This application involves and require on March 16th, 2015 submitting, entitled " for showing, storing and transporting bottles
U. S. application the 14/658th, 681 senior interest of rack system ", content of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
Specific embodiment
Although this specification has references to specific embodiment, the present invention be not intended to be limited to shown in details.
On the contrary, can be carry out various modifications in the range and limit of the equivalent of claim to details, without departing from the present invention.
By rack system according to the present invention, the shortcomings that aforementioned bunk and slide plate, is largely solved, this
It is open to describe the example of rack system of the invention.
Rack system according to the present invention can by injection moulding, thermoforming, rotational forming or other manufacturing process into
Row manufacture.Fig. 1 shows rack system 100 according to one embodiment, passes through injection moulding manufacture.For to this progress
Rack system 100 has shown and described in the purpose of description, because of its water that can be used for showing, store and transporting in batches 5 gallons
Bottle.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that rack system (such as rack system 100) according to the present invention can be used for showing, store
With transport various containers and content, and be not necessarily designed solely for water bottle or the appearance with specific dimensions, volume or shape
Device.For example, rack system according to the present invention can be used for displaying, storage and transporting propane tank and other cylindric or non-cylindrical
Shape container and packaging.
The area for the product for including that rack system according to the present invention can be used for putting on display in shop, exhibition room and other placements
Bottle is shown in domain.Rack system according to the present invention can also be used to store and transport bottle with the stacking material of two layers or more bottle
Son.It, will be referring to one or more " the first bottles ", one or more " the second bottles ", one or more when describing rack system
A " third bottle " etc..Term as used herein " the first bottle " refers to the bottle that bottom is in stacking material.Without bottle
Son is stacked below the first bottle.And then term as used herein " the second bottle " refers in the layer containing the first bottle
Top layer in bottle.And then term as used herein " third bottle " refers in the upper of the layer containing the second bottle
Bottle in the layer in face.
Attached drawing includes that multiple many features are shown in the same figure.For example, Fig. 3 shows multiple " upper receivers ",
Some of label " 240 " identifications.When repeatedly showing some feature in the same attached drawing, which can be only for shown
Some in this feature out contain label.This is intended merely to be avoided in the same attached drawing using excessive amount of label, mistake
The label of multi-quantity may generate other mixed and disorderly and fuzzy features in the accompanying drawings.
Rack system 100 includes two brackets: the first bracket or " shoulder bracket " 200 and the second bracket or " top/bottom
Portion's bracket " 300.Vertical stacking object of the shoulder bracket 200 with the offer of top/bottom bracket 300 for showing bottle induces one to infuse
The displaying device of mesh and beauty.Shoulder bracket 200 and top/bottom bracket 300 also provide firm and safe system, for depositing
It puts and transporting bottles, without belt, plastics package or other devices for fixing bottle.
Each shoulder bracket 200 is made of multiple stackable units 210.Each stackable unit 210 is formed for receiving bottle
Neck lower receiver 220.Each stackable unit 210 also forms the upper receiver 240 of the base portion for receiving bottle.It stacks
Unit allows the second bottle to be stacked on stand up position, located immediately at the top for the first bottle for being also at stand up position.It uses herein
Refer to above the rest part for being vertically located in bottle with bottleneck and bottleneck in the term " upright " of description bottle and orients bottle.
Figures 1 and 2 show that the second bottle B2 is vertically stacked on above the first bottle B1 and third bottle B3 is vertically stacked on second bottle
Stacked arrangement above sub- B2, i.e., all bottles are all oriented with stand up position.
Lower receiver 220 and upper receiver 240 on each shoulder bracket 200 is illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 3 to Fig. 9.Each
Upper receiver 240 all includes bottom wall 242 and the side wall 244 around bottom wall.Bottom wall 242 and side wall 244, which are formed, is used for receiving bottle
The pod 246 of sub- bottom.Pod 246 provides within the carrier can be by robot charging appliance identifies and aims at specific dropping place
It sets, consequently facilitating empty bottle is packed into bracket using automation process.These landing positions are above mentioned in the shoulder bracket of each bottle
For specific reference point, each bottle is accurately placed on shoulder bracket by robot charging appliance, without dry
Disturb other bottle.Landing positions also provide safety zone, and old soldi is placed in stable and upright position.Particularly, side wall
244 and pod 246 support and keep the base portion of each bottle, to be minimized when other bottles are loaded on supporting plate or anti-
Only bottle is turned over by other bottles.In contrast, traditional bunk is not used to form the side wall or pod of landing positions.Cause
This, it is very difficult that old soldi is loaded on traditional bunk and retains the bottle on supporting plate by automated machine, because
Bottle freely can be moved and be slided on supporting plate.Very light in view of their weight, old soldi may be easily put at
Other bottles on traditional bunk are turned over or are pushed open from the supporting plate.The light weight of old soldi also makes them in traditional wooden block
It is easy to move during transporting on plate.Therefore, traditional bunk equipped with old soldi is usually wrapped in plastics package, thus
It retains the bottle in appropriate location and prevents them from moving during transportation.It is according to the present invention that there is side wall and/or pod
Shoulder bracket solve all these challenges by the way that bottle is firmly held in specific landing positions, make the dress of old soldi
It carries and transport is easier.
