CN1964855A - Nesting and stacking document sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

A document sorter (209) has a pair of laterally spaced apart side support beams (22). Each beam (22) has a front end (26) and a rear end (30). A plurality of generally vertically oriented dividers (24) is spaced apart from one another along the beams. Each divider traverses a space between the side support beams and includes a front divider (24a), a rear divider (24c), and an intermediate divider (24b) therebetween. A storage space (31) is defined above the side support beams between each adjacent pair of dividers. Each of the plurality of dividers (24) has a portion positioned above an inner most edge (34) of each of the side support beams. That portion has a width that is less than the space between the side support beams adjacent that divider. Each divider (24) has laterally opposed ends connected one each to a respective one of the side support beams. The sorter (20) can be stacked upon and nested with multiple like sorters.

Description

Nestable and cascadable file classifiers

This patent is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/559,313, filed April 2, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/592,271, filed July 29, 2004, which are incorporated by reference above at All subject matter disclosed in the first provisional application.

technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to file and archive organization and product storage, and more particularly to nestable and stackable classifiers for files, files, and the like.

Background technique

Storage and organization products for files, folders and the like are well known. Generally speaking, such products tend to be used alone and are usually not nestable and stackable with each other when more than two such products are used. However, such products are often shipped and displayed individually or in nested pairs. Thus, these known products occupy a relatively large amount of retail shelf space and also occupy a considerable amount of space during shipping.

The consumption of relatively large amounts of retail shelf space by such products is problematic because retail shelf space is at a premium and manufacturers compete fiercely for shelf space sufficient to display their products. Any inefficient use of retail shelf space can result in insufficient display of a manufacturer's products, as well as a reduction in the number of different products that a manufacturer is allowed to display in a given retail location.

Since the profit margins on these items are relatively small, means for packaging these items in a compact manner is very important to reduce the shipping and handling costs of this low-margin product.

Typical organizational or assortment products can only be stacked with another identical product by inverting one product, rotating it 180 degrees, and placing it on top of another product and nesting it. Sorter products stacked and nested in this manner are susceptible to movement relative to each other and damage. Therefore, additional packaging materials such as cardboard, polystyrene foam, plastic film, and the like must be used to prevent product damage during shipping and handling due to scratches or scrapes caused by relative running between pallets.

These types of products are usually packaged individually or in pairs for shipping. After being prepared for display for sale, the retailer subsequently unpacks the product if packaged in pairs.

Description of drawings

Objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of an example of a classifier constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the classifier of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the classifier of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the classifier of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the classifier of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the three classifiers of Figure 1 configured in one example of a stacked and nested configuration;

Figure 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of another example of a classifier constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a side view of the three classifiers of Figure 7 configured in another example of a stacked and nested configuration;

Figure 9 shows a front view of either of the sorters of Figure 1 or Figure 7 supporting the portfolio;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of another example of a classifier built according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figures 11A-11E show additional examples of classifiers constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

Figures 12A-12D show additional examples of classifiers constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

13A-13B show additional examples of classifiers constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The present invention is generally directed to a sorter for organizing and storing files, folders and the like in a substantially vertical orientation. The disclosed sorters can be stacked and nested with multiple identical sorters in order to reduce the space necessary for shipping, storage, and retail display. This classifier can also be tightly packed by nesting and cascading large numbers of identical classifiers. Thus, the sorters may move relatively little or not at all relative to each other during transport. This further reduces the chances of the product getting scratched or scratched.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of one example of a document classifier 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The disclosed sorter 20 generally includes a pair of support posts or beams 22, a plurality of upstanding spacers 24, a front end 26, and rear feet 28 extending rearwardly from a rear end 30 of the sorter. The rear feet 28 lift the rear end 30 upward relative to the front end 26 and tilt the cross member 22 in an upward and rearward direction. The spacers are hereinafter collectively identified as spacers 24 , but specifically include a forwardmost or forwardmost spacer 24a, a plurality of intermediate spacers 24b, and a rear or rear spacer 24c. When referring generally to spacers, they are referred to by the reference numeral 24 . When referring to a particular spacer, reference numerals 24a, 24b, or 24c are used.

