Separator system for organizing items

A separator system is disclosed for organizing items such as fabrics and wearing apparel as well as documents and the like. The separator system comprises a first planar member defined by a first peripheral portion for supporting a first item. A first hollow projection is formed in the first peripheral portion of the first planar member. The first hollow projection defines an first upper projection and a first lower recess. The first upper projection of the first hollow projection extends above the first item for interlocking with a second lower recess of an adjacent second planar member located above the first item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to separator systems and more particularly to an improved separator system for organizing items such as a folded fabric, wearing apparel, documents or other materials.

Description of the Related Art

Various types of separators and separator systems have been devised in the past for sorting various types of items. These separators and separator systems vary in complexity from very simple to very complex separators and separator systems. Furthermore, these separators and separator systems vary quite diversely in accordance with the type, size and shape of the items separated.

Another important aspect of separators and separator systems is the ability to organize the separated items. Separators and separator systems must be able to quickly organize the items and permit rapid selection and recovery of a selected item contained within the separator system.

The following United States patents and published patent applications represent various solutions proposed by the prior art for providing a simple, inexpensive and efficient separator system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,982 to K. Schreyer discloses a correspondence (or the like) filing folders and filing cabinet drawer dividers, hereinafter generally referred to as “separators” made of relatively thin and inexpensive sheet material and are novelty constructed and configured to prevent them from “slumping” when installed in a compartmented filing system; the folders/dividers being of improved functioning and increased life characteristics. An improved (optionally employed) file content “follower” contributes to an overall improved filing system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,217 to L. Green discloses a partitioned structure comprising an open topped container and a plurality of dividers having sides positioned within the container. The container has horizontal interior side channels on either side thereof so that each divider having at least one tab disposed on each side thereof slides within one of the horizontal channels and permits movement of the divider relative to the container. Each divider has a projection extending above its top on which information is placed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,196 to D. Hyun discloses a consumer product coupon storage device comprising a coupon storage bin and a plurality of dividers adapted to fit in the bin to separate the space in the bin into individual compartments. Each divider has first and second visible fields. A generic product descriptor is printed in the first field of each divider. A brand-name product advertisement is printed in the second field of each divider. The brand-name product belongs to the class of the generic product, the descriptor which is printed on the same divider as, or a divider near, the advertisement of said brand-name product. In use, the coupons are placed in the compartments sorted by generic product.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,371 to J. O'Neill discloses a shipping and display carton including an outer container and an inner partition structure. The partition structure is constructed from a single cut and scored blank of corrugated paperboard that is folded and erected to form a modified Z-type divider with three loading cells. The front wall of the outer container includes a perforated cut-out that is removed for display purposes, and each divider panel of the partition structure includes a cut-out that is compatible in size and shape with the cut-out in the front wall of the outer container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,457 to D. Felsenthal discloses collapsible shelving that can be tautly suspended by a single person within an erected wardrobe frame. The shelving is comprised of eight hooks that engage top and bottom poles of the wardrobe frame, four cords that engage the hooks at each end, a plurality of staples attached to each of the cords, and a plurality of shelves that rest on the staples horizontally and in parallel with each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,822 to W. Wang discloses a clothes cabinet adapted for mounting in a wardrobe. The clothes cabinet includes a plurality of individual boxes, and at least one coupling wire rod adapted to secure the individual boxes in a stack. The individual boxes each have two vertical side panels, a horizontal bottom panel. A horizontal top panel and a plurality of upper peripheral barrels and lower peripheral barrels horizontally aligned along top and bottom sides of the respective two vertical side panels. The at least one coupling wire rod each has a curved middle section attached to the horizontal top panel of one individual box at a bottom side, and two end rod sections respectively perpendicularly extended from two distal ends of the curved middle section and inserted into the lower peripheral barrels of one of the individual boxes and the upper peripheral barrels of a second of the individual boxes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,669 to D. Barker discloses wheeled luggage having a telescopically expandable body. The luggage body may be manually adjusted from a normally sized carry-on configuration during transit, to a vertically enlarged configuration once the final destination, such as a hotel room, is reached. The body further includes a plurality of interior horizontally disposed, vertically stacked shelves connected in accordion fashion to an internal liner so as to automatically expand from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration when the main body is telescopically expanded thereby providing a series of vertically spaced shelves which provide convenient access to the contents. A garment folding apparatus may be incorporated with the luggage to provide a tool that assists the user in quickly folding clothing to dimensions compatible with storage spaced within the luggage.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,976 to J. Mangano discloses an item of luggage that has foldable shelves and collapsible drawers. The drawers and shelves may be folded relatively flat and stored in the main housing of the luggage when not in use. The luggage may have a cover support to hold the cover of the luggage open at various angles and under various loads when the cover is open.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,477 to D. Schinzing discloses a storage unit for placement between upright studs of a wall. The unit may be unitary or be made into two telescoping box portions. Storage shelves are removably positioned in the interior area of the unit. For the two-piece unit, the storage shelves are made of two half shelves, with each half shelf having a terminal loop portion through which the other half shelf slides.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,418 to Kumar et al. discloses a clothing folding system comprising: one or more folding guides comprising two or more sections of substantially rigid material. A flexible web is disposed between any two of the two or more sections of substantially rigid material enabling the folding guide to be folded along the length of the flexible web. The one or more folding guides are sized so as to enable each folding guide to be used to place the folding guide in contact with an article of clothing, folding the article of clothing in a folding pattern defined by folding each flexible web of the folding guide. The folding guide remains folded within the article of clothing: and wherein the folding of multiple articles of clothing using the folding guides presents a plurality of articles of clothing that are substantially consistent in shape and size in their folded state. Such folded articles of clothing are suitable to be stored in a sustainable organized arrangement. A specific structure for the folding guide is provided as well as a related folding method for clothing, using the folding guide. A related method is provided for folding articles of clothing. The system may include a computer implemented system to enable a user to provide as input one or more parameters for articles of clothing and available storage spaces. The system generates a recommended set of folding guide requirements to meet the user's input parameters.

