GB2486254A

GB2486254A - Garment hanging apparatus with deformable tab fixings

Info

Publication number: GB2486254A
Application number: GB1020888.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Warren
Original assignee: Braitrim UK Ltd
Current assignee: Braitrim UK Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-09
Filing date: 2010-12-09
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-09
Also published as: GB2486254B; GB201020888D0

Abstract

In a first aspect a garment hanging apparatus comprises a garment hanger 420 and a collar card 402, wherein the first garment hanger has at least one aperture and the collar card comprises a flap and at least one tab 311 connected to the flap suitable for insertion into the at least one aperture. The or each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the or each tab can be inserted into the or each one aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the or each tab from the or each aperture. In a second aspect a garment hanger comprises a hook member 822 and a garment support member 802, the hook member having at least one aperture 821 and the garment support member having a flap 803 suitable for supporting a garment and at least one tab 806 connected to the flap and suitable for insertion into the or each aperture. The or each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the or each tab can be inserted into the or each aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the or each tab from the or each aperture.

Description

I

GARMENT HANGING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

A first aspect of this invention relates to a garment hanging apparatus, and to a first garment hanger and collar card suitable for use therein. A second aspect of this invention relates to a second garment hanger.

Background to the Invention

Many forms of clothing are sold with very minimal packaging, for example just a garment hanger and a swing ticket attached to the clothing itself. This is advantageous since less packaging reduces the cost of manufacture. Since any packaging is likely to be thrown away as soon as the clothing is purchased, the materials and energy used in producing that packaging also represent an environmental cost. Keeping packaging to the absolute minimum is therefore beneficial both for the manufacturers and the environment.

Swing tickets are typically a piece of printed card attached during the manufacturing process using a thin piece of plastic called a "kimble", or a piece of sting, ribbon or cord so that the swing ticket can be removed by the customer after purchase. Any detailed information regarding the size of the clothes, the brand under which they are sold and a barcode is typically contained on the swing ticket. However with some items of clothing the use of swing tickets is not practical or aesthetically desirable. With lingerie for example, manufacturers often want to display more information, and the use of a large swing ticket could spoil the look of lingerie on display. On top of this, manufacturers of lingerie often want to display their brand prominently alongside their wares, so that consumers can easily see and distinguish between the different options available to them.

For these reasons, it is common practice to attach collar cards to the hangers of lingerie such as brassieres. In general, collar cards are larger than swing tickets, so more information such as addresses, available colours and sizes can be printed & provided to the customer. Due to their prominence, collar cards can also be used to promote a brand or to display an eye-caching image, with the intention of attracting the consumer to that particular item. For example, collar cards will frequently show the product in use. As with swing tickets, collar cards can be printed with a barcode, but more usually a generic item is produced and a sticker or stickers with the barcode and a price are added. Sometimes both a collar card and a swing ticket are used.

Figure 1 shows a known first printing sheet 101 which comprises twenty five first collar cards 102. A printing sheet of this type would usually be printed on ANSI F size paper, which has an area of 711mm x 1016mm, although other sizes of paper may be used.

During manufacture, the first collar cards 102 are printed onto the first printing sheet 101 and cut out for use. Each collar card comprises a front flap 103 and a rear flap 104, both printed with relevant information such as the manufacturer's name and logo. The front flap 103 and the rear flap 104 are joined by a first double hinge 105. After being cut out, the front flap 103 and the rear flap 104 can also be joined by inserting a first tab 106 into a slot 110 cut into the rearflap 104. The first tab 106 is attached by a second double hinge 107 to the front flap 103. If necessary, the first tab 106 can be glued to the rear flap 104. In addition the collar card 102 is also provided with a second tab 108 which is inserted through a further slot 111 cut into flap 104. The second tab 108 is attached by a third double hinge 109 to the front flap 103. The collar card is then hung on a garment hanger, typically over the arms of the hanger around the suspension means.

