GB2410015A - Shirt packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging is provided for a garment such as a shirt. The packaging has a main panel (10) which is laid in the centre of the back of a body portion of the shirt with the side edges and the sleeves of the shirt wrapped around the main panel (10). The main panel (10) includes a slot (17) which receives one of the sleeves to locate the sleeve relative to the main panel (10). The main panel (10) also has a tab (32) that receives a button on a front opening of the shirt when the lower edge of the shirt is folded up over the body portion (10). The main portion (10) has an attached collar support (35) that extends between a collar of the shirt and the neck opening. A section (20) of the main panel (10) can be pressed out of the main panel (10) and used to connect a cuff of the garment to the body portion and can also be used to carry indicia such as price and size. The packaging can be combined with a container, Figures 8 and 9.

Description

2410015

GARMENT PACKAGING

The invention relates to packaging for garments, more particularly garments having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves.

Such packaging is used to present the garment for transit, sale and point of sale packaging. The principal component of one such packaging is a panel, which may be generally rectangular and of a smaller area than the body portion when the body portion is laid flat. The panel is laid on the back of the flat body portion and the first and second sides of the garment are folded over the panel. The first and second sleeves are then folded over the panel and held in place by, for example, pins or clips.

A part of the folded body portion remote from the neck opening that extends beyond the panel is folded up over the panel and also held in place by pins or clips.

Where the garment is a shirt with a collar extending around the neck opening, a separate collar support is generally provided. The collar support is formed by a band of stiff material that is inserted between the collar and the neck opening. Where the shirt has an opening front closed by buttons, the collar support may include a slot that is received behind a button at the collar to locate the collar support relative to the collar. Once such a garment has been packaged as described above, it may be placed on a shelf or hung on a rail using a hanger inserted through the neck opening. It is also necessary to apply to the garment indicia designating, for example, the size and price of the garment.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the back of the body portion of the garment to allow the body portion to be folded around the main panel, the main panel including a slot through which at least a part of sleeve of the garment passes on said folding to locate the sleeve relative to the main panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges, and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the body portion of the garment towards the neck opening to allow the first and second side edges of the garment to be folded over the main panel with the first and second sleeves, an end part of the folded body portion remote from the next opening that extends beyond the panel being folded over the panel, the panel including a holding device for holding a free end of said part to locate said part relative to the main panel.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening surrounded by a collar, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the body portion of the garment to allow the body portion to be folded around the main panel, the main panel carrying an elongate collar support, the elongate collar support including a first portion extending to one side of the main panel and a second portion extending to an opposite side of the main panel, the collar support being insertable between the collar and the neck opening with the second collar support portion extending around the collar across the front of the garment.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging in combination with a garment having a body portion with a back and front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves, the main panel overlying a central part of the back of the body portion of the garment with the body portion folded around the main panel, a section of the main panel, initially connected to the remainder of the main panel but separated therefrom, being connected to the garment.

The following is a more detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a packaging for a garment, Figure 2 is a plan view of a garment for use with the packaging of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the packaging of Figure 1 applied to the garment of Figure 2 in a first stage, Figure 4 shows the packaging of Figure 1 applied to the garment of Figure 2 in a second stage, Figure 5 shows the packaging of Figure 1 applied to the garment of Figure 2 in a third stage, Figure 6 shows the packaging of Figure 1 applied to the garment of Figure 2 in a fourth stage, I; igure 7 is a view of part of the garment of Figure 2 in the packaging of Figure I showing a section of the packaging used to connect a cuff of the garment to a button of a front opening of the garment, Figure 8 shows the packaging of Figure 1 incorporated in a container, and Figure 9 shows the container of Figure 8 completed.

Referring first to Figure 1, the packaging is formed by a generally rectangular main panel 10. She main panel 10 may be formed from any suitable material such as a plastics material or cardboard.

The main panel 10 has first and second side edges 1 1, 12 interconnected by a first end edge 13 and a second end edge 14. The first side edge 11 and the second side edge 12 are provided with tensioning devices formed by first and second toothed zones 15a, 15b on the first side edge 11 and first and second toothed zones 16a, 16b on the second side edge 12. As seen in figure 1, each toothed zone 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, is an adjacent respective end of the associated side edge 11, 12. The function of these toothed zones 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b will be described below.

The second side edge 12 is formed with a slot 17. The slot 17 has a first portion 18a extending normal to the second side edge 12 and is continued by a second portion 18b extending generally parallel to but spaced from the second side edge 12. The second portion 18b includes gripping means formed by cooperating teeth 19 extending along both edges of the second portion lab. Again, the function of the slot 17 will be described below.

