CN113397360B - Beverage container holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a wine container bracket 10 for carrying a plurality of wine containers V1. The bracket 10 includes a base 12 , a bracket 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 , and a first (at least) and second shelf 100ab on the bracket 14 . Each shelf 100ab includes a plurality of wine container holders in the form of 110abcd through holes, and each wine container holder carries a wine container V1 through one of the first and second shelves 100ab. The first level of shelves 100a is spaced above the base 12 for supporting a first set of wine containers above the base 12 . The second shelf 100b is spaced above the first shelf 100a for supporting a second set of wine containers above the first shelf 100a.

Description

Beverage container holder

technical field

The present invention relates to a beverage container holder, which can be particularly but not exclusively used in places where beverages are provided, such as bars or restaurants. The invention also relates to a set of matching assemblies that can be assembled into a wine container holder, a shelf for the wine container holder and a method for using the same.

Background technique

In social places such as restaurants or bars, people can order a drink directly from the bar or seat, usually when a waiter or waitress (for brevity, waiter) comes to serve.

When ordering wine together in a group, the waiter can serve the wine on a tray, and when moving between tables, chairs, customers and other staff in the venue, the waiter must take special care not to overturn the tray, so as not to spill the wine. For large wine orders, the waiter may not be able to put all the drinks on one tray, and need to bring the drinks back and forth multiple times.

In practice, a server will often serve multiple tables at the same time, and may need to serve multiple drinks to multiple tables at a given time. This often requires multiple trips to the bar (or wherever the drinks are poured) in order to collect all the drinks and bring them to the various tables.

Delivering multiple alcohol orders can take a lot of time and can delay serving different drinkers, especially if other tables served by these servers have other orders. Also, drinks orders can sometimes be confused during delivery if the waiter forgets which drink was ordered by which customer. For example, if two or more visually similar alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, cider, spirits, etc.) or soft drinks (cola, lemonade, juice, etc.) are in visually indistinguishable containers, these This happens when the containers are in the same tray.

In addition, sometimes the waiter is very careful during the delivery process, and there may be a spill of alcohol. For example, waiters accidentally tipped trays and drink containers, or someone bumped into trays or the waiter. In this case, at least the spilled liquor must be removed and the affected liquor replaced or topped up, which are time-consuming steps. Worse yet, alcohol can be spilled on one or more individuals, creating a negative experience for the customer, and it can also affect the restaurant's reputation, as well as the server's standing with the restaurant or company. In some cases, glass containers may shatter and broken glass must be cleaned up immediately. Additionally, in crowded venues, where servers inevitably make physical contact with everyone as they pass by customers, there is a relatively higher chance of glass breaking, and the cost of replacing these containers is high.

One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce or substantially eliminate the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wine container bracket which can carry a plurality of wine containers. The carriage includes a base and brackets (or struts) extending upwardly from the base. The carrier also includes at least a first level of shelves and a second level of shelves (also referred to as trays or levels) on the base. Each shelf includes a plurality of drink container holders in the form of through holes, and each through hole can accommodate a drink container through a respective shelf. The first shelf is located above and spaced from the base for carrying the first set of wine containers and supporting the wine containers above the base. The second shelf is located above the first shelf and spaced apart from the first shelf for carrying a second set of wine containers and supporting the wine containers above the first shelf.

The present invention provides a multi-layered drink holder, which allows one person to serve multiple drinks at the same time, and generally, the holder can carry more than 10-12 drink containers. That's a lot more than the number of wine containers that a traditional tray can safely hold. Therefore, this multi-layer wine rack can serve multiple drinks to multiple customers at multiple different tables, and the waiter does not need to go back and forth many times, which can provide a more efficient overall service. It also makes collecting used or empty wine containers quicker and easier. This is useful in any venue where alcohol is served or carried, including but not limited to: homes, bars, restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, festivals, and more.

The placement of wine containers across the shelf also reduces the likelihood of container tipping and liquid spillage when moving the carrier. It also reduces the chance of wine containers shattering because each container is securely held in its own holder. Especially when the container is in the rack, more than half of the container is under the shelf.

The base allows the assembled wine container holder to stand upright on a tabletop or other flat surface for loading and unloading wine containers.

The term "wine container" includes any suitable container for drinking or from which the wine is to be poured. Includes tall glasses such as wine glasses, gin glasses, sips, short and tall glasses, pint glasses such as beer glasses and cider glasses, and cans of various sizes (eg beer cans, energy drink cans) and canned tonics). Also includes bottles of any of the following: wine, beer, cider, spirits, soft drinks and water. The container can be made of glass, plastic or any other material suitable for holding liquids and drinking.

A handle can be attached to the stand to carry the wine container holder. The handle can be placed on the top of the stand, above the position of the uppermost shelf. A handle can be replaced or added to the side of the stand.

This allows the carriage to be moved by hand between different positions. When the carrier is full of wine containers, it is easier to move the wine containers at a comfortable height, usually at hip level. The handle also makes it easier to unload one or more wine containers by manually lifting the carrier onto a tabletop or other support surface. The side handles are great for lifting the cradle when the cradle is loaded with a drink container.

Typically, n layers of shelves (where n is a positive integer) can be provided. The n-level shelf may include a plurality of wine container holders in the form of through holes for carrying each wine container passing through the n-th level shelf. The (n+1)th shelf may be above the nth shelf, spaced apart from the nth shelf, for carrying the (n+1th) shelf on or above the nth shelf and the nth group of wine containers ) set of wine containers.

For example, a third level of shelves can be provided on the support. The third level shelf may include a plurality of wine container holders in the form of through holes for carrying each wine container passing through the third level shelf. The third shelf may be above the second shelf, spaced from the second shelf, for carrying the wine containers above the second shelf and the second set of wine containers. This increases the wine carrying capacity of the rack.

Any suitable number of shelves can be used. For example, two or three shelves may be more suitable for transporting relatively large and heavy containers of wine or beer. More shelves can be used in situations where sip bottles and some other larger drink containers are primarily provided. The racks are best carried by hand, so the number of shelves and wine containers to be transported depends in part on the physical strength of the carrier and the space or vertical height required for each layer of wine containers.

Some or all of the shelves may be loosely supported by, or loosely connected to, the brackets.

Providing controllable supports or connections makes it easy to reconfigure racks, including shelves corresponding to the wine containers that need to be carried. The controllable connection allows the shelf to be removed and left on a specific table or for a group of people so that the shelf can be used to collect empty wine containers after the wine containers have been removed. Plus, it's easier to clean the shelves, either by hand washing or putting them in the dishwasher (provide the right shelf size and material). For example, wood shelves are not suitable for washing in the dishwasher, but plastic or metal shelves are.

