PACKAGING DIVIDER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE

Abstract

A divider for packaging articles includes a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another, and a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels. A plurality of elongated retainer pins pass through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween. The plurality of separator panels can be disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, with the retainer pins mounting the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/893,386, filed Oct. 21, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Packaging dividers are used in many industries to store and ship multiple products or parts in a single package. Packaging dividers can be used for packaging small products, such as bottles of health and beauty products, as well as larger products, such as automobile parts. A commonly used type of packaging divider is the die cut or interlocked system in which multiple horizontal panels having slots cut into the panel are interlocked with vertical panels having similar slots cut therein. Because of the slots cut into the panels to enable interlocking of the panels, portions of the panels between the slots are not fully supported and thus often require additional material or structures to support and strengthen the panels, depending on the items stored within the divider. In addition, the interlocking design limits the available shapes that the divider can be provided in.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a divider for packaging articles includes a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another and a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels. The divider further includes a plurality of elongated retainer pins, each of the plurality of elongated retainer pins passing through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween. When the plurality of separator panels are disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, the retainer pins mount the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.

Additional embodiments of the invention include any one or combination of more than one of the following elements: the packaging articles are of a consistent size; the plurality of divider panels are rectangular and oriented in a horizontal direction; the plurality of separator panels are disposed in a generally vertical direction and comprise an elongated rectangular panel disposed in the generally vertical direction; at least one of the plurality of separator panels further comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least one of the plurality of separator panels changes direction along a length between at least two of the plurality of divider panels; at least two of the plurality of divider panels comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least two of the plurality of divider panels changes direction from the first direction; the plurality of elongated retainer pins comprise a laterally-extending stub at each end to retain the pin in a mounted position when it is passed through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any separator panels in alignment with the path of each of the elongated retainer pins; the packaging articles have a curved shape and the cells formed by the combination of the plurality of divider panels, the plurality of separator panels, and the plurality of elongated retainer pins has a non-linear shape corresponding generally to the shape of the packaging articles; the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels comprise corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, or combinations thereof.

In an additional embodiment, the divider further comprises a framework mounted around the periphery of the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels to support the structure formed by the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels. The framework can further comprise a recess at a lower portion thereof configured to receive forks of a forklift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an interlocking packaging divider according to the prior art.

FIG. 1B is front view of the interlocking packaging divider of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the interlocking packaging divider of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the interlocking packaging divider of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the packaging divider of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the packaging divider of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the packaging divider of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a method of assembling a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a front view of the packaging divider of FIG. 6A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the packaging divider of FIG. 6A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the packaging divider of FIG. 6A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a front view of the packaging divider of FIG. 8A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8C is a side view of the packaging divider of FIG. 8A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the packaging divider of FIG. 8A according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A and B are perspective views of a support structure for use with a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-C and 2 illustrate an interlocking packaging divider 10 comprising a plurality of horizontal panels 12 interlocked with a plurality of vertical panels 14 in a traditional manner to form a plurality of cells 16, as is known in the art. The interlocking packaging divider 10 can also optionally include a top and bottom horizontal panel 18 and 20 and end vertical panels 22, which may be configured or oriented differently than the horizontal and vertical panels 12 and 14, respectively.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, each horizontal panel 12 can include a slotted portion 24 comprising a plurality of spaced slots 26 and a solid or unslotted portion 28. Similarly, each vertical panel 14 can include a slotted portion 30 comprising a plurality of spaced slots 32 and a solid or unslotted portion 34. Each horizontal panel slots 26 is configured to receive a vertical panel 14 by aligning the horizontal panel 12 with a vertical panel slot 32 and sliding the horizontal and vertical panels 12, 14 towards one another until a horizontal slot end 36 abuts a vertical slot end 38. This process can be repeated multiple times to interlock a plurality of horizontal and vertical panels 12 and 14 to form a divider 10 having a plurality of cells 16.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, forming the divider 10 by interlocking slotted panels provides a divider in which a portion of each horizontal panel 12 corresponding to the slotted portion 24 and a portion of each vertical panel 14 corresponding to the slotted portion 30 are not supported and are free to flex or bend.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate an exemplary packaging divider 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The packaging divider 100 comprises a plurality of divider panels, illustrated as horizontal panels 102, connected with a plurality of separator panels, illustrated as vertical panels 104, by elongated retainer pins, illustrated as fasteners 106, to form a plurality of cells 108. The dimensions of the divider 100 and the dimensions of each cell 108 can be selected as desired based on the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels 102 and 104. Each horizontal panel 102 has a thickness T₁₀₂, a width W₁₀₂, and a length L₁₀₂. Each vertical panel 104 has a thickness T₁₀₄, a height H₁₀₄ and a length L₁₀₄. Each cell 108 has a length L₁₀₈, height H₁₀₈ and width W₁₀₈ based on the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels 102, 104 forming the cells 108.

