GB2221210A

GB2221210A - Dividers for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2221210A
Application number: GB8817657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin James Newton; Geoffrey Herbert Newton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-25
Filing date: 1988-07-25
Publication date: 1990-01-31
Also published as: GB8817657D0

Abstract

A container is divided by intersecting longitudinal and lateral dividers each having a series of slots extending upwardly from a location adjacent a lower edge of the divider, or downwardly from a location adjacent an upper edged to a location midway between the upper and lower edges. In each divider the slots are irregularly spaced but formed into at least two groups. The number of compartments formed is varied by selectively engaging the slots in one or other of the groups in one divider with the slots in a divider extending transversely thereof. Selection of any one of the groups in each longitudinal divider and any one of the groups in each lateral divider provides compartments of equal or substantially equal dimensions, different from the dimensions of compartments produced by selecting other groups. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTAINERS This invention relates to containers for storing or transporting glasses, bottles, cans or the like articles.

Containers for storing or transporting glasses, bottles or cans are suitably made of cardboard or thermoplastics materials and formed of a base, four side walls, a series of longitudinally extending dividers and a series of laterally extending dividers. Each of the longitudinal dividers has a series of equally spaced slotted sections, each formed with an elongate slot which extends downwardly from an upper edge of the divider. Each lateral divider has a series of equally spaced slotted sections, each formed with an elongate slot which extends upwardly from a lower edge of the divider. The container is divided into a series of compartments by engaging each slotted section in a longitudinal divider with a slotted section in a lateral divider extending transversely thereof.

It is important that each container can be adapted for use with differently sized articles. This necessitates providing differently sized compartments by selecting the appropriate number of longitudinal and lateral dividers each having the appropriate number of slotted sections.

Typically, it may be necessary to divide a container into twelve, fifteen, eighteen, twenty-four or forty-eight compartments, according to the size of articles employed. To obtain twelve compartments, dividers are selected so that there are three spaces across the width of the container and four spaces along the length. For fifteen compartments, however, there are three spaces across the width and five spaces along the length, for eighteen compartments there are three spaces across the width and six along the length, for twenty-four compartments there are four spaces across the width and six along the length, and for forty-eight compartments there are six spaces across the width and eight along the length.

It can be seen from this that for each size of container there are three different lateral dividers (providing three, four and six spaces, respectively, across the width) and four different longitudinal dividers (providing four, five, six and eight spaces, respectively, along the length). This causes stacking and storage problems and also involves high tooling costs in making the dividers.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container for storing or transporting glasses, bottles, cans or the like articles which is readily adapted for use with differently sized articles.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for storing or transporting glasses, bottles, cans or the like articles, the container comprising a base, a side wall, at least one longitudinal divider, and at least one lateral divider, each divider having at least one slotted section in which an elongate slot extends downwardly from a location at or near an upper edge thereof or upwardly from a location at or near a lower edge thereof, whereby the container is divided into compartments by engagement of a slotted section having an upwardly extending slot in one divider with a slotted section having a downwardly extending slot in a divider extending transversely of the said one divider, wherein the or each longitudinal divider or the or each lateral divider is formed with a series of slotted sections which are irregularly spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider but which are formed into at least two groups, whereby the number of compartments is varied by selectively engaging each slotted section in one or other of the groups in a divider with a slotted section in a divider extending transversely thereof, selection of a group of slotted sections in a divider providing compartments whose dimensions in a direction lengthwise of that divider are equal or substantially equal to one another and which are different from the dimensions of compartments provided by selection of the or each other group.

Preferably, the or each longitudinal divider and the or each lateral divider is formed with a series of irregularly spaced slotted sections which are formed into at least two groups.

Suitably, the or each longitudinal divider is formed with a series of slotted sections formed into groups which respectively provide three, four, five, six and eight compartments in a direction lengthwise thereof.

Suitably, the or each lateral divider is formed with a series of slotted sections formed into groups which respectively provide three, four and six compartments in a direction lengthwise thereof.

Preferably, each slot extends downwardly from a location spaced from an upper edge of a divider or upwardly from a location spaced from a lower edge of a divider, each divider being formed of a material such that each slot can readily be extended to the adjacent upper or lower edge in use.

