US1833441A - Adjustable separator for packing flowers and the like - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1931. c. w SLACK 1,833,441

I ADJUSTABLE SEPARATOR FOR PACKING FLOWERS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 25, 1929 11 er Z 1/ f u 14 I 1M3 FIGS y 31 n w My 20 15 /1a 21 )iW L 16 i6 INVENIOR F cHARLEswsLAcK BY Wh /m .AI TO RNEYS Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES CHARLES w. SLACK, or WATERLOO, QUEBEC, CANADA ADJUSTABLE SEPARATOR FOR PACKING FLOWERS AND THE LIKE Application filed January 25, 1929, Serial No. 335,061, and in Canada December 17, 1928.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in separators for packing flowers and like goods which are easily crushed and the object of the invention is to provide an adjustable separator which will fit a variety of sizes of packing cases or boxes and support one layer of flowers and prevent said layer from crushing or being crushed by adjacent layers.

According to my invention, I provide an adjustable separator comprising a pair of complementary rods each rod being provided with a loop so that one slides within the other. The loops are formed at the adjacent ends of the rods and terminate in upwardly turned portions which are connected by a resilient member adapted to draw the rod ends together and exert a pressure adapted to force the remote ends of the rods, which are pointed into the sides of the packing case.

In the drawings which illustrate my invention:

Figure 1 is a sectional end elevation of a packing case with my improved separators mounted therein, and the flowers packed horizontally in the case.

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the packing shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of the separators, and Figure 1 shows a modified type of tensioning means.

Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation of a packing case showing the flowers packed vertically in the case.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 11 and 12 designate two rods of similar construction. Each rod at one end 13 is A bent to form a loop 14. The extreme end 15 of the rod extends beyond the outer circumference of the loop for the purpose hereinafter described. The other end 16 of each rod is pointed. Each separator consists of two rods, one sliding within the loop of the other and a tensioning member 17 is secured to the extensions 15 so that the adjacent or loop ends or" the rods are drawn towards one another tending to lengthen the rod and exerting a pressure on the pointed ends to force them into the sides 18 of the packing 0 case 19 when in use as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The separators are placed within the packing case or box 19 in spaced relation and as will be seen are adapted to divide the box in a series of compartments each compartment being filled with flowers or the like so that one layer will not crush or be crushed by the adjacent layer. The separators are inexpensive to manufacture and are easily fitted in place and as they can be adjusted,

they may be used for a variety of packing cases or boxes of difi'erent widths. The rods are easily and quickly removed and provide a much simpler separator than the type at present in use and which consists of pieces of wood cut to fit the box and nailed in position.

The device shown is only illustrative of one form of my separator and it will be readily understood that modifications may be made to their construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In Figure 3 the tensioning means 17 is shown as a rubber band while in Figure 4 which shows a modification of the tensioning means I provide a spiral spring 1711 which is preferably provided with looped or hooked ends 20 adapted to engage with the extension 15 of the rods 11 and 12. To prevent the pointed ends 16 from piercing the sides of the box shoulders 21 are formed in proximity to the pointed ends 16. These shoulders engage with the inner surface of the packing case.

In Figure 5, a rectangular case is shown but it will be seen that the flowers are packed with the stems vertically disposed and the separators substantially at right angles thereto. This device allows the flowers to be packed without crushing or crowding them so that they will be safely transported.

What I claim is:

1. A separator for use in packing flowers and the like, comprising a pair of complementary rods with guides formed therein to hold them substantially parallel, the remote ends of said rods being pointed and resilient means connecting the adjacent ends of the rods, said means being adapted to draw the ends together and increase the effective length of the separator.

2. A separator for use in packing flowers and the like, comprising a pair of complementary rods each With a guide formed in proximity to one end toform a positioning means for the adjacent rod, said guides having extending arms,the remote ends of said rods being pointed and provided with shoulders and tensioning means connecting the ex- 7 tending arms, said means being adapted to increase the effective length of the separator. 3. A separator for use in packing flowers, comprising a pair of relatively slidable rods,

- cooperating means carried by the adjacent extremities of said rods for holding the lat ter parallel and yieldable means connecting said adjacent extremities and-tending to increase the effective length of the rods.

I In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. 7

CHARLES W. SLACK.

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