GB2316053A - Space divider - Google Patents

Abstract

A space divider 11 for the orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces comprising foldable box side wall members 12 deployable between a stowed, flat pack condition and an open condition in which two or more receptacles 13 are formed and securing means adapted to secure two or more receptacles together and in open condition.

Description

SPACE DIVIDER This invention relates to space dividers and in particular to space dividers intended for the orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces.

Unconstrained such goods tend to a disordered, unbagged state after even brieftransportation in an automobile boot (US trunk). At least one space divider system is commercially available, but it is suitable for only a small number of models of automobile, is cumbersome to install and remove, and installed, militates against the carrying of regular touring luggage. It is also expensive.

The present invention provides a space divider which is inexpensive, which is adapted to fit all but the smallest luggage compartments (which in any event are already sufficiently baggage-constraining for the problem of scattering not to be of significance) and which is easily installed and removed. Moreover it can be carried in the luggage space without denying that space to regular luggage.

The invention comprises a space divider for the orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces comprising foldable box side wall members deployable between a stowed, flat pack condition and an open condition in which two or more receptacles are formed and securing means adapted to secure two or more such receptacles together and in open condition.

The deployed receptacles may be rectangular or square in plan.

The side wall members may be hinged one to another - the hinge may be constituted by a fold line. Each receptacle may be formed from a piece or pieces of stiff or stiffened sheet material with three hinges and the free, hinge-parallel sides being secured together on deployment. At least one of said free sides may have a hinged flap which can lie against the other of said free sides for securing thereto.

The divider may have top-and bottom-edge securing clips to secure together the top and bottom edges of contiguous receptacles.

The divider may be adapted so that two adjacent receptacles can be secured to a third in tripod fashion.

The securing means may comprise slots disposed in at least one receptacle, the two or more receptacles being secured by slotting engagement of said receptacles.

An advantage with this approach is that objects such as clips, which are easy to lose, are not used. Two receptacles may be slottingly engaged, a first receptacle having a first pair of slots disposed in the engaging side thereof, and the width of the cooperating side of the second receptacle being substantially identical to the separation of the first pair of slots. The second receptacle may have receiving slots disposed in two sides thereof for receiving the slots of the first receptacle. The first receptacle may have a second pair of slots disposed in another side thereof for slotting engagement with a third receptacle.

The securing means may comprise slots and lugs. The slots and lugs may be formed by stamping a piece of stiff or stiffened sheet material.

The lugs may be resiliently deformable so that a deformed lug may be passed through a slot, the lug being secured in position when its original shape is assumed.

The lugs and slots may be disposed so that a receptacle is securable to other receptacles on three side wall members.

The divider may be of corrugated sheet material, for example plastic sheet material.

Embodiments of space dividers according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a piece of sheet material adapted to form one receptacle of a divider; Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe sheet of Figure 1 in deployed condition together with others forming a four-receptacle divider; Figure 3 is a plan view like Figure 2 showing a three-receptacle divider in tripod arrangement; Figure 4 is a cross-section through contiguous sides of adjacent receptacles showing clip securing means with face-on view of adjacent sides of the two receptacles.

Figure 5 is a view showing three receptacles in stowed condition; Figure 6 is a view showing three slotting receptacles; Figure 7 is a plan view of a divider comprising three assembled, slotting receptacles; Figure 8 shows stacking arrangements of two dividers of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a receptacle having lugs and slots; Figure 10 is a view of a piece of sheet material adapted to form a receptacle having lugs and slots; and Figure 11 shows receptacles having lugs and slots a) in a three in a line stacking configuration and b) in a 'V' shaped stacking configuration.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate space dividers 11 of a first embodiment for the orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces.

The dividers 11 comprise foldable box side wall members 12 deployable between a stowed, flat pack condition, as seen in Figure 5, and an open condition, as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, in which two or more receptacles 13 are formed and securing means in the form of clips 17 adapted to secure two or more such receptacles 13 together and in open condition.

As will be evident from Figures 2 and 3, the receptacles 13 are square in plan, but could be oblong. They could also, of course, be non-rectangular - shapes other than square or rectangular, however would appear to add extra cost and complications with seemingly no performance advantage.