Spacers 24 extend vertically upwardly and are spaced and positioned laterally across between spaced support beams 22 . A spacer 24 is spaced longitudinally between a front end 26 and a rear end 30 of the sorter 20 . In this example, the spacers are equally spaced from each other. Storage gaps or spaces 31 are formed between adjacent spacers 24 . FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the classifier 20 shown in FIG. 1 .

Figure 2 illustrates the classifier 20 of Figure 1, but showing its underside in a reverse orientation. In the disclosed example, the support beam 22 of the sorter 20 includes an outermost edge 32 and an innermost edge 34 . The space between the inner edges 34 of the pair of support beams 22 is open and traversed only by the spacers 24 . Each support beam 22 in this example has an elongated or longitudinal axis extending between a front end 26 and a rear end 30 of the sorter 20 . The disclosed support beam 22 is straight with respect to its longitudinal direction, but sloped by the height of the rear feet 28 . The support beam 22 is curved or arched between respective inner and outer edges 32 and 34 in a radial direction relative to the support beam axis. The curvature of the supporting beams increases the structural rigidity and stability of the overall classifier construction. In the present example, each support beam 22 is bent upwards or protrudes in an upward direction. Thus, in the present example, the inner edge 34 of the support beam is at a higher elevation than the outer edge 32 .

In the disclosed example shown in FIGS. 1-3 , each spacer 24 has an arcuate or curved upper arcuate portion 36 . In this example, arcuate portion 36 has a lower edge 38 and an upper edge 40 that substantially follow the same contour. Front spacer 24a has a generally solid front surface 42 located below lower edge 38 , whereas remaining spacers 24b and 24c are merely arcuate with an open front located at lower edge 38 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, each spacer 24 may have a closed front or an open front as desired. Furthermore, the closed front surface (if present) may include one or more holes, openings or perforations to reduce material weight, usage and thus cost or for cosmetic purposes only.

The shape of the spacer 24 can also vary within the spirit and scope of the invention, in the present example the arched or curved arcuate portion 36 is in the form of a semicircle. However, the arc or shape need not be any particular shape. In fact, the spacers 24 may be of any shape suitable for supporting folders, files, and the like within the space 31 of the sorter 20 . In the disclosed example, the spacer 24 is sized such that the upper edge 40 is lower than the height and narrower than the width of the file or file stored therein. Thus, a user can easily read archives or other objects to view any labels or content indicators and can grasp objects stored within the sorter substantially along any of the three edges or corners of the items. However, the width and height of the spacers 24 should be sufficient to support a sufficiently large portion of files, folders, documents or other items or objects stored in the sorter such that the objects are adequately supported in a substantially vertical or upright orientation.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 showing reverse classifier 20 , only front panel 24 a includes a generally linear bottom edge 44 . The lower edge 38 of each spacer 24b and 24c positioned behind the forward-most spacer 24a is curved to substantially mirror the arc of the corresponding upper edge 40 . In this way, the front spacer 24a of the sorter 20 will give the appearance of an actual dimensional spacer as well as the product of the sorter. However, material reduction, and thus cost reduction, can be achieved by the open front end configuration of the spacers 24b and 24c positioned behind the forwardmost spacer 24a.

