U.S. patent application number 14/796035 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for compartmentalization assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jane Lee D/B/A Poke-A-Dot Organizer LLC, Jane Lee D/B/A Poke-A-Dot Organizer LLC. Invention is credited to Philip Curtis Huss, Catherine Jane Lee.
Application Number | 20160280421 14/796035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56974889 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160280421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Catherine Jane ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
COMPARTMENTALIZATION ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A compartmentalization assembly is provided. The
compartmentalization assembly includes a base having a surface with
shaft seats and at least one separator including a panel and one or
more shafts, each of the shafts can each be fittingly received into
one of the shaft seats.
Inventors: |
Lee; Catherine Jane;
(Brentwood, TN) ; Huss; Philip Curtis; (Rockvale,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jane Lee D/B/A Poke-A-Dot Organizer LLC |
BRENTWOOD |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56974889 |
Appl. No.: |
14/796035 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62137527 |
Mar 24, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20060101
B65D025/06 |
Claims
1. A compartmentalization assembly comprising: a) a base which
comprises a surface, said surface defining a plurality of shaft
seats; b) at least one separator, said separator comprising a panel
and one or more shafts, each of which extends in a plane of or
parallel to a plane of the panel, wherein each of said one or more
shafts is characterized by a cross section shaped such that each of
the shafts can each be fittingly received into one of said shaft
seats.
2. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1, further
comprising a container with an open top, the container comprising a
container bottom and one or more container walls, wherein said base
can be fittingly received by the container such that the base is
substantially immobilized with respect to motion parallel to a
plane occupied by the container bottom.
3. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 2 wherein the base
seats into the bottom of the container such that the base touches
the bottom of the container.
4. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 2, wherein the base
comprises base walls such that the base fits into said container,
and wherein the base walls contact the upper edge of said container
walls such that said base is disposed parallel to the bottom.
5. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 4, wherein the base
is suspended parallel to the bottom without touching the
bottom.
6. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 2, wherein said
compartmentalization assembly further comprises a lid.
7. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 4, wherein said
compartmentalization assembly further comprises a lid.
8. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 7, wherein said lid
interfaces with the compartmentalization assembly with the base
walls of the base.
9. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 4 wherein, in use,
the lid and the separator can be operationally deployed without
spatial interference.
10. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein the
container base is rectangular.
11. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein the
container base is square.
12. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein the
apertures are the same size.
13. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein said
surface is the upper surface of a platform having a thickness in
the range of about 0.5 to about 6.35 millimeters.
14. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein said
shaft seats are round.
15. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein the shaft
seats are polygonal.
16. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 15 wherein the
shaft seats and the shaft cross sections are square, regular
pentagonal, regular hexagonal, or regular octagonal.
17. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 1 wherein the base
is scored such that it can be sized to fit a container.
18. A compartmentalization assembly as in claim 14 wherein the
shaft seats have a diameter in the range of about 2.6 to about 26
millimeters, and wherein each shaft has a round cross section and
has a diameter in the range of from about 2.6 to about 26 mm.
19. An assembly for the compartmentalization of a container, the
assembly comprising: a) a base comprising a surface defining a
shaft seat; b) at least one separator, the separator comprising a
panel and a shaft, wherein the shaft is sized and configured to be
fittingly received into the shaft seat.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/137,527, filed Mar. 24, 2015. The patent
application identified above is incorporated here by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to storage containers with
lids, more particularly, storage containers with removable
partitions that allow for compartmentalization,
[0003] Containers having compartments are used in many areas of
everyday living. Cosmetics; fingernail supplies; art supplies;
small tools; screws, nails and fittings; and silverware, among
other things, are stored in containers having separate
compartments. Some items, such as silverware, which have standard
sizes, are often stored in containers having specifically sized
compartments particularly suitable for their intended purpose and
which cannot be altered to have compartments of different
dimensions and numbers. Others correspond to compartments, which,
although not specifically shaped to foreclose other uses, are
limited in that the defined compartments parcel container space
into unalterable subspaces. Thus, with a new use, subspaces of
unusable size remain empty. Other designs include containers having
one or more removable complex dividers, which, in use, are fixed
within the container. For complex dividers which are entire, the
walls of the container generally function to immobilize the
divider. In some of these designs, sub-dividers are present to
provide a degree of subspace adjustability, in some cases, being
immobilized by projections or embedded slots in the divider or
compartment walls. Yet another container design includes a divider
which spans one dimension of a square or rectangular container,
being movable in the other dimension along a track recessed in the
bottom of the container. The divider functions to give a
rudimentary adjustment in one dimension, of the sizes of adjacent
subspaces which, as indicated above, together form a square or
rectangle. The inability to modify the compartmentalization of a
container greatly limits its usefulness. Present designs which do
have a modicum of flexibility still do not give a container which
can be customized to give multiple subspaces of adjustable widths
and lengths. Accordingly, a container having such customizable
compartments would be welcomed in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] The invention meets the foregoing and/or other needs by
providing at least in some aspects of the invention, a
compartmentalization assembly including a base having a surface
with shaft seats, and at least one separator including a panel and
one or more shafts, each of the shafts can each be fittingly
received into one of said shaft seats.
