Patent Application
20250002239
The disclosure relates to a holder for protecting objects such as glass or ceramic bottles to reduce or eliminate accidental breakage of wine, liquor, or other bottles during transportation, and the holder is collapsible to a smaller size when not in use.
Many objects are breakable when dropped from even a modest height. For instance, a glass, a plate, or other similarly brittle object can break when falling from a person's grasp onto a ground surface. The stakes are frequently low when such an object itself has a relatively low cost (monetary) and little or no sentimental value. The consequences increase when food or beverage is wasted along with a broken object, but aside from the inconvenience, the cost remains relatively low. However, the consequences and cost can be dramatically higher when the object itself is extremely valuable or stores an extremely valuable material or is sentimental. “Valuable” as used herein can refer to objects that cost a lot of money to the owner or have a high sentimental value to the owner.
A vase, an antique clock, an urn, etc. are all objects that, if broken, can result in an extreme financial loss and even an emotional loss. This is also true for the wine and spirits industry where valuable beverages are stored in containers that are hard but prone to breaking if accidentally dropped. In 2018, a 1995 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grand Cru sold for a world record-setting $558,000. Accidentally dropping this bottle of wine would come at a clear and extreme cost. Certain limited edition and/or aged liquors have also sold for large amounts of money.
A further consideration is the circumstances under which such an accident may occur. When a bottle of wine, liquor, or liqueur is stored, there is a low likelihood of the bottle breaking, assuming the structure in which the object is stored is secure. However, once the bottle is taken out of storage and handled there is an increased risk of accidentally breaking the bottle, including during the transportation of the bottle from one location to another. One solution may be, for example, to wrap the wine, liquor, or other bottle with towels and stow the bottle in a duffel bag. However, the risk of breaking the bottle remains during the process of wrapping and unwrapping the towels as well as during transportation if the wrapping comes undone.
Some systems exist to store and protect objects during transportation. Rigid cases made of a hard material such as polypropylene have foam inserts to protect valuable objects. These foam inserts can have predetermined shapes to receive objects, or a user may cut the foam inserts into certain shapes to receive objects. The object is placed inside the case, which is closed, and then the object can be safely transported within the case. However, while these cases can protect the object, these cases are large and heavy. Moreover, when the cases are not in use, for instance, on a return trip after consuming a bottle of wine/liquor or on the initial flight to a winery or distillery where the wine/liquor will be brought home, then the large empty case is a nuisance.
Embodiments of the present disclosure address these and other shortcomings of the prior art systems. The holder system of the present disclosure includes inflatable panels and inserts that surround and protect an object with cushioning. Moreover, the holder system can be selectively deflated to a smaller volume so that the holder system can be collapsed to a much smaller sizer and easily transported and stored when the holder system is not in use.
It is one aspect of the present disclosure to provide a holder system that has a plurality of slots or pockets defined by inflatable panels and inserts to receive and protect a plurality of objects such as a wine, liquor, or other bottle. The terms “slot” and “pocket” can be used interchangeably herein when referring to the compartments that hold the bottles or objects in the holder system. In some embodiments, the holder system generally comprises a body and an insert assembly placed within the body to define the pockets or slots. The body may have inflatable panels arranged in the shape of a rectangular prism with an interior volume. The top panel may be selectively joined to the other panels in such a way that the top panel articulates between an open position and a closed position to serve as a lid or cover for the body. Then, the insert assembly with inflatable inserts is positioned in the body to subdivide the interior volume into pockets or slots. Thus, an object placed into a pocket is surrounded in both a lateral direction (i.e., around the sides) and a vertical direction (i.e., above and below) by inflatable portions, panels, and/or inserts that cushion the object and protect the object from other objects in the holder system as well as external objects and forces.
