Inclined panel for industrial bins and inclined rack systems

Abstract

An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins that allows the bins to hang at an angle such that the interior of the bin is more easily accessible by production personnel is presented. The inclined panel has an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. A rack system using such a panel is also presented. The rack system may also include one or more end caps at the ends of the panels. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base or the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins, comprising:
 a panel having an upper edge and a lower edge;   a plurality of louvers formed on the panel;   a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and   a mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The inclined panel of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a second mounting surface.   
     
     
         3 . The inclined panel of  claim 2 , wherein the first mounting surface is connected to the separation plate and the second mounting surface is connected to the lower edge of the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The inclined panel of  claim 3 , wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-25°. 
     
     
         5 . The inclined panel of  claim 1 , wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°. 
     
     
         6 . A rack system for industrial bins, comprising:
 an upstanding support structure;   at least one louvered panel at an angle of 10°-25° from vertical; and   a plurality of louvers formed on the louvered panel.   
     
     
         7 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel.   
     
     
         8 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a mounting surface connected to the panel and fixing the louvered panel to the support structure.   
     
     
         9 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°. 
     
     
         10 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 13°-15°. 
     
     
         11 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising an end cap at at least one end of each panel. 
     
     
         12 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising end caps at either end of each panel. 
     
     
         13 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising a wheeled base upon which the upstanding support structure is mounted. 
     
     
         14 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , wherein the upstanding support structure is a fixed wall. 
     
     
         15 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one central support member mounted between the louvered panel and the upstanding support structure. 
     
     
         16 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 15 , wherein the central support member is generally triangular. 
     
     
         17 . A rack system for industrial bins, comprising:
 a movable base unit;   an upstanding support structure mounted to the base unit;   a plurality of louvered panels mounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25° from vertical;   a plurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; and   at least one industrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers.   
     
     
         18 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel.   
     
     
         19 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 6 , wherein the separation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°. 
     
     
         20 . The rack system for industrial bins of  claim 17 , further comprising an end cap at at least one end of each panel.