Patent Publication Number: US-2013233860-A1

Title: Bin separation system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to bin separation systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Storage bins, also known as bins, storage containers, and/or storage tubs, among others, are widely used for personal and business storage and organization. Storage bins can include a number of different sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
     For example, storage bins can include stacking bins, cross stacking bins, nesting bins, conductive electrostatic discharge bins, recycled and recycling bins, compartment bin cups, tilt bins, open hopper containers, hinged lid containers, stack and nest bins, straight and uneven Wall bins, and collapsible bins, for example. Example storage bins can include bins such as Sterilite® storage bins and Rubbermaid® storage bins, for instance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 1C and 1D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a schematic view of a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2E  illustrates a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2F  illustrates a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2G  illustrates an attachment piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3C and 3D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4C and 4D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4E  illustrates a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4F  illustrates an attachment piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a bin separation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5C-5D  illustrate a separation piece according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and apparatuses for bin separation. For example, one or more system embodiments include a separation piece for dividing the bin into a number of portions and an attachment piece for attaching a portion of the separation piece to a portion of a wall of the bin. 
     In the following detailed description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how a number of embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice a number of embodiments of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, as will be appreciated, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. As used herein, “a”, “at least one”, and “a number of” something can refer to one or more such things. 
     Storage bins are used for personal and business storage and organization, and can include a number of different sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. However, these bins require stacking stored items on top of one another, resulting in an inability to see items on the bottom of bins, as well as the need to remove items at the top of the bin in order to retrieve items at the bottom of the bin. 
     A bin separation system can allow for organization of a bin, wherein particular items can be compartmentalized as desired by a user. 
     For example, a user may organize unrelated items in a same bin, without having to rummage through a number of first items to get to a number of second items. A bin separation system can also be adaptable to meet different bins, whether the bins vary in brand, shape, size, material, contour, and/or style, among others. 
     In a number of embodiments, a bin separation system can allow for a number of levels of organization in a storage bin, as well. For example, a bin separation system can include a separation pieces for a first level, as well as a separation piece to divide a bottom level and a top level. The separation piece dividing the two levels may be removed to access a bottom level. In a number of embodiments, more than one level can be created with the bin separation system. 
     A bin separation system can include a number of separation pieces, such that a bin may be separated into a number of different compartments depending on the desires of a user. A bin separation system can also include a kit of materials, including separation pieces and attachment pieces, for instance, for use in separating a storage bin. 
     The bin separation system may be moved and shifted at different angles to adapt to a particular bin. 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation systems, separation pieces, and/or connection/attachment pieces can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system  100  according to the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , bin separation system  100  includes separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  in an example storage bin  103  of a particular size, shape, material, and/or style. Bin separation system  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1B  and includes separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  in an example storage bin  105  of a different size, shape, material, and/or style than example storage bin  103 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , example storage bin  105  may be longer, thinner, and/or taller than example storage bin  103 , for instance. Example storage bin  105  may include uneven interior side walls  104 , for example. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  100  and separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  are adaptable to different storage bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
       FIGS. 1C and 1D  illustrate schematic views of bin separation system  100  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  100  is adaptable to a number of storage bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles, among others. For example, example storage bin  103  may be wider than example storage bin  105 , but separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  are adjustable to fit both widths of example bins  103  and  105 . In a number of embodiments, example storage bin  105  includes uneven interior side walls  104  to which bin separation system  100  adapts. 
     In a number of embodiments, separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  can be turned to separate the bin in a manner other than that illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, separation pieces  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  can be turned 90 degrees to separate bins  103  and  105  based on a “y-axis”, rather than an “x-axis”. 
       FIG. 1E  illustrates a separation piece  102  according to the present disclosure. Separation piece  102  can be utilized a number of times within bin separation system  100 , and includes a groove  106  that allows for connection of separation piece  102  to another separation piece  102 . Separation piece  102  can expand by pushing outward against walls of a storage bin to dictate a size and shape of a division provided by bin separation system  100 . 
