Abstract:
A divider for packaging articles includes a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another, and a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels. A plurality of elongated retainer pins pass through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween. The plurality of separator panels can be disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, with the retainer pins mounting the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/893,386, filed Oct. 21, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Packaging dividers are used in many industries to store and ship multiple products or parts in a single package. Packaging dividers can be used for packaging small products, such as bottles of health and beauty products, as well as larger products, such as automobile parts. A commonly used type of packaging divider is the die cut or interlocked system in which multiple horizontal panels having slots cut into the panel are interlocked with vertical panels having similar slots cut therein. Because of the slots cut into the panels to enable interlocking of the panels, portions of the panels between the slots are not fully supported and thus often require additional material or structures to support and strengthen the panels, depending on the items stored within the divider. In addition, the interlocking design limits the available shapes that the divider can be provided in. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a divider for packaging articles includes a plurality of divider panels disposed in a first direction, generally parallel with one another and a plurality of separator panels disposed in an aligned manner between each of the plurality of divider panels in a second direction, each of the plurality of separator panels having at least one throughhole extending between opposite lateral sides of each of the plurality of separator panels. The divider further includes a plurality of elongated retainer pins, each of the plurality of elongated retainer pins passing through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any of the throughholes of any of the separator panels disposed therebetween. When the plurality of separator panels are disposed between and in a preselected arrangement to form cells configured to receive the packaging articles between any given two of the plurality of divider panels, the retainer pins mount the plurality of divider panels and plurality of separator panels together. 
         [0004]    Additional embodiments of the invention include any one or combination of more than one of the following elements: the packaging articles are of a consistent size; the plurality of divider panels are rectangular and oriented in a horizontal direction; the plurality of separator panels are disposed in a generally vertical direction and comprise an elongated rectangular panel disposed in the generally vertical direction; at least one of the plurality of separator panels further comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least one of the plurality of separator panels changes direction along a length between at least two of the plurality of divider panels; at least two of the plurality of divider panels comprises at least one bent portion in which the at least two of the plurality of divider panels changes direction from the first direction; the plurality of elongated retainer pins comprise a laterally-extending stub at each end to retain the pin in a mounted position when it is passed through at least two of the plurality of divider panels and any separator panels in alignment with the path of each of the elongated retainer pins; the packaging articles have a curved shape and the cells formed by the combination of the plurality of divider panels, the plurality of separator panels, and the plurality of elongated retainer pins has a non-linear shape corresponding generally to the shape of the packaging articles; the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels comprise corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, or combinations thereof. 
         [0005]    In an additional embodiment, the divider further comprises a framework mounted around the periphery of the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels to support the structure formed by the plurality of divider panels and the plurality of separator panels. The framework can further comprise a recess at a lower portion thereof configured to receive forks of a forklift. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an interlocking packaging divider according to the prior art. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is front view of the interlocking packaging divider of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the interlocking packaging divider of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the interlocking packaging divider of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a method of assembling a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 6A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 6A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 6A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is a front view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 8A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8C  is a side view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 8A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the packaging divider of  FIG. 8A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 10A  and B are perspective views of a support structure for use with a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIGS. 1A-C  and  2  illustrate an interlocking packaging divider  10  comprising a plurality of horizontal panels  12  interlocked with a plurality of vertical panels  14  in a traditional manner to form a plurality of cells  16 , as is known in the art. The interlocking packaging divider  10  can also optionally include a top and bottom horizontal panel  18  and  20  and end vertical panels  22 , which may be configured or oriented differently than the horizontal and vertical panels  12  and  14 , respectively. 
         [0026]    As can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , each horizontal panel  12  can include a slotted portion  24  comprising a plurality of spaced slots  26  and a solid or unslotted portion  28 . Similarly, each vertical panel  14  can include a slotted portion  30  comprising a plurality of spaced slots  32  and a solid or unslotted portion  34 . Each horizontal panel slots  26  is configured to receive a vertical panel  14  by aligning the horizontal panel  12  with a vertical panel slot  32  and sliding the horizontal and vertical panels  12 ,  14  towards one another until a horizontal slot end  36  abuts a vertical slot end  38 . This process can be repeated multiple times to interlock a plurality of horizontal and vertical panels  12  and  14  to form a divider  10  having a plurality of cells  16 . 
