AU2011203201A1 - Storage Device Divider - Google Patents

Abstract

Standard Patent Application Storage Device Divider Abstract A divider is provided tailored to the storage device that it is to be inserted into for the purpose of separating the contents of the storage device into separate chambers avoiding the mixture of the contents at a time which is not desired. Fig. 13

Description

STORAGE DEVICE DIVIDER Field of Invention The present invention is used in conjunction with storage devices, preferably containers that hold fluids, solid fluids (i.e. frozen fluids) and alike that require barriers to separation, in particular a divider is provided for the purpose of separating the contents for the period of time desired. However the said container is not limited to hold fluids and solid fluids. Background of the Invention Currently in instances where it is required that more than one element is to be stored in a storage device, whether it be for storage or for mixing at a later time, the elements that are capable of being stored in this manner are limited to solids where no division is present. As a result where there is the desire to store liquids of differing qualities from one another there is great difficulty where this is to occur within a single storage device without the liquids contaminating one another at a time earlier than desired. For example there may be in existence storage devices with fixed divisions that separate the contents of the storage device however this will not allow for the mixing of the contents at a later time if so required nor does it allow for an adjustment to the number of compartments or the manner in which the storage device can be stored. In the specific example of consuming a frozen beverage, in many instances there may be the option to chose alternative flavours to be consumed, in the current form there is no option to separate those flavours to sustain the specific taste of each flavour, rather the option available if more than one flavour is chosen is to store the flavours in the same storage device with no division resulting in an eventual contamination of the flavours. The problem in this specific example is not easily solved by placing a fixed division as this may create logistical problems such as storage of the said storage devices, greater expense, or lack of customer choice. Therefore it would be a great benefit to have a divider that can be inserted and removed in order to avoid logistical issues such as storage and additional costs due to purchasing different designs of storage devices. The removable divider may also be capable of providing alternative numbers of compartments and thus will allow for more customer choice and could be re-usable or disposable. An additional benefit is that the divider will reduce or eliminate the flavour contamination as the removable divider is tailored to fit the new storage device and avoid leakage. A further benefit is that the divider will allow the user to remove the divider and mix the flavours where it is so desired. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a divider comprising: a generally rigid and side wall foldable flap terminating in an upper side wall end and a lower side wall end that is foldable either side of the divider, a bottom at the base of the divider that is foldable either side of the divider. In one embodiment, the divider is has perforations that run along the length of the divider and allow for the flaps to fold with ease. There is also a perforation along the bottom that allows for the bottom flap to fold with ease. The flaps fold for the purpose of easy insertion and removal and to provide stability and avoid leakage from one compartment to the other(s). The divider is generally rigid however there may be any degree of flexibility to account for instances where the divider is not a perfect fit for the storage device it has been inserted into. In another embodiment the divider is as described in the embodiment above however there are additional folded flaps spanning the length of the divider connected in the middle of the divider in order to unfold and position against the side walls of the storage device so that additional compartments can be utilised to define the contents of the storage device. These additional flaps will also have perforations so that the sides of the flaps can fold to press against the walls of the said storage device to provide stability and avoid leakage. These other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features or subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention. Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. Fig. 1 is a side perspective of the insertable divider of the present invention showing the centre piece which is to be inserted in a storage device of sorts; Fig. 2 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing in addition side flaps sitting in an unfolded position. The side flaps can fold in two directions as indicated by Arrow A and will sit against the side wall of the container in which the divider is inserted; Fig. 3 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in addition showing the base flap in an unfolded position. The base flap can be folded in two directions as indicated by Arrow B and will sit flush against the base of the container in which it has been inserted into; Fig. 4 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in addition showing both the side flaps and the base flap in an unfolded position. The movement of the side flaps and base flap are demonstrated by Arrows A and B; Fig. 5 is a top side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 4 and showing the movement of the side flaps and base flap from an alternate angle; Fig. 6 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing in addition the middle flaps sitting in an unfolded position. The middle flaps can unfold as indicated by Arrow C in order to create an additional compartment with the side wall of the middle divider sitting flush against the container in which it has been inserted; Fig. 7 is a top side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 6 showing the middle flaps slightly unfolded and demonstrating the movement of the middle flaps as indicated by Arrow C; Fig. 8 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 6 showing in addition the side flaps and base flap as described in the embodiment of Fig. 4. The middle flaps also have side flaps attached. The middle flaps, middle side flaps, side flaps and base flap are all sitting in an unfolded position; Fig. 9 is a top side perspective of Fig.8; Fig. 10 is a top side perspective of Fig. 8 showing the middle flaps in a folded position as well as showing the middle side flaps, side flaps and the base flap in a folded position. This figure demonstrates the divider in a total folded position; Fig. 11 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 8 preparing to be inserted into an appropriate container; Fig. 12 is a side perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 8 partly submerged in a container of appropriate shape showing the side flaps folded in order to sit flush against