It will be understood that while the divider 100 is described in the context of the horizontal panels 102 being parallel to a surface upon which the divider 100 rests, it is within the scope of the invention for the divider 100 to be oriented in any desired manner, including positioning the horizontal panels 102 perpendicular or at an angle to a surface upon which the divider 100 rests, without deviating from the scope of the invention. In addition, while the divider 100 is illustrated as having a generally rectangular shape in which a length L₁₀₀ of the divider is greater than a height H₁₀₀ of the divider 100, it is within the scope of the invention for the invention for the divider 100 to have any desired rectangular or square shape or for the length and height of the divider 100 to be the same or different dimensions. In general, the length L₁₀₀ of the divider 100 corresponds to the length L₁₀₂ of the horizontal panels 102. Alternatively, the length L₁₀₀ of the divider 100 can correspond to the length L₁₀₄ of the vertical panels 104, which can be the same or different than the length L₁₀₂ of the horizontal panels 102. In general, the height H₁₀₈ of the cells 108 corresponds to the height H₁₀₄ of the vertical panels 104 and the width W₁₀₈ of the cells 108 corresponds to the distance between adjacent vertical panels 104.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a plurality of vertical panels 104 can be assembled between two adjacent horizontal panels 102 to form a desired number of cells 108. A height and width of each cell 108 can be determined based on a height of the vertical panel 104 and a spacing of the vertical panel 104 between the horizontal panels 102, respectively. Two adjacent horizontal panels 102 having a vertical panel 104 assembled therebetween can form a row 110 of the divider 100. Multiple horizontal panels 102 and vertical panels 104 can be assembled to provide a divider having a plurality of rows 110.

The assembled horizontal and vertical panels 102 and 104 can be attached to one another using a plurality of fasteners 106 that extend through a horizontal panel 102 and at least partially into an adjacent vertical panel 104. As will be described in more detail below, each fastener 106 can be in the form of a single fastener extending through one or more rows 110 of the divider 100 or in the form of multiple fasteners extending through a single horizontal panel 102 and adjacent vertical panel 104.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3A-C and 4, fasteners 106 extend vertically through each horizontal panel 106 and adjacent aligned vertical panels 104. Multiple fasteners 106 can be inserted along the length L₁₀₄ of the vertical panel 104. One or more of the horizontal panels 102 can optionally include pre-formed apertures, also referred to as througholes, 112 through which the fasteners 106 can be inserted. The vertical panels 104 can also be configured to include pre-formed apertures or channels, also referred to as throughholes, which can be aligned with the apertures 112 on adjacent horizontal panels 102 for receipt of a fastener 106. In one example, the vertical panels 104 can be made from a corrugated or other porous material which includes pre-formed channels extending vertically through the vertical panels 104. Alternatively, the horizontal panels 102 and/or the vertical panels 104 do not have to include pre-formed apertures or channels. In that case, the fasteners 106 can be driven by force through the aligned horizontal and vertical panels 102, 104. In yet another example, apertures or channels in the horizontal and/or vertical panels 102, 104 can be formed as needed during the assembly process, such as by a drill or press, for example.

The fasteners 106 can be any suitable mechanical fastener such as a rod or screw. A length of the fastener 106 can be selected based on the dimensions of each row 110 of the divider 100 and how many rows the fastener 106 is intended to extend through. As illustrated in 3A-C and 4, the ends of the fastener 106 can be bent to form a laterally-extending stub at each end to minimize the likelihood that the fasteners 106 will slide out or otherwise become dislodged from the divider 100. The fastener 106 can be made from any suitable rigid material, such as plastic or metal, and have the desired thickness, length and other strength and durability related characteristics based on the intended use of the divider 100.

The vertical and horizontal panels 102, 104 can be made from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, and combinations thereof. The vertical and horizontal panels can be made from the same or different materials.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 200 for assembling a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. The sequence of steps depicted for this method are for illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps may proceed in a different logical order or additional or intervening steps may be included without detracting from the invention.

