Divider for shelfing and method and system for dividing a shelf

Abstract

A divider adapted to be mounted on a shelf for segregating wares stored or displayed on the shelf, and also relates to a method and system of dividing a shelf for the storage and the display of items.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A reusable divider adapted to be selectively, removably mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of receiving spaces each of which possesses a substantially identical profile, the divider comprising:
 an elongate strip possessing a pair of opposing side surfaces, a front end surface and an opposing rear end surface, and an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said strip possessing a pair of front lugs depending from the lower surface thereof and spaced from the front surface thereof, said front lugs possessing a spacing therebetween and each possessing a profile configured such that said front lugs are adapted to be snugly received in a pair of the receiving spaces, each of said front lugs possessing a splined peripheral surface.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein the profile of each of the receiving spaces is selected from the group consisting of substantially square or substantially circular. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein said strip possesses at least one score line extending substantially from the lower surface to the upper surface at a position substantially remote from the front surface and defining a region of relatively weak strength of said strip along which said strip is adapted to be broken whereby the effective length of said strip may be shortened. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable divider according to  claim 3  wherein said strip possesses a series of score lines spaced substantially equi-distantly apart from each other. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially thickened such that said strip possesses a substantially I-beam configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein said strip further possesses a fork-shaped tab extending from the rear surface thereof, said tab possessing a channel therein, the width of which is slightly wider than the lateral width of said strip in a region remote from the front surface, said tab possessing a rear lug having a profile configured such that said rear lug is adapted to be snugly received in one of the receiving spaces, said rear lug possessing a profile substantially identical to the profile of each of said front lugs, said tab attached to the other portions of said strip by a region of relatively weak strength by which said tab is adapted to be detached from the other portions of said strip, whereby said rear lug may be inserted into a receiving space such that said detached tab may be maintained in an upstanding position relative to the shelf with the channel therein adapted to receive a remaining portion of said strip therein. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable divider according to  claim 3  wherein the portion of said strip extending backwardly from the at least one score line possesses a tapered thickness, whereby when said strip is broken along the at least one score line, the detached portion of said strip including the tapered thickness may be used as a wedge for insertion between the lower surface of said strip and the shelving in the region adjacent to said front lugs to assist in prying said strip upwardly and away from the shelving. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein said strip and said front lugs are integrally formed. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable divider according to  claim 6  wherein said strip, said front lugs, and said tab are integrally formed. 
     
     
         10 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein the distal end of each of said front lugs possesses a bulbous configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein the lower surface of said strip possesses a recessed region between said front lugs which is adapted to receive a device for prying said strip upwardly and away from the shelving. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable divider according to  claim 1  wherein each of said front lugs possesses a substantially cross-shaped cross-sectional profile in which the peripherally distal edge ends are chamfered with a rounded contour. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable divider according to  claim 12  wherein the cross-shaped profile comprises two orthogonal arms, each arm having a length in the range of about 0.23 to 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         14 . A reusable divider adapted to be selectively, removably mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of receiving spaces each of which possesses a substantially identical profile, the divider comprising:
 an elongate strip possessing a pair of opposing side surfaces, a front end surface and an opposing rear end surface, and an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said strip possessing a pair of front lugs depending from the lower surface thereof and spaced from the front surface thereof, said front lugs possessing a spacing therebetween and each possessing a profile configured such that said front lugs are adapted to be snugly received in a pair of the receiving spaces, each of said front lugs possessing a substantially square-shaped cross-sectional profile in which the corners are chamfered with a rounded contour.   
     
     
         15 . The reusable divider according to  claim 14  wherein the profile of each receiving space may be either substantially square or substantially circular. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable divider according to  claim 14  wherein said strip possesses at least one score line extending substantially from the lower surface to the upper surface at a position substantially remote from the front surface and defining a region of relatively weak strength of said strip along which said strip is adapted to be broken whereby the effective length of said strip may be shortened. 
     
     
         17 . The reusable divider according to  claim 14  wherein said strip further possesses a fork-shaped tab extending from the rear surface thereof, said tab possessing a channel therein, the width of which is slightly wider than the lateral width of said strip in a region remote from the front surface, said tab possessing a rear lug having a profile configured such that said rear lug is adapted to be snugly received in one of the receiving spaces, said rear lug possessing a profile substantially identical to the profile of each of said front lugs, said tab attached to the other portions of said strip by a region of relatively weak strength by which said tab is adapted to be detached from the other portion of said strip, whereby said rear lug may be inserted into a receiving space such that said tab may be maintained in an upstanding position relative to the shelf with the channel therein adapted to receive a remaining portion of said strip therein. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable divider according to  claim 14  wherein said strip and said front lugs are integrally formed. 
     
     
         19 . The reusable divider according to  claim 17  wherein said strip, said front lugs, and said tab, are integrally formed. 
     
     
         20 . A divider adapted to be mounted on a shelf provided with a plurality of receiving spaces each possessing a substantially identical profile, the divider comprising:
 an elongate strip having a pair of opposing distal ends, said strip possessing at least one score line extending substantially completely, laterally thereacross and defining a region of relatively weak strength of said strip along which said strip is adapted to be broken whereby the effective length of said strip may be shortened; and   at least two lugs each depending from a lower surface thereof and each possessing a profile configured such that said lugs are adapted to be snugly received in corresponding ones of the receiving spaces.   
     
     
         21 . The divider according to  claim 20  wherein the receiving spaces are arranged in regular intervals along the shelf and wherein said lugs are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the regular interval. 
     
     
         22 . A divider adapted to be mounted on a shelf possessing an upper surface and at least one receiving space open to the upper surface, the divider comprising:
 an elongate strip having a pair of opposing longitudinal distal ends, a pair of opposing lateral sides, and a lower surface;   at least one lug depending from the lower surface of said strip and adapted for removable insertion into the at least one receiving space and for mating engagement with the shelf in the region defining the at least one receiving space; and   a footer extending laterally from at least one lateral side of said strip, said footer possessing a surface positioned, configured, and adapted to substantially conformingly abut the upper surface of the shelf and further adapted, when in such an abutting relationship, to maintain said strip in a substantially upstanding relationship relative to the upper surface of the shelf.