The stent may include a plurality of open-ended slots spaced along the stent. Each shelf can include a corresponding open-ended slot that can be slid into engagement with one of a plurality of open-ended slots on the bracket.

Slots in the brackets allow for easy bracket assembly and disassembly, which is useful for quickly rearranging or replacing shelves to customize the brackets for a specific set of wine containers.

The spacing between a particular pair of slots along the stand may be greater than the height of the wine container to be carried. For example, if beer or wine glasses are to be placed on a shelf, the shelves above or below that shelf should be spaced far enough apart so that the glasses on the second shelf don't touch to the glasses on the first shelf. For example, the spacing between adjacent shelves may be equal to or greater than about 15 centimeters to accommodate containers such as pint glasses. This spacing should be at least as large as the tallest liquor container supported by the particular shelf.

The shelves may be provided with one or more shelf seats or shelf pins for attaching the brackets to support each shelf and prevent the brackets from falling. The or each shelf seat may be provided on one or both sides of the bracket to support the underside of the shelf.

Shelf mounts help secure the shelf to the stand so the shelf stays in place when filled with wine containers. Shelf seats can be secured in place, adhesive can be used, or they can be friction fit into holes in the brackets.

Some or all of the through holes may include a movable handle, such as a rubber handle. One or more movable handles may be provided on or around the interior of the corresponding through hole for engaging the outer surface of the wine container. One or more movable handles can be fastened to corresponding shelves or through holes, adhesive can be used.

Each movable handle can hold a corresponding wine container as the carriage moves between different positions. The movable handle is especially useful for wine containers with neat edges, which otherwise might not fit securely in the through holes. The movable handle can also be used for wine containers made of glass to prevent the glass from breaking. However, without the use of a movable handle, the through hole can still support a container with a slightly outwardly tapered sidewall.

Each movable handle may include a circular or C-shaped body. The body can be used to support a cylindrical container or a space for a wine container having a bowl-shaped portion. A plurality of movable protrusions (or pheasant walls) may be spaced apart on the inside of the body. The protrusions may extend toward the middle of the space. The movable handle can be non-fixedly connected to the through hole.

The projection can be deflected or deformed downward toward the base when the beverage container is received by the movable handle. Their flexibility allows them to at least partially conform to the shape of the container, thereby increasing adhesion to the container to hold it in place as the carriage moves.

One or more through holes may be provided at the outer edge of the shelf. For each through hole, an open-ended slot or notch may extend inwardly from the edge of the shelf to the corresponding through hole, providing a path for lateral insertion or removal of the tall container.

Where one or more movable handles are provided with a C-shaped body defining a slot which, if aligned with the inner end of a corresponding slot connecting the through hole to the peripheral edge of the shelf, can be Allow a drink container goblet, such as a wine glass or gin glass, to pass.

For example, in some cases slots may be provided for through holes sized to accommodate pint glasses. This allows for more flexibility in the reception of wine glasses, while also minimizing the weight of the carrier. It is also possible to use thicker stemware containers, such as gin glasses that require support (which may be too large to fit in the wine glass through holes).

It should be noted that different sizes of movable handles (or protrusions thereof) may be provided, and different sizes and/or shapes of wine containers may be equipped with different handles. The size of the handle can vary depending on the size of the space within the handle that can accommodate the container. The movable handle can be installed interchangeably into the through hole so that the relatively large through hole accommodates the wine container that would otherwise not fit properly in the through hole if the container was too small.

This improves the versatility of the rack if the available shelves do not have suitable through holes to carry a particular set of wine containers, but have spare holes in them that are larger than the required through holes. For example, the largest through holes tend to be used for pint glasses or similar sized containers, which can be matched to other types of containers using the appropriate flexible handle.

At least one of the shelves may include one or more open-ended or open-topped bottle racks. Each bottle rack may include a bottom wall positioned below a through hole in the corresponding shelf or shelves for supporting the bottoms of the bottles. This applies to racks carrying bottled alcoholic beverages such as water, wine (including champagne and the like), beer, cider and spirits.

Preferably, the bottle rack is sized to accommodate a single bottle. For example, each bottle holder is sized to hold a 750ml bottle. However, it is expected that larger bottles, such as magnums, can fit in the bottle rack.

The bottle holder can be sized to hold ice cubes around the bottles in order to cool the bottles. In this case, the bottle holder can be seen as a bottle cooler or cooler (eg an ice bucket) for supporting the bottles. If the ice is packed in an ice pack, the pack should be sized to fit in the holder next to the bottle. In some cases, the bottle holder may include a liquid-tight seal or a waterproof inner surface for retaining water in the bottle holder. An ice pack can cool the bottle indirectly through the water in the bottle holder.

Where each bottle rack is provided, each bottle rack is typically attached to the lowest shelf on the carrier to lower the carrier's center of gravity when carrying wine containers.

The bottle rack can be attached to the shelf in a non-fixed manner. In some cases, lateral hooks are provided at the upper edge of the bottle rack, so that the bottle rack can be hung on the shelf when it moves laterally relative to the shelf. Corresponding slots through the shelf may be provided on either side of the associated bottle through hole in the shelf. Using a hook connection or random fit is preferable to a friction fit connection, which may fail under the load of the bottle.

Each bottle rack can be formed as a single piece or can be constructed from a plurality of joined panels.

The base may include a frame or be a frame itself. The base frame may include one or more cutouts or through holes in order to minimise the weight of the base. For example, the base may include a body that is generally circular in shape. One or two semi-circular through holes can pass through the base and be placed on one or both sides of the bracket. This provides an endless belt, including a center bar that sits below the bracket portion of the carrier.

The stand may include a frame or be a frame itself. The frame may include one or more cutouts or through holes in order to minimize the weight of the bracket. For example, the stand may comprise a planar rectangular or trapezoidal body orthogonal to the base. A rectangular or trapezoidal aperture through the bracket can be provided between the base and the first level of shelf. Can be provided between each nth shelf and each (n+1)th shelf, or between slots for receiving shelves (if the slots are used as part of a shelf attachment) A rectangular or trapezoidal through hole through the bracket.

Proper hole diameter greatly reduces the amount of material that makes up the bracket, minimizing weight without compromising the structural integrity of the bracket.

A rectangular or trapezoidal through hole through the bracket above the topmost shelf allows for a handle, which can be ergonomically shaped, for example with spaced undulations to provide a comfortable grip.

The stand supports may connect or loosely connect the stand to the base. The bracket supports may be aligned along the central rod of the cuff. The stand supports help keep the stand orthogonal to the base when a wine container is installed. The cradle support may include a removable clip that non-fixably engages the cradle.