The method 200 begins with assuming that the horizontal and vertical panels 102, 104 have been cut or formed to the desired dimensions depending on the intended use of the subsequently formed packaging divider 100. A plurality of rows of apertures 112a-c can be formed in the horizontal panels 102 either before or after the panels 102 are cut to size or the apertures can be formed during assembly of each row of the divider 100. The number and spacing of apertures 112 can be based on a variety of factors, non-limiting examples of which include the intended use of the divider, the weight and/or dimensions of the items intended to be placed within the divider, the materials used to form the horizontal and vertical panels, the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels, and the cell dimensions.

At 202, a set of fasteners 106a, 106b, and 106c are inserted into each aperture of first, second and third rows of apertures 112a, 112b, and 112c, respectively of a first horizontal panel 102a. At 204, a first vertical panel 104a is placed over the fasteners 106a and slid down over the fasteners 106a until the first vertical panel 104a abuts the first horizontal panel 102a. The first vertical panel 104a may be formed of a corrugated material such that an interior of the panel comprises channels extending through the height of the panel. The fasteners 106a may have dimensions such that the fasteners 106 can be received by the pre-formed channels in the vertical panel 104a.

At 206, the step 204 may be repeated for assembly of the additional vertical panels 104b and 104c with the first horizontal panel 102a through fasteners 106b and 106c and rows of apertures 112b and 112c, respectively. While the method 200 is described as inserting all of the fasteners 160a-c prior to assembly of the first vertical panel 104, it is also within the scope of the invention for each set of fasteners 106a-c to be inserted prior to assembling each individual vertical panel 104a-c.

At 208, a second horizontal panel 102b having rows of apertures 112d-f configured to receive the fasteners 106a-c, can be slid over the fasteners 106a-c and positioned atop the free ends of the vertical panels 104a-c to form a first row 110a of cells 108. Typically, the second horizontal panel 102b will be identical to the first horizontal panel 102a, although it is within the scope of the invention for one or more of the horizontal panels 102 used in assembling the divider 100 to be different than the other horizontal panels. Each cell 108 of the first row 110a comprises 4 walls formed by the first and second horizontal panels 102a, b and opposing vertical panels 104a, b or 104 b, c. Steps 204 through 208 can be repeated multiple times to form a divider 10 having a desired number of rows of cells.

The fasteners 106a-c can be configured to extend through the vertical panels 104a-c and the first horizontal panel 102a such that a portion of the fasteners 106a-c extend beyond a bottom face of the first horizontal panel 102. The additional portion can be bent, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C to limit the movement of the fasteners 106a-c. Similarly, a portion of the fasteners 106 used in assembling the last horizontal panel can extend beyond an upper face of the last horizontal panel and be bent in a similar fashion, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C. Alternatively, or additionally, an adhesive or other covering or plug can be provided over the fasteners 106 of the first and last horizontal panels to limit movement of the fasteners 106. For example, the fasteners 106 can be configured to be generally flush with the bottom face of the first horizontal panel 102 and the corresponding apertures 112 can be covered with tape to limit movement of the fasteners 106.

The fasteners 106 can be configured to have a length that extends through all of the rows 110 of the divider 100, as illustrated. Alternatively, or additionally, multiple fasteners 106 can be used to assemble individual rows or multiple rows forming a portion of a multi-row divider. In one example, each fastener 106 can be configured to extend through a first vertical panel 104 and through an adjacent horizontal panel 102 into a second vertical panel 104 on an opposite side of the horizontal panel 102 from the first vertical panel 104. When multiple fasteners 106 are used, the fasteners 106 can have a length such that they can be stacked one on top of each other within the stacked rows of vertical panels 104. Alternatively, or additionally, the vertical panels 104 can be configured to provide sufficient room within the channels within the vertical panel 104 to allow multiple fasteners 106 to extend adjacent to one another within the same vertical panel 104. In yet another example, the apertures 112 provided in the horizontal panels 102 can be offset for each alternate horizontal panel 102 so as to allow multiple fasteners 106 to be inserted into a single vertical panel 104 without abutting another fastener within the same vertical panel 104.

