Friction-lock adaptable spacer

Abstract

A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spacer formed from a blank of foldable material and configured to separate and protect two or more objects, the blank being cut and scored such that, when formed into an assembled condition by folding, the spacer comprises:
 a first channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the first channel, the first channel being sized to receive at least a portion of a first object, the first channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows the portion of the first object to be inserted into the first channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the first object;   a second channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the second channel, the second channel being sized to receive at least a portion of a second object, the second channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows the portion of the second object to be inserted into the second channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the second object;   a first separator portion positioned between the first channel and the second channel, the first separator portion being configured to maintain separation between the first object and the second object; and   a lock portion operative to be folded into a position that functions to maintain the assembled condition of the spacer.   
     
     
         2 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the backstop portion of the first channel and the backstop of the second channel are formed as a combined backstop portion that extends laterally across the rear side of both the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         3 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the base portions of the first channel and the second channel each includes a rearwardly sloped top surface such that the first object and the second object are tilted toward the respective backstop portions when positioned on the respective top surfaces of the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         4 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the lock portion forms a portion of the first separator portion. 
     
     
         5 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the first separator portion defines a sidewall of both the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         6 . The spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the third channel, the third channel being sized to receive at least a portion of a third object, the third channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows the portion of the third object to be inserted into the third channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the third object;   a fourth channel having a base portion and a backstop portion that extends laterally across a rear side of the fourth channel, the fourth channel being sized to receive at least a portion of a fourth object, the fourth channel having an unobstructed forwardly open end passageway that allows the portion of the fourth object to be inserted into the fourth channel without requiring substantial vertical movement of the fourth object;   a second separator portion positioned between the second channel and the third channel, the second separator portion being configured to maintain separation between the second object and the third object; and   a third separator portion positioned between the third channel and the fourth channel, the third separator portion being configured to maintain separation between the third object and the fourth object.   
     
     
         7 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the lock portion is retained in a locking position by friction force. 
     
     
         8 . The spacer of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is formed from corrugated cardboard material. 
     
     
         9 . A spacer formed from a blank of foldable material and configured to separate and protect two or more objects, the blank being cut and scored such that, when formed into an assembled condition by folding, the spacer comprises:
 a substantially rectangular base portion configured to support a first object and a second object;   a backstop portion upwardly extending from a rear side of the base portion;   a left sidewall upwardly extending from a left side of the base portion;   a right sidewall upwardly extending from a right side of the base portion; and   a first separator portion positioned between the left sidewall and the right sidewall and configured to maintain separation between the first object and the second object, the first separator portion comprising a lock portion operative to be folded into a position that functions to maintain the assembled condition of the spacer;   wherein the base portion, backstop portion, left sidewall portion, and right sidewall portion are each formed from at least two panels of the blank that are separated from each other to create an air cell within the base portion, backstop portion, left sidewall portion, and right sidewall portion.   
     
     
         10 . The spacer of  claim 9 , wherein the base portion includes a rearwardly sloped top surface such that the first object and the second object are tilted toward the backstop portion when positioned on base portion. 
     
     
         11 . A spacer formed from a blank of foldable material and configured to separate and protect two or more objects, the blank being cut and scored such that, when formed into an assembled condition by folding, the spacer comprises:
 a base portion configured to support a first object and a second object, the base portion comprising a bottom panel having substantially the same length and width of the base portion, a middle panel disposed over the bottom panel having substantially the same length and width of the base portion, and a top panel disposed over the middle panel and having a first object support portion for supporting the first object and a second object support portion for supporting the second object;   a left sidewall upwardly extending from a left side of the base portion;   a right sidewall upwardly extending from a right side of the base portion; and   a first separator portion positioned between the left sidewall and the right sidewall and configured to maintain separation between the first object and the second object when positioned on the first object support portion and the second object support portion, respectively, the first separator portion comprising first and second separation tabs each directly connected to the bottom panel and extending upwardly through an aperture in the middle panel, and a lock portion directly connected to the top panel and positioned between the first and second separation tabs, wherein a portion of the lock portion extends downwardly through the aperture in the middle panel to maintain the assembled condition of the spacer.   
     
     
         12 . The spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the lock portion is foldable in to an upwardly extending A-frame shape between the first and second separation tabs, wherein a distal end of the locking portion is positioned between the bottom panel and the middle panel. 
     
     
         13 . The spacer of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first object support portion and the second object support portion of the top panel includes a tab portion, and each of the first separation tab and the second separation tab includes an aperture configured to snuggly receive the tab portion of the first object support portion and the second object support portion, respectively, to maintain the position the position of the first object support portion and the second object support portion of the top panel. 
     
     
         14 . The spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom panel and the top panel of the base portion are spaced apart from each other to define an air cell therebetween.