The base and each shelf may be substantially aligned along a central vertical axis of the bracket. This centers the carrier's center of gravity so that it doesn't accidentally tip over while the carrier supports the wine container.

Finger support can be provided through the shelf so that the shelf can be spaced from the stand. Finger supports can be apertures or grooves sized to accommodate a finger or thumb. Finger supports are useful in situations where the shelf can be detached or removed from the stand, allowing the shelf to be pulled off or placed on the stand in a controlled manner. That is, the shelf can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the central vertical plane of the bracket, thereby disconnecting or connecting to the bracket. If the shelf is equipped with a drink container, the user can support the shelf with one finger (eg thumb) from above while applying a counterweight to the bottom of the shelf with the other finger or palm (or another hand).

One or more wine container identifications may be provided as indicia on the upper sides of some or all of the shelves to deliver wine containers on a particular shelf to a particular customer. If there are many similar-looking drinks, these labels can easily identify the names of those drinks, even if the person serving the drink doesn't remember or know which drink was ordered by which customer.

Container-identifying markings can be engraved or affixed to the surface for viewing from above the shelf. The indicia may be adjustable, if provided on an adjustable display, such as a tumbler. A plurality of indicia (eg, logos, symbols, or other indicia) with suitable indicia can be mounted interchangeably to the shelf, adjacent to each through-hole, or to each wine container.

That way, drink containers can be marked with specific contents, or who should be served. This helps to differentiate whether the same drink is a "regular drink" or a "reduced sugar drink". For example, markers can also be used to identify wine containers that do not contain specific allergens.

In some cases, the indicia may include numbers that correspond to reference numbers on menus or receipts. In other cases, letters or wordmarks may be provided on the surface of the shelf, or a surface that may support writing. The surface may be suitable for use with a marker so that it can be wiped clean and used again.

Shelf identification or displays (eg, glasses) may be provided on some or all of the shelves to transport a particular beverage container shelf to a corresponding table or group of people. This is different from the single drink container sign mentioned above, because the shelf sign helps the waiter deliver the drinks on the shelf to a specific table or group of people.

Shelf-identifying markings can be engraved or affixed to the surface for viewing from above the shelf. For example, the shelf identification is adjustable to correspond with the table number. Each suitably marked marker (eg, a logo, sign or other identification) can be mounted interchangeably on each shelf, respectively. These signs help servers remember which shelf was ordered by which table or group.

The stand should be at least about 50 cm high. The maximum height is about 90 cm.

The base should be at least about 20 cm wide. The maximum width is about 40 cm.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shelf for connection to a wine container carrier, the shelf being operable to carry a plurality of wine containers. The shelf includes a substantially rigid body including an open-ended slot for attaching the shelf to the wine container holder, the open-ended slot extending from the outer edge of the shelf to the center of the shelf area, and a plurality of wine container holders in the form of through holes on the body for carrying wine containers through the shelf body, including a first set of through holes and a second set of through holes on corresponding sides of the slot, the first set of through holes and Each of the second set of vias includes any one or more of the following types:

a) the design of the size and/or shape of one or more through-holes that can be used to receive and support a container (such as a pint glass or goblet) having a basic cylindrical shape;

b) Design of the size and/or shape of one or more through holes that can be used to receive and support a goblet, and one or more slots extending inwardly from the edge of the shelf into the corresponding through holes for lateral insertion or remove goblets (such as wine glasses or gin glasses);

c) the design of the size and/or shape of one or more through-holes that can be used to receive and support a sippy container (such as a shot glass or short glass or canned beverage);

d) a design of the size and/or shape of one or more through holes that can be used to accommodate bottles (eg wine or beer bottles), and a bottle rack including a bottom wall located in a through hole in the shelf below to support the bottom of the bottle.

Certain venues may have different requirements for the number of different types of alcohol containers. For example, a restaurant may often provide tables with wine bottles and wine glasses, but rarely small wine glasses. For example, drinks in bars and clubs are often served in goblets (beer glasses, shot glasses, etc.) and, in rare cases, wine glasses. Demand may vary based on time of day, weather and/or customers. Therefore, it is very advantageous if the shelves are configured to provide different combinations of through holes for different wine containers, so that the end user can customize the wine container holder with the appropriate set of shelves.

The shelf may comprise any one or more of the features exhibited by any shelf in the first aspect of the invention.

The upper edges of some or all (b) hole types may be sloped towards the middle of the corresponding through holes. This provides a C-shaped sloped surface to connect the bowl of the goblet container. The sloped area can be thought of as a countersink.

The sloping area of the stemware container through hole may better engage and support the bowl of the stemware container, minimizing the tilting of the bowl relative to the shelf as the shelf moves.

The first set of vias may include at least two of the three via types (a), (b) and/or (c).

The first set of vias and the second set of vias may include at least two of the four via types (a), (b), (c), and (d).

Where the shelf includes through holes of type (c), the first and/or second set of through holes may include one or more of additional holes of type (a), (b) and (d). Make better use of the space within the shelf by positioning the shot glass through hole in the dead space, adjacent to the larger through hole for pint glasses, wine glasses, etc. The term "dead space" refers to spaces that are too small to accommodate drink containers such as pint glasses, wine glasses, or bottles because, if provided in that space, these large-capacity drink containers would, due to their volume occupy above the shelf and/or Below, it may hit the adjacent wine container.

The first set of vias may include one (d) type of vias. The second set of vias may include (i) one (d) type of vias and/or (ii) one or more (d) types of vias. This applies, for example, when two wine bottles on either side of the stand are substantially equal in weight to balance, or when one side provides multiple wine glasses and the other side provides a wine bottle.

When most or all of the wine container holder is occupied during use, the position of each of the through holes in the first and second sets can be positioned on either side of the central vertical plane (through the slot) for weight balance. This ensures that the weights are approximately balanced on either side of the stand when the shelf is slotted into the wine container holder.

An open-ended slot may be provided through the shelf body for connecting to a corresponding slot on the beverage container holder. The open-ended slot may extend from the outer edge of the shelf to the central area of the shelf. Other features and advantages of slots as connecting means are discussed with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

One or more movable handles may be positioned within the one or more through holes for engaging the outer surface of the wine container. The or each movable handle may comprise a circular or C-shaped body defining a space for supporting a generally cylindrical container. A plurality of movable protrusions or pheasant walls may be spaced apart on the inside of the body and extend towards the middle of the space. Other features and advantages of the movable handle are discussed with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

One or more stabilizing walls or support legs may be provided. Stabilizing walls or support legs may depend from the underside of the shelf. For example, two support walls can be provided. If the center of mass of the shelf - in the absence of a support wall - falls outside the total area of the elements on the shelf that engage the table - the support wall prevents the shelf from tipping over when on the table.

