U.S. patent application number 11/633198 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for container with removable divider.
Invention is credited to Stephen M. Beckerman.
Application Number | 20080128428 11/633198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39474522 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080128428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beckerman; Stephen M. |
June 5, 2008 |
Container with removable divider
Abstract
In one aspect, a storage device including a container has a
first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall, and an
indentation. The first and second side walls each have a pair of
guide members forming a guide track. The storage device further
includes a divider having a first end, a second end, a wall
extending along a plane between the first and second ends, and a
bump. The first and second ends each have a flange extending
substantially perpendicular to the wall of the divider sized so as
to fit within a corresponding one of the guide tracks. The divider
is removeably insertable within the container such that the bump of
the divider extends into the indentation of the container.
Inventors: |
Beckerman; Stephen M.;
(Mendham, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Family ID: |
39474522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/633198 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/532 ;
220/549 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/532 ;
220/549 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/24 20060101
B65D001/24 |
Claims
1. A storage device, comprising: a container having a first side
wall, a second side wall, and an indentation, the first and second
side walls each having a guide track formed by pair of guide
members with bases affixed to the side walls and ends spaced apart
from the side walls, the bases being spaced apart from each other
at a first distance and the ends being spaced apart from each other
at a second distance that is less than the first distance; and a
divider having a wall, a first flange, a second flange, and a
projection, a portion of each flange having a width that is greater
than the second distance, and wherein the wall of the divider has a
thickness that is less than the second distance; wherein each
flange is removeably insertable within a corresponding one of the
first and second guide tracks such that the projection extends into
the indentation of the container.
2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the divider can be
inserted and removed from the container by sliding engagement of
the first and second flanges with the corresponding guide
tracks.
3. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the extension of the
projection into the indentation restricts the sliding engagement
between the first and second flanges with the corresponding guide
tracks such that a threshold force is necessary to remove the
divider from the container.
4. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the flange includes a
tapered bottom end.
5. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the indentation is formed
on the first side wall of the container.
6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein the indentation is formed
between the first and second guide members associated with the
first side wall.
7. The storage device of claim 1, further including a groove formed
in the first side wall from a top of the first side wall to a point
above the indentation, the groove having a depth that is
substantially equal to a height of the projection.
8. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the indentation is formed
on the first side wall and extends therethrough so as to form a
hole therein.
9. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the projection is formed
on the first end of the divider.
10. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the indentation is
formed on one of the guide members.
11. The storage device of claim 10, wherein the projection is
formed on the flange of the divider.
12. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the
container includes a groove extending between the first and second
side walls, wherein the groove is aligned with the guide tracks
such that the wall of the divider extends into the groove when the
divider is inserted within the container.
13. A storage device, comprising: a container having a first side
wall, a second side wall, and an indentation, the first and second
side walls each having a guide track formed by pair of guide
members with bases affixed to the side walls and ends spaced apart
from the side walls, the bases being spaced apart from each other
at a first distance and the ends being spaced apart from each other
at a second distance that is less than the first distance; and a
divider having a substantially planar wall, a first flange, a
second flange, and a projection, the first and second flanges each
having a triangular cross-section formed by an outside surface, a
first inside surface, and a second inside surface, wherein the
outside surface has a width that is greater than the second
distance, the inside surfaces extend between the outside surface
and the wall of the divider, and the wall of the divider has a
thickness that is less than the second distance; and wherein each
flange is removeably insertable within a corresponding one of the
first and second guide tracks such that the projection of the
divider extends into the indentation of the container.
14. The storage device of claim 13, wherein each one of the pair of
guide members of each guide track are angled toward each other so
as to respectively contact the first and second inside surfaces of
the corresponding flange.
15. The storage device of claim 14, wherein the first and second
guide members include a portion thereof that extends toward the
interior of the container in a direction substantially parallel to
the first and second side walls.
16. The storage device of claim 13, wherein each flange forms a
pressure-fit with the corresponding one of the first guide track
and second guide track.
