DRAWER ORGANIZER AND BOX BUILDER

Abstract

Presented is a divider for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, and building a custom box adherable on counter tops or similar flat surfaces. The divider is configured from a substantially rectangular and solid plastic sheet. The divider so formed from the solid plastic sheet includes features and characteristics such as a pair of central panels, a central hinge, a pair of lateral panels, a pair of lateral hinges, and ridges which are operationally connected to each other.

Claims

1. A divider (6) adapted for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, or building a custom box, comprising: a first central panel (16) with a first end and a second end; a second central panel (12) with a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first and second central panels (16,12) are hingedly connected to one another at the first end and the third end, respectively using a central hinge (14); a first lateral panel (20) with a fifth end and a six end, wherein the first lateral panel (20) and the first central panel (16) are hingedly connected to one another at the fifth end and the second end, respectively using a first lateral hinge (18); a second lateral panel (8) with a seventh end and an eighth end, wherein the second lateral panel (8) and the second central panel (12) are hingedly connected to one another at the seventh end and the fourth end, respectively using a second lateral hinge (10); a first adhesive layer (21) configured underside of at least one of: the first central panel (16), and the second central panel (12); a second adhesive layer (22) configured underside of the first and second lateral panels (20,8); and Wherein the central hinge (14) connecting the first and second central panels (16,12) allows 180 degrees rotation to the first and second central panels (16,12) to connect together at their undersides using the first adhesive layer (21) to form a divider wall (32), and wherein the first lateral hinge (18) connecting the first lateral panel (20) and the first central panel (16), and the second lateral hinge (10) connecting the second lateral panel (8) and the second central panel (12) allow 90 degrees rotation to the first and second lateral panels (20,8) to form a divider base (34) that then attaches to a mounting surface using the second adhesive layer (21).

2. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second central panels (16, 12) are equal in length and width.

3. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second lateral panels (20, 8) are equal in length and width.

4. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second lateral panels (20, 8) are equal in length relative to the length of the first and the second central panels (16,12), respectively.

5. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second lateral panels (20, 8) are shorter in length relative to the length of the first and the second central panels (16,12), respectively.

6. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the first and second adhesive layers (21) comprises of differential adhesives.

7. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the first and second adhesive layers (21) comprises of a double sided tape.

8. The divider (6) of claim 1 further comprising a first pair of ridges (22) configured adjacent to the first lateral hinge (18), and a second pair of ridges (22) configured adjacent to the second lateral hinge (10) to restrict rotation of the first and second lateral panels (20,8) to 90 degrees.

9. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the divider (6) is made of a solid plastic sheet substantially rectangular in shape.

10. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the central hinge (14), and the first and second lateral hinges (18, 10) are living hinges made of same material as the divider (6).

11. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the central hinge (14), and the first and second lateral hinges (18,10) are made of a material selected from a group of material consisting of plastic, rubber, or other flexible material that can bend and replicate a hinge movement.

12. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral panels (20,8) forming the divider base (34), and the first and second central panels (16,12) forming the divider wall (32) are substantially rectangular in shape.

13. The divider (6) of claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral panels (20,8) forming the divider base are further made in the form of triangular cutouts, rectangular cutouts, square cutouts with a matching angled ends.