[0005] The above brief summary of the invention presents a
simplified summary of the claimed subject matter in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed
subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
claimed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key or
critical elements of the claimed subject matter nor delineate the
scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present
some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as
a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented
below.
[0006] Additionally, the above brief summary has outlined rather
broadly the features and technical advantages of the present
invention in order that the detailed description of the invention
that follows may be understood. Additional features and advantages
of the invention will be described hereinafter, which form the
subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the conception and specific
embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for
modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same
purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by
those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in
the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be
characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and
method of operation, together with further objects and advantages
will be better understood from the following description when
considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided
for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not
intended as a definition of the limits of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments
of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these
embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, nor limiting of the
invention. These embodiments are but examples of some of the forms
in which the invention may be practiced. Like reference numbers or
symbols employed across the several figures are employed to refer
to like parts or components illustrated therein.
[0008] FIG. 1A depicts an offset top view of a walled base
irremovably disposed inside a container with round shaft seats
touching the floor of the container.
[0009] FIG. 1B depicts an end view of the walled base irremovably
disposed inside a container shown in FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 2A depicts perspective view of a separator with an
integral shaft and panel, with octagonal shaft and shaft gap for
ease of insertion.
[0011] FIG. 2B depicts a front and rear view of the separator shown
in FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 2C depicts a side view of the separator shown in FIG.
2A.
[0013] FIG. 2D depicts a bottom view of the separator shown in FIG.
2A.
[0014] FIG. 2E depicts a perspective view of a lid.
[0015] FIG. 2F depicts a top view of the lid shown in FIG. 2E.
[0016] FIG. 2G depicts a side view of the lid shown in FIG. 2E.
[0017] FIG. 2H depicts another side view of the lid shown in FIG.
2E.
[0018] FIG. 3A depicts a top view of a walled base irremovably
disposed inside a container with round shaft seats touching the
floor of the container.
[0019] FIG. 3B depicts an end view of the walled base irremovably
disposed in a container shown in FIG. 3A.
[0020] FIG. 3C depicts an offset top view of the walled base
irremovably disposed in a container shown in FIG. 3A.
[0021] FIG. 3D depicts a side view showing a slot for a slidable
lid of the walled base irremovably disposed in a container shown in
FIG. 3A.
[0022] FIG. 3E depicts a close-up view of the corner of walled base
irremovably disposed in a container shown in FIG. 3C.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts an offset view of walled base showing rim and
star-shaped shaft seat with eight points.
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a walled container with rests for receiving a
rim of a walled base.
[0025] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of the container shown in FIG.
5.
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts a top view of a lid with a border for
receiving the rim of a walled base or of a container.
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts a walled base disposed inside of a
container.
[0028] FIG. 9 depicts a base with separators showing 8-star-shaped
shaft seats and diagonal orientation achievable with square shaft
cross section.
[0029] FIG. 10 depicts a bottom view of the base depicted in FIG.
9.
[0030] FIG. 11 depicts a bottom view of a walled base showing
8-star shaft seats.
[0031] FIG. 12 depicts a lid functionally disposed on a
container.
[0032] FIG. 13 depicts a walled base with separators showing
8-star-shaped shaft seats and diagonal orientation achievable with
square shaft cross section.
[0033] FIG. 14 depicts a graphical depiction of the orientational
possibilities associated with a square cross section and an
8-star-shaped shaft seat
[0034] FIG. 15 depicts a scored base in which the dimension of the
scores is the same as the distances between the shaft seat
centers.
[0035] FIG. 16 depicts a vertically scored panel in which the width
of the panel can be shortened by removal of discrete units, where
each unit comprises a shaft.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Provided is an assembly 1 for the compartmentalization of a
container 40 comprising a base 10 which comprises a surface, said
surface comprising apertures which define shaft seats 50; and at
least one separator 60, said separator 60 comprising a panel and
one or more shafts 70, each of which extends in the plane of or
parallel to the plane of the panel, wherein each of said one or
more shafts 70 is characterized by a cross section shaped such that
each of the shafts 70 can each be fittingly received into one of
said shaft seats 50. The base 10 can generally be of a material
which is sturdy enough to support the separators 60 in an upright
position. Exemplary materials of construction include one or more
of plastic materials, ceramic materials, metals and wood. Plastic
materials are preferred.