         [0027]    Referring again to  FIG. 1A , forming the divider  10  by interlocking slotted panels provides a divider in which a portion of each horizontal panel  12  corresponding to the slotted portion  24  and a portion of each vertical panel  14  corresponding to the slotted portion  30  are not supported and are free to flex or bend. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate an exemplary packaging divider  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The packaging divider  100  comprises a plurality of divider panels, illustrated as horizontal panels  102 , connected with a plurality of separator panels, illustrated as vertical panels  104 , by elongated retainer pins, illustrated as fasteners  106 , to form a plurality of cells  108 . The dimensions of the divider  100  and the dimensions of each cell  108  can be selected as desired based on the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels  102  and  104 . Each horizontal panel  102  has a thickness T 102 , a width W 102 , and a length L 102 . Each vertical panel  104  has a thickness T 104 , a height H 104  and a length L 104 . Each cell  108  has a length L 108 , height H 108  and width W 108  based on the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels  102 ,  104  forming the cells  108 . 
         [0029]    It will be understood that while the divider  100  is described in the context of the horizontal panels  102  being parallel to a surface upon which the divider  100  rests, it is within the scope of the invention for the divider  100  to be oriented in any desired manner, including positioning the horizontal panels  102  perpendicular or at an angle to a surface upon which the divider  100  rests, without deviating from the scope of the invention. In addition, while the divider  100  is illustrated as having a generally rectangular shape in which a length L 100  of the divider is greater than a height H 100  of the divider  100 , it is within the scope of the invention for the invention for the divider  100  to have any desired rectangular or square shape or for the length and height of the divider  100  to be the same or different dimensions. In general, the length L 100  of the divider  100  corresponds to the length L 102  of the horizontal panels  102 . Alternatively, the length L 100  of the divider  100  can correspond to the length L 104  of the vertical panels  104 , which can be the same or different than the length L 102  of the horizontal panels  102 . In general, the height H 108  of the cells  108  corresponds to the height H 104  of the vertical panels  104  and the width W 108  of the cells  108  corresponds to the distance between adjacent vertical panels  104 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of vertical panels  104  can be assembled between two adjacent horizontal panels  102  to form a desired number of cells  108 . A height and width of each cell  108  can be determined based on a height of the vertical panel  104  and a spacing of the vertical panel  104  between the horizontal panels  102 , respectively. Two adjacent horizontal panels  102  having a vertical panel  104  assembled therebetween can form a row  110  of the divider  100 . Multiple horizontal panels  102  and vertical panels  104  can be assembled to provide a divider having a plurality of rows  110 . 
         [0031]    The assembled horizontal and vertical panels  102  and  104  can be attached to one another using a plurality of fasteners  106  that extend through a horizontal panel  102  and at least partially into an adjacent vertical panel  104 . As will be described in more detail below, each fastener  106  can be in the form of a single fastener extending through one or more rows  110  of the divider  100  or in the form of multiple fasteners extending through a single horizontal panel  102  and adjacent vertical panel  104 . 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 3A-C  and  4 , fasteners  106  extend vertically through each horizontal panel  106  and adjacent aligned vertical panels  104 . Multiple fasteners  106  can be inserted along the length L 104  of the vertical panel  104 . One or more of the horizontal panels  102  can optionally include pre-formed apertures, also referred to as througholes,  112  through which the fasteners  106  can be inserted. The vertical panels  104  can also be configured to include pre-formed apertures or channels, also referred to as throughholes, which can be aligned with the apertures  112  on adjacent horizontal panels  102  for receipt of a fastener  106 . In one example, the vertical panels  104  can be made from a corrugated or other porous material which includes pre-formed channels extending vertically through the vertical panels  104 . Alternatively, the horizontal panels  102  and/or the vertical panels  104  do not have to include pre-formed apertures or channels. In that case, the fasteners  106  can be driven by force through the aligned horizontal and vertical panels  102 ,  104 . In yet another example, apertures or channels in the horizontal and/or vertical panels  102 ,  104  can be formed as needed during the assembly process, such as by a drill or press, for example. 
         [0033]    The fasteners  106  can be any suitable mechanical fastener such as a rod or screw. A length of the fastener  106  can be selected based on the dimensions of each row  110  of the divider  100  and how many rows the fastener  106  is intended to extend through. As illustrated in  3 A-C and  4 , the ends of the fastener  106  can be bent to form a laterally-extending stub at each end to minimize the likelihood that the fasteners  106  will slide out or otherwise become dislodged from the divider  100 . The fastener  106  can be made from any suitable rigid material, such as plastic or metal, and have the desired thickness, length and other strength and durability related characteristics based on the intended use of the divider  100 . 
