IES990969A2

IES990969A2 - Packaging for a bottle assembly

Info

Publication number: IES990969A2
Application number: IE19990969A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Patrick Rigney; Ernst Bell
Original assignee: Roaring Water Bay Vodka Compan
Priority date: 1998-11-24
Filing date: 1999-11-18
Publication date: 2000-07-12
Also published as: GB9927369D0; GB2344095A8; GB2344095A; GB2344095B; IE990967A1

Abstract

A bottle assembly (1) comprises a number of bottles (2,3,4) stacked one upon the other and stabilising tape means (5) adhesively bonded to the bottles (2,3,4) to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles. The tape means is provided by two strip labels (5) of transparent material which extend longitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles (2,3,4). Each strip label (5) includes a head portion (6) for peeling and gripping the strip label (5) for removal.

Description

The invention relates to bottles and in particular to bottles having a recess in the base thereof for receiving a neck of a similar bottle to form a stacking assembly for display.

One of the problems with such bottles is that, when stacked, they are generally unstable and can easily be knocked over.

This invention is therefore directed towards providing a bottle assembly which will overcome this problem.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a bottle assembly comprising a number of bottles stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attached to the bottles to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles, the stabilising means comprising a joining tape means extending at least between and bonded to adjacent bottles in the stack.

Ideally, the tape means is adhesively bonded to the bottles.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tape means extends longitudinally with respect to the side wall of the bottles.

Preferably the tape means is a strip label which extends longitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles in the assembly. Most preferably tape means are provided on opposite sides of the bottles.

IE 990969 -2In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the tape means includes a head portion for gripping the tape for removal of the tape from the bottles.

Preferably the joining tape means is of transparent material.

Ideally the tape is a monomeric calendered matt transparent PVC film. The adhesive is preferably an emulsion based acrylic pressure sensitive permanent adhesive.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of assembling a number of bottles comprising the steps of: placing the bottles in a stack one upon the other; and applying a joining tape means between the bottles to stabilise the stack.

Preferably the method includes the steps of: applying labels to each bottle; stacking the bottles one upon the other with the labels uniformly positioned and aligned.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which: IE 990969 -3Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a bottle assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly ; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the assembly; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a number of bottles in the assembly; ;; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively exploded elevational and perspective views illustrating the bottles in the assembly; Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively elevational and cross section views of a top bottle of the assembly; and Fig. 9 and 10 and respectively elevational and cross section views of a lower bottle of the assembly.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a botde assembly 1 according to the invention. The bottle assembly 1 comprises a number of bottles 2, 3, 4 stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attached to the bottles 2, 3, 4 to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles. The stabilising means comprises a joining means in the form of a tape means which is bonded, preferably adhesively bonded to the bottles 2, 3,4.

In this case the tape means is provided by two strip labels 5 which extend longitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles 2, 3, 4 in the IE 990969 -4assembly. Strip labels 5 are arranged on opposite sides of the bottles to provide a stabilised bottle assembly.

Each of the strips 5 includes a head portion 6 for peeling and gripping the strip 5 5 for removal of the strips 5 from the bottles as illustrated by interrupted lines in Fig. 1.

Each strip 5 is preferably of a transparent material to allow the contents of the bottles or an underlying label to be viewed. Typically the strip is formed from monomeric calendered matt clear (transparent) PVC film. The adhesive used to bond the film to the bottles is preferably an emulsion based acrylic pressure sensitive permanent adhesive. Thus, the strips complement the glass of the bottles and can be easily removed without marking the glass while providing sufficient strength to hold the bottles in place in the stack assembly. 1'5 The bottles used in the assembly are glass bottles which are typically used to hold separate beverages, such as different flavoured spirits. Each bottle is labelled individually and then bonded together to provide an integrated bottle assembly which is, itself in the shape of a bottle.

The bottles 2, 3, 4 in this case each have a recess 10 in the base thereof to receive a corresponding projecting neck portion 11 of another bottle to form a stacked bottle assembly. The bottles also include a stabilising ledge 20 and recess 21 features which inter-engage, on assembly.

The stabilising strip labels used in the bottle assembly of the invention effectively bond individual bottles together as one unit. The arrangement ensures that the bottles and labels are uniformly positioned and face forward. In addition, the stabilising means is extremely effective and unobtrusive in use. It eliminates the risk of breakage in transit or at the point of sale and is easily released by a consumer.

IE 990969 -5The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. A bottle assembly comprising a number of bottles stacked one upon the other and stabilising means attached to the bottles to provide a stabilised stack of assembled bottles, the stabilising means comprising a joining tape means extending at least between and bonded to adjacent bottles in the stack.

2. A bottle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tape means is adhesively bonded to the bottles.

3. A bottle assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the tape means extends longitudinally with respect to the side wall of the bottles, preferably the tape means is a strip label which extends longitudinally along portion of a side wall of each of the bottles in the assembly, preferably tape means are provided on opposite sides of the bottles.

4. A bottle assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the tape means includes a head portion for gripping the tape for removal of the tape from the bottles, preferably the joining tape means is of transparent material.

5. A method of assembling a number of bottles comprising the steps of: placing the bottles in a stack one upon the other; and applying a joining tape means between the bottles to stabilise the stack, preferably the method includes the steps, prior to application of the joining tape means, of IE 990969 -7applying labels to each bottle; stacking the bottles one upon the other with the labels uniformly positioned and aligned.