     Separation piece  102  can also include connection piece  107 , which allows for connection or adhesion of separation piece  102  to side walls of a storage bin (e.g., example storage bins  103  and  105 ). For example, connection piece  107  can allow for connection and pivot of separation piece  102 . 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  100  includes a single separation piece  102  that can interlock with its counterparts (e.g., other separation pieces  102 ), and expand uniformly with its counterparts to fill a space inside a storage bin (e.g., example storage bins  103  and  105 ). Bin separation system  100  can, for example, allow for a geodesic-type of expansion that works with various bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  100 , separation pieces  102 , and/or connection piece  107  can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system  208  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system can include separation pieces  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2 , and  214 . In a number of embodiments, separation piece  214  can act as a backbone to separation system  208 , with separation pieces  210 - 1  and  210 - 2  acting as cross pieces to separate the bin area. While two separation pieces  210 - 1  and  210 - 2  and one separation piece  214  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , any number of separation pieces (e.g.,  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2 ,  214 ) and/or combination thereof may be used in bin separation system  208 . 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  208  utilizes three pieces, including separation piece  210  (e.g.,  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2 , . . . , 210 -N), separation piece  214 , and attachment piece  212  (e.g., a T-shaped connector) to separate an interior of a storage bin. Separation pieces  210  and  214  can interlock with one another using grooves. Bin separation system  208  can divide a space within a storage bin while remaining rigid in a number of embodiments. 
     A connection made between attachment piece  212  and a side of a storage bin can create a solid hold to the side of the bin, and allow for internal cross members (e.g., separation piece  214 ) to stay in place. Attachment piece  212  can also allow for connection of bin separation system  208  to be attached to sides of a storage bin at a depth desired by a user. 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system  208  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, example storage bin  205  may be longer, thinner, and/or taller than example storage bin  203 , for instance. Example storage bin  205  may include uneven interior side walls (e.g., side walls  211  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B ), for example. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  208  and separation pieces  210 - 1 ,  210 - 2 , and  214  are adaptable to different storage bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
       FIG. 2E  illustrates a separation piece  214  according to the present disclosure. Separation piece  214  can act as a backbone for bin separation system  208 . In a number of embodiments, separation piece  214  includes a number of grooves (e.g., grooves  216 - 1  and  216 - 2 ) that can interlock with perpendicular separation pieces (e.g., separation pieces  210 - 1  and  210 - 2 ). 
       FIG. 2F  illustrates a separation piece  210  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, separation piece  210  is positioned perpendicular to separation piece  214  and interlocked with separation piece  214  using groove  218 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2D , Separation pieces  210  and  214  can be utilized a number of times within bin separation system  208 . In a number of embodiments, the number of times separation pieces  210  and  214  are used is based on the desired number and shape of divisions in bin separation system  208 . 
       FIG. 2G  illustrates an attachment piece  212  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, attachment piece  212  facilitates a connection and/or adhesion of separation pieces  210  and  214  to side walls of a storage bin (e.g., example storage bins  203  and  205 ). For example, attachment piece  212  may be T-shaped and include a notch that slides over the edge of separation pieces  210  and  214 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In a number of embodiments, an adhesive material can be used to attach attachment piece  212  to side walls of a storage bin and/or to separation pieces  210  and/or  214 . 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  208 , separation pieces  210  and  214 , and/or attachment piece  212  can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
     In a number of embodiments, a bin separation system can include a “living hinge” system including separation pieces with a number of grooves for connection to one another. For example, a separation piece within the bin separation system can include any number of grooves that can connect or interlock with a duplicate separation piece. The separation piece can be folded or “hinged” to adjust its length in order to adapt to a storage bin. 
     A portion of a separation piece within the living hinge system can be attached to an interior side or bottom wall of a storage bin using an attachment piece, and/or adhesive, among others. In a number of embodiments, the bin separation system can use tension against an interior side of the bin for connection and rigidity. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system  320  according to the present disclosure. Bin separation system  320  includes separation piece  322 , and in a number of embodiments, separation pieces  320  can be used together to create a variable type grid. 
     In a number of embodiments, example storage bin  303 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , and example storage bin  305 , as illustrated in 
       FIG. 3B , can include a number of separation pieces  322  arranged to create a grid system. In an example, storage bin  305  includes uneven interior bin edges  319 , to which separation piece  322  can adapt. 