Optionally, the holder system may include handles and/or straps for casy transportation. For example, the straps may be a pair of backpack-like straps that each extend from a first end to a second end, where these ends are connected to part of the holder system. For example, the first ends of the straps are connected to an upper portion of the holder and the second ends of the straps are connected to a lower portion of the holder. Each strap may comprise a buckle to selectively change the length of the strap. Moreover, the ends of the straps can be selectively connected to part of the holder system such that the straps can be removed when not in use. In some embodiments, a single strap is connected to part of the holder system and used like the strap of a duffel bag or messenger bag.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a durable holder system that is made of a durable external material such that the holder system can be checked with other luggage during commercial air travel. Therefore, in some embodiments, the holder system has a durable material on the outer surface to protect the holder system. The outer material should also be light weight. For example, the outer material may be woven nylon or another strong and light-weight material.
Next, the top panel may selectively fasten shut to close the holder system. For instance, a fastener such as a zipper can be used to close the top panel against the top edge of the side panels. Thus, in some embodiments, one side of the top panel is permanently secured to the top edge of the one side panel and the three other sides of the top panel include a zipper (or other attachment mechanism) attached to the top edges of the three other side panels, if the holder system has four side panels such as in a rectangular prism or cube shape.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a holder system made of inflatable panels that have separated chambers. In various embodiments, a panel is made of two sheets of plastic, or other light-weight durable material, that are joined together at an outer seam to define an interior volume. Then, the two sheets are joined together again at an inner location, for instance, with an inner seam. A single inner seam separates the interior volume of the panel into two chambers within the panel, two inner seams separate the interior volume into three chambers, three inner seams separate the interior volume into four chambers, etc. Thus, as the panel is inflated, the sheets at the seamed locations remain fixed to each other, and the sheets at the chambers move outwardly such that the increase in size and volume of the panel occurs at the chambers and is most concentrated at the centers of the chambers. The inserts are similarly constructed with an interior volume separated into chambers. Within the holder system, these chambers are arranged to define a pocket and cushion an object. The purpose of the inner seams is to keep the air or gas in the panels evenly distributed along the length, width, or height of the holder system, similar to a Thermarest inflatable pad or a pool float. Therefore, the bottle or other object held in the holder system does not push on a panel and move all the air/gas to a different area of the panel and away from the bottle or object. In some embodiments, the separate chambers are separately inflatable such that a hole or other puncture only deflates the chamber with the hole and not the whole panel. However, a downside of having each chamber be separately inflatable is that more valves are needed (and more weight) and the holder system will be time consuming to inflate.
It is a further aspect of the present disclosure to provide a holder system with an insert assembly made of multiple inserts where the insert assembly is positionable in the body of the holder system and separates the interior volume of the body into pockets. In some embodiments, the insert assembly is made of a series of first inserts (e.g., going from right to left) and a series of second inserts (positioned perpendicular to the first inserts) joined together in a lattice-like arrangement. As described herein and like the panels, the inserts can be made of two sheets of plastic, or other light-weight durable material, joined by an outer seam to create an interior volume for each insert. Then, one or more inner seams in an insert define chambers. In addition, the outer seam may have gaps or slits between adjacent chambers such that the inserts can be joined with each other via the gaps or slits. Note that the terms “gap” and “slit” can be used interchangeable herein when referring space between the chambers of the first or second insert. For example, a slit can be formed along the inner seam where the slit forms a gap between the two sides of the inner seam, assuming the inner seam extends to the outer seam where the slit/gap is formed. To join a first insert and a second insert, the gaps are oriented in opposing directions, and the first and second inserts are combined such that the respective gaps pass into each other. Once fully assembled, part of the second insert is positioned in the gap of the first insert, and part of the first insert is positioned in the gap of the second insert. This arrangement allows the inflatable chambers of the inserts to define the pockets of the holder system. Moreover, this arrangement allows the inserts to be quickly inflated, assembled, and positioned as well as quickly deflated and disassembled. In other embodiments, the lattice-shaped insert is all one piece and/or the panels of the insert are permanently attached to each other to form the lattice shape. In some embodiments, the insert is permanently attached to the holder body. In other embodiments, the insert assembly can be attached to and detached from the holder body via fastener mechanisms, for example, snaps, hook and loop material, claps, buttons, zippers, etc.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a holder assembly made of components that are deflatable and collapsible into a smaller volume for easy storage and transportation when the holder system is not in use. Embodiments of the holder system may comprise a body with inflatable panels and an insert assembly made of inflatable inserts. Each panel and each insert may be individually inflatable and deflatable, in various embodiments. In other embodiments, the entire system (holder panels and insert assembly) is inflatable and deflatable together. When the holder system is not in use, a user may remove the insert assembly from the body, deflate the panels of the body, and deflate the inserts of the insert assembly. All of the components are then collapsible into a volume that is smaller than the volume of the fully inflated holder system. The deflated and collapsed holder system is far easier to stow and transport when the holder system is not in use.