U.S. Patent publication US2008/0143222 to L. Greiner discloses a storage organizer for vanity items including a cabinet in which an interior space is formed by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a top wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and a back wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and from the top wall to the bottom wall. A door, for the interior space, extends between the top wall and the bottom wall and from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, opposite the back wall when in a closed to the bottom wall by a swivel joint. The swivel joint allows the cabinet to rotate 360 degrees about the base. A tri-fold mirror is provided by two additional doors provided on the sides of the organizer that may be rotated towards the front of the organizer. The exterior surfaces of the additional doors have mirrors disposed on their front surfaces.

U.S. Patent publication US 2010/0276241 to R. Malone discloses a hanging shelf system and travel organizer specifically adapted for use in combination with a suitcase wherein the shelf system is adapted to collapse to a size suitable for removable insertion within the suitcase. The shelf system is configurable between a vertically expanded configuration when deployed wherein a plurality of shelves and walls form storage compartments for receiving clothing and other travel items, and a vertically compact, stowed configuration wherein the travel shelf apparatus is compactly configured for insertion into a suitcase for travel. When the user reaches his/her destination the travel organizer may be removed from the suitcase and hung in a closet in the vertically expanded configuration with spaced shelves thereby providing the traveler with ready access to the packed articles while eliminating the need to unpack and repack.

U.S. Design Pat. D501,341 to Cassidy et al. illustrates a design for a stackable clothing divider having finger grip tabs.

U.S. Design Pat. D502,031 to Cassidy et al. illustrates a design for stackable clothing divider.

U.S. Design Pat. D505,809 to Cassidy et al. illustrates a design for stackable clothing divider having wide pulling tabs.