         [0034]    The vertical and horizontal panels  102 ,  104  can be made from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, solid sheet plastic, wood, steel, metal, and combinations thereof. The vertical and horizontal panels can be made from the same or different materials. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary method  200  for assembling a packaging divider according to an embodiment of the invention. The sequence of steps depicted for this method are for illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps may proceed in a different logical order or additional or intervening steps may be included without detracting from the invention. 
         [0036]    The method  200  begins with assuming that the horizontal and vertical panels  102 ,  104  have been cut or formed to the desired dimensions depending on the intended use of the subsequently formed packaging divider  100 . A plurality of rows of apertures  112   a - c  can be formed in the horizontal panels  102  either before or after the panels  102  are cut to size or the apertures can be formed during assembly of each row of the divider  100 . The number and spacing of apertures  112  can be based on a variety of factors, non-limiting examples of which include the intended use of the divider, the weight and/or dimensions of the items intended to be placed within the divider, the materials used to form the horizontal and vertical panels, the dimensions of the horizontal and vertical panels, and the cell dimensions. 
         [0037]    At  202 , a set of fasteners  106   a ,  106   b , and  106   c  are inserted into each aperture of first, second and third rows of apertures  112   a ,  112   b , and  112   c , respectively of a first horizontal panel  102   a . At  204 , a first vertical panel  104   a  is placed over the fasteners  106   a  and slid down over the fasteners  106   a  until the first vertical panel  104   a  abuts the first horizontal panel  102   a . The first vertical panel  104   a  may be formed of a corrugated material such that an interior of the panel comprises channels extending through the height of the panel. The fasteners  106   a  may have dimensions such that the fasteners  106  can be received by the pre-formed channels in the vertical panel  104   a.    
         [0038]    At  206 , the step  204  may be repeated for assembly of the additional vertical panels  104   b  and  104   c  with the first horizontal panel  102   a  through fasteners  106   b  and  106   c  and rows of apertures  112   b  and  112   c , respectively. While the method  200  is described as inserting all of the fasteners  160   a - c  prior to assembly of the first vertical panel  104 , it is also within the scope of the invention for each set of fasteners  106   a - c  to be inserted prior to assembling each individual vertical panel  104   a - c.    
         [0039]    At  208 , a second horizontal panel  102   b  having rows of apertures  112   d - f  configured to receive the fasteners  106   a - c , can be slid over the fasteners  106   a - c  and positioned atop the free ends of the vertical panels  104   a - c  to form a first row  110   a  of cells  108 . Typically, the second horizontal panel  102   b  will be identical to the first horizontal panel  102   a , although it is within the scope of the invention for one or more of the horizontal panels  102  used in assembling the divider  100  to be different than the other horizontal panels. Each cell  108  of the first row  110   a  comprises 4 walls formed by the first and second horizontal panels  102   a, b  and opposing vertical panels  104   a, b  or  104   b, c . Steps  204  through  208  can be repeated multiple times to form a divider  10  having a desired number of rows of cells. 
         [0040]    The fasteners  106   a - c  can be configured to extend through the vertical panels  104   a - c  and the first horizontal panel  102   a  such that a portion of the fasteners  106   a - c  extend beyond a bottom face of the first horizontal panel  102 . The additional portion can be bent, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-C  to limit the movement of the fasteners  106   a - c . Similarly, a portion of the fasteners  106  used in assembling the last horizontal panel can extend beyond an upper face of the last horizontal panel and be bent in a similar fashion, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-C . Alternatively, or additionally, an adhesive or other covering or plug can be provided over the fasteners  106  of the first and last horizontal panels to limit movement of the fasteners  106 . For example, the fasteners  106  can be configured to be generally flush with the bottom face of the first horizontal panel  102  and the corresponding apertures  112  can be covered with tape to limit movement of the fasteners  106 . 