According to the invention there is also provided a divider for use in a container for storing or transporting glasses, bottles, cans or the like articles, the divider being formed with a series of slotted sections in each of which an elongate slot extends downwardly from a location at or near an upper edge thereof or upwardly from a location at or near a lower edge thereof, the slotted sections being irregularly spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider but being formed into at least two groups such that, in use, selection of a group of slotted sections in the divider provides compartments whose dimensions in a direction lengthwise of the divider are equal or substantially equal to one another and which are different from the dimensions of compartments provided by selection of the or each other group.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one corner of a container according to the invention with adjacent side walls partly removed; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal divider for use in producing the container of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a lateral divider for use in producing the container of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a container according to the invention has a rectangular base 1, two longitudinally extending side walls 3 and two laterally extending side walls 5. The container is divided into a series of twenty-four compartments by means of three longitudinally extending dividers 7 and five laterally extending dividers 9.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, each of the longitudinal dividers 7 is rectangular and is formed with a series of fifteen irregularly spaced slotted sections 13. Within each slotted section 13 there is an elongate slot which extends upwardly from a location spaced a short distance above a lower edge of the divider 7 to a location halfway across the section ie., midway between upper and lower edges of the divider.

Although the slotted sections 13 are irregularly spaced they are formed into a series of groups which allow the divider to be used in forming compartments of different dimensions.

Thus, a first group of sections 13 contains two slotted sections which are equally spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider 17.

The slots 13a of these two sections are used to divide a container into three rows of compartments each having a length equal or substantially equal to the others and each equal or substantially equal to one third of the total length of the container.

A second group of three sections 13 are likewise equally spaced.

These sections contain slots 13b which are for use in providing four rows of compartments, each equal or substantially equal to one quarter of the overall length. A third group of four equally spaced sections 13 contains slots 13c which provide five rows of compartments in a lengthwise direction, a fourth group of five sections 13 contains slots 13d which provide six rows of compartments and a fifth group of seven sections 13 contains slots 13e for providing eight rows.

It will be noted that each of the slots 13a in the first group is also included in the fourth group of slots 13d. Each of the slots 13b is included in both second and fifth groups. One of the slots 13b is also included in the fourth group of sections 13d.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, each of the five lateral dividers 9 is formed with a series of seven irregularly spaced slotted sections 15. Within each section 15 there is an elongate slot which extends downwardly from a location spaced a short distance below an upper edge of the divider 9 to a location halfway across the section ie. midway between upper and lower edges of the divider.

The slotted sections 15 are irregularly spaced but, like the sections 13, they are formed into a series of groups which allow the divider to be used in forming compartments of different dimensions.

Included in the slotted sections 15 is a first group of two sections which are equally spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider 9. Each of this first group of sections has a slot 15a and is used to divide a container into three rows of compartments, each having a width equal or substantially equal in width to one third of the total width of the container.

A second group of three sections 15 has slots 15b, which are also equally spaced and which are used for providing four rows of compartments, each having a width equal or substantially equal to one quarter of the width of the container. Finally, a third group of five equally spaced sections has slots 15c which provide six rows of compartments of equal or substantially equal width.

It will be noted that each of the sections 15a in the first group is also included in the third group of sections 13c.

As indicated above, the container of Figures 1 to 4 includes three longitudinal dividers 7 and five lateral dividers 9.

Prior to assembly, the appropriate group of slotted sections 13,15 in each of the longitudinal and lateral dividers must be selected. In the case of each longitudinal divider, the group of five sections containing the slots 13d is selected. In the case of the each lateral divider, the group of three sections containing the slots 15b is selected.

Next, the slot in each of the selected sections 13,15 is extended to the adjacent edge of the divider by means of a knife. In the case of each longitudinal divider, this involves cutting away the small portion of each section 13 which is between a lower edge of a slot 13d and a lower edge of the divider. For each lateral divider, a cut is made between an upper edge of each slot 15b and an upper edge of the divider.

Once these cuts have been made, the dividers are assembled within the base 1 and side walls 3 and 5 by engaging each slotted section 13 of each longitudinal divider with the appropriate section 15 of a lateral divider and vice versa. This means first arranging one longitudinal divider so that each section 13 is above the appropriate section 15 of a respective one of five lateral dividers. The longitudinal divider is then moved downwardly until the lower half of the section 15 in the lateral divider is located in the slot 13d of the section 13 of the longitudinal divider, and the upper half of the slotted section 13 in the longitudinal divider is located in the slot 15 of the slotted section in the lateral divider. The remaining longitudinal dividers are then engaged with the lateral dividers in similar manner.

It will be appreciated that the dividers 7 of Figure 3 and the dividers 9 of Figure 4 can be used to divide a container having the base 1 and side walls 3 and 5 of Figures 1 and 2 into a different number of compartments.