Although the foregoing United States patents and published patent application have contributed to the prior art, there still exits a need for a simple, low cost and efficient system to separate items.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a separator for separating items which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention to provide a separator for separating items that comprises a plurality of identical separators specifically adapted to be stacked to form a separator system.

Another object of the present invention to provide a separator for separating items that is specifically adapted to flat items.

Another object of the present invention to provide a separator for separating items that is specifically adapted to stack a plurality of flat items.

Another object of the present invention to provide a separator for separating items that is specifically adapted to fabric items such as wearing apparel, documents or other materials.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by modifying the invention within the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention, the detailed description describing the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined by the appended claims with specific embodiments being shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention relates to an improved separator system for organizing items such as a folded fabric or wearing apparel, office documents or other materials. The separator system comprises a first planar member defined by a first peripheral portion for supporting a first item. A first hollow projection is formed in the first peripheral portion of the first planar member. The first hollow projection defines a first upper projection and a first lower recess. The first upper projection of the first hollow projection extends above the first item for interlocking with a second lower recess of an adjacent second planar member located above the first item.

In a more specific embodiment, the first hollow projection is integrally formed with the first planar member as a one piece unit. Preferably, the first hollow projection is integrally formed with the first planar member as a one piece unit from a polymeric, a metallic, a wood, a fiber or any other suitable material.

In another specific embodiment, the first upper projection and the second lower recess of the adjacent second planar member are configured for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. In one example, the first hollow projection comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. In another example, the first hollow projection comprises plural first hollow projections formed in the first peripheral portion of the first planar member for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. In still another example, the first planar member is defined by a generally rectangular first peripheral portion. The first hollow projection comprises a first hollow projection formed in each of adjacent sides of the generally rectangular first peripheral portion of the first planar member for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. In a further example, the first hollow projection comprises a lip extending along multiple sides of the generally rectangular first peripheral portion of the first planar member for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member.

In another embodiment, the invention is incorporated into a separator system for organizing items comprising a first planar member having a first hollow projection formed in an outer portion of the first planar member defining a first upper projection and a first lower recess. The first planar member is configured to support a first item. A second planar member has a second hollow projection formed in an outer portion of the second planar member defining a second upper projection and a second lower recess. The second planar member is configured to support a second item. The upper projection of the first hollow projection extends above the first item for interlocking with the second lower recess of the second planar member located above the first item. Preferably, the first planar member and the first hollow projection are identical to the second planar member and the second hollow projection.

The first hollow projection of the first planar member is configured for enabling an upper surface of the first planar member to engage with a lower surface of the second planar member in the absence of a first item. The first hollow projection of the first planar member is configured for enabling the upper projection of the first hollow projection extending above the first item for interlocking with the second lower recess of the second planar member in the presence of the first item. The first upper projection and the second lower recess of the adjacent second planar member are configured for inhibiting horizontal rotation of the second planar member relative to the first planar member while permitting vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

FIG. 1is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a separator5of the present invention. The separator5is shown supporting an item7shown as flat item. In this embodiment, the item7is shown as a folded fabric such as wearing apparel or a garment. Although the item7is shown as a folded fabric such as wearing apparel or a garment, it should be understood that the separator5may be used with various non-fabric items such as documents or other materials.

FIG. 2is an isometric view of a stack of the separator5ofFIG. 1supporting a plurality of items7. Each of the separators5is identical to one another. The stack of the separator5forms a separator system9for separating a plurality of items7.

FIGS. 3-8are various views of the first embodiment of the separator5shown inFIG. 1. The separator5comprises a planar member10defined by a first peripheral portion11, a second peripheral portion12, a third peripheral portion13and a fourth peripheral portion14. In this example, the planar member10is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member10may be embodied in other configurations.

The planar member10has a top surface15and a bottom surface16. Preferably, the planar member10is a one piece unit formed from a polymeric material. In the alternative, the planar member10is a one piece unit formed from metallic material, a wood material or a derivative of a wood material such as cardboard and the like.

