Abstract
A separator system is disclosed for organizing items such as fabrics and wearing apparel as well as documents and the like. The separator system comprises a first planar member defined by a first peripheral portion for supporting a first item. A first hollow projection is formed in the first peripheral portion of the first planar member. The first hollow projection defines an first upper projection and a first lower recess. The first upper projection of the first hollow projection extends above the first item for interlocking with a second lower recess of an adjacent second planar member located above the first item.
Claims
1. A separator system for organizing and separating a first and a second item, comprising: a first planar member having a first hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said first planar member with said first hollow projection defining a first hollow recess within an interior of said first hollow projection; said first planar member configured to support the first item; a second planar member having a second hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said second planar member with said second hollow projection defining a second hollow recess within an interior of said second hollow projection; said second planar member configured to support the second item; said first planar member being identical to said second planar member; said first hollow projection extending above the first item for interlocking with said second hollow recess of said second planar member located above the first item; and said first hollow projection of said first planar member and said second hollow recess of said adjacent second planar member being configured for inhibiting horizontal rotation of said second planar member relative to said first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of said second planar member relative to said first planar member.
2. A separator system for organizing items as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first hollow projection comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension for inhibiting horizontal rotation of said second planar member relative to said first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of said second planar member relative to said first planar member.
3. A separator system for organizing and separating a first and a second item, comprising: a first planar member having a first hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said first planar member with said first hollow projection defining a first hollow recess; said first planar member configured to support the first item; a second planar member having a second hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said second planar member with said second hollow projection defining a second hollow recess; said second planar member configured to support the second item; said first planar member being identical to said second planar member; said first hollow projection of said first planar member extending above the first item; said first hollow projection of said first planar member comprises plural first hollow projections and plural first hollow recesses; said second hollow projection of said second planar member comprises plural second hollow projections and plural second hollow recesses; and said first plural hollow projections extending above the first item for interlocking with said second plural hollow recess of said second planar member located above the first item inhibiting horizontal rotation of said second planar member relative to said first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of said second planar member relative to said first planar member.
4. A separator system for organizing items as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second planar member are defined by a generally rectangular portion; said first hollow projection includes a lip extending along multiple sides of said generally rectangular portion of said first planar member; and said second hollow projection includes a lip extending along multiple sides of said generally rectangular portion of said second planar member for inhibiting horizontal rotation of said second planar member relative to said first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of said second planar member relative to said first planar member.
5. A separator system for organizing and separating a first and a second item, comprising: a first planar member having a first hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said first planar member with said first hollow projection defining a first hollow recess; said first planar member configured to support the first item; a second planar member having a second hollow projection formed in an outer portion of said second planar member with said second hollow projection defining a second hollow recess; said second planar member configured to support the second item; said first planar member being identical to said second planar member; said first hollow projection extending above the first item; said first hollow projection comprises plural first hollow projections and plural first hollow recesses; said second hollow projection comprising plural second hollow recesses; and said plural first hollow projections interlocking with said plural second hollow projections and plural second hollow recesses for inhibiting horizontal rotation of said second planar member relative to said first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of said second planar member relative to said first planar member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a separator of the present invention supporting an item shown as a garment;
(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a stack of the separator of FIG. 1 supporting a plurality of items;
(4) FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of the first embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the first embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 1;
(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the first embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 1;
(7) FIG. 6 is a right side view of FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 is a view along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;
(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line 8-8 in FIG. 5;
(10) FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a stack of the separators of FIG. 1 located on a conventional storage shelve;
(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;
(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of a stack of the separator of FIG. 1 being lifted to retrieve an item within the stack;
(13) FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the retrieval of an item within the stack;
(14) FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the stack of the separator after removal of the item from the stack;
(15) FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a stack of the separator of FIG. 1 located in a stack container suitable for incorporation into the present invention.