The centre of the main panel 10 includes a section 20 that is connected to the remainder of the main panel 10 but which is separable from the main panel 10. As seen in Figure 1, the section 20 includes a connecting part 21 of generally elongate rectangular shape with a projecting tab 22 also of rectangular shape projecting normal to the connecting part 21 towards one end of the connecting part 21. The connecting part 21 has an edge 23 formed with three button-engaging slots 24a, 24b, 24c. Each slot 24a, 24b, 24c is formed by a circular part 25a, 25b, 25c from which leads a passage 26a, 26b, 26c that diverges as it opens on to the associated edge 23. The connecting part 21 also includes a fold line 27. A fold line 28 is also provided on the tab 22.

The section 20 may be connected to the rest of the main panel 20 by breakable connections that allow the section 20 to be pushed out of the remainder of the main panel 10 for a purpose to be described below.

The main panel 10 also includes a cut-out 29 to save weight. As shown, the cut-out 29 is rectangular but it could have any suitable shape. The second end edge 14 is provided with a notch 30 which is on the centre line of the main panel 10 for alignment purposes.

Adjacent the first end edge 13, the main panel 10 is provided with a generally U shaped cut 31. This forms a generally U-shaped tab 32 which is provided with a button-engaging cut-out formed by larger and smaller holes 38a, 38b, respectively, interconnected by a passage 34.

The first end edge 13 carries a collar support indicated generally at 35. The collar support 35 is formed by an elongate strip of material including a first portion 36 extending to one side of the main panel 10 and a second portion 37 extending to an opposite side of the main panel 10. The second portion 37 is, as will be seen from Figure 1, significantly longer than the first portion 36. The second portion 37 has an initial section, as it extends away from the main panel 10, that is straight and this is followed by a curved portion. As seen in Figure 2, the curved portion is formed with a slit 38 pierced by nine spaced holes 39. The purpose of this will be described below.

A hanging tab 40 is also provided at the first end edge 13. The hanging tab 40 is provided with a hole 41 for receipt of a connector attached to a hook (not shown) of conventional type by which the main panel 10 (and, in use, an associated garment) can be hung on a rail.

Referring next to Figure 2, the packaging described above with reference to Figure 1 is for use with a garment such as a shirt that has a body portion 42 with a first side 43 and a second side 44. The garment also has a neck opening 45 surrounded by a collar 46. The body portion has a front opening 47 closed by spaced buttons 48 on one side of the opening that engage in holes on the other side of the opening. The garment also has first and second sleeves 49a, 49b. Each sleeve terminates in a respective cuff 50a, 50b closed by a respective buttons 51a, 51b extending through respective buttonholes.

The body portion 42 has a front 52 and a back 69. The garment is of conventional construction and will not be described further.

The packaging of Figure 1 is used with the garment of Figure 2 in the following way.

Referring first to Figure 3, initially, the garment is laid flat on a surface with the front 52 facing downwardly. The main panel 10 is placed overlying a central part of the back of the body portion 42 of the garment, as seen in Figure 3. In this position, the collar support 35 is level with the back of the collar 46 of the garment and the first sleeve 49a and the first side 43 of the body portion extend beyond the first side edge 11 of the main panel 10 and the second sleeve 49b and the second side 44 of the garment extend beyond the second side edge 12 of the main panel 10. In addition, part of the body portion 42 remote from the collar 46 extends beyond the second end edge 14 ofthe main panel 10.

The section 20 is pressed out of the remainder of the main panel 10 and put to one side.

Referring next to Figure 4, the first sleeve 39a and the first side 43 of the body portion are then folded over the first side edge 11 of the main panel 10. The first sleeve 49a, or a part of the first sleeve 49a, is passed through the slot 17 and then folded back over the second side edge 12 before being folded back on itself so that the first cuff 50a overlies the main panel 10. The first and second toothed zones 15a, 15b on the first side edge 11 limit movement of this part of the garment relative to the main panel 10 and the teeth 19 in the slot 17 also limit movement of the first sleeve 49a relative to the main panel 10 and so hold the garment relative to the main panel 10.

Referring next to Figure 5, the second sleeve 49b and the second side 44 of the garment are then folded over the second side edge 12 of the main panel 10. The second sleeve 49b is then folded back on itself so that the cuff passes back around the second side edge 12 to overlie the front of the garment. This will be described in more detail below. The first and second toothed zones 16a, 16b on the second side edge 12 limit the movement of this part of the garment relative to the main panel and allow the front of the garment to be tensioned.

