabric extending from a closed base of the pocket to proximate top edge, the top edge defining an open end of the pocket, wherein the mesh fabric is configured to retain the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket while allowing a label of the miniature liquor bottle to be visible through the mesh fabric; andan elastomeric banding attached to the top edge of the mesh fabric and to its respective panel at sides of each of the plurality of pockets so as to require stretching of the elastomeric banding in order to insert a miniature liquor bottle in the pocket, the pocket having a length sufficient to receive a body of the miniature liquor bottle with the elastomeric banding residing proximate a neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when inserted within the pocket such that the elastomeric banding contracts around the neck portion to hold the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket.

2. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a second elastomeric banding attached to the at least one panel and extending above the top edge of the pocket and defining a second opening configured for receiving an upper portion of the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle configured to retain the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle relative to the at least one panel and to protect the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

3. The carrying case of claim 2, wherein the first elastomeric banding comprises a first elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the at least one panel and forms the top edge of each of the plurality of pockets.

4. The carrying case of claim 3, wherein the second elastomeric banding comprises a second elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the at least one panel and forms the second opening of each of the plurality of pockets of a particular row of pockets and is configured to retain the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle relative to the at least one panel and to protect the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

5. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the pair of panels forms a respective front side or back side of the carrying case.

6. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening devices attached interior surfaces of the left and right halves, the plurality of fastening devices configured to removably attach the pair of panels within the outer shell to inside surfaces thereof.

7. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the closure device comprises a zipper extending around at least a portion of respective perimeters of the left and right halves, wherein when the zipper is completely unzipped, back sides of the left and right halves can lay flat to expose each of the plurality of pockets.

8. The carrying case of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fastening devices comprise hook and loop fastener, with first sections of hook and loop fastener attached to inside surfaces of the first half and second halves, and second sections of hook and loop fastener attached to back sides of the pair of panels arranged to attach to the first sections of hook and loop fastener so as to retain the first and second panels within the carrying case and to allow the pair of panels to be selectively removable from the carrying case.

9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the pair of panels are configured to be interchangeable.

10. The carrying case of claim 9, wherein a number of rows of first and second sections of hook and loop fastener equals a number of rows of the plurality of pockets plus one, with each row of the first and second sections of hook and loop fasteners extending proximate one of a top or a bottom of each row of the plurality of pockets.

11. A carrying case for miniature liquor bottles, comprising: an outer shell having a front side and a back side, the front and back sides closable relative to one another with a closure device;at least one panel having a plurality of pockets attached thereto and arranged in at least two rows with each pocket configured to retain a miniature liquor bottle therein, a front side of each pocket at least partially comprised of an at least partially see-through material extending from a bottom of the pocket to proximate a top edge of the pocket, the pocket defining a first opening along the top edge for receiving the miniature liquor bottle therein, the at least partially see-through material configured to retain the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket while allowing a label of the miniature liquor bottle to be visible through the at least partially see-through material; anda first elastomeric banding attached to the top edge of the pocket to provide an elastic opening to the pocket requiring stretching of the elastomeric banding in order to insert the miniature liquor bottle in the pocket, the pocket having a length sufficient to receive a body of the miniature liquor bottle with the elastomeric banding residing proximate a neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle when inserted within the pocket such that the elastomeric banding contracts around the neck portion to hold the miniature liquor bottle within the pocket.

12. The carrying case of claim 11, further comprising a second elastomeric banding attached to the at least one panel and extending above the top edge of the pocket and defining a second opening configured for receiving an upper portion of the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle configured to retain the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle relative to the at least one panel and to protect the neck portion of the miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

13. The carrying case of claim 12, wherein the first elastomeric banding comprises a first elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the at least one panel and forms the top edge of each of the plurality of pockets.

14. The carrying case of claim 13, wherein the second elastomeric banding comprises a second elongate segment that extends approximately a width of the at least one panel and forms the second opening of each of the plurality of pockets of a particular row of pockets and is configured to retain the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle relative to the at least one panel and to protect the neck portion of each miniature liquor bottle extending above the first elastomeric banding.

15. The carrying case of claim 11, wherein the at least on panel forms the back side of the carrying case.

16. The carrying case of claim 11, further comprising a fastening device attached to a back surface of the at least one panel and an inside surface of the back side of the outer shell, the fastening device configured to removably attach the at least one panel within the outer shell to the inside surface of the back side of the outer shell.

17. The carrying case of claim 11, wherein the outer shell comprises a first half and a second half and the closure device comprises a zipper configured to attach the first half to the second half proximate a perimeter of the outer shell.

18. The carrying case of claim 17, wherein the at least one panel comprises a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each having a respective set of the plurality of pockets attached thereto and arranged in at least two rows on each of the first and second panels, with each pocket configured to retain a miniature liquor bottle therein.

19. The carrying case of claim 16, wherein the fastening device comprises hook and loop fastener, with a first section of hook and loop fastener attached to the inside surface of the back side of the of the outer shell and a second section of hook and loop fastener attached to the back surface of the at least one panel, the first and second sections of hook and loop fasters in horizontal alignment with one another when the at least one panel is inserted into the carrying case and the first section of hook and loop fastener is attached to the second section of hook and loop fastener.

20. The carrying case of claim 19, wherein a number of rows of first and second sections of hook and loop fastener equals a number of rows of the plurality of pockets plus one, with one row of first and second sections of hook and loop fastener extending proximate a top or a bottom of each row of the plurality of pockets.