The top view of FIG. 4 shows that the spacer 24 is not planar or plate-like in a lateral or side-to-side direction. Instead, each spacer 24 has a slightly convex curvature relative to the front end 26 of the sorter. The curvature of the spacers 24 can increase the structural rigidity and strength of the sorter. When multiple files or file folders are stored in a given compartment 31, the curved spacer 24 can better support the bearing weight of the file folders or files. The arcuate portion 36 of each spacer may also have a curve in cross-section to further add structure and rigidity to each spacer and overall sorter construction. However, the spacers 24 may be planar or planar, or may be planar but have depth created by ribbing for added rigidity, as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , each spacer 24 terminates at an opposite lower end 50 . Each end 50 further has a laterally extending foot 52 . In this example, the feet 52 of the spacers 24 extend in opposite directions outwardly. Each foot 5 in this example has an upper edge interconnected to the underside 54 of the corresponding support beam 22 . In this example, each foot 52 extends completely from the innermost edge 34 of the support beam 22 to the outermost edge 32 . The length and height of each foot 52 in this example increases the strength and rigidity of the spacer 24 , the support beam 22 and the overall sorter 20 . In this example, each foot 52 of spacers 24a and 24b includes a horizontal lower edge 56 . The upward curvature of the supporting beam increases the height from the lower foot edge 56 to the footing 52 on the underside of the beam 22, which further increases the rigidity and strength of the structure.

The ends 50 and feet 52 of the forward-most spacers 24a are interconnected to and isolate the forward-facing edges of the respective support beams 22 . Finally towards the end 50 of the spacer 24c and the footing 52 connects and isolates the rearwardly facing edge of the respective support beam 22 . In this example, the last depends further downwardly towards the bottom edge 58 of the spacer 24c and defines the rear foot 28 .

A region of gap 31 opens between adjacent spacers 24 and opens laterally between opposing innermost edges 34 of support beam 22 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of classifiers 20 of the same configuration can be nested and stacked on top of each other. The spacers 24 of the lowermost sorter 20 may be received through openings in the gaps 31 between the support beams 22 of the next adjacent upper sorter in the stack. The lateral width of the spacers 24 in this example is such that the spacers can fit within the lateral openings between the support beams of the next adjacent upper sorter. The frontmost or forwardmost spacer 24a of the lowermost sorter in the stack is positioned in front of the front spacer panel 24a of the next upwardly adjacent stacked sorter. Each next upwardly stacked classifier is similarly positioned or offset to the back of the previous spacer before the previous classifier. The rear foot 28 of each sorter is positioned behind the previously stacked sorter. Gaps 31 allow only a limited number of spacers to nest therebetween. The spacing can be precisely sized to closely or tightly fit a particular number of spacers, as depicted in Figure 6, in such a way that this number of sorters can be stacked and nested within each other. Only three such classifiers 20 are described in this application, with room for one or more additional classifiers 20 in the stack.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the lower edges 56 of the feet 52 of the spacers 24 a and 24 b are flush with the bottom outermost edge 32 of the support beam 22 in this example. The lower edge 56 provides a contact point for bearing on the support beam 22 on the adjacent lower support beam 22 in the stack. Thus, the feet 52 can determine the vertical stack depth of one sorter 20 on top of another sorter. In this example, the foot bottom edge 56 is positioned so that the support beam 22 of one sorter 20 does not vertically overlap or nest contact with another support beam 22 of an adjacent sorter 20 . Thus, in the present example, the support beams 22 are supported at a distance from each other. This can reduce or inhibit frictional locking between cascaded classifiers.

Alternative touchpoints can be provided between cascaded classifiers. In one example as shown in FIG. 7, different configurations of the lower edges 56' of the feet 52' may be provided to define different nesting depths between stacked sorters. The height of the lower edge 56' of the foot 52' in this example does not extend as far downward as the foot 52 of the previous example. In this example, the lower edge 56 of the foot 52 ′ is raised or raised so that it is well above the level of the outermost edge 32 of the support beam 22 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 , the point of contact between the lower edge 56 ′ and the top of the support beam 22 allows greater nesting depths between stacked and nested sorters 20 . In the present example, a support beam 22 at least partially overlaps the next lower support beam 22 in order to provide a tighter nesting and thus a shorter stack of sorters 20 .