Next, referring to Figure 6, the part of the garment extending beyond the second end edge 14 is folded up over the end edge 14 with a second small fold being made adjacent to the lower end of the garment. The effect of this is to bring one of the front opening buttons 48 adjacent to the holes 38a, 38b on the tab 32. The tab 32 can then be pressed out of the plane of the main panel 10 with the button 48 being inserted through the larger hole 38a and the stem of the button drawn down the passage 34 to locate the tab 32 behind the button 38. This has the effect of locating the end of the garment relative to the main panel and holding this folded portion in position.

Referring next to Figure 7, as described above, the second cuff 50b is folded over the front of the body portion 42 around the second side edge 12. The section 20 is used to connect this second cuff 50b to a button 48 on the front opening 47. This is done engaging a slot 24a of the section 20 with a button 48 on the front opening 47 between the two layers of the opening. This displays the cuff 50b on the front of the garment.

The slot 24b is engaged with the button 51b on the second cuff 50b between the overlapping ends of the cuff 50b. The second sleeve 49b may include a slit extending from the cuff up the sleeve 48b and closed by an additional button 54. In this case, the slot 28c is engaged with this button 53, which will usually be on the opposite side of the second side edge 12, with the fold line 27 allowing the section to be bent around the second side edge 12. The exposed portions of the section 20, including the tab 22, can be used to carry indicia such as size and price. The fold line 28 on the tab 22 can be folded around the second end edge 14 of the main panel 10 to provide indicia that can be viewed edge on.

Finally, the collar support 35 is inserted between the collar 46 and the neck opening 45 to support the collar. The curvature of the second portion 37 of the collar support allows it to conform to a range of collar sizes. The length of the first part 36 and the second part 37 is such that the ends overlap or are closely spaced after the collar support 35 is inserted.

Although the insertion of the collar support 35 is described as being the final step in the use of the packaging with a shirt, this need not be the case. The collar support 35 could be inserted between the collar 46 and the neck opening 45 as the initial step.

When the collar support 35 is inserted, the button 48 at the top of the front opening 47 at the collar 46 is inserted through an appropriate one of the holes 39 connected by the slit 38. The button holes 39 are smaller than the buttons 48 and the slit 38 allows the holes 39 to open to permit the button 48 to pass through. The button support can be passed along the slit 38 to adjust the position of the collar support 35 relative to the collar 46. In this way the collar 35 is connected to the main panel 10.

On completion, the garment is fully tensioned and supported by packaging which is initially only in one piece. No additional pin or clips are required and the garment can be displayed for sale and packaged in this form. This makes the packaging inexpensive and easy to use. Alternatively, the garment may be placed in a single transparent bag negating the need for multiple bag types currently required to describe different indicia. The garment can either be displayed hung from a rail using the hanging tab 40 or it can be stacked on a shelf when the indicia on the folded end of the tab 22 can be viewed. A tie may be added as may a scent and/or anti-bacterial agents.

When the garment is removed from the packaging described above with reference to the drawings only two items require disposal.

It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for all features of this packaging to be used together. The slots 17 could be used separately, the push-out section 20 could be used separately, the tab 32 could be used separately and the collar support 35 could be used separately. Alternatively, two or three of these features could be combined together.

It will also be appreciated that these features need not be exactly as described above with reference to the figures. The slot 17 need not be shaped as shown; it could have any suitable shape. In addition, the slot 17 need not have edges that are closely adjacent; it could have edges that are spaced. The slot 17 need not lead from an edge ofthe main panel 10; it could be formed wholly within the main panel 10.

As section 20 need not be shaped as shown; it could have any suitable shape.

Although the section 20 is described above as being connected to the rest of the main panel 10 by frangible connections; it could be connected simply by a line of weakness.

The tab 32 that engages the front opening button 48, need not have a Ushape; it could be of any suitable shape. The collar support 35 is shown with a row of holes 39; but it could be provided with a single hole. Although the collar support 35 is described above with reference to the drawings as being formed in one piece with the remainder of the packaging, this need not be the case. The collar support 35 could be formed separately from the remainder of the packaging and subsequently connected to the remainder of the packaging. This connection could be after the collar supports has been inserted between the collar 46 and the neck opening 45.

In addition, the packaging described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 can be combined with other elements. An example of this is shown in Figures 8 and 9 where the packaging is combined with elements forming a container. In these Figures, the packaging is as described above with reference to figure l and will not be described in further detail. It is indicated generally by the reference number 54.

The container is formed in one piece of any suitable material such as paper or cardboard. The container is formed from an elongate generally rectangular panel.