FIGS. 6A-C and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention comprising a packaging divider 300 that is similar to the first packaging divider 100, except for the shape of the horizontal and vertical panels. Therefore, elements in the packaging divider 300 similar to those of the divider 100 will be numbered with the prefix 300.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 6A-C, the divider 300 is similar to the divider 100 comprising multiple rows 310 of cells 308 made from pairs of horizontal panels 302 vertically spaced by a series of vertical panels 304, which can be assembled using fasteners 306 in a manner similar to that described above for the packaging divider 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6C, the horizontal panels 302 and the vertical panels 304 each have a length L₃₀₂ and L₃₀₄, respectively, that does not extend in a single plane, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C for the divider 100, but rather extend in multiple planes to form a cell 308 having a generally curved or arched cross-section (FIG. 6C). The height H₃₀₄ of the vertical panels 304 can be constant along the length L₃₀₈ of the vertical panels 304 such that the height H₃₀₈ of the cells 308 is constant. It is also within the scope of the invention that different portions or sections of the vertical panels 304 can have different heights such that the height of the cell 308 varies along the length of the cell 308.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the horizontal panels 302 can comprise three portions 302a-c, with end portions 302a and 302c bent such that they are oriented at an angle with respect to the middle portion 302b. In this manner, the horizontal panel 302 changes direction at least once along its length L₃₀₂. The horizontal panel 302 can comprise a single panel which has been scored or folded to allow the end portions 302a, c to be angled with respect to middle portion 302b. Alternatively, each of the panels 302a-c can comprise separate, individual panels which can optionally be attached to the adjacent panel by a weld or adhesive, such as a piece of tape. It is also within the scope of the invention for each panel portion 302a-c to not be attached to the adjacent horizontal panel portion 302a-c, but be held in place in the assembled divider 100 by the fasteners 106.

Similarly, the vertical panels 304 can comprise three portions 304a-c with end portions 304a and 304 bent such that they are oriented at angle with respect to the middle portion 304b. In this manner, the vertical panel 304 changes direction at least once along its length L₃₀₄. The orientation of the horizontal and vertical panels 302 and 304 can be complimentary to facilitate stacking of the panels 302, 304 in assembling the divider 300. The vertical panel 304 can comprise a single panel which has been formed or shaped to provide the desired shape. Alternatively, each of the panels 304a-c can comprise separate, individual panels which can optionally be attached to the adjacent panel by a weld or adhesive, such as a piece of tape. It is also within the scope of the invention for each panel portion 304a-c to not be attached to the adjacent vertical panel portion 304a-c, but be held in place in the assembled divider 100 by the fasteners 106.

The divider 300 can be assembled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the method 200 of FIG. 5. An additional step may be to include one or more base or support members 350 to provide support for the bottom horizontal panel 302. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the support members 350 can have a flat, bottom face 352 for resting on a supporting surface and an upper face 353 having features generally corresponding to the shape of the bottom horizontal panel 302. The support members 350 can be assembled with the horizontal and vertical panels 302, 304 using the fasteners 306, as illustrated, or may be assembled with the bottom horizontal panel 302 using any other suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fastener, such as an adhesive or weld, for example.

While the horizontal and vertical panels 302 and 304 are illustrated as each having three portions, it will be understood that the horizontal and vertical panels 302 and 304 can comprise any number of portions having any desired angle or angles. In addition, the horizontal and vertical panels 302 and 304 can comprise angular features (shown) or curved or rounded features (not shown) to provide the desired cell shape. For example, rather than having angled portions, the horizontal and/or vertical panels 302, 304 can be curved or sloped.

FIGS. 8A-C and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention comprising a packaging divider 400 that is similar to the first packaging divider 100 and second packaging divider 300, except for the shape of the vertical panels. Therefore, elements in the packaging divider 400 similar to those of the divider 100 and 300 will be numbered with the prefix 400.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 8A-C, the divider 400 is similar to the divider 100 comprising multiple rows 410 of cells 408 made from pairs of horizontal panels 402 vertically spaced by a series of vertical panels 404, which can be assembled using fasteners 406 in a manner similar to that described above for the packaging divider 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 9, the horizontal panels 402 have a length L₄₀₂ and width W₄₀₂ that extends in a single plane in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the divider 100. In contrast to the vertical panels 104 of the divider 100, the vertical panels 404 do not have a length which extends in a single vertical plane. As can best be seen in FIG. 9, the vertical panels 404 can comprise portions 404a-c that are angled with respect to an adjacent portion to provide a cell 408 which bends laterally along the length L₄₀₈ of the cell. The vertical panels 404 can be identical such that the width W₄₀₈ of the cell 408 does not vary along the cell length L₄₀₈. Alternatively, the configuration of the vertical panel 404 can differ between adjacent vertical panels 404 such that the cell width W₄₀₈ varies along the cell length L₄₀₈.

