WINE BOTTLE COOLER AND ORGANIZER SYSTEM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefits of Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No., 63/691,426, filed on Sep. 6, 2024, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

The various aspects and embodiments described herein relate to a system for cooling and organizing a plurality of wine bottles.

Transporting wine bottles presents challenges because they can shift, collide, and break during movement. Additionally, maintaining the wine at approximately 45° F. and 65° F. degrees Fahrenheit is crucial, as exposure to improper temperatures can negatively impact its quality, causing spoilage or degradation in flavor.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a wine bottle chiller and organizer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The wine bottle cooling and organizer system is designed to securely hold and chill wine bottles while preventing breakage during transport. The system consists of interlocking spacers that fit within a cooler, forming a stable grid structure that creates individual cavities for bottles. Each spacer has a hollow interior that can be filled with liquid, such as water or a saline solution, to provide cooling when frozen. The spacers interlock using a combination of slots, grooves, and tongue portions, ensuring a secure fit that prevents movement. The system is modular and can be arranged in various configurations to accommodate different numbers of bottles. The spacers also provide cushioning to protect the bottles from impact. While primarily designed for wine bottles, the system can also be used for other beverage containers, such as beer bottles, soda cans, or pharmaceutical vials, making it a versatile solution for maintaining organization and temperature control during transport.

A wine bottle cooling and organizer system is provided for protecting and cooling fluid containers during transport. The system includes a spacer that is disposable within a cooler. The spacer defines a hollow interior. The spacer has an opening for filling the hollow interior with liquid. The spacer has a generally flat front surface and a generally flat back surface. The spacer has an outer perimeter that defines a rectangular or square configuration. The spacer includes one or more slots. The slots are configured to interlock with a corresponding slot of another spacer to form a grid structure. The one or more slots are generally equally spaced apart or positioned in the middle. A removable cap is configured to seal the opening of the spacer. The cap is threaded to the opening to seal the hollow interior. The spacer includes a notch where the opening is positioned. The notch is disposed within the outer perimeter of the spacer. When interlocked, the spacers define a plurality of cavities. Each cavity is sized to receive a fluid container.

The number of cavities formed by the interlocked spacers is configured to accommodate 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 12 fluid containers. The slots extend at least half the height of each spacer. The slots allow two identical spacers to interlock when one is inverted relative to the other. The spacers are configured to interlock to form two rows by two or more columns. The spacers are also configured to interlock to form three rows by two or more columns. The spacers are also configured to interlock to form four rows by two or more columns. The hollow interior is configured to be filled with water or a saline solution. The system may further include salt. The salt is sufficient to drop the freezing point of the water within the spacer to a freezing point below 0° F. This prevents expansion of the liquid when the spacer is stored in a freezer. The opening is disposed on a side surface of the spacer. A max fill line is included on the spacer. The max fill line indicates an appropriate fill level. The max fill line allows for liquid expansion when frozen. The interlocked spacers, when placed within the cooler, cooperate with the walls of the cooler to define the cavities. The slots have a width equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the spacer. This provides a secure interlocking fit. The slot is defined by tongue portions on opposed sides of the spacer. The tongue portions are configured to fit within corresponding grooves on an interlocking spacer. The system is configured to be used with wine bottles, beer bottles, soft drink containers, or other fluid containers.

A method for assembling and using a wine bottle cooling and organizer system is provided. The method protects and cools fluid containers during transport. The method includes filling a hollow interior of at least one spacer with liquid through an opening of the spacer. The method includes sealing the opening with a cap. The method includes placing the spacer in a freezer to cool the liquid. The method includes interlocking at least two spacers together. The interlocking occurs by engaging slots in each spacer to form a plurality of container-receiving cavities. The method includes inserting the interlocked spacers into a cooler. The walls of the cooler and the spacers cooperate to define the cavities for receiving fluid containers.