Files, folders and the like stored in the gaps 31 between the spacers 24 of the disclosed sorter will also be supported on the top surface of the support beam 22 as shown in FIG. 9 . As mentioned above, the size of the spacer may be such that the stored object extends partially beyond the perimeter of the spacer. Thus, exposed parts of objects can be easily seen and grasped as desired.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of a classifier 200 that is similar in many respects to the previously described classifier 20 . In this example, however, the sorter 200 has support beams 202 that are curved in both radial and longitudinal directions. Classifier 200 describes one of many variations that can be implemented in the disclosed classifier configuration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

11A-11E also illustrate additional examples of archive or document classifiers constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 11A illustrates a sorter 210 with support beams 212 that are planar in cross-section or relative to the radial direction, but curved in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the sorter 210 includes a spacer 214 that is curved along its top edge 216 but has substantially straight side edges 218 . FIG. 11B illustrates a similar sorter 220 with substantially identical support beams 222 . However, the sorter 220 has substantially rectangular spacers 224 .

FIG. 11C illustrates another example of a sorter 230 also having a support beam 232 of planar cross-section curved in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the sorter 230 has a semi-circular spacer 234 similar in configuration to the spacer 24 of the sorter 20 described herein. However, like spacers 214 and 224 of classifiers 210 and 220, respectively, all inner and rear spacers 234 are solid rather than open arcuate.

FIG. 11D illustrates a sorter 240 having a support beam 242 and a solid surface spacer 244 similar to support beams 212 , 222 , and 232 . In this example, however, the spacer 244 includes a top edge 246 having one of a number of possible alternative curvilinear configurations. FIG. 11E illustrates a sorter 250 that also has a support beam 252 similar to the previous sorter examples of FIGS. 11A-11D . In this example, however, sorter 250 includes spacers 254 similar to those of sorter 20 previously described in this application, except that all spacers include forward-most spacers that are not solid front surfaces but open front configurations. device 254.

12A-12D illustrate additional examples of classifier configurations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. FIG. 12A illustrates a sorter 260 having substantially rectangular spacers 262 of varying heights. In this example, the spacer 262 is also two-dimensionally curved in cross-section along its peripheral edge. FIG. 12B illustrates a similar sorter 270 having a spacer 272 constructed substantially the same as spacer 262 . However, in this example, spacer 272 is open and does not include a solid front surface. Figures 12C and 12D further illustrate other examples of sorters 280 and 290 having spacers 282 and 292, respectively, that are shaped differently than spacers previously described in this application. The spacer 282 of FIG. 12C is generally rectangular in shape, while the spacer 292 of FIG. 12D is generally arcuate in shape including three sides and having squared off corners.

13A-13B show additional examples of classifier configurations that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The sorter 300 has support beams 302 , 304 connected to spacers 306 . The spacer 306 has planar sides 308 and a bottom 310, and has a top 312 formed in an arcuate shape. Other shapes for the perimeter of the spacer 306 will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Support beams 302, 304 and spacer sides 308, bottom 310, and top 312 have a circular cross-sectional shape and may be constructed of plastic. Alternatively, support beams 302, 304 and spacer sides 308, bottom 310 and top 312 may be made of metal, eg, wire of appropriate diameter formed into the desired shape. Spacer 306 may be open, like spacer 254 , or may be closed, as shown like spacer 224 . To form closed spacer 306 , suitable mesh 314 may be attached to sides 308 , bottom 310 and top 312 . The closed configuration mesh 314 provides support for documents placed between the spacers 306 and can vary in opening size. Mesh 314 may be a woven, eg, fiber or wire barrier. Alternatively, the mesh 314 may be a forming substance. Depending on the mesh material and construction, mesh 314 may be substantially transparent for easy document identification, translucent, or even opaque. For example, FIG. 13B illustrates three exemplary raw sorters 316, 318, 320 of the type shown in FIG. 13A stacked for transport or display as described above. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is possible to implement a sorter within the spirit and scope of the invention, while the specific shape and configuration of the spacers and beams can vary considerably. In these examples, beams 302 and 304 are spaced out of the side edges of spacer 306 to allow stacking of like sorters.

Distributors or retailers of vertically oriented file sorters typically offer shelf space and configurations that vary from store to store and from retailer to retailer. Thus, a product configuration that is suitable for display in the shelf space of one location may not be suitable for the shelf space or configuration of another location. The disclosed classifier allows cascading and nesting of multiple products. Thus, the disclosed sorter can be displayed, packaged, shipped, stored, stored, and the like within a relatively small amount of shelf space.