         [0041]    The fasteners  106  can be configured to have a length that extends through all of the rows  110  of the divider  100 , as illustrated. Alternatively, or additionally, multiple fasteners  106  can be used to assemble individual rows or multiple rows forming a portion of a multi-row divider. In one example, each fastener  106  can be configured to extend through a first vertical panel  104  and through an adjacent horizontal panel  102  into a second vertical panel  104  on an opposite side of the horizontal panel  102  from the first vertical panel  104 . When multiple fasteners  106  are used, the fasteners  106  can have a length such that they can be stacked one on top of each other within the stacked rows of vertical panels  104 . Alternatively, or additionally, the vertical panels  104  can be configured to provide sufficient room within the channels within the vertical panel  104  to allow multiple fasteners  106  to extend adjacent to one another within the same vertical panel  104 . In yet another example, the apertures  112  provided in the horizontal panels  102  can be offset for each alternate horizontal panel  102  so as to allow multiple fasteners  106  to be inserted into a single vertical panel  104  without abutting another fastener within the same vertical panel  104 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 6A-C  and  7  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention comprising a packaging divider  300  that is similar to the first packaging divider  100 , except for the shape of the horizontal and vertical panels. Therefore, elements in the packaging divider  300  similar to those of the divider  100  will be numbered with the prefix  300 . 
         [0043]    As can best be seen in  FIGS. 6A-C , the divider  300  is similar to the divider  100  comprising multiple rows  310  of cells  308  made from pairs of horizontal panels  302  vertically spaced by a series of vertical panels  304 , which can be assembled using fasteners  306  in a manner similar to that described above for the packaging divider  100 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6C , the horizontal panels  302  and the vertical panels  304  each have a length L 302  and L 304 , respectively, that does not extend in a single plane, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-C  for the divider  100 , but rather extend in multiple planes to form a cell  308  having a generally curved or arched cross-section ( FIG. 6C ). The height H 304  of the vertical panels  304  can be constant along the length L 308  of the vertical panels  304  such that the height H 308  of the cells  308  is constant. It is also within the scope of the invention that different portions or sections of the vertical panels  304  can have different heights such that the height of the cell  308  varies along the length of the cell  308 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the horizontal panels  302  can comprise three portions  302   a - c , with end portions  302   a  and  302   c  bent such that they are oriented at an angle with respect to the middle portion  302   b . In this manner, the horizontal panel  302  changes direction at least once along its length L 302 . The horizontal panel  302  can comprise a single panel which has been scored or folded to allow the end portions  302   a, c  to be angled with respect to middle portion  302   b . Alternatively, each of the panels  302   a - c  can comprise separate, individual panels which can optionally be attached to the adjacent panel by a weld or adhesive, such as a piece of tape. It is also within the scope of the invention for each panel portion  302   a - c  to not be attached to the adjacent horizontal panel portion  302   a - c , but be held in place in the assembled divider  100  by the fasteners  106 . 
         [0046]    Similarly, the vertical panels  304  can comprise three portions  304   a - c  with end portions  304   a  and  304  bent such that they are oriented at angle with respect to the middle portion  304   b . In this manner, the vertical panel  304  changes direction at least once along its length L 304 . The orientation of the horizontal and vertical panels  302  and  304  can be complimentary to facilitate stacking of the panels  302 ,  304  in assembling the divider  300 . The vertical panel  304  can comprise a single panel which has been formed or shaped to provide the desired shape. Alternatively, each of the panels  304   a - c  can comprise separate, individual panels which can optionally be attached to the adjacent panel by a weld or adhesive, such as a piece of tape. It is also within the scope of the invention for each panel portion  304   a - c  to not be attached to the adjacent vertical panel portion  304   a - c , but be held in place in the assembled divider  100  by the fasteners  106 . 
         [0047]    The divider  300  can be assembled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the method  200  of  FIG. 5 . An additional step may be to include one or more base or support members  350  to provide support for the bottom horizontal panel  302 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the support members  350  can have a flat, bottom face  352  for resting on a supporting surface and an upper face  353  having features generally corresponding to the shape of the bottom horizontal panel  302 . The support members  350  can be assembled with the horizontal and vertical panels  302 ,  304  using the fasteners  306 , as illustrated, or may be assembled with the bottom horizontal panel  302  using any other suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fastener, such as an adhesive or weld, for example. 
         [0048]    While the horizontal and vertical panels  302  and  304  are illustrated as each having three portions, it will be understood that the horizontal and vertical panels  302  and  304  can comprise any number of portions having any desired angle or angles. In addition, the horizontal and vertical panels  302  and  304  can comprise angular features (shown) or curved or rounded features (not shown) to provide the desired cell shape. For example, rather than having angled portions, the horizontal and/or vertical panels  302 ,  304  can be curved or sloped. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 8A-C  and  9  illustrate a third embodiment of the invention comprising a packaging divider  400  that is similar to the first packaging divider  100  and second packaging divider  300 , except for the shape of the vertical panels. Therefore, elements in the packaging divider  400  similar to those of the divider  100  and  300  will be numbered with the prefix  400 . 