The material used to construct the panels of the body and/or the inserts can be a nylon fabric material of any denier and/or optionally having a ripstop construction, though the present disclosure encompasses any material that can form a sealed volume. For instance, the material can be polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber, etc. Optionally, the holder system may incorporate low density open cell foam in certain locations. For instance, such foam could be placed in the chambers described herein to serve as a more rigid cushion than the air pressure of the chambers alone. In some embodiments, the low density open cell foam is positioned in the bottom panel and/or one or more side panels. To manufacture the body and/or inserts, a heat sealer can be used to create seams between the sheets. In some embodiments, materials can be joined by any kind or combination of sealing methods including but not limited to heat, adhesives, stitches, fasteners, welding, radio frequency (RF) sealer, and impulse sealer. It will be appreciated that the panels and/or inserts may be inflated to approximately 10 psi or even 25 psi in some embodiments, though the present disclosure encompasses other pressures.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a holder system with chamber arrangements that allow the body of the holder system to support its shape when inflated. For example, the inner seams of a panel or insert may be a particular size relative to the width of the chamber because if the inner seam is too wide relative to the chamber, then the chambers cannot sufficiently brace against each other to maintain the shape of the body. Similarly, if the inner seam width is too small relative to the chamber, then the resulting pocket may be too small to receive objects. In a similar vein, the fluid passages that fluidly connect chambers may be offset from either end of the chamber to keep the chambers aligned, particularly for chambers of inserts. Further still, the chambers and inner seams of the side panels of the body and the inserts are aligned in a common direction to allow for the chambers in these components to brace against each other along the entire length of the chambers. Rounded ends of chambers allow for better inflation and bracing characteristics. Similarly, fluid passages are sized to allow for the free flow of air during inflation or deflection while not compromising the ability of the body to support itself in a rigid form during inflation.
A first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of valuable objects, comprising a body having at least one inflatable panel that defines an interior volume; and an inflatable insert assembly positioned in the interior volume, wherein the inflatable insert assembly and the at least one inflatable panel define a plurality of pockets configured to receive and protect the plurality of valuable objects.
The holder system of the first aspect may include, optionally, that the at least one inflatable panel comprises a top panel having a chamber configured to increase in size upon inflation; two or more side panels, each side panel having a chamber configured to increase in size upon inflation, wherein the top panel is attached to the two or more side panels such that the top panel is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to selectively cover the interior volume; and a bottom panel having a chamber configured to increase in size upon inflation, wherein the bottom panel is joined to the two or more side panels.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the top panel comprises a first sheet joined to a second sheet to define an interior volume of the top panel, the top panel having a valve configured to selectively introduce air to and release air from the interior volume of the top panel.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the first and second sheets are joined at an inner location to divide the interior volume of the top panel into the chamber and a second chamber.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the two or more side panels comprise four side panels, and wherein the top panel, the four side panels, and the bottom panel are attached to each other and arranged in a rectangular prism shape.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that each of the top panel, the four side panels, and the bottom panel comprise a valve configured to selectively introduce air to and release air from each of the top panel, the four side panels, and the bottom panel.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the top panel is fixed to one of the two or more side panels at a panel seam, and wherein the bottom panel is joined to the two or more side panels at two or more further panel seams.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the top panel and one of the two or more side panels comprise a fastener to selectively secure the top panel in the closed position and cover the interior volume of the body.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the inflatable insert assembly comprises a first insert having a plurality of chambers configured to increase in size upon inflation, wherein a first gap is positioned between a portion of two adjacent chambers of the first insert; and a second insert having a plurality of chambers configured to increase in size upon inflation, wherein a second gap is positioned between a portion of two adjacent chambers of the second insert, and wherein the first and second inserts are secured to one another such that the first and second gaps are configured to pass each other and a part of the second insert is positioned in the first gap and a part of the first insert is positioned in the second gap.