The method may further include adding salt into the hollow interior of the spacer. The salt allows the liquid to become a saline solution with a freezing point below 0° F. This prevents the liquid from transitioning into ice and expanding. The opening is located on the side surface of the spacer. The opening is positioned within a notch. The cap remains within the outer perimeter of the spacer when assembled. The spacers are interlocked to form two rows by two or more columns. The spacers may also be interlocked to form three rows by two or more columns. The spacers may also be interlocked to form four rows by two or more columns of cavities. A set number of fluid containers may be inserted into the wine bottle cooling and organizer system after the interlocked spacers are placed within the cooler. The method may include removing the cap and draining the liquid from the spacer after use. The method may include marking the spacer with a max fill line to prevent overfilling of the liquid. The container is a cooler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of spacers arranged to chill and organize four bottles of wine.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of spacers arranged to chill and organize 12 bottles of wine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the spacer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the spacer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the spacer.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the spacer shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the spacer shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the spacers shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, a wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 (see FIG. 1) includes interlocking spacers 16, 18, 20 (see FIGS. 3-5) that securely hold and chill fluid containers 14, such as wine bottles, within a cooler 12 while preventing breakage during transport. Each spacer 16, 18, 20 has a hollow interior that can be filled with liquid through an opening 32, which is sealed by a removable cap 34. The spacers 16, 18, 20 interlock via slots 54 to grooves 28 of an adjacent spacer 16, 18, 20, forming a stable grid structure (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that defines multiple cavities 35, each sized to hold a fluid container 14 securely in place. A notch 30 (see FIG. 3) is provided around the opening 32 so that the cap 34 remains within the outer perimeter 27 (see FIG. 7) of the spacer 16, 18, 20. The spacers 16, 18, 20, when placed inside the cooler 12, cooperate with the walls 13 of the cooler 12 to provide structural support and prevent bottles from shifting. The liquid within the hollow interior may be water or a saline solution with salt 40 to lower the freezing point, ensuring the spacer 16, 18, 20 remains cold without expanding when below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The system 10 can be configured in multiple orientations, accommodating different quantities of fluid containers 14 while providing both cooling and cushioning protection for safe and efficient transport of the fluid containers 14.

More particularly, each spacer 16, 18, 20 of the wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 is designed to interlock with other spacers 16, 18, 20 to create a stable structure that both cools and protects fluid containers 14, such as wine bottles, during transport from breaking. The spacers 16, 18, 20 are disposed within a cooler 12 and interlock via a series of slots 54, grooves 28, and connectors 50, forming a rigid and secure grid structure (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that defines multiple cavities 34, each sized to receive a fluid container 14. Each spacer 16, 18, 20 has a generally rectangular or square outer perimeter 27 (see FIG. 7), with a flat front surface, a flat back surface, a top surface 42, a bottom surface 44, and opposed side surfaces 46. The spacer 16, 18, 20 is configured with one or more slots 54, which extend from one of the bottom or top surfaces 44, 42 toward the other surface 42, 44. The slot 54 is formed between two main bulk heads 52 and has a defined width 24 and depth 40, which are dimensioned to snugly receive the connector 50 of another interlocking spacer 16, 18, 20. Each spacer 16, 18, 20 is available in multiple configurations, allowing for various storage arrangements. Depending on the number of slots 54 and bulk heads 52, the length 21 would be adjusted. Referring now to FIG. 4, a single groove cooling spacer 16 includes one slot 54 and two main bulk heads 52 and is designed to interlock with another single, dual or triple groove cooling spacer 16, 18, 20.

Each spacer 16, 18, 20 includes a hollow interior, allowing it to be filled with liquid, such as water or a saline solution. The saline solution can be prepared by the user. The spacers 16, 18, 20 can be provided to the user empty and with packets of salt. The number of salt packets can be sized to the volume of the hollow interior. The liquid can be introduced into the hollow interior through an opening 32, which is disposed within a notch 30 on one of the side surfaces 46. The notch 30 ensures that when the removable cap 34 is secured, it remains within the outer perimeter 27 (see FIG. 7), preventing interference with interlocking functionality and the inside surface of the cooler. The cap 34 is threaded to the opening 32, ensuring a secure, leak-proof seal while allowing for refilling or draining when needed. In some embodiments, the spacer 16, 18, 20 may be permanently sealed after filling, eliminating the need for a removable cap 34. A max fill line 44 is provided on the spacer 16, 18, 20 to indicate the optimal liquid level, preventing overfilling and allowing for safe expansion of the liquid if frozen. To enhance cooling performance, salt 40 may be added to the liquid to lower the freezing point below 0° F., preventing the liquid from freezing solid and expanding. This design ensures that the spacer 16, 18, 20 remains dimensionally stable even after extended freezing.

