GB2600121A

GB2600121A - A Storage arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2600121A
Application number: GB2016692.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Haynes David
Original assignee: Pro S Uk Ltd
Current assignee: Pro S Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-21
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2022-04-27
Also published as: GB202016692D0

Abstract

A docking station 10, suitable for storing a hygiene cleaning tool, comprises a substantially planar back plate 12 and an engagement means 16, 18 extending from the plate 12. The engagement means may include first and second parts, such as a hook 16 and a retainer plate 18, extending from different regions U, L of the flat plate 12. The support 10 may include a label for identifying a measure of hygiene to which it is intended to be maintained. Also disclosed is an arrangement of several docking stations 10 spaced apart horizontally and vertically such that items stored thereon do not contact each other. Also disclosed are a storage arrangement (S, figure 6) and a kit of parts comprising a vertical surface from which several docking stations 10 protrude to form a gap between the engagement means 16, 18 and the surface.

Description

A storage arrangement

Field of the invention

The present inventive concept relates to a storage arrangement for items such as hygiene cleaning took and the like. The arrangement is aimed at use in the food and beverage industry although it can be applied in any sector.

Background to the invention

Various storage arrangements have been proposed in the past One example is a "shadow board" in which an outline of an item is displayed on a surface to denote where that item is intended to be stored.

Various issues arise from previous arrangements, such as related to the need for space in which to place the storage arrangement, versatility, cost and so on. -2 -

Summary of invention

The present inventive concept provides a docking station suitable for storing a hygiene cleaning tool, the docking station comprising a substantially planar back plate and an engagement means extending from the back plate.

The engagement means may comprise a first part which extends from a first region of the back plate and a second part which extends from a second region of the back plate.

The first part may comprise a hook having an elongate portion which extends from the back plate. The second part may comprise a retainer plate which extends from the back plate.

In use, the back plate may be arranged vertically, with the hook being arranged above the retainer plate.

Preferably, the first part extends from the back plate at an angle to the horizontal in use. The advantage of this arrangement is that the first part does not provide a horizontal surface on which dirt and dust and the like can easily collect The hook and retainer provide a displacement from the back plate, so that a tool can be held in place by the docking station away from the back plate and thus any surface to which the back plate may be attached. This provides for a hygienic storage means in controlled clean environments. The arrangement also provides for access to a tool being held in place for cleaning of the tool without having to remove it from the docking station.

The retainer plate may comprise a slot. Such a slot aims to prevent Lateral movement of a tool.

The retainer plate may comprise a flap arranged at an incline to the rest of the retainer plate. Such a flap aims to improve maintenance of the displacement of the tool from the back plate. -3 -

The docking station may comprise a label for identifying a measure of controlled hygiene to which the docking station is intended to be maintained, and to identify any missing toot. Thus, if a user needs a tool maintained to a particutar standard of hygiene. A user can be confident that the tool held in place is maintained to such a particular standard of hygiene from the label. Such a [abet may comprise a code to correspond with the intended tool. Such a code is sometimes referred to as a re-order code.

Such a label may comprise a coloured region. Such a label may comprise a written word or graphical icon.

The docking station may further comprise a clamp arranged on the back of the back plate, the clamp adapted to attach the docking station to a rail.

A plurality of docking stations may be provided.

Optionatty the docking stations are spaced apart horizontally and vertically by at least a pre-determined displacement, so that when a plurality of items are stored the items are not in contact with each other.

Optionally the docking stations are spaced apart horizontally and vertically by no more than a pre-determined displacement, so that when a pluratity of items are stored the items are not in contact with each other and the storage arrangement is as compact as possible. The displacement may vary between docking stations.

Preferably each engagement means is selected to be adapted to engage a pre-determined type of item. Thus, items can be stored by a preferred docking station.

Preferably the storage arrangement comprises engagement means selected to be adapted to more than one type of item. In other words, the storage arrangement comprises different engagement means.

Preferably each docking station comprises two or more engagement means.

Docking stations may be provided, adapted to correspond with a specific item. Thus, the engagement means may be adapted to be engageable only with a specific item. Thus, it -4 -would be dear to a user that a particular item is not intended to be stored in a particular docking station intended for another item.

The corresponding engagement means may each comprise an engagement element arranged asymmetrically with respect to the respective engagement means.

The corresponding engagement means may each comprise an engagement element shaped to fit one another.

Likewise, the retainer plate may be adapted to correspond with the item to be stored. For example, the aforementioned slot may be located and/or sized to fit the said corresponding item.