As most preferably found out in Fig. 3, pod 246 is adjacent to each other or is tangentially arranged.This set allow multiple bottles with
Compact arrangement positions adjacent to each other, can in the brackets of specific dimensions to reduce the overall dimension of shoulder bracket 200 and to increase
The quantity of the bottle of loading.Pod 246 positioned at periphery or outside 202 along shoulder bracket 200 has side wall 244, the side
Wall 244 has continuous sidewall areas 247.At least half of each continuous sidewall areas 247 around its corresponding socket 246.
Shoulder bracket according to the present invention may include or can not include the adjacent center or inside for being located towards bracket
Pod wall or pillar form separator.It may need separator that pod is physically separated from each other, and provide on bracket
The loading area of restriction.For example, the pod 246 at the center or inside that are located towards shoulder bracket 200 has by four or more three
The side wall 244 that angle staff or separator 248 are constituted.In a preferred embodiment, embodiment as shown, triangle
Each each side of leisure of separator 248 all has the recessed profile 249 for the curvature for meeting the bottle for being housed to bracket.Pod 246 is excellent
It selects size and setting to allow the clearance space between bottle minimum, allows the feelings of bottle adjacent bottles on the bracket that do not rub
It is loaded and unloaded under condition.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that bracket according to the present invention is between pod not necessarily with separator.In fact, having
When expectation pod between there is no separator, so as to allow bottle bracket base slide.Have in the freedom degree of bracket base sliding
The acquisition of Shi Gaishan bottle is easier the handling of bottle.
Referring now to Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the bottom of each shoulder bracket 200 includes multiple lower receivers 220.Under each
Receiver 220 includes first end 222, the second end 224 opposite with first end 222 and connect first end and second
The side wall 226 of end.Each lower receiver 220 has generally circular geometry also at its first end 222, its
There is the geometry (being drawn by hexagon 241) of substantially hexagon at two ends 224.Side wall 226 is around inner space
221.First end 222 forms the opening 228 for entering inner space 221, for the bottleneck of bottle to be received lower receiver 220
In.Fig. 7 shows the profile for the second bottle B2 that neck N2 is extended in lower receiver 220.Inner space 221 is in first end
Cross-sectional area at 222 is greater than cross-sectional area of the inner space at the second end 224.When side wall is from first end 222 to
When two ends 224 extend, the inner surface 226a of side wall 226 gradually radially-inwardly reduces.
First end includes around the roughly circular edge 223 of opening 228.Edge 223 is configured to surround reception under
The neck of bottle in receiver 220, and rest on the shoulder of bottle.In Fig. 7, edge 223 rests on reception and connects under
Above the shoulder S2 for receiving the second bottle B2 in device.By resting on shoulder S2, edge 223 is by load distribution to the second bottle
The shoulder of lid C2 on the separate neck N2 and bottle of B2.
The side wall 226 of each lower receiver 220, which is formed, to be suitable for surrounding and protecting the neck for receiving the bottle in lower receiver
The frustoconical shell or cage in portion.Side wall 226 provides round neck brace 227, is used to support the bottle below bracket
Bracket on shoulder.Neck brace 227 includes at first end 222 entirely around the edge of opening 223 and at edge and second
The multiple pillars 229 extended between end 224.
Lower receiver and neck brace according to the present invention can have many constructions of the neck for protecting bottle, and not
Must have the edge and multiple pillars entirely around opening.For example, neck brace according to the present invention may include along cylindrical body, butt
Multiple wall parts of the profile of centrum or other barrel-shaped structures setting, gap are separated from one another by wall part.Barrel-shaped structure need not
For circle, but can be for ellipse, polygon or at least part of some other type around bottleneck
Geometry.Lower receiver according to the present invention may include the multiple pillars interconnected by edge, and wherein edge is by along circle
The multiple portions of the profile setting of shape, oval, oval, polygon or other two dimensions or 3D shape are constituted, for engaging bottle
The shoulder of son.According to the embodiment that subsequent paragraph describes, other constructions for lower receiver and neck brace will become aobvious and easy
See.
The surface 226a protection bottle cap being inwardly gradually reduced and bottleneck of side wall 226 are from " pushing " (" racking ").It pushes away
Pressure is the case where appearance when neck and bottle cap are stuffed into the bracket above bottle.On being placed into bottle or the bottle phase may be unloaded
Between carrier tilt when push.The side wall being gradually reduced forms the opening widened, and there is more Multiple level to allow shoulder support
Frame is easier to transfer on bottle or unload bottle, and the contact or interference with bottleneck are minimum.
Referring to Fig. 8, each lower receiver 220 has central longitudinal axis XUnder, each upper receiver 240 is vertical with center
To axis XOn.Central longitudinal axis XOnWith central longitudinal axis XUnderCo-axially align.
The weight for being stacked on bottle above them is assigned to the bottle being arranged in below them by edge according to the present invention
On son.Such as in Fig. 2, the weight that the edge 223 on the shoulder S2 of the second bottle B2 distributes third bottle B3 is rested on.It leans on
Edge 223 on the shoulder S1 of the first bottle B1 distributes the weight of the second bottle B2 and third bottle B3.It is assigned to shoulder
Weight may be quite big.Therefore, edge may include one or more liners or other anti-scratch materials, in loading bracket,
The liner or other anti-scratch materials prevent edge from abrading the shoulder of following bottle.For example, Fig. 2, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, which are shown, to be had
The edge 223 of liner, the liner are 225 form of washer around edge.Washer 225 is (only some of to be marked in the accompanying drawings
It is bright) it is shown to rest on respectively on the shoulder S1 and S2 of bottle B1 and B2, to protect the surface of bottle.It is used according to the invention
Washer can have various shape, thickness and material composition.It is, for example, possible to use the washer made of soft elastomer material,
Such as SantopreneTMBoard thermoplastic vulcanizates.Adhesive can be used in washer or other adhesive technologies are attached to each side
Edge.