The holder system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a series of three first inserts and a series of two second inserts are joined together to form the inflatable insert assembly, and wherein the inflatable insert assembly and the body together define twelve pockets.
A second aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting valuable objects, comprising a body having at least three inflatable panels that together define an interior volume; and an insert assembly positioned in the interior volume, wherein the insert assembly can be inflatable and/or comprise a rigid foam material, wherein the insert assembly and the at least three panels define a plurality of pockets configured to receive and protect an object.
A third aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of objects, comprising a body, comprising a top panel; at least two side panels; and a bottom panel; wherein the top, side, and bottom panels define an interior volume of the holder system, and wherein each panel of the body further comprises at least one chamber; at least one inflatable insert assembly positioned in the interior volume, wherein the inflatable insert assembly and the at least one inflatable panel define a plurality of pockets configured to receive and protect the plurality of valuable objects.
The holder system of the third aspect may include, optionally, that the at least one chamber is configured to increase size upon inflation, and wherein the chambers on a same panel orienting to a same direction.
The holder system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the panels of the body each comprise three or four inflatable chambers.
The holder system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the side panels of the body further comprise at least one fastener placed at an inner side of the side panels, and wherein the at least one fastener comprising one of a hook and loop material under the trademark VELCRO®, buckles, and snap fasteners.
The holder system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the at least one chamber further comprises two or more chambers parallel to each other; an outer seam wrapping around the chambers; an inner seam between the chambers and parallel to the chambers; a gap between the chambers with a radiused end located at a top end of the gap; and a fluid passage in fluid communications with the chambers.
The holder system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a top opening and an outer seam, wherein the outer seam further comprises an elastic band and a closing mechanism comprising one of zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, adhesives, snap fasteners, stitching, heat seams, or any other type of fastener or attachment mechanism.
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of valuable objects, comprising a body, comprising a top panel; two or more side panels perpendicular to the top panel, with one of the side panels permanently joined to the top panel; a bottom panel parallel to the top panel and spaced from the top panel with a distance equal or greater to a height of the side panels, wherein each of the panels further comprises at least one inflatable chamber, and wherein the top, side, and bottom panels defines an interior volume of the body; a valve located on one of the panels, configured to selectively introduce air to and release air from panel chambers; at least one fluid passage in communication with each of the panel chambers; and at least one insert positioned inside the interior volume of the body forming at least one pocket configured to holding the objects, wherein the at least one insert comprises at least two inflatable chambers, an inner seam between the chambers; a valve configured to selectively introduce air to and release air from the interior volume of the insert; a fluid passage in communication with the chambers; and a gap between the chambers, wherein the gap is parallel to the chambers and further comprises a radiused end proximate to the fluid passage.
The holder system of the fourth aspect may include, optionally, that each of the body panels further comprises a top sheet; a bottom sheet; and an outer seam hermetically seals the panel and defines at least one chamber within the panel.
The holder system of the fourth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a seam width to chamber width ratio is between 15% to 40%.
The holder system of the fourth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the fluid passage of the insert is construed with a fluid passage heigh between 10% to 40% of a chamber height.