17. A divider for use with a container, the divider comprising: a
wall portion sized to fit within an interior cavity of the
container such that the divider extends between a first and second
side wall of the container; a first flange; a second flange; and a
projection adapted to engage an indentation formed in the first
side wall of the container; wherein each flange is adapted to
slideably engage a corresponding one of a first guide track affixed
to the first side wall and a second guide track affixed to the
second side wall of the container.
18. The divider of claim 17, wherein each flange includes a tapered
bottom portion.
19. The divider of claim 17, wherein the engagement of the
projection with the indentation restricts the sliding engagement
between the first and second flanges with the corresponding guide
tracks such that a threshold force is necessary to slide the flange
within the guide track.
20. The divider of claim 18, wherein each flange has a triangular
cross section adapted to fit within a triangular area defined by
the guide track.
21. A storage device, comprising: a container having a first side
wall and a second side wall, the first and second side walls each
having a guide track formed by pair of guide members with bases
affixed to the side walls and ends spaced apart from the side
walls, the bases being spaced apart from each other at a first
distance and the ends being spaced apart from each other at a
second distance that is less than the first distance; a divider
having a wall, a first flange and a second flange, each flange
being removeably insertable within a corresponding one of the first
and second guide tracks, a portion of each flange having a width
that is greater than the second distance, and wherein the wall of
the divider has a thickness that is less than the second distance;
and a projection adapted to extend into an indentation formed in
the storage device so as act in retaining the divider within the
container.
22. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the projection is
formed on the divider and the indentation is formed on the
container.
23. The storage device of claim 22, wherein the indentation is
formed in one of the side walls so as to extend therethrough,
forming a hole therein.
24. The storage device of claim 22, wherein the indentation is
formed in one of the side walls so as not to extend completely
therethrough.
25. The storage device of claim 21, wherein the indentation is
formed on the divider and the projection is formed on the
container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Containers are used in a wide variety of applications. In
particular, industrial and retail applications require numerous
containers to store and organize inventory including products and
components. In a manufacturing application, the production of a
single item may include, for example, the assembly of thousands of
parts that are stored at various stations or locations along an
assembly line. Similarly, in retail applications, particularly with
respect to on-line or mail-order retailers, inventory may be stored
in containers within a warehouse or other storage facility. In many
applications, containers for parts and inventory are often stored
in shelves, conveyors or carousels, which can be used to move the
containers and allow a single user to have access to a high number
of containers without moving from a station. Often, a single
container is divided into separate compartments in order to hold
different parts or products.
[0002] Due to changes in product design and fluctuations and change
in inventory, storage systems making use of containers are
frequently altered. Accordingly, containers have been made which
use removable dividers to create different compartments of varying
sizes within a container in a manner that allows the configuration
of the container to be easily altered when necessary. Any removable
dividers used in such containers should be secure enough so that
they do not unintentionally become dislodged because it could
result in inventory problems that can be detrimental to a
production line or the like.
[0003] Current designs for containers and accompanying removable
dividers are unable to meet the needs of customers in being both
easily configurable and re-configurable yet able to prevent
unintentional movement of the dividers within the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a storage device. The
storage device includes a container having a first side wall, a
second side wall, a bottom wall, and an indentation. The first and
second side walls each have a guide track formed by pair of guide
members with bases affixed to the side walls and ends spaced apart
from the side walls. The bases are spaced apart from each other at
a first distance and the ends are spaced apart from each other at a
second distance that is less than the first distance. The storage
device further includes a divider having a first end, a second end,
a wall extending along a plane between the first and second ends,
and a bump projecting from a portion of the divider. The first and
second ends each have a flange extending substantially
perpendicular to the wall of the divider and sized so as to fit
within a corresponding one of the first and second guide tracks. A
portion of the flange has a width that is greater than the second
distance. The wall of the divider has a thickness that is less than
the second distance. The flanges are removeably insertable within
the guide tracks such that the bump of the divider extends into the
indentation of the container.
