Molded fiber separator

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide plant-based separators for bottles or other cylindrical objects that require separation within a pack, for example for use in storage, transport, or display. In various embodiments, plant-based separators, dividers, and containers are disclosed that may include a tray-like cradling apparatus with a first active/engaging face and a second active/engaging face. In various embodiments, both engaging faces may be provided with functional shapes that include projections that may allow the separator to operate in laydown or upright dividing engagement with items such as bottles, candles, or other substantially cylindrical articles adjacent to the separator in order to provide impact and friction protection, while maintaining separation and location of the items in multi-item configurations.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A plant-based separator for receiving a plurality of substantially cylindrical objects, comprising:
 a substantially planar base formed from a plant-based material, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side,   the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base;   the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base;   the first and second pluralities of projections being adapted to receive the plurality of substantially cylindrical objects.   
     
     
         2 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections alternate in a repeating pattern to create one or more receiving cradles on each of the first and second sides of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the plant-based material comprises molded fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The plant-based separator of  claim 3 , wherein the molded fiber comprises paper, newsprint, cardboard, waxed cup stock, non-waxed cup stock, pulp, bark, leaves, miscanthus grass, palm, bamboo, grass, hemp, casaba, corn, tapioca, starch, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of substantially cylindrical objects comprises bottles. 
     
     
         6 . The plant-based separator of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of projections creates a corresponding first plurality of recesses on the second side, and wherein the second plurality of projections creates a corresponding second plurality of recesses on the first side. 
     
     
         7 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the first side has a first surface, wherein the second side has a second surface, and wherein the first and second surfaces are both substantially smooth. 
     
     
         8 . The plant-based separator of  claim 7 , wherein the plant-based separator is configured to be nestable and/or de-nestable. 
     
     
         9 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first plurality of projections, and the second plurality of projections are formed from a continuous layer of molded fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The plant-based separator of  claim 9 , wherein the continuous layer of molded fiber has a substantially uniform thickness. 
     
     
         11 . The plant-based separator of  claim 10 , wherein the thickness is from about 0.01 inches to about 0.25 inches thick. 
     
     
         12 . The plant-based separator of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness is about 0.06 inches thick 
     
     
         13 . The plant-based separator of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second pluralities of projections project a distance of from about 1 inches to about 1.75 inches from the base. 
     
     
         14 . The plant-based separator of  claim 13 , wherein the first and/or second pluralities of projections project a distance of about 1.375 inches from the base. 
     
     
         15 . The plant-based separator of  claim 5 , wherein the separator is adapted to receive Alsace style bottles, Hoch style bottles, Burgundy style bottles, champagne bottles, Bordeaux style bottles, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A plant-based separator for receiving a plurality of substantially cylindrical objects, comprising:
 a substantially planar base formed from a plant-based material, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side,   the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base;   the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base;   the first and second pluralities of projections being adapted to receive the plurality of substantially cylindrical objects; wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections alternate in a repeating pattern to create one or more receiving cradles on each of the first and second sides of the base; wherein the first plurality of projections creates a corresponding first plurality of recesses on the second side, and wherein the second plurality of projections creates a corresponding second plurality of recesses on the first side.   
     
     
         17 . The plant-based separator of  claim 16 , wherein the first side has a first surface, wherein the second side has a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are both substantially smooth; and wherein the plant-based separator is configured to be nestable and/or de-nestable. 
     
     
         18 . A method of packing a multi-pack of bottles comprising:
 providing a plant-based bottle separator comprising a substantially planar base formed from a plant-based material, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side, the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base, the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base, the first plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a first plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween, and the second plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a second plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween;   providing a carton or box;   aligning a first plurality of bottles in the carton or box in a substantially horizontal orientation;   placing the plant-based bottle separator on top of the first plurality of bottles such that the second set of receiving cradles of the plant-based bottle separator receives the first plurality of bottles; and   aligning a second plurality of bottles in the first plurality of receiving cradles of the plant-based bottle separator.   
     
     
         19 . A method of packing a multi-pack of bottles comprising:
 providing a plant-based bottle separator comprising a substantially planar base formed from a plant-based material, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side, the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base, the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base, the first plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a first plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween, and the second plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a second plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween;   providing a carton or box;   aligning a first plurality of bottles vertically in the carton or box;   aligning a plant-based bottle separator next to the first plurality of bottles such that the second set of receiving cradles of the plant-based bottle separator receives the first plurality of bottles; and   placing a second plurality of bottles in the first plurality of receiving cradles of the plant-based bottle separator.   
     
     
         20 . A method of packing a multi-pack of bottles comprising:
 providing a plant-based bottle separator comprising a substantially planar base formed from a plant-based material, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side, the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base, the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base, the first plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a first plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween, and the second plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a second plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween;   positioning a first row of bottles in a suitably-sized box in a substantially vertical orientation;   positioning a second row of bottles in the box such that the second row of bottles substantially aligns with the first row of bottles;   positioning the plant-based bottle separator between the first and second rows of bottles such that the first set of receiving cradles receives the first row of bottles and the second set of receiving cradles receives the second row of bottles.   
     
     
         21 . A method of extending a bottle separator comprising:
 providing at least a first plant-based bottle separator and a second plant-based bottle separator, wherein each of the first and second bottle separators comprises a substantially planar base, the substantially planar base having a first side and a second side, the first side having a first plurality of projections projecting outward from the first side and away from the base, the second side having a second plurality of projections projecting outward from the second side and away from the base, the first plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a first plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween, and the second plurality of projections being adapted to receive a plurality of bottles in a second plurality of receiving cradles created therebetween;   positioning at least one of the second plurality of receiving cradles of the second bottle separator into at least one of the first receiving cradles of the first bottle separators, thereby extending the first bottle separator with the second bottle separator.