The holder system of the fourth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the fluid passage heigh is 25% of the chamber height.
A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of objects, comprising a body that defines an interior volume configured to receive the plurality of objects, the body having a top panel with a plurality of inflatable chambers; at least one side panel, cach side panel having a plurality of inflatable chambers, wherein the top panel is joined to one side panel; a bottom panel with a plurality of inflatable chambers, wherein the bottom panel is joined to each side panel; and wherein each of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel is joined to another panel via fluid passages such that all inflatable chambers of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel are fluidly connected.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include, optionally, that the plurality of inflatable chambers of each side panel is defined by at least one inner seam, and wherein inner seams that define the plurality of inflatable chambers are oriented in a common direction to support a shape of the body.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, an insert assembly that is positionable in the interior volume of the body, wherein the insert assembly and the body define a plurality of pockets configured to receive objects.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the insert assembly comprises a first insert having a plurality of inflatable chambers, wherein a first gap is positioned between two adjacent inflatable chambers of the first insert; and a second insert having a plurality of inflatable chambers, wherein a second gap is positioned between two adjacent inflatable chambers of the second insert, and wherein the first and second inserts are secured to one another such that the first and second gaps are configured to pass each other and part of the second insert is positioned in the first gap and part of the first insert is positioned in the second gap.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the first insert comprises a radiused end that defines part of the first gap, and the second insert comprises a radiused end that defines part of the second gap.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the first insert comprises a first sheet joined to a second sheet at an inner seam to at least partially define the plurality of inflatable chambers of the first insert; and wherein a width of the inner seam is between 10% to 40% of a width of a chamber of the plurality of inflatable chambers of the first insert, and wherein each of a top end and a bottom end of the chamber have a rounded end, and a radius of each rounded end is half of the width of the chamber.
The holder system of the fifth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the top panel comprises a first sheet joined to a second sheet at an inner seam to at least partially define the plurality of inflatable chambers of the top panel; and wherein a width of the inner seam is between 10% to 40% of a width of a chamber of the plurality of inflatable chambers of the top panel, and wherein each of a top end and a bottom end of the chamber have a rounded end, and a radius of each rounded end is half of the width of the chamber.
A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of objects, comprising a body having a plurality of panels that define an interior volume configured to receive the plurality of objects, wherein one of the panels comprises a first sheet joined to a second sheet at an inner seam; a chamber that is at least partially defined by the first sheet, the second sheet, and the inner seam, wherein the chamber is configured to change shapes between an inflated state and a deflated state; and wherein a width of the inner seam is between 10% to 40% of a width of the chamber, and wherein each of a top end and a bottom end of the chamber have a rounded end, and a radius of each rounded end is half of the width of the chamber.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include, optionally, that the plurality of panels comprises a top panel with a plurality of chambers; at least one side panel, each side panel having a plurality of chambers, wherein the top panel is joined to one side panel; a bottom panel with a plurality of chambers, wherein the bottom panel is joined to each side panel; and wherein each of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel is joined to another panel via fluid passages such that all chambers of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel are fluidly connected.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the at least one side panel comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, wherein the top panel is joined to the third side panel, and wherein the side panels, the top panel, and the bottom panel are arranged in a rectangular prism shape.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a first fluid passage fluidly connects the bottom panel to the first side panel, wherein a second fluid passage fluidly connects the bottom panel to the second side panel, wherein a third fluid passage fluidly connects the bottom panel to the third side panel, wherein a fourth fluid passage fluidly connects the bottom panel to the fourth side panel, and wherein a fifth side panel fluidly connects the top panel to the third side panel.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that an insert assembly that is positionable in the interior volume of the body, wherein the insert assembly and the body define a plurality of pockets configured to receive objects.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a further chamber is at least partially defined by the first sheet, the second sheet, and the inner seam, and wherein a fluid passage bridges the inner scam and fluidly joins the chamber and the further chamber, wherein a height of the fluid passage is between 10% to 40% of a height of the chamber.