14. A solid plastic sheet (2) configurable in the form of a divider (6) for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, or building a custom box, comprising: a first central panel (16) with a first end and a second end; a second central panel (12) with a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first and second central panels (16,12) are hingedly connected to one another at the first end and the third end, respectively using a central hinge (14); a first lateral panel (20) with a fifth end and a six end, wherein the first lateral panel (20) and the first central panel (16) are hingedly connected to one another at the fifth end and the second end, respectively using a first lateral hinge (18); a second lateral panel (8) with a seventh end and an eighth end, wherein the second lateral panel (8) and the second central panel (12) are hingedly connected to one another at the seventh end and the fourth end, respectively using a second lateral hinge (10); a first adhesive layer (21) configured underside of at least one of: the first central panel (16), and the second central panel (12); a second adhesive layer (22) configured underside of the first and second lateral panels (20,8); and Wherein the central hinge (14) connecting the first and second central panels (16,12) allows 180 degrees rotation to the first and second central panels (16,12) to reversably connect together at their undersides using the first adhesive layer (21) to form a divider wall (32), and wherein the first lateral hinge (18) connecting the first lateral panel (20) and the first central panel (16), and the second lateral hinge (10) connecting the second lateral panel (8) and the second central panel (12) allow 90 degrees rotation to the first and second lateral panels (20,8) to form a divider base (34) that then attaches to a mounting surface using the second adhesive layer (21).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. There is shown in the drawings example embodiments, however, the application is not limited to the specific system and method disclosed in the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows different views of a divider made of a solid plastic sheet, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the divider of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows isometric views of the divider and formation of separation walls by strategic placement of multiple dividers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 4-5 shows formation of custom boxes using multiple dividers, wherein the boxes so formed are adherable on counter tops or similar flat surfaces, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of dividers for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows different views of the divider and formation of custom box using the dividers, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows different views of the divider and formation of separation walls by strategic placement of the dividers, according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows different views of the divider made of a solid plastic sheet, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 10 shows different views of the divider, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Various embodiments will now be discussed in detail. The words comprising, having, containing, and including, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods, and systems similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, and systems are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary.

[0030] References to one embodiment, an embodiment, another embodiment, an example, another example, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase in an embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as first, second, third, fourth, are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.

[0031] The various features and embodiments of a divider adapted for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, and building custom boxes adherable on counter tops or similar flat surfaces will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying figures, namely FIGS. 1-10.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, different views of a divider made of a solid plastic sheet is shown, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, view 2 of FIG. 1 shows a top inflated view of the divider made of a substantially rectangular solid plastic sheet preferably made of polypropylene, view 4 of FIG. 1 shows an end view of the divider shown in the view 2, view 7 of FIG. 1 shows an enlargement of a portion of the divider shown in the view 4, and view 6 of FIG. 1 shows how the solid plastic sheet 2 is configured in the form of the divider for partitioning an interior space of a drawer, or building a custom box.

[0033] As seen, the divider 6 is formed by strategically folding the solid plastic sheet 2. The divider 2 includes a first central panel 16 with a first end and a second end, and a second central panel 12 with a third end and a fourth end. The first and second central panels 16, 12 are hingedly connected to one another at their first end and the third end, respectively using a central hinge 14. According to preferred embodiment, the central panels 12, 16 are equal in length and width and are substantially rectangular in shape.

[0034] The divider 6 further includes a first lateral panel 20 with a fifth end and a six end, and a second lateral panel 8 with a seventh end and an eighth end. The first lateral panel 20 and the first central panel 16 are hingedly connected to one another at their fifth end and the second end, respectively using a first lateral hinge 18. The second lateral panel 8 and the second central panel 12 are hingedly connected to one another at their seventh end and the fourth end, respectively using a second lateral hinge 10. According to the preferred embodiment, the lateral panels 20, 8 are equal in length and width. Further, the length of each of the lateral panels 20, 8 may be made equal or shorter relative to the length of the central panels 16, 12. Further, the lateral panels 20, 8, are substantially rectangular in shape.

[0035] Further, as seen, the divider 6 comprises a first adhesive layer 21 configured underside of either the first central panel 16, or the second central panel 12. In the view 4 of FIG. 1, the first adhesive layer 21 is shown applied underside the second central panel 12 only. However, in some other embodiment, the first adhesive layer 21 may be configured underside of both the first central panel 16, and the second central panel 12. The purpose of the first adhesive layer 21 applied or configured underside of the first central panel 16, or the second central panel 12 is to reversibly bind these two panels 16,12 together to form a divider wall when a user folds the solid plastic sheet 2 to form the divider 6. Additionally, the divider 6 further comprises a second adhesive layer 21 configured underside of the first and second lateral panels 20, 8. The purpose of the second adhesive layer 21 applied or configured underside of the lateral panels 20, 8 is to facilitate the lateral panels 20, 8 to adhere or attach to a mounting surface where divider is installed. The mounting surface for the purpose of this invention is preferably a base of a drawer where one or more dividers 6 of the present invention would be installed to create partitions within the interior of the drawer in order to facilitate the user to organize various contents kept therein. Further, the mounting surface can be counter tops where the dividers 6 of the present inventions can be used to form custom boxes. Although only two mounting surfaces are discussed, it should be understood that the present invention can be mounted over any smooth surfaces either to create partitions or to build custom boxes (boxes with or without internal partitions).