The hollow interior of each spacer 16, 18, 20 is preferably a single continuous cavity, rather than multiple isolated compartments. To maintain this unified interior, hollow connectors 50 are provided between adjacent main bulk heads 52. These hollow connectors 50 allow liquid to flow freely between the bulk heads 52, ensuring uniform cooling and allowing the entire spacer 16, 18, 20 to be filled from a single opening 32. The hollow connectors 50 may be positioned near the top surface 42 or bottom surface 44, ensuring efficient fluid transfer between sections. The height 38 of the hollow connectors 50 is designed to maintain structural integrity while promoting liquid circulation. Preferably, the height 38 of the connector 50 is less than a height 22 of the spacer 16, 18, 20. The hollow connectors 50 also contribute to the rigidity and strength of the spacer 16, 18, 20, preventing deformation under freezing conditions.

Each spacer 16, 18, 20 features one or more grooves 28. Preferably, there are opposed grooves on both sides of the connector 50. The grooves 28 are recessed channels running parallel to the slot 54 and along the same axis. These grooves 28 have a depth 26 and width 24 that are dimensioned to precisely receive the connector 50 of an adjacent interlocking spacer 16, 18, 20. The width 53 (see FIG. 3) of the main bulk heads 52 is designed to accommodate different positioning within the system. The end-positioned bulk heads 52, located at the outermost edges of the interlocked spacer system, do not need to have a width equal to the outer diameter of a fluid container 14. Since the walls of the cooler 12 help define the cavities 34, these bulk heads 52 can be narrower, reducing material use while maintaining structural integrity. The center-positioned bulk heads 52, however, must have a width greater than the outer diameter of a fluid container 14 to ensure the cavity 35 (see FIG. 2) is large enough to receive the bottles and to provide a stable barrier between adjacent fluid containers 14. When interlocked, the connectors 50 of one spacer 16, 18, 20 slide into the slots 54 of another spacer 16, 18, 20, while the main bulk heads 52 are positioned within the grooves 28 of adjacent spacers 16, 18, 20. This dimensional relationship ensures easy assembly, prevents binding or misalignment, and allows for secure engagement while permitting simple disassembly when needed.

Although described in relation to wine bottles, the wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 can be used for other fluid containers 14, including beer bottles, soda cans, water bottles, energy drinks, or pharmaceutical vials and temperature-sensitive goods. The cavities 34 can be resized to accommodate different containers, ensuring broad functionality. The modular interlocking design allows for multiple configurations, making the system versatile for various applications. The spacers 16, 18, 20 can be arranged in various orientations, such as two rows by X columns, three rows by X columns, or four rows by X columns, depending on the number of fluid containers 14 being stored. The slots 54 extend at least halfway down the height 22 of the spacer 16, 18, 20, allowing for secure interlocking when one spacer is inverted relative to another.

The wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 can be sold as a pre-packaged set, allowing users to configure the system based on their needs. Each set may include enough salt 40 to prepare a saline solution, preventing liquid expansion in freezing temperatures. By incorporating these design elements, the wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 effectively keeps bottles cool while preventing breakage. The modular interlocking spacers 16, 18, 20 can be adapted for wine bottles, beer, soda, pharmaceuticals, or any temperature-sensitive items, making it a versatile and efficient cooling and storage solution.

