GB2526401A

GB2526401A - Packing support

Info

Publication number: GB2526401A
Application number: GB1504001.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Louise Hobbs
Original assignee: BRAITRIM HK Ltd
Current assignee: BRAITRIM HK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-19
Filing date: 2015-03-10
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-10
Also published as: WO2015177535A1; GB201408883D0; GB2526401B; GB2526401A8; GB2526293A; GB201504001D0; GB2526401B8

Abstract

Shirt packaging preferably includes a support panel 2 attached via a connecting member 4 to an annular support 5 designed to fit within the shirts neck. Ideally a tab 6 in the support panel has two holes 7 to engage with a button and a stiffening panel 20 can fold over the supporting panel and secure 21, 22 against it to reinforce it. There can be a further annular collar support to extend around the outside of the shirts neck but under the collar and engage 9 a top button. This can be provided on the connecting member between the panel and the annular support, the connecting member being longer than the annular support is wide. There can be clips cut out from the panel to retain both ends of the shirt. Various other tabs and clips extending from the edges of the panel 25 or cut out from its body 8, 16 can retain the shirt, the sleeves, and the cuffs in position. Ideally the packaging is integrally formed from a single sheet of transparent polypropylene or corrugated fibreboard.

Description

I

Packing Support [0001] This invention relates to a packing support for a shirt.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Effective shirt packaging is important to ensure a shirt can be transported easily and efficiently from the point of manufacture to the shop where it will be displayed and sold. The packaging should allow the shirt to be efficiently stored, whilst also remaining presentable and suitable for display on the shelf in a shop.

[0003] One common approach for packaging shirts uses a support panel which stiffens the shirt, and around which the shirt is folded. In the case of a shirt with a folded collar, the backing panel may have a tab which slots under the collar, helping to locate the shirt against the backing panel. The shirt is folded around this panel such that the collar and a portion of the front of the shirt is displayed. Much of the rest of the shirt is neatly folded away behind the backing panel. According to packaging methods of the prior art, the shirt is held in this position using a number of separate clips and fasteners. It is common to use a separate packaging piece placed within the opening formed by the collar to stiffen the collar. In the case of a folding collar, another supporting packaging piece can be placed under the collar. In some cases, this will be secured around the top button of the shirt.

Such an arrangement utilises multiple packaging parts which are manufactured separately and may be complicated to assemble.

[0004] When a customer unpacks a shirt, they may misplace part of the packaging. If the customer subsequently wishes to return the shirt if it is an incorrect size, or an unwanted gift, then spare parts must be used to re-pack the shirt before it can be re-displayed on the shelf This adds extra cost and effort for the retailer.

[0005] 0B241 0015 discloses shirt packaging which reduces the total number of parts by attaching a collar support to the backing panel and providing a slot to secure a sleeve of the shirt. The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, seeks to provide an

alternative to shirt packaging of the prior art.

[0006] Some shirts, such as pyjama shirts, have a soft collar. It is not typical for soft-collared shirts to be displayed using packaging that stiffens at least the front of the collar.

One common approach for packaging pyjama shirts uses an injection moulded plastics hanger. The injection moulded plastics hanger comprises prongs which engage with a back of a collar of the pyjama shirt, Pyjama trousers can be included in the packaging as desired. The pyjama set is held in a packed configuration with the use of two clips. This type of packaging can be bulky, particularly where the product is to be packed in a flat configuration. At least some aspects of the present invention, at least in their preferred embodiments, seek to provide an alternative to soft-collared shirt packaging of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a collar defining a collar opening. The packing support comprises a support panel; an inner collar support configured for forming, in use, a ring within the collar opening; and a connecting member connecting the support panel to the inner collar support by extending from an end of the support panel to the inner collar support.

[0008] Thus, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the inner collar support is connected to the support panel. Advantageously, this allows the inner collar support and support panel to be provided as a single component, reducing the need for spare parts when repackaging a shirt.

[0009] The connecting member may be dimensioned to connect the inner collar support to the support panel while the inner collar support is positioned within the collar opening of the shirt. This ensures the inner collar support remains connected to the support panel when the shirt has been packed.

[0010] The length of the connecting member between the support panel and the inner collar support may be at least the width of the inner collar support. This further ensures the inner collar support is capable of being positioned within the collar opening of the shirt by using the connecting member to enable the packing support to pass above the obstacle of the folded collar. The inner collar support may be folded down to be positioned within the collar opening of the shirt. If the collar of the shirt is not folded at the back, as in a wing collar, the connecting member may be at least the height of the collar at the back of the shirt.

[0011] The inner collar support may be configured to form an adjustable loop within the collar opening of the shirt. Thus, the inner collar support may be adjustably sized to fit different sizes of collar.

[0012] The packing support may comprise an under-collar support configured for supporting the folded collar, in use wherein the under-collar support may be connected to the support panel. The under-collar support may be one member configured to wrap around the collar. Preferably, the under-collar support is at least two members, each supporting part of the folded collar, in use.

[0013] The under-collar support may be frangibly connected to the support panel.

[0014] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a collar defining a collar opening. The packing support comprises a support panel and an under-collar support configured for supporting the folded collar, in use. The under-collar support is frangibly connected to the support panel.

[0015] Thus, in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, a separate under-collar support may be created from a single packing support. This allows the under- collar support to be fitted to the shirt separately, whilst maintaining the advantage of a one-piece packing support which can be used for multiple parts of the packing process for a shirt.

[0016] The frangible connection may be provided by a weak connection, Preferably, the frangible connection is provided by a perforated cut through the material of the packing support.

[0017] One of the under-collar support and the support panel may have defined therein at least a connecting slot, and the other of the under-collar support and the support panel may have extending therefrom at least a complimentary connecting tab, arranged to connect the under-collar support to the support panel by engagement of the connecting tab in the connecting slot. Thus, the detached under-collar support may be reattached to the support panel by using the connecting slot and connecting tab.

[0018] In a position of use, a part of the connecting tab may be wider than a width of the connecting slot, whereby to substantially prevent disengagement of the connecting tab from the connecting slot. Thus, engagement of the connecting tab in the connecting slot may be achieved by passing the connecting tab through the connecting slot until a part of the connecting tab which is wider than a width of the connecting slot has passed through the connecting slot. This may be achieved by deforming or folding the connecting tab before or after the connecting tab has passed through the connecting slot. In some embodiments, engagement of the connecting tab in the connecting slot may be achieved by rotation of the connecting tab relative to the connecting slot so that a part of the connecting tab which is able to pass through a first dimension of the connecting slot is not able to pass through a second dimension of the connecting slot.

[0019] In embodiments where the inner collar support is provided connected to the support panel, the inner collar support may be frangibly connected to the support panel.

[0020] The under-collar support may be adapted to be secured to a collar button of the shirt. The under-collar support may be secured by buttoning. The under-collar support may have an opening defined therein for securing a collar button of the shirt. The under-collar support may be secured by locating the collar button connecting threads within one of a series of connected holes defined within the under-collar support. Alternatively, the under-collar support may have a slot defined therein for securing a collar button of the shirt. The under-collar support may be secured by locating the collar button connecting threads within one of a series of slots defined within the under-collar support. Thus, the under-collar support may be adjustably sized to fit different sizes of collar.