[0005] Preferably, the first flange and second flange are slideable
within the guide tracks such that the divider can be inserted and
removed from the container by sliding engagement of the first and
second flanges with the corresponding guide tracks. Further
preferably, the extension of the bump into the indentation
restricts the sliding engagement between the first and second
flanges with the corresponding guide tracks such that a threshold
force is necessary to remove the divider from the container.
[0006] Preferably, each of the flanges has a triangular cross
section such that each flange has an outside surface adjacent to
one of the first and second side walls the container and a first
and second inside surface that extends between the outside surface
of the flange and the wall of the divider. The first and second
guide members of each guide track are preferably angled toward each
other so as to substantially contact the first and second inside
surfaces, respectively, of the corresponding flange.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
divider for use with a container. The divider includes a wall
portion sized to fit within an interior cavity of the container
such that the divider extends between a first and second side wall
of the container. The divider also includes a first end and a
second end. The first end and the second end each include a flange
extending substantially perpendicular to the wall of the divider.
Each flange is adapted to slideably engage a corresponding one of a
first guide track affixed to a first side wall and a second guide
track affixed to a second side wall of the container. Further, the
first end includes a projection adapted to engage an indentation
formed in the first side wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a storage device having a
container and a removable divider assembled partially therewith
according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a container in accordance with
an aspect of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a divider in accordance with
an aspect of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a divider in accordance with
an aspect of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a guide track included in a
container in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a divider having a
flange inserted within a guide track formed on a container;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a divider having a flange
according to an aspect of the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of a container wall
having a guide track according to an aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 a storage device
according to an exemplary embodiment. The storage device includes a
container 10, which includes left and right side walls 12, 14, a
bottom wall 16, a front wall 18, and a back wall 20. As used in the
present disclosure, directional terms such as front, back, top,
bottom, left and right are used in exemplary fashion only, for
clarity of the description of the preferred embodiments shown in
the drawing figures, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure, unless specifically stated.
[0017] The walls 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are arranged to form an
interior portion 22, the side walls 12, 14 being substantially
parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the front
18 and back 20 walls. The size and shape of container 10 can vary
with the intended use of the storage device. Such variances can
include the overall volume of the interior portion 22 and the
height, width and depth of container 10, among others. Preferably,
front wall 18 includes a handle 24 to facilitate removal of
container 10 from any storage means associated with container 10,
including shelves, conveyors, and carousels. The handle may be
decorative to provide a pleasing appearance or features specific to
a particular manufacture. Further, it is preferred that container
10 be made in sizes corresponding to commercially-available
shelves, conveyors, and carousels such that container 10 can be
more easily used therewith.
[0018] Divider 60 is provided for use with container 10 and is
sized so as to extend across the width of container 10 from left
side wall 12 to right 14 side wall generally perpendicularly
thereto. Alternatively, divider can be adapted to extend across the
length of container 10, from front wall 18 to back wall 20. Divider
60 is structured so as to form distinct compartments 22a, 22b
within container 10 when divider 60 is fully assembled into
container 10. Multiple dividers can be supplied to form a desired
number of compartments depending on the application of storage
device and the contents thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, divider
includes a wall 62, left edge 64, right edge 66, bottom edge 68 and
top edge 70. Preferably, divider 60 extends from the bottom wall 16
of container 10 to a point near the top of left 12 and right 14
side walls.
[0019] Top edge 70 of divider 60 preferably includes a flange 72
that extends outwardly from wall 62 generally toward the front 18
or back 20 walls of container 10. Flange 72 increases the rigidity
of divider 60, particularly with respect to bending of divider 60,
which can cause divider 60 to become dislodged from container 10.
Further, flange 72 aides in removal of divider 70 from the storage
device by providing a feature onto which a user of container 10 can
grasp. Flange 72 may also be angled downward, which can facilitate
the insertion of product into the container and also provide a
label area 77. Label area 77 provides a location to which a label,
which may relate to the contents of the container or the particular
division thereof, and can be affixed such that it is visible by a
user.