[0036] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layers 21 applied underside of either of the two central panels 12, 16 or underside of the lateral panels 8, 20 may be like in nature or may be different. The adhesive layers 21 used for the purpose of this invention may be simple adhesives known in the art, or may be differential adhesives, double sided tape or differential adhesive double sided tape. Differential adhesives or differential adhesive double sided tape is preferred as these adhesives offer reversible adhesive strength resulting in ease of reversible adherence of the two central panels 12, 16 (back to back adherence) and adherence of the lateral panels 8,20 over the mounting surface. Further, the adhesives used may be reversible or irreversible in nature depending on the intended use of a box build using the dividers 6.

[0037] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central hinge 14 connecting the central panels 12, 16 together is a living hinge (made of the same material as the divider 6, polypropylene in the preferred embodiment) that allows 180 degrees rotation to the central panels 12, 16 and enable them to reversably connect together at their undersides using the adhesive layer 21 to form the divider wall. Although, presence of a living hinge 14 between the central panels 12, 16 is described, a complex or so to say a true living hinge as known in the art is not required because during the lifetime of the divider 6, the number of times the central panels 12, 16 would be bent or folded would not be high. Thus, simply during the manufacturing process, decreasing the thickness of the plastic sheet to an appropriate level at the point where the central panels 12, 16 would fold would serve the purpose of this invention. In some embodiments, instead of using the living hinge 14, one can use other material (such as plastic, rubber, or other flexible material) capable of replicating a hinge movement to practice the invention.

[0038] Further, the first lateral hinge 18 connecting the first lateral panel 20 and the first central panel 16, and the second lateral hinge 10 connecting the second lateral panel 8 and the second central panel 12 are made as living hinges (made of same material as the divider 6) that allow 90 degrees rotation to the lateral panels 8, 20 to form the divider base that support the divider wall. The divider base attaches or adheres to the mounting surface using the adhesive layers 21 discussed above. Although, presence of the living hinges 10, 18 for connecting the lateral panels 8, 20 to respective central panels 12, 16 is described, a complex or so to say a true living hinge as known in the art is not required because during the lifetime of the divider 6, the number of times the lateral panels 8, 20 would be bent or folded will not be high. Thus, simply during the manufacturing process, decreasing the thickness of the sheet to an appropriate level at the point where the lateral panels 8, 20 would fold would serve the purpose of this invention. In some embodiments, instead of using the living hinges 10, 18, one can use other material (such as plastic, rubber, or other flexible material) capable of replicating a hinge movement to practice the invention.