Multiple shelves are available as part of the kit. If the shelves are dirty and need to be cleaned, it may be useful to provide some shelves with the same or substantially similar finish. Some shelves can have different through-hole arrangements to optimize the wine container holder for a custom set of wine containers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit that can be used to assemble into a wine container holder for carrying a plurality of wine containers, the kit including a set for supporting the assembled wine container holder upright on a table a base, a bracket for attaching to the base, and a bracket extending upwardly from the base when attached to the base, and first and second tiers of shelves for attaching to the base, each tier of shelves comprising a plurality of Beverage container holders in the form of through holes, each holder holding a wine container through a first or second shelf, the first shelf is connected to the holder at a position above (spaced from) the base for supporting The first set of wine containers above the base, the second shelf is attached to a bracket at a location above (spaced from) the first shelf to support the second set above the first shelf The wine container and the first set of wine containers.

Advantages are substantially similar to the first aspect of the invention, with other advantages being that the carrier can be flattened for delivery and disassembled to save space when not in use.

The kit may include any of the features of the beverage container holder of the first aspect of the invention. Any shelf in the kit may include any of the features of the shelf of the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of distributing a plurality of beverage containers to a plurality of locations in or at a venue, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a wine container holder according to the first aspect of the present invention, or a wine container holder assembled from a kit according to the third aspect of the present invention;

b) Fitting a plurality of wine containers into a part of the through holes of the first shelf, and fitting other multiple wine containers into a part of the through holes of the second shelf , above the first shelf and associated wine containers;

c) bring the wine container holder to the first position and deliver one or more of the wine containers to one or more persons; and

d) Bringing the wine container carrier to one or more subsequent locations and transporting the remaining wine containers to one or more persons at the one or more subsequent locations.

Advantages are similar to those presented in the preceding aspects of the invention, and multiple beverages can be delivered more quickly and easily to multiple locations within a venue or to multiple locations on a venue, freeing up time for waiters to serve others.

In some cases, the shelf may be attached to the bracket when the wine container fits into the through hole. In other cases, they may be loaded first and then attached to the stand (eg, in some cases, this is feasible during kit assembly). It is also possible to operate both methods simultaneously. It is possible to start loading from the bottom shelf, but this is not required because the shelves are spaced far enough apart to allow you to add wine containers to the racks without the wine overflowing. These features can also be applied to the method of the fifth aspect of the invention.

Note that the wine container may be placed on a shelf that is already filled with wine, or the wine can be poured into the container after the wine container is filled.

During step (b), indicia may be added to the shelf to indicate the intended destination or customer, and/or the contents of the beverage container. However, if the drinker can easily distinguish the different drinks, there is no need to label each shelf or drink container.

The method may include the step of placing a plurality of wine orders prior to pouring and loading the wine container into the rack.

The method may include the step of selecting a shelf for the rack, the shelf appropriately corresponding to the particular set of wine containers that need to be carried.

The method may include the step of removing the first level of shelves and/or the second level of shelves (and, if applicable, other levels of shelves) from the racks to remove beverages from the racks, including optional replacement thereafter Shelves on stand. The shelf can be removed from the stand by pulling the shelf laterally away from the stand. The movement of the shelf may be in a plane substantially parallel to the base and substantially perpendicular to the central vertical axis of the stand.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of collecting a plurality of wine containers from a plurality of locations within or at a venue, the method comprising the steps of:

a) According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wine container holder, or according to the third aspect of the present invention, a wine container holder assembled from a kit is provided, and according to the second aspect of the present invention, optionally a or multiple shelves;

b) bring the wine container holder to the first position and load one or more wine containers at that position into one or more unoccupied (or) unoccupied (or vacant) in the through hole;

c) If one or some of the through holes are not occupied, optionally, bring the wine container holder to at least a second position and load one or more wine containers in that position into the first shelf and/or or in one or more of the remaining unoccupied (or vacant) through-holes on the second shelf; and

d) Bring the wine container holder to the dismounting position, and remove the collected wine container from the wine container holder.

Advantages are similar to those presented in the preceding aspects of the invention, that wine containers can be collected more quickly and easily from multiple locations in the venue, freeing up time for waiters to serve others. After collecting the wine containers, you can rinse them or put them in the dishwasher. The shelves of the racks can also be washed or put in the dishwasher. Shelf materials can be referred to as previously discussed.

Step (c) may be skipped if a single table or other location within the venue has enough used liquor containers to fill or substantially fill the rack. However, when collecting used wine containers, it may be necessary to place the tray in two, three or more positions to fill most or all of the through holes.

It should be noted that in some cases the shelf of the bracket in step (a) may already be left on a particular table (where the shelf can be detached from the stand), in which case the method It may be necessary to bring the racks without the shelves to the surrounding site and place the shelves on the supports.

Any one or more of the features presented in relation to one aspect of the invention may be provided in any other aspect of the invention.

Description of drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to more clearly show how it may be practiced, reference is now made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a beverage container holder.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the base and bracket of the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a support element of a bracket for supporting the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a first level shelf support element for supporting the shelf of the wine container holder of FIG. 1 .

5 shows a perspective view of a second tier of shelf support elements that cooperate with the first tier of shelf support elements of FIG. 4 to support the shelves on the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the shelf of the wine container holder of FIG. 1, including gripping elements for the wine container.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the shelf of Figure 6 without the gripping elements.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of one of the gripping elements of the shelf of FIG. 6 .

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a beverage container holder.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the shelf of the beverage container holder of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the bottle support of the shelf of FIG. 10 .

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bottle support;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shelf suitable for use with the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 .

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a shelf suitable for use with the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 .

15 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a shelf suitable for use with the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 .

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a shelf suitable for use with the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 .

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a shelf suitable for use with the beverage container holder of FIG. 1 or FIG. 9 .

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the numbered units of a shelf, such as the shelf of FIG. 17 .

Detailed ways

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a wine container holder, generally designated as a wine container holder 10 . In this embodiment, the wine container holder 10 is specially designed for one person to carry 12 wine containers V1 simultaneously with one hand. Figure 1 shows six containers V1.

The stand 10 includes a base 12 for supporting the stand upright on a flat surface, such as a dining table or work surface. The base 12 has an annular track to ensure multi-directional stability. In this embodiment, the width of the base 12 is approximately 30 centimeters. The supporting rods 12a passing through the base 12 and the semicircular small through holes 12b opposite to either side of the supporting rods 12a make the overall structure of the base be annular. In this embodiment, the support rod 12a passes through the middle of the base 12 . In this embodiment, the base 12 is made of wood, such as plywood, to minimize the need for people to lift or carry the container. For other embodiments, other materials, such as plastic and/or metal, are also contemplated.