The side wall members 12 of each receptacle 13 are hinged one to another, the hinges being constituted by fold lines 14 in a piece of stiff or stiffened, e.g.

corrugated plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. As shown in Figure 1, the corrugations may run parallel to the hinge lines 14, i.e. vertically when deployed, although it is also possible for the corrugations to run perpendicularly to the hinge lines 14.

Figure 1 shows four side wall members 12 of a receptacle 13 in opened-flatout condition, all of a single sheet of material with scored or impressed fold line hinges 14. A hinged flap 15 is on one, 1 6a, of the free, hinge-parallel sides 16a, 1 6b of the single sheet. This flap 16 can on deployment lie against the other, 16b, of said free sides for securing thereto. Instead of this flap, the edges of the free sides could be secured together using a special clip, of course.

Top-and bottom-securing clips 17 secure together the top and bottom edges of contiguous receptacles 13. The clips 17 may be quite simple sprung plastic extrusion such as is used for a spine for document binding. The clips 17 may be loose or may be secured to the top and bottom edges ofthe side walls 12, so as to be readily in place and not misplaceable.

The divider is readily assembled and just as easily broken down and folded flat for storage in the luggage space without interfering much if anything with the facility for storing regular luggage. The flat pack configuration is ideal, of course, for sales.

Whilst Figure 2 shows a four-square configuration, which can be extended in either direction or both as suggested by broken line, Figure 3 shows a tripod arrangement in which three receptacles stand in a particularly stable configuration. The fact that three receptacles so arranged will, when sized as will be described below, fit all but the smallest boot spaces, coupled with the fact that in larger boot spaces which they do not by any means fully occupy the tripod disposition militates against toppling in any direction almost regardless of the jolts and jars of the journey suggests that a three flat pack is a recommended sales specification, which can be sold in a storage bag. For some shapes of bootspace, a three-in-line arrangement will be found best and will be adequately supported by the walls of the boot.

It is found from research that an optimum size specification for each receptacle is, on Figure 1, a = 38 cm, b = 30 cm.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate space dividers 60 of a second embodiment for orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces.

The dividers 60 comprise foldable box side wall members 62 deployable between a stowed, flat pack condition, identical to that illustrated in Figure 5 in respect of dividers of the first embodiment, and an open condition, as seen in Figures 6 to 8, in which two or more receptacles 64a, 64b, 64c are formed and securing means 66, 68a, 68b, 70 adapted to secure two or more such receptacles 64a, 64b, 64c together and in open condition.

The securing means 66, 68a, 68b, 70 comprise slots disposed in the receptacles 64a, 64b, 64c the receptacles being secured by slotting engagement of said receptacles. Two receptacles 64a, 64b may be slottingly engaged, a first receptacle 64a having a first pair of slots 66 disposed in the engaging side 62a thereof, and the width of the cooperating side 62b of the second receptacle 64b being substantially identical to the separation of the first pair of slots 66. This necessarily implies that the width c of the first receptacle 64a is greater than the width d of the second receptacle 64b.

It is advantageous that the second receptacle 64b has receiving slots 68a, 68b disposed in two sides 62c, 62d thereof for receiving the slots 66 of the first receptacle 64a. In principle it is possible to provide only a pair of long slots in the first receptacle 64a and to dispense with the receiving slots 68a, 68b; however, the arrangement is not as structurally sound as the one described herein.

It is also advantageous that the first receptacle 64a has a second pair of slots 70 disposed in a second side 62e thereof for slotting engagement with a third receptacle 64c. The third receptacle 64c is identical to the second receptacle 64b, also receiving slots 68a, 68b into which the first receptacle 64a is slottingly engaged via the second pair of slots 70.

As shown in Figure 6, the second side 62e, in which the second pair of slots 70 is disposed, may be perpendicular to the first, engaging side 62a. When assembled, a right angled divider 60 results, as shown in Figure 7. It is also possible to dispose the second pair of slots in the side 62f which runs parallel to the engaging side 62a. In this instance, a three-in-line arrangement results. It is also possible to provide a third, or indeed, a fourth pair of slots in different sides ofthe first receptacle 64a, so as to provide a choice of configurations. The right angled divider 60 of Figures 6 and 7 is strong and stable, and, as shown in Figure 8, may be combined with a second divider 71 comprising a set of receptacles 72a, 72b, 72c to produce different stacking arrangements 74, 76. The larger receptacles 64a, 72a may be produced in a contrasting colour to other receptacles 64b, 64c, 72b, 72c to allow easy identification.

