US 4,883,169 AGranted

Portable receptacle for returnable beverage containers

OwnerRichard E. Flanagan, Jr.inventor

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Abstract

A portable receptacle capable of securely and orderly receiving returnable beverage containers for storage and transport is disclosed. The receptacle includes a frame structure definitive of at least one module that is sized to receive a plurality of returnable cans and/or bottles. The module has an outwardly facing open end to facilitate insertion of containers therein, and an at least partially sealed end opposed thereto for positioning the containers. Orienting means are provided for angling containers positioned within the module downwardly from the open end to the at least partially sealed end such that any residue fluid retained within the containers remains therein and such that the containers remain within the receptacle when in transport. Enhancements include the provision of multiple container receiving modules symmetrically arranged within the frame structure, the sizing of each module to receive a returnable can or bottle in tiers, and the manufacture of the receptacle to be collapsible when empty.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A receptacle for storing and transporting returnable beverage containers, said receptacle comprising:

portable frame structure, said structure having at least one module sized to receive a plurality of returnable beverage container, said at least one module having an outwardly facing open end and an at least partially sealed end opposed thereto, said open end allowing positioning of said plurality of containers within said at least one module, said at least one module including means for orienting said containers within said module such that the containers are angled downwardly from said open module end to said at least partially sealed end, said at least one module being sized such that said containers remain so angularly orientated when stored and when transported within the receptacle, whereby residue fluids within said containers remain therein when the containers are positioned within said module with their tops facing outward at said open end of said module, and said orienting means enhances retention of said beverage containers within said at least one module when said receptacle is utilized to transport said containers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.