GB2215309A

GB2215309A - Partitioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2215309A
Application number: GB8805586A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Beith; Douglas Lamb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-03-09
Filing date: 1988-03-09
Publication date: 1989-09-20
Also published as: GB8805586D0

Abstract

Partitioning apparatus (10) is provided for use with a carton, box (12) or the like in which separate items (16) are to be stored in different positions. A unitary partitioning apparatus (10) is provided which, when in an assembled or folded state is sufficiently stable to prevent inadvertant collapse or unfolding of the apparatus (10). <IMAGE>

Description

PARTITIONING APPARATUS The present invention relates to a partitioning apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to such apparatus for use with a carton, box or the like in which separate items are to be stored in different positions.

Partitioning apparatus should satisfy a number of desirable criteria in addition to being easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive. When the partitioning apparatus is disposed within a box, the apparatus and the internal surfaces of the box should define a number of distinct compartments. Ites suc as bottles may be stored in one or more of these compartments. The partitioning apparatus should be relatively rigid when disposed, in use, in a contaIner and should retain its shape even when there are no items stored in the box se that it is ready to receIve items in ts cor.partr.ents and the partitioning apparatus should not "ride up" the side of the item being stored when the box is in transit to ensure item separation and protection.

An existing type of partItIonIng apparatus is a box dIvider which has â comb' nation of three or more separate portions of cardboard. These cardboard portions have slots therein which are proportioned to allow the cardboard portions to be fitted together to form a partition structure which defines separate compartments when the assembled structure is disposed within a box. A major problem associated with this structure is that it often collapses when there are no items in any of the compartments. Thus In packaging lines of cans or bottles for example, the collapsed structure does not permit items to be inserted into the box. The packaging operation may have to be stopped to re-assemble the divider before items can be stored, thus reducing the speed at which the items can be stored.In addition, in transit, the box divider tends to move relative to the stored items and "ride up" the s'oe of the stored items tending to allow the items to move around Inside the box. Such movement can result in items contacting each other and if the items are glass bottles or the like, there is a risk of breakage.

An object of the present invention is to provide a partitioning apparatus which obviates, or mitigates, at least one of the aforementioned problems.

This is achieved by providing a unitary partitioning apparatus which, when in an assembled or folded state, is sufficiently stable to prevent inadvertent collapse or unfoldIng of the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment the unItary patt t on nc apparatus structure is stamped from a cardboard and is then folded into an assembled stable position using a cam and slot arrangement to hold a front plate in position. The unitary structure is disposed within a container and in combination with the internal surfaces of the container defines six compartments wherein separate items such as bottles may be disposed. When in the assembled position the unitary structure defines at least one compartment base portion on which an item can be disposed to prevent the partitioning structure "riding up" inside the container.

In an alternative embodiment a different stamping is used so that when assembled the structure and the internal walls of the container In which the structure is disposed define twelve separate compartments.

AccordIng to the present Invent Ion there is provldec partitIonIng apparatus for separating a number of Items to be disposed in a contaIner said partItIonIng apparatus being in, and formed from a one-plece structure which defines with the container a plurality of compartments and which is sufficiently stable a8 rIgId to prevent inadvertent collapse of sld structure.

Preferably said partitioning apparatus is made from a substantially planar cardboard stamping.

Alternatively sa c partitioning apparatus Is a planar sheet of plastic or metal stamping Preferably one part of said partitioning apparatus includes means for retaining the assembled apparatus in a stable position. Conveniently said means are a cam surface and a recess at the end of said surface for engaging with the edge of a slot of a different part of said apparatus.

Preferably when said partitioning apparatus is disposed within said container the combination of the partitioning apparatus and container defines six storage compartments.

Alternatively the partitioning apparatus and box defines twelve storage compartments.

Preferably said partitioning apparatus has retaining means for preventing said partitioning apparatus moving relative to said items stored in said compartments.

Conveniently said retaining means is provIded as base disposed in one of said compartments, said base being integral with saId partitiong apparatus and sald apparatus beIng prevented from moving by the weIght of the item stored in said compartment.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in comDination with the accompanyIng drawings n which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a partitioning apparatus in the form of a box divider, in use, In accordance with the present invention; FIg. 2 is a plan view of a cardboard stampIng fro which the partitioning apparatus shown In Fig. 1 is assembled; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the partitioning apparatus in the form of a box divider, in use, in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a cardboard stamping from which the partitioning apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is assembled.

Reference is firstly made to Fig. 1 of the drawings which is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. A box divider generally vindicated by reference numeral 10 is disposed within a box 12 shown in broken outline. The box divider 10 has partitions 15a,b and c which, with box 12 define six compartments 14a-f where items such as bottles 16 (shown In broken outline) may be stored, only two such bottles 16 are shown in the interest of clarity.

The box divider 10 has sufficient frigidity and stability in its assembled position to remain in the assembled condition when items such as bottles 16 are not stored in any of the compartments i4. The box divider 10 Is movable between the assembled position shown in Fig. 1 and a flat storage or out-of-use position shown in Fig. 2 as will be later described.