[0039] Referring to the partial end view 7 and the divider 6 of FIG. 1, the divider 6 further includes a first pair of ridges 22 configured on top and adjacent to the first lateral hinge 18, and a second pair of ridges 22 configured on top and adjacent to the second lateral hinge 10. More specifically, as seen, one ridge of the first pair of ridges 22 lie on top and adjacent to one end of the lateral hinge 18 and the fifth end of the first lateral panel 20, and another ridge of the first pair of ridges 22 lie on top and adjacent to other end of the lateral hinge 18 and the second end of the first central panel 16. Likewise, one ridge of the second pair of ridges 22 lie on top and adjacent to one end of the lateral hinge 10 and the seventh end of the second lateral panel 8, and another ridge of the second pair of ridges 22 lie on top and adjacent to other end of the lateral hinge 10 and the fourth end of the second central panel 12. The provided two pairs of ridges 22 restrict rotation of the lateral panels 8, 20 to 90 degrees. The ridges 22 may be configured into various shapes for example but not limited to triangular, rectangular or other polygonal shapes where flat surfaces can come together to strike each other.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view of the divider 6 of FIG. 1 is shown, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The divider 6 as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained from the flat plastic sheet 2 of FIG. 1. In operation, firstly a user rotatably folds the two central panels 16, 12 about the central hinge 14 that connects them together to form a divider wall. Specifically, when the central panels 16, 12 are folded in the process for forming the divider 6, the two central panels 16, 12 reversably adhere to each other due to the presence of the adhesive layer 21 to form the divider wall. Next, the user folds each of the lateral panels 20, 8 to form a divider base that would support the divider wall. Each of the two pairs of ridges 22 present adjacent to the hinges 10,18 come to lie at the divider walldivider base junction (striking each other) when the lateral panels 8,20 are rotated restricting the rotation of the lateral panels 8, 20 to 90 degrees. The ridges 22 further provide stability to the divider wall to remain erect, when the wall is fully formed. Once appropriately folded, the adhesive layers 21 present underside of the lateral panels allow the divider to stick or adhere onto the mounting surface (such as a drawer's base, a counter top). In an example, the adhesive layer 21 is covered with a protective layer which is peeled off so that the user can easily do during installation of the divider on the intended surface. In the preferred embodiment, adhesive layers 21 are covered with a peelable sheet during storage so they do not adhere to unintended surfaces. The peelable sheet is not shown in the present figures.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, isometric views of the divider and formation of separation walls by strategic placement of multiple dividers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, view 30 of FIG. 3 shows the divider 6 in a folded configuration with length of the lateral panels 8 and adhesive layer 20 shorter to the length of the central panels 12 and adhesive layer 16. View 6 shows the configuration for the divider 6, where the length of the lateral panels 8 is made shorter relative to the length of the central panels 12. View 40 (specifically side and top views) shows formation of separation walls by strategic placement of multiple dividers 6. When the length of the lateral panels 8, 20 is made shorter relative to the length of the central panels 12, 16 and the panels are folded about respective hinges (such as hinges 14, 18, 10) to form the divider 6 with the divider wall 32 and the divider base 34, there remains spaces 25 underneath the wall 32 at two ends of the wall 32.