Shoulder bracket 200 includes 18 lower receivers 220 in total.Assuming that all bottle spaces are equipped with bottle,
Lower receiver 220 is provided for each bottle mounted in 220 lower section of shoulder bracket.In this way, weight in shoulder bracket 220 can be by
It is assigned on all bottles below shoulder bracket.However, shoulder bracket according to the present invention is not provided with for filling
It is loaded in the lower receiver 220 of each bottle below bracket.I.e., it is not necessary to receiver under being arranged below each pod.For example, root
Only there can be lower receiver below the pod along the periphery of bracket according to shoulder bracket of the invention, and at the center towards bracket
Or there is no receiver below internal pod.Alternatively, lower receiver can be provided only on center or inside towards bracket
Pod below, and be not arranged in below the pod along the periphery of bracket.By omitting some lower receivers shown in the accompanying drawings,
It is readily apparent that any selection.
Referring now to Fig. 9 to Figure 14, the second bracket or " top/bottom bracket " 300 are shown in further detail.Top/bottom
Bracket 300 is similar with shoulder bracket 200 in some respects.Main region between shoulder bracket 200 and top/bottom bracket 300
It is not, top/bottom bracket does not have the lower receiver with protection neck brace.Top/bottom bracket 300 includes multiple receivers
340.Each receiver 340 has end wall 342 and the sidewall 34 4 around end wall.When top/bottom bracket 300 is in stacking material
When being oriented in stand up position at bottom, end wall 342 and sidewall 34 4 form the pod 346 that can receive the base portion of bottle.It is alternative
Ground, when top/bottom bracket is oriented in upside down position and is placed on the top of stacking material, pod 346 can receive bottle
Neck N.For example, stacking material ST includes a top/bottom bracket 300a for being oriented in stand up position in Fig. 2, it is used to connect
Receive the base portion of bottle B1.Stacking material ST further includes the top/bottom bracket 300b for being oriented in upside down position, is used to receive bottle
The neck of B3.When referring to the orientation of top/bottom bracket, term " upright " refers to that edge 342 is vertically located under sidewall 34 4
The orientation in face, and term " inversion " refers to the orientation that edge is vertically located in above side wall relative to vertical axis Y.
Pod 346 is adjacent to each other or is tangentially arranged, the pod 246 being very similar in shoulder bracket 200.This set
Multiple bottles are allowed to position adjacent to each other with compact arrangement, to reduce overall dimension and the increase of top/bottom bracket 300
It can be mounted in the quantity of the bottle in the bracket of specific dimensions.Positioned at the periphery or outside 302 along top/bottom bracket 300
Pod 346 has sidewall 34 4, which has continuous sidewall areas 347.Each continuous sidewall areas 347 is around it
At least half of corresponding socket 346.The pod 346 at the center or inside that are located towards top/bottom bracket 300 has by four
The sidewall 34 4 that the above triangle pillar or separator 348 are constituted.In a preferred embodiment, embodiment as shown, three
Each each side of leisure of angular separator 348 all has the recessed profile 349 for the curvature for meeting the bottle for being housed to bracket.Pod
346 preferred sizes and setting allow the clearance space between bottle minimum, allow bottle adjacent bottle on the bracket that do not rub
It is loaded and unloaded in the case where son.
Referring to Figure 10, the bottom of top/bottom bracket 300 has the reinforcement rib structure including many hexagonal rings 382
380.As described above, rib structure 380 passes through injection moulding manufacture.When using other manufacturing process, for example, thermoforming, top/
Bottom bracket can not have rib structure.
Referring again to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, rack system 100 further includes supporting plate 400.Supporting plate 400 for stacking material ST provide rigidity and
Stable basis.In addition, supporting plate 400 provides the mechanism for promoting and moving stacking material ST for fork truck or other machinery.Supporting plate
400 have generally rectangular shape, with top 410, bottom 420 and four side walls extended between top and bottom
With the characteristics of 430.Each side wall 430 forms two or more openings 432 for being suitable for receiving the fork on fork truck.Top/bottom support
Frame can for good and all be attached or anchor on supporting plate.Such as in Fig. 2, top/bottom bracket 300a anchoring screw (does not show
It is anchored on supporting plate 400 out), forms supporting plate-bracket unit 450.Supporting plate and top/bottom bracket according to the present invention can also be with
It connect with dismountable fastener or is not connected at all.
It is sky that shoulder bracket, top/bottom bracket and supporting plate used according to the invention, which may include in bracket and supporting plate,
When help one or more structures of nested bracket and supporting plate.Referring to fig. 2, each shoulder bracket 200 includes extending from every side
A pair of of protruding portion 250 and every side formed a pair of of recess portion 260.Similarly, each top/bottom bracket 300 includes
A pair of of the protruding portion 350 extended from every side and a pair of of the recess portion 360 formed in every side.Each recess portion 260 and 360 is enough
Wide and long enough, to receive the protruding portion 250 or protruding portion 350 on another bracket.Protruding portion 250,350 and recess portion
260,360 permission brackets 200,300 are nested with one another when they are empty.This allows empty bracket 200 and 300 neat and compactly deposits
It is placed on truck, they is transported by safe and efficient mode and from truck.