The thickness 36 of each spacer 16, 18, 20 is designed to provide cushioning during transport, ensuring that fluid containers 14, such as wine bottles, do not make direct contact with each other. Without this cushioning, glass bottles placed in close proximity inside a cooler 12 could collide due to movement, such as when the cooler is carried, placed in a vehicle, or subjected to shaking forces. These impacts between hard glass surfaces could cause cracks, chipping, or complete breakage. The spacers 16, 18, 20 are fabricated from plastic, which is softer than the glass of wine bottles, providing a protective barrier between adjacent bottles. The plastic material absorbs impact forces that would otherwise be transferred between bottles, further reducing the risk of damage. The spacers 16, 18, 20, when filled with liquid 38, provide additional mass and stability, preventing the bottles from shifting excessively during transport. The interlocking nature of the spacers 16, 18, 20 further ensures that the bottles remain in designated cavities 34, preventing lateral movement that could lead to glass-to-glass contact.

The method for assembling and using the wine bottle cooling and organizer system 10 follows a series of steps that ensure the spacers 16, 18, 20 are properly prepared, frozen, interlocked, and inserted into a cooler 12 to secure and cool fluid containers 14.

The first step in the method is filling the hollow interior 18 of at least one spacer 16, 18, 20 with liquid 38 through an opening 32 located on a side surface 46 of the spacer. The liquid 38 may be water or a saline solution, depending on the desired cooling effect. If the spacer is to be used in freezing conditions, salt 40 may be added to the liquid 38 to lower its freezing point below 0° F., preventing the liquid 38 from expanding into ice and potentially damaging the spacer 16, 18, 20. A max fill line 44 may be provided on the spacer 16, 18, 20 to indicate the appropriate liquid level, ensuring that sufficient expansion space remains available if and when the liquid is frozen.

Once the liquid 38 is added, sealing the opening 32 with a cap 34 is the next step. The cap 34 is threaded onto the opening 32 to create a leak-proof seal, preventing liquid 38 from spilling when the spacer 16, 18, 20 is moved or frozen. The opening 32 is located within a notch 30, which ensures that the cap 34 remains inside the outer perimeter 26 of the spacer 16, 18, 20, preventing interference with interlocking functionality.

After the spacer 16, 18, 20 is filled and sealed, it is placed inside a freezer to allow the liquid 38 to cool. If the liquid 38 is water-based, it will freeze into a solid form, turning the spacer into a cooling element that will help keep the wine bottles cold. If the liquid 38 is a saline solution with salt 40, it will remain in a semi-liquid state at freezing temperatures, ensuring prolonged cooling without expansion-related stress on the spacer walls.

Once the spacers 16, 18, 20 have been cooled, they are interlocked together to form a stable storage structure. This is achieved by aligning the slots 54 of adjacent spacers and engaging the slots 54 to the connectors 50 and the corresponding grooves 28 of an interlocking spacer. The slots 54 extend at least half the height 22 of the spacers, allowing two identical spacers to interlock when one is inverted relative to the other. The interlocking nature of the spacers is shown in FIG. 8 and ensures that each cavity 34 remains stable and properly sized to receive a fluid container 14. The spacers 16, 18, 20 can be interlocked in various configurations, such as two rows by two or more columns, three rows by two or more columns, or four rows by two or more columns. FIG. 1 shows 2 rows by 3 columns. FIG. 2 shows 3 rows by 4 columns. This allows the system 10 to be customized based on the number of fluid containers 14 being transported.

Once the spacers 16, 18, 20 have been interlocked, they are inserted into a cooler 12. The walls of the cooler 12 work together with the spacers 16, 18, 20 to define the cavities 34 that hold the fluid containers 14. The tight fit of the spacers within the cooler 12 ensures that the bottles remain securely positioned and thermally insulated during transport. The cooler lid may then be closed, further securing the bottles in place.

After transport and use, the system 10 can be disassembled and cleaned. If necessary, the cap 34 can be removed, and the liquid 38 can be drained from the hollow interior 18 of the spacer.

The system 10 is designed to be adaptable to various types of fluid containers 14, including wine bottles, beer bottles, soda cans, water bottles, energy drinks, and pharmaceutical vials. The cavities 34 formed by the interlocked spacers 16, 18, 20 can be resized to accommodate different container shapes and sizes, making the system versatile for cooling and transport applications beyond wine storage.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.