[0021] The under-collar support may be frangibly connected to at least one under-collar extension piece. Thus, a length of the under-collar support can be matched to the size of the shirt. Advantageously, this can prevent the under-collar support being visible from a front of the packed shirt. A separate collar support may be used to support the front of the collar.

[0022] The under-collar support may be connected to the support panel between the inner collar support and the support panel.

[0023] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing support for a shirt having a soft collar. The packing support comprises a support panel formed from a sheet material, and a collar grip formed by cuts through the sheet material, and configured for holding the folded soft collar on the packing support, in use.

[0024] Thus, in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, a collar grip holds the collar of a soft collared shirt in place on the packing support. By forming the collar grip by cuts through the sheet material used to form the support panel, the packing support, including the collar grip, can all be formed from a sheet material.

[0025] The cuts may define an under-collar portion and an outer collar portion. The under-collar portion may be arranged to be inserted under a folded soft collar. The outer collar portion may be arranged to pass outside the folded soft collar and to grip the folded soft collar against the under-collar portion.

[0026] The cuts may each terminate in a cut-out region, configured to retain an edge of the folded soft collar in the collar grip. Thus, a piping region forming an edge of the folded soft collar may be held in the cut-out region, in order to substantially prevent the folded soft collar disengaging from the collar grip.

[0027] The support panel may have defined therein a bend-out clip configured to hold two sides of the folded shirt to each other against the support panel.

[0028] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use. The support panel comprises a bend-out clip configured to hold two sides of the folded shirt to each other against the support panel.

[0029] Thus, in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, a bend-out clip holds two sides of the shirt against the support panel whilst the sides of the shirt are folded around the support panel. The bend-out clip may be defined within the support panel.

[0030] The bend-out clip may be defined by at least one cut through the material of the support panel.

[0031] At least a portion of an edge of the bend-out clip may be a serrated edge. Thus, a serrated edge can provide an enhanced grip between the shirt and the bend-out clip compared to a non-serrated edge.

[0032] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the shirt has a series of front buttons and is folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt. The packing support further comprises a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration. The button tab has at least one hole defined therein for engagement with one of the front buttons. The button tab is provided with a first crease line at an interface between the button tab and the support panel, and a second crease line between the hole and the first crease line.

[0033] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a series of front buttons and being folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, and a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration. The button tab has at least one hole defined therein for engagement with one of the front buttons. The button tab is provided with a first crease line at an interface between the button tab and the support panel, and a second crease line between the hole and the first crease line, [0034] Thus, in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present invention, a distance between the first crease line and the second crease line is indicative of an extent of a thickness of a packed shirt. In some embodiments, a pair of trousers may also be packed with the shirt, increasing the thickness of the packed garments. In embodiments where the same packing support is to be used for packing multiple different numbers or thicknesses of garment, a plurality of holes may be defined in the button tab. An associated further creased line may be provided for each additional hole. In this way, the distance between the first creased line and a further creased line may be indicative of an extent of a thickness of a bundle of packed garments. The hole associated with the further creased line may be used to hold the bundle of packed garments together. This ensures that the packed garment(s) are packed in a neater bundle.

[0035] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the shirt has a series of front buttons and is folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt. The packing support further comprises a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration. The button tab has at least two holes defined therein for selective engagement between said one of the front buttons and one of said holes.

[0036] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a series of front buttons and being folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, and a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration. The button tab has at least two holes defined therein for selective engagement between said one of the front buttons and one of said holes.

[0037] Thus, in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, the button tab with at least two holes defined therein allows one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to be secured to the packing support. The front button may be secured to any one of said holes. Where the folding is inconsistent, providing at least two holes advantageously ensures that the one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt can be secured to the packing support and so folding is less likely to have to be repeated. This saves time and effort for both the manufacturer and retailer. It also reduces undesirable additional creases or fold-lines in the packed shirt.

[0038] The button tab may be defined by at least one cut through the material of the packing support. The button tab may be defined within the connecting member.

Alternatively the button tab may be defined within a region covering part of both the connecting member and the support panel. Preferably, the button tab is defined within the support panel. The button tab may be configured to bend out from the support panel.

[0039] The support panel may further comprise a sleeve tab provided at an edge of the support panel and configured to secure a sleeve of the shirt against the support panel. The sleeve tab may be defined by at least one cut through the material of the packing support.

At least a portion of an edge of the sleeve tab may be a serrated edge. Thus, a serrated edge can provide an enhanced grip between the sleeve of the shirt and the support panel compared to a non-serrated edge.

[0040] The packing support may further comprise a stiffening panel arranged to fold over at least a part of a surface of the support panel to stiffen at least a part of the packing support.

[0041] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, and a stiffening panel arranged to fold over at least a part of a surface of the support panel to stiffen at least a part of the packing support.

[0042] Thus, in accordance with the eighth aspect of the present invention, the stiffening panel is arranged to fold over at least a part of a surface of the support panel and stiffens the packaging support in this region. Advantageously, this ensures the packed shirt is held together more robustly, and is less likely to dislodge or become partially unpacked in transit. It also ensures that the packed shirt is further stiffened.

[0043] The stiffening panel may fold at the bottom edge of the support panel. Preferably, the stiffening panel may fold at the long edge of the support panel. In this case, the stiffening panel may extend on the same side as the inner collar support or the under-collar support. Advantageously, this reduces the footprint of a packing support according to some embodiments compared to embodiments where the stiffening panel folds along the bottom edge of the support panel.

[0044] The stiffening panel may be arranged to fold over at least a part of a front surface of the support panel. Alternatively, the stiffening panel may be arranged to fold over at least a part of a back surface of the support panel.

[0045] One of the support panel and the stiffening panel may have defined therein at least a slot and the other of the support panel and the stiffening panel may have defined therein at least a corresponding slot-in tab, arranged to secure a surface of the stiffening panel against a surface of the support panel. In this way, the stiffening panel is held securely against the support panel, and the two panels function as one, thicker panel.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the support panel and the stiffening panel may comprise adhesive arranged to secure a surface of the stiffening panel to a surface of the support panel.

[0046] In embodiments where the packing support comprises a stiffening panel and a bend-out clip, the stiffening panel may have defined therein a further bend-out clip corresponding to the bend-out clip defined in the support panel, and the further bend-out clip is configured to reinforce the bend-out clip in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.

[0047] In embodiments where the packing support comprises a stiffening panel and a button tab, the stiffening panel may have defined therein a further button tab corresponding to the button tab defined in the support panel, and the further button tab is configured to reinforce the button tab in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.

[0048] In embodiments where the packing support comprises a stiffening panel and a sleeve tab, the stiffening panel may have defined therein a further sleeve tab corresponding to the sleeve tab defined in the support panel, and the further sleeve tab is configured to reinforce the sleeve tab in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.

[0049] In this way, at least one of the further bend-out clip, the further button tab, and the further sleeve tab will, when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel, reinforce the corresponding tab or clip on the support panel, and enable a shirt to be packed tighter.

Where at least one of the pairs of the bend-out clip and further bend-out clip, the button tab and further button tab, and the sleeve tab and further sleeve tab correspond substantially in size, the at least one of the pairs of the bend-out clip and further bend-out clip, the button tab and further button tab, and the sleeve tab and further sleeve tab can additionally locate the stiffening panel against the support panel.

