AU2012254907A1 - Hangable pack for car seat covers or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A hangable pack for at least one item including an outer shell having a hanging arrangement to allow hanging of the hangable pack; and a support frame for supporting one or more said items wrapped around the support frame, wherein the outer shell includes a suspension arrangement for suspending the support frame within the outer shell, a portion of the support frame extending outside the outer shell. -7 It

Description

1 HANGABLE PACK FOR CAR SEAT COVERS OR THE LIKE FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is generally directed to packaging for retail goods, and in particular to packaging for goods hung for display. While the present invention will be described with respect to its application for packaging car seat covers, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to this application and that other applications are also envisaged. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Car seat covers are typically sold in Australia in flat packs where the car seat cover is folded into a flat configuration and inserted into a generally clear plastic sleeve. A cardboard insert may also be included within the sleeve printed with details of the car seat cover. The sleeve may also include a hanging or other hanging means to allow the flat pack to be hung up for display in the shop. In the United States, it is more common for car seat covers to be sold while packaged within a free standing cardboard carton. [0003] A problem associated with existing packs, regardless of whether it is a flat pack or carton, is that it is difficult or not possible to touch the fabric of the car seat cover. This can lead to customers opening the pack while in the shop to gain a better view and feel of the car seat cover. This is undesirable because the car seat cover needs to be refolded and placed back into the opened pack by the retailer if the customer decides not to purchase the product. The resultant repackaged pack will most likely show signs of having previously been opened, and would therefore be less desirable for another customer to purchase.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It would therefore be advantageous to be able to provide a hangable pack that allows the material of the packed product to be seen and touched without having to open the pack. [0005] It would also be preferable to be able to provide a hangable pack that cannot be readily opened while still in the shop. [0006] With this in mind, there is provided a hangable pack for at least one item including: an outer shell having a hanging arrangement to allow hanging of the hangable pack; and a support frame for supporting one or more said items wrapped around the support frame, wherein the outer shell includes a suspension arrangement for suspending the support frame within the outer shell, a portion of the support frame extending outside the outer shell. The outer shell may include first and second shell portions which are releasably secured together to form the outer shell. A securing arrangement may be provided to prevent easy separation of the shell portions. [0007] The support frame may include at least one planar member, upon which can be wrapped one of said items, including a car seat cover. The planar member may for example be generally rectangular in shape, although other shapes are also envisaged depending on the application. A tab member may extend from the planar member, the tab member enabling the support frame to engage and be suspended within the outer shell. The tab member may be secured to an edge of the planar member. It is also envisaged that the tab may be integrally formed together with the planar member. Alternatively, two or more said separate planar members may be provided for the support frame where two or more said items are to be supported thereon. The planar members may be identical in shape and may be located in parallel and adjacent relation. The tab 3 member may be secured to an edge of each said planar member or may be integrally formed with each planar member. [0008] The suspension arrangement for allowing the support frame to engage the outer shell may include one or more apertures provided within the tab member through which may be passed one or more corresponding post members provided within the inner volume of the outer shell. The post members may be provided within the outer shell and may extend from an inner surface of the first shell portion, the peripheral end of each post member abutting or being in close relationship with an inner surface of the second shell portion when the first and second shell portions are secured together. [0009] The securing arrangement holding together the first and second shell portions may preferably include at least one ratcheting assembly including at least one flexible tab member having a generally laterally extending tooth at a free end of the tab member on one said shell section, and a series of parallel and adjacent slots provided in the side wall of the opposing shell portion for engaging the tooth. The tooth may have a forward inclined face, and a laterally extending rear face relative to the elongate extent of the tab member. Therefore, when the shell portions are brought together, the tooth engages the outermost slot on the other half portion. The tooth will ride out of the first slot and engage the next adjacent slot as the two shell sections are pressed together to form the final outer shell. Preferably a pair of said ratcheting assemblies are provided on the side wall of each of the half sections. [0010] An adhesive label may preferably also cover the ratcheting assemblies to further limit access to the ratcheting assemblies while within the shop. The label may encircle the outer shell and may support product details printed thereon. It is also envisaged that the shell portions be held together solely by means of this adhesive label.

