Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a module to be used as a rack, or part of a rack, for bottles of wine.

Background to the Invention

[002] Wine bottles are generally transported in crates and displayed in retail outlets in specifically constructed shelving structures. Such structures are often constructed as a permanent fixture that is not easily moved or reconfigured.

[003] The present invention relates to a wine rack module provided for holding a number of bottles of wine. The wine rack module is constructed to allow easy assembly and is sufficiently strong to allow both secure transport of the wine bottles and stacking in a manner in which the wine bottles can be placed on display. The modules may be stacked in a number of different configurations for display purposes.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wine rack module comprising:

an outer casing;

a divider assembly receivable in the outer casing, the divider assembly comprising a plurality of first inserts and a plurality of second inserts; and a securing frame comprising an outer frame portion and a plurality of first and second cross members;

wherein the divider assembly divides the outer casing into a plurality of chambers for receiving bottles and wherein the first and second cross members of the securing frame engage with outer edges of the first and second inserts respectively.

[005] Preferably the outer frame portion of the securing frame engages with the outer casing.

[006] Preferably the first inserts are all parallel to each other, the second inserts are all parallel to each other and the first inserts in the divider assembly are perpendicular to the second inserts such that the first and second inserts define a plurality of rectangular prism shaped chambers for receiving bottles.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, the outer frame portion and the first and second cross members are each U-shaped in transverse cross section, thereby defining channels in a rear surface of the securing frame such that adjacent edges of the outer casing and the first and second inserts are received within the channels.

[008] Preferably each of the outer frame portion and the first and second cross members comprises a front wall and first and second transverse walls extending rearwardly from the front wall on opposite sides thereof.

[009] Preferably the channels defined by the outer frame are provided with a plurality of lugs on inner surfaces to engage with the adjacent edges of the outer casing and the first and second inserts.

[010] In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing and the first and second inserts are constructed of a corrugated cardboard material comprising a first planar sheet on a first side, a second planar sheet on a second side and the corrugated inner layer between the first and second planar sheets.

[01 1] In one embodiment, the lugs comprise planar tabs extending transversely to the transverse walls of each of the outer frame portion and the first and second cross members such that space defined between distal ends of adjacent lugs is less than the thickness of the outer casing and the first and second inserts so the lugs engage with and press into the inserts and the outer casing.

[012] Preferably the lugs are located adjacent each intersection between one of the first cross members and one of the second cross members, adjacent the intersection of the first and second cross members and the outer frame portion and at corners of the outer frame portion.

[013] In one embodiment, the first and second transverse walls include arcuate portions joining the first and second cross members and the corners of the outer frame portion.

[014] Preferably the lugs extend transversely from the transverse walls around the arcuate portions and vary in height around the arcuate portions to engage with the outer casing and divider assembly.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the securing frame is provided with one or more connectors around the periphery thereof to engage with the securing frame of an adjacent wine rack module.

[016] In one embodiment, the connectors comprise projections extending outwardly from the first transverse wall of the outer frame portion on first and second sides thereof and complementary shaped recesses provided in the first transverse wall of the outer frame portion on third and fourth sides thereof.

[017] In one embodiment, the first and second inserts each comprises a planar member having a plurality of slots extending inwardly from a first edge thereof wherein first edges of each of the second inserts are received in the slots of the first inserts such that each of the slots of the second insert are adjacent one of the slots of the first inserts.

[018] Preferably the slots extend inwardly from the first edge to a location generally midway between the first edge and an opposed second edge and the slots are provided at equal spacings along the first edge. [019] The connections between the side walls of the outer casing are preferably flexible such that the outer casing can be moved between a flattened configuration and an opened configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[020] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[021] Figure 1 a is a perspective view of a wine rack module in accordance with the present invention;

[022] Figure 1 b is a side view of the wine rack module of Figure 1 a;

[023] Figure 2a is an upper perspective view of the securing frame of the wine rack module of Figure 1 ;

[024] Figure 2b is a rear view of the securing frame of Figure 2a;

[025] Figure 3a is a front view of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[026] Figure 3b is a side view of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[027] Figure 3c is a top view of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[028] Figure 4a is a rear perspective view of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[029] Figure 4b is a close up rear perspective view of a corner portion of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[030] Figure 4c is a close up rear perspective view of an intersection portion of the securing frame of Figure 2;

[031] Figure 5a is a side view of the outer casing of the wine rack module, in a flattened configuration;

[032] Figure 5b is a side view of a first insert of the wine rack module;

[033] Figure 5c is a side view of a second insert of the wine rack module;