There are problems with this approach, particularly with the amount of card being used and the time taken to assemble the collar card for use. The problem of using too much card can get worse when a collar card is intended for use with a garment hanger with an unusual shape. Very sloped or curved garment hangers may be used with brassieres as they are attractive and help to present the product in its best light. In particular, using a curved garment hanger will raise the brassiere and so occupy less space vertically, in use. This allows more rows of stock to be displayed in a store. However curved collar cards require the use of even more card. Figure 2 shows a second known collar card 202. Again, this collar card comprises a first double hinge 205, and a front flap 203 can be joined with a first tab 206 and a second tab 208 to a rear flap 204 by inserting the first and second tabs through the two slots 210, 211 respectively. While the second collar card 202 itself does not use more card than the first collar card 102 in Figure 1, it does not tessellate well. In whatever arrangement images of the second collar card 202 are arranged on a printing sheet, a great deal of card will be wasted between them.

Also, with a first or second collar card 102, 202, adhesive may be used to bond the tabs 106, 206 to the rear flap 104, 204. Adhesives are expensive, environmentally costly and difficult to apply, so any way to avoid their use would also be desirable.

In addition, when a first or second collar card 102, 202 is attached to a garment hanger, it is often movable with respect to the garment hanger. Because the collar card is fastened over the garment hanger, there is typically some play between the two components, allowing the collar card to slip out of position. In simple designs the collar card may fall off the garment hanger if the hanger is turned upside down. For this reason collar cards are often provided with additional tabs and fastenings to prevent them moving excessively, such as the second tab 108 in Figure 1, further wasting materials and complicating construction and assembly.

All of these complications also contribute to the time taken to construct and fit a conventional collar card. Since time spent in construction and assembly contributes to the cost of the garment, any way to reduce that time would be advantageous.

Therefore a way of producing and fitting collar cards that reduces the quantities of raw materials used and reduces the amount of time taken in manufacture and assembly, while also fixing the collar card firmly in place with respect to the garment hanger would be very desirable.

It would also be desirable to reduce the amount and expense of the raw materials used in the manufacture of garment hangers.

Summary of the Invention

In pursuit of these aims, a first aspect of the present invention provides: a garment hanging apparatus comprising a first garment hanger and a collar card, wherein the first garment hanger comprises at least one aperture and the collar card comprises a flap and at least one tab connected to the flap and suitable for insertion into the at least one aperture. Each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the at least one tab can be inserted into the at least one aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the tab from the at least one aperture.

In this way, the invention provides a first garment hanger with a collar card that can be manufactured with less raw materials than conventional designs, as there is only one flap required. The collar card can also be provided with only one or two simple tabs, allowing it to be fitted quickly. Because the collar card is fastened to the first garment hanger directly, rather than simply being fastened over the first garment hanger, it is much more restricted in its movements with respect to the first garment hanger than a conventional design. Hence, if the first garment hanger is shaken, the collar card will not fall off or move from side to side. This helps to ensure that the cards are uniform in appearance, for example when they are displayed in a shop.

The apertures in the first garment hangers reduce the quantity of raw materials being used in the manufacture of the hangers.

A garment hanging apparatus according to the invention can also easily incorporate a hanger with curves. If only one tab is to be used then no special adjustments to the collar card are necessary, although the flap may also be curved for aesthetic reasons. If a plurality of tabs are to be used, however, a flap with a curved upper edge may be used to ensure that the tabs meet the apertures in the first garment hanger at the right points and at the right angles. Typically in such cases, the upper edge of the flap would follow the curve of a lower edge of the hanger.

The collar card is typically made from card, which will typically be derived from wood pulp. This is advantageous because card is inexpensive and easy to print on. Since card is easily torn, it also ensures that the collar card can be easily removed. The collar card may be removed by a consumer once they have purchased the item of clothing, or by a clothing seller or manufacturer in order to reuse the first garment hanger with a different item of clothing. The collar card is then easily recycled. However the collar card may also comprise plastics, metals or any other suitable material. The first garment hanger is typically made from plastic, but may also comprise metal, wood, or any other suitable material.