The divider 400 can be assembled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the method 200 of FIG. 5 using fasteners 406 which extend fully or partially through the divider 400. Each row of apertures 412 formed in the horizontal panels 402 can be non-linear, rather than the linear rows illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 for the divider 100, corresponding to the shape of the adjacent vertical panels 404 to which the horizontal panel 402 is to be attached.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a framework, illustrated as support structure 500, is shown for use with any of the packaging dividers 100, 300 and 400 described herein. The support structure 500 is illustrated in FIG. 10A with an embodiment of the packaging divider 100; FIG. 10B illustrates the support structure 500 in use with an embodiment of the packaging divider 400.

The support structure 500 includes at least one support member 502 for limiting movement of the horizontal panels 102, 402, thus facilitating keeping the horizontal and vertical panels aligned. Limiting movement of the horizontal panels 102, 104 and maintaining alignment of the horizontal panels relative to other horizontal panels and the vertical panels can increase the strength and durability of the packaging dividers 100, 400. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the support members 502 can be in the form of a post extending perpendicular to the horizontal panel 102 (FIG. 10A) or 402 (FIG. 10B) and parallel to the vertical panels 104 and 404, respectively, although other structures which limit the movement of the horizontal panels 102, 402 can also be used.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the support structure 500 can include support members 502a adjacent each corner of the divider 100, as well as one or more support members 502b extending along the length of the horizontal panel 102. The support members 502b can be spaced along the length of the horizontal panel 102 and can be the same or different than the support members 502a at the corners of the support structure 500. In one example, the support members 502b can be in the form of a mesh or netting or a panel extending from at least one support member 502a along at least a portion of the length of the horizontal panel 102 or extending between adjacent support members 502a. The support members 502 can extend the entire height of the stack of horizontal panels 102 forming the packaging divider 100 or only a portion of the height of the divider 100. Although not illustrated, it is understood that additional support members 502 can be included between the corner support members 502 along the width of the horizontal panels 103.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, excess portions of the horizontal panels 402 can be trimmed or cut at one or more corners to accommodate the support structure 500. This can minimize the overall dimensions of the packaging divider 400 and support structure 500 assembly, which can reduce storage and shipping costs.

The support structure 500 can also include an additional upper frame structure 504 and/or lower frame structure 506 that can be integrally formed with the support structure 500 or form a separate structure that can be used in combination with the support structure 500. In one example, the upper and lower frame structure 504, 506 can include support arms that extend between the support members 502, thus forming an integral structural framework around the dividers 100, 400. In another example, the support structure 500 may be a separate element that can be used with the upper and/or lower frame structures 504, 506, which can optionally be attached with the support structure 500 through any suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fastener, such as a bolt, strap, adhesive or weld. For example, the support structure 500 can be configured for attachment to a traditional loading pallet.

The upper and lower frame structures 504, 506 can provide additional structural support to the packaging divider 100, 400 and support structure 500 assembly, as well as facilitate transport and storage of the assembly. For example, the lower frame structure 506 can provide a base upon which the divider 100, 400 rests to raise the bottom horizontal panel 102, 402 above the surface upon which the divider 100, 400 rests. The lower frame members 506 can also be configured to facilitate lifting the support structure 500, such as by the forks of a fork lift, for example. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper frame structure 504 can be configured for lifting, such as by a crane. The support members 502 and/or the upper or lower frame structures 504, 506 can also include stacking elements 508, illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B as projections extending from corner support members 502a, which can be received in a corresponding hollow space at a bottom end of a support structure 500 (not shown) on a stacked support structure 500.

The support structure 500 can be made from any suitable rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include metal, such as steel, wood or polymeric material. In addition, the different components of the support structure 500 can be made of the same or different material. The support structure 500 can be assembled around the packaging divider 100, 400 or, alternatively, the support structure 500 can be pre-assembled and the packaging divider 100, 400 placed therein. Preferably, the support structure 500 is integrally formed or configured for use with the upper and/or lower frame structures 504, 506 to facilitate transporting and storing the support structure 500 and the associated divider 100, 400. The support structure 500 and upper and lower frame structures 504, 506 can also provide points of attachment for securing additional elements that may be used with the divider 100, 300, and 400, such as a top, side and/or bottom cover panel.