[034] Figure 6a is an upper perspective view showing assembly of the first and second inserts of the wine rack module;

[035] Figure 6b is an upper perspective view of the assembled inserts;

[036] Figure 6c is an upper perspective view of the outer casing being moved to the open configuration;

[037] Figure 7a is an end view of the outer casing showing a first step in assembly; [038] Figure 7b is an end view of the outer casing showing a second step in assembly;

[039] Figure 7c is an end view of the outer casing showing a third step in assembly;

[040] Figure 8a is an upper perspective view of the wine rack module showing the outer casing receiving the divider assembly;

[041] Figure 8b is an upper perspective view of the assembled outer casing and divider assembly;

[042] Figure 9 is a cut away view of a portion of the securing frame engaged with the divider assembly;

[043] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a pair of the securing frames engaged with each other;

[044] Figure 1 1 a is a front view of an array of stacked wine rack modules in a first configuration; and

[045] Figure 1 1 b is a front view of an alternative stacking arrangement of the wine rack modules.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[046] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a wine rack module 10 comprising an outer casing 12, a divider assembly 14 that is received in the outer casing 12 and a securing frame 15.

[047] The divider assembly 14 is constructed of a plurality of first inserts 16 and a plurality of second inserts 18. The first and second inserts 16 and 18 are secured together to form the divider assembly 14, which when placed within the outer casing 12 divides the space within the outer casing 12 into a plurality of chambers 20, each for receiving a single bottle. The securing frame 15 is secured adjacent the front of the wine rack module 10 to both the outer casing 12 and the divider assembly 14.

[048] The outer casing 12 comprises four connected side walls 22. Each of the side walls 22 is rectangular in shape and includes first and second opposed sides 24 and 25 and perpendicular third and fourth sides 26 and 27. The third side 26 of each of the side walls 22 is connected to the fourth side 27 of an adjacent side wall 22 such that the connected side walls 22 define an internal space being a rectangular prism in shape. The connections between the side walls 22 are flexible such that the outer casing 12 can be moved between a flattened configuration (as shown in Figure 5a) and an opened configuration (as shown in Figure 8a) in which the internal space is defined for receiving the divider assembly 14. The flattened configuration may be used for transport and storage of the wine rack modules 10 when not in use.

[049] The side walls 22 of the outer casing 12 are constructed of planar members of a cardboard material. Each of the side walls 22 is constructed of a corrugated cardboard material such that the side wall 22 comprises a first planar sheet on a first side, a second planar sheet on a second side and a corrugated inner layer provided between the first and second planar sheets.

[050] Second sides 25 of each of the side walls 22 each include a foldable flap 28. Each foldable flap 28 comprises a planar member having a first side 30 thereof connected to the second side 25 of the side wall 22 such that the flap 28 can pivot about the side wall 22.

[051] As shown in Figure 7, each of the flaps 28 are sized such that when the flap 28 is folded to a position in which it is perpendicular to the side wall 22 to which it is attached, a second side 31 thereof is adjacent the second side 31 of the flap 28 connected to the opposite side wall 22.

[052] A first pair of opposed flaps 28a include transverse slots 32 extending inwardly from the second sides 31 adjacent midpoints thereof. In construction of the outer casing 12 in the opened configuration, the first pair of flaps 28a are folded perpendicular to the corresponding side walls 22 as shown in Figure 7a. A second pair of opposed flaps 28b are each provided with a tab 34 on the second side 31 thereof. Once the first pair of flaps 28a are folded into position, each of the flaps 28b of the second pair are folded to be perpendicular to the corresponding side wall 22 (as shown in Figures 7b and 7c) and the tabs 34 are bent relative to the flaps 28b and received in the slots 32. This process secures the flaps 28a and 28b such that the outer casing 12 forms a box having an opening adjacent the first sides 24 of the side walls 22 into which the divider assembly 14 is received.

[053] The divider assembly 14 is formed by the plurality of first inserts 16 and second inserts 18. Each of the first inserts 16 comprises a planar member and the first inserts 16 are all parallel to each other in the constructed divider assembly 14. Each of the second inserts 18 comprises also a planar member and the second inserts 18 are all parallel to each other in the constructed divider assembly 14. The first inserts 16 in the divider assembly 14 are perpendicular to the second inserts 18 such that the first and second inserts 16 and 18 define a plurality of rectangular prism shaped chambers 20. Each of the chambers 20 extends from adjacent the plane defined by the first sides 24 of the side walls 22 to adjacent the plane defined by the second side walls 25. Each of the chambers 20 is elongate in shape to receive a standard sized wine bottle therein.