The holder system of the sixth aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the body has only one valve located on one of the panels, and wherein the valve is configured to receive air to inflate all chambers in all panels.
A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a holder system for protecting a plurality of objects, comprising a body having a plurality of panels that define an interior volume configured to receive the plurality of objects, wherein one of the panels comprises a first sheet joined to a second sheet at an inner seam; a first chamber and a second chamber that are each at least partially defined by the first sheet, the second sheet, and the inner seam, wherein each of the first chamber and the second chamber is configured to change shapes between an inflated state and a deflated state; and a fluid passage that bridges the inner seam and fluidly joins the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein a height of the fluid passage is between 10% to 40% of a height of the first chamber.
The holder system of the seventh aspect may include, optionally, that the plurality of panels comprises a top panel with a plurality of chambers; at least one side panel, each side panel with a plurality of chambers, wherein the top panel is joined to one side panel; a bottom panel with a plurality of chambers, wherein the bottom panel is joined to each side panel; and wherein each of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel is joined to another panel via further fluid passages such that all chambers of the top panel, the at least one side panel, and the bottom panel are fluidly connected.
The holder system of the seventh aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, an insert assembly that is positionable in the interior volume of the body, wherein the insert assembly and the body define a plurality of pockets configured to receive objects, and wherein the insert assembly comprises a first insert having a plurality of chambers; and a second insert having a plurality of chambers, wherein the chambers of the first insert, the second insert, and the at least one side panel are all oriented in a common direction.
The holder system of the seventh aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the fluid passage is offset from a top end of the first chamber by a first distance, and wherein the fluid passage is offset from a bottom end of the first chamber by a second distance.
The holder system of the seventh aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the first and second distances are equal.
The holder system of the seventh aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that a width of the inner seam is between 10% to 40% of a width of the first chamber, and wherein each of a top end and a bottom end of the first chamber have a rounded end, and a radius of the rounded end is half of the width of the first chamber.
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein. The use of “engaged with” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass any direct or indirect connections between components.
It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention”, or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention/disclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
It is to be appreciated that any feature or aspect described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) or aspect(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features or aspects come from the same described embodiment.
Any one or more aspects described herein can be combined with any other one or more aspects described herein. Any one or more features described herein can be combined with any other one or more features described herein. Any one or more embodiments described herein can be combined with any other one or more embodiments described herein. Additional figures of the present disclosure can be found in an Appendix, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The Detailed Description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment of the holder system would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. Additionally, any combination of features shown in the various figures can be used to create additional embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, dimensions, aspects, and features of one embodiment of the holder system can be combined with dimensions, aspects, and features of another embodiment of the holder system to create the claimed embodiment. “Bottles” as used herein refers to wine, liquor, liqueur, and other glass, ceramic, and other breakable bottles.
Each panel is inflatable to provide a cushion between objects positioned in the body and the environment and between objects themselves. Referring to
Next, the side panels 16a, 16b (16c, 16d in
It will be further appreciated that the present disclosure encompasses a variety of embodiments of seam and chamber arrangements of the body 2. In
The orientation of the seams and chambers of the body 2 can also contribute rigidity to the body 2, or the ability of the body 2 support itself when inflated. For example, in the embodiment in
In a similar vein, the top and bottom ends of each chamber 17a-17c has a rounded end with a radius 22 that is half of the chamber width 19b. With this shape, the ends of the chambers 17a-17c inflate in the outward direction more prominently compared to other shapes. Thus, with the radiused shape, the chambers 17a-17c better brace against each other at the top and bottom ends to help the body support itself in an inflated state. The other chambers in other panels or inserts described herein may also have the same shaped ends.