[0020] Bottom edge 68 of divider 60 is structured to contact bottom
wall 16 of container. Preferably, bottom wall 16 of container 10
includes a nesting trough 25 in the form of a groove made in bottom
wall 16. Nesting trough 25 preferably extends from the junction of
bottom wall 16 and left side wall 12 to the junction of bottom wall
16 and right side wall 14, and has an appropriate width to receive
bottom edge 68 of divider 60 therein. Bottom edge 68 of divider 60
preferably extends into nesting trough 25 at a sufficient depth to
securely hold bottom edge 68 therein. For example, nesting trough
25 can be structured to allow bottom edge 68 of divider 60 to
extend therein at a depth of about 0.063 inches. The extension of
bottom edge 68 of divider 60 into nesting trough 25 provides added
stiffness to wall 62 of divider to resist bending thereof and to
prevent items held within container 10 from passing between bottom
edge 68 of divider 60 and bottom wall 16 of container 10 from one
compartment to another.
[0021] Divider 60 is primarily secured in a position within
container 10 by including a flange 74 on each of the left 64 and
right 66 edges of divider 60 that substantially mate with a guide
track 26 formed on each of the left 12 and right 14 side walls of
container 10. Guide track 26 preferably extends from the bottom
wall 16 of container to near the top edge 15 of container.
Preferably, guide track 26 extends to a point just below top edge
70 of divider 60 when divider 60 is assembled with container 10. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, guide track 26 is formed by a pair of guide
members 28a, 28b, that extend outwardly from a side wall (shown as
right side wall 12, in FIG. 5) of container 10. Each guide member
28a, 28b includes a base 30 and an end 32. Base 30 is formed where
guide member 28 attaches to side wall 12 and the end 32 is spaced
apart at an appropriate distance therefrom. Guide track 26 is
formed such that guide members 28a, 28b are spaced further apart
from one another at the bases than at the ends, as illustrated by
distances d1 and d2 between bases 30a, 30b and ends 32a, 32b,
respectively, wherein distance d1 is greater than distance d2. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this is achieved by forming guide members
28a, 28b so as to angle toward each other, creating a triangular
cross-section. Preferably, the guides stop angling forward, one
another near the end, i.e., they may bend at points 40a and 40b.
Other arrangements are possible for guide track including
rectangular and semi-circular. FIG. 8 illustrates another potential
wall and guide track arrangement 26.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, flange 74 extends from each of left end
64 and right end 66 of divider 60 and is structured to slideably
engage guide track 26. As shown in FIG. 6, this engagement is
achieved by forming flange 74 with a cross section that
substantially matches that of guide track 26 such that flange 74
fits between guide members 28a and 28b. Preferably, at least most
of the interior surfaces of guide members 28a, 28b contact interior
faces 76a, 76b of flange 74. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,
flange 74 has a substantially triangular cross section so as to
substantially match the cross section formed by guide members shown
in FIG. 5. Distance d2 between ends 32a, 32b of guide members 28a,
28b is greater than the thickness of wall 62 of divider 62 such
that wall 62 extends outwardly from guide track 26. Flange 74 is
structured to have a width greater than distance d2 such that
flange 74 is secured within guide track 26 in both the front-back
and left-right directions. As shown in FIG. 6, ends 32a, 32b of
guide members 28a, 28b can extend outwardly substantially parallel
to one another so as to contact a portion of wall 62 of divider 60.
This arrangement facilitates the alignment of left 64 and right 66
ends with the corresponding guide tracks 26 during assembly of
divider 60 with container 10. FIG. 7 illustrates another potential
divider and flange arrangement 74.
[0023] By providing a flange 74 on both left edge 64 and right edge
66 of divider 60 and corresponding guide tracks 26 on both left
wall 12 and right wall 14 of container 10 as described herein,
divider 60 helps to prevent left 12 and right 14 side walls from
bending outwardly during use. For example, if a container without
such a divider were filled, the contents thereof may exert pressure
on the walls of the container, causing the sides to bend outwardly.