Typically, where the apertures are in a vertical portion of the first garment hanger, at least one tab is joined by a fold line to the flap. This is advantageous because the flap will then hang down from the first garment hanger, in use, displaying the flap to best advantage. It may also be that, once the tab is in the aperture and the deformable section has been deformed, folding the flap about the fold line urges the deformable section against a face of the first garment hanger. This will then help to ensure that the collar card is securely attached to the first garment hanger. It is however envisaged that the one or more apertures could be located in a horizontal portion of the first garment hanger, such as the lower portion of a C-section hanger, in which case the tab need not be hingedly joined to the flap.

Typically, the aperture is a slot. This is advantageous because the collar card is typically cut from a single sheet of material, and the tab is therefore typically wide and thin, suitable for insertion into a slot. Often, the slot is tapered in order to aid the insertion of the tab while also helping to prevent its easy removal. The slot may be bevelled.

Typically, the tab comprises a first section proximate to the flap and a second section distal to the flap, and the tab is deformed by folding the second section with respect to the first section. In use, therefore, the first section passes through the at least one aperture and the second section is folded with respect to the first section in order to impede removal of the tab from the at least one aperture. Where this is the case, the second section is typically joined by a fold line to the first section, and the second section may be folded against itself, in use. Typically, the second section sits substantially flat against the first garment hanger, in use. In these embodiments, the deformable section is protected from damage, to an extent, by the first garment hanger.

Where the tab comprises a first section proximate to the flap and a second section distal to the flap, it may be that the second section extends both above and below the plane of the first section, when deformed. Alternatively, the second section may only extend in one direction, either above or below the plane of the first section, when deformed.

To further protect the deformable section, it is advantageous that the arms of the first garment hanger should have a substantially C shaped cross-section for at least part of their length, typically such that the deformable section sits within the arms of the C-section, in use.

Alternatively, it may be that the arms of the first garment hanger have a substantially serif I shaped cross-section for at least part of their length. Again, typically the deformable section will sit between the upper and lower flanges, or serifs, of the I, in use.

The invention also extends to a first garment hanger suitable for use in a garment hanging apparatus as described above, and a collar card suitable for use in a garment hanging apparatus as described above.

A second aspect of the invention provides a second garment hanger which comprises a hook member and a garment support member, wherein the hook member comprises at least one aperture and the garment support member comprises: a flap suitable for supporting a garment; and at least one tab connected to the flap and suitable for insertion into the at least one aperture. Each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the at least one tab can be inserted into the at least one aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the tab from the at least one aperture.

In this way, the invention provides a second garment hanger with what amounts to a built in collar card that can be manufactured with less raw materials than conventional designs. As with the first aspect of the invention, there is only one flap required, reducing the amount of card used. However the amount of material used has been reduced in other ways. The hook member is typically made from plastic, but may also comprise metal, wood, or any other suitable material. Much less of this material is used than with a conventional garment hanger design.

A second garment hanger according to the invention is also preferable to an all card hanger, since the second garment hanger can support much greater weights. When supporting heavy garments, a great deal of stress is placed on the hook portion of a garment hanger, which may buckle or tear if made of card. In particular, stress is placed on the vertical portion of the hook, and the present applicant has found that card hooks tend to tear at the vertical section, rendering them useless.

A second garment hanger can make separation of hanger materials for re-use or re-cycling easier at the point of sale. With conventional garment hangers, the sales person can either leave the hanger with the garments, which is quick but not environmentally friendly as plastic hangers are not readily recyclable by the customer, or remove the hanger completely, which is slower. A second garment hanger according to the invention, however, offers a third option. The sales person can remove the hook member, which can go for re-use or recycling, and leave the garment support member still attached to the garments. This is quicker than removing an entire hanger, and allows the customer to recycle the support member.