[054] In the embodiment shown, there are provided three first inserts 16 and three second inserts 18. When connected together, there are therefore sixteen chambers 20 defined in a four by four array, as can be seen in Figure 4b.

[055] Each of the first inserts 16 comprises a planar member having a plurality of slots 36 extending inwardly from a first edge 38 thereof. In the embodiment shown, there are provide three parallel slots 36 extending inwardly from the first edge 38 to a location generally midway between the first edge 38 and an opposed second edge 39. The slots 36 are provided at equal spacings along the first edge 38.

[056] Each of the second inserts 18 also comprises a planar member having a plurality of slots 36 extending inwardly from a first edge 38 thereof. In the embodiment shown, there are provide three parallel slots 36 extending inwardly from the first edge 38 to a location generally midway between the first edge 38 and an opposed second edge 39. The slots 36 are provided at equal spacings along the first edge 38. [057] During construction, the first inserts 16 are placed parallel to each other and each of the second inserts 18 are secured to the first inserts 18 in turn. A first of the second inserts 18 is moved such that the first edge 38 thereof is received in a first of the slots 36 of each of the first inserts 16 (as shown in Figure 6a) such that each of the slots 36 of the second insert 18 are adjacent one of the first slots 36 of the first inserts 16. This process is repeated with a second and third of the second inserts 18 until the first and second inserts 16 and 18 form an array as shown in Figure 6b.

[058] The first and second inserts 16 and 18 are constructed of planar members of a cardboard material. Each of the first and second inserts 16 and 18 is constructed of a corrugated cardboard material such that the insert 16 or 18 comprises a first planar sheet on a first side, a second planar sheet on a second side and a corrugated inner layer provided between the first and second planar sheets.

[059] The first edges 38 of the first inserts 16 are each provided with a recessed portion 40 around a midpoint thereof. The second edges 39 of the second inserts 18 are also each provided with a recessed portion 40 provided around a midpoint thereof. As the divider assembly 14 is to be placed into the outer casing 12 with the first edges of the first inserts 16 and the second edges 39 of the second inserts 18 positioned adjacent the foldable flaps 28, the recessed portions 40 provide space for the tabs 34 to be received into the outer casing 12 adjacent the divider assembly 14.

[060] The first and second inserts 16 and 18 each include third and fourth edges 42 and 43 extending between ends of the first and second edges 38 and 39. The third and fourth edges 42 and 43 of the first inserts 16 are each provided with an arcuate cut out 44 adjacent the first edge 38. The third and fourth edges 42 and 43 of the second inserts 18 are also each provided with an arcuate cut out 44 adjacent the second edge 39 such that the arcuate cut outs 44 of the first and second inserts 16 and 18 are all positioned adjacent the inner end of the divider assembly 14, as can be seen in Figure 8a. [061] The securing frame 15 comprises an outer frame portion 60 which is formed in the same shape as the outer casing 12 such that the outer frame portion 60 engages around the first sides 24 of the side walls 22. In the embodiment shown, the outer frame portion 60 is therefore rectangular in shape.

[062] The securing frame 15 also includes a plurality of first cross members 64 and a plurality of second cross members 65. The first cross members 64 extend parallel to each other across the outer frame portion 60 such that the each of the first cross members 64 is located adjacent one of the first inserts 16. The second cross members 65 extend parallel to each other across the outer frame portion 60 and perpendicular to the first cross members 64 such that each of the second cross members 65 is located adjacent one of the second inserts 18.

[063] Each of the first and second cross members 64 and 65 is located in front of the associated first or second insert 16 or 18 such that the cross member 64 or 65 covers over the exposed outer edge of the insert 16 or 18.

[064] The outer frame portion 15 and the cross members 64 and 65 are provided with a plurality of engaging members. Each of the engaging members is provided engage the adjacent outer edge of the insert 16 or 18 and the outer casing 12. The engagement members comprise elongate channels into which the adjacent outer edges of the outer casing 12 and the inserts 16 and 18 are pressed to engage the securing frame 15 with the inserts 16 and 18 and the outer casing 12.

[065] In the embodiment shown, the outer frame portion 60 and the first and second cross members 64 and 65 are each U-shaped in transverse cross section. Each of the outer frame portion 60 and the first and second cross members 64 and 65 therefore comprises a front wall 80 and first and second transverse walls 82 and 83 extending rearwardly from the front wall 80 on opposite sides thereof. The front wall 80 and the first and second transverse walls 82 and 83 thereby define the channel into which the adjacent edge of the outer casing 12 or first or second insert 16 or 18 is received. [066] The channels defined by the outer frame 15 are provided with a plurality of lugs 70 on inner surfaces thereof. The lugs 70 in the embodiment shown are located adjacent each intersection between one of the first cross members 64 and one of the second cross members 65. Lugs 70 are also provided adjacent the intersection of the first and second cross members 64 and 65 and the outer frame portion 60 and at the corners of the outer frame portion 60.