By utilizing the disclosed classification of documents to maximize the use of packaging and shipping space and storage shelf space, greater volumes of product can be packaged, shipped, and stored per unit area. This creates more space within an existing product display within a limited shelf storage configuration that would otherwise be suitable for a disparate product. This increases the retailer's revenue per cubic foot of shelf space. This also allows for the addition of the disclosed item holders to existing shelf space where other products are squeezed out of the shelf space.

So far, no sorter has been designed for storing, for example, folders, files or the like in a vertical orientation with the nesting capability disclosed in this application. While certain solutions have been offered, these generally require the classifiers to be sold in several pieces, in partial splits, or in stand-alone form. Also, such products are usually packaged with cardboard, polystyrene foam, plastic film or the like in order to protect the items from damage to each other, such as scratches, scratches or the like, during transport or when displayed for sale.

In contrast, the disclosed document sorter configuration can eliminate the need to use foam, paper, corrugated elements, plastic bags, or other such packaging materials. Instead, the disclosed sorters can be shipped, stored, and displayed in tightly nested stacks. The laminate will provide stability of the product for transport, storage and display. The product can stand alone without the use of additional packaging material in a shipping container or on shelf storage space where it is sold or retailed.

Certain other existing office supplies of the type described in this application are capable of nesting, but only with one other product of the same kind. Additionally, one of the two products must be inverted or flipped upside down and rotated 180 degrees relative to each other for nesting to occur. However, these products must still use additional packaging to prevent the products from moving with each other during shipping and display, which could cause scratches or scratches. Such known products typically do not optimize product nesting or reduce price space to the extent that the disclosed classifiers are capable of.

The disclosed sorter achieves the goal of substantially reducing the necessary space required for shipping, storage, and retail sale, while still maintaining the standard functionality of such products. This standard feature is usually suitable for storing folders or similar sized objects. The disclosed sorters can be nested in both directions (ie, horizontally and vertically) while still fulfilling the functions described above and also minimizing the possibility of product damage during shipping.

The materials and processes used to manufacture the disclosed article holders may vary considerably and still remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. However, in one example, the classifiers disclosed herein can be manufactured using an injection molding process. The material used in one example may be a commercial plastic such as polystyrene or polypropylene. However, many other materials may be suitable for use in forming the disclosed classifiers. For example, other materials include engineering grade plastic materials such as polycarbonate, ABS or TPE. Other commercial thermoplastics or even other alternative materials such as metal, wood, organic materials, leather, glass or variations and combinations of these materials as well as other materials such as fiber or textile materials can be used. Material selection can help produce higher impact strength, flexibility, improved resistance to scratches or scuffs, or enhanced appearance. Material selection can be made based on the most important characteristics for a given application. However, engineering plastics such as polystyrene or polypropylene can also reduce consumer costs.

The disclosed classifiers may be colored, decorated or internally molded with labels, graphics or other layers or indications. These additional design features can be employed to protect the surface of the sorter or to enhance the cosmetic properties of the product. Combinations of materials may be used and assembled in any suitable manner, including forming a plastic chassis product with rubber overmolded on a plastic substrate. As an alternative, the metal parts can be fastened together mechanically or the wood product can be covered with a suitable finishing material such as fibres, metal trim and protective corner pieces and similar materials.

Depending on the materials selected, the fabrication processes and methods employed can also be varied and used as desired. In one example, a simple two-part mold is used to mold the plastic sorter disclosed herein. The configuration of the spacers, beams, and feet can be configured to provide the mold draft necessary to easily form and remove the part from the mold cavity. Openings on and between dividers are formed by providing breaks or surface-to-surface metal contacts within the mold.