Each of the separators5includes a hollow projection for registering planar member10with an identical separator5located below and/or above the planar member10. The planar member10has a first hollow projection20defined by an upper surface21and a first lower surface22forming a first hollow recess24.

The first hollow projection20is located near the first peripheral portion11adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion11and the second peripheral portion12. The first hollow projection20is integrally formed with the planar member10.

In this example, the planar member10has a second hollow projection30defined by an upper surface31and a first lower surface32forming a second hollow recess34. The second hollow projection30is located near the second peripheral portion12adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion12and the third peripheral portion13.

Referring back toFIG. 2, the projections20and30of the first separator5extend above the item7resting on the top surface15. The projections20and30of the first separator5interlock with recesses24and34of an upper second separator5to form the separator system. The interlocking of the projections20and30of a first separator5with recesses24and34of an upper second separator5inhibits horizontal rotation between the first and second separators5. The interlocking of the projections20and30of a first separator5with recesses24and34of an upper second separator5permits vertical tilting of the second planar member relative to the first planar member. Furthermore, the projections20and30of the first separator5fit within recesses24and34of the upper second separator5allowing the separators5to nest when not in use.

FIG. 9is a view of a stack of the separators5ofFIG. 1located on a conventional storage shelve50. The separator system9of the present invention enables a stack of fabric or garments7to be conveniently and neatly arranged on the conventional storage shelve50. In addition, the interlocking of adjacent separators5enables an operator to tilt and peruse all of the items7within the stack of separators5. Thereafter, the interlocking of adjacent separators5enables the operator to vertically tilt multiple separators5for conveniently selecting and removing a single item7from the stack of separators5. The separator system9may also be located and used within drawers, suitcases or exposed surfaces.

FIG. 10is a sectional view along line10-10inFIG. 9illustrating the interlocking hollow projections20of the stack of separators five shown inFIG. 9. The stack of separators is shown including separators5,5A,5B,5C and5D. The separators5-5D support items7,7A,7B,7C,7D. The separators5,5A,5B,5C and5D include projections20,20A,20B,20C and20D. Each of the projections20,20A,20B,20C and20D extend above the respective items7,7A,7B,7C,7D thus interlocking the separators5,5A,5B,5C and5D.

FIG. 11is a side view of a stack of the separators5ofFIG. 1being vertically tilted or lifted to retrieve an item7within the stack of the separators5. In this example, the separators5,5A and5B are being vertically tilted or lifted to expose items7C.

FIG. 12is a view similar toFIG. 11illustrating the retrieval of an item7C within the stack of the separators5. The vertically tilting or lifting of the separators5.5A,5B facilitates removal of the item7C from separator5C.

FIG. 13is a view similar toFIG. 12illustrating the stack of the separators5after removal of the item7C from separator5C of the stack of the separators5. After removal of the item7C from the separator5C, the separator5B interlocks with separator5C. In the alternative, the stack of separators5,5A and5B may be lifted vertically to remove the separator5C from the stack of the separators5with the separator5B interlocking with separator5D.

FIG. 14is an isometric view of a stack of the separator5ofFIG. 1located in a stack container60suitable for incorporation into the present invention. The stack container60comprises a first and a second side61and62interconnected by a back63and a bottom64. The first and second side61and62define handles71and72. The stack container60is configured to receive a stack of the separators5to further organize the items7. The stack container60may be formed from various materials such as cardboard materials, polymeric materials or metallic materials. In addition, the stack container60may comprise a shipping container for a stack of new separators5.

FIG. 15is an isometric view of the stack container60ofFIG. 14located on a conventional storage shelve. The stack container60in combination with the separators system9of the present invention further organizes the items7.

FIG. 16is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a separator105of the present invention. The separator105is shown supporting an item107in a manner similar toFIG. 1.