[0037] The surface of the base 10 comprises shaft seats 50 into
which the shafts 70 are inserted such that they are immobilized in
an upright position. In order to immobilize the shaft 70, the base
10 has a depth such that the length of the shaft 70 which extends
into the base 10 is laterally supported. In some embodiments, the
base 10 comprises a slab of material of a substantially uniform
thickness, dimensioned such that it can be lowered into the
container, i.e., past the rim 30 of the container 40. For example,
in some embodiments, the base 10 can have a thickness of about 0.5
to about 6.4 millimeters (mm), preferably about 1.6 to about 2.6
mm. The shaft seats 50 can extend partially or completely through
the base 10. In an embodiment, the shaft seats 50 extend through
the base 10 a distance that is at least the same as the width of
the shaft 70.
[0038] The present invention also includes situations in which the
shafts 70 are not of uniform diameter over their inserted length,
i.e., the length of the shaft 70 that is inserted into the base 10.
In other embodiments, the shaft 70 may taper, and even come to a
point at the end of its inserted length. The foregoing embodiments
are discussed in further detail elsewhere herein. Thus, the shaft
seats 50 may have a receptacle contour which complements the
contour of the shaft 70 along its inserted length. In other
embodiments, the present invention encompasses other shaft 50
designs in which the inserted length of the shaft 50 may have
relatively shallow ribs, undulations or other projecting forms,
such as, for example, projections extending parallel to or
perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 70, which aid in the seating
of the shaft 70 in the shaft seat 50. In such situations, the shaft
seat 50 may be a constant diameter throughout its length, but the
diameter of the inserted length of the shaft 70 is not necessarily
constant with length. However, in order to for the shaft to
fittingly occupy the shaft seat 50 when inserted, if is preferred
that the shaft 70, once seated, has at least one area along its
length at which the diameter of the shaft 70 and the diameter of
the shaft seat 50 are close enough in size that the shaft seats in
the shaft seat such that upon inverting the base, the shaft does
not fall out of the shaft seat.
[0039] In general, the shaft seats 50 have dimensions such that
they can removably receive the shaft 70. As such, it is preferred
that the shaft seats 50 are sized such that a user can easily slide
the shaft 70 into and out of the shaft seat 50 without using more
than a normal amount of exertion. It should be noted that the
present invention encompasses situations in which the cross
sections of the shaft 70, especially the cross section of the
inserted length, are not round, but are instead other shapes, such
as obround (for example, oval) or polygonal. In some aspects, as
described below, the cross-section is star-shaped. The above
description with respect to the shaft 70 fittingly occupying the
shaft seat 50 is applicable to these non-round shapes as well. In
exemplary embodiments, the shaft 70 has a square, pentagonal,
hexagonal or octagonal cross section, at least along its inserted
length. In other embodiments, the inserted length has a different
cross section that the upper portions of the shaft 70 such than
upon insertion into the shaft seat 50, the upper portion of the
shaft 70 is sterically prevented from entering the shaft seat 50.
Overall, in a preferred embodiment, the relative dimensions of the
shaft 70 and shaft seat 50 are such that, as indicated above, the
shaft does not readily fall out of the shaft seat 50 upon inversion
of the base.
[0040] The diameter referred to herein has the normal definition in
the case or circular cross sections, but in the case of
non-circular cross sections, such as, for example, obround or
polygonal cross sections, an equivalent diameter is taken, which is
the widest dimension of the cross section. The relationship between
the "maximum diameter" referred to above, and the "diameter" or
"equivalent diameter" of the cross section is the following: the
"maximum diameter" or "maximum equivalent diameter" is the maximum
diameter or maximum equivalent diameter along the inserted length.
"Diameter" or "equivalent" refers to the broadest width at a given
point along the inserted length or at a given distance into the
shaft seat 50. For a circular cross section, this is simply the
diameter at a given distance along the inserted length or a given
distance into the shaft seat 50 from the surface of the base 10.
For a non-round inserted length or shaft seat 50, the diameter is
instead an "equivalent diameter" which is simply the widest
distance across the cross section (for example the major axis of an
elliptical cross section, or the diagonal of a square cross
section. In the case of star-shaped cross sections, the cross
section will have an even number of sides. The widest distance is,
in most cases, generally between two points. For example, if the
cross section has an even number of points, the widest distance is
between two diametrically opposed points. In some embodiments, the
cross section is in the range of about 5.3 to about 53 centimeters
(cm). In further embodiments, the cross section is in the range of
about 0.36 to about 3.6 cm. In further embodiments, the cross
section is in the range of about 0.5 to about 2 cm.