Before top/bottom bracket 300 is installed on supporting plate, the protruding portion 350 on top/bottom bracket 300 is also helped
It helps and top/bottom bracket 300 is aligned and is centered on supporting plate 400.In Fig. 2, supporting plate 400 includes slit 460.Top/bottom
Protruding portion 350 on portion bracket 300a only top/bottom bracket it is suitably placed in the middle or when being located in above supporting plate just and slit
460 alignment.Which guarantee the rest parts of top/bottom bracket 300a and stacking material ST to be put in mode placed in the middle and stable
It sets on supporting plate 400.
Rack system according to the present invention may include any amount of stackable unit, thus may include any quantity and
The bottle of arrangement.Bottle can be stacked into two rows extended in a first direction or more row and vertical with first direction
The two or more columns that second party upwardly extends.Rack system 100 includes 7 row R1-R7With 5 column C1-C5, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 most
Find out goodly.Row and column has the stackable unit of alternately quantity.That is, these rows are in tool, there are two stackable unit and three
Between stackable unit alternately.These are listed in tool, and there are three replace between stackable unit and four stackable units.Those skilled in the art
Member is not, it will be appreciated that rack system according to the present invention can have less or more stackable unit in every row and each column, and not
There must be arrangement shown in the drawings.In addition, row and column can have the stackable unit of constant number, and arranges and can have perseverance
The stackable unit of fixed number amount forms grid arrangement.For example, rack system can be to contain the row there are four stackable unit and contain
Three stackable units are classified as feature.
The industry-standard sizes for meeting different markets can be made in bracket and supporting plate according to the present invention, and adapt to difference
The bottle of size.For example, rack system according to the present invention may include 40 inches × 48 inches of portion for American market
Part, or may include 1,000mm × 1, the component of 200mm for European market.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that according to
Bracket and supporting plate of the invention can have the other sizes for meeting customer specifications and/or adapting to different bottle sizes.
As shown in Figures 1 to 8, stackable unit integral with one another can be attached, to form the single uniform support of overall construction
Frame.Alternatively, the group of each stackable unit or stackable unit can be used as the individual components that can be combined with each other formula connection
Molding.For example, the bar of four integrally formed stackable units can be designed for and three integrally formed stackable units
Bar combined type connection.Alternatively, the bar of four integrally formed stackable units can be designed for and four additional
The bar combined type of integrally formed stackable unit connects.It is preferable to use provide extremely long produce for bracket and supporting plate according to the present invention
The material in product service life manufactures.Different from bunk and slide plate, bracket and supporting plate according to the present invention can be used reusable
With recyclable durable that resist warping material manufacture.
Referring now to Figure 15 to Figure 17, shoulder bracket 1200 is shown according to another illustrative embodiments.Shoulder support
Frame 1200 can be manufactured by many different process, including but not limited to thermoforming, injection moulding and pressure forming.Shoulder bracket
1200 is similar with shoulder bracket 120, but by each other by grid arrangement alignment multiple stackable units 1210 with the characteristics of.In every row
With the stackable unit 1210 in each column there are identical quantity.
Each stackable unit 1210 forms the lower receiver 1220 of the neck for receiving the first bottle and for receiving
It is stacked on the upper receiver 1240 of the base portion of the second bottle above the first bottle.Each upper receiver 1240 has bottom wall
1242.Side wall 1244 extends around the periphery of shoulder bracket 1200 or outside 1202, and is located at the periphery along shoulder bracket
Upper receiver 1240 is adjacent.It is different from shoulder bracket 200, the upper receiver 1240 of shoulder bracket 1200 not by upper receiver that
This pillar or separator for separating.This just slides on shoulder bracket 1200 for bottle and provides bigger freedom degree.
Each lower receiver 1220 includes first end 1222, the second end 1224 opposite with first end and connection
The side wall 1226 of first end and the second end.First end 1222 and the second end 1224 all have circular geometry.
Side wall 1226 is around inner space 1221.First end 1222 forms the opening 1228 for leading to inner space 1221, is used for bottle
Neck receives in lower receiver 1220.When side wall extends from first end 1222 to the second end 1224, side wall 1226 is gradually
Radially-inwardly reduce.
Each side wall 1226, which is formed, to be suitable for partially surrounding and protects the neck for receiving the bottle in lower receiver 1220
Frustoconical shell.Side wall 1226 has the ring-shaped structure interrupted by flat part 1227.Hole 1229 is formed by flat part 1227,
Generate the channel for leading to inner space 1221.The flat part 1227 of the lower receiver 1220 of every a line is towards same direction, still
About flat part towards direction, each row alternating.In this way, each flat part 1227 of lower receiver is towards another lower reception
The flat part 1227 of device.
Referring to Figure 18 to Figure 21, shoulder bracket 2200 is shown according to another exemplary embodiment.Shoulder bracket 2200
It can be manufactured by many different process, including but not limited to rotational forming, blow molding or double plate thermoformings.With shoulder bracket 1200
Equally, shoulder bracket 2200 by each other by grid arrangement alignment multiple stackable units 2210 with the characteristics of.In every row and each column
There are the stackable units 2210 of identical quantity.
