STORAGE GRID FOR RETAIL OUTLETS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to storage facilities. More particularly, although not

exclusively, it discloses a novel form of grid for the organised storage of

numerous small articles as used for example in hairdressing salons.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In hairdressing salons it is necessary to stock a large inventory of colouring

agents and tints to suit a wide range of customer preferences. Such products

are typically kept in small bottles or tubes which are currently stored loose

on open shelves. Particular colours can therefore be difficult to find and the

resulting disorganised appearance of the salon can be off-putting to

customers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned

disadvantages and accordingly a storage grid is disclosed for the disposition

of small articles, said grid being formed by a plurality of compartments

arranged in closely adjacent side-by-side relationship whereby said articles

can be stored separately in an organised readily accessible manner.

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In another aspect the invention also discloses a cabinet having fitted therein

a grid as defined above.

Preferably but not essentially the grid is formed by spaced apart slats of

wood, plastic or other suitable materials which are joined together at right

angles.

It is further preferred that said compartments are substantially the same size.

It is further preferred that in a position of use said compartments are

arranged in horizontal rows - one above another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Currently preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now

be described with reference to the attached representations in which :-

figure 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a storage grid

according to said invention,

figure 2 shows an example of a single horizontal slat as used in the

construction of the grid of figure 1,

figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the grid of figure 1 when

fitted into a cabinet,

figure 3 A shows a cross-sectional view al;ong the line A-A of figure 3,

figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the grid and cabinet of

figure 3,

figures 5 and 6 show other configurations of storage grid fitted within

cabinets, and

figure 7 shows a cabinet and storage grid when used to store a typical

range of hair colour tubes and other hair care products as may

be required in a hairdressϊng salon

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to figure 1 the storage grid may be formed from spaced apart

horizontal and vertical wooden slats I, 2 which are joined at right angles to

define a plurality of open ended compartments 3. Preferably the slats as

shown in figure 2 are joined by interlocking transverse slots 4 which are cut

at intervals corresponding to the width and height of said compartments.

With this embodiment the compartments are all of similar dimensions (say

for example 55 mm square) and are adapted to store tubes of hair colour or

the like. Although the invention is not limited to any particular number of

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compartments for the storage grid, with this embodiment there are eight

horizontal rows of thirteen compartments each. It is envisaged that the

maximum practical size of storage grid for more applications would be about

twenty rows high by twenty across. The minimum size according to the

invention would be two rows high by two across.

In use the assembled grid may either be placed directly into a pre-existing

shelf/wall cavity or a custom built cabinet 5 may be fitted around it as shown

in figures 3 and 4. With the embodiment of the invention shown in figures 3,

3 A and 4 the cabinet is square with a closed back 6. The grid assembly 7 sits

within said cabinet and occupies its full volume. The cabinet may for

example have a height and width of 1200 mm. Several such cabinets could

be installed as available wall space allows in a salon to store a variety of

small products.

As shown more particularly in figure 3 A the horizontal slots 1 may be

formed with lugs 8 extending out laterally at each end. These sit within

locking grooves 9 in the sides of the cabinet to hold the grid assembly 7 in

place against the backing board 6. Alternatively or in addition, depending

upon design requirements, the vertical slats 2 may also be fitted with similar

lugs to engage locking grooves (not shown) inside the top and bottom of the

cabinet frame.

Grooves (not shown) may also be cut across the inside of the backing board

6 to receive inner edges of the assembled slats 1, 2.

With the examples of storage grid/cabinet combinations shown in figures 5,

6 and 7 the grids 10, H and 12 occupy only a portion of the interiors of the

cabinets 13, 14 and 15 with open shelving 16, 17 and 18 being left for larger

articles. Figure 7 shows a cabinet 15 and storage grid 12 as may be installed

in a typical hairdressing salon. A large range of hair colour tubes and tints 19

are shown neatly organised in the grid compartments. The larger open

shelves 18 are used for other hair care products such as shampoo, developer

bottles or the like 20. The relative sizes of these shelves and storage grids

can be adjusted as required to suite different sized colour tubes and bottles.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the

embodiments disclosed provides a novel and improved means of organising

and storing large numbers of small articles. Clearly however the fittings

described are only the currently preferred forms of the invention for use in

hairdressing salons or the like and a wide variety of modifications may be

made to adapt the concept to other applications. For example the number,

size and configuration of the individual storage compartments as well as the

dimensions of the grid and cabinet may all be changed according to the

requirements of other products or industries. Also, while it is currently

preferred to construct the storage grid and cabinet from wood the invention

extends to the use of any other suitable material such as for example

moulded plastic iϊbreglass or metal.