Typically, the garment support member has only one tab, but more tabs may be provided, and more apertures added to the hook member, if more support is needed.

This may happen, for example, if a heavy garment is to be hung on the second garment hanger.

Because the garment support member is fastened to the hook member directly, it is restricted in its movements with respect to the hook member. Hence, if the garment hanger is shaken, the garment support member will not fall off or move from side to side.

This helps to ensure that the garment support member stays in place and continues to support the garment, as well as ensuring that a group of garment hangers according to this aspect of the invention remain uniform in appearance.

The garment support member may be cut to a shape to suit the practical and aesthetic needs of a user. The flap may include hooks or ridges on its outer perimeter in order to help secure a garment in place.

The garment support member is typically made from card, which will typically be derived from wood pulp. This is advantageous because card is inexpensive and easy to print on.

Since card is easily deformed, it also ensures that the garment support member can be easily installed. The garment support member can then also be easily removed, either by a consumer once they have purchased the item of clothing, or by a clothing seller or manufacturer in order to reuse the garment hanger with a different item of clothing. The clothing support member is then easily recycled, especially where the clothing support member is made from card, as card is more easily recycled than the plastics materials typically used in garment hangers. This is particularly true for the user, who may only be able to send a small selection of materials for recycling. However the garment support member may also comprise plastics, metals or any other suitable material.

Typically, where the apertures are in a vertical portion of the hook member, at least one tab is joined by a fold line to the flap. This is advantageous because the flap will then hang down from the hook member, in use, so that it is well placed to support a garment without deforming, and to display the flap to best advantage. It may also be that, once the tab is in the aperture and the deformable section has been deformed, folding the flap about the fold line urges the deformable section against a face of the hook member. This action helps to ensure that the garment support member is securely attached to the hook member. Alternatively, one or more of the slots may be located in a horizontal portion of the hook member, in which case the tab need not be hingedly joined to the flap.

Typically, the aperture is a slot. This is advantageous because the garment support member is typically cut from a single sheet of material, and the tab is therefore typically wide and thin, suitable for insertion into a slot. Often, the slot is tapered in order to aid the insertion of the tab while also helping to prevent its easy removal. The slot may be bevelled.

Typically, the tab comprises a first section proximate to the flap and a second section distal to the flap, and the tab is deformed by folding the second section with respect to the first section. In use, therefore, the first section passes through the at least one aperture and the second section is folded with respect to the first section in order to impede removal of the tab from the at least one aperture. Where this is the case, the second section is typically joined by a fold line to the first section, and the second section may be folded against itself, in use. Typically, the second section sits substantially flat against the first hook member, in use. In these embodiments, the deformable section is protected from damage, to an extent, by the hook member.

Advantages of these embodiments are set out hereafter, and further details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the accompanying dependent claims and

elsewhere in the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first printing sheet for producing collar cards; Figure 2 shows the shape of a collar card adapted for a curved garment hanger; Figure 3 is an illustration of a curved collar card according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is an illustration of a straight collar card according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 is an illustration of a curved garment hanger according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is an illustration of a straight garment hanger according to a first aspect of the invention; Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a straight collar card and a straight garment hanger, and show the process of fitting the collar card to the garment hanger; Figures 10, 11 and 12 also show the process of a collar card being fitted to a garment hanger according to the invention, in cross-section; Figure 13 is an illustration of a curved collar card, fitted to a second garment hanger according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 14 is an illustration of a fourth tab; Figure 15 is an illustration of a straight collar card provided with a fourth tab; Figure 16 shows a fourth tab fitted into a garment hanger according to a first aspect of the invention, in cross-section; Figure 17 is an illustration of a fifth tab; Figures 18 and 19 show how a fifth tab is deformed in use, according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 20 is an illustration of a straight collar card provided with a fifth tab; Fig. 21 shows a fifth tab fitted into a garment hanger according to a first aspect of the invention, in cross-section; Figure 22 shows a collar card in which the tabs are punched out of the body of the flap; Figure 23 shows a second printing sheet for producing collar cards according to a first aspect of the invention; and Figures 24, 25 and 26 show a two part garment hanger according to a second aspect of the invention, and the process of fitting that hanger together.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a garment hanging apparatus, a garment hanger and collar card suitable for use with that apparatus, and a further garment hanger.