Optionally, the container60may be provided with a tab65located on the side62of the container60. The tab65interacts with separators5to restrict horizontal movement of the separators5thereby locking separators5within container60. The tabs65may be retractable or removable from interaction with separators5. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tab65may take various forms and may be affixed at various locations of the container60.

FIG. 17is an isometric view of a stack of the separators105ofFIG. 16supporting a plurality of items107. Each of the separators105is identical to one another. The stack of the separator105forms a separator system109for separating a plurality of items107.

FIGS. 18-23are various views of the second embodiment of the separator105shown inFIG. 16. The separator105comprises a planar member110defined by a first peripheral portion111, a second peripheral portion112, a third peripheral portion113and a fourth peripheral portion114. In this example, the planar member110is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member110may be embodied in other configurations.

Each of the separators105includes a hollow projection for registering planar member110with an identical separator105located below and/or above the planar member110. The planar member110has a first hollow projection120defined by an upper surface121and a first lower surface122forming a first hollow recess124.

The first hollow projection120is located near the first peripheral portion11adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion111and the second peripheral portion112. The first hollow projection120is integrally formed with the planar member110.

In this example, the planar member110has a second hollow projection130defined by an upper surface131and a first lower surface132forming a second hollow recess134. The second hollow projection130is located near the second peripheral portion112adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion112and the third peripheral portion113.

The separator105comprises a first, second and a third lip140,150and160defined by the first peripheral portion111, the second peripheral portion112, and the third peripheral portion113. The first, second and a third lips140,150and160add mechanical strength to the separator105. Furthermore, the first, second and a third lips140,150and160assist in preventing lateral movement of an item107on the upper surface115of the planar member110.

The first lip140comprises an inner lip141and an outer lip142forming an apex144and the recess145. Similarly, the second lip150comprises an inner lip151and an outer lip152forming an apex154and the recess155. Finally, the third lip160comprises an inner lip161and an outer lip162forming an apex164and the recess165. The first, second and a third lip140,150and160are configured to nest within one another as described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 26is a view of a stack of the separators105ofFIG. 17located on a conventional storage shelf50. The separator system109of the present invention enables a stack of fabric or garments7to be conveniently and neatly arranged on the conventional storage shelve50. In addition, the interlocking of adjacent separators105enables an operator to remove multiple separators105for conveniently selecting and removing a single item107from the stack of separators105. Furthermore, the interlocking of adjacent separators105enables an operator to vertically tilt multiple separators5for conveniently selecting and removing a single item107from the stack of separators105.

FIG. 27is a sectional view along line27-27inFIG. 26illustrating the interlocking of the stack of separators5shown inFIG. 17. The stack of separators is shown including separators105,105A,105B,105C and105D. The separators105-105D support items107,107A,107B,107C,107D. The separators105,105A,105B,105C and105D include projections120,120A,120B,120C and120D. Each of the projections120,120A,120B,120C and120D extend above the respective items107,107A,107B,107C,107D thus interlocking the separators105,105,105B,105C and105D.

FIG. 28is a side view of a stack of the separators105ofFIG. 27being lifted to retrieve an item107within the stack of the separators105. In this example, the separators105,105A and105B are being vertically tilted or lifted to expose item107C.

FIG. 29is a view similar toFIG. 28illustrating the retrieval of an item107C within the stack of the separators105. The vertical tilting or lifting of the separators105.105A,105B facilitates removal of the item107C.

FIG. 30is a view similar toFIG. 29illustrating the stack of the separators105after removal of the item107C from the stack of the separators105. After removal of the item107C from the stack of separate separators105, the separator105B nests upon separator105C.

FIG. 31is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a separator205of the present invention. The separator205is shown supporting an item207in a manner similar toFIGS. 1 and 16.

FIG. 32is an isometric view of a stack of the separators205ofFIG. 31supporting a plurality of items207. Each of the separators205is identical to one another. The stack of the separator205forms a separator system209for separating a plurality of items207.

