IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0758253
(2013-02-04)
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등록번호 |
US-8602240
(2013-12-10)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
19 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and a method for carrying beverage containers, such as milk cartons. The apparatus may include a first wall, a second wall, a base, a first device, and a second device. The first and the second walls may be fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are substantially perpe
An apparatus and a method for carrying beverage containers, such as milk cartons. The apparatus may include a first wall, a second wall, a base, a first device, and a second device. The first and the second walls may be fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are substantially perpendicular to the base, and the first and the second walls are parallel to each other and separated by a first distance. The first and second devices may be connected to the base so that the first and second devices can rotate with respect to the base. The first and the second devices may be connected to the base so that the first and the second devices can be rotated into a states in which a wall of each is substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the base.
대표청구항
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1. An apparatus comprising: a first wall;a second wall;a base, wherein the first and the second walls are fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are fixed substantially perpendicular to the base, such that the first and the second walls cannot rotate with respect to the base withou
1. An apparatus comprising: a first wall;a second wall;a base, wherein the first and the second walls are fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are fixed substantially perpendicular to the base, such that the first and the second walls cannot rotate with respect to the base without breaking the apparatus, and the first and the second walls are fixed parallel to each other and separated by a first distance;a first device connected to the base so that the first device can rotate with respect to the base;a second device connected to the base so that the second device can rotate with respect to the base;wherein the first device includes a third wall, a fourth wall, and a fifth wall, wherein the third wall is fixed substantially perpendicular to the fourth and the fifth walls, and the fourth and the fifth walls are fixed to the third wall so that the fourth and the fifth walls are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by the third wall;wherein the second device includes a sixth wall, a seventh wall, and an eighth wall, wherein the sixth wall is fixed substantially perpendicular to the seventh and the eighth walls, and the seventh and the eighth walls are fixed to the sixth wall, so that the seventh and eight walls are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by the sixth wall;wherein the first device is connected to the base so that the first device can be rotated into a first state in which the third wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the second device is connected to the base so that the second device can be rotated into a second state in which the sixth wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the first device is connected to the base so that the first device can be rotated into a third state in which the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the base;wherein the second device is connected to the base so that the second device can be rotated into a fourth state in which the sixth wall is substantially perpendicular to the base;wherein the third wall of the first device has a width, and each of the fourth and the fifth walls have a width which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the third wall, and wherein the fourth and the fifth walls protrude out from the third wall in the direction of the width of the fourth and the fifth walls, respectively;wherein the sixth wall of the second device has a width, and each of the seventh and the eighth walls have a width which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the sixth wall, and wherein the seventh and the eighth walls protrude out from the sixth wall in the direction of the width of the seventh and the eighth walls, respectively;wherein in the third state in which the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the base, the fourth wall of the first device directly contacts a top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fourth wall inwards towards the base, wherein the top edge of the first wall is substantially parallel to the base, and the fifth wall of the first device simultaneously directly contacts a top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fifth wall inwards towards the base, wherein the top edge of the second wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the prevention of the rotation of the fourth wall inwards towards the base together with the prevention of the rotation of the fifth wall inwards towards the base prevents rotation of the third wall inwards towards the base;wherein in the fourth state in which the sixth wall is substantially perpendicular to the base, the seventh wall of the second device directly contacts the top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the seventh wall towards the base, and the eighth wall of the second device simultaneously directly contacts the top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the eighth wall towards the base; andwherein the prevention of the rotation of the seventh wall inwards towards the base together with the prevention of the rotation of the eighth wall inwards towards the base prevents rotation of the sixth wall inwards towards the base. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the width of each of the fourth and the fifth walls is substantially less than the width of the third wall;and wherein the width of each of the seventh and the eighth walls is substantially less than the width of the sixth wall. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first wall has a height which is a perpendicular distance from the base to the top edge of the first wall;the second wall has a height which is a perpendicular distance from the base to the top edge of the second wall;and wherein the heights of the first wall and the second wall are about the same and are about equal to the width of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth walls. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall was a first indentation and a second indentation;the second wall has a first indentation and a second indentation;the fourth wall has a protrusion;the fifth wall has a protrusion;the seventh wall has a protrusion;the eighth wall has a protrusion;and wherein the protrusions of the fourth and fifth walls fit into the first indentation of the first wall, and the first indentation of the second wall, respectively, when the first device is in the third state; andand wherein the protrusions of the seventh and eighth walls fit into the second indentation of the first wall, and the second indentation of the second wall, respectively, when the second device is in the fourth state. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first member fixed perpendicular to the first wall at a first end of the first wall, the first member having a bore;a second member fixed perpendicular to the second wall at a first end of the second wall, the second member having a bore;a third member fixed perpendicular to the first wall at a second end of the first wall opposite the first end of the first wall, the third member having a bore;a fourth member fixed perpendicular to the second wall at a second end of the first wall opposite the first end of the first wall, the second member having a bore;a fifth member fixed to the first device having a bore;a sixth member fixed to the second device having a bore;a first axle inserted into the bores of the first member, the second member, and the fifth member to rotatably connect the first device to the base; anda second axle inserted into the bores of the third member, the fourth member, and the sixth member to rotatably connect the second device to the base. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first device includes a first U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a second U-shaped ridge which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first device includes a third U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the first U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a fourth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the second U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first device includes a fifth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the first and the third U-shaped ridges, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a sixth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the second and the fourth U-shaped ridges, which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state, there is a first gap between the first device and the second device adjacent the first wall and a second gap between the first device and the second device adjacent the second wall;wherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state the apparatus has a height and a length;wherein the first gap has a height which is about equal to or greater than one half of the height of the apparatus and a length which is about equal to or greater than one half of the length of the apparatus; andwherein the second gap has a height which is about or equal to or greater than one half of the height of the apparatus and a length which is about equal to or greater than one half of the length of the apparatus. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base has a first plurality of openings;the third wall has a second plurality of openings;and the sixth wall has a third plurality of openings. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state the apparatus is configured as a box structure having an open top opposite the base; andwherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state, the fourth wall directly contacts the first wall nearer to the base than to the open top of the box structure, the fifth wall directly contacts the second wall nearer to the base than to the open top of the box structure; the seventh wall directly contacts the first wall nearer to the base than to the open top of the box structure, and the eighth wall directly contacts the second wall nearer to the base than to the open top of the box structure. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein wherein when the first device is in the third state the fourth wall directly contacts the top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fourth wall inwards towards the base, by a ridge of the fourth wall directly contacting the top edge of the first wall;wherein when the first device is in the third state the fifth wall directly contacts the top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fifth wall inwards towards the base, by a ridge of the fifth wall directly contacting the top edge of the second wall;wherein when the second device is in the fourth state the seventh wall directly contacts the top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the seventh wall inwards towards the base, by a ridge of the seventh wall directly contacting the top edge of the first wall; andwherein when the second device is in the fourth state the eighth wall directly contacts the top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the eighth wall inwards towards the base, by a ridge of the eighth wall directly contacting the top edge of the first wall. 13. A method comprising inserting a plurality of beverage containers into a chamber of an apparatus, the chamber formed by a first wall, a second wall, a base, a first device, and a second device;wherein the apparatus is comprised of:the first wall;the second wall;the base, wherein the first and the second walls are fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are fixed substantially perpendicular to the base, such that the first and the second walls cannot rotate with respect to the base without breaking the apparatus, and the first and the second walls are parallel to each other and separated by a first distance;the first device connected to the base so that the first device can rotate with respect to the base;the second device connected to the base so that the first device can rotate with respect to the base;wherein the first device includes a third wall, a fourth wall, and a fifth wall, wherein the third wall is fixed substantially perpendicular to the fourth and the fifth walls, and the fourth and the fifth walls are fixed to the third wall so that the fourth and the fifth walls are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by the third wall;wherein the first device includes a sixth wall, a seventh wall, and an eighth wall, wherein the sixth wall is fixed substantially perpendicular to the seventh and the eighth walls, and the seventh and the eighth walls are fixed to the sixth wall, so that the seventh and eight walls are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by the sixth wall;wherein the first device is connected to the base so that the first device can be rotated into a first state in which the third wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the second device is connected to the base so that the second device can be rotated into a second state in which the sixth wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the first device is connected to the base so that the first device can be rotated into a third state in which the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the base;wherein the second device is connected to the base so that the second device can be rotated into a fourth state in which the sixth wall is substantially perpendicular to the base;wherein the third wall of the first device has a width, and