     Separation piece and/or pieces  322  can, for example, be used to create a number of subdivisions of the same and/or different sizes and shapes. Separation pieces  322  may be free-standing within a storage bin, and/or separation pieces  322  may be attached to interior storage bin side walls with an adhesive material and/or connection device. 
     In a number of embodiments, separation pieces  322  can be turned to separate the bin in a manner other than that illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, separation pieces  322  can be turned 90 degrees to separate bins  303  and  305  based on a “y-axis”, rather than an “x-axis”. 
       FIGS. 3C and 3D  illustrate schematic views of bin separation system  320  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, example storage bin  305  may be longer, thinner, and/or taller than example storage bin  303 , for instance. Example storage bin  305  may include uneven interior side walls (e.g., side walls  319  as illustrated in  FIG. 3B ), for example. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  320  and separation piece  322  are adaptable to different storage bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
       FIG. 3E  illustrates a separation piece  322  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, a number of separation pieces  322  may be combined to create bin separation system  320  within a storage bin. As illustrated in  FIG. 3E , separation piece  322  can be a U-shaped divider, for example. Separation piece  322 , in a number of embodiments, can also include a T-shape and an L-shape, among others. 
     In a number of embodiments, separation piece  322  is stackable with other separation pieces  322  for storage. For example, when storing extra pieces, separation piece  322  could rest within a separation piece of the same design. 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  320  and separation pieces  322  can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate top views of a bin separation system  424  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  424  includes separation piece  426 , and a number of separation pieces  426  can be used together to create a variable type grid. 
     In a number of embodiments, separation piece  426  can include an accordion-shape and/or fan-shape that allows for separation piece  422  to index itself on a storage bin wall. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , storage bin  405  can include uneven interior bin walls  425 , to which separation piece  426  can adapt. Separation piece  426  can also include a groove, such as, or similar to, groove  106  illustrated in  FIG. 1E  with respect to bin separation system  100 . A groove in separation piece  426  can facilitation connection of a number of separation pieces  426  for use in bin separation system  424 . 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  424  includes attachment piece  412  (e.g., a T-shaped connector). Attachment piece  412  can be used to secure separation piece  426  to a base and an interior side wall of a storage bin. In a number of embodiments, attachment piece  412  can slide onto a portion of separation piece  426 . 
     In a number of embodiments, separation pieces  426  can be turned to separate the bin in a manner other than that illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . For example, separation pieces  426  can be turned 90 degrees to separate bins  403  and  405  based on a “y-axis”, rather than an “x-axis”.  FIGS. 4C and 4D  illustrate schematic views of a bin separation system  424  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, example storage bin  405  may be longer, thinner, and/or taller than example storage bin  403 , for instance. Example storage bin  405  may include uneven interior side walls (e.g., side walls  425  as illustrated in  FIG. 4B ), for example. In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  424  including separation piece  426  and attachment piece  412  are adaptable to different storage bin sizes, shapes, materials, and/or styles. 
       FIG. 4E  illustrates a separation piece  424  according to the. present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, a number of separation pieces  426  may be combined to create bin separation system  424  within a storage bin, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4D , for instance. As illustrated in  FIG. 4E , separation piece  426  can be an accordion-shaped and/or fan-shaped divider, for example. 
       FIG. 4F  illustrates an attachment piece  412  according to the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, attachment piece  412  allows for connection or adhesion of separation piece  426  to side walls of a storage bin (e.g., example storage bins  403  and  405 ). For example, attachment piece  412  may be T-shaped and include a notch that slides over the edge of separation piece  426 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D . In a number of embodiments, an adhesive material can be used to attach attachment piece  412  to side walls of a storage bin. 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  424 , separation pieces  426 , and/or attachment piece  412  can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a schematic view of a bin separation system  530  according to the present disclosure. Bin separation system  530  can include a number of separation pieces  536  that can slide and expand to fit a contour of an interior of a storage bin  503 . Bin separation system  530  can be crossed in halves, thirds, and/or quarters, among others, with a cross separation piece  532 . 
     In a number of embodiments, an example storage bin can be longer, thinner, and/or taller than example storage bin  503  illustrated in  FIG. 5A , for instance. 