[0041] In other embodiments, instead a substantially solid base 10,
the base 10 can have a hollowed form, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and
4. In such a situation, the surface of the material comprises
projections extending from the underside of the surface which serve
to support the shafts in their upright positions. In comparison to
the "solid" embodiment discussed above, with regard to the hollowed
embodiment, enough base material is retained such that the shaft
seat 50 is preserved. The hollowed base 10 can be manufactured in
the same embodiments as the solid base 10 with regard to shaft 70
and shaft seat 70 shape. Analogously, the shaft seat 50 can extend
through the projection. In one aspect, the base 10 has a skirting
projection extending from its border in such a way that it does not
interfere with the insertion of the base 10 into the container 40.
In another embodiment, such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
skirting is absent. In a preferred embodiment, the base 10 has a
hollowed form and the skirting is absent.
[0042] The shaft seats 50 are arranged across the surface of the
base 10. The arrangement can be regular, with the apertures of the
shaft seats 50 centered at the points on a Cartesian, cylindrical
or radial grid, or other pattern. The arrangement can include two
or more different size shaft seats 50. In one embodiment, the
arrangement can be a regularly arrange combination of two or more
shaft 70 sizes. In another embodiment, the arrangement can comprise
two or more different shaft 70 sizes with a given shaft 70 size
predominating, in some aspects, exclusively, in a given area of the
base 10. In preferred aspects, the apertures of the shaft seat 50
on the base 10 are all of the same size and type, and they are
arranged such that each shaft seat 50 is centered around a
hypothetical two dimensional Cartesian grid overlay, for example,
see FIGS. 1-4.
[0043] The shaft seats 50 can be molded during the formation of the
base 10 or fashioned afterward by means such as punching. In some
embodiments, the base 10 is made with removable sections, which
once removed, give rise to an aperture in the base 10. The base 10
can be manufactured such that the removable sections are
temporarily attached, such as with partial connections which can be
severed or broken by the user with minimal pressure. Examples of
such partial connections include partial scores, dotted partial or
complete scores, and the like. In one embodiment, the removable
sections are located in a regular arrangement across the surface of
the base. All or a select subset of the sections can be removed to
give a desired arrangement of apertures.
[0044] The compartmentalization assembly 1 further comprises one or
more separators 60. Each separator 60 comprises one panel and one
or more shafts 70. In a preferred embodiment, each separator 60
comprises one shaft 70. The shaft 70 comprises an inserted length,
discussed above, which is the length of shaft 70 inserted into the
shaft seat 50. At least a portion of the shaft 70 is connected to a
panel and, in use, the shaft 70 is inserted into a shaft seat 50
such that the panel is supported in an upright position. The
uprightly oriented panels can be repositioned by removing the shaft
70 from the shaft seat 50 it occupies, and reinserting into a shaft
seat 50 at a different position in the grid. In embodiments having
round, polygonal, or otherwise symmetric cross sections, a further
degree of positioning, i.e., orientational adjustment, can be
realized by removal of the shaft 70 and reinsertion into the shaft
seat 50 such that the panel has a different orientation. Thus, a
shaft 70 and shaft seat 50 having a round cross section offers a
continuous 360 degree orientation potential of the attached panel.
In other examples, hexagonal and octagonal shafts 70 and shaft
seats 50 give the potential for six and eight different
orientations, respectively.
[0045] For a given compartmentalization assembly 1 comprising a
base 10 and separators 60, the dimensions of the panels depend upon
the use to which the compartmentalized container 40 is put. In
general the compartmentalization assembly 1 and method described
herein can be used in a wide range of containers 40, and thus, the
separators 60, base and container 40 can be of a wide variety of
absolute dimensions. For example, the container 40 may be used to
separately store articles as small or smaller than various sizes
and types of ball bearings or buck shot; articles of medium size,
such as fittings, screws, washers, etc.; intermediately sized items
such as fishing lures and floats, ammunition, fittings; larger
items such glasses or silver ware; and even larger or much larger
items.
[0046] The compartmentalization assembly 1 can be used with a wide
range of embodiments. The compartmentalization assembly 1,
including base 10 and separators 60, may comprise two or more
differently dimensioned separators 60, such as, for example, two or
more different widths.
[0047] In some embodiments, the compartmentalization assembly 1 is
a relatively small embodiment, such as, for example a cosmetic case
or organizer for relatively small items. Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the assembly 1 comprises one or more panels, each
having a length in the range of about 1.2 to about 4 cm and a
height in the range of from about 2.5 to about 25 cm. In another
embodiment the assembly 1 comprises one or more panels, each having
a length in the range of about 2.5 to about 25 cm and a height in
the range of from about 1.2 to about 4 cm.