(16) FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the stack container of FIG. 14 located on a conventional storage shelve;
(17) FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a separator of the present invention supporting an item shown as a garment;
(18) FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a stack of the separators of FIG. 16 supporting a plurality of items;
(19) FIG. 18 is a top isometric view of the second embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 16;
(20) FIG. 19 is a bottom isometric view of the second embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 16;
(21) FIG. 20 is a top view of the second embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 16;
(22) FIG. 21 is a right side view of FIG. 20;
(23) FIG. 22 is a view along line 22-22 in FIG. 20;
(24) FIG. 23 is a view along line 23-23 in FIG. 20;
(25) FIG. 24 is a view along line 24-24 in FIG. 20;
(26) FIG. 25 is a view along line 25-25 in FIG. 20;
(27) FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a stack of the separator of FIG. 16 located on a storage shelve;
(28) FIG. 27 is a sectional view along line 27-27 in FIG. 26;
(29) FIG. 28 is a side view of a stack of the separator of FIG. 16 being lifted to retrieve an item within the stack;
(30) FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 illustrating the retrieval of an item within the stack;
(31) FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 28 illustrating the stack of the separator after removal of the item from the stack;
(32) FIG. 31 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a separator of the present invention supporting an item shown as a garment;
(33) FIG. 32 is an isometric view of a stack of the separators of FIG. 30 supporting a plurality of items;
(34) FIG. 33 is a top isometric view of the third embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 31;
(35) FIG. 34 is a bottom isometric view of the third embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 31;
(36) FIG. 35 is a top view of the third embodiment of the separator shown in FIG. 31;
(37) FIG. 36 is a view along line 36-36 in FIG. 35;
(38) FIG. 37 is a view along line 37-37 in FIG. 35;
(39) FIG. 38 is a left side view of FIG. 35;
(40) FIG. 39 is a right side view of FIG. 35;
(41) FIG. 40 is a sectional view along line 40-40 in FIG. 35;
(42) FIG. 41 is an enlarged view along line 41-41 in FIG. 35;
(43) FIG. 42 is an enlarged view along line 42-42 in FIG. 35;
(44) FIG. 43 is an enlarged view along line 43-43 in FIG. 35; and
(45) FIG. 44 is an enlarged view along line 44-44 in FIG. 35.
(46) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DISCUSSION
(47) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a separator 5 of the present invention. The separator 5 is shown supporting an item 7 shown as flat item. In this embodiment, the item 7 is shown as a folded fabric such as wearing apparel or a garment. Although the item 7 is shown as a folded fabric such as wearing apparel or a garment, it should be understood that the separator 5 may be used with various non-fabric items such as documents or other materials.
(48) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a stack of the separator 5 of FIG. 1 supporting a plurality of items 7. Each of the separators 5 is identical to one another. The stack of the separator 5 forms a separator system 9 for separating a plurality of items 7.
(49) FIGS. 3-8 are various views of the first embodiment of the separator 5 shown in FIG. 1. The separator 5 comprises a planar member 10 defined by a first peripheral portion 11, a second peripheral portion 12, a third peripheral portion 13 and a fourth peripheral portion 14. In this example, the planar member 10 is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member 10 may be embodied in other configurations.
(50) The planar member 10 has a top surface 15 and a bottom surface 16. Preferably, the planar member 10 is a one piece unit formed from a polymeric material. In the alternative, the planar member 10 is a one piece unit formed from metallic material, a wood material or a derivative of a wood material such as cardboard and the like.
(51) Each of the separators 5 includes a hollow projection for registering planar member 10 with an identical separator 5 located below and/or above the planar member 10. The planar member 10 has a first hollow projection 20 defined by an upper surface 21 and a first lower surface 22 forming a first hollow recess 24.
(52) The first hollow projection 20 is located near the first peripheral portion 11 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion 11 and the second peripheral portion 12. The first hollow projection 20 is integrally formed with the planar member 10.
(53) In this example, the planar member 10 has a second hollow projection 30 defined by an upper surface 31 and a first lower surface 32 forming a second hollow recess 34. The second hollow projection 30 is located near the second peripheral portion 12 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion 12 and the third peripheral portion 13.