Ideally, the docking station is formed of a single piece of material. Preferably the aterial is stainless steel. Forming the docking station from a single piece of material provides a more energy-and material-efficient docking station.

The present inventive concept also provides a method of manufacture of a docking station, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material; forming a flat blank from the said sheet of material; folding the said blank into the required three-dimensional configuration.

Preferably the material is stainless steel. The forming step may be effected by mechanical cutting. Alternatively the forming step may be effected by laser cutting. Alternatively the forming step may be effected by water-jet cutting.

The present inventive concept also provides a storage arrangement suitable for storing items, the storage arrangement comprising a support means adapted to attach to a plurality of docking stations, each docking station comprising at least one engagement means adapted to engage an item, and the docking stations being attached to the support means spaced apart in the horizontal and vertical dimensions to provide storage for a plurality of items, and wherein the docking stations are adapted to form a pre-determined gap between the engagement means and the support means, so that when an item is stored the item is not in contact with the support means.

The support means could be a substantially vertical surface, or a rail, or similar. -5 -

In an envisaged arrangement, each docking station is adapted to engage only with one specific item.

The advantages of the present inventive concept include: Hygienically designed and durable, therefore easy to dean and maintain; especially when formed of stainless steel; Designed so stored items are not in direct contact with wall during storage; User friendly, items are easily accessible; Can fit in areas where space is tight; Various mounting options i.e. wall, rail, machinery; and Missing items can be identified and cross-contamination avoided.

Detailed description of the invention

Embodiments of features of the present inventive concept will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 5 show perspective views of docking stations exemplifying the docking station of the present inventive concept; and Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a storage apparatus of the present inventive concept.

Figure 1 shows a docking station 10 having a back plate 12, and two fixing apertures 14 formed in the back plate 12. The docking station 10 has two ends, which for ease of reference will be Labelled as an upper end U and a Lower end L to reflect the preferred orientation of the docking station 10 in use. Towards the upper end U is arranged a hook 16 having an elongate portion 16A which extends from the back plate 12 and a retainer portion 16B which extends substantially vertically from the elongate portion 16A and -6 -substantially parallel to the back plate 12. At the lower end La retainer plate 18 extends from the back plate 12. The retainer plate 18 has a slot 20 formed therein.

In use, the docking station 10 is designed to be attached to a vertically-arranged surface or attached to a rail or the like so that the upper end U is substantially above the lower end L Affixing means such as screws or rivets can be applied to one or both of the fixing apertures 14 to affix the docking station 10 to a said surface.

The hook 16 forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Thus, an item to be stored can be placed so that it rests on the elongate portion 16A of the hook 16. The retainer plate 18 also forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Part of an item to be stored, for example a shaft portion, can be placed so that it rests within the slot 20 of the retainer plate 18 and is spaced away from the back plate 12.

Dimensions of the docking station 10, such as the length of the back plate 12, the length of the elongate portion 16A, the size and shape of the slot 20, the horizontal position of the hook 16 and so on, can be selected to form a particular engagement for a particular item.

Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement to that shown in Figure 1, with different dimensions.

Figure 3 shows a further arrangement for a docking station 100. The docking station 100 has a back plate 112, and two fixing apertures 114 formed in the back plate 112. The docking station 100 has two ends, which for ease of reference will be labelled as an upper end U and a lower end L to reflect the preferred orientation of the docking station 100 in use. Towards the upper end U is arranged a bar 116 which extends from the back plate 112. The bar 116 has three sections, which are each substantially straight but which are angled with respect to each other so that the bar 116 forms an open "7" shape. At the lower end La retainer plate 118 extends downwards and outwards from the back plate 112.

In use, the docking station 100 is designed to be attached to a vertically-arranged surface or a rail or the Like so that the upper end U is substantially above the lower end L Affixing 7 -means such as screws or rivets can be applied to one or both of the fixing apertures 114 to affix the docking station 100 to the said surface.

The bar 116 forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Thus, an item to be stored can be placed so that it rests on the bar 116. The retainer plate 118 also forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored to space the item away from the back plate 112. Part of an item to be stored, for example a shaft portion, can be placed so that it rests within the slot 20 of the retainer plate 18.

Dimensions of the docking station 100 can be selected to form a particular engagement for a particular item.