[0048] In some embodiments, the compartmentalization assembly 1 is
a relatively large embodiment, such as, for example a storage bin
or organizer for relatively large items. Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the assembly 1 comprises one or more panels, each
having a length in the range of about 1.2 to about 10.2 cm and a
height in the range of from about 2.5 to about 25 cm. In another
embodiment, the assembly 1 comprises one or more panels, each
having a length in the range of about 2.5 to about 25 cm and a
height in the range of from about 1.2 to about 4 cm. In other
embodiments, the ratio of the height to the width of the panels is
in the range of about 1:10 to about 3:1 with a ratio in the range
of about 1:4 to about 1:1 preferred. In other embodiments, the
compartmentalization assembly 1 comprises two or more differently
dimensioned panels. In further embodiments, the assembly 1
comprises three, two, or one differently dimensioned panels.
[0049] The panels are essentially two dimensional, having a
thickness as required to give a sturdiness to the separator 60. As
with the base 10, one or more of a variety of materials can be used
to form the panel, such as, for example, plastic (for example,
polymeric); ceramic, wood or metal. Plastic materials are
preferred. The panels may have a profile which varies in dimension
with the height. For example, it may be convenient, for greater
sturdiness, for the part of the panel closest to the base to be
broad, tapering to the part of the panel most remote from the base.
In one embodiment, the profile tapers from close to remote. In
another embodiment, the profile is widest at the top, or at a
position intermediate the close and remote limits. In other
embodiments, the panel is of constant thickness throughout its
surface area. For ease of cutting from a base sheet, such a panel
is preferred. In additional embodiments, the profile has a maximum
thickness in the range of about 0.26 to about 2.6 cm.
[0050] While it is generally contemplated that the panels are flat,
they can be curved or undulating. While it is generally
contemplated that the panels are rectangular, the scope of the
present invention includes situations in which the panels have
specialized shapes. For example, a separator 60 which comes into
proximity of the walls of the container 40 can take the shape of
the wall in order to form a separation which is not easily
circumvented. For example, the container 40 can have walls which
slope outward from the container base, which could require a
separator 60 in which the close region is shorter than the remote
region. One of skill in the art will recognize that the shapes of
the separators 60 can be specialized to the shape of the container
40, or to the shape of the compartments required by the desired
application.
[0051] It is particularly convenient to fabricate the separators
60, comprising a shaft 70 which is integral with a panel, from a
sheet of material (a "base sheet"), preferably with uniform
thickness. The parts can simply be cut out of the sheet using a die
or other cutting method. This eliminates the need for a mold or
other forming apparatus. In preferred embodiments, the cuts are
perpendicular to the surface of the sheet. It is particularly
convenient to cut the separators 60 from adjacent positions on the
sheet such that they share at least a portion of at least one edge.
As shown in FIG. 15, the adjacent positions can be such that one
edge is shared (i.e., a side edge of each adjacent separator). Note
that more than one edge can be shared. For example, part of the
lower panel edge of one separator 60 can be shared with the upper
panel edge of a second panel. In a further embodiment, the
separators 60 are arranged such that an upper corner of a first
separator shares a shaft/panel vertex of a second separator. In
another embodiment, the first separator is inverted with respect to
a second separator, and each separator 60 shares a shaft side of
the other separator, and a lower edge of each separator 60. While
such a method can be used in such a way that material waste is
greatly reduced or eliminated, it has other advantages as well. For
example, if the width of the shaft 70, as measured across the
surface of the material sheet, is equal to the thickness of the
material sheet, the shaft 70 is of square cross section, which does
not need to be shaped or processed further in order to be suitable
for use in the present invention. In general, regular polygonal
shaft cross sections can be used with certain shaft seat 50
embodiments in order to reduce the manufacturing cost of the
compartmentalization assembly. As illustrated in the Figures, the
shaft seat 50 can be star-shaped such that it seats a shaft 70 in
orientations of a number which is a multiple of the number of sides
on the shaft 70. In general, for a shaft of n-sides, the shaft seat
50 cross section must have a number of points which is an integral
multiple of n, i.e., 1n, 2n, 3n, etc. Such a shaft seat 50 will
seat the shaft 70 in a number or orientations which is equal to the
number of "points" on the star. It is preferred that the angle
subtended by the two sides forming the point of the star is equal
to the angle of the regular polygonal shaft cross section. In such
a situation, the shaft seat 50 contacts the shaft 70 over
relatively large areas which is expected increase the security of
the seating. Such a situation is illustrated in the Figures.
