Method and apparatus for a collapsible multi-compartment storage and display center

Abstract

A storage rack formed form two or more multi bin storage subcomponents. In various embodiments, each storage subcomponent is made by cutting and creasing a large sheet, and the folding the large sheet along the creases. In one embodiment, each of the storage subcomponents are made from paperboard. In one embodiment, four subcomponents are interlocked and include a base adapted for rotation.

1 . A storage system, comprising: 
 a first storage rack having a first structure defined by a first continuous folded sheet defining a plurality of display bins arranged in a first column, and further defining a first female connector opening and a first male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the first female connector opening;    a second storage rack having a second structure defined by a second continuous folded sheet defining a plurality of display bins arranged in a second column and further defining a second female connector opening and a second male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the second female connector opening; and    a swivel base connected to the first and second storage racks;    wherein the first storage rack and the second storage rack are interlocked, with the first male connector protrusion connected to the second female connector opening, such that the first column and the second column are parallel.    
   
   
       2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , comprised of a first, second, third and fourth storage rack.  
   
   
       3 . The storage system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a third storage rack having a third structure defined by a third continuous folded sheet defining a plurality of display bins arranged in a third column, and further defining a third female connector opening and a third male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the third female connector opening;    a fourth storage rack having a fourth structure defined by a fourth continuous folded sheet defining a plurality of display bins arranged in a fourth column and further defining a fourth female connector opening and a fourth male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the fourth female connector opening;    wherein the first, second, third, and fourth storage racks are interlocked, with the second male connector protrusion connected to the third female connector opening, the third male connector protrusion connected to the fourth female connector opening, and the fourth female connector opening connected to the first female connector opening.    
   
   
       4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second storage racks are constructed of paperboard.  
   
   
       5 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the first continuous folded sheet includes 275 lb. C-flute corrugated fiberboard.  
   
   
       6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel base includes ball bearing disposed between a ground plate and a shelf plate, the shelf plate connected to the first and second storage racks with one or more fasteners.  
   
   
       7 . The storage system of  claim 6 , wherein the swivel base includes oriented strand board interconnected to a metal ball bearing swivel base with screws.  
   
   
       8 . A method, comprising: 
 excising openings into a plurality of sheets;    creasing the sheets;    folding and squaring up each sheet of the plurality of sheets into a respective storage rack;    folding at least one bin bottom panel of a first storage rack such that the bin bottom panel defines a storage bin;    prefolding bottom flaps of the first storage rack into a splayed position;    butting a plurality of storage racks together such that a male connector protrusion of the first storage rack is positioned proximal a female connector opening of a second storage rack;    mating the male connector protrusion to the female connector opening such that the first storage rack and the second storage rack are interconnected;    connecting bottom flaps of the first storage rack to a swivel base.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first storage rack has a rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom flaps of the first storage rack are folded inward with respect to the rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising gluing each sheet into a respective storage rack.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising affixing each sheet into a respective storage rack using pressure sensitive tape.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising screwing the swivel base to the bottom flaps of the first storage rack.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising attaching the swivel base to the bottom flaps of the first storage rack using pressure sensitive tape.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein openings are die-cut into the plurality of sheets.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the openings are die-cut using a rotary die cutter.  
   
   
       17 . A storage system, comprising: 
 a first sheet means for defining a first plurality of storage bins, a first female connector opening and a first male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the first female connector opening;    a second sheet means for defining a second plurality of storage bins, a second female connector opening and a second male connector protrusion shaped to fit into the second female connector opening; and    a swivel base connected to the first and second sheet means;    wherein the first sheet means and the second sheet means are interlocked, with the first male connector protrusion connected to the second female connector opening.    
   
   
       18 . The storage system of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second sheet means are constructed of paperboard.  
   
   
       19 . The storage system of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second sheet means include 275 lb. C-flute corrugated fiberboard.  
   
   
       20 . The storage system of  claim 17 , wherein the swivel base includes ball bearing disposed between a ground plate and a shelf plate, the shelf plate connected to the first and second storage racks with one or more fasteners.  
   
   
       21 . The storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the swivel base includes oriented strand board interconnected to a metal ball bearing swivel base with screws.