System, method and article of manufacture for separating stacked storage containers

Abstract

A system for separating a plurality of storage containers stacked by fitting one within another includes a plurality of U-shaped devices installed onto a peripheral rim of each storage container and forming a peripheral side gap between an exterior surface of the tapered wall of the upper storage container and the interior surface of the tapered wall of the lower storage container with the gap being sufficient to separate the storage containers with minimal force and effort. Each device includes a first leg, a second leg spaced from the first leg, and a hill portion joining adjacently disposed ends of the first and second leg and sized to operably receive the portion of the peripheral rim.

1 . A one-piece device for separating a pair of storage containers stacked vertically by fitting one within another each having a narrow lower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheral rim formed thereon, the device comprising in combination:
 (a) a first straight leg having a first end and an opposed second end, said first leg abutting an interior surface of the tapered wall of the storage container when said device is installed for separating the pair of storage containers;   (b) a second leg having a first end and an opposed second end;   (c) a heel portion joining said first ends of the first leg and said second leg and positioning said second leg at a predetermined distance from said first leg sufficient to operably receive the rim of the storage container; and   (d) said device forming a gap between the storage containers and enabling ease of separating the upper storage container from the lower storage container with minimal force and effort.   
   
   
       2 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is formed from a resilient material and wherein said second leg includes a generally V-shaped portion disposed at said second end thereof and formed in a direction toward said first leg for retaining said device on the rim of the storage container. 
   
   
       3 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said generally V-shaped portion is positioned below the rim of the storage container when said device is installed thereon. 
   
   
       4 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said generally V-shaped portion provides grip means for removing said device from the rim of the storage container. 
   
   
       5 . The device, according to  claim 2 , wherein said device has a generally U-shaped configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of said device is one of a resilient metal and a resilient plastic. 
   
   
       7 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is formed from one of a flat and round material. 
   
   
       8 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device formed from a flat material having each of a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
       9 . The device, according to  claim 8 , wherein said predetermined thickness is about 0.13 inches. 
   
   
       10 . The device, according to  claim 8 , wherein said predetermined width is about 0.50 inches 
   
   
       11 . A system for separating a plurality of storage containers stacked by fitting one within another each having a narrow lower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheral rim formed thereon, the system comprising a plurality of devices installed onto the peripheral rim of each storage container and forming a gap between the storage containers sufficient to separate the storage containers with minimal force and effort. 
   
   
       12 . The system, according to  claim 11 , wherein each device includes a first leg, a second leg spaced from said first leg, and a hill portion joining adjacently disposed ends of said first and second leg and sized to operably receive the portion of the peripheral rim. 
   
   
       13 . The system, according to  claim 11 , wherein said devices are installed onto the peripheral rim in equally spaced relationship to each other. 
   
   
       14 . The system, according to  claim 11 , wherein said gap is formed between an exterior surface of the tapered wall of the upper storage container and the interior surface of the tapered wall of the lower storage container. 
   
   
       15 . The system, according to  claim 11 , wherein said gap is formed in a vertical direction between the rims of each storage container. 
   
   
       16 . A method of storing a plurality of storage containers each having a narrow lower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheral rim formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of devices having a first leg, a second leg spaced from said first leg, and a hill portion joining said first and second leg at one end thereof;   (b) installing said plurality of devices onto said rim of said each storage container;   (c) fitting one storage container within another storage container; and   (d) forming a stack of said storage containers having wall portions thereof separated by said devices, provided in step (a) and installed in step (b).   
   
   
       17 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said method includes the step of removing said one storage container fitted within said another storage container. 
   
   
       18 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said method includes the step removing said plurality of devices from said rim of said storage container and the step of providing each device with a grip means for facilitating removal of said each device. 
   
   
       19 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said installing step includes the step of operably receiving a portion of said peripheral rim within said hill portion of each device. 
   
   
       20 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said method includes the step of providing said each device in one of a U-shape and J-shaped configuration.