However, within the scope of the present invention are situations
in which the shaft seat 50 angle is greater than the regular
polygonal angle. In such a situation, the number of orientations is
the same as with the equality case, but the inner ribs of the shaft
seat 50 (corresponding to the inward facing points of the shaft
seat cross section) contact the shaft sides at discrete points
around the circumference of the shaft seat 50, which can be less
stable than the equality case. Alternatively, encompassed by the
present invention are situations in which the shaft seat angle is
less than the regular polygonal angle. In such a situation, the
number of orientations is also the same as with the equality case,
but the outer points of the shaft seat (corresponding to the
outward-facing points of the shaft seat cross section) contact the
shaft 70 at discrete star points around the circumference of the
shaft seat 50, which can be less stable than the equality case. In
some embodiments, the cross section of the shaft 70 is a regular
polygon wherein n is an integer and is in the range of three to
eight (i.e., having three to eight sides), and more preferably in
the range of four to six sides. The shaft seat 50 corresponding to
the foregoing shaft is a star having in the range of n to 5n points
(again, n is an integer), more preferably in the range of 2 to 4
points. In further embodiments the angle subtended by the two sides
forming the outward-facing point of the star is equal to the angle
of the regular polygonal shaft cross section. In a further
embodiment, the shaft has a square cross section, the shaft seat 50
corresponding to the square shaft seat is a star having eight,
twelve or sixteen points, and the angle subtended by the sides
comprising a point of the star is about ninety degrees.
[0052] It should be noted that the present invention encompasses
situations in which the shaft seat 50 has a regular polygonal cross
section of n sides and the shaft has a cross section which is a
star with n points. However, the manufacturing advantage explained
infra is generally not realized in such a situation because the
shaft 70 must be further machined such that it has a star-shaped
cross section.
[0053] A base sheet from which the shaft seats 50 are cut can be
prepared by standard methods known in the art, such as, for
example, thermoforming or vacuum forming. For example, a plastic
sheet can be formed into a base sheet heated to a pliable forming
temperature, formed to a desired shape and thickness, by being
stretched over or into a mold, if need be, and trimmed, if need be,
to create the base sheet.
[0054] Thus, the advantages of cutting the separators 60 out of a
sheet of material rather than forming them with other methods (such
as, for example, separate fabrication of panel and shaft) include
1) reduction in material waste, and 2) the avoidance of extra shaft
shaping/machining. With respect to the latter, no separator
orientational flexibility is lost because the shaft seats 50 are
designed to securely hold the four-sided shaft 70 in a number of
orientations which can be a multiple of four, or 4n. This is an
advantage because it is generally easier to punch a shaft seat 50
having a specific shape than it is to further machine additional
sides or features on a shaft 70 after it has been released from a
sheet or otherwise fabricated. In particular the specialized seat
is useful for four-sided shafts of square cross section, which can
conveniently be formed by cutting a separator from a sheet which is
as thick as the width of the shaft.
[0055] In one embodiment, the compartmentalization assembly 1
comprises one or more walls 20 around the perimeter of the base 10,
and, optionally a rim 30 on the upper edge of the walls. In such an
embodiment, the base 10 can be completely enclosed by walls 20 such
as shown in the Figures. The base 10 can be set into the container
40, with a rim 30 which, optionally, contacts the edges of the
container walls 20. the Figures depict a base 10 enclosed by walls
20 which bear a rim 30. In the depicted embodiment, the rim 30 does
not touch the edges of the walls 20.
[0056] If a lid 90 is desired on the container 40 to be
compartmentalized, it is preferable that the panels, in use, not
prevent the application or closing of the lid 90. Thus, if the
panels, in use, project above the rim 30 of the container 40 being
compartmentalized and a lid 90 is desired, the lid 90 is preferably
dome-shaped, such that the lid edges can meet the container edges
without interfering with the separators 60 as they are positioned
on the base 10. Furthermore, if the closed container 40 is to
remain compartmentalized, with the contents of the respective
compartments unmixed, it is preferred that the lid 90, in use, come
close enough to the tops of the separators 60 that the contents of
the compartments are not mixed. Note that in some cases, it may not
be necessary for the separator 60 to extend all the way to the
surface of the base 10 or all the way to the lid 90. For example,
relatively large objects such as, for example, marbles as opposed
to ball bearings, have a larger tolerance.
[0057] The compartmentalization assembly 1 is used to
compartmentalize a container 40. The container 40 has been
discussed hereinabove in detail. The container 40 comprises a
support panel and sidewalls. The compartmentalization assembly 1
fits into the container 40. In one embodiment, the method comprises
the use of a compartmentalization assembly comprising: a base 10
which comprises a surface, said base 10 comprising apertures; at
least one separator 60, said separator 60 comprising a panel and
one or more shafts 70, each of which extends in the plane of or
parallel to the plane of the panel, wherein each of said one or
more shafts 70 is characterized by a cross section shaped such that
each of the shafts 70 can each be fittingly received into one of
said apertures.
[0058] In one embodiment, the compartmentalization assembly 1 in
use, rests on the base 10 of the container 40. In other
embodiments, the base of the compartmentalization assembly 1 is
positionally secured in the container 40 by resting on formations
located on the sides of the container 40. In other embodiments, the
compartmentalization assembly 1 comprises walls 10 and a rim 30,
and the securing is accomplished by the rim 30 of the
compartmentalization assembly 1 resting on the rim 30 of the
container 40. In either embodiment, the compartmentalization
assembly 1 can be suspended above the surface panel of the
container.