A bracket or upright frame 14 is attached through the central support rod 12a of the base 12 . The bracket 14 is perpendicular to the base 12 . The height of the stand 14 is approximately 66 cm. In this embodiment, the partial connection is made by a pair of protrusions (not shown) on the lower end of the bracket 14, which fit into corresponding through holes (not shown) in the base 12, but it should be noted that , other suitable connection devices can be used instead.

The bracket 14 generally includes a planar body. Viewed from the front, the bracket 14 is substantially trapezoidal. That is, the sides of the brackets 14 are slightly tapered, converging with each other as the vertical distance of the base 12 increases. The upper corner of the bracket 14 is rounded. In this embodiment, the stand 14 is made of wood such as plywood to minimize the weight of people needing to lift or carry the container. For other embodiments, other materials, such as plastic and/or metal, are also contemplated.

The bracket 14 includes three slots 16abc spaced along one side of the bracket 14 . The outer corners of the slots 16abc are rounded. In this embodiment, all of the slots 16abc are provided on the same side of the bracket 14 . However, it should be noted that the slots may be provided on different sides of the bracket 14 .

Each slot 16abc begins at an open end on one side of the bracket 14, extends toward the other side of the bracket 14, and terminates at a closed end at approximately the middle of the bracket 14. Above the base 12, the first slots 16a are spaced about 15 cm to 20 cm apart. Above the first slot 16a, the second slot 16b is spaced about 15 cm to 20 cm apart. Above the second slot 16b, the third slot 16c is spaced about 15 cm to 20 cm apart.

An approximately rectangular or trapezoidal through hole or window 18abc is provided in the bracket 14 below the corresponding slot 16abc. Another approximately rectangular through hole 18d is provided above the third slot 16c. The side bars 14abc of the stand extend between or near the corresponding through holes 18abcd, and the support bars 14abc are of sufficient width (usually a few centimeters, depending on the material used) to provide structural integrity to the carried wine container. The through hole 18abc reduces the weight of the bracket 14, and at the top end of the bracket 14, a handle 20 is provided in the fourth through hole 18d. The handle 20 is located approximately 10 centimeters above the third slot 16c.

Note that some embodiments may also include a second handle or a second grip on the inclined side of the trapezoidal bracket 14 (preferably on the upper half of the inclined side, positioned toward the handle 20).

A plurality of through holes 22 are provided in the bracket 14 adjacent to and below the slot 16abc. In this case, four through holes 22 are provided per slot 16abc. Through holes 22 are configured when engaged in slots 16abc for receiving shelf supports supporting the shelves.

The triple shelf 100abc is positioned on the bracket 14 in the corresponding slot 16abc. In this embodiment, the method of setting the shelf 100abc is basically the same, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 6-8 below. Although only the first level of shelf 100a is directly discussed, it should be noted that corresponding features apply to the second and third level of shelves 100bc as well.

FIG. 3 shows the support of the stent 14 , generally designated as support element 24 . In this embodiment, the stent support 24 is made of plastic. The stand supports 24 may be screwed or otherwise secured (eg, by adhesive) to the support rods 12a of the base 12 for receiving the stand 14 .

The stent support 24 includes an elongated body 26 that defines the extent of a U-shaped channel for receiving the bottom end of the stent 14 , generally designated as U-shaped channel 28 . In this embodiment, the U-shaped channel 28 includes first and second co-linear portions. An opposing set of upstanding walls 30 are provided. The outer supports 32 with triangular shaped walls are perpendicular to a set of upstanding walls 30 to keep the brackets 14 in the supports 24 upright. The clip 34 is integrally connected to the body 26 and rotates about a living hinge for engaging or securing a corresponding through hole or slot (not shown) towards the lower end of the bracket 14 .

4 and 5 show a shelf support, generally indicated by shelf support 36, to which brackets 14 are attached. In this embodiment, each shelf support 36 is substantially identical, and the perspective views shown in Figures 4 and 5 are equivalent to looking at opposite sides of the same support. Therefore, the following features apply to the support 36 .

Each shelf support 36 includes an elongated body 38 provided with a top surface or ledge 40a for receiving the underside of the shelf. The top surface 40a is a substantially smooth plane that allows the shelf to slide laterally along this surface when the rack 14 is removed from or inserted into the rack 14 . The elongated body 38 also includes a chamfered surface 40b forming an undercut below the top surface 40a, side surfaces, and a bottom surface 40cde. The corners and edges of the support 36 are rounded. In this embodiment, the support 36 is made of plastic.

The back of the elongated body 38, generally designated 40f, includes a pair of projections or struts 42 passing through the two through holes 22 adjacent one of the slots 16abc. The back 40f also includes a pair of protrusions or support bar carrying through holes (or grooves) 44 aligned with the remaining two through holes 22 adjacent to one of the slots 16abc for receiving support from the other shelf 36 of a pair of protrusions or support rods. It should be noted that in other embodiments, other numbers of support rods and bearing through holes may be used.

In this embodiment, the support rods 42 and the through holes 44 are alternately provided along the main body 38 . The spacing of the support rods 42 and the support rod carrying through holes 44 along the main body 38 is the same as the spacing of the through holes 22 in a particular combination. The protrusion 42 is of sufficient length to extend from the other side of the through hole 22 to engage another shelf support 36 . Fasteners are also provided, although other means of securing the support 36 are contemplated, such as adhesives or non-return mechanisms.

FIG. 6 shows one of the shelves 100a of the rack 10 of FIG. 1 . The shelf 100a includes a substantially rigid planar body 102 . The shelf 100a is made of wood such as plywood. For other embodiments, other materials, such as plastic and/or metal, are also contemplated.

Viewed from above, the periphery of the body 102 is approximately circular or oblong. A dot or end point 104 is defined on the body 102 to accommodate a thumb or finger hole 106 . Thumb hole 106 includes a drilled upper edge 106a. In other embodiments, the drilled holes 106a may be rounded. Thumb hole 106 can be used to remove shelf 100a from bracket 14 for lateral support by hand.

A slot 108 is provided through the shelf 100a. Slots 108 are sized and shaped to engage corresponding slots on bracket 14 . Slots 108 are provided opposite dots 104 . The slot 108 extends from the edge of the shelf opposite the dot 104 to the center of the shelf 104 . In particular, note that slot 108 is parallel to the central vertical plane, bisected by dot 104 .