the side wall of the container; Fig. 13 is a top side perspective of Fig. 8 fully submerged in a container of appropriate shape. The middle flaps, middle side flaps and side flaps are folded and the interaction of the divider with the container of appropriate shape is demonstrated; Fig. 14 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 4 however the divider has an opening at the base of the central face. Fig. 15 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 8 however the divider has an opening at the base of the central face as well an opening in the foldable flaps. Fig. 16 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 5 however there is an opening tube in the central piece of the top part of the divider. The open tube runs vertically along the divider face. In addition the divider has an opening at the base of the central face. Fig. 17 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 9 however there is an opening tube in the central piece of the top part of the divider. The open tube runs vertically along the divider face. In addition the divider has an opening at the base of the central face as well an opening in the foldable flaps. Description of the preferred embodiment As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Referring now to Fig. 1, in the preferred embodiment the inventive divider 1 consists of side wall edges 5, a bottom edge 4 and a top edge 3 as well as having a central face 2 which is identical on either side. The divider 1 can be of any convenient shape, spanning shapes from square to circular to polygonal. The divider 1 can be formed of rubber or plastic or metal or wood or any material will serve to separate to some extent fluids when inserted into a container which holds fluid within a continuous side wall. The divider 1 side wall 5 should run along the length of the container side wall in which it has been inserted as well as this, the divider bottom edge 4 should also run along the length of the base of the container in which it has been inserted. In another embodiment Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 1 however in addition shows with broken lines foldable side flaps 6 which are designed to be folded (see Arrow A) and sit flat against the side wall of the container in which the divider has been inserted for the purpose of supporting the position of the divider in the container in which it has been inserted. The foldable side flaps 6 can be formed of the same material as the divider central face 2 or any other appropriate material. The side flaps 6 have their own side wall edge 7 and can run along the entire length of the of the side wall edge 5 or can be of a shorter length. Fig. 3 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 1 however in addition shows the divider base flap 8 which can be folded in either direction as shown by Arrow B and is designed to sit flat against the base of the container in which it has been inserted into for the purpose of stabilising the divider 1 as well as reducing the chance of leakage from beneath the divider 1. Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 2 but in addition shows includes the divider base flap 8 as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top side perspective of Fig. 4 which shows the direction in which the foldable side flaps 6 and base flap 8 can be folded. Fig. 6 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 1 however in addition shows with broken lines foldable flaps 10 which sit flat against the divider and unfold (see arrow C) to provide additional compartments. In the preferred embodiment the divider's foldable flaps 10 should be approximately equal in all dimensions to one half of the actual divider 1 and be attached to the divider 1 in a position which is approximately the middle of the divider central face 2 so that when it sits folded flat against the central face 2 the foldable flap 10 side wall 11, base edge 14 and top edge 13 sit flush against the divider 1 side wall edge 5, bottom edge 4 and top edge 3. Fig. 7 is identical to Fig. 6 however in this figure the foldable flaps 10 are in a folded position away from the central face 2, showing the manner in which the divider flaps 10 can be manipulated. Fig. 8 shows the same embodiment of Fig. 6 however in addition includes the foldable side flaps 6 and the base flap 8 as shown in Fig. 4. It is important to note that in Fig. 8 the foldable flaps 10 also have side flaps 15 which have side wall edges 15 and serve the same purpose as the foldable side flaps 6 in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a top side view of Fig. 8 which shows the foldable flaps 10 unfolded sitting flush against the central face 2 . Fig. 10 is identical to Fig. 9, however it is a top side view showing the foldable flaps 10 in a folded position away from the central face 2, showing the manner in which the divider foldable flaps 10 and their side flaps 16 can be manipulated. Fig. 11is a top side view of the divider 1 in Fig. 8, showing the divider 1 in a position above the top opening of a container in which the divider 1 can be inserted, Arrow D shows the movement required to enter the divider into a container. Fig. 12 shows the same as Fig. 11 however the divider 1 is now slightly submerged in a container, with the side flaps 6 folded and beginning to sit against the side wall of the container. Fig. 13 is a top side view of Fig. 12, however the divider 1 is fully submerged in a container, with the divider side flaps 6 and foldable flaps 10 side flaps 16 folded and sitting flush against the side wall of the container and the divider 1 bottom flap 8 folded and sitting flush against the base of the container. Fig. 14 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 4 however the divider 1 has an opening 17 at the base of the central face 2 so that contents from either side of the divider 1 can mix with one another. Fig. 15 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 8 however the divider 1 has an opening 17 at the base of the central face 2. In addition the divider 1 foldable flaps 10 have opening 17 at the base of the foldable flaps 10 so that the contents of all compartments can mix with one another. Fig. 16 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 5 however there is an opening tube 18 in the central piece of the top edge 3 of the divider 1. The open tube 18 runs vertically along the central face 2. The tube 18 will allow for an item such as a straw to fit through the tube 18 and provide access to the contents at the base of the divider 1. In addition the divider 1 has an opening 17 at the base of the central face 2 so that the contents of the compartments can mix with one another. Fig. 17 is the same perspective and embodiment as Fig. 9 however there is an opening tube 18 in the central piece of the top edge 3 of the divider 1. The open tube 18 runs vertically along the central face 2. In addition the divider 1 has an opening 17 at the base of the central face 2 and the divider 1 foldable flaps 10 also have an opening 17 at the base of the foldable flaps 10 so that the contents of all compartments can mix with one another.