[0059] In yet another embodiment, the base 10 additionally
comprises score lines which are positioned such that the base can
be sized by breaking off excess material as desired. In one
embodiment, the scores are present as a Cartesian grid (See FIG.
15) Other scores, such as off-axis Cartesian grids (i.e., in which
the axes are at an angle other than 90 degrees), radial, concentric
circular, and the like are encompassed by the present invention. It
can be particularly convenient to implement the score lines such
that each removable piece contains a single shaft seat. For example
as illustrated in FIG. 15 in the Cartesian grid embodiment, the
shaft seat arrangement has the same dimensions as the score line
arrangement, and is offset with respect to the score lines such
that each removable piece comprises a shaft seat. Many other
arrangements are possible. For example the shaft seats and score
lines may be dimensioned and positioned such that two or more shaft
seats are contained in each removable piece. In alternative
arrangements, each removable piece can contain, on average, less
than one shaft seat. In a preferred further embodiment, the base is
made of HDPE (high density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET
(polyethylene terephthalate), or the like, such that the scores can
be easily broken.
[0060] In yet another embodiment, the panel additionally comprises
score lines which are positioned such that the panel can be sized
by breaking off excess material as desired. In one embodiment, the
scores are present as a Cartesian grid. In other embodiments, the
score lines run vertically, allowing the width of the divider to be
discretely adjusted downward. In one embodiment, the discrete
lengths of panel each comprise a shaft. See FIG. 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, the vertical score lines enable the
shortening of the panel width, and the removed unit pieces can fit
between 2 parallel panels that are installed in the grid. Such a
configuration is illustrated in FIG. 13. The width of the unit
piece is equivalent to the distance between the centers of the
shaft seats. In other embodiments, the unit piece is less than the
distance between the shaft seats, such as 1/n the width, where n is
an integer, for example 1, 2 or 3. In a preferred further
embodiment, the base is made of HDPE (high density polyethylene),
PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or the like,
such that the scores can be easily broken.
[0061] The compartmentalization assembly 1 of the present invention
can be used to compartmentalize a wide variety of containers, from
those as large or larger than storage bins to those as small or
smaller than cosmetic cases which fit in small purses.
[0062] The methods of forming the base 10 and separators 60 of the
compartmentalization are not critical to the functionality of the
assembly, but it is convenient to use polymeric materials such as
HDPE, PP, LDPE and the like. Convenient methods of fabricating from
such materials include cutting from stock sheets of material or
other material bulk, thermoforming, extrusion, three dimensional
printing, injection molding, compression molding, and the like. In
a preferred embodiment, the separators 60 are conveniently cut from
bulk material
[0063] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a base 10 comprising walls 20 and a
rim 30 inside a container 40. The base 10 can be removable. In
other embodiments, it is secured inside the container 40, such as,
for example, with an adhesive. The depicted base 10 has shaft seats
50 which project from the underside of the base 10. In the depicted
embodiment, the shaft seats 50 are round. The upper and lower
figures are overhead and side perspectives, respectively.
[0064] FIGS. 2A-2D depict a separator 60 having an octagonal shaft
70. The shaft 70 embodiment depicted comprises a split 80 which
can, optionally, involve the removal of shaft material to improve
the ability of the shaft 70 to fit removably in the shaft seat 50.
Also depicted in FIGS. 2E-2H is a lid 90 embodiment which can be
slid into a grooved base 10/container 40 assembly, such as, for
example, into the rim 30 of a container 40 or the rim 30 of a
walled base 10, the container 40 or base 10 having appropriate
grooves for receiving the lid 90.
[0065] FIGS. 3A-3E depict a base 10/container 40 assembly which is
integral. In one embodiment, the base 10 and container 40 can be
fabricated by one piece extrusion of an integral base/container
assembly. Also depicted is a grid distribution of polygonal shaft
seats 50. In the depicted embodiment, the shaft seats 50 are
tapered for easy shaft 70 situation and removal.
[0066] FIG. 4 depicts a walled base 10 bearing a grid arrangement
of star-shaped shaft seats 50. The rim 30 and walls 20 are clearly
shown, as well as a handle 100 for easy removal of the walled base
10. The depicted star-shaped shaft seats 50 are intended to seat a
shaft 70 having a square cross section in eight different possible
orientations.
[0067] FIG. 5 depicts a container 40 for receiving a base 10 such
as that in FIG. 4.
[0068] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of the container 40 depicted in
FIG. 5.
[0069] FIG. 7 depicts a lid 90 such as could be used with base
10/container 40 assembly. The depicted lid 90 has a portion 110
which can fit over the rim 30 of a walled base 10 or the rim 30 of
a container 40 for a tight fit.
[0070] FIG. 8 depicts a walled base 10 disposed within a container
40.
