Interlocking dividers

Abstract

A divider is provided for use with a container. The divider includes a body and a projection having angled edges converging toward one another as the angled edges extend away from the body. At least one of the angled edges intersects a side edge of the body.

1 . A divider adapted for use with a container, comprising a body having a side edge; and a first projection having first and second angled edges converging toward one another as said first and second angled edges extend away from said body, said first angled edge intersecting said side edge so as to facilitate the insertion of the divider in an associated container.  
   
   
       2 . The divider of  claim 1 , wherein said body includes another side edge intersecting said second angled edge.  
   
   
       3 . The divider of  claim 2 , wherein said first projection includes a substantially horizontal edge, said first angled edge extending between said side edge and said substantially horizontal edge, and said second angled edge extending between said another side edge and said substantially horizontal edge.  
   
   
       4 . The divider of  claim 3 , wherein any one of said first and second angled edges has a length longer than that of said substantially horizontal edge.  
   
   
       5 . The divider of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one slot formed in said body, said at least one slot including a closed end and a flared open end, said at least one slot extending between said closed end and said flared open end, and said at least one slot being sized and shaped so as to accommodate another divider.  
   
   
       6 . The divider of  claim 5 , wherein said flared open end of said at least one slot includes third and fourth angled edges diverging away from one another as said third and fourth angled edges extend away from said closed end.  
   
   
       7 . The divider of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one slot includes a first slot and a second slot.  
   
   
       8 . The divider of  claim 1 , further comprising a second projection and a third projection, said body including another side edge, said first, second, and third projections being arranged in seriatim between said side edge and said another side edge.  
   
   
       9 . The divider of  claim 8 , wherein said second projection includes third and fourth angled edges converging toward one another as said third and fourth angled edges extend away from said body, and said third projection including fifth and sixth angled edges converging toward one another as said fifth and sixth angled edges extend away from said body.  
   
   
       10 . The divider of  claim 9 , wherein said sixth angled edge intersects said another side edge.  
   
   
       11 . The divider of  claim 10 , wherein said first projection includes a first substantially horizontal edge, said first and second angled edges merging with said first substantially horizontal edge, said second projection including a second substantially horizontal edge, said third and fourth angled edges merging with said second substantially horizontal edge, and said third projection including a third substantially horizontal edge, said fifth and sixth angled edges merging with said third substantially horizontal edge.  
   
   
       12 . The divider of  claim 11 , wherein any one of said first and second angled edges has a length longer than that of said first substantially horizontal edge, any one of said third and fourth angled edges has a length longer than that of said second substantially horizontal edge, and any one of said fifth and sixth angled edges has a length longer than that of said third substantially horizontal edge.  
   
   
       13 . The divider of  claim 12 , further comprising a first slot formed between said first and second projections, said first slot having a first flared open end formed by said second angled edge of said first projection and said third angled edge of said second projection, and a second slot formed between said second and third projections, said second slot having a second flared open end formed by said fourth angled edge of said second projection and said fifth angled edge of said third projection.  
   
   
       14 . An interlocking divider system for use with a container, comprising a first divider including a body having first and second side edges, a slot formed in said body, and a projection having first and second angled edges converging toward one another as said first and second angled edges extend away from said body, said first angled edge intersecting said first side edge, and said second angled edge intersecting said second side edge; and a second divider adapted to be received in said slot of said first divider.  
   
   
       15 . The interlocking divider system of  claim 14 , wherein said second divider includes a slot substantially aligned with said slot of said first divider when said second divider is received in said first divider.  
   
   
       16 . The interlocking divider system of  claim 15 , wherein said second divider includes a body having first and second side edges, a first projection having first and second angled edges converging toward one another as said first and second angled edges extend away from said body, a second projection having third and fourth angled edges converging toward one another as said third and fourth angled edges extend away from said body, and a third projection having fifth and sixth angled edges converging toward one another as said fifth and sixth angled edges extend away from said body.  
   
   
       17 . The interlocking divider system of  claim 16 , wherein said first angled edge of said second divider intersects said first side edge of said second divider, and wherein said sixth angled edge of said second divider intersects said second side edge of said second divider.  
   
   
       18 . An interlocking divider system for use with a container, comprising a first divider including a first body and a first projection having first and second angled edges converging toward one another as said first and second angled edges extend away from said body; and a second divider having a second body, a second projection having third and fourth angled edges converging toward one another as said third and fourth angled edges extend away from said second body, and a third projection having fifth and sixth angled edges converging toward one another as said fifth and sixth angled edges extend away from said second body, said second divider sized and shaped so as to be interlocked with said first divider.  
   
   
       19 . The interlocking divider system of  claim 18 , wherein said first divider includes a side edge intersecting said first angled edge.  
   
   
       20 . The interlocking divider system of  claim 19 , wherein said first divider includes a slot and said second divider includes a slot substantially aligned with said slot of said first divider when said second divider is interlocked with said first divider.