[0050] The support panel may have a shoulder region around which a shoulder of the shirt is folded, in use, and at least one creased line running across a width of the support panel below the shoulder region.

[0051] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use. The support panel has a shoulder region around which a shoulder of the shirt is folded, in use, and at least one creased line running across a width of the support panel below the shoulder region.

[0052] Thus, in accordance with the ninth aspect of the present invention, the at least one creased line allows the support panel to more easily bend when a potential customer picks up the packed shirt in a shop. When the support panel is permitted to bend more easily, the potential customer can more effectively feel the material from which the shirt is formed - [0053] The at least one creased line may run in a direction transverse to the direction from a collar button of a shirt to a further front button of the shirt, when the shirt is packed on the packing support.

[0054] The support panel may have a waisted region below the shoulder region. The waisted region may have a width less than a width of the shoulder region. The at least one creased line may be provided within the waisted region. Thus, the waisted region is narrowed compared to a region above it. At least a part of the waisted region may be arranged to not define an edge around which the shirt is folded, in use. Thus, the waisted region may define a cut-away portion of the support panel where a potential customer can more easily feel the material from which the shirt is formed.

[0055] The at least one creased line may be a plurality of creased lines. In some embodiments, there may be three creased lines, or more than three creased lines. A greater number of creased lines increases the flexibility of the support panel.

[0056] The sleeve tab may be provided with at least one sleeve tab creased line, running substantially parallel to a one of the at least one creased line on the support panel.

[0057] The packing support may have at least one hole defined therein configured for engagement with a shirt front button of a further shirt.

[0058] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a tenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt. The packing support comprises a support panel, around which the shirt is folded, in use. The packing support has at least one hole defined therein configured for engagement with a shirt front button of a further shirt.

[0059] Thus, in accordance with the tenth aspect of the present invention, multiple shirts may be packed together by attaching a packing support to a front button of a shirt packed around a further packing support. In some embodiments, the uppermost packing support may be a short packing support compared to a lower packing support, which may be a long packing support. In other words, the further packing support may be longer than the packing support. Thus, a footprint of the multiple shirt package may be smaller than the footprint of two individually packed shirts provided on long packing supports.

[0060] The at least one hole may be defined in the support panel.

[0061] The packing support may further comprise a detachable collar support member for supporting the collar in the packed shirt.

[0062] In some embodiments the packing support may be for a shirt having a collar and a collar button connecting a first end of the collar to a second end of the collar, the collar button being attached to the first end of the collar by connecting threads. The packing support may comprise a collar support member configured for insertion between the first end of the collar and the second end of the collar. The collar support member may have defined therein a first slot configured to engage the connecting threads of the collar button.

The collar support member may have defined therein a second slot configured to engage the connecting threads of a further button of the shirt, whereby to support the collar in the packed shirt.

[0063] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt having a collar and a collar button connecting a first end of the collar to a second end of the collar, the collar button being attached to the first end of the collar by connecting threads. The packing support is configured for insertion between the first end of the collar and the second end of the collar. The packing support has defined therein a first slot configured to engage the connecting threads of the collar button, and a second slot configured to engage the connecting threads of a further button of the shirt, whereby to support the collar in the packed shirt.

[0064] Thus, in accordance with the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the packing support may be a collar support member. This allows the collar of the shirt to be supported by the collar support member, and presented in a stiffened configuration. In some embodiments, the collar support member may be sized to be hidden from view in the packed shirt. For example, the collar support member may have a width less than 5 centimetres, more preferably less than 3 centimetres.

[0065] The further button of the shirt may be the next button of the shirt. The further button of the shirt may be a front button of the shirt.

[0066] In some embodiments, the packing support may be for a shirt having a folded collar, wherein the packing support further comprises a detachable butterfly section for supporting a front of the folded collar. As used herein the term "butterfly section" is taken to mean a packing support used to help stiffen a front of a collar of a packed shirt. The butterfly section may have defined therein a slot configured for receiving a top button of the shirt for retaining the butterfly section against the shirt.

[0067] Providing a detachable butterfly section in a packing support allows a single packing support piece to be provided to the packager which can aid in multiple steps of a shirt packing process.

[0068] The butterfly section may be defined by at least one cut through the material of the support panel or the stiffening panel.

[0069] The support panel or the stiffening panel may have defined within it a cut-out hole, wherein an edge of the cut-out hole is also an edge of the butterfly section. Thus, where a cut-out hole is provided in the support panel, the cut-out hole may be enlarged by the removal of the butterfly section from the support panel or stiffening panel.

[0070] In some embodiments, the butterfly section may be provided alongside the support panel or the stiffening panel. Preferably, the butterfly section is provided within the support panel or the stiffening panel.

[0071] The butterfly section may comprise a base member and at least one collar filling member extending from an edge of the base member. The collar filling member comprises a first connector at a distal end thereof configured for attachment to a complementary second connector on the base member. The collar filling member is longer than the distance in the plane of the base member between said edge of the base member and said second connector, whereby the collar filling member adopts a bowed configuration when the first connector is attached to the second connector.

[0072] This in itself is believed to be a novel feature and thus in accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a folded collar. The packing support is in the form of a butterfly section arranged to support a front of the folded collar. The butterfly section comprises a base member and at least one collar filling member. The collar filling member comprises a first connector at a distal end thereof configured for attachment to a complementary second connector on the base member. The collar filling member is longer than the distance in the plane of the base member between said edge of the base member and said second connector, whereby the collar filling member adopts a bowed configuration when the first connector is attached to the second connector.

[0073] Thus, both ends of the collar filling member may be connectable to the base member to form a substantially B" shaped cross-section for puffing out the collar of a packed shirt.

[0074] One of the first connector and the second connector may be a slot and the other of the first connector and the second connector may be a corresponding tab configured to secure the collar filling member to the base member. Thus, the tab and slot configuration provides a simple method for connecting both ends of the collar filling member to the base member.

[0075] The collar filling member may be detachable from the base member. Thus, the same butterfly section design may be used for the case where the collar is desirably puffed out by the collar filling member of the butterfly section and the case where the collar filling members are not present.

[0076] In some embodiments, the butterfly section may be orientated such that, when the butterfly section is within one of the support panel or the stiffening panel, a free edge of the base member defines at least a part of a boundary of the cut-out hole. In this way, when the shirt is packed using the packing support when the butterfly section is not required, the butterfly section can remain attached to the packing support without interfering with the packing process. When the alternative orientation is used, the collar filling members may hang down unsecured and undesirably interfere with the shirt during the packing process.

[0077] The packing support may further comprise a hanging tab for connection to a hanger, the hanging tab extending from the support panel. The hanger may be a loop member. Preferably, the hanger is a hook member. The hanging tab may be provided in the footprint of the connecting member.

[0078] The hanging tab may be frangibly attached to the support panel. Thus, the hanging tab may be removed in order to reduce the size of packaging needed to transport or store a plurality of packed shirts, where the hanging tab is not needed for example, for display in a shop.

[0079] The hanging tab may comprise at least one creased line provided between the hanging tab and the support panel. Thus, the hanging tab may be easily folded over to reduce the size of packaging needed to transport or store a plurality of packed shirts, where the hanging tab is still needed after transport or storage, for example, for subsequent display in a shop.

