초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system includes a tray unit and a bridge. The tray unit has a planar base, first and second opposite sidewalls, and first and second opposite end walls. The sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly from a

The present invention is directed to a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system includes a tray unit and a bridge. The tray unit has a planar base, first and second opposite sidewalls, and first and second opposite end walls. The sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly from a periphery of the base and connect thereto to define a rectangular structure for holding a plurality of bottles arranged in a series of rows. The bridge has a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the central planar portion. Each recess is sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles. A method of packaging bottles having neck portions is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A system for packaging bottles having a neck portion, said system comprising: a tray unit having a planar base, first and second opposite sidewalls, and first and second opposite end walls, said sidewalls and end walls extending outwardly from a periphery of said base and connected ther

I claim: 1. A system for packaging bottles having a neck portion, said system comprising: a tray unit having a planar base, first and second opposite sidewalls, and first and second opposite end walls, said sidewalls and end walls extending outwardly from a periphery of said base and connected thereto to define a rectangular structure for holding a plurality of bottles arranged in a series of rows, wherein said sidewalls and said end walls extend upwardly from said base to a height of no more than about 25% of the height of the bottles; a bridge having a central planar portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of said central planar portion, each recess sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles. 2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said central planar portion includes first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, said plurality of recesses extending into the periphery of said sides. 3. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein each of said sides includes at least two of said recesses. 4. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein at least one of said ends includes a planar tab for folding against the bottles disposed on a corresponding end of said tray so that said planar tab lies on plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said central planar portion. 5. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein each recess has one of a semi-circular configuration and a semi-elliptical configuration. 6. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein each recess has a lateral radius that is substantially equal to a radius of the neck portion. 7. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein each recess has a longitudinal diameter that is greater than a diameter of the neck portion. 8. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein each recess has a longitudinal diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of the neck portion. 9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said bridge is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said tray unit is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 11. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein said central planar portion includes at least one aperture sized to receive the neck portion of a corresponding bottle. 12. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein said central planar portion includes at least three linearly disposed apertures. 13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein said aperture has one of a circular configuration, an elliptical configuration, and a square configuration. 14. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein said first and second ends include first and second arcuate recesses, respectively, said aperture and said end recesses are linearly disposed. 15. The packaging system of claim 14, wherein said bridge further comprises angled corners, each of said corners intermediate said end and a corresponding side. 16. The packaging system of claim 15, wherein each angled corner extends at an angle of about 45�� relative to the corresponding end. 17. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said bridge includes graphics printed on an exteriorly disposed surface. 18. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a means of binding the bottles together, wherein said means of binding creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles, said bridge counteracting the inwardly directed force and thereby maintaining the bottles in an upright position on said planar base. 19. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein said means of binding the bottles is selected from the group consisting of shrink-wrap, banding, twine and rope. 20. A system for packaging bottles having a neck portion, said system comprising: a rectangular plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles stand in a present series of rows; a bridge having a central planar portion with at least one aperture extending through said central planar portion, and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of said central planar portion, each recess and each aperture sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles; and a means of binding the bottles together, wherein said means of binding creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles, said bridge counteracting the inwardly directed force and thereby maintaining the bottles in an upright position on said base. 21. The packaging system of claim 20, wherein said base includes a plurality of depressions, each depression sized to receive a corresponding bottom of one of the bottles. 22. The packaging system of claim 20, wherein each recess has an arc of about 180�� or less. 23. The packaging system of claim 20, wherein said central planar includes first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, said plurality of recesses extending into the periphery of said sides. 24. The packaging system of claim 23, wherein each of said sides includes at least three of said recesses. 25. The packaging system of claim 24, wherein said central planar portion includes at least three linearly disposed apertures, said linearly disposed apertures parallel to said first and second sides. 26. The packaging system of claim 21, wherein each recess has a lateral radius that is substantially equal to a radius of the neck portion. 27. The packaging system of claim 26, wherein each recess has a longitudinal diameter that is greater than a diameter of the neck portion. 28. The packaging system of claim 26, wherein each recess has a longitudinal diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of the neck portion. 29. The packaging system of claim 21, wherein said bridge is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 30. The packaging system of claim 21, wherein said plate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of single layer cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic sheet material, wood, and wood composite. 31. The packaging system of claim 23, wherein said first and second ends include first and second arcuate recesses, respectively, said aperture and said end recesses are linearly disposed. 32. The packaging system of claim 20, wherein said means of binding the bottles is selected from the group consisting of shrink-wrap, banding, twine and rope. 33. A method of packaging a plurality of bottles, including the steps of: providing a rectangular plate having a substantially planar base; arranging a plurality of bottles on the plate in a series of rows, each of the bottles having a neck portion and a top, the tops of the bottles lying on a first plane; providing a bridge having a central planar portion with first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, the central planar portion including a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the first and second sides, each recess sized to receive a neck portion of one of the bottles; aligning the bridge with the bottles so that the central planar portion is above the tops and angled relative to the first plane; positioning the first side against a first outer row of the bottles so that the recesses along the first side engage the necks of the bottles of the first outer row; and positioning the second side against a second outer row opposite the first outer row so that the recesses along the second side engage the necks of the bottles of the second outer row. 34. The method of claim 33, including the further step of shrink wrapping the packaged bottles after said positioning steps.