Each stackable unit 2210 forms the lower receiver 2220 of the neck for receiving the first bottle and for receiving
It is stacked on the upper receiver 2240 of the base portion of the second bottle above the first bottle.The top 2201 of shoulder bracket 2200 includes one
Cause flat surface 2202.Each upper receiver 2240 has the bottom wall 2242 of a part for forming flat surface 2202.Side
Wall 2244 extends around the periphery of shoulder bracket 2200 or outside 2202, with the upper receiver for being located at the periphery along shoulder bracket
2240 is adjacent.The upper receiver 2240 of shoulder bracket 2200 is not by upper receiver pillar separated from one another or separator.
Each lower receiver 2220 includes first end 2222, the second end 2224 opposite with first end and connection
The side wall 2226 of first end and the second end.Side wall 2226 is around inner space 2221.In the formation of first end 2222 is led to
The opening 2228 in portion space 2221, for receiving bottleneck in lower receiver 2220.When side wall extends from first end 2222
When to the second end 2224, side wall 2226 gradually radially-inwardly reduces.
Each side wall 2226, which is formed, to be suitable for partially surrounding and protects the neck for receiving the bottle in lower receiver 2220
Frustoconical shell.Side wall 2226 has the ring-shaped structure interrupted by flat part 2227.Hole 2229 is formed by flat part 2227,
Generate the channel for leading to inner space 2221.The flat part 2227 of the lower receiver 2220 of every a line is towards same direction, still
About flat part towards direction, each row alternating.In this way, each flat part 2227 of lower receiver is towards another lower reception
The flat part 2227 of device.
When shoulder stack of carriers is above the shoulder bracket that another includes bottle, the lower receiver of bracket is rested on
Below on the shoulder of the bottle in bracket, and will be in load distribution to these bottles.When the shoulder for containing bottle with vehicles drive
When the stacking material of portion's bracket, below the shoulder of bottle in bracket centainly not only support sizable load, but also must inhale
Receive sizable impact force.The factors such as the condition of road surface stop suddenly, to jolt may make haulage vehicle and its bracket of inside frequency
Numerous earthquake motion and spring.Some vibrations and spring may cause the shoulder of edge bottle away from keyboard and fall on bottle.Vibration
It may also result in stacking material with spring to wave or shake, so as to cause edge friction shoulder.Continuous bullet between edge and shoulder
Jump and friction may scratch or abrade bottle.Over time, this may weaken the integrality of bottle and/or influence bottle
The appearance of son.
It protects the shoulder of reusable bottle from abrasion, especially in HOD bottled water business, passes through two kinds of sides
The service life of formula increase bottle.First, protection shoulder maintains the structural intergrity of bottle, when this allows bottle to use longer
Between.By protecting shoulder, reusable bottle bears lesser stress at any time, to reduce crack and other possibility
Cause the appearance of the damage of bottle breakage and leakage.
Second, protection shoulder maintains the aesthetic beauty of bottle, and reduces the quantity of complaint of the client to bottle.It is many
Household and the water cooler of office have the opening for filling interior liquid storage device at the top of cooler.By removing bottle
Bottle is upside down in cooler opening above and bottleneck is reduced in opening and fills liquid storage device by lid.It opens at the top of cooler
Mouth receives bottleneck and support bottles, and shoulder regions extend in the opening above liquid storage device.There are great around shoulder regions
The bottle of scratch and scratch is that shoulder contains dirt and dust and dirt to the impression of client.Thus, it is seen that there is many of scratch on shoulder
Client enters their water cooler for worry dirt and dust and dirt and refuses the bottle.In many cases, have structure complete
The intact water bottle of the function of whole property can be refused due to surface scratches by client, and supplier is forced to abandon and replace bottle.
In order to protect shoulder from structure and aesthetics damage, as described in above in conjunction with Fig. 2, shoulder according to the present invention
Portion's bracket may include liner or other anti-scratch materials.Liner and anti-scratch material may be added on lower receiver or in which,
To prevent bracket from scratching and abrading the shoulder of following bottle.In addition, liner and anti-scratch material can when occurring shaking and bouncing
To weaken the impact force that shoulder receives.
Liner according to the present invention and anti-scratch material may include the static pad relative to lower receiver fix in position.
It is fixed in lower receiver or static pad thereon can reduce or prevent the scratch and scratch to shoulder.
As the alternative of fixed-bearing, it is found by the applicant that moveable liner also can protect bottle from abrasion.
The liner for being designed to edge rotation or " floating " relative to shoulder bracket, which can weaken, passes through shoulder during vibration and spring
The impact force that portion's bracket is propagated.This buffer function reduces the amount for propagating to the impact force of shoulder of bottle.Floating liner is permitted
Perhaps each bottle is rotated independently or is rotated in stacking material in response to impact force.Meanwhile floating liner firmly grasps each bottle
Surface so that between bottle and floating liner there are small relative movement or there is no relative movement.In this arrangement, it sends out
Raw any friction all will occur between floating liner and the lower receiver of bracket, rather than between bracket and shoulder.?