However, divider 60, when secured to the side walls 12, 14 of
container 10, as discussed herein, creates an inward force between
the side walls 12, 14 to help maintain their position. This feature
also helps to retain divider 60 within container 10 by retaining
left and right edges 64, 66 of divider 60 within guide tracks 26 in
the presence of an outward force acting on the side walls 12, 14 of
container 10.
[0024] Projection 80 is formed on divider 60 such that it aligns
with an indentation 34 formed on container 10 when divider 60 is
positioned within container 10. In the alternative, an indentation
can be formed on divider 60, with the mating projection formed on
container 10. As shown in FIG. 6, projection 80 is formed on
outside surface 78 of flange 74, and indentation 34 is formed on
interior surface 27 of guide track 26. Alternatively, indentation
34 can be formed on either one or both of guide members 28a, 28b,
projection 80 being formed on either or both interior faces 76a,
76b of flange 74. Yet further, the indentation 34 extend completely
or partially through the material, i.e., completely or partially
through wall 12. A hole is particularly advantageous for
manufacturing purposes.
[0025] Preferably, guide members 28a, 28b are formed so as to exert
a force on interior faces 76a, 76b of flange 74. This can be
accomplished, for example, by forming guide member 28a such that
the angle formed by the intersection of guide member 28a and
interior surface 27 of guide track 26 is less than the angle formed
by the intersection interior face 76a and exterior face 78 of
flange 74. The pressure exerted by guide member 28a on interior
face 76a of flange 74 helps to retain divider 60 in its position
within container 10. For example, this pressure may create a
frictional force between flange 74 and guide track 26 that
restricts the sliding motion therebetween. Additionally, the
pressure between flange 74 and guide track 26 helps to maintain
projection 80 within indention 34. Indentation 34 and projection 80
are formed so as to increase the force necessary to remove divider
60 from container 10. The amount of force necessary to remove
divider 60 from container 10 will vary with the materials used as
well as the amount of pressure that exists between flange 74 and
guide track 26. Similarly, the amount of additional force which is
required by including projection 80 and indentation 34 will vary
based on the shapes thereof and the materials from which side walls
12, 14 and projection 80 are made. Generally, the amount of force
required to remove divider 60 from container 10 should be such that
divider 60 does not inadvertently become dislodged during use of
the container, while being such that it can quickly and easily
removed by a human when desired. As mentioned above, indentation
can take the form of a hole that extends through either side walls
12, 14 or guide members 28a, 28b depending on the configuration
thereof.
[0026] Flange 74 may be formed with a tapered leading end 82. As
shown in FIG. 1, leading end 82 is preferably tapered inwardly in
the front-to-back direction toward wall 62 and outwardly in the
left-to-right direction toward the corresponding edge 64 or 66 of
divider 60. This helps the user of the storage device insert flange
74 into guide track 26, particularly when a pressure-fit is formed
therebetween.
[0027] Groove 36 may be formed from top edge 15 of container 10
above indentation 34 in side walls 12, 14. Groove preferably
extends into side walls 12, 14 at a distance approximately equal to
the distance at which bump 80 extends form divider 60. Groove 36 is
structured such that bump 80 can slide therein during assembly of
divider 60 into container 10 to reduce wear to bump 80 and side
walls 12, 14 from friction therebetween. Groove 36 terminates at
distance above indentation 34 so as to not interfere with the fit
of bump 80 into indentation 34 and the effect achieved thereby.
[0028] A plurality of dividers 60 can be provided for use with a
single container 10. In such an embodiment, all dividers may be
substantially identical, and a corresponding number of
substantially identical pairs of guide tracks 26 (as shown in FIG.
1.) are formed along left 12 and right 14 side walls. This allows
the user of the storage device to divide container 10 into a
desired number or configuration of separate compartments as
desired.
[0029] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *