US20030034319A1 - Apparatus for compartmentalizing a shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention allows a user to compartmentalize shelf. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a modular apparatus that allows compartmentalizing a shelf into compartments of various dimensions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• This invention relates generally to compartmentalizing shelves, more particularly, to a modular apparatus that allows compartmentalizing a shelf into compartments of various dimensions.[0002]
• 2. General Background and State of the Art[0003]
• Merchandising shelves have been in use by stores for a number of years. A shelf typically consists of a planar structure attached to some type of back support. This structure allows for the placement of various types of merchandise on the shelf. One of the problems with placing merchandise on a shelf is that the merchandise is not compartmentalized. That is, if an individual desires to place, for example, bottles of different substances on the shelf, there is no compartment and/or divider which separates the different items on a single shelf. Moreover, individuals may easily disorganize and/or misplace items on a shelf. Further, many items sold in general merchandise stores have shapes which are not conducive to mere placement on a shelf, and thus require additional packaging to accent their display.[0004]
• Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus to compartmentalize and allow a shelf to be divided into separate compartments of various dimensions.[0005]
INVENTION SUMMARY
• The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing a compartmentalizing apparatus that can be placed onto any type of shelf. The apparatus consists of a base member which is placed on a shelf and dividers which are used to construct compartments of various sizes. There are a number of advantages to the present invention. One of the advantages is that an individual can choose the desired shape, and size of a compartment. Another advantage is that since compartments can be created on a shelf, merchandise can be better organized. Still another advantage is the cost savings because less time from personnel is needed to constantly reorganize merchandise on a shelf.[0006]
• The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.[0007]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• A detailed description of exemplary embodiments according to the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.[0008]
• FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of an assembled compartmentalizing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;[0009]
• FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of an assembled compartmentalizing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;[0010]
• FIG. 3 shows the compartmentalizing apparatus in FIG. 2 disassembled;[0011]
• FIG. 4 shows the divider in the compartmentalizing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;[0012]
• FIG. 5 shows the front view of a divider of the compartmentalizing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;[0013]
• FIG. 6 shows an orthogonal top view of a base member of the compartmentalizing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;[0014]
• FIG. 7 shows a side view of a information holder of the compartmentalizing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;[0015]
• FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment for a compartmentalizing apparatus;[0016]
• FIG. 9 shows the divider in the compartmentalizing apparatus of FIG. 8;[0017]
• FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of an information holder; and[0018]
• FIG. 10B shows a cross sectional side view of an information holder.[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The section titles and overall organization of the present detailed description are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to limit the present invention.[0020]
• FIG. 1 illustrates by way of example a compartmentalizing[0021]apparatus10 on ashelf12 having abase14, a leftvertical divider16, arear sidewall18, a middlevertical divider20, ahorizontal divider22, a rightvertical divider24, and afront sidewall26. The front andrear sidewalls18,26 are preferably interlocking but may be permanently adjoined to thebase14. The assembly is modular in that thehorizontal divider22 can be positioned at several locations substantially perpendicular to thevertical dividers16,20,24. The horizontal divider may also be angled with respect to the vertical diviers. Thevertical dividers16,20,24 can be positioned at several locations substantially perpendicular to the front andrear sidewalls18,26. In this exemplary embodiment, four compartments are created by utilizing one horizontal divider and three vertical dividers. Also, two of thevertical dividers16,24, function as left and right sidewalls of thebase14. The use of one horizontal and three vertical dividers to define four compartments is for exemplary purposes only. It is within the scope of the present invention to use only vertical dividers or a plurality of both horizontal and vertical dividers to create compartments of varying dimensions. For example, utilizing two middle vertical dividers or utilizing two horizontal dividers in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 would create six compartments.
• The[0022]horizontal divider22 connects to the left, right, and middlevertical dividers16,20,24, atpositions32,32′,32″ respectively.Positions32,32′,32″ are shown forming a 90° angle with the bottom edge of the vertical dividers. The horizontal divider may be angled so thatpositions32,32′,32″ will form an angle greater than or less than 90°. Thevertical dividers16,20,24, connect to the front andrear sidewalls16,20, atpositions30,34,30′,34′,30″ and34″. A variety of simple interlocking means known to one skilled in the art may be used. For example, a divider and/or sidewall may include slits which mate with slits on other dividers and/or sidewalls. Alternatively, a divider and/or sidewall may define protrusions or tabs which mate with slots on other dividers and/or sidewalls.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a compartmentalizing apparatus of the present invention. A[0023]rear sidewall54 and afront sidewall56 are adjoined to arectangular base member52. Therear sidewall54 and thefront sidewall56 may be attached to the rectangular base member with a crease line at the connection area. This would permit the entire base member to be constructed as a planar sheet of material, and allow an assembler to fold up the front and rear sidewalls to construct the apparatus. This would facilitate convenient transportation of theentire base member52. Alternatively, therear sidewall54 and thefront sidewall56 may be adjoined to thebase member52 as a solid construction. Therectangular base member52 may be cut to define anopening66, though this is not necessary to the present invention. Although theopening66 is shown as a rectangular opening, any shape may be used.
• Three[0024]vertical dividers58 are shown coupling thefront sidewall54 to therear sidewalls56. A fourthhorizontal divider64 is shown coupling the threevertical dividers58,60,62 together. It is to be understood that any number of vertical dividers coupling the front andrear sidewalls54,56 may be used and any number of horizontal dividers coupling the vertical dividers may be used. The left mostvertical divider58 serves as a left sidewall to the apparatus. Accordingly another divider (not shown) may serve as a right sidewall to the apparatus. Although only threevertical dividers58 are shown in FIG. 2, it is within the scope of the present embodiment to have any number of vertical dividers.
• The[0025]vertical dividers58 connect to therear sidewall54 atconnection areas70, and connect to the front sidewall atareas74. Thehorizontal divider64 connects to the vertical dividers atconnection areas72. In the present embodiment, the interlocking connection between thevertical dividers58 and therear sidewall54 and between thevertical dividers58 and thehorizontal divider64 is realized through slits, both on therear sidewall54 and thevertical dividers58 and thehorizontal divider64. The interlocking connection between the vertical dividers and the front sidewall is realized through a protrusion which is inserted into a slot.
• In a further embodiment, a[0026]information holder80 is provided to allow an individual to label and categorize merchandise placed in the compartments created by the present invention.
• FIG. 3 shows the compartmentalizing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 disassembled into individual components. The vertical divider[0027]100 (shown in FIG. 2. as58) is shown having anend slit102, amiddle slit104, and aprotrusion106 with aslit108. Thehorizontal divider120 is shown having a plurality ofslits122. Therectangular base member130 is shown, with a plurality ofslits132, a plurality ofslots134, and arectangular opening136.
• The[0028]protrusion106 on thevertical divider100 is adapted to mate with any one of theslots134 on thefront sidewall138. Thefront sidewall138 and therear sidewall140 are adjoined to thebottom142 of therectangular base130. Theslit102 on thevertical divider100 is adapted to mate with any one of theslits132 on the rear sidewall. When assembling the apparatus, an assembler may first insert theprotrusion106 into a desiredslot134. During this insertion, thevertical divider100 is preferably kept perpendicular with thefront sidewall138. Theprotrusion106 on thevertical divider100 contains asmall slit108 which provides further structural rigidity when mated with aslot134. The assembler then mates the end slit102 with theappropriate slit132 on therear sidewall140, which corresponds to theslot134 chosen on thefront sidewall138. Theparticular slit132 on the rear sidewall must correspond to a slot on the front sidewall to ensure that when the vertical divider is installed, it is substantially perpendicular to both the front and rear sidewalls. The assembler may place any desired number ofvertical dividers100 on therectangular base130, based upon the organizational needs for shelving various merchandise.
• Once the vertical dividers are inserted, the assembler attaches the[0029]horizontal divider120 by mating aslit122 in the horizontal divider with themiddle slit104 in the vertical divider. If multiplevertical dividers100 are used, the assembler must mate eachmiddle slit104 with the aslit122 on thehorizontal divider120. In an alternative embodiment, thevertical divider100 may contain any number ofmiddle slits104 so that morehorizontal dividers120 may be installed.
• The optional information holder[0030]150 (shown in FIG. 2 as80) consists of an elongatedplanar strip152 of material with afront portion156 that acts as a clip. Asupport strip154 is adjoined to the planar strip and allows theinformation holder150 to rest under therectangular base member130 and on top of a shelf. When assembled, therectangular base member130 applies pressure to thesupport strip154 and keeps theinformation holder150 secure in place.
• FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the[0031]vertical divider100 having anend slit102, amiddle slit104, and aprotrusion106 with aslit108.
• FIG. 5 shows a front view of the[0032]horizontal divider120 having a plurality ofslits122.
• FIG. 6 shows an orthogonal top view of the[0033]rectangular base member130 with a plurality ofslits132, a plurality ofslots134, and arectangular opening136.
• FIG. 7 shows a side view of the[0034]information holder150 having an elongatedplanar strip152 of material with afront portion156 that acts as a clip and asupport strip154.
• FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment described in FIGS. 2 and 3. The present embodiment uses two[0035]horizontal dividers210,220. Twoslits204,205 on thevertical divider200 are adapted to mate with theslits212,222 on thehorizontal dividers210,220. In the present embodiment, theslits204,205, are angled forming anangle203 of approximately sixty-eight degrees with the edge of the vertical divider. It is not necessary to the invention that the slit angle be sixty-eight degrees. The slit angle may be any angle greater than zero degrees and less than one-hundred and eighty degrees. If multiplevertical dividers200 are used, the assembler must mate eachmiddle slit204,205, with aslit212,222 on thehorizontal dividers210,220. In an alternative embodiment, thevertical divider200 may contain any number ofmiddle slits204,205 so that more or less of thehorizontal dividers210,220 may be installed.
• The optional information holder[0036]250 (similar to the information holder shown in FIG. 2 as80) consists of an elongatedplanar strip252 of material with amiddle portion254 that functions as a first clip with theplanar strip252 and afront portion256 that functions as a second clip with themiddle portion254. Any type of information may be placed in the first and second clips such as for example, pricing information, merchandise information, graphics, product labels, etc. Alower support strip258 is adjoined to theplanar strip252 and allows theinformation holder250 to rest under therectangular base member242 and on top of a shelf. Anupper support strip260 may be adjoined to the planar strip to provide increased structural rigidity to theinformation holder250. When assembled, therectangular base member230 applies pressure to thesupport strip258 and keeps theinformation holder250 secure in place.
• FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the[0037]vertical divider200 having anend slit202, a firstmiddle slit204, a secondmiddle slit205, and aprotrusion206 with aslit208.
• FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the[0038]optional information holder250 illustrated in FIG. 8.
• FIG. 10B shows a cross sectional side view of the[0039]optional information holder250 illustrated in FIG. 8.
• A wide range of dimensions and/or sizes may be used in the construction of all of the components of the apparatus of the present invention. Any length, width, height, thickness, slit size, slot size, protrusion size, cut-out size, etc., for the various components may be used. Also, the disclosed shapes of the various components are not intended to limit the present invention. It is within the scope of the present invention to use different geometrical shapes for different components.[0040]
• As disclosed, a divider and/or sidewall may include slits, slots, and/or protrusions which mate with slits, slots, and/or protrusions on other dividers and/or sidewalls. However, the system of slits, slots, and protrusions or tabs is not intended to limit the present invention. A variety of mechanical interlocking means on the dividers and the sidewalls known to one skilled in the art may be used.[0041]
• All of the components of the apparatus of the present invention may be constructed out of any type of material known to one ordinarily skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, metals, cardboards, plastics, transparent materials etc. All figures described herein are for exemplary purposes only and are not drawn to scale.[0042]
• In closing, it is noted that specific illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed hereinabove. With respect to the claims, it is applicant's intention that the claims not be interpreted in accordance with the sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. §112 unless the term “means” is used following by a functional statement.[0043]

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus, comprising:

a front sidewall;

a rear sidewall;

a base coupling the front and rear sidewall that are substantially opposite of each other;

the front and rear sidewalls having means for interlocking a first divider between the front and rear sidewalls;

the first divider having a means for interlocking a second divider.

2. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising:

an information holder having a clip;

the information holder adapted to couple to the base;

the clip adapted to display information.

3. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein the information holder is a transparent material.

4. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the front sidewall, the rear sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of polystyrene.

5. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the front sidewall, the rear sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of metal.

6. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the front sidewall, the rear sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of cardboard.

7. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the front sidewall, the rear sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of plastic.

8. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the means for interlocking the first divider is a slit formed on the rear sidewall and a slot formed on the front sidewall.

9. A shelf compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the means for interlocking the second divider is a slit formed on the first divider.

10. A compartmentalizing apparatus, comprising:

a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposing each other;

the first and second sidewall are adapted to interlock with a first divider wherein the first sidewall has a slit adapted to receive a slit on the first divider and the second sidewall has a slot adapted to receive a protrusion on the first divider;

the first divider adapted to interlock with a second divider wherein the first divider has a slit adapted to receive a slit on the second divider.

11. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 10, further comprising:

an information holder having a clip adapted to couple to the base, the clip adapted to display information.

12. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein the information holder is a transparent material.

13. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of polystyrene.

14. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of.

15. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of cardboard.

16. A compartmentalizing apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the base, the first divider, and the second divider are made of plastic.

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