When rotating, floating liner and bottle preferably consistently rotate.Floating liner is preferably made of soft elastic material, so that
In the case where having a small amount of mobile between bottle and floating liner, which does not scratch or abrades bottle.
Referring now to Figure 22 to Figure 30, the shoulder with floating buffer element is shown according to another illustrative embodiments
Portion's bracket 3200.Shoulder bracket 3200 and aforementioned embodiments have many same or similar features.Therefore, it is understanding pair
It answers or similar feature is in the case where identical explanation, will not describe and the same or similar feature of aforementioned embodiments.Shoulder
Portion's bracket 3200 can be manufactured by many different process, including but not limited to injection moulding, rotational forming, blow molding or double plates heat
Molding.
As shoulder bracket 1200 and 2200, multiple stacking lists of the shoulder bracket 3200 to be aligned each other with grid arrangement
With the characteristics of member 3210.There are the stackable units 3210 of identical quantity in every row and each column.Each stackable unit 3210, which is formed, to be used
In the lower receiver 3220 for the neck for receiving the first bottle and for receiving the second bottle being stacked on above the first bottle
The upper receiver 3240 of base portion.
Each lower receiver 3220 includes first end 3222, the second end 3224 opposite with first end and connection
The side wall 3226 of first end and the second end.First end 3222 and the second end 3224 all have circular geometry.
Side wall 3226 is around inner space 3221.First end 3222 forms the opening 3228 for leading to inner space 3221, is used for bottle
Neck receives in lower receiver 3220.Each side wall 3226 forms the substantially cylinder of the neck suitable for partially surrounding and protecting bottle
Shape shell.First end includes around the generally circular edge 3223 of opening 3228.Edge 3223 is configured to surround reception
The neck of bottle in lower receiver 3220, and rest on the shoulder of bottle.
Referring to fig. 26 to Figure 30, edge 3223 includes protection element 3230.Protection element 3230 is used for three purposes.The
One, protection element 3230 is used as the floating liner 3240 for protecting the shoulder of the bottle below edge during transportation.Second, protection
Element 3230, which is used as, protects the inside of lower receiver to replace protective device 3250 with the protection for increasing the service life of shoulder bracket.
Third, protection element 3230 are used as the adapter or accessory for allowing bracket to be used together with the shape and size of various bottles
3260.The geometry and curvature of accessory 3260 are designed to conform to the geometry and song of specific bottle shape and size
Rate.Accessory 3260 can be replaced with other accessories for the shape and size for meeting different bottles.As will be described in more detail, energy
It enough disconnects accessory 3260 and replacing it with another accessory with different designs allows shoulder bracket 3200 more general and suitable
Answer different product.
Protection element 3230 includes the main part 3270 for being connected directly to lower receiver 3220.Main part according to the present invention
It is preferred that being made of the flexible material of elasticity.For example, main part 3270 is moulded parts made of polypropylene.Main part 3270 be with
The ring-type of first end 3272, the second end 3274 and the longitudinal axis 3275 extended between first end and the second end
Component.The diameter of main part 3270 is minimum at first end 3272, and is gradually increased towards the second end 3274.First end
Portion 3272 limits the end of the first section 3276.First section 3276 is the substantially cylindric area with substantially uniform diameter
Section.First section 3276 is transitioned into the second section 3278, when the second section 3278 extends far from the first section, has radial
Outside widened bell-shaped.The second end 3274 limits the end of the second section 3278.
First section 3276 includes the connecting element for the inside for being attached to the lower receiver 3220 of shoulder bracket 3200
3280.The various constructions of connecting element 3280 can be used.Referring to fig. 28 to Figure 30, connecting element 3280 includes surrounding the first section
The array of the arc convex 3282 of 3276 even circumferential setting.Arc convex 3282 is thin-wall construction, is configured to protect
Protection element 3230 is removably engaged in the inside of lower receiver 3220.In this respect, the first of each lower receiver 3220
End 3222 is formed in the circular bearing surfaces 3331 of the receiver internal stretch.When supporting surface 3331 is from lower receiver 3220
First end 3222 towards the second end 3224 extend when, supporting surface 3331 gradually radially-inwardly reduces.As in Figure 27 most
Shown in good, supporting surface 3331 limits internal boss 3333, around opening 3228.Protection element 3230 extends in protrusion 3282
The cross-sectional area at place is greater than the cross-sectional area of opening 3228.In this way, forming necking down around the region of opening 3228.
In order to which protection element 3230 is removably engaged to lower receiver 3220, the first end 3272 of main part 3270
It is inserted into the first end 3222 of lower receiver.When protection element 3230 is inserted into lower receiver 3220, protrusion 3282 is contacted
Supporting surface 3331.Compared with thin-walled protrusion 3282, supporting surface 3331 is relatively rigid, and thin-walled protrusion 3282 is more flexible.As a result,
When being inserted into protection element, supporting surface 3331 is pressed in protrusion 3282 and radially-inwardly expression lobes.Protrusion 3282 is in pressure
Under the action of buckling, this reduces the first section 3276 high spot cross-sectional area, thus allow the first section pass through open
Necking down around mouth 3228.When protrusion 3282 is extruded, protrusion is deformed by energy storage.First section 3276 can pass through opening
3228 advance, and until protrusion 3282 passes through opening, the pressure in protrusion no longer exists at this time, and the energy storage in protrusion is released
It puts.When the energy storage in protrusion 3282 is released, protrusion releases outward and returns to their original arcs, and raised at this time is transversal
Area is greater than the cross-sectional area of opening 3228 again.The elasticity of protrusion 3282 allows protection element 3230 with the (snap- that is clasped
Fit) mode constructed is inserted through each opening 3228, and the outside releasing that protrusions cross lug 3333 can be felt
And hear the sound of fastening.