The packaging dividers 100, 300 and 400 described herein provided dividers which can accommodate products having a variety of shapes and dimensions. Because each row is assembled individually, the packaging divider can have rows of unequal heights by varying the height of the vertical dividers used to form each row. Similarly, the width of the cell can be varied by varying the shape and/or the spacing of the vertical panels. The cells can extend laterally and/or longitudinally in multiple planes to provide cells which conform to the shape of non-linear products. In this manner, the non-linear products can be “nested”, increasing packing density within the divider, which can decrease shipping and storage costs. A curved, non-linear part, such as a car bumper, for example, requires a rectangular cell have a greater area than a corresponding curved cell which mimics the shape of the non-linear part. Thus, more curved cells will fit within a given area than rectangular cells, which allows for more car bumpers to fit in each row of the divider. In addition, because each row of the divider can be assembled individually, products can be placed within each cell as the divider is being assembled, and similarly removed from each row as the divider is disassembled, which can facilitate ease of use.

In a traditional interlocking packaging divider, such as the divider 10 of FIGS. 1A-C and 2, the slots provided in the horizontal and vertical panels necessary for interlocking the panels to form the cells inherently results in cell walls that are not fully supported along the entire length of the cell. For heavier products, this can result in fewer products being packaged per divider or the need for additional support elements or stronger divider material, thus increasing the cost of the divider and the assembly/disassembly time. In addition, the interlocking nature of the horizontal and vertical panels limits the ability to tailor the dimensions of each row or each cell within a row to the desired specifications and further restricts the ability to provide cells that extend laterally and/or longitudinally in different planes. A typical interlocking packaging divider is thus limited in its ability to nest non-linear products. For example, for a given row area, an interlocking packaging divider can accommodate fewer non-linear products than a corresponding divider 100, 300 or 400 of the present invention in which the cells can be configured so as to nest the non-linear products, thereby storing more products per row area than the traditional interlocking packaging divider.

Furthermore, in contrast with an interlocking divider, each row of the present divider can be assembled and/or disassembled individually, facilitating ease of loading and unloading parts. For example, a single row of vertical panels according to the embodiment of the invention can be assembled with an individual horizontal panel. In contrast, as can be seen in FIG. 2, each vertical panel of an interlocking type divider comprises all of the vertical panels for all of the rows of the divider.

In addition, in the present invention, the horizontal and vertical panels are not cut, thus maintaining the overall integrity of the panels forming the cell walls to a greater extent than a traditional interlocking divider in which the horizontal and vertical panels require multiple slots to be cut through a large portion of the panel. The multitude of slots in an interlocking panel decreases the overall strength of the panel and can allow dirt, debris and fluids to more easily travel between rows compared to the horizontal panels of the present invention which remain virtually intact except for the apertures used to insert the fasteners during assembly.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments of the invention may be used in combination with each other as desired. For example, one or more of the features illustrated and/or described with respect to one of the packaging dividers 100, 300 and 400 can be used with or combined with one or more features illustrated and/or described with respect to the other of the packaging dividers 100, 300 and 400. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A divider for packaging articles comprising:

a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another;

a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels;

a plurality of elongated retainer pins, each of the plurality of elongated retainer pins passing through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween;

wherein, when the plurality of separator panels are disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, the retainer pins mount the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.

2. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the packaging articles are of a consistent size.

3. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the plurality of divider panels are rectangular and oriented in a horizontal direction.

4. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the plurality of separator panels are disposed in a generally vertical direction and comprise an elongated rectangular panel disposed in the generally vertical direction.

5. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of separator panels further comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least one of the plurality of separator panels changes direction along a length between at least two of the plurality of divider panels.

6. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein at least two of the plurality of divider panels comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least two of the plurality of divider panels changes direction from the first direction.

7. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the plurality of elongated retainer pins comprise a laterally-extending stub at each end to retain the pin in a mounted position when it is passed through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any separator panels in alignment with the path of each of the elongated retainer pins.

8. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the packaging articles have a curved shape and the cells formed by the combination of the plurality of divider panels, the plurality of separator panels, and the plurality of elongated retainer pins has a non-linear shape corresponding generally to the shape of the packaging articles.

9. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 and further comprising a framework mounted around a periphery of the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels to support the structure formed by the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels.

10. The divider for packaging articles of claim 9 wherein the framework further comprises a recess at a lower portion thereof configured to receive forks of a forklift.

11. The divider for packaging articles of claim 1 wherein the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels comprise corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, or combinations thereof.