Inventory management system

Abstract

A coupling mechanism which supports an inventory divider within a storage bin. The coupling mechanism comprises a joint extension and a holding mechanism. The coupling mechanism is coupled to an interior wall of a supply bin. An inventory divider is inserted into the joint extension and is rotated within the joint extension between and upper and lower position within the storage bin. The holding mechanism of the coupling mechanism retains the inventory divider in the upper position, dividing the storage bin into two compartments. By retaining the inventory divider with a holding mechanism that is not directly connected to the bin, the wear on the holding mechanism is substantially reduced and the inventory divider is more secure.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An inventory management system comprising:
 a coupling mechanism configured to couple to a storage container wall; and   an inventory divider detachably coupled to the coupling mechanism,
 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:
 a front face, 
 a back face configured to couple the coupling mechanism to a storage container wall, 
 a holding mechanism on the front face configured to hold the inventory divider in an upright position, and 
 an integrated joint extension, and 
 
 wherein the inventory divider comprises:
 a planar portion, and 
 a pivot arm located at a bottom portion of the planar portion pivotally and detachably coupled to the integrated joint extension. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , further comprising a storage container. 
     
     
         4 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein an inventory divider is coupled to at least two coupling mechanisms. 
     
     
         5 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein the integrated joint extension extends substantially perpendicularly from the front face of the coupling mechanism and detachably couples the coupling mechanism to a pivot arm of the inventory divider, wherein the integrated joint extension comprises an insertion slot, and wherein the integrated joint extension is cylindrical in shape and hollow. 
     
     
         6 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises holder clips that resiliently deflect inwardly toward the front face of the coupling mechanism when the divider is pivoted into the upright position. 
     
     
         7 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises:
 a retainer post;   a flange attached to the retainer post extending outward from the front face; and   at least one cylindrical structure that protrudes from the flange.   
     
     
         8 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein the inventory divider is detachable from the holding mechanism and pivotable within the integrated joint extension between an upright and a lowered position. 
     
     
         9 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , further comprising an electronic sensor configured to relay a signal for replenishing inventory to a central hub when the inventory divider is rotated to the lowered position. 
     
     
         10 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot arm is horizontal, and wherein at least two pivot arms are located at opposite sides of the planar portion of the inventory divider. 
     
     
         11 . The inventory management system of  claim 2 , further comprising a folded flange coupled to an upper end of the planar portion of the inventory divider. 
     
     
         12 . The inventory management system of  claim 11 , further comprising a visual indicator on the folded flange of the inventory divider to provide a visual indication of a need for replenishing inventory in the storage container when the inventory divider is in the lowered position. 
     
     
         13 . An inventory divider configured to couple to a coupling mechanism, wherein the inventory divider comprises:
 a planar portion,   a folded flange coupled to an upper end of the planar portion, and   a pivot arm located at a bottom portion of the planar portion pivotally and detachably coupled to the integrated joint extension.   
     
     
         14 . The inventory divider of  claim 13 , wherein the inventory divider is detachable from the holding mechanism and pivotable within the integrated joint extension between an upright and a lowered position. 
     
     
         15 . The inventory divider of  claim 13 , further comprising a visual indicator on the folded flange of the inventory divider to provide a visual indication of a need for replenishing inventory in the storage container when the inventory divider is in the lowered position. 
     
     
         16 . The inventory divider of  claim 13 , further comprising an electronic sensor configured to relay a signal for replenishing inventory to a central hub when the inventory divider is rotated to the lowered position. 
     
     
         17 . The inventory divider of  claim 13 , wherein the pivot arm is horizontal, and wherein at least two pivot arms are located at opposite sides of the planar portion of the inventory divider. 
     
     
         18 . A method of managing inventory within a storage container, wherein the method comprises:
 coupling an inventory divider to the wall of a storage container via a detachable coupling mechanism such that the inventory divider is held upright within the storage container; and   selectively detaching the inventory divider from a holding mechanism of the detachable coupling mechanism and pivoting the inventory divider to a lowered position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of managing inventory of  claim 18 , wherein the lowered position of the inventory divider provides a visual indication of a need for replenishing inventory within the storage container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of managing inventory of  claim 18 , wherein when the inventory divider is in the lowered position, an electronic sensor on the inventory divider relays a signal for replenishing inventory to a central hub. 
     
     
         21 . The method of managing inventory of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises:
 putting inventory in front of the inventory divider and behind the inventory divider within the storage container,   wherein when the inventory in front of the inventory divider is depleted, the inventory divider is pivoted to the lowered position to access the inventory behind the inventory divider.