Figure 3 shows a curved collar card 302 according to a first aspect of the invention. The curved collar card 302 comprises a curved flap 303 with curved upper and lower edges, which is provided with a pair of spaced apart third tabs 306 on the upper edge. The curved collar card 302 is manufactured by printing a plurality of similar collar cards onto a sheet of card, and cutting around the perimeter, typically with a punch. Logos, barcodes, size information and any other necessary details can be printed on the curved flap 303. Typically, the curved flap 303 is printed on both sides, for example with a logo on the front face and a barcode on the rear face. Therefore a curved collar card 302 will typically have the same printable area and use the same amount of ink as a first collar card 102, but approximately half the card. This represents a significant saving in raw materials, which is of benefit to both the manufacturer and the environment.

During manufacture, cuts are made in the card of the third tabs 306. The card is cut along the solid lines 308 shown in the inset detail in Figure 3, and the rectangle of card 309 is removed.

Figure 4 shows a straight collar card 402 according to the invention. The straight collar card 402 comprises a substantially rectangular flap 403, and is also provided with two third tabs 306. As can be seen in the inset detail in Figure 4, the rectangle of card 309, shown in Figure 3, has already been removed from the straight collar card 402. Again, the straight collar card 402 according to the invention has the same printable area as a conventional collar card, but uses approximately half the card.

Figure 5 is an illustration of a curved garment hanger 320 according to the invention.

The curved garment hanger 320 is intended for use with a curved collar card 302, and is provided with two slots 321 in vertical portions of the arms of the garment hanger, for receiving the third tabs 306, in use. The curved garment hanger 320 further comprises a hook 322 and two grips 323 intended for gripping clothing suspended from the garment hanger.

Figure 6 shows a straight garment hanger 420 according to the invention. The straight garment hanger 420 is intended for use with a straight collar card 402, and also comprises two slots 421 for receiving the third tabs 306, in use. The straight garment hanger 420 further comprises a hook 422 and two grips 423 intended for gripping clothing.

In use, a straight collar card 402 is connected to the straight garment hanger 420 by inserting the third tabs 306 into the two slots 421, as illustrated in Figure 7. The third tabs 306 are then bent about first fold lines 310 so that the distal portions 311 of the third tabs 306 are orthogonal to the two slots 421, and the straight collar card 402 is pulled in the direction of arrow 430. This brings the distal portions 311 of the third tabs 306 into contact with a rear face of a vertical portion of the straight garment hanger 420, and prevents the third tabs 306 from being inadvertently removed from the two slots 421.

The straight collar card 402 can then be bent in the direction of arrow 431 in Figure 8 50 that the flap 403 hangs beneath the straight garment hanger 420 as illustrated in Figure 9. Bending the straight collar card 402 in this way also serves to keep the distal portions 311 of the third tabs 306 pressed against the straight garment hanger 420, so that the straight collar card 402 remains firmly in place. The straight garment hanger 420 can then be used for displaying clothing.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 also show the process of fitting a curved or straight collar card 302, 402 to a curved or straight garment hanger 320, 420 respectively, but this time in cross-section. The third tab 306 is inserted through the slot 321, 421 as shown in Figure 10, and then bent at fold line 310 as shown in Figure 11. Lastly, the third tab 306 is pulled up against the garment hanger 320, 420, and bent over to lock the collar card in place as shown in Figure 12. The slot 321, 421 is tapered, and the third tab 306 is inserted through the wider side of the slot 321, 421, making fitting the collar card quicker and easier than it would be with a narrower entrance. The distal portion 311 of the third tab 306 is then pulled back against the narrower side of the slot 321, 421, so that it is held more firmly in place than it would be with a wider exit. The narrower end of the slot is approximately the same thickness as the card in the third tab 306.