Starting from one end, the panel provides initially a generally rectangular front panel 55 separated by a first transverse fold line 56 from a generally rectangular base panel 57 which, in turn is separated by a second transverse fold line 58 from a generally rectangular back panel 59. This is in turn separated by a third transverse fold line 60 from a generally rectangular first handle portion 61 separately by a fourth transverse fold line 62 from a second handle portion 63. The first and second handle portions 61, 63 are provided with cooperating cut-outs 64. The back panel 59 has spaced side edges 65 from which project respective generally triangular side panels 66.

In use, the packaging 54 is attached to the front panel 55 at a point on the packaging adjacent to the collar support 35. The garment is folded around the packaging 54 as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The container is then folded around the first, second, third and fourth fold lines 56, 58, 60 and 62 to form a generally triangular section container in which the back panel 59 overlies the packaging 54 and the two cut-outs 64 and then register to form a handle. The side panels 66 are folded over to close the gap between the front panel 55 and the back panel 59 and are fastened to the front panel by fastenings 67. The second handle portion 63 is also fastened to the front panel 55 by a second fastening 68.

It will be appreciated that this is only one form of container that may be used with the packaging as described above with reference to the drawings. For example, in a simple configuration, merely a front panel and back panel may be provided that are folded over one another with the packaging 54 between them. The side panels 66 are optional and other forms of handle arrangement may be used.

Claims (49)

1. A packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the back of the body portion of the garment to allow the body portion to be folded around the main panel, the main panel including a slot through which at least a part of sleeve of the garment passes on said folding to locate the sleeve relative to the main panel.

2. A packaging according to claim I wherein the main panel has first and second opposed side edges, each, in use, extending adjacent a respective side edge of the garment, the slot being adjacent the second side edge of the main panel so that when the first side edge of the garment and the associated first sleeve are folded over the main panel, the first sleeve passes through said slot and is then folded back over the main panel.

3. A packaging according to claim 2 wherein the slot extends from said second side edge inwardly of the main panel so that said first sleeve is inserted into the slot from said second side edge.

4. A packaging according to claim 3 wherein said second side edge is straight, the slot including a first portion extending from said second side edge in a direction normal to said second side edge and a second portion leading from said first portion and extending generally parallel to said second side edge.

5. A packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the slot includes means for gripping a sleeve passing therethrough.

6. A packaging according to claim 5 wherein the slot has opposed edges, the gripping means comprising teeth formed along at least a part of at least one edge of the slot.

7. A packaging according to claim 6 and including teeth extending along at least a part of both edges of the slot.

8. A packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves, the main panel overlying the back of the garment and the first and second side edges of the garment being folded over the main panel, the first sleeve extending through the slot and being folded back over the main panel.

9. A packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges, and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the body portion of the garment towards the neck opening to allow the first and second side edges of the garment to be folded over the main panel with the first and second sleeves, an end part of the folded body portion remote from the next opening that extends beyond the panel being folded over the panel, the panel including a holding device for holding a free end of said part to locate said part relative to the main panel.

10. A packaging according to claim 9 wherein the garment includes an opening extending along the front of the garment and closed by spaced buttons, the holding device engaging one of said buttons to locate said end part.

1 1. A packaging according to claim 10 wherein the holding device includes member formed with a hole, the button passing through the hole to connect the end part to the main panel.

12. A packaging according to claim 11 wherein the member is formed by a shaped cut in the main panel allowing a portion of the main panel bounded by the cut to be moved out of the plane of the main panel, said hole being formed in said portion.

13. A packaging according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the hole is formed by a circular portion through which the buffer passes and a slot that is narrower than the hole that the member engages behind the buffer as the button is moved along the slot.

14. A packaging according to any one of claims 9 to 13 in combination with a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edge and first and second sleeves, the main panel overlying a central part of the body portion of the garment towards the neck opening with the first and second side edges of the garment folded over the main panel with the first and second sleeves, a part of the folded body portion remote from the neck opening that extends beyond the main panel being folded over the panel and having a free end held by said holding device to locate said end part relative to the main panel.

15. A packaging according to any one of claims 9 to 14 and according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. A packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening surrounded by a collar, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the body portion of the garment to allow the body portion to be folded around the main panel, the main panel carrying an elongate collar support, the elongate collar support including a first portion extending to one side of the main panel and a second portion extending to an opposite side of the main panel, the collar support being insertable between the collar and the neck opening with the second collar support portion extending around the collar across the front of the garment.

17. A packaging according to claim 16 wherein the second collar support portion is curved so that, when inserted between the collar and the neck opening, the collar support forms a loop or substantially a loop.