[0071] FIG. 9 depicts a base 10 into which are disposed separators
60. While the shafts 70 are seated in the shaft seats 50 and thus
not visible in the figure, the eight pointed star-shaped shaft seat
50 can seat a shaft 70 with a square-shaped cross section with the
flexibility of eight different orientations. Depicted are
separators 60 disposed at 45 degree angles, a result obtainable due
to the combination of star-shaped shaft seats 50 and polygonal
shaft cross section.
[0072] FIG. 10 depicts the bottom of the base 10 shown in FIG. 9.
The shaft seats 50 extend from the bottom of the base 10.
[0073] FIG. 11 depicts a bottom view of a walled base 10 with a two
dimensional Cartesian grid of eight-pointed, star-shaped shaft
seats 50. The walled base includes a rim 30.
[0074] FIG. 12 depicts a lid 90 disposed on a base 10/container 40
assembly.
[0075] FIG. 13 depicts a walled base 10 with a two dimensional
Cartesian grid of eight-pointed, star-shaped shaft seats 50, in
which are disposed separators 60, one of which is at a 45 degree
angle to another.
[0076] A base or a walled base 10 can generally be conveniently
prepared from polymeric materials as a single extruded or
thermoformed piece. Alternatively, a walled base can be prepared by
augmenting a base 10 with walls 20 after the fabrication of the
base 10. Both bases and walled bases are used, in the method of the
present invention with containers. The base or walled base 10 is
inserted into the container 40. It can be secured within via
methods known in the art. Alternatively, the base or walled base 10
can be unsecured such that it can be lifted out of the container
40. However, the invention has a broader aspect than the use of a
base 10 with a container 40. The invention also encompasses
situations in which a container 40 has, integral to its structure,
a bottom portion which bears a distribution of shaft seats 50. All
other disclosure herein pertaining to base/container assemblies
pertains as well to the situation in which the container and shaft
seats are integral. Thus, a difference between the walled base and
the container with integral shaft seats 50 can be one of use: in
use, the walled base is nested into a container 40, whereas in use,
the container with integral shaft seats is not. The walled base may
or may not be adapted to fit into a specific container. For
example, the dimensions of the walled base and container can be
such that upon lowering the walled base into the container, the
walled base has essentially no latitude to move in directions
parallel to the bottom of the container. The walled base may have
tabs or formations which cooperate with complementary formations on
the inside of the container to secure the base in the container. In
one embodiment, the container is of a polymeric or other non-rigid
material, and it has tabs on its inner surface near its bottom
surface such that during lowering the base into the container, the
tabs are temporarily displaced by the base, and locking back over
the base once it is fully positioned within the container.
[0077] In one embodiment, the base 10 is perforated, such as by a
square grid of perforated lines through the thickness of the base
such that sections of the base can be broken off, and the length
and width of the base 10 can be altered by removing sections by
breaking along the perforations. In another embodiment, instead of
perforated lines, the lines are continuous partial scores through
the thickness of the base 10. In yet another embodiment, the lines
comprise discontinuous partial scores. In yet another embodiment,
the lines comprise alternating discontinuous partial scores and
perforations. In some non-limiting embodiments, the score lines in
both dimensions are in the range of about 6.3 to about 80 mm apart.
In other non-limiting embodiments, the score lines are in the range
of 6.3 to about 80 mm apart in a first horizontal dimension, and in
the range of about 6.3 to about 80 mm apart in the horizontal
dimension perpendicular to the first horizontal dimension. The
adjustable-sized base embodiment preferably is used with a base 10
having a thickness such that perforated sections can be easily
removed, such as by breaking or cutting. In one embodiment, the
thickness is less than about 1.5 mm.
[0078] In yet another embodiment, the separators 60 are perforated
similarly as discussed for the base. For example, the panels can
comprise a grid of perforated lines over its surface such that,
similarly to the adjustable-sized base embodiment, sections can be
broken or cut off such that the height and width of the separator
can be adjusted. In some non-limiting embodiments, the score lines
in both dimensions are in the range of about 2.6 to about 25.4 mm
apart. In other non-limiting embodiments, the score lines are in
the range of 2.6 to about 154 mm apart in the vertical dimension,
and in the range of about 2.6 to about 25.4 mm apart in the
horizontal dimension.
[0079] Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article
"a" or "an" if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and
should not be construed as limiting, the description or a claim to
a single element to which the article refers. Rather, the article
"a" or "an" if and as used herein is intended to cover one or more
such elements, unless the text expressly indicates otherwise.
[0080] Each and every patent or other publication or published
document referred to in any portion of this specification is
incorporated in toto into this disclosure by reference, as if fully
set forth herein.
[0081] This invention is susceptible to considerable variation in
its practice. Therefore the foregoing description is not intended
to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the invention to
the particular exemplifications presented hereinabove.
* * * * *