Claims (20)

1. A divider comprising a generally rigid piece that sits flush against the edges of the container that is has been inserted in order to divide the container into separate compartments.

2. A divider as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a generally rigid and side wall foldable flap terminating in an upper side wall end and a lower side wall end that is foldable either side of the divider,

3. A divider as claimed in claims 1-2 further comprising a bottom at the base of the divider that is foldable either side of the divider.

4. A divider as claimed in claims 1-4 with additional foldable flaps with the intent to unfold and create additional storage compartments.

5. A divider as claimed in claim 4 with the additional flaps having foldable flaps on the side in order to fold against the side of the container in the same manner as those flaps claimed in claim 2.

6. A divider as claimed in claims 1-5 comprising an opening in the divider that allows for the separated contents to be combined at a particular point within the storage container.

7. A divider as claimed in claims 1-6 comprising an opening beginning on the top of the divider and spanning a particular distance within the central face of the divider.

8. A divider as claimed in claim 7 that has an opening as in the divider as claimed in claim 6 whereby the opening beginning on the top of the divider spans all the way through to the opening in the divider as claimed in claim 6 so that an instrument can enter through the opening beginning on top of the divider and become exposed at the opening in the divider as claimed in claim 6 so that the combined contents flowing through the opening as claimed in claim 6 can be utilised from one point.

9. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 8 that is made of plastic.

10. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 8 that is made of rubber.

11. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 8 that is made of wood.

12. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 8 that is made of paper.

13. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 8 that is made of cardboard.

14. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 12 that has any number of foldable flaps attached to it.

15. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 14 that has additional foldable flaps attached to it that are run are connected in between the base and top of the divider face and when unfolded run in the opposite direction to the divider face.

16. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 14 that have additional foldable flaps that only run a portion of the length of the actual divider face.

17. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 14 that has a full base that has a size that covers the whole area of the container that it is inserted into.

18. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 14 that has an additional flap on the base flap that is able to fold in a direction the same or opposite direction of the base flap itself.

19. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 4 that has flaps which are separate to the central face and can be attached to the central face as opposed to be being fixed.

20. A divider as claimed in claims 1 to 19 that also has foldable flap at the top edge of the central face so that a portion or all of the contents of the container in which the divider has been inserted can be sealed.