[0080] In embodiments where the packing support comprises at least one of the hanging tab, the bend-out clip and the button tab, at least one of the hanging tab, the bend-out clip and the button tab may be provided adjacent a cut-out for using a finger to pull out the at least one tab or clip from the packing support. In this way, it is easier for a packager, retailer, or re-packager, to extract the tabs or clips which might otherwise be flush with the component in which they are provided, and therefore difficult to extract.

[0081] In embodiments where the shirt is a long-sleeved shirt having cuffs, the packing support may further comprise a detachable cuff holder arranged to secure at least one of the cuffs of the shirt to the front of the packed shirt.

[0082] The cuff holder may be a cut out from the support panel or the stiffening panel. By providing the cuff holder within the support panel or stiffening panel, no extra material is required to add the cuff holder. The cuff holder may alternatively be provided alongside the support panel or the stiffening panel. By providing the cuff holder alongside the support panel or stiffening panel (and so not as a cut-out), the rigidity of the support panel and stiffening panel can be maintained. The cuff holder may be frangibly connected to the support panel or stiffening panel.

[0083] The packing support may be formed, for example cut, from a sheet material. The sheet material may be substantially transparent. It is desirable for at least one of the inner collar support, the under-collar support, the connecting member, the button tab, and the cuff holder to be substantially transparent in order to provide good visibility of the shirt.

[0084] The sheet material may be polypropylene. The sheet material may be an alternative material which is also durable, transparent and easy to manufacture.

Polypropylene is widely recyclable. The sheet material may alternatively be formed of cardboard or fibreboard, for example corrugated fiberboard. The corrugated fiberboard may comprise a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. The sheet material may be chosen based on a retailer's requirements.

[0085] Product information, retailer information, or any other desired information may be printed on the sheet material. The printed information may be printed onto a printable label and affixed to the sheet material. The printable label may be affixed by gluing.

[0086] The packing support may be formed from at least two connected components.

Preferably, the packing support is a single, integrally formed component.

[0087] The support panel may define, in use, a portion of the front of the packed shirt behind which the remainder of the front of the shirt is folded. The packing support may be configured to position a cuff of the shirt at the front of the packed shirt.

[0088] The invention extends to packing support in combination with a shirt. The shirt may be a soft collared shirt.

[0089] The invention extends to a plurality of packed shirts, wherein one of the packed shirts is packed using a packing support, and wherein a further one of the packed shirts has a shirt front button and the hole in the packing support is engaged with the shirt front button of the further packed shirt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a packing support according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 -11 illustrate the steps required for packing a shirt using a packing support according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 illustrates a shirt packed using a packing support according to an embodiment of the present invention: Figure 13 illustrates a packing support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates a packing support according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 illustrates a packing support according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 illustrates a packing support according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 illustrates a packing support according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 18-19 illustrate a packing support according to still yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 illustrates a detachable under-collar support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 illustrates the reattachment of the under-collar support according to the embodiment of Figure 20.

Figure 22 illustrates a packing support according to the embodiment of Figure 20.

Figure 23 illustrates the use of the packing support according to the embodiment of Figure 20.

Figure 24 illustrates the use of a butterfly section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 illustrates a packing support according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 26-32 illustrate the steps required for packing a shirt using the packing support according to an embodiment of the kind shown in Figure 25.

Figure 33 illustrates a packing support according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 34 -39 illustrate the steps required for packing a set of garments using the packing support according to the embodiment shown in Figure 33.

Figure 40 illustrates a packing support piece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 41 illustrates a packing support piece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 42 illustrates a step required for packing a set of shirts using the packing support according to the embodiment shown in Figures 40 and 41.

Figures 43 and 44 illustrate a plurality of shirts packaged using the packing supports according to the embodiments shown in Figures 40 and 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] Figure 1 shows a packing support 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packing support 1 is formed from a single piece of flexible material, designed to provide stiffening support to a shirt, both during and after packing.

The packing support 1 comprises a support panel 2 which provides the primary support to the packed shirt. Extending from the upper edge of the support panel 2 is an under-collar support 3. The under-collar support 3 consists of two pieces in this embodiment, where both are arranged, in combination, to form a loop within the fold of the collar of the shirt.

Locating holes 9 are defined within one of the pieces of the under-collar support 3 for fixing to the top button (collar button) of the shirt. Also extending from the upper edge of the support panel 2 is a connecting member 4, which connects the support panel 2 to an inner collar supportS. The connecting member 4 extends from the upper edge of the support panel 2 a distance at least equal to the height of the collar of the shirt when the collar is folded down over the under-collar support 3. The inner collar support 5 is provided with a tab 11 and locating slots 10 to ensure the inner collar support 5 can form an adjustable loop of maximum perimeter within the collar opening of the shirt. The inner collar support 5 and under-collar support 3 both contribute to a stiffened, supported collar. The upper part of the connecting member 4 is provided with two fold lines 17, 18 so that room remains for the thickness of the fold at the top of the collar when the inner collar support 5 is located within the collar. There is an additional fold line 19 across the boundary between the support panel 2 and the under-collar support 3, also extending between the two parts of the under-collar support 3 along the boundary between the support panel 2 and the connecting member 4. The hanging tab 13 extends from the boundary between the support panel 2 and the fold line 19 as a cut-out in the connecting member 4. A hanger locating hole 14 is defined within the hanging tab 13 to fasten a hanging member, such as a hook. The support panel 2 has a sleeve tab 8 defined by a cut extending from the edge of the support panel 2. The sleeve tab 8 has softly serrated edges to grip the material of one of the sleeves of the shirt without damaging it. A bend-out clip 16 is defined by a cut in the support panel 2. The join between the bend-out clip 16 and the support panel 2 will form a resilient member which will hold two sides of the shirt to each other, and hold both of them to the support panel 2. The support panel 2 also comprises a button tab 6 which folds or bends out from the support panel 2. There are two holes 7 defined in the button tab 6 to allow a button from the line of buttons running down the front of the shirt to be attached to the packing support using either one of the holes 7. A notch 12 is provided in the bottom centre of the support panel 2 and gives a simple indication of the centreline of the support panel 2. The softly serrated edges 15 of the support panel 2 provide a textured edge, offering increased grip against the surface of the shirt without damaging the material.

[0092] Figures 2-11 illustrate the steps required for packing a shirt using the packing support shown in Figure 1. In this particular case, the shirt has a foldable collar with button fastenings up the front of the shirt. However, a number of different shirt styles can be used for different embodiments of the invention.

[0093] As shown in Figure 2, the shirt packing support 1 is first placed on a flat surface, and the collared shirt 17 is placed flat on top with the buttons and collar visible, and the collar unfolded in the upright position. All of the buttons fastening the front of the shirt together are done up. The part of the shirt where the collar meets the centre of the back of the shirt is positioned at the boundary between the support panel 2 and the under-collar support 3. Alternatively, the relevant boundary can be thought of as the boundary between the support panel 2 and the connecting member 4.