[0042] In operation, as shown in the view 40, in order to form the separation walls by strategic placement of multiple dividers 6, the divider base 34 of one divider 6 can be slidably placed into the spaces 25 underneath of the other divider 6 allowing the divider wall 32 of one divider 6 to contact or touch the divider wall of other divider 6. In the example shown, three dividers 6 are shown arranged, where one divider 6 is placed horizontally and other two dividers 6 are vertically and slidably disposed to lie within the spaces 25 present underneath the divider 6 placed horizontally. This allows the divider wall 32 of all the three dividers 6 to be in contact or touch each other. Such configuration of the dividers 6 allow formation of a closed box leaving no spaces as in such configuration the divider walls 32 of the dividers 6 physically touch each other. The dividers 6 can be placed at any position along a wall length and are not limited to placement at any specific location. The separation walls/divider walls can be of different heights and lengths, depending on the sizes of the flat plastic sheet 2 or the dimensions of the central panels 12, 16.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, formation of custom boxes using multiple dividers are shown, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, FIG. 4 shows formation of a box 45 using four dividers 6 connected end to end in a square form. FIG. 5 shows formation of a box 50 using five dividers 6, wherein four dividers 6 are connected end to end in a square form to form the box similar to the box 45, and then an additional divider 50 is placed as a separator for partitioning the interior space of the box 50. The boxes 45, 50 so formed are adherable on counter tops or similar flat surfaces because of the adhesive layers 21 present underside of the lateral panels 8, 20 as discussed above. Important thing to note, the boxes 45, 50 shown in FIGS. 4-5 are not configured to be fully closed (leaving the spaces 25 unfilled present underneath each of the divider 6), and such boxes 45,50 can be used for storage of the larger items. However, one should understand, custom closed boxes can also be formed specially for holding small items by strategic placement of the dividers 6 as described above in FIG. 3. The custom boxes can be build using different dividers with different wall length and different wall heights. For example, the boxes can be made by combining dividers with 3, 6, 9 and 12 length walls. The dividers with lower height walls are used in situations where visibility is important. The dividers with taller walls are used for storage of many small items.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, an example arrangement of dividers for partitioning an interior space of a drawer is shown, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the drawer 60 comprises a left side 65, a right side 63, a back side 62, a front side 64, and a bottom 66 attached to the sides 62-65. The drawer 60 as seen resembles an open-top box, and the dividers 6 of this invention can be used in with respect to the drawer or open box-type structure. Specifically, the dividers 6 can be strategically placed adjacent to one another as explained with respect to FIG. 3 to divide the bottom 66 of the drawer 60 into different compartments or sections in order to facilitate the user to properly organize different items or contents placed inside the drawer 60. The contents may include arts and crafts items, electronic items, stationery and office purpose items, and many other general purpose items. All of the dividers 6 are the same, except that they may be shortened or lengthened or heightened in accordance with the divider needs.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, different views of the divider and formation of custom box using the dividers, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the divider flat divider 70 or the same divider folded 78 includes a pair of central panels 75, 76, a central hinge 73 connecting the central panels 75, 76, a pair of lateral panels 71, 77 each connected to respective central panels 75, 76 using a pair of lateral hinges 72, 74, specifically the lateral panel 71 connected to the central panel 75 using the hinge 72, and the lateral panel 77 connected to the central panel 76 using the hinge 74. The hinges 72,73,74 are preferably living hinges but may also be made suing other materials as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. The divider 78 may also include two pairs of ridges similar to one discussed in FIG. 1. The divider 78 is like in nature and function similar as the divider 6 disclosed in FIG. 1 except the lateral panels 71, 77 having triangular cutouts as seen. Further, as seen, when a box 80 is formed using this alternative form of divider 78, a side of the triangular cutout would mate or touch the complementing side of the triangular cutout of the other divider.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, different views of the divider and formation of separation walls by strategic placement of the dividers is shown, according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the flat divider 90 or the same divider folded 92 includes similar characteristics such as a pair of central panels, a central hinge, a pair of lateral panels 96, 98, a pair of lateral hinges, ridges and so on similar to the divider 6 of FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment, the lateral panels 96, 98 include rectangular shaped cutouts. View 94 shows as to how the divider 92 can be strategically placed adjacent to one another to create partitions or boxes.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 9, different views of the divider made of a solid plastic sheet are shown, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the divider 106 is formed using the solid plastic sheet 102. The sheet 102 include similar characteristics and functions due to presence of like parts such as a pair of central panels 12,16, a central hinge 14, a pair of lateral panels 8,20, a pair of lateral hinges 10,18, and so on similar to the divider 6 of FIG. 1 expect a pair of ridges discussed in FIG. 1.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 10, different views of the divider, according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen, in this embodiment, the divider would include four separate/individual panels 130, particularly a pair of central panels 137 and a pair of lateral panels 139 which are separate, individual panels. The panels 130 may be made of metal, ceramic, plastic, paper, rubber, cardboard or any combinations thereof or other solid materials. As seen in the top view 131, the lateral panels 139 are joined to the central panels 137 with a sheet 140 and a sheet 142 constructed of a different material than the panels 130. The material may be plastic, rubber or other flexible material which can bend and replicate a hinge movement. For example, the sheets 140 and 142 may be adhesive tapes. Further, a bottom view 132 shows the central panels 137 joined together using a sheet 144 which is constructed of a different material than the panels 130. The material may be plastic, rubber or other flexible material which can bend and replicate hinge movement. For example, the sheet 144 may be double sided adhesive tape. The end view 131 and folded view 136 of the divider in accordance with this embodiment would function similar to the divider of FIG. 1. The sheets 140,142,144 acts as hinges that helps the user fold the panels to form the divider according to this embodiment. Further, the divider in accordance with this embodiment would include the adhesive layers underside the panels 130 as described with respect to FIG. 1 above.

[0049] It should be understood according to the preceding description of the present invention that the same is susceptible to changes, modifications and adaptations, and that the said changes, modifications and adaptations fall within scope of the appended claims.