The arms of the garment hanger 320, 420 into which the slots 321, 321 are set have a C-shaped cross-section. Therefore the distal portion 311 of the third tab 306 is pulled into the curve of the C, in use, and hence partially protected by the garment hanger 320, 420 from damage.

Figure 13 shows a curved garment hanger 320 fitted with a curved collar card 302, according to the invention.

Other designs of tab can be used in a garment hanging apparatus according to the invention. For example, Figure 14 shows a fourth tab 506 which is suitable for use with a curved or straight garment hanger 320, 420. Before being used the tab is cut along the solid lines 508. The fourth tab 506 can then be folded at second fold line 510, as illustrated in Figure 15. In use, the fourth tab 506 is inserted through a slot 321, 421 and folded as shown in cross-section in Figure 16. In Figure 16 the tab is folded so that the deformable section 524 of the fourth tab 506 extends upwards, in a substantially opposite direction to the flap 503, in use. Alternatively, the deformable section 524 of the fourth tab 506 may be folded downwards, in substantially the same direction as the flap 503, in use.

Figure 17 shows a fifth tab 606, which is suitable for use with a curved or straight garment hanger 320, 420. Before being used the tab is cut along the solid lines 608. The fifth tab 606 can then be bent at the third fold lines 610 in concertina fashion, as illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 20. In use, the fifth tab 606 is inserted through a slot 321 and folded as shown in Figure 21.

Although collar cards have been discussed in which the one or more tabs are connected to an upper edge of the flap, it is envisaged that one or more tabs could be punched out from the body of the flap. Figure 22 shows a collar card which comprises a flap 703 and two third tabs 706 set into the flap 703. The third tabs 706 are prepared and used in the same way as the third tabs discussed with reference to the previous embodiments.

Figure 23 shows a second printing sheet 301 which comprises sixty third collar cards 302. The second printing sheet 301 would be printed on ANSI F size paper. This compares favourably to the twenty five collar cards per sheet of card produced with a first printing sheet 101 as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figures 24, 25 and 26 show a two part garment hanger 820 according to a second aspect of the invention. The two part garment hanger 820 comprises a garment support member 802 and a hook member 822. In use, an item of clothing such as a shirt is hung from the garment support member 802, which is in turn hung up using the hook member 822.

The garment support member 802 comprises a garment support member flap 803 and a third tab 806. The garment support member 802 is made from card, and manufactured by printing a plurality of similar support members onto a sheet of card, and cutting around the perimeter, typically with a punch. Logos, size information and any other necessary details can be printed on the garment support member flap 803. If required, the garment support member flap 803 can be printed on both sides, for example with a logo on the front face and other information on the rear face. Therefore, depending on its size, a garment support member 802 may have the same printable area and use the same amount of ink as a first collar card 102, but approximately half the card. As is the case with the collar cards 302, 402, this represents a significant saving in raw materials, which is of benefit to both the manufacturer and the environment. However, frequently only one side will be printed, as with many items of clothing the rear side of the hanger will not be visible, in use. A two part garment hanger 820 also uses much less plastic than a conventional clothes hanger, since card is used so extensively and in particular to support the items of clothing hung from the two part garment hanger 820. This represents a further saving in materials and initial cost of manufacture.

The hook member 822 is made from a plastics material, and is provided with a slot 821 for receiving the third tab 806, in use. The hook member 822 is shaped so that it can be hung from a rack, both during storage and display of the garment support member and any clothing that is hung from it.