[0094] The part of the under-collar support 3 within which there are defined a series of linked locating holes 9 is now folded up from the support panel 2 and bent around the outside of the unfolded collar as in Figure 3. The top button is then secured to an appropriate locating hole 9 to ensure this part of the under-collar support 3 is held close against the collar. The other part of the under collar support is also folded up from the support panel 2 and bent around the collar, The collar is then folded down with both parts of the under-collar support 3 remaining underneath the fold in the collar. Whilst this example uses locating holes to secure one part of the under-collar support 3, the two parts of the under-collar support 3 may be capable of attaching to one another with a variable overlap to accommodate differently sized collars. Alternatively, the two parts may not be fixed, but will be held in place against the collar when the collar is folded down around them. In a further variation, the under-collar support 3 may be a single part which is long enough to negate the need for a further part of the under-collar support 3, with or without being attached to the top button of the shirt. However, for reasons of efficient material usage when producing multiple packing supports, the configuration as hereinbefore described is presently preferred.

[0095] Once the collar is folded down, as in Figure 4, the connecting member 4 is now folded up to position the boundary between the connecting member 4 and the inner collar support 5 over the fold at the back of the collar. The inner collar support 5 is then folded over along two spaced fold lines to be placed within the collar opening. The tab 11 and slots 10 are used to adjust the size of the loop formed by the inner collar support 5 such that it engages substantially the entire inner surface of the collar opening of the shirt. As with the under-collar support 3, alternative fixing means and positions of the fixing relative to the connecting member 4 are possible. It is also possible that the inner collar support 5 may not form a complete loop. The inner collar support 5 could be a stiffening member which does not form a complete loop within the collar opening.

[0096] The shirt and shirt packing combination are now placed front down on the flat surface as in Figure 6 to enable easy access to the back of the shirt for the next stages in the packing process. The centreline of the back of the shirt runs substantially through the notch 12 in the bottom of the support panel 2. This ensures that the subsequent packing steps result in a neatly packed shirt.

[0097] In Figure 7, one side of the shirt has been folded around an edge 15 of the support panel 2, such that the support panel forms one edge of a lateral footprint of the packed shirt. The sleeve from this same side is passed through and underneath the softly serrated sleeve tab 8, which holds this side of the shirt folded around the edge 15 of the support panel 2. As shown in Figure 8, the sleeve is now folded around the sleeve tab 8. It will be appreciated that for larger shirt sizes (or packing supports with smaller support panels), the sleeve tab may have part of the shoulder of the shirt through it instead of the sleeve. The principle of operation in this case remains the same. The sleeve (and any overhanging parts from this side of the shirt) is then folded to remain within the lateral footprint defined by the two long edges of the support panel 2.

[0098] The remaining side of the shirt is folded around the edge of the support panel 2 such that the shoulder on the remaining side of the shirt crosses over the first side of the shirt, Figure 9 shows the bend-out clip 16 holding both sides of the shirt against each other, and clipping them to the back of the support panel 2. As before, the sleeve (and any overhanging parts from the remaining side of the shirt) is folded to remain within the lateral footprint defined by the two sides of the shirt folded around the two long edges of the support panel 2.

[0099] As shown in Figure 10, the bottom edge of the shirt is next folded up to a point where there is a similar length of shirt below the folded up bottom edge of the shirt as above it. An alternative way to describe this is the bottom third of the length of the shirt is folded up. The shirt is then folded up again as in Figure 11 such that a button fastening the front of the shirt lines up with one of the holes 7 in the button tab 6. The button tab 6 is bent up so that the shirt sits beneath it, and the button is fastened to one of the holes 7.

The two holes ensure that a range of shirt sizes can be easily accounted for, and reduces the need for re-folding if the button does not line up with one hole. Although the presently described embodiment uses two holes, other embodiments can use fewer than two holes, or more than two holes. In some embodiments, three holes are used. Three holes enhances the advantages of using two holes.

[00100] Subsequently, the shirt can be additionally packaged in a bag. Optionally also or instead, a wrap band can be used to further package the shirt. The wrap-band and bag are suitable for both ensuring the shirt remains tightly and neatly packed, and also to provide a surface onto which a retailer or manufacturer can display additional information or design deta i Is.

[00101] In the case that the shirt will be hung up, the hanging tab 13 is provided. The hanging tab is provided as a fold-out tab in the connecting member 4, though it may alternatively be provided in the support panel 2. There is a hole 14 defined within the hanging tab 13, to which a small plastics hook is attached as in Figure 12, making the packed shirt suitable for hanging. Whilst the hole 14 is shown as square, holes may alternatively be circular, rectangular, triangular, or any other desirable shape. Similarly, the hole 14 may be smaller or larger than the particular hole 14 shown in Figure 1. Whilst the presently described embodiment uses a hook formed from plastics, the hook can alternatively be formed from any other suitable material, for example corrugated card, wood, or metal. In some embodiments, alternative hanging methods may be used. The invention is not limited to hanging methods requiring a hanging tab, hole or hook.

[00102] The distance between the fold line 17 at one end of the connecting member, and the fold line 19 at the other ensures that the inner collar support 5 can be located within the opening formed by the collar, whilst remaining attached to at least some of the other components of the rest of the packing support 1, such as the support panel 2 and the connecting member 4.

[00103] There may be other components provided with the packing support, which are designed to pop out for use as separate components of the packing. One such component may be a cuff holder to present and secure a cuff at the front of the shirt. This may be similar in design to the component found in GB241 0015.

[00104] Figure 13 shows a packing support 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from that of Figure 1 in several ways. A stiffening panel 20 is provided adjacent to the support panel 2. Whilst in this embodiment the stiffening panel 20 mirrors much of the outline of the top part of the support panel 2, and stops just over half way down the support panel 2, the stiffening panel could equally start lower down the support panel 2, and finish at a different point on the support panel 2.

[00105] The stiffening panel 20 also has the same softly serrated edges 15 as the support panel 2. A tab 21 and slot 22 are provided in the stiffening panel 20 and support panel 2 respectively. Whilst the tab 21 is provided in the stiffening panel, and the slot 22 is provided in the support panel, these could equally be provided in the other order, so the tab 21 and slot 22 are provided in the support panel 2 and stiffening panel 20 respectively.

[00106] The stiffening panel 20 also has a pop-out clip 23 defined within it, and a sleeve tab portion 24. In some embodiments, the sleeve tab portion 24 may be the same size as the sleeve tab 8. In other embodiments, the sleeve tab portion 24 may be smaller than shown.

[00107] In the corner between the stiffening panel 20 and the support panel 2, a cuff holder 25 is provided. Whilst in the present embodiment, the cuff holder 25 is provided as extra sheet material, it can alternatively be provided as a pop-out from a larger component of the packing support 1, such as the support panel 2 or a larger design of the stiffening panel 20.

[00108] The cuff holder 25 has a number of button holes 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 and slots 27 defined within it for securing different styles of cuffs to the front of the packed shirt in different ways. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, only a subset of these holes and slots would be provided in the cuff holder 25 depending on the type of shirt to be packed, and the way it should be presented.

[00109] In this embodiment, a finger hole 32 is provided adjacent to the hanging tab 13 in the connecting member 4. This makes it easier to remove the hanging tab 13 from its flush position when the shirt has already been packed. Whilst the embodiment shown uses a semi-circle cut-out, alternative shapes can easily be envisaged.

[00110] To pack a shirt using the packing support 1 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, the packager folds the stiffening panel 20 over so it lies on top of the support panel 2. It must be folded so that it will not obstruct the rest of the packing process. To achieve this, the support panel 2, when folded, will be exposed to the back of the shirt to be packed.