         [0050]    As can best be seen in  FIGS. 8A-C , the divider  400  is similar to the divider  100  comprising multiple rows  410  of cells  408  made from pairs of horizontal panels  402  vertically spaced by a series of vertical panels  404 , which can be assembled using fasteners  406  in a manner similar to that described above for the packaging divider  100 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 9 , the horizontal panels  402  have a length L 402  and width W 402  that extends in a single plane in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the divider  100 . In contrast to the vertical panels  104  of the divider  100 , the vertical panels  404  do not have a length which extends in a single vertical plane. As can best be seen in  FIG. 9 , the vertical panels  404  can comprise portions  404   a - c  that are angled with respect to an adjacent portion to provide a cell  408  which bends laterally along the length L 408  of the cell. The vertical panels  404  can be identical such that the width W 408  of the cell  408  does not vary along the cell length L 408 . Alternatively, the configuration of the vertical panel  404  can differ between adjacent vertical panels  404  such that the cell width W 408  varies along the cell length L 408 . 
         [0052]    The divider  400  can be assembled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the method  200  of  FIG. 5  using fasteners  406  which extend fully or partially through the divider  400 . Each row of apertures  412  formed in the horizontal panels  402  can be non-linear, rather than the linear rows illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4  for the divider  100 , corresponding to the shape of the adjacent vertical panels  404  to which the horizontal panel  402  is to be attached. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a framework, illustrated as support structure  500 , is shown for use with any of the packaging dividers  100 ,  300  and  400  described herein. The support structure  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 10A  with an embodiment of the packaging divider  100 ;  FIG. 10B  illustrates the support structure  500  in use with an embodiment of the packaging divider  400 . 
         [0054]    The support structure  500  includes at least one support member  502  for limiting movement of the horizontal panels  102 ,  402 , thus facilitating keeping the horizontal and vertical panels aligned. Limiting movement of the horizontal panels  102 ,  104  and maintaining alignment of the horizontal panels relative to other horizontal panels and the vertical panels can increase the strength and durability of the packaging dividers  100 ,  400 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the support members  502  can be in the form of a post extending perpendicular to the horizontal panel  102  ( FIG. 10A ) or  402  ( FIG. 10B ) and parallel to the vertical panels  104  and  404 , respectively, although other structures which limit the movement of the horizontal panels  102 ,  402  can also be used. 
         [0055]    For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the support structure  500  can include support members  502   a  adjacent each corner of the divider  100 , as well as one or more support members  502   b  extending along the length of the horizontal panel  102 . The support members  502   b  can be spaced along the length of the horizontal panel  102  and can be the same or different than the support members  502   a  at the corners of the support structure  500 . In one example, the support members  502   b  can be in the form of a mesh or netting or a panel extending from at least one support member  502   a  along at least a portion of the length of the horizontal panel  102  or extending between adjacent support members  502   a . The support members  502  can extend the entire height of the stack of horizontal panels  102  forming the packaging divider  100  or only a portion of the height of the divider  100 . Although not illustrated, it is understood that additional support members  502  can be included between the corner support members  502  along the width of the horizontal panels  103 . 
         [0056]    In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , excess portions of the horizontal panels  402  can be trimmed or cut at one or more corners to accommodate the support structure  500 . This can minimize the overall dimensions of the packaging divider  400  and support structure  500  assembly, which can reduce storage and shipping costs. 
         [0057]    The support structure  500  can also include an additional upper frame structure  504  and/or lower frame structure  506  that can be integrally formed with the support structure  500  or form a separate structure that can be used in combination with the support structure  500 . In one example, the upper and lower frame structure  504 ,  506  can include support arms that extend between the support members  502 , thus forming an integral structural framework around the dividers  100 ,  400 . In another example, the support structure  500  may be a separate element that can be used with the upper and/or lower frame structures  504 ,  506 , which can optionally be attached with the support structure  500  through any suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fastener, such as a bolt, strap, adhesive or weld. For example, the support structure  500  can be configured for attachment to a traditional loading pallet. 