[067] The lugs 70 comprise planar tabs extending transversely to the transverse walls 82 and 83 of each of the outer frame portion 60 and the first and second cross members 64 and 65. In the embodiment shown, the first and second transverse walls 82 and 83 include arcuate portions 84 joining the first and second cross members 64 and 65 and the corners of the outer frame portion 60. The lugs 70 extend transversely from the transverse walls 82 and 83 around the arcuate portions 84, as can be seen in Figures 4b and 4c. The lugs 70 vary in height around the arcuate portions 84 to engage with the outer casing 12 and divider assembly 14.

[068] The lugs 70 are arranged such that the space defined between distal ends of adjacent lugs 70 is less than the thickness of the outer casing 12 and the first and second inserts 16 and 18. As can be seen in Figure 9, the lugs 70 therefore engage with and press into the inserts 16 and 18 and the outer casing 12. The lugs 70 thereby serve to secure the inserts 16 and 18 and the outer casing 12 relative to the securing frame 15.

[069] The securing frame 15 is also provided with one or more connectors around the periphery thereof. The connectors comprise male connectors on first and second sides of the outer frame portion 60 and female connectors on third and fourth sides of the outer frame portion 60. The male connectors comprise projections 72 extending outwardly from the first transverse wall 82 of the outer frame portion 60 and the female connectors comprise complementary shaped recesses 72 provided in the first transverse wall 82 of the outer frame portion 60. The projections 72 on sides of the outer frame portion 60 may therefore be received in the recesses 73 on sides of the outer frame portion 60 of an adjacent wine rack module 10. [070] Therefore, when a plurality of wine rack modules 10 are stacked on top or alongside each other, the male and female connectors act to locate the wine rack modules 10 relative to each other.

[071] In use, the securing frame 15 engages with the outer casing 12 and the divider assembly 14 to support and stabilise the wine rack module 10. The securing frame 15 provides support for the inserts 16 and 18 to restrict movement of the inserts 16 and 18 that may be caused by the weight of bottles placed in the chambers 20. The securing frame 15 also prevents lateral movement of the wine rack module or twisting and provides an improved appearance by covering the exposed edges of the corrugated cardboard inserts 16 and 18 and the outer casing 12.

[072] The wine rack modules 10 of the present invention can be easily transported in a flat configuration, with the outer casing 12 flattened as shown in Figure 5a and the divider assembly 14 provided as separate first and second inserts 16 and 18 unassembled. The wine rack module 10 can be easily assembled as shown in the drawings and the construction of the outer casing 12 and inserts 16 and 18 provides sufficient strength to allow multiple wine rack modules 10 to be placed in a stacked configuration resting on a side wall 22 for receiving bottles of wine.

[073] The wine rack modules 10 may be placed in a configuration as shown in Figure 1 1 a in which each further wine rack module 10 is placed on top of the upper side wall 22 of a previous wine rack module 10. Alternatively, the wine rack modules 10 may be stacked such that the a connection between a pair of side walls 22 is lowermost so that each of the side walls 22 is oriented generally at 45 degrees to the horizontal (as shown in Figure 1 1 b). One or more V-shaped stands 50 may be provided for supporting the lowermost wine rack modules 10 in this configuration. Alternatively, triangular shaped supports may be provided with each wine rack modulel O resting between a pair of such triangular supports.

[074] When a wine rack module 10 is placed on top of a further wine rack module 10, a spacer may also be provided. As the securing frame 15 extends wider than the extents of the outer casing 12, the upper wine rack 10 will be angled downwardly when placed on top of the lower wine rack 10. A spacer (not shown) may be provided to level the upper wine rack 10. The space may comprise a panel of suitable material, such as cardboard, which will take up this space and also distribute the load from the upper wine rack 10 over the upper surface of the outer casing 12 of the lower wine rack 10.

[075] The wine rack modules 10 may also be provided with one or more wall support plates (not shown). The wall support plates may be secured to a wall behind the stack of wine rack modules 10 and includes protrusions to be received in apertures provided in the wine rack modules 10 to secure the stacked wine rack modules to the wall. Also, connection clips may be provided. Each connection clip is provided with four prongs such that the prongs each engage with each wine rack module 10 adjacent the corners of four stacked wine rack modules 10 to secure the stacked wine rack modules together for additional stability.

[076] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.