Each raised 3282 have the shape of a part of similar cone.Conical section limits barb-like profile 3283,
Most preferably find out in Figure 30.Barb-like profile 3283 forms hook 3284, cooperates with internal boss 3333, to protect member
Part 3230 is secured and retained in lower receiver with ralocatable mode.Hook 3284 includes smooth slidingsurface 3285, when the firstth area
When section 3276 is inserted into opening 3228, which rests on lug 3333 with slidable engagement
On.Second section 3278 is pressed in supporting surface 3331, is also possible to slidable engagement.In this arrangement, hook 3284 supports
Lug 3333 is connect, to prevent protection element 3230 from exiting from lower receiver 3220, while supporting surface 3331 abuts the secondth area
Section 3278, to prevent protection element 3230 from traveling further into lower receiver.Therefore, the axial movement of protection element 3230 is limited
In lower receiver 3220.However, since lug 3333 and supporting surface 3331 do not limit swing offset, protection element
3230 rotate freely through around axis 3275.Pass through this rotary freedom in lower receiver 3220, protection element 3230
Dynamic element is provided, allows each bottle in response to adjusting and bearing smaller stress to the power of stacking material suddenly.
The shoulder bracket of vertical stacking may torsion caused by the power by the bracket as being applied to stacking material upper layer.?
This respect, a pile shoulder bracket are similar to card deck.It acts on the side of check and is applied to the card at the top of check
On power component will cause these cards relative to pass through card center vertical axis rotation.In check further to
Under card because they top cards weight and card between frictional force also rotate.Card further downward in check
The rotation of piece may fade away, as card further downward in check rotates few than the card above them, from
And generate the appearance of distortion.Same distortion action can be seen in the vertical stacking object of shoulder bracket.It is attached at the top of stacking material
Flank force on close bracket can be passed to bracket further downward in stacking material.In no protection according to the present invention
In the case where element, the torsion on bracket will be passed to the shoulder below the bracket.Shoulder bears torsional load, until torsion
Size overcome the frictional resistance between bracket and bottle.Once this thing happens, bracket (or edge of lower receiver)
It will be rotated on shoulder, and cause to rub, which can scratch and wear shoulder.When using protection element according to the present invention,
Since protection element does not have resistance to torsion, torsion is not passed to bottle.This allows bracket at the top of protection element
Rotation, while protection element is remain stationary relative to bottle.In this arrangement, torsion bracket only rubs protection element.It is turning round
Asking on the shoulder below frame does not have mantle friction.
In order to further protect bottle from abrasion, protection element 3230 includes the packing element for being attached to main part 3270
3400.Packing element 3400 has the ring-type of the inside of the first section 3276 and the second section 3278 that are attached to main part 3270
Gasket body 3410.Packing element according to the present invention is preferably formed by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as the trade mark of manufacture is
SantopreneTMThermoplastic vulcanizates.Packing element according to the present invention can be used various technologies and be attached to main part.
For example, main part 3270 and 3400 post forming of packing element (overmolded).
Main part 3270 and packing element 3400 in shoulder bracket and are stacked between each bottle below shoulder bracket
It is common that protectiveness protective device or barrier 3500 are provided.Protective barrier 3500 protects shoulder bracket and is stacked on shoulder bracket
Both bottles of lower section.Particularly, main part 3270 is slided along each lower receiver 3220, and protects associated bearing table
The other surfaces of bottle may be contacted in face 3331, internal boss 3333 and lower receiver.Meanwhile packing element 3400 is by weight
It is assigned on shoulder, but since the flexibility of gasket material is without scratching or abrading shoulder.In addition, soft material is arrived in impact force
Some impact forces are absorbed before up to bottle.
In a preferred embodiment, the amount that the surface area of shoulder is contacted on packing element is limited.Therefore, protection element can
To include one or more protrusions of a part of contact shoulder rather than whole.For example, packing element 3400 includes around lining
Pad the evenly-spaced multiple ribs 3410 of element.Rib 3410 is separated from each other by the channel 3420 limited between rib.Each rib
3410 from the rest part of packing element 3400 radially-inwardly protrusion.In this arrangement, the penetrale of rib 3410 is liner
The unique portion of the contact shoulder of element 3400.The surface 3422 extended between rib 3400 is (that is, the table in adjacent each channel 3420
Face) do not contact bottle.Such an arrangement reduces the amounts for the surface area that bottle is contacted on packing element 3400.Channel 3422 also make into
The dirt or clast for entering lower receiver 3220 are fallen by channel, so that dirt and clast will not be deposited on packing element and bottle
Between, it may scratch or abrade bottle surface there.Various other surfaces can be made in packing element according to the present invention
Construction, to engage and protect the surface of bottle, rib only represents a kind of possible construction.