4 [0011] The securing arrangement may also include a locking assembly for preventing separation of the two shell sections while still within the shop. The locking assembly may include an aperture provided preferably through a lower edge of each shell portion. Once the shell portions are secured together, the apertures of each shell portion may be aligned. A closure member such as a zip tie or metal key ring may then be passed through the aligned apertures. This securing arrangement makes it difficult for the two shell portions to be separated while still in the shop thereby preventing unpackaging of the packaged product while still in the shop. [0012] The hanging arrangement of the outer shell may include a tab member secured to the outer shell, to allow hanging of the pack. The tab member may include a hook or aperture to allow hanging of the pack. The tab member may be clipped to one of the shell sections. Alternatively, the tab member may be integrally formed with one of the shell sections. [0013] The item(s) for packing within the hangable pack may include a car seat cover. Other items are also envisaged such as clothing or plastic or fabric sheet material, or indeed any item that can be wrapped around the support frame. [0014] The hangable pack according to the present invention therefore allows a customer to touch the packed product without the need to unpack the product from the pack. Furthermore, the hangable pack according to the present invention preferably also prevents unpacking of the product while still within the shop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the hangable pack according to the present invention. Other embodiments are also possible, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be 5 understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. [0016] In the drawings: [0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hangable pack according to the present invention; [0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hangable pack of Figure 1; and [0019] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the hangable pack of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0020] Figure 1 shows the hangable pack 1 according to the present invention within which has been packed two car seat covers 3. The hangable pack 1 includes an outer shell 5, with a hook member 7 secured to the outer shell 5 to allow hanging of the pack 1. [0021] Figure 2 shows in more details the various components of the hangable pack 1, the outer shell 5 is formed from first and second shell portions 9, 11. A support frame 15 is partially accommodated within the outer shell 5 when the two shell portions 9, 11 are assembled together. The assembled outer shell 5 has a lower opening through which the support frame 15 can extend outside of the outer shell 5. [0022] The support frame 15 includes two generally rectangular planar members 17 positioned in a parallel and adjacent relationship relative to each other. The planar members 17 are joined together by a tab member 19 this tab member includes two apertures 21 for engaging post members 23 provided within 6 the first shell portion 9 to thereby allow suspension of the support frame 15 within the outer shell 5. [0023] The two shell portions 9, 11 are held together by several ratcheting assemblies 25 located on either side of the outer shell 5. Each ratcheting assembly 25 includes a flexible tab member 27, having a generally laterally extending tooth 29 at a free end thereof, the tab members being located on the side wall of the second shell portion 11. The tooth 29 has a forward inclined face 29a and a laterally extending rear face 29b as best shown in Figure 3. The ratcheting assembly 25 further includes a series of parallel and adjacent slots 31 provided in the side wall of the first shell section 9. When the two shell sections 9, 11 are brought together, the teeth 29 of the second shell section 11 engages a corresponding slot 31 in the first shell section 9. The width of the assembled outer shell 5 may be varied depending on which slot 31 is engaged by the teeth 29. Two ratcheting assemblies 25 are provided on each side wall of the outer shell 5 making it difficult for a person to separate the two shell portions 9, 11 while within the shop. Furthermore, an adhesive label 33 may encircle the outer shell 5 thereby covering the ratcheting assemblies 25 further restricting access to the ratcheting assemblies 25 while within the shop. [0024] A further locking assembly 35 can be used to prevent separation of the two shell portions 9, 11. The locking assembly 35 includes apertures 37 provided at the lower edge of each shell portion 9, 11, these apertures 37 becoming aligned once the two shell portions 9, 11 are assembled together. A closure member 39 such as a zip tie may be threaded through the apertures and must be cut before the two shell portions can be separated. [0025] The hook member 7 can be secured to the first shell portion 9 to allow hanging of the hangable pack 1. Alternatively, the hook member 7 is integrally formed as part of the shell portion 9. The support frame 15 includes rectangular shaped planar members 17 for supporting a car seat cover. The shape and 7 number of the planar members 17 can however be varied depending on the type of item being packed within the hangable pack 1. [0026] Modifications as would be deemed obvious to the person skilled in the art are included within the ambit of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A hangable pack for at least one item including: an outer shell having a hanging arrangement to allow hanging of the hangable pack; and a support frame for supporting one or more said items wrapped around the support frame, wherein the outer shell includes a suspension arrangement for suspending the support frame within the outer shell, a portion of the support frame extending outside the outer shell.

2. A hangable pack according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes first and second shell portions which are releasably secured together to form the outer shell.

3. A hangable pack according to claim 2, further including a securing arrangement to prevent easy separation of the shell portions.

4. A hangable pack according to claim 3, wherein the securing arrangement includes at least one ratcheting assembly including at least one flexible tab member having a generally laterally extending tooth at a free end of the tab member on one said shell portion, and a series of parallel and adjacent slots provided in the side wall of the opposing shell portion for engaging the tooth.

5. A hangable pack according to claim 4, wherein the tooth has a forward inclined face, and a laterally extending rear face relative to the elongate extent of the tab member.

6. A hangable pack according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the securing arrangement includes an adhesive label located around at least a portion of the outer shell. 9

7. A hangable pack according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further including a locking assembly for preventing separation of the two shell portions.

8. A hangable pack according to claim 7, wherein the locking assembly includes an aperture provided though each shell portion, such that the apertures are aligned when the shell sections are secured together, and a closure member for passing through the apertures when aligned.

9. A hangable pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame includes at least one planar member, upon which can be wrapped one of said items.

10. A hangable pack according to claim 9, wherein a tab member extends from the planar member for engaging the suspension arrangement.

11. A hangable pack according to claim 10, wherein the suspension arrangement includes one or more apertures provided within the tab member through which may be passed one or more corresponding post members provided within the inner volume of the outer shell.

12. A hangable pack according to claim 11, wherein the post members extend from an inner surface of the first shell section, the peripheral end of each post member abutting or being in close relationship with an inner surface of the second shell section when the first and second shell sections are secured together.

13. A hangable pack according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the support member includes two or more said planar members.

14. A hangable pack according to claim 13, wherein the planar members are identical in shape and are located in a parallel and adjacent relation.

15. A hangable pack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hanging arrangement of the outer shell includes a hook member secured to the 10 outer shell, to allow hanging of the pack, the hook member including a hook or aperture to allow hanging of the hangable pack.

16. A hangable pack according to claim 15, wherein the hook member is integrally formed with the outer shell.

17. A hangable pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the item(s) for packing within the hangable pack include a car seat cover. WHO-RAE PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P34220AU00