         [0058]    The upper and lower frame structures  504 ,  506  can provide additional structural support to the packaging divider  100 ,  400  and support structure  500  assembly, as well as facilitate transport and storage of the assembly. For example, the lower frame structure  506  can provide a base upon which the divider  100 ,  400  rests to raise the bottom horizontal panel  102 ,  402  above the surface upon which the divider  100 ,  400  rests. The lower frame members  506  can also be configured to facilitate lifting the support structure  500 , such as by the forks of a fork lift, for example. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper frame structure  504  can be configured for lifting, such as by a crane. The support members  502  and/or the upper or lower frame structures  504 ,  506  can also include stacking elements  508 , illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  as projections extending from corner support members  502   a , which can be received in a corresponding hollow space at a bottom end of a support structure  500  (not shown) on a stacked support structure  500 . 
         [0059]    The support structure  500  can be made from any suitable rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include metal, such as steel, wood or polymeric material. In addition, the different components of the support structure  500  can be made of the same or different material. The support structure  500  can be assembled around the packaging divider  100 ,  400  or, alternatively, the support structure  500  can be pre-assembled and the packaging divider  100 ,  400  placed therein. Preferably, the support structure  500  is integrally formed or configured for use with the upper and/or lower frame structures  504 ,  506  to facilitate transporting and storing the support structure  500  and the associated divider  100 ,  400 . The support structure  500  and upper and lower frame structures  504 ,  506  can also provide points of attachment for securing additional elements that may be used with the divider  100 ,  300 , and  400 , such as a top, side and/or bottom cover panel. 
         [0060]    The packaging dividers  100 ,  300  and  400  described herein provided dividers which can accommodate products having a variety of shapes and dimensions. Because each row is assembled individually, the packaging divider can have rows of unequal heights by varying the height of the vertical dividers used to form each row. Similarly, the width of the cell can be varied by varying the shape and/or the spacing of the vertical panels. The cells can extend laterally and/or longitudinally in multiple planes to provide cells which conform to the shape of non-linear products. In this manner, the non-linear products can be “nested”, increasing packing density within the divider, which can decrease shipping and storage costs. A curved, non-linear part, such as a car bumper, for example, requires a rectangular cell have a greater area than a corresponding curved cell which mimics the shape of the non-linear part. Thus, more curved cells will fit within a given area than rectangular cells, which allows for more car bumpers to fit in each row of the divider. In addition, because each row of the divider can be assembled individually, products can be placed within each cell as the divider is being assembled, and similarly removed from each row as the divider is disassembled, which can facilitate ease of use. 
         [0061]    In a traditional interlocking packaging divider, such as the divider  10  of  FIGS. 1A-C  and  2 , the slots provided in the horizontal and vertical panels necessary for interlocking the panels to form the cells inherently results in cell walls that are not fully supported along the entire length of the cell. For heavier products, this can result in fewer products being packaged per divider or the need for additional support elements or stronger divider material, thus increasing the cost of the divider and the assembly/disassembly time. In addition, the interlocking nature of the horizontal and vertical panels limits the ability to tailor the dimensions of each row or each cell within a row to the desired specifications and further restricts the ability to provide cells that extend laterally and/or longitudinally in different planes. A typical interlocking packaging divider is thus limited in its ability to nest non-linear products. For example, for a given row area, an interlocking packaging divider can accommodate fewer non-linear products than a corresponding divider  100 ,  300  or  400  of the present invention in which the cells can be configured so as to nest the non-linear products, thereby storing more products per row area than the traditional interlocking packaging divider. 
         [0062]    Furthermore, in contrast with an interlocking divider, each row of the present divider can be assembled and/or disassembled individually, facilitating ease of loading and unloading parts. For example, a single row of vertical panels according to the embodiment of the invention can be assembled with an individual horizontal panel. In contrast, as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , each vertical panel of an interlocking type divider comprises all of the vertical panels for all of the rows of the divider. 
         [0063]    In addition, in the present invention, the horizontal and vertical panels are not cut, thus maintaining the overall integrity of the panels forming the cell walls to a greater extent than a traditional interlocking divider in which the horizontal and vertical panels require multiple slots to be cut through a large portion of the panel. The multitude of slots in an interlocking panel decreases the overall strength of the panel and can allow dirt, debris and fluids to more easily travel between rows compared to the horizontal panels of the present invention which remain virtually intact except for the apertures used to insert the fasteners during assembly. 
         [0064]    To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments of the invention may be used in combination with each other as desired. For example, one or more of the features illustrated and/or described with respect to one of the packaging dividers  100 ,  300  and  400  can be used with or combined with one or more features illustrated and/or described with respect to the other of the packaging dividers  100 ,  300  and  400 . That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. 
         [0065]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.