Through the shelf body 102, four through holes 110abcd are provided, each of which is used to receive and support the wine container V1. Each through hole 110abcd is sized to hold a pint of beer. The four through holes 110abcd are spaced at 90 degree intervals around a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the shelf body 102 . The shape of each through hole 110 is substantially C-shaped when viewed from above. A corresponding V-shaped cutout or slot, generally designated cutout 112abcd, is provided at the "C" open end of each through hole 110abcd. Cutouts 112abcd connect the inner edge of each through hole 110abcd to the outer edge of body 102 .

Through the corresponding through holes 110abcd, four movable rubber handles 114abcd are provided for clamping the corresponding wine container V1. Figure 8 depicts the movable handle in detail. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, each active handle is substantially identical, so the description of the first handle 114a applies accordingly to the other handles 114bcd.

Indicia 116 displaying "1" to "4" (including "1" and "4") are provided next to the corresponding through holes 110abcd, for identifying different wine containers (or their contents), or for identifying the Different people or tables conveying different drink containers.

Near the dot 104, grooves 118 are provided on the side of the shelf body 102 for receiving shelf identification means, such as one or more numerically controlled wheels. An example of such a recognizer is discussed with reference to FIG. 18 .

Figure 7 is substantially the same as Figure 6, but without the movable handle 114 shown. A plurality of grooves or notches 120 are provided on the underside of each through hole 110abcd for engaging corresponding nubs on each movable handle 114abcd to mitigate the effects of rotation of the handle within the through hole 110abcd. In this embodiment, each through hole 110abcd is provided with four grooves 120, spaced around the sides of the through hole 110abcd. In Fig. 7 the two grooves 120 of each through hole are not visible due to viewing angles, but in this embodiment each through hole is substantially identical, so in each case the grooves The location of the rest of the 120 is pretty obvious.

Figure 8 shows one of the movable handles 114a isolated from the shelf 100a, the handle 114a having a substantially C-shaped body when viewed from above. The C-shaped body has an opening or gap 122 for aligning with the cutout 112a of the shelf through hole. The C-shaped body includes an upper edge 124 , side walls 126 and a lower edge 128 . The side wall 126 is perpendicular to the upper and lower edges 124 , 128 . The edges 124, 128 are parallel to each other. The edges 124, 128 and the side walls define the extent of the mostly annular outer groove (mostly because the opening 122 covers the groove) for fitting the side walls of the through hole 110a of the shelf 100a.

Movable protrusions or castellations 130 project radially inwardly from the upper edge 124 . In this embodiment, there are five castellations 130 of the same size, substantially equally spaced around the inside of the upper edge 124 . Other numbers of protrusions are also contemplated. Two pheasant walls flank the edges of opening 122 . When the wine container V1 is pushed downward by the handle 114a, the castellated wall 130 may deflect or rotate downward, approaching or abutting the side wall 126. The gaps 132 between the battlements 130 help the battlements bend independently of each other. Each gap 132 is approximately the same size as one of the pheasant walls 130 (in an overhead layer), but in each embodiment the placement of the gap is not particularly important if the protrusions 130 can bend sufficiently independently .

Nubs 134 adjacent the sidewall 126 are spaced around the lower edge 128 for fitting into the grooves 120 of the through holes 110abcd when the handle 114a is attached to the shelf. Note that additional securing means, such as adhesive, may be used to more securely attach movable handle 114abcd to shelf 100a.

Note that although the movable handle 114 is C-shaped in the above description and diagrams, a circular handle may also be used to fit in a closed circular hole.

In this embodiment, the bracket 10 is formed from a set of parts in which the bracket 10 can be assembled with the base 12, the bracket 14 and other components.

However, other embodiments are also contemplated in which the carrier 10 includes a load-bearing body that may include a base 12 and a bracket 14, possibly with integral base supports and/or integral shelf supports . In some cases, the shelf 100abc may also be integrally connected with the bracket 10 .

In use, the bracket 10 can be pre-assembled, or can be assembled by using the above-mentioned components first. In this case, the bracket 10 is optimized for 12 similar wine containers V1, straight-sided or generally frustoconical, remaining in place within the movable handle 114abcd. Assuming a proper order is received, the waiter may pour the beverage into the beverage container and fit the beverage container into the through hole 110abcd in the shelf 100abc. The waiter does not need to fill all 12 vias, but can fill up when possible and procedurally valid.

Afterwards, the server can pick up the device 10 by the handle 20 and serve it in turn to the different persons ordering the drink, removing the associated container along the way. This may require removing the respective glasses, or sliding out the entire shelf of wine containers before removing the glasses. After the beverage container is delivered, similar steps can be repeated as needed for another beverage order. This is optional, including exchanging or replacing the shelves 100abc as necessary, such as the replacement shelves discussed below.

Referring to Figure 9, in a second embodiment, the wine container holder is generally designated 10'. It should be noted that many of the features of the bracket 10' are similar or identical to those previously discussed for the first bracket 10. For the sake of brevity, these features are not discussed in detail here. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same features.

In this embodiment, the wine container holder 10' is specially designed for one person to carry two bottles of wine V2 and four wine glasses V3 at the same time with one hand. In this embodiment, only two shelves 200a, 200c are provided, and the middle shelf is omitted to make room for wine bottles V2, which may otherwise contact the containers carried by such shelves. The uppermost shelf 200c is substantially the same as the corresponding shelf 100c in FIG. 1 .

Thus, compared to Figure 1, only the first and third shelves are presented, with a slot 16b' in between. Of course, if the bottles being carried are shorter than wine bottles (eg beer bottles), or if the lower shelf is replaced with another shelf that is not suitable for holding bottles, the slot can accommodate the shelf.

Figure 10 shows the lowermost shelf 200a in more detail. As with shelf 100a in Figure 6, there is a slot 208, a thumb hole 206 and a recess 218 for the shelf identifier. This shelf embodiment is only suitable for supporting a pair of bottles. The through hole 210ab is not C-shaped, but a closed circle. The bottle through holes 210ab are equally spaced from either side of the slot 208 . The through hole 210ab is located substantially in the center of one half of the shelf body.

A first pair of slots 238a are provided on one side of each through hole 210ab. A second pair of slots 238b is provided on the other side of each through hole 210ab. Each pair of slots is on the same line, separated by a portion 238c of shelf 200a. The pairs of slots 238ab are each adapted to support the first and second bottle racks 240ab below the shelf 200a. In particular, each slot may include an inner edge (not shown) for supporting the bottle rack. In this embodiment, the bottle holder 240ab is secured to the shelf by sliding the bottle holder sideways inwardly.

