Method of storing and shipping a gasket

Abstract

A method of storing a flexible polygonal article, such as a gasket, is provided. Initially, a storage device is selected. Next, an article constructed of a plurality of interconnected elongated side members is selected. Each of the plurality of side members have an internal wall and an external wall attached perpendicular thereto. Next, a support member is selected from the plurality of side members and moved above the storage device. The storage device includes a storage shelf having a support channel with a horizontal and vertical surface. The support member is then placed in the support channel such that the internal wall of the support member is supported on the horizontal surface. Finally, at least a portion of the first external wall is magnetically engaged to at least a portion of the vertical surface, thereby supporting the flexible article on the storage device.

1 . A storage and shipping rack for a flexible gasket of the type having a storage shelf supported on a support frame, the storage shelf comprising a plurality of storage channels, each of said plurality of storage channels including an elongated horizontal surface, and an elongated vertical surface extending substantially perpendicular from said horizontal surface, a portion of said elongated vertical surface having a ferrous metal element defining a vertical magnetic engagement surface.  
   
   
       2 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein said base frame includes a plurality of vertical support staffs interconnected by a peripheral frame having a set of receiving tubes.  
   
   
       3 . The rack of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of vertical support staffs each include a male portion on one of a top and bottom end and a female portion on the other of said top and bottom end.  
   
   
       4 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein said support frame includes an inverted A-frame structure attached to a cross bar disposed between said base frame and said storage shelf.  
   
   
       5 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of channels further include a step portion disposed on said horizontal surface on a side of said channel opposite from said vertical surface.  
   
   
       6 . The rack of  claim 1  where said horizontal surface is a vacuum formed plastic component.  
   
   
       7 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of storage channels being defined by a pair of ribs, each rib having said elongated vertical surface formed thereon.  
   
   
       8 . The rack of  claim 7  wherein said ferrous metal element is a steel plate having an edge received in a groove formed in said channel adjacent said vertical surface.  
   
   
       9 . The rack of  claim 8  wherein said steel plate extends above said elongated vertical surface formed on a first of said pair of ribs.  
   
   
       10 . The rack of  claim 9  wherein a second of said pair of ribs defines a step portion on a side of said channel opposite from said elongated vertical surface.  
   
   
       11 . A method of storing and shipping a flexible gasket comprising: 
 providing a flexible gasket having a compressible bulb portion and a magnetic element disposed in a first surface thereof;    positioning said flexible gasket on a storage shelf having a plurality of support channels formed therein;    locating said compression bulb in one of said plurality of support channels; and    magnetically engaging said magnetic element to an elongated vertical surface adjacent said one of said plurality of support channels.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of positioning a dart extending from a second surface of said flexible gasket on a step adjacent said one of said plurality of support channels.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of: 
 positioning additional flexible gaskets in each of said plurality of support channels formed in said storage shelf;    locating said compression bulb of said additional flexible gaskets in one of said plurality of support channels; and    magnetically engaging said magnetic element of said additional flexible gaskets to an elongated vertical surface adjacent said one of said plurality of support channels, whereby each of said plurality of support channels is provided with a flexible gasket.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least a portion of said vertical surface comprises a ferro-metallic element.  
   
   
       15 . A method of transporting flexible gaskets comprising: 
 locating a first storage rack in a loading position, said first storage rack including a storage shelf having a support channel with a horizontal surface and a vertical surface extending therefrom and having a ferrous metal element;    selecting an gasket having a plurality of elongated side members attached at their ends to form a polygon, each of said plurality of side members having a first wall portion with a magnetic element formed therein and a second wall portion;    positioning said flexible gasket above said first storage rack;    placing said flexible gasket in said support channel such that said first wall is supported on said horizontal surface and at least a portion of said second wall magnetically engages with said ferrous metal element, thereby supporting said flexible gasket on said first storage rack; and    transporting said first storage rack to a location remote from said loading position.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of placing said flexible gasket in one of said plurality of channels further includes placing a dart extending from a second wall of said flexible gasket onto a step portion of said storage shelf.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 locating a second storage rack in said loading position, said second storage rack including a storage shelf having a support channel with a horizontal surface and a vertical surface extending therefrom and having a ferrous metal element;    selecting an gasket having a plurality of elongated side members attached at their ends to form a polygon, each of said plurality of side members having a first wall portion with a magnetic element formed therein and a second wall portion;    positioning said flexible gasket above said second storage rack;    placing said flexible gasket in said support channel such that said first wall is supported on said horizontal surface and at least a portion of said second wall magnetically engages with said ferrous metal element, thereby supporting said flexible gasket on said second storage rack;    transporting said second storage rack to said location remote; and    stacking said second storage rack on top of said first storage rack.