[00111] When the stiffening panel 20 is folded over, the bend-out clip 23, softly serrated edges 15 and sleeve tab portion 24 line up with the outlines of the corresponding features on the support panel 2. The tab 21 is bent out and fits through the slot 22 to secure the bent-over stiffening panel 20 in place. Providing the bend-out clip 23, 16, and the sleeve tab 8 and sleeve tab portion 24 together also helps secure and locate the stiffening panel against the support panel 2. The thicker bend-out clip and sleeve tab also increase the rigidity of these features of the packing support and allow the shirt to be packed tighter, resulting in a neater presentation, less likely to dislodge in transit.

[00112] For a single-cuffed shirt where one sleeve is to be displayed at the front of the packed shirt, the button holes 30 and 31 are arranged to be fastened to two buttons of a single-cuffed shirt. If only one button is present, then only one of the holes 30, 31 will be required. The two lower front buttons of the packed shirt can be fastened to the holes 28, 29 to keep the cuff secured around the front of the packed shirt.

[00113] Fora double-cuffed shirt, the cuffs should be fastened with cufflinks or similar, such that the slots 27 can be used to secure the two cuffs to the cuff holder 25. If only one cuff is required, then only one slot 27 will be used. Additionally, the cuff holder will be fastened to the shirt. This can either be using the two button holes 28, 29 as previously, or instead the single button hole 26. As a general rule, where one cuff is secured to the cuff holder 25, then two securing points will be needed to robustly hold the cuff holder 25 to the packed shirt. Where two cuffs are secured to the cuff holder 25, then the cuffs may be held in place against the packed shirt by securing to only one button.

[00114] The stiffening panel 20 may be provided as a separate piece configured to be secured to the support panel. This is not preferred, as providing the stiffening panel 20 adjacent, and connected to, the support panel 2 may reduce the number of parts for the packing support 1. This, in turn, may reduce the production and packing costs for a shirt.

[00115] Figure 14 shows a packing support 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiments of Figure 1 and Figure 13 in a number of ways. The packing support 1 is formed from a corrugated fibreboard material. Corrugated fibreboard is a stiff material, well-suited for use in packing supports for shirts. Corrugated fibreboard is formed from one or two flat linerboards, with a fluted corrugated sheet provided adjacent to one linerboard, or between two linerboards. In the present embodiment, the direction of the grain of the corrugated fibreboard is across the support panel. In this way, the softly serrated edges 15 cross several flutes of the corrugated fibreboard, whereas the fold crease line 17 is substantially along a single flute of the corrugated fibreboard. However, the packing support could alternatively be formed from corrugated fibreboard with other grain directions. In some embodiments, different parts of the packing support can be formed from corrugated fibreboard with differing grain directions.

[00116] The corrugated fibreboard in the present embodiment is F-flute, having dimensions of approximately 295 flutes per metre and a flute thickness of 1.6mm, though other sizes of corrugated fibreboard can be used. In some embodiments, different sections of the packing support may be formed from different specifications of corrugated fibreboard.

[00117] Corrugated fibreboard is typically stiffer than polypropylene, so additional crease lines are required, particularly in areas of the packing support 1 where the direction of bend will be across the grain.

[00118] Crease line 33 is an additional crease line not seen on the embodiments illustrated by Figure 1 and Figure 13. Fold line 33 allows the connecting member 4 to be positioned over the back of the shirt collar whilst the under-collar support 3 is positioned within the collar. Crease lines 34 are provided in multiple locations along the under-collar support 3 to allow the under-collar support 3 to conform approximately to the shape of a collar. Crease lines 35 are provided in multiple locations along the inner collar support 5 to allow the inner collar supports to conform approximately to the shape of an inner surface of the collar opening. Crease line 36 is provided to allow the bend-out clip 16 to bend out of the plane of the support panel 2 when a shirt is being packed using the packing support 1. Crease line 37 is provided to allow the button tab 6 to bend out of the plane of the support panel 2 when a shirt is being packed using the packing support 1 Crease line 38 allows the sleeve tab 8 to bend away from the plane of the support panel 2 when a shirt is being packed using the packing support 1.

[00119] Any of these additional crease lines can equally be used where the packing support is formed from materials other than corrugated fibreboard, for example polypropylene.

[00120] The under-collar support 3 is provided with slots 39 defined between some crease lines 34. The slots 39 are adapted to engage with the top button (collar button) of the shirt.

The slots 39 could equally be used where the packing support is formed from materials other than corrugated fibreboard, for example polypropylene.

[00121] Whilst this particular embodiment does not feature a stiffening panel as used in alternative embodiments, this could be provided where additional stiffening is required.

[00122] Figure 15 illustrates a packing support according to another embodiment of the present invention. As with the embodiment shown in Figure 14, this particular embodiment is also formed from corrugated fibreboard, though differs in the ways described hereinafter.

The inner collar support 5 has defined therein a segment-shaped viewing recess 41. When the inner collar support 5 is positioned within a collar opening of a packed shirt, the viewing recess 41 ensures that features of an inside surface of the collar can be seen. This is particularly important where the packing support 1 is formed from fibreboard, which is opaque. Features on the inside surface of the collar which desirably remain visible may be, for example, a manufacturer's or retailer's label, size information, or an ornamental pattern.

[00123] The inner collar supportS has defined therein locating slots 10 arranged for engagement with the tab ilto provide an adjustably-sized loop within the collar opening on the shirt. The inner collar supports also has defined therein corresponding slots 40.

The corresponding slots 40 mirror the locating slots 10 in both size and position from the connecting member 4. In this way, a customer is presented with a symmetrical-appearing inner collar support 5, which may be more aesthetically pleasing than the inner collar support without the corresponding slots 40. Although not shown in the presently-described embodiment, the corresponding slots 40 may be positioned to align with the locating slots 10. Therefore, when the inner collar support 5 is positioned within the collar opening of a packed shirt, a customer may be able to see the pattern or colour of the inside surface of the collar through the holes.

[00124] The under-collar support 3 illustrated in Figure 15 is substantially the same as the under-collar support illustrated in Figure 14, though the number and positioning of the crease lines 34 and slots 39 is different. Crease lines 42 are provided on each side of the under-collar support 3 between the support panel 2 and the under-collar support 3. The crease line does not extend over the base of the connecting member 4. This ensures the collar of the packed shirt can be folded down over the under-collar support 3 with sufficient room for the thickness of the folded collar between the under-collar support 3 and the connecting member 4.

[00125] The button tab 6 is a pop-out tab configured to pop-out from the support panel 2.