Reference is also made to Fig. 2 of the drawIngs which shows the flat out-of-use shape of a box dIvIder 10. The box divider 10 is stamped from a planar sheet of cardboard 18. The stamping 18 is folded from this out-of-use position to the assembled position shown In Fig. 1. The stamping 18 is folded along hinge portions 20a and 20b shown as dotted lines in Fig. 2. Partitions 15a, 15b are first folded about hinge at lines 20a in such a manner that the two partitions 15a are disposed at 900 to the base portion 34 and partition 15b. The partitions 15a and 15b are folded about hinge 20b and 20c towards each other. The leading edges 24 of partitions 15a passes through slots 26 as the partition 15c is folded about hinge 20c.The slots 26 are wilder than the cardboard thickness to minimise friction between the partitions. Curved portIons 28, which act as cams of partitions 15a engage the top edges 30 of slots 26. As the slots are moved along the survey surface, front plate 22 is biased upwards until the top edges 30 reach the recesses 31. At this point the front plate is moved down and the top edges 28 are retained in recesses 31 holding the front plate 22 in place and accordingly holding the box divider 10 in a stable assembled position as shown in Fig. 1.

When the box dIvider 10 is in the assembled position and disposed in box 12 interlocking partitions 15a and front plate 22 define with the internal box surfaces six compartments 14a - f as herelnbefore described.

The partitions 15a and 15c of cardboard stampIng 18 are mirror image portions 32a and 32b which minimize the amount of cardboard which is used to form the stampIng 18. The teeth 32a match cut outs 32b so that adjacent stampings can be made with minimal wastage of cardboard. Base portion 34 forms the base of compartment 14e. When a bottle is placed in compartment 14e the weight of the bottle on the base portion 34 prevents the box divider 10 "riding up" the sides of bottles 16. Consequently partitions 15a and 15c are made to terminate at positions adjacent the neck of each bottle 16 being stored in box 12, thus minimising the cardboard material required.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 of the drawings which is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention. A box divider 40 is disposed within a box 42 shown in broken outline. The box divider 40 and box 42 define twelve compartments 44a-1, each compartment allowIng bottles 46 (shown In broken outline) to be stored therein, only one bottle is shown in the interest of clarity. The box divider 40 is similar to the embodIment hereinbefore described in that 4t is fo!a between a flat storage or outs use position and a stable assembled position as will be Gescr bed.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 and 4 of the drawings, Fig. 4 being a plan view of the box dIvIder 4G in the flat out-of-use portion. The box divider 40 consists substantially of a cardboard stamping 48 two flat dividers 18 connected along a common hInge 50c, however, hinged flaps 52a,b are also present to form compartment walls in the assembled divider 40 as will be described. The box divider 40 is folded into the assembled position in a somewhat similar manner to the embodiment hereinbefore described from the cardboard stamping 48.

Firstly the flaps 52a, b are folded downwards about respective hinge 50a, 50b. The partition pairs 45a and 45b are folded about hinges 50a and 50b respectively as aforedescribed then partitions 45c are folded to engage with partitions 45a and 45b in the same manner described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Thus in the assembled device shown in Fig. 1 the dividers are coupled together by hinge 50c.

When the box divider 40 is in the stable assembled position and disposed within box 42 the interlocking partitions 45a, 45b and 45c side flaps 66a and b and the internal box surfaces define twelve compartments 44a - 1 as hereinbefore described. Base portions 54 form the base for compartments 44e and 44h, these base portIons prevent the box divider 40 "riding up" the bottles in a similar manner to the previous embodiment.

Various modIfIcatIons can be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the Invention. The box divIders may be couple to the same or different divider and disposed above or below the divider, with appropriate separation, to define a multi-layer and multi-compartment box. The front and rear plates could be glued into position or fastened by staples instead of being held in the grooves. The box divider could also be made from plastic or metal. The divider facilitates protective storage of fragile items such as bottles and/or ornaments.

Advantages associated with the present invention are that the box divider is easy to manufacture and is relatively inexpensive. The box divider is stable in its assembled position and is substantially rigid and will not fold up when there are no items stored In any or all the compartments. Also, the box divider will not "ride up" the slides cf the stored items will. the box 5 in transit. In addition, the box divider is made from a single cardboard stamping and the amount of cardboard used is minimised by designIng the boundary of the stamping to be used with more than one stamping.

Claims

1. Partitioning apparatus for separating a number of items to be disposed in a container said partitioning apparatus being adapted to be disposed in said container, and being formed from a one-piece structure which defines with the container a plurality of compartments, said apparatus being sufficiently stable and rigid to prevent inadvertent collapse of said structure.

2. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said partitioning apparatus is made from a substantially planar cardboard stamping.

3. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said partitioning apparatus is a planar sheet of plastic or metal stamping.

4. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein one part of said partitioning apparatus includes means for retaining the assembled apparatus in a stable position.

5. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said retaining means are a cam surface and a recess at the end of said surface for engaging with the edge of a slot of a different part of said apparatus.

6. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when said partitioning apparatus is disposed within said container the combination of the partitioning apparatus and container define six storage compartments.

7. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the partitioning apparatus and box define twelve storage compartments.

8. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said partitioning apparatus has retaining means for preventing said partitioning apparatus moving relative to said items stored in said compartments.

9. Partitioning apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said retaining means is provided by a base disposed in one of said compartments, said base being integral with said partitioning apparatus and said apparatus being prevented from moving by the weight of the item stored in said compartment.

10. Partitioning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or to Figs 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.