Packaging divider and method of manufacture, assembly and use

Abstract

A divider for packaging articles includes a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another, and a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels. A plurality of elongated retainer pins pass through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween. The plurality of separator panels can be disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, with the retainer pins mounting the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A divider for packaging articles comprising:
 a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another;   a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels;   a plurality of elongated retainer pins, each of the plurality of elongated retainer pins passing through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween;   wherein, when the plurality of separator panels are disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, the retainer pins mount the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.   
     
     
         2 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the packaging articles are of a consistent size. 
     
     
         3 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of divider panels are rectangular and oriented in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         4 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of separator panels are disposed in a generally vertical direction and comprise an elongated rectangular panel disposed in the generally vertical direction. 
     
     
         5 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of separator panels further comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least one of the plurality of separator panels changes direction along a length between at least two of the plurality of divider panels. 
     
     
         6 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the plurality of divider panels comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least two of the plurality of divider panels changes direction from the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of elongated retainer pins comprise a laterally-extending stub at each end to retain the pin in a mounted position when it is passed through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any separator panels in alignment with the path of each of the elongated retainer pins. 
     
     
         8 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the packaging articles have a curved shape and the cells formed by the combination of the plurality of divider panels, the plurality of separator panels, and the plurality of elongated retainer pins has a non-linear shape corresponding generally to the shape of the packaging articles. 
     
     
         9 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  and further comprising a framework mounted around a periphery of the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels to support the structure formed by the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels. 
     
     
         10 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 9  wherein the framework further comprises a recess at a lower portion thereof configured to receive forks of a forklift. 
     
     
         11 . The divider for packaging articles of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels comprise corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, or combinations thereof.