The button tab 6 has defined therein three holes 7. Compared with the previously illustrated embodiments, the embodiment of Figure 15 shows an alternative shape for the holes 7. Each hole 7 is substantially "T" shaped, wherein a width of the top bar of the "T"-shaped hole is just greater than a typical diameter of a front button of a shirt, A height of the top bar of the T"-shaped hole is substantially equal to a typical radius of the front button of the shirt. The vertical portion of the T"-shaped hole has a width of typically 2- 4mm for accommodating the connecting threads of the front button of the shirt. The height of the vertical portion of the "T"-shaped hole is typically 2-4mm for accommodating the connecting threads of the front button of the shirt. This shape allows the button to slot through the hole 7 without requiring significant deformation of the fibreboard forming the boundary of the hole 7. Furthermore when a button is secured in the hole 7, disengagement of the button from the hole 7 is easily achieved by first ensuring the connecting threads of the button are engaged in the vertical portion of the "T"-shaped hole 7 and subsequently lifting a bottom portion of the button away from the hole 7 such that a top portion of the button is passed through the top bar of the "T"-shaped hole 7, followed by the bottom portion of the button. A bend-out clip 16 is also provided in the support panel 2, and located below the button tab 6. The bend-out clip 16 in Figure 15 is of a different shape to that shown in previously illustrated embodiments of the invention. Serrated edges to the bend-out clip 16 are provided. The serrated edges ensure the bend-out clip 16 will grip the material of the shirt more firmly during packing. Both the button tab 6 and bend-out clip 16 are provided with finger holes 43,44 defined within the support panel and provided at a lowermost edge of the button tab 6 and bend-out clip 16 respectively. The finger holes 43, 44 allow a packager to easily extract these tabs and clips from the support panel. The packing support 1 is further provided with a butterfly section 45. The butterfly section is frangibly attached to the support panel 2 by a perforated outline. Should a packager wish to use the butterfly section 45 in packing the shirt, they must first remove the butterfly section 45 from the support panel 2 by tearing along the perforated outline. The form and use of the butterfly section 45 will be described in more detail in relation to Figures 18-20.

A weight-saving hole 46 is defined in the support panel 2 immediately beneath the butterfly section 45. The weight-saving hole 46 is provided immediately adjacent to the butterfly section 25, such that if the butterfly section 45 is removed from the packing support 1, the weight-saving hole 46 will increase in size. The butterfly section 45 may be removed for use in packing the shirt, or instead because it is not needed. Any reduction in the weight of the packed shirt will result in some reduction transportation costs for the manufacturer or retailer.

[00126] Although the weight-saving hole 46 is described adjacent to the butterfly section 45, it could equally be positioned separately, or adjacent to other pop-out features which are not shown in this particular embodiment. In particular, the weight-saving hole 46 is sized and positioned such that the desired structural integrity and rigidity of the packing support 1 is not compromised.

[00127] Although the viewing recess 41 is segment-shaped and located at the back of the inner collar support in the presently described embodiment, it may alternatively be rectangular or any other shape as required. In some embodiments, the viewing recess 41 may be provided as a hole within the inner collar support and not a recess. In some embodiments, the viewing recess 41 may be provided away from the back of the inner collar support, for example if a label of the shirt is provided to one side of the collar rather than centrally at the back of the collar.

[00128] Figure 16 illustrates a packing support according to a still further embodiment of the present invention. The packing support 1 is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figure 15, but with the following differences. A connecting tab 48 is provided at a top of the support panel 2. A crease line 47 between the support panel 2 and the connecting tab 48 allows the connecting tab 48 to bend out of the plane of the support panel 2. An under-collar support 51 is provided on the other end of the connecting tab 48.

The perforated line 55 allows the under-collar support 51 to be separated from the connecting tab 48 by tearing. The connecting tab 48 is provided with two securing tabs 49, with two crease lines 50 provided between the securing tabs 49 and the connecting tab 48.

[00129] The under-collar support 51 is provided with crease lines 52 arranged vertically along the under-collar support 51 to allow the under-collar support 51 to bend around a collar and perforated lines 53 which can also facilitate bending. The perforated lines 53 define sections of the under-collar support 51 which can be removed to shorten the under-collar support 51 as required to pack shirts with different collar sizes. The under-collar support 51 also has defined therein a connecting slot 54. The connecting slot 54 is positioned in the middle of the under-collar support 51, directly above the connecting tab 48 and is substantially U" shaped. The number and positions of the crease lines 52 and perforated lines 53 can be varied depending on a number of factors, including the size of the collar of the shirt to be packed and the desired shape of the packed collar.

[00130] To pack a shirt having a collar using the packing support 1 as illustrated in Figure 16, the under-collar support 51 is first detached from the support panel 2. The under-collar support 51 is configured to be separated from the support panel 2 by tearing along the perforated line 55. In order to form the packing support, the under-collar support is reattached to the support panel 2 using the connecting tab 48. After the under-collar support 51 has been detached from the connecting tab 48, the connecting tab 48 is bent along the crease line 47 and the two securing tabs 49 bent along the fold lines 50, such that the connecting tab 48 and securing tabs 49 resemble an inverted "U" shape when viewed with the support panel 2 flat against a surface. The under-collar support 51 is connected to the support panel 2 by fitting the connecting slot 54 over the connecting tab 48 and folded securing tabs 49. Once the securing tabs 49 have cleared the connecting slot 54, the securing tabs are folded flat to secure the under collar support 51 to the support panel 2. The shirt can then be packed, substantially as described previously by inserting the under-collar support 51 into the fold of a folded collar. A variable length section of the under-collar support 51 can be removed by tearing along any of the perforated lines 53. Advantageously, this ensures none of the under-collar support obscures the top button of the packed shirt. In embodiments where the packing support 1 is formed from a material having a matte side and a gloss, printed side, the packing support 1 is preferably arranged such that the printed side of the support panel 2 is facing away from the front of the packed shirt and the printed side of the under-collar support 51 is facing towards the outside of the collar. In some embodiments, the under collar support 51 can be fitted beneath a folded collar of a shirt and subsequently re-attached to the connecting tab 48 whilst the under-collar support 51 remains within the folded collar.

[00131] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 16, the butterfly section 45 is shown in the opposite rotational orientation to that shown in Figure 15. Whilst any of these and other orientations are possible, the orientation shown in Figure 15 is preferred.

The orientation shown in Figure 16, when accompanied by the cut-out hole 46 leaves a part of the butterfly section 46 dangling free within the cut-out hole 46. When the butterfly section is not used in packing a particular shirt, and instead remains attached to the remainder of the support panel 2, the part of the butterfly section 45 may interfere with the packing process for the shirt.

[00132] Although the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16 uses a "U" shaped connecting slot 54, the skilled person will appreciate that other shapes of connecting slot and corresponding connecting tab may be used. Indeed, the connecting slot and connecting tab may instead be provided such that the tab is provided on the under-collar support 51 and the slot is provided connected to the support panel 2. In some embodiments, the connecting tab and connecting slot may be configured to rotate to complete reattachment.

Furthermore, alternative styles of under-collar support may also be used whilst still making use of the invention to provide a detachable under-collar support.

[00133] Figure 17 illustrates a packing support according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. A packing support 1 is shown having an inner collar support 5 and a support panel 2 substantially as described with reference to Figure 15. The packing support 1 also includes an under-collar support 3 attached to the support panel 2 by crease lines 42. The under-collar support 3 is otherwise of a similar design to the under-collar support 51 shown in Figure 16, it having crease lines 52 to facilitate bending and perforated lines 53 which facilitate further bending and can also be torn along the perforated lines 53 to reduce the length of the under-collar support 3. The butterfly section is shown in the preferred orientation as described above. Further, in this particular embodiment, the cut-out hole 46 is defined as two separate regions, both within the butterfly section 45 and beneath the butterfly section 45.