(54) Referring back to FIG. 2, the projections 20 and 30 of the first separator 5 extend above the item 7 resting on the top surface 15. The projections 20 and 30 of the first separator 5 interlock with recesses 24 and 34 of an upper second separator 5 to form the separator system. The interlocking of the projections 20 and 30 of a first separator 5 with recesses 24 and 34 of an upper second separator 5 inhibits horizontal rotation between the first and second separators 5. The interlocking of the projections 20 and 30 of a first separator 5 with recesses 24 and 34 of an upper second separator 5 permits vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. Furthermore, the projections 20 and 30 of the first separator 5 fit within recesses 24 and 34 of the upper second separator 5 allowing the separators 5 to nest when not in use.
(55) FIG. 9 is a view of a stack of the separators 5 of FIG. 1 located on a conventional storage shelve 50. The separator system 9 of the present invention enables a stack of fabric or garments 7 to be conveniently and neatly arranged on the conventional storage shelve 50. In addition, the interlocking of adjacent separators 5 enables an operator to tilt and peruse all of the items 7 within the stack of separators 5. Thereafter, the interlocking of adjacent separators 5 enables the operator to vertically tilt multiple separators 5 for conveniently selecting and removing a single item 7 from the stack of separators 5. The separator system 9 may also be located and used within drawers, suitcases or exposed surfaces.
(56) FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 illustrating the interlocking hollow projections 20 of the stack of separators five shown in FIG. 9. The stack of separators is shown including separators 5, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. The separators 5-5D support items 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D. The separators 5, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D include projections 20, 20A, 20B, 20C and 20 D. Each of the projections 20, 20A, 20B, 20C and 20 D extend above the respective items 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D thus interlocking the separators 5, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
(57) FIG. 11 is a side view of a stack of the separators 5 of FIG. 1 being vertically tilted or lifted to retrieve an item 7 within the stack of the separators 5. In this example, the separators 5, 5A and 5B are being vertically tilted or lifted to expose items 7C.
(58) FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the retrieval of an item 7C within the stack of the separators 5. The vertically tilting or lifting of the separators 5. 5A, 5B facilitates removal of the item 7C from separator 5C.
(59) FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the stack of the separators 5 after removal of the item 7C from separator 5C of the stack of the separators 5. After removal of the item 7C from the separator 5C, the separator 5B interlocks with separator 5C. In the alternative, the stack of separators 5, 5A and 5B may be lifted vertically to remove the separator 5C from the stack of the separators 5 with the separator 5B interlocking with separator 5D.
(60) FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a stack of the separator 5 of FIG. 1 located in a stack container 60 suitable for incorporation into the present invention. The stack container 60 comprises a first and a second side 61 and 62 interconnected by a back 63 and a bottom 64. The first and second side 61 and 62 define handles 71 and 72. The stack container 60 is configured to receive a stack of the separators 5 to further organize the items 7. The stack container 60 may be formed from various materials such as cardboard materials, polymeric materials or metallic materials. In addition, the stack container 60 may comprise a shipping container for a stack of new separators 5.
(61) FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the stack container 60 of FIG. 14 located on a conventional storage shelve. The stack container 60 in combination with the separators system 9 of the present invention further organizes the items 7.
(62) FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a separator 105 of the present invention. The separator 105 is shown supporting an item 107 in a manner similar to FIG. 1.
(63) Optionally, the container 60 may be provided with a tab 65 located on the side 62 of the container 60. The tab 65 interacts with separators 5 to restrict horizontal movement of the separators 5 thereby locking separators 5 within container 60. The tabs 65 may be retractable or removable from interaction with separators 5. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tab 65 may take various forms and may be affixed at various locations of the container 60.
(64) FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a stack of the separators 105 of FIG. 16 supporting a plurality of items 107. Each of the separators 105 is identical to one another. The stack of the separator 105 forms a separator system 109 for separating a plurality of items 107.
(65) FIGS. 18-23 are various views of the second embodiment of the separator 105 shown in FIG. 16. The separator 105 comprises a planar member 110 defined by a first peripheral portion 111, a second peripheral portion 112, a third peripheral portion 113 and a fourth peripheral portion 114. In this example, the planar member 110 is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member 110 may be embodied in other configurations.
(66) Each of the separators 105 includes a hollow projection for registering planar member 110 with an identical separator 105 located below and/or above the planar member 110. The planar member 110 has a first hollow projection 120 defined by an upper surface 121 and a first lower surface 122 forming a first hollow recess 124.
(67) The first hollow projection 120 is located near the first peripheral portion 11 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion 111 and the second peripheral portion 112. The first hollow projection 120 is integrally formed with the planar member 110.
(68) In this example, the planar member 110 has a second hollow projection 130 defined by an upper surface 131 and a first lower surface 132 forming a second hollow recess 134. The second hollow projection 130 is located near the second peripheral portion 112 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion 112 and the third peripheral portion 113.
(69) The separator 105 comprises a first, second and a third lip 140, 150 and 160 defined by the first peripheral portion 111, the second peripheral portion 112, and the third peripheral portion 113. The first, second and a third lips 140, 150 and 160 add mechanical strength to the separator 105. Furthermore, the first, second and a third lips 140, 150 and 160 assist in preventing lateral movement of an item 107 on the upper surface 115 of the planar member 110.
(70) The first lip 140 comprises an inner lip 141 and an outer lip 142 forming an apex 144 and the recess 145. Similarly, the second lip 150 comprises an inner lip 151 and an outer lip 152 forming an apex 154 and the recess 155. Finally, the third lip 160 comprises an inner lip 161 and an outer lip 162 forming an apex 164 and the recess 165. The first, second and a third lip 140, 150 and 160 are configured to nest within one another as described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention.
(71) FIG. 26 is a view of a stack of the separators 105 of FIG. 17 located on a conventional storage shelf 50. The separator system 109 of the present invention enables a stack of fabric or garments 7 to be conveniently and neatly arranged on the conventional storage shelve 50. In addition, the interlocking of adjacent separators 105 enables an operator to remove multiple separators 105 for conveniently selecting and removing a single item 107 from the stack of separators 105. Furthermore, the interlocking of adjacent separators 105 enables an operator to vertically tilt multiple separators 5 for conveniently selecting and removing a single item 107 from the stack of separators 105.
(72) FIG. 27 is a sectional view along line 27-27 in FIG. 26 illustrating the interlocking of the stack of separators 5 shown in FIG. 17. The stack of separators is shown including separators 105, 105A, 105B, 105C and 105D. The separators 105-105D support items 107, 107A, 107B, 107C, 107D. The separators 105, 105A, 105B, 105C and 105D include projections 120, 120A, 120B, 120C and 120 D. Each of the projections 120, 120A, 120B, 120C and 120D extend above the respective items 107, 107A, 107B, 107C, 107D thus interlocking the separators 105, 105, 105B, 105C and 105D.
(73) FIG. 28 is a side view of a stack of the separators 105 of FIG. 27 being lifted to retrieve an item 107 within the stack of the separators 105. In this example, the separators 105, 105A and 105B are being vertically tilted or lifted to expose item 107C.
(74) FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 illustrating the retrieval of an item 107C within the stack of the separators 105. The vertical tilting or lifting of the separators 105. 105A, 105B facilitates removal of the item 107C.
(75) FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 illustrating the stack of the separators 105 after removal of the item 107C from the stack of the separators 105. After removal of the item 107C from the stack of separate separators 105, the separator 105B nests upon separator 105C.
(76) FIG. 31 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a separator 205 of the present invention. The separator 205 is shown supporting an item 207 in a manner similar to FIGS. 1 and 16.
(77) FIG. 32 is an isometric view of a stack of the separators 205 of FIG. 31 supporting a plurality of items 207. Each of the separators 205 is identical to one another. The stack of the separator 205 forms a separator system 209 for separating a plurality of items 207.
(78) FIGS. 33-44 are various views of the third embodiment of the separator 205 shown in FIG. 31. The separator 205 comprises a planar member 210 defined by a first peripheral portion 211, a second peripheral portion 212, a third peripheral portion 213 and a fourth peripheral portion 214. The planar member 210 may be provided with one or more depressions 218 for strengthening and reducing flexibility of the planar member 210. In this example, the planar member 110 is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member 210 may be embodied in other configurations.