The disclosed pallet improves upon maximizing retail shelf space, accommodates variable shelf space and configurations, and enhances product nesting during display for sale. Product nesting can be done in a bi-directional manner to produce stacks that are offset horizontally and vertically. Because the products are tightly nested, the stacked products can be displayed and transported without damage to the products due to scratches, scratches, and the like. The need for additional packaging can be eliminated. The disclosed sorters can also provide multiple access points for stored objects so that users can easily grasp materials stored between the dividers.

Furthermore, application of the disclosed sorter configuration can optimize and significantly reduce the cubic size of the shipment. Products shipped in bulk can be unloaded directly from the master carton or shipping case onto the shelf. No additional repositioning of the product is necessary, making dealer handling of the product easier. Nesting products also helps to clamp the display trays to the retail shelf space. Products also appear more organized when nested as disclosed in this application. This reduces the amount of work required by the consumer/dealer to keep the shelf display organized and regular. Organized shelf space can affect a consumer's perception and influence his or her decision to purchase the displayed products.

In addition, retailers require less restocking time and inventory space because more products can be displayed for sale in a given amount of shelf space. Having more products available for sale at any one time reduces the frequency with which items go out of stock, which prevents consumers from leaving the business to look elsewhere for desired products.

While specific file and file trays have been described that are nestable and stackable in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure fairly falling within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims (29)