each of the fourth and the fifth walls have a width which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the third wall, and wherein the fourth and the fifth walls protrude out from the third wall in the direction of the width of the fourth and the fifth walls, respectively;wherein the sixth wall of the second device has a width, and each of the seventh and the eighth walls have a width which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the sixth wall, and wherein the seventh and the eighth walls protrude out from the sixth wall in the direction of the width of the seventh and the eighth walls, respectively; and wherein the width of each of the seventh and the eighth walls is substantially less than the width of the sixth wall;wherein in the third state in which the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the base, the fourth wall of the first device directly contacts a top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fourth wall inwards towards the base, wherein the top edge of the first wall is substantially parallel to the base, and the fifth wall of the first device simultaneously directly contacts a top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the fifth wall inwards towards the base, wherein the top edge of the second wall is substantially parallel to the base;wherein the prevention of the rotation of the fourth wall inwards towards the base together with the prevention of the rotation of the fifth wall inwards towards the base prevents rotation of the third wall inwards towards the base;wherein in the fourth state in which the sixth wall is substantially perpendicular to the base, the seventh wall of the second device directly contacts the top edge of the first wall to thereby prevent rotation of the seventh wall inwards towards the base, and the eighth wall of the second device simultaneously directly contacts the top edge of the second wall to thereby prevent rotation of the eighth wall inwards towards the base; andwherein the prevention of the rotation of the seventh wall inwards towards the base together with the prevention of the rotation of the eighth wall inwards towards the base prevents rotation of the sixth wall inwards towards the base. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the width of each of the fourth and the fifth walls is substantially less than the width of the third wall;and wherein the width of each of the seventh and the eighth walls is substantially less than the width of the sixth wall. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first wall has a height which is a perpendicular distance from the base to the top edge of the first wall;the second wall has a height which is a perpendicular distance from the base to the top edge of the second wall;and wherein the heights of the first wall and the second wall are about the same and are about equal to the width of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth walls. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first wall was a first indentation and a second indentation;the second wall has a first indentation and a second indentation;the fourth wall has a protrusion;the fifth wall has a protrusion;the seventh wall has a protrusion;the eighth wall has a protrusion;and wherein the protrusions of the fourth and fifth walls fit into the first indentation of the first wall, and the first indentation of the second wall, respectively, when the first device is in the third state; andand wherein the protrusions of the seventh and eighth walls fit into the second indentation of the first wall, and the second indentation of the second wall, respectively, when the second device is in the fourth state. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the apparatus is further comprised of:a first member fixed perpendicular to the first wall at a first end of the first wall, the first member having a bore;a second member fixed perpendicular to the second wall at a first end of the second wall, the second member having a bore;a third member fixed perpendicular to the first wall at a second end of the first wall opposite the first end of the first wall, the third member having a bore;a fourth member fixed perpendicular to the second wall at a second end of the first wall opposite the first end of the first wall, the second member having a bore;a fifth member fixed to the first device having a bore;a sixth member fixed to the second device having a bore;a first axle inserted into the bores of the first member, the second member, and the fifth member to rotatably connect the first device to the base; anda second axle inserted into the bores of the third member, the fourth member, and the sixth member to rotatably connect the second device to the base. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the first device includes a first U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a second U-shaped ridge which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first device includes a third U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the first U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a fourth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the second U-shaped ridge, which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first device includes a fifth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the first and the third U-shaped ridges, which protrudes out from a combination of the third wall, the fourth wall, and the fifth wall; andthe second device includes a sixth U-shaped ridge, spaced apart from and parallel to the second and the fourth U-shaped ridges, which protrudes out from a combination of the sixth wall, the seventh wall, and the eighth wall. 21. The method of claim 13 wherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state, there is a first gap between the first device and the second device adjacent the first wall and a second gap between the first device and the second device adjacent the second wall;wherein when the first device is in the third state and the second device is simultaneously in the fourth state the apparatus has a height and a length;wherein the first gap has a height which is greater than one half of the height of the apparatus and a length which is greater than one half of the length of the apparatus; andwherein the second gap has a height which is greater than one half of the height of the apparatus and a length which is greater than one half of the length of the apparatus. 22. The method of claim 13 wherein the base has a first plurality of openings;the third wall has a second plurality of openings;and the sixth wall has a third plurality of openings. 23. The method of claim 19 further comprising wrapping a wrapping material around a periphery of the apparatus between the first U-shaped ridge and the third U-shaped ridge and between the second U-shaped ridge and the fourth U-shaped ridge to thereby prevent the third wall from rotating away from the base and the sixth wall from rotating away from the base.
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