(79) Each of the separators 205 includes a hollow projection for registering planar member 210 with an identical separator 205 located below and/or above the planar member 210. The planar member 210 has a first hollow projection 220 defined by an upper surface 221 and a first lower surface 222 forming a first hollow recess 224. The first hollow projection 220 is located near the first peripheral portion 211 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion 211 and the second peripheral portion 212. The first hollow projection 220 is integrally formed with the planar member 210.
(80) The first hollow projection 220 comprises an outer side 225 and an inner side 226. The outer side 225 and the inner side 226 are slightly inwardly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 221 to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. The first hollow projection 220 comprises a first and a second ends 227 and 228. The first end 227 is substantially inwardly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 221 to facilitate the vertical tilting or lifting of the separators 205 to facilitate removal of the item 207 as shown in FIG. 28. The second end 228 is slightly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 221 to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. However, the second end 228 has a substantially vertical orientation to prevent the forward horizontal movement of the separators 205
(81) In this example, the planar member 210 has a second hollow projection 230 defined by an upper surface 231 and a first lower surface 232 forming a second hollow recess 234. The second hollow projection 230 is located near the second peripheral portion 212 adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion 212 and the third peripheral portion 213. The second hollow projection 230 is integrally formed with the planar member 210.
(82) The second hollow projection 230 comprises an outer side 235 and an inner side 236. The outer side 235 and the inner side 236 are slightly inwardly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 231 to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. The second hollow projection 230 comprises a first and a second ends 237 and 238. The first end 237 is substantially inwardly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 221 to facilitate the vertical tilting or lifting of the separators 205 to facilitate removal of the item 207 as shown in FIG. 28. The second end 238 is slightly tapered from the planar member 210 to the upper surface 221 to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. However, the second end 238 has a substantially vertical orientation to prevent the forward horizontal of the separators 205
(83) The separator 205 comprises a first through fourth lip 240, 250, 260 and 270 defined by the first through fourth peripheral portions 211-214. The first through fourth peripheral portions 211-214 add mechanical strength to the separator 205. Furthermore, the first through fourth peripheral portions 211-214 assist in preventing lateral movement of an item 107 on the upper surface 215 of the planar member 210.
(84) FIG. 41 is a magnified view along line 41-41 in FIG. 35 further illustrating the first lip 240. The first lip 240 is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface 241 and an inner lip surface 242 defining a peak 244 and the recess 245.
(85) FIG. 42 is a magnified view along line 42-42 in FIG. 35 further illustrating the second lip 250. The second lip 250 is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface 251 and an inner lip surface 252 defining a peak 254 and the recess 255.
(86) FIG. 43 is a magnified view along line 43-43 in FIG. 35 further illustrating the third lip 260. The third lip 260 is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface 261 and an inner lip surface 262 defining a peak 264 and the recess 265.
(87) FIG. 44 is a magnified view along line 44-44 in FIG. 35 further illustrating the fourth lip 270. The fourth lip 270 is formed having a semi-half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface 271 and an inner lip surface 272 defining a peak 274 and the recess 275. In contrast to the first through third lips 240, 250 and 260, the fourth lip 270 is inverted relative the first through third lips 240, 250 and 260. The inversion of the fourth lip 270 facilitates the removal or sliding off of an item 207 while adding mechanical strength to the fourth peripheral portion 214.
(88) The third embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 31-44 is suitable for use on a conventional storage shelve 50 as shown in FIG. 26 and is suitable for use in laundry rooms, within dresser drawers, suitcases or any other place people store or sort items.
(89) The third embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 31-44 operates in a manner similar to the second embodiment of the separator 105 illustrated in FIGS. 27-30. The separator 205 may be stacked in an interlocking relationship as shown in FIG. 27. The separator 205 may be lifted to retrieve an item 207 within the stack of the separators 205 as shown in FIG. 28 and returned to the stack location as shown in FIG. 30.
(90) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