     In a number of embodiments, separation system  530  can use pressure against the side of a storage bin to adjust and adapt to the storage bin. In a number of embodiments, an attachment piece is used to secure a portion of a number of the separation pieces  536  and  532  to an interior wall of the storage bin. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a separation piece  532  according to the present disclosure. Separation piece  532  can be a cross separation piece that works in conjunction with separation piece  536 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , and can include sections  534 - 1 ,  534 - 2 , . . . , 534 - 7  and perforations  546 - 1 ,  546 - 2 , . . . , 546 - 6 . In a number of embodiments, separation piece  532  can include more or less sections than illustrated in  FIG. 5B , and/or the sections can be larger or smaller than those illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
     In a number of embodiments, cross separation piece  532  can be snapped off to suit the size of the storage bin. For example, section  534 - 3  may be snapped off at perforation  546 - 1  of separation piece  532  to shorten the length of separation piece  532  in order to fit within a particular bin size. Any number or combination of sections  534 - 1 ,  534 - 2 , . . . , 534 - 7  may be snapped off of separation piece  532 , depending on a size of a storage bin, and a desired separation configuration. 
       FIGS. 5C and 5D  illustrate a separation piece  536  according to the present disclosure. Separation piece  536  can slide and expand to fit a contour of an interior of a storage bin (e.g., storage bin  503 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A ). 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates separation piece  536  in an expanded formation. Separation piece can include a number of sections  538 ,  540 ,  542 , and  544 . Each section can include a number of grooves, including, for example, groove  548  in section  538 . The number of grooves can be used as a connection point between separation piece  536  and separation piece  532 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5C , certain sections of separation piece  536  can be taller than others to facilitate expansion and contraction of separation piece  536 . For example, section  538  can be taller than section  540 , such that section  538  can slide over section  540  to adapt to a contour of an interior of a storage bin, which is discussed further herein with respect to  FIG. 5D . In a number of embodiments, groove  548  can line up with a groove in section  540  when section  538  slides over section  540 , for example. 
     Separation piece  536  can include a removable section  544 . In a number of embodiments, section  544  can be removed to fit a number of storage bins of different shapes and sizes. For example, a storage bin may have raised bottom interior edges to make the bin stackable. To adapt to such a storage bin, section  544  can be removed to fit the contour of the storage bin. 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates separation piece  536  in a contracted formation. In a number of embodiments, section  538  can be slide over section  540 , such that groove  548  lines up with a groove in section  540 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5D , both ends of separation piece  536  have been contracted, however, in a number of embodiments, one end (e.g., section  538 ) is contracted while the other is expanded. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5D , removable section  544  is connected to separation piece  536 , but in a number of embodiments, section  544  can be removed from separation piece  536  while separation piece  536  is in a contracted form. In a number of embodiments, section  544  can be removed from one end of separation piece  536 , while remaining connected on the opposite end of separation piece  536 . 
     Separation piece  536  can include a section  542  that acts as a stop point for a taller section  538 . For example, section  538  may be slid completely over section  540 , but not further than section  542 . In an number of embodiments, sections  538 ,  540 ,  542 , and  544  can be removed from bin separation system  530  to adapt to the contour, shape, and/or size, among others, of a particular storage bin. 
     In a number of embodiments, bin separation system  530  and separation pieces  532  and  536  and their components can include a number of materials including, but not limited to, plastic materials, foam materials, corrugated cardboard materials, cardboard and/or paper materials, metal materials, fabric materials, and/or resin materials. 
     In a number of embodiments, a bin separation system can also include a subdivided block of material (e.g., foam) the size of a storage bin to create a bin separation system, for example. A number of varying shapes can be used in the spatial organization of the bin separation system within the storage bin, including, but not limited to, L-shapes, squares, and/or expandable/collapsible sections. 
     A bin separation system can include a number of flexible separation pieces in a number of sizes and shapes in a number of embodiments. The separation piece can conform and take non-uniform shapes and connections. The separation pieces can include a self-connecting point, such that no attachment piece is needed to connect different separation pieces together, for example. In a number of embodiments, an attachment piece is used to connect separation pieces to one another, as well as to an interior wall of a storage bin. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the disclosure. 
     It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in example embodiments illustrated in the figures for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments of the disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 
     Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter. lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.