Container positioning apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning containers on a support surface of a support, the apparatus including an engagement portion constructed and arranged to attach the apparatus to the support and a first portion extending from the engagement portion. The first portion is constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of a container thereon. The container also includes a second portion constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of the container thereon. A stop portion is provided between the first portion and the second portion. The stop portion is constructed and arranged to position the container at a predetermined position on the support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for positioning containers on a support surface of a support, the apparatus comprising:
 an engagement portion constructed and arranged to attach the apparatus to the support;   a first portion extending from the engagement portion, the first portion constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of a container thereon;   a second portion constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of the container thereon; and   a stop portion in between the first portion and the second portion, the stop portion constructed and arranged to position the container at a predetermined position on the support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion defines a planar surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stop portion is an elongated protrusion that extends away from a top surface of the first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion defines a planar surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion, the first portion, the second portion, and the stop portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion is configured to hook onto a portion of the support. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is comprised of a single piece of sheet metal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion and the first portion form a C-shaped structure. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a friction-reducing treatment. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the friction-reducing treatment comprises a powder coating. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the friction-reducing treatment comprises a hammer finish. 
     
     
         12 . A method for positioning containers on a support surface of a support using a container positioning apparatus comprising an engagement portion, a first portion, a second portion, and a stop portion provided between the first and second portions, the method comprising:
 engaging the engagement portion of the apparatus with at least a portion of the support surface;   placing a first container onto the second portion of the apparatus;   sliding the first container on the second portion towards the stop portion and over the stop portion;   sliding the first container onto the first portion of the apparatus;   positioning the first container on the first portion using the stop portion, and placing a second container on the second portion.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising lifting an end of the first container and then sliding the first container over the stop portion. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for positioning containers on a support surface of a support, the apparatus comprising:
 an engagement portion constructed and arranged to attach the apparatus to the support;   a first portion extending from the engagement portion, the first portion constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of a container thereon;   a second portion constructed and arranged to rest on the support surface and enable sliding movement of the container thereon; and   a stop portion in between the first portion and the second portion, the stop portion constructed and arranged to position the container at a predetermined position on the support surface, wherein the engagement portion, the first portion, the second portion, and the stop portion are integrally formed, and   a friction-reducing treatment to facilitate sliding of the containers on the apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the friction-reducing treatment comprises a powder coating. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the friction-reducing treatment comprises a hammer finish.