Protective carrier

Claim 1

A protective carrier for housing a fragile container, said carrier comprising: (a) a hollow body having a generally cylindrical side wall having edges defining a first end and a second end for said body; (b) a bottom provided integrally about the perimeter of said first end; (c) a plurality of inwardly extending ribs on said wall for supporting the perimeter of the container to be housed; (d) a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs on said bottom for supporting the bottom of the container to be housed; (e) a lid adapted for removable engagement with said second end of said body, said lid including a raised central portion for surrounding and protecting the neck of the container; said raised central portion extending upwardly above the top of the neck to provide total protection to the container; and (f) a handle attached to said body at two generally opposing positions near said second end of said body; (g) said handle including at each end thereof a first portion extending through said side wall of said body in a direction substantially perpendicular to said side wall, and a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to said first portion, (h) said second portions being formed so that when said handle is in its lifting position said second portions are approximately horizontal and extend in opposite directions.