Figure 11 shows one of the bottle racks 240a in greater detail. In this embodiment, the bottle racks 240ab are all identical, so the features described apply.

The bottle holder 240a is substantially cuboidal in shape with an open end at the top end for carrying bottles. The bottle rack 240a includes four side walls 242, and a base, generally indicated at 244, for supporting the bottom of the bottles. To assemble the bottle rack 240a using plate-type components, the base 244 is provided with end pieces 244a that are tucked into the two Of the through holes in the side walls 242, the other side wall 242 may be interlocked using tongue and groove engaging plates or complementary slot arrangements, one of which is indicated at 246, at each wall edge.

Pairs of L-shaped hooks 248 are provided on the top edges of the two opposing side walls 242 for hooking the bottle holder into the slots 238ab. The L-shaped hooks point in the same direction for engaging the inner edge of the slot 238ab.

Figure 12 shows an alternative arrangement of bottle racks 240, which may be provided as a connected unit. The corner edges 250 of the device are rounded. As shown in Figure 11, hooks can be provided at the top for connecting the shelves. The unit can optionally be glued, or otherwise attached or formed part of the shelf. A flange may be provided at the top end to increase the surface area to attach the bracket 240 to the shelf.

The carrier 10' is used to carry wine bottles and glasses, substantially similar to the use described in the first embodiment. In this case, wine bottles V2 are loaded into bottle racks 240ab in lower shelf 200a, and a large wine glass (eg, 250 ml size) is inserted laterally into the wine container bottle rack, passing glass V3 through the shelf Corresponding cutout in the 200c edge. The glass bowl of the glass V3 is supported by the movable handle 114abcd. The glass can be removed by the reverse process, lifting the glass to release it from the corresponding handle 114abcd, and then removing the handle through the adjacent slot.

Some alternative embodiments of shelves are now described, although skilled artisans will understand that these are merely examples and that other combinations of through hole types and other features are within the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers refer to similar features.

Figure 13 shows another form of shelf 300, suitable for use with brackets 10, 10', ideally used as a bottom shelf. The features of the shelf 300 are the same as those of the shelf of FIG. 11, with the addition of a wine glass container holder 310. Two container bottle racks 310cd are disposed on either side of the first bottle rack 340a, and the other two container bottle racks 310ef are disposed on either side of the second bottle rack 340b. The upper side of each additional vessel holder 310cdef has a countersunk hole. The size of the through hole is suitable for accommodating wine glasses, the wine glasses can be smaller size wine glasses (eg 125-175 ml), and the wine glass bowl can be better supported by countersinking. Next to each through hole 310cdef is a V-shaped slot for the passage of the cup handle.

Figure 14 shows another form of shelf 400, suitable for use with brackets 10, 10', ideally used as a bottom shelf. Some features of the shelf 400 are the same as the shelf of FIG. 11 . Different from the previous shelves 100abc, 200ac, and 300, which have symmetrically distributed through holes for carrying wine containers, the shelf 400 is provided with asymmetrically arranged through holes. Although the through holes 410a and the bottle racks 440a are similar to the through holes and bottle racks of the shelf in FIG. 10, the through holes and bottle racks on the other side of the shelf 400 are different. In this case, there are no bottle racks and no slots for connecting the bottle racks, but three through holes 410bcd are provided near the peripheral edge of the shelf body. Each through hole 410bcd has a countersunk hole. A V-shaped slot is provided next to each through hole 410bcd. These through holes are suitable for holding wine glasses. If three full 250 ml glasses are used, essentially balancing a full 750 ml wine bottle can balance the weight on both sides of the shelf slot 408 .

In this embodiment, shelf 400 also includes stabilizing walls (or support legs) 442 . When placed on a dining table or other surface, the support legs 442 are used to keep the single wine cooler shelf 400 upright and stable. Otherwise, if the total weight of the wine containers on one side of the shelf 400 exceeds the total weight of the other side (including the wine cooler 440a), the shelf 400 will be tipped. The support legs 442 are suspended below the shelf 400 . A support leg 442 is located adjacent the slot 408 . The support legs 442 are disposed far from the middle of the shelf 400 and will not interfere with any wine containers carried by the shelf 400 .

The support leg 442 is provided with a stable base for supporting the shelf 400 which is kept upright, and is used together with the bottle rack 440a. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the support legs may be integral with the shelf 400 . However, in this embodiment, the support legs 442 can be released and connected to the shelf 400 by means of the slots 438b and the attachment means at the top ends of the support legs 442 . The L-shaped hooks (not visible) at the top ends of the support legs 442 are attached to the shelf 400 in a similar manner to the hooks of the bottle rack wall 242 described in FIGS. 10-11 .

It should be noted that the arrangement of stabilizing walls or support legs is not limited to a specific embodiment. One or more support legs may be provided in any shelf embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, two support legs may be provided on the underside of the shelf. The support legs may be substantially parallel to each other. A support leg may be provided in the vicinity of the shelf slot, where the slot is provided. The spacing between the support legs, or between a single support leg and the proximal side of the bottle rack, should be wide enough to ensure that the center of gravity of the shelf is substantially between these supports, regardless of the amount of wine containers on the shelf. Through hole combination device.

If a drink is dispensed on a particular shelf (whether fully or partially filled), it is considered to cause the shelf to lose its balance, or when the drink container is removed from the shelf, or the drink is placed on the shelf after the shelf is lowered When on a flat surface, there is a risk of the shelf tipping over, so it is preferred to install support legs. When multiple types of wine containers are installed in the shelf, and/or the wine containers are distributed asymmetrically (considering that the wine containers are arranged in through holes passing through either side of the central plane of the shelf, it is usually slot alignment of the shelf slots), the shelves are more likely to be unbalanced or become unbalanced. Thus, for example, one or more stabilizing walls can be provided to mitigate this effect and allow any particular shelf to be placed on the dining table.

Figure 15 shows another form of shelf 500 suitable for use with racks 10, 10'. The shelf 500 features the same features as the shelf of FIG. 7 and is adapted to receive similar movable handles as described in FIG. 8 . In this case, additional features include two spirit glass holders 510ef. In other embodiments, more than two spirit glass holders may be provided if there is sufficient remaining space on the shelf. Each spirit glass holder 510ef has a closed circular shape. Countersunk holes are also provided in each bottle holder 510ef. The brackets 510ef are located on the opposite side of the shelf 500, and are provided in the unused space between the periphery of the shelf and the other through holes 510abcd.