FIGS. 33-44are various views of the third embodiment of the separator205shown inFIG. 31. The separator205comprises a planar member210defined by a first peripheral portion211, a second peripheral portion212, a third peripheral portion213and a fourth peripheral portion214. The planar member210may be provided with one or more depressions218for strengthening and reducing flexibility of the planar member210. In this example, the planar member110is shown as a rectangular configuration but it should be understood that the planar member210may be embodied in other configurations.

Each of the separators205includes a hollow projection for registering planar member210with an identical separator205located below and/or above the planar member210. The planar member210has a first hollow projection220defined by an upper surface221and a first lower surface222forming a first hollow recess224. The first hollow projection220is located near the first peripheral portion211adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the first peripheral portion211and the second peripheral portion212. The first hollow projection220is integrally formed with the planar member210.

The first hollow projection220comprises an outer side225and an inner side226. The outer side225and the inner side226are slightly inwardly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface221to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. The first hollow projection220comprises a first and a second ends227and228. The first end227is substantially inwardly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface221to facilitate the vertical tilting or lifting of the separators205to facilitate removal of the item207as shown inFIG. 28. The second end228is slightly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface221to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. However, the second end228has a substantially vertical orientation to prevent the forward horizontal movement of the separators205

In this example, the planar member210has a second hollow projection230defined by an upper surface231and a first lower surface232forming a second hollow recess234. The second hollow projection230is located near the second peripheral portion212adjacent a corner defined by the intersection of the second peripheral portion212and the third peripheral portion213. The second hollow projection230is integrally formed with the planar member210.

The second hollow projection230comprises an outer side235and an inner side236. The outer side235and the inner side236are slightly inwardly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface231to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. The second hollow projection230comprises a first and a second ends237and238. The first end237is substantially inwardly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface221to facilitate the vertical tilting or lifting of the separators205to facilitate removal of the item207as shown inFIG. 28. The second end238is slightly tapered from the planar member210to the upper surface221to facilitate removal from a mold during the manufacturing process. However, the second end238has a substantially vertical orientation to prevent the forward horizontal of the separators205

The separator205comprises a first through fourth lip240,250,260and270defined by the first through fourth peripheral portions211-214. The first through fourth peripheral portions211-214add mechanical strength to the separator205. Furthermore, the first through fourth peripheral portions211-214assist in preventing lateral movement of an item107on the upper surface215of the planar member210.

FIG. 41is a magnified view along line41-41inFIG. 35further illustrating the first lip240. The first lip240is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface241and an inner lip surface242defining a peak244and the recess245.

FIG. 42is a magnified view along line42-42inFIG. 35further illustrating the second lip250. The second lip250is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface251and an inner lip surface252defining a peak254and the recess255.

FIG. 43is a magnified view along line43-43inFIG. 35further illustrating the third lip260. The third lip260is formed as a generally half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface261and an inner lip surface262defining a peak264and the recess265.

FIG. 44is a magnified view along line44-44inFIG. 35further illustrating the fourth lip270. The fourth lip270is formed having a semi-half cylindrical configuration having an outer lip surface271and an inner lip surface272defining a peak274and the recess275. In contrast to the first through third lips240,250and260, the fourth lip270is inverted relative the first through third lips240,250and260. The inversion of the fourth lip270facilitates the removal or sliding off of an item207while adding mechanical strength to the fourth peripheral portion214.

The third embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 31-44is suitable for use on a conventional storage shelve50as shown inFIG. 26and is suitable for use in laundry rooms, within dresser drawers, suitcases or any other place people store or sort items.

The third embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 31-44operates in a manner similar to the second embodiment of the separator105illustrated inFIGS. 27-30. The separator205may be stacked in an interlocking relationship as shown inFIG. 27. The separator205may be lifted to retrieve an item207within the stack of the separators205as shown inFIG. 28and returned to the stack location as shown inFIG. 30.