Thus, to produce forty-eight compartments it is necessary to employ five longitudinal dividers and seven lateral dividers. In the case of the longitudinal dividers, the seven slots 13e are used to provide eight compartments lengthwise of the container. In the case of the lateral dividers, the five slots 13c are used to provide six rows of compartments.

To produce twelve compartments requires two longitudinal dividers, using the slots 13b, and three lateral dividers, using the slots 15a.

For fifteen compartments there are two longitudinal dividers, using the slots 13c, and four lateral dividers, using the slots 15a. Finally, eighteen compartments require two longitudinal dividers, using the slots 13d, and five lateral dividers, using the slots 15a.

It will be appreciated that terminating the slots at a location spaced from an adjacent edge of a divider 7 or 9 provides increased strength and stability. If each slot is continued right up to the adjacent edge, the narrow "finger" of material between adjacent slots may be detrimentally bent out of the plane of the divider and may even be broken away, thus weakening the divider.

The base, side walls and dividers of the above-mentioned containers are made of a thermoplastic material having two outer skins between which extend a series of equally spaced webs. These webs extend lengthwise of each divider, as indicated schematically in Figures 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that other thermoplastics materials, wood, paper, cardboard, metal, leather or fibreboard could also be used.

The containers described above are rectangular, as viewed in plan, but it is possible to employ containers which are non-rectangular, for example circular. The lateral and longitudinal dividers need not be mutually perpendicular but could be inclined to one another at, say, 600, as viewed in plan. It is also possible for the slots in, say, each lateral divider to be inclined to the adjacent edge of the divider at an angle other than 900. This means that the longitudinal dividers are then inclined to the vertical. Alternatively, the slots in both lateral and longitudinal dividers are inclined to the adjacent side edges and both lateral and longitudinal dividers are then inclined to the vertical.

The slots in each longitudinal divider can extend downwardly from an upper edge of the divider and the slots in each lateral divider then extend upwardly from a lower edge of the divider.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container for storing or transporting glasses, bottles, cans or the like articles, the container comprising a base, a side wall, at least one longitudinal divider, and at least one lateral divider, each divider having at least one slotted section in which an elongate slot extends downwardly from a location at or near an upper edge thereof or upwardly from a location at or near a lower edge thereof, whereby the container is divided into compartments by engagement of a slotted section having an upwardly extending slot in one divider with a slotted section having a downwardly extending slot in a divider extending transversely of the said one divider, wherein the or each longitudinal divider or the or each lateral divider is formed with a series of slotted sections which are irregularly spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider but which are formed into at least two groups, whereby the number of compartments is varied by selectively engaging each slotted section in one or other of the groups in a divider with a slotted section in a divider extending transversely thereof, selection of a group of slotted sections in a divider providing compartments whose dimensions in a direction lengthwise of that divider are equal or substantially equal to one another and which are different from the dimensions of compartments provided by selection of the or each other group.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each lateral divider is formed with a series of irregularly spaced slotted sections which are formed into at least two groups.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each longitudinal divider is formed with a series of slotted sections formed into groups which respectively provide three, four, five, six and eight compartments in a direction lengthwise thereof.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each lateral divider is formed with a series of slotted sections formed into groups which respectively provide three, four and six compartments in a direction lengthwise thereof.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each slot extends downwardly from a location spaced from an upper edge of a divider or upwardly from a location spaced from a lower edge of a divider, each divider being formed of a material such that each slot can readily be extended to the adjacent upper or lower edge in use.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a rectangular base, two longitudinally extending side walls, and two laterally extending side walls.

7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral and longitudinal dividers are mutually perpendicular.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elongate slot extends perpendicularly of an adjacent upper or lower edge of a divider.

9. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base, side wall and each divider are made from thermoplastics material, wood, paper, cardboard, metal, leather or fibreboard.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base, side wall and each divider are made of a thermoplastics material having two outer skins between which extend a series of equally spaced webs.

11. A divider for use in a container for storing or transporting glasses, bottles. cans or the like articles, the divider being formed with a series of slotted sections in each of which an elongate slot extends downwardly from a location at or near an upper edge thereof or upwardly from a location at or near a lower edge thereof, the slotted sections being irregularly spaced in a direction lengthwise of the divider but being formed into at least two groups such that, in use, selection of a group of slotted sections in the divider provides compartments whose dimensions in a direction lengthwise of the divider are equal or substantially equal to one another and which are different from the dimensions of compartments provided by selection of the or each other group.

12. A container constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

13. A divider for use in a container, the divider being constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.