Figure 4 shows a further arrangement for a docking station 200. The docking station 200 has a back plate 212, and two fixing apertures 214 formed in the back plate 212. The docking station 200 has two ends, which for ease of reference will be labelled as an upper end U and a lower end L to reflect the preferred orientation of the docking station 200 in use. Towards the upper end U is arranged a plate 216 which extends from the back plate 212. Within the plate 216 is formed an aperture 218 and two notches 220. At the lower end L a retainer plate 222 extends substantially horizontally outwards from the back plate 212. The retainer plate 222 has a slot 224 formed therein.

In use, the docking station 200 is designed to be attached to a vertically-arranged surface or a rail or the like so that the upper end U is substantially above the lower end L Affixing means such as screws or rivets can be applied to one or both of the fixing apertures 214 to affix the docking station 200 to the said surface. The plate 216 forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. The aperture 218 and the notches 220 are arranged to engage with a corresponding part of an item to be stored. Thus, an item to be stored can be placed so that it rests on the plate 216 and engages with the aperture 218 and notches 220. The retainer plate 222 also forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Part of an item to be stored, for example a shaft portion, can be placed so that it rests within the slot 224 of the retainer plate 222 and is spaced away from the back plate 212.

Dimensions of the docking station 200, such as the length of the back plate 212, the length of the plate 216, the size and Location of each of the aperture 218 and notches 220, the size and shape of the slot 224, the horizontal position of the plate 216 and so on, can be selected to form a particular engagement for a particular item.

Figure 5 shows a further arrangement for a docking station 300. The docking station 300 has a back plate 312, and two fixing apertures 314 formed in the back plate 312. The docking station 300 has two ends, which for ease of reference will be labelled as an upper end U and a Lower end L to reflect the preferred orientation of the docking station 300 in use. Towards the upper end U is arranged a plate 316 which extends from the back plate 312. From the plate extends substantially upwardly a vertical front flange 318 and substantially downwardly two vertical side flanges 320. At the lower end L a retainer plate 322 extends outwards from the back plate 312. The retainer plate 322 has a slot 324 formed therein.

In use, the docking station 300 is designed to be attached to a vertically-arranged surface or a rail or the like so that the upper end U is substantially above the lower end L Affixing means such as screws or rivets can be applied to one or both of the fixing apertures 314 to affix the docking station 300 to the said surface. The plate 316 and flanges 318, 320 form an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Thus, an item to be stored can be placed so that it rests on the plate 316 and engages with the flanges 318, 320. The retainer plate 322 also forms an engagement means for engagement with an item to be stored. Part of an item to be stored, for example a shaft portion, can be placed so that it rests within the slot 324 of the retainer plate 322 and is spaced away from the back plate 312 and/or vertically-arranged surface.

Dimensions of the docking station 300, such as the length of the back plate 312, the length of the plate 316, the size and location of each of the flanges 318, 320, the size and shape of the slot 324, the horizontal position of the plate 316 and so on, can be selected to form a particular engagement for a particular item.

In Figure 6 an exemplary storage apparatus S has a plurality of docking stations 10, each docking station 10 being adapted to engage and store an item. Two of the docking stations 10 are shown engaged with and thus storing items I. -9 -

Claims

Claims 1. A docking station suitable for storing a hygiene cleaning tool, the docking station comprising a substantially planar back plate and an engagement means extending from the back plate.
2. A docking station according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means comprises a first part which extends from a first region of the back plate and a second part which extends from a second region of the back plate.
3. A docking station according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a label for identifying a measure of controlled hygiene to which the docking station is intended to be maintained.
4. An arrangement of a plurality of docking stations according to any preceding claim, wherein the docking stations are spaced apart horizontally and vertically by at least a pre-determined displacement, so that when a plurality of items are stored the items are not in contact with each other.
5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein each engagement means is selected to be adapted to engage a pre-determined type of item.
6. A storage arrangement suitable for storing items, the storage arrangement comprising a substantially vertically-arranged surface from which a plurality of docking stations according to any of claims 1 to 3 protrude, each docking station comprising at least one engagement means adapted to engage an item, and the docking stations being spaced apart in the horizontal and vertical dimensions to provide storage for a plurality of items, and wherein the docking stations are adapted to form a pre-determined gap between the engagement means and the surface, so that when an item is stored the item is not in contact with the surface.
7. A kit of parts of a storage arrangement, comprising a surface and a plurality of docking stations having at least one engagement means adapted to engage an item, and wherein -10 -the docking stations are adapted to form a pre-determined gap between the engagement means and the surface.