18. A packaging according to claim 16 or claim 17 and in which the garment includes a front opening closed by a button at the neck opening, the second collar support including means for engaging said button to locate said collar support relative to the garment.

19. A packaging according to claim 18 wherein said engaging means comprise a hole having an area smaller than the area of the button and means for allowing the hole to open to allow the button to be pushed through the open hole which then closes behind the button.

20. A packaging according to claim 19 wherein opening means comprise a slit in the second collar support portion extending to both sides of the hole.

21. A packaging according to claim 20 wherein the second collar support means include a plurality of holes spaced along the length thereof and associated with respective slits to allow the second collar support to accommodate collars of differing sizes.

22. A packaging according to claim 21 wherein the plurality of holes are spaced apart along a single elongate slit provided in the second collar support portion.

23. A packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 22 wherein the collar support is formed in one piece with the remainder of the packaging.

24. A packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 22 wherein the collar support is formed separately from the remainder of the packaging and is subsequently connected thereto.

25. A packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 24 in combination with a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening surrounded by a collar, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves, the body portion and the first and second sleeves being folded over the main panel and the first and second portions of the elongate collar support being inserted between the collar and the neck opening.

26. A packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 25 and according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and/or according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

27. A packaging for a garment having a body portion with a back and a front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves comprising a main panel for overlying a central part of the back of the body portion of the garment to allow the body portion to be folded around the main panel, the main panel including a section that is initially connected to the remainder of the main panel but which is separate therefrom, the section being for connection to the garment.

28. A packaging according to claim 27 wherein the section is connected to the remainder of the main panel by breakable connections.

29. A packaging according to claim 27 or claim 26 wherein the section includes at least one surface for carrying indicia.

30. A packaging according to any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the section is for connection between two parts of the garment to hold said two parts together.

31. A packaging according to claim 30 wherein the section is for connection between a sleeve of the garment and the body of the garment.

32. A packaging according to claim 31 and in which the first and second sleeves include respective cuffs closed by respective buttons and the front of the body portion includes an opening closed by spaced buttons, the section including means for attaching the section to a cuff button and means for attaching the section to a front opening button to connect the cuff to the body portion.

33. A packaging according to claim 32 and in which the first and second sleeves include respective slits extending from the associated cuff along the sleeve, each sleeve including a button and an eye engagable to hold the slit closed, the section including means for attaching the second to the slit button.

34. A packaging according to claim 33 wherein each attaching means comprises a slot along which the associated button passes so that the section engages behind the associated button.

35. A packaging according to claim 34 wherein each slot comprises a hole connected by a divergent passage to the associated edge of the section.

36. A packaging according to any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein the portion of the section that is in use, is exposed between the sleeve and the cuff includes a tab for holding indicia.

37. A packaging in combination with a garment having a body portion with a back and front, a neck opening, first and second side edges and first and second sleeves, the main panel overlying a central part of the back of the body portion of the garment with the body portion folded around the main panel, a section of the main panel, initially connected to the remainder of the main panel but separated therefrom, being connected to the garment.

38. A packaging according to any one of claims 27 to 37 and according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and/or according to any one of claims 9 to 15 and/or according to any one of claims 16 to 26.

39. A packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 38 wherein the main panel is attachable to a hook to allow a garment unwrapped around the main panel to be suspended from a rail.

40. A packaging according to claim 39 wherein the main panel includes a tab having a hole for receiving a connector attached to the hook.

41. A packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 40 wherein the main panel includes first and second spaced side edges and wherein at least one tensioner is provided at least side edge.

42. A packaging according to claim 41 wherein at least one tensioner is provided along a first side edge and at least one tensioner is provided along the second side edge.

43. A packaging according to claim 41 or claim 42 wherein each tensioner is formed by a plurality of teeth extending along the associated side edge.

44. A packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 43 in which the main panel is associated with further elements conformable to form a container around a garment folded around the main panel.

45. A packaging according to claim 44 wherein the main panel overlies a front panel which, in turn, is connected to a back panel, a garment being held on the main panel and the back panel being foldable over the main panel and the garment to form, with the first panel, said container.

46. A packaging according to claim 45 wherein a base panel is provided between the front panel and the back panel with respective fold lines there between, the base panel forming a base to the container where the back panel is folded over the front panel.

47. A packaging according to claim 45 or claim 46 wherein the back panel has spaced side edges, each side edge carrying a respective side panel, the side panels being connectable to the front panel, when the front panel is folded over the first panel, to form sides to the container.

48. A packaging according to any one of claims 45 to 47 wherein the back panel includes a part forming a handle in the closed container.

49. A packaging substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.