Protection element according to the present invention can be removably engaged to the lower receiver of bracket so that as will be described that
Sample can remove protection element from shoulder bracket, the purpose of to be cleared up, be safeguarded, replaced.It is connect under according to the present invention
Receiving device may include one or more holes or other openings for removing protection element.Hole may be positioned such that offer connects under leading to
The entrance of inside that receive device, that connecting element is by protection element fixed to lower receiver.For example, as shown in figure 27, lower receiver
3220 side wall 3226 limits side opening 3227.Side opening 3227 provide lead to lower receiver 3220, protrusion 3282 abut lug
The entrance of the inside in 3333 region.In order to remove protection element 3230 from lower receiver 3220, one or more tools can
To pass through side opening 3227 or multiple side openings.Once being inserted into, tool is pressed in one or more protrusions 3282, so that raised diameter
To being deformed inward.In the state of deformation, protrusion 3282 can pass through opening 3228 and pass through lug 3333, to allow to protect member
Part exits in lower receiver.
In the case where needing to remove protection element, dismountable engagement arrangement allows protection element to be easy from shoulder bracket
Middle removal.These situations include the case where that protection element is worn and needs to be replaced with another protection element.In this feelings
Under condition, protection element is to receive the cheap replacement component largely worn, while the lower receiver of bracket is protected.This is mentioned
A kind of mode of economy is supplied to keep and increase the service life of shoulder bracket, the replacement cost of shoulder bracket compares protection element
It is much bigger.
Dismountable engagement arrangement also allows to must be suited in bracket to receive new or different bottle shapes or size
In the case of remove protection element.Shoulder bracket according to the present invention is preferably designed to adapt to large range of bottle shape and ruler
It is very little.However, some clients of purchase bracket may possess the unique bottle shape or size for being not suitable for bracket.Bottle bracket
Manufacturer may pass through design new die and producing and adapt to the bracket of the unique bottle of client and solve the problems, such as this.But if
It is very high come the cost for manufacturing new bracket to count new die.This scheme is usually infeasible, especially only needs to hold in the palm on a small quantity in client
In the case where frame.Design is avoided by using protection element according to the present invention and manufactures the significant cost of new bracket.Instead of
Design adapts to the new bracket of bottle design, and the lower receiver of existing bracket is adjusted to adapt to new bottle design.According to this hair
Bright main part and packing element preferably can get a variety of different shapes and profile, to adapt to different bottle size and shape
Shape.By the way that multiple and different protection elements to be used together with shoulder bracket, it is more to handle that single bracket can be used in user
The transport of kind different bottle shapes and size.The shape and profile of each protection element are applicable to specific bottle shape and ruler
Very little or various bottle shapes and size.
If desired, protection element according to the present invention can be designed to have the bottle for showing that protection element is applicable in
Type particular feature, label or label.For example, that protection element can be coloud coding or be provided with identification protecting member
The specific label of the type for the bottle being used for designed by part.In this case, each protection element 3230 may be used as customizing
Accessory 3260 makes the internal geometry of lower receiver 3220 adapt to specific bottle design and shape, so that bottle is firm
Admittedly be maintained in lower receiver.Buying, there is the client of the shoulder bracket of replaceable protection element to change bottle at them
It designs or different protection elements can be bought when increasing new bottle design to their product line.Even if the use of shoulder bracket
The bottle design of person changes, this also allows them to continue to reuse bracket.
As previously mentioned, bracket according to the present invention and supporting plate are designed to public displaying water bottle, including store display.Cause
This, it should be understood that for the purpose of displaying, many elements in illustrated embodiment are predominantly or exclusively decorative
's.Decorative element can have the various shape or construction for being selected to meet Aesthetic Standards.It can choose these elements
Appearance, to realize the specific visual effect of product introduction.In this way, bracket and supporting plate overall decorative appearance as a whole and its
Each element can be modified by an infinite number of mode within the scope of the invention, specific aesthetic to be suitble to.At these
Element also executes in the degree of function, these elements may include an infinite number of decorative characteristics and still carry out identical function
Energy.
For example, the shape of shoulder bracket, profile and relative size need not be with shoulder brackets 200,1200,2200 and 3200
Exact shape, profile and relative size are completely the same.With reference to shoulder bracket 200, which has consistent height, straight flange and circle
Angle, to provide symmetrical, smooth and fairshaped clean appearance outside it.The outside of shoulder bracket 200 is similar to winding bottle
The belt of the stacking material of son provides clean and tidy coherent appearance.Bracket 1200 and 2200 has the waveform side opposite with straight flange,
Scalloped appearance is formed around periphery.The peripheral sidewalls 3244 that bracket 3200 has height inconsistent.Particularly, side wall 3244
With the reduced height adjacent with each upper receiver 3240, so that thinner profile is formed, so that each bottle on bracket
Son is more visible.These Art Designs and conventional bracket form sharp contrast.
Shoulder bracket according to the present invention may include various profiles and ornament.There is flat top instead of circumferentially side
Surface, as Fig. 5 and flat top edge 211 shown in fig. 6, shoulder bracket according to the present invention, which can have, to be followed just
The top edge of string wave.As the exterior contour of shoulder bracket, it can be selected as being formed in terms of the decoration of bracket and supporting plate
It is specific to show theme or meet other aesthetics considerations, the function without influencing bracket and supporting plate.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that such reality
Mode is applied only to show by way of example.Without departing substantially from the scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art be will recognize that
Many modifications, variations and alternatives.Accordingly, it is intended to which the attached claims cover all these modifications.