Figure 16 shows another form of shelf 600 suitable for use with racks 10, 10'. The shelf 600 is similar to the shelf in FIG. 6, but includes six wine container holders 610 instead of four. Bracket 610abcdef is suitable for accommodating narrow drink cans, such as Red Bull drink cans. The brackets 610 are equally spaced around the shelf 600 . The shelf 600 is substantially the same size as the shelf in FIG. 6, but the through holes 610 are relatively small to allow for installation in the available space. Perfect for half-pint glasses, or wine or champagne glasses. Therefore, the size of the movable handle shown is correspondingly small. Set six numbers next to the six brackets, increasing from "1" to "6" in a clockwise direction.

Figure 17 shows another form of shelf 700 suitable for use with racks 10, 10'. Shelf 700 is dedicated to holding spirit glasses (not shown) and is equipped with 15 spirit glass holders, one of which is indicated at 710 . Seven bottle racks are provided on one side of the plane passing through the shelf slot 708 and eight bottle racks are provided on the other side. Attach a shelf numbering device or identifier 800 to the shelf near the finger hole.

FIG. 18 shows shelf identifier 800 connected to shelf 700 . The identifier 800 includes a plastic body 802 with upper and lower flanges 804 , 806 and a side wall 808 . Three numbered wheels 810 are rotatable mounted on shafts 812 that engage opposite sides of sidewall 808 . Set up a tumbler or dial that resembles a combination lock.

Each wheel 810 is made of plastic. On the surface of the wheel, each numbered wheel 810 is marked with numbers 0-9, with gaps between each numbered segment. It should be noted that letters or symbols may be used in place of numbers, or combinations of different types of indicia may be used. The shelf identifier 800 may be installed in any of the various shelf embodiments provided with corresponding recesses.

The wheels are rotatable to set a specific number of shelves, for example, to help transfer the shelves to a specific dining table. In some cases, one waiter can order a drink, another waiter or staff member can pour the drink, and a third waiter can also deliver the drink. Properly numbering the shelves allows a group of waiters to deliver drink containers to the correct location or person, even if there is no conversation or other direct communication between the waiter and the rest of the staff.

In any embodiment, the following features may apply. The thickness of the wood can be 9mm or 12mm to reduce weight while keeping the brackets strong enough. Other materials of suitable thickness may also be considered if the selected material thickness has sufficient strength and stiffness. Some or all of the wood used in the brackets may contain melamine. For example, some or all of the wood or wood containing melamine (if provided) can be coated with a waterproof coating, such as varnish, to extend the life of the bases, supports and/or shelves. This solution is preferred to allow the components of the carrier to be easily wiped down and/or dishwasher safe to clean.

It should be noted that it should be understood that in any embodiment, two, three, four or more brackets may be used. The shelves on a particular bracket may be the same, similar or different with respect to the through holes and other features they include. Shelf brackets can be attached to each shelf instead of the brackets. Different sets of through-holes for different types of glasses can be set up in any combination, although the expected frequency of certain orders can be taken into account (e.g. one group orders a few pints of beer; another group orders a bottle of wine and a few drinks). ; the third group ordered a few glasses of spirits). Within the scope of the claims, it is possible to provide a shelf with two or three or more through holes for carrying a variety of wine containers.

In one embodiment, as well as different embodiments, the size of the through holes may vary, and the largest through holes are generally best suited for carrying the largest wine containers. Beer glasses tend to require the largest through hole, followed by wine glasses, then spirit glasses (though this list is far from complete). For example, various sizes of movable handles can be used to convert large apertures to apertures of various smaller sized containers.

The bracket is suitable for supporting the bottle horizontally, rather than standing the bottle upright in the bottle holder. For example, the base may include supports for carrying bottles on the base, on either or both sides of the stand. End stops and/or side stops on the base prevent the bottle from sliding on the base. This reduces the vertical height required for the bottles, which can be carried by the brackets, while possibly providing three or more shelves for wine containers depending on the appropriate clearance between the lowermost shelf and the base. In some cases, the bottle can stand upright on the base while being supported by a through hole in the bottommost shelf.

The above-described embodiments are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A wine container carrier for carrying a plurality of wine containers, the carrier comprising a base, a support extending upwardly from the base, and at least a first shelf and a second shelf on the support, each shelf comprising wine container holders in the form of a plurality of through-holes, each through-hole for carrying a wine container; the brackets penetrate through the corresponding shelf to space the first shelf above the base for bearing a first group of wine containers above the base, and space the second shelf above the first partition for bearing a second group of wine containers above the first shelf; a handle is arranged above the shelf at the top end of the support and is used for bearing the wine container bracket, and the other handle is arranged on the side surface of the support; a third layer of shelf is arranged on the bracket and is spaced above the second layer of shelf for bearing the wine and water container above the second layer of shelf, the third layer of shelf comprises a wine and water container bottle rack in the form of a plurality of through holes, and each through hole is used for bearing the wine and water container through the third layer of shelf; each shelf is detachable and is supported or connected to the bracket through the bracket; the bracket including a plurality of slots or grooves spaced along the bracket, each shelf including a respective slot or groove for engaging one of the plurality of slots or grooves on the bracket; wherein one or more movable handles are provided inside or around the one or more through holes for engaging the outer surface of the wine container.

2. A wine container carrier as claimed in claim 1 in which each movable handle comprises a circular or C-shaped body defining a space for supporting a generally cylindrical container or wine container having a bowl portion, and a plurality of movable projections or castellations spaced inwardly of the body and extending towards a central region of the space.

3. A wine container carrier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one or more through-holes are provided adjacent the outer edge of the shelf and for each of these through-holes, a slot extends inwardly from the edge of the shelf to the respective through-hole to allow lateral insertion or removal of a stemmed container.

4. A wine container carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one shelf comprises one or more bottle holders, each bottle holder including a wall seat below the through-hole in the respective shelf for supporting the base of a bottle.

5. A wine container carrier according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the support includes a frame having one or more cut-outs or through-holes for minimising the weight of the support and/or wherein the base includes a frame having one or more cut-outs or through-holes for minimising the weight of the base.

6. A wine container rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base and each shelf are aligned along a central vertical axis of the support.

7. The wine container carrier according to claim 1 wherein the through hole is disposed through at least one shelf substantially coincident with the shelf slot for retaining the shelf independent of the bracket.

8. A wine container carrier according to claim 1 wherein one or more wine container identifiers or adjustable wine container identifiers are provided on the upper side of one or more shelves as indicia to assist in the delivery of wine containers from a given shelf to a person in need thereof.

9. A wine container rack according to claim 1 wherein shelf identifiers or adjustable shelf identifiers are provided on one or more shelves to assist in accurate delivery of a given shelf of wine containers to a dining table or to a desired group of people.

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