[00134] Figures 18 & 19 illustrate a packing support according to still yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[00135] Figure 18 is an illustration of a diagram for a packing support in the form of a butterfly section 45. The butterfly section 45 was provided as a perforated cut-out from a larger packing support (not shown). The butterfly section 45 comprises a base member 62, containing a slot 56 arranged to engage with the connecting threads connecting a button to a shirt. In particular, the base member 62 is shaped to fit at the front of a collar of a shirt and engage with a top button of the shirt. Multiple crease lines 57 are provided on the base member 62 and facilitate the bending of the base member 62 to fit snuggly against the curve of the collar of the shirt. Each side of the base member 62 is provided with a collar filling member 58. In a flat configuration, each collar filling member 58 extends from the base member 62 and is terminated with a securing tab 60. Perforated lines 59 are provided between the base member 62 and the collar filling member 58 to allow the collar filling member to be removed if not required. The perforated lines 59 are also scored to facilitate the bending of the collar filling member 58 as required. Corresponding slots 61 are defined within the base member 62 and their operation will be described more fully below in relation to Figure 19.

[00136] Whilst the presently illustrated butterfly section 45 shows perforated lines 59 that are also scored, in some embodiments, some of the lines may be scored lines and not perforated. Advantageously, at least the line between the base member 62 and the collar filling member 58 is a perforated line 59 to facilitate easy removal of the collar filling members as required.

[00137] Figure 19 is an illustration of three photographs showing a fully assembled butterfly section 45. The collar filling members 58 have been folded around to provide a puffed-out butterfly section 45 to be used for supporting a button-down collar. The tab 60 has been inserted through the corresponding slot 61 to secure the collar filling members 58, when in their folded configuration. In some embodiments, the tab 60 may be bent to further enhance the securing function.

[00138] Figure 20 illustrates a detachable under-collar support according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the top image of Figure 20, a packing support is detachably provided with an under-collar support 51. The under collar support 51 is connected to the packing support via the connecting tab 48. A perforated line 55 is defined between the connecting tab 48 and the under-collar support 51. In the bottom image of Figure 20, the under-collar support 51 has been separated from the connecting tab 48 by tearing along the perforated line 55.

[00139] Figure 21 illustrates the reattachment of the under-collar support to the remainder of the support panel according to the embodiment of Figure 20. Step A shows the connecting tab 48 bent upwards along crease line 47. The securing tabs 49 connected to the connecting tab 48 are also bent downwards along crease line 50. In this way, the connecting tab 48 and securing tabs 49 form an inverted U" shape when viewed from above the support panel 2. In step B, the under-collar support 51 has been turned over so that the connecting slot 54 now matches the shape of the connecting tab 48 from step A. The connecting tab 48 and securing tabs 49 are passed through the connecting slot 54 and the securing tabs 49 are then folded out to secure the connecting tab 48 to the under-collar support 51 as shown in step C. Step 0 shows the connection of the under-collar support 51 viewed from the other side, In step E, the under-collar support 51 is pulled up so that a surface of the connecting slot 54 is engaged with a surface of the securing tab 49. Step F shows the reattached under-collar support 51 viewed from the other side.

[00140] Figure 22 illustrates a packing support according to the embodiment of Figure 20.

In particular, the under-collar support 51 reattached to the support panel 2 using the connecting tab 48 is provided at a position such that the under-collar support 51 can bend to form a collar shape without fouling the surface of the support panel 2.

[00141] Figure 23 illustrates the use of the packing support according to the embodiment of Figure 20. After reattachment of the under-collar support 51 to the support panel 2, a shirt can be packed using this packing support. The shirt is first placed on the support panel such that a back of the unfolded collar is abutted against the middle of the under- collar support 51 as shown in step G. The collar is then folded down around the under-collar support 51 and the ends will protrude from the front of the collar as shown in step H. Step J shows the collar partially raised, and the under-collar support shortened as required by tearing along one of the perforated lines 53. This ensures none of the under-collar support is visible at a front of the collar when the shirt has been packed.

[00142] Figure 24 illustrates the use of a butterfly section according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the shirt to be packed is a collared shirt where the collar is not a button-down collar. Therefore, the collar-filling members 58 are not required and can be removed from the base member 62 of the butterfly section 45 by tearing along the perforated lines 59. Before tearing and after tearing is shown in step K and step L respectively. Step M shows the butterfly section 45 now made up of the base member 62 only. To fit this to a shirt, the slot 56 is secured against the top button of a shirt by pushing the base member 62 between the button and the shirt material to which the button is connected. The connecting threads connecting the shirt button to the shirt are slotted between the two sides of the base member 62 formed by the slot 56 as shown in Step N. Each of the sides of the base member 62 of the butterfly section 45 must now be fitted under the collar of the shirt as shown in step 0 and resulting in the fitted butterfly section 45 as shown in step P. In shirts with a button-down collar, the collar is first unbuttoned, and the butterfly section illustrated in Figure 19 may be filled substantially as described in steps N, 0 and P. The collar is then buttoned down around the butterfly section to provide a filled collar which looks appealing when presented as part of a packed shirt.

(00143] Figure 25 illustrates a packing support 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The packing support 1 comprises a support panel 2 for providing support to a main body of a packed shirt. A top end of the support panel 2 is connected to an under-collar support 51 across a crease line 64. The crease line 64 allows the under-collar support 51 to bend along the crease line 64 relative to the support panel 2. The under-collar support 51 is substantially as described in relation to the under-collar support 51 in Figure 16, having both crease lines 52 and perforated lines 53 arranged and used as described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 16. However, in the embodiment of the packing support 1 as illustrated by Figure 25, the under-collar support 51 is configured to remain attached to the support panel 2 during packing. Accordingly, no connecting slot 54 is present in this particular embodiment of the under-collar support 51. Furthermore, tearing notches 63 are provided at each end of the perforated lines 53 to enable easy tearing along the perforated line 53. As in some previously described embodiments, the packing support 1 may be formed from cuts through a sheet of corrugated fiberboard.

[00144] Also substantially as described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 16, the support panel 2 in Figure 25 comprises a button tab 6 cut out from the support panel 2, save for a connection across a crease line 37. In some embodiments, the cut out may be a perforated cut, such that at least some parts of an outline of the button tab 6 away from the crease line 37 are frangibly attached to the support panel 2 until the button tab 6 is popped out for use. The button tab 6 has defined therein holes 7. The support panel 2 has defined therein a finger hole 43, provided between the button tab 6 and the support panel 2. The support panel 2 is also provided with a notch 12 and softly serrated edges 15, both substantially as described in relation to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16.

[00145] The support panel 2 is provided with a sleeve tab 65 which is shorter than the sleeve tabs shown in some previous embodiments. In some embodiments, the sleeve tab may be longer. The sleeve tab 65 is provided with softly serrated edges 67 on both an inside edge and an outside edge of the sleeve tab 65. The softly serrated edges 67 are configured to at least partially resist movement of the material of the sleeve of a garment against the sleeve tab 65. A locating slot 68 is provided in an internal corner between the sleeve tab 65 and the support panel 2. The sleeve tab 65 and the support panel 2 are provided with flexible crease lines 66 and support panel flexible crease lines 71 respectively. Each flexible crease line 66, 71 is configured to allow the sleeve tab 65 and/or support panel 2 to flex across the flexible crease lines 66, 71. The support panel 2 has defined at a boundary a left cut-out portion 69 and a right cut-out portion 70, each configured to contribute to providing a narrowed portion of the support panel 2 in a region encompassing each end of the support panel