1. A classifier comprising: a pair of laterally spaced support beams, each support beam having a front end and a rear end; a plurality of generally vertically oriented spacers spaced apart from each other and generally oriented parallel to each other, each spacer traversing the space between the support beams, the plurality of spacers including a pair of spacers positioned between the support beam pairs a front spacer near the front end of the pair of support beams, a rear spacer positioned near the rear end of the pair of support beams, and an intermediate spacer therebetween; and a storage space defined above said side support beams and between each pair of adjacent spacers, wherein at least a portion of each of said plurality of spacers is positioned above the innermost edge of each beam of said pair of support beams, said portion has a width less than the space between support beams adjacent to said spacer, and wherein each spacer A device has laterally opposite ends respectively connected to a corresponding one of the support beams. 2. The sorter of claim 1, wherein the laterally opposite ends are connected to the support beam below and laterally outwardly of the innermost edge of the support beam. 3. The sorter of claim 1, wherein the pair of support beams slope upwardly towards their rear ends. 4. The sorter according to claim 1, further comprising a rear leg extending from the rear end of each support beam, the height of the rear leg being sufficient to lift the rear of the sorter relative to the front end of the sorter. rear end. 5. The sorter of claim 4, including two rear legs each being substantially a continuation of said rear spacer and located adjacent opposite ends of said rear spacer. 6. The sorter of claim 1, wherein each support beam of the pair of support beams has an outer edge and the space between the inner edges of the respective support beams is traversed only by the plurality of spacers. 7. A sorter according to claim 6, characterized in that each support beam of said pair of support beams is bent in radial direction between the respective innermost and outermost edges of said support beam. 8. The sorter according to claim 7, wherein the arc of the support beam is convex relative to the top edge of the spacer. 9. The sorter according to claim 7, wherein the arc of the supporting beam is concave relative to the top edge of the spacer. 10. The sorter according to claim 7, characterized in that: the innermost edge of each support beam of the pair of support beams is at any position along the pair of support beams relative to the laterally corresponding outer edge of the support beam at different heights. 11. The sorter of claim 1, wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers includes an upper arcuate surface. 12. The sorter of claim 11 , wherein each spacer of said plurality of spacers includes a lower edge substantially following the same contour as an upper arcuate surface, said corresponding spacer being formed below said lower edge. The open front of the spacer. 13. The sorter of claim 1, wherein the front spacer has a generally solid front surface below an upper edge thereof. 14. The document sorter of claim 1, wherein the front spacer includes a generally linear bottom edge. 15. The sorter according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of spacers comprises a slightly protruding arc in a lateral direction relative to the front end of the sorter. 16. The sorter of claim 1, wherein each spacer of said plurality of spacers terminates at opposite lower ends and each opposite lower end includes a laterally extending foot, and wherein each foot includes a joint to the upper edge of the underside of the corresponding support beam of the pair of support beams. 17. The sorter of claim 16, wherein each foot extends completely from the outer edge to the innermost edge of the corresponding support beam. 18. The sorter of claim 17, wherein the feet of the front spacers isolate the front ends of the pair of support beams. 19. The sorter of claim 17, wherein the feet of the rear spacer isolate the rear ends of the pair of support beams. 20. A classifier stack comprising: Multiple classifiers, each classifier includes: a pair of laterally spaced support beams, each support beam having a front end and a rear end; a plurality of generally vertically oriented spacers spaced apart from each other and generally oriented parallel to each other, each spacer traversing the space between the support beams, the plurality of spacers including a pair of spacers positioned between the support beam pairs a front spacer near the front end of the pair of support beams, a rear spacer positioned near the rear end of the pair of support beams, and an intermediate spacer therebetween; and a storage space defined above said side support beams and between each pair of adjacent spacers, wherein at least a portion of each of said plurality of spacers is positioned over an innermost edge of each beam of said pair of support beams, said portion having a width that is less than the space between said support beams adjacent said spacer, and wherein Each spacer has laterally opposite ends respectively connected to a respective one of said support beams, wherein a first classifier of said plurality of classifiers is vertically stacked with a second classifier of said plurality of classifiers, and wherein spacers of said second classifiers receive upwardly in said first classifier within the storage space of the sorter, and the support beam of the second sorter is positioned below the support beam of the first sorter to provide a nested configuration. 21. The sorter of claim 20, wherein the front spacer of the second sorter is positioned in front of the front spacer of the first sorter and the rear of the second sorter A foot is positioned in front of the rear foot of the first sorter. 22. The sorter of claim 21 , wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers terminates at opposite lower ends and each opposite lower end includes a laterally extending foot, and wherein each foot includes Engaged to the upper edge of the underside of the corresponding support beam of the pair of support beams. 23. The sorter of claim 22, wherein the lower edges of the feet of the spacers of the first document sorter are flush with the bottom of the outer edge of the support beam and provide support on the contact points on the upper surface of the support beam of the second document sorter. 24. The sorter of claim 22, wherein the lower edges of the feet of the spacers of the first document sorter are raised above the bottom of the outer edges of the support beams and provide support on The contact points on the upper surface of the support beam of the second document sorter allow the support beam of the first document sorter to at least partially overlap the support beam of the second document sorter. 25. The sorter of claim 1, wherein each support beam of said pair of support beams is longitudinally between said front end and said rear end and across the width of said support beam Curved on both sides. 26. The sorter of claim 1, wherein each support beam of said pair of support beams is in the shape of a flat plate extending laterally across the width between said innermost and outer edges. 27. The sorter of claim 26, wherein each support beam of the pair of support beams is curved in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear ends of the pair of support beams. 28. The sorter of claim 1, comprising a plurality of intermediate spacers. 29. A method of cascading classifiers, comprising: Several classifiers are provided, each classifier includes: a pair of laterally spaced support beams, each support beam having a front end and a rear end; a plurality of generally vertically oriented spacers spaced apart from each other and generally oriented parallel to each other, each spacer traversing the space between the support beams, the plurality of spacers including a pair of spacers positioned between the support beam pairs a front spacer near the front end of the pair of support beams, a rear spacer positioned near the rear end of the pair of support beams, and an intermediate spacer therebetween; and a storage space defined above said side support beams and between each pair of adjacent spacers, wherein at least a portion of each of said plurality of spacers is positioned over an innermost edge of each beam of said pair of support beams, said portion having a width that is less than the space between said support beams adjacent said spacer, and wherein Each spacer has laterally opposite ends respectively connected to a respective one of said support beams; positioning a first classifier of the plurality of classifiers vertically above and offset rearwardly relative to a second classifier of the plurality of classifiers; inserting each of the plurality of spacers of the second sorter into a correspondingly aligned space in the storage space of the first sorter; and The first sorter is moved down until it contacts a portion of the second sorter, thereby providing a nested configuration.

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