Dividers of the second embodiment are easily and conveniently provided by merely slotting the receptacles in place.

As discussed above with regard to the first embodiment, the side wall members 62 may be hinged to one another, the hinges being constituted by fold lines in a piece of stiff or stiffened corrugated plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. It is possible to employ the hinged flap configuration discussed above, however a "one piece" receptacle configuration is preferred since one of the advantages of the second embodiment is that it does not require the use of clips.

Figures 9 and 10 show a third embodiment in which the securing means comprise slots 90 and lugs 92. The receptacle 96 is conveniently secured to other receptacles (not shown) by slotting engagement of lugs and slots.

Figure 10 shows the receptacle 96 in opened-flat-out condition. In similar fashion to Figure 1, the receptacle 96 comprises four side wall members 100 and a hinged flap 102. Conveniently, the fold lines 104, the slots 90 and the lugs 92 can be formed by stamping with an appropriately configured tool.

The receptacle is preferably formed from a corrugated plastics material.

The material is preferably chosen so that the lugs are resiliently deformable. In this way, the top portion 92a and lower portion 92b of a lug can be squeezed together so that the thus deformed lug may be passed through a slot. Once through the slot, the original shape of the lug is assumed, thereby securing the lug in place.

The lugs and slots may be disposed so that a receptacle is securable to other receptacles on three side wall members. This is the case with the receptacle 96 of Figure 9. The advantage of this approach is that three receptacles can be deployed in a three in a line configuration or in a V shape, the latter being a more stable structure suitable for a large boot, the former being useful in a small boot. These structures are shown in Figure 11. Such a system is very flexible, although it will be apparent that the lugs and slots might be disposed differently so that receptacles are connectable to one, two or even all four side wall members.

It should be noted that the receptacles described above can be used singly.

Although a single receptacle is not so stable as a plurality of receptacles secured together, it is of considerable advantage in retaining items in a upright position in the boot of a vehicle under all but the most extreme driving conditions.

Claims (18)

1. A space divider for the orderly packing of loose or loose bagged goods such as supermarket shopping in automobile luggage spaces comprising foldable box side wall members deployable between a stowed, flat pack condition and an open condition in which two or more receptacles are formed and securing means adapted to secure two or more receptacles together and in open condition.

2. A divider according to claim 1, in which the deployed receptacles are rectangular in plan.

3. A divider according to claim 2, in which the deployed receptacles are square in plan.

4. A divider according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the side wall members are hinged one to another.

5. A divider according to claim 4, in which the hinge is constituted by a fold line.

6. A divider according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which each receptacle is formed from a piece of stiff or stiffened sheet material with three hinges and the free, hinge-parallel sides being secured together on deployment.

7. A divider according to claim 6, in which at least one of said free sides has a hinged flap which can lie against the other of said free sides on deployment for securing thereto.

8. A divider according to any one of claims 1 to 7, having top-and bottomedge securing clips to secure together the top and bottom edges of contiguous receptacles.

9. A divider according to any one of claims 1 to 8, adapted so that two adjacent receptacles can be secured to a third in tripod fashion.

10. A divider according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the securing means comprise slots disposed in at least one receptacle, the two or more receptacles being secured by slotting engagement of said receptacles.

11. A divider according to claim 10, in which two receptacles are slottingly engaged, a first receptacle having a first pair of slots disposed in the engaging side thereof, and the width of the cooperating side of the second receptacle is substantially identical to the separation of the first pair of slots.

12. A divider according to claim 11, in which the second receptacle has receiving slots disposed in two sides thereof for receiving the slots of the first receptacle.

13. A divider according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the first receptacle has a second pair of slots disposed in a second side thereof for slotting engagement with a third receptacle.

14. A divider according to claim 10, in which the securing means comprise slots and lugs.

15. A divider according to claim 14, in which the slots and lugs are formed by stamping piece of stiff or stiffened sheet material.

16. A divider according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which the lugs are resiliently deformable so that a deformed lug may be passed through a slot, the lug being secured in position when its original shape is assumed.

17. A divider according to any of claims 14 to 16, in which the lugs and slots are disposed so that a receptacle is securable to other receptacles on three side wall members.

18. A divider according to any one of the previous claims, of corrugated sheet material.