As described herein, fluid passages 12a fluidly connect chambers 17a-17c, and the relationship between a height 21b of the fluid passage 12a and a height 20 of the chamber 17aserves several benefits. For instance, if the fluid passage height 21b is too small relative to the chamber height 20, then the fluid connection between chambers 17a-17c becomes constrained. As a result, it is difficult to move air through the fluid passage 12a. Conversely, if the fluid passage height 21b is too large relative to the chamber height 20, then the size of the seam 18a is diminished, and the body of the holding system loses the ability to support itself and maintain its shape. Thus, it can be critical that, in some embodiments, the fluid passage height 21b is between approximately 10% to 40% of the chamber height 20. In various embodiments, the fluid passage height 21b is between approximately 20% to 30% of the chamber height 20. In some embodiments, the fluid passage height 21b is approximately 25% of the chamber height 20. The other chambers in other panels or inserts described herein may also have the same arrangement.
The placement of the fluid passage 12a on the side panel 16b also provides benefits. As shown in
As described herein, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure encompasses embodiments where the panels 4, 16a-16d, 23 are joined such that one or more, including all, panels 4, 16a-16d, 23 are fluidly connected to each other. Thus, with a single valve 7 located on the side panel 16b, a user may inflate and deflate all panels 4, 16a-16d, 23. In various embodiments, a single valve may be located on the top panel 4, bottom panel 23, or other side panels 16a-c. In other embodiments, multiple valves may be configured on panels 4, 16a-16d, and 23. A user can introduce air through the valve 7 into the second side panel 16b with the user's breath, with air or other gas tanks or canisters, with a manual pump, with an electronic or automatic pump, etc. The valve 7 can be for instance a schrader valve, a standard valve, a presta valve, a holding valve, etc. Further still, rigid or semi-rigid tubes may fluidly connect chambers in various panels or inserts described herein.
Alternatively, the first gap 48a can be a slit cut into a portion of an inner seam 44a. The same is true for the second gap 48b and third gap 48c. The first gap 48a is positioned between two chambers 50a, 50b; the second gap 48b is positioned between two chambers 50b, 50c; and the third gap 48c is positioned between two chambers 50c, 50d. A user can engage a valve 40 to inflate or deflate the chambers 50a-50d of the second insert 38a. Different numbers of inner seams and chambers are possible in various embodiments.
Optionally, the holder system may include handles and/or straps for casy transportation. For example, the straps may be a pair of backpack-like straps that each extend from a first end to a second end, where these ends are connected to part of the holder system. Moreover, the ends of the straps can be selectively connected to part of the holder system such that the straps can be removed when not in use. In some embodiments, a single strap is connected to part of the holder system and used like the strap of a duffel bag or messenger bag.
In some embodiments, one or more chamber or panel includes foam inserts to provide some rigidity and further protection to the contents. However, any foam inserts must be small and light weight such that the holder system 56 can be folded and compressed down to a small size when not in use. In another example, a wine box or other box is placed in the interior volume of the body to transport wine bottles. Furthermore, the inserts described herein, any foam inserts, wineboxes, etc. can be removed, added, mixed, and matched to provide the desired pocket or pockets for objects.
Generally, the holder system 56 can be deflated and collapsed to a reduced size and volume for easy storage and transportation when the holder system 56 is not in use. In some embodiments, this reduced size and volume is approximately the size of a notebook computer. In some embodiments, the holder system 56 has an external material or skin that can have fasteners to secure the holder system 56 in a compressed, deflated, and small volume. For instance, the holder system 56 can be packed into a sleeve or pouch for easy transportation when deflated and collapsed.
In some embodiments, the body of the holder system 56 comprises two chambers systems having two different pressures. For instance, one pressure system is located at the edges of the rectangular prism shape, and another pressure system is located at the surfaces of the rectangular prism shape. The pressure system at the edges is a sort of frame and is filled to a higher pressure. The pressure system at the surfaces cushions objects in the holder system 56 and is filled to a lower pressure.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/523,741 filed Jun. 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63523741 | Jun 2023 | US |