In use, the garment support member 802 is connected to the hook member 822 by inserting the third tab 806 into the slot 821, as illustrated in Figure 24. The third tab 806 is then bent about first fold lines 810 so that the distal portions 811 of the third tab 806 is orthogonal to the slot 821, as illustrated in Figure 25. The garment support member 802 is pulled in the direction of arrow 830, which brings the distal portions 811 of the third tab 806 into contact with the rear face of the hook member 822, and prevents the third tab 806 from being inadvertently removed from the slot 821. The garment support member 802 is then bent in the direction of arrow 831 so that the garment support member flap 803 hangs beneath the hook member 822 as illustrated in Figure 26. Bending the garment support member 802 in this way also serves to keep the distal portion 811 of the third tab 806 pressed against the hook member 822, so that the garment support member 802 remains firmly in place. The two part garment hanger 820 can then be used for displaying clothing.

A fourth or fifth tab, as described above, can also be used to attach the garment support member 802 to the hook member 822.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A garment hanging apparatus comprising a first garment hanger and a collar card, wherein the first garment hanger comprises at least one aperture and the collar card comprises: a flap; and at least one tab connected to the flap and suitable for insertion into the at least one aperture, wherein each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the at least one tab can be inserted into the at least one aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the tab from the at least one aperture.
2. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tab is joined by a fold line to the flap.
3. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein once the tab is in the aperture and the deformable section has been deformed, folding the flap about the fold line urges the deformable section against a face of the first garment hanger.
4. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is a slot.
5. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is tapered.
6. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tab comprises a first section proximate to the flap and a second section distal to the flap, and wherein the tab is deformed by folding the second section with respect to the first section.
7. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second section is joined by a fold line to the first section.
8. A garment hanging apparatus as claim in claim 7, wherein the second section is folded against itself, in use.
9. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second section sits substantially flat against the first garment hanger, in use.
10. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the second section extends both above and below the plane of the first section, when deformed.
11 A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arms of the first garment hanger have a substantially C shaped cross-section for at least part of their length.
12. A garment hanging apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arms of the first garment hanger have a substantially serif I shaped cross-section for at least part of their length.
13. A first garment hanger suitable for use in a garment hanging apparatus according to any preceding claim.
14. A collar card suitable for use in a garment hanging apparatus according to any of claims ito 12.
15. A garment hanging apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.
16. A garment hanger substantially as described herein with reference to figures 3 to 23 of the drawings.
17. A collar card substantially as described herein with reference to figures 3 to 23 of the drawings.
18. A second garment hanger comprising a hook member and a garment support member, wherein the hook member comprises at least one aperture and the garment support member comprises: a flap suitable for supporting a garment; and at least one tab connected to the flap and suitable for insertion into the at least one aperture, wherein each tab comprises a deformable section such that in use the at least one tab can be inserted into the at least one aperture respectively and the deformable section deformed in order to impede removal of the at least one tab from the at least one aperture respectively.
19. A second garment hanger as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one tab is joined by a fold line to the flap.
20. A second garment hanger as claimed in claim 19, wherein once the at least one tab is in the at least one aperture and the deformable section has been deformed, folding the flap about the fold line urges the deformable section against a face of the hook member.
21. A second garment hanger as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the aperture is a slot.
22. A second garment hanger as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the aperture is tapered.
23. A second garment hanger as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the tab comprises a first section proximate to the flap and a second section distal to the flap, and wherein the tab is deformed by folding the second section with respect to the first section.
24. A second garment hanger as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second section is joined by a fold line to the first section.
25. A second garment hanger as claim in claim 24, wherein the second section is folded against itself, in use.
26. A second garment hanger as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the second section sits substantially flat against the hook member, in use.
27. A second garment hanger as claimed in any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the second section extends both above and below the plane of the first section, when deformed.
28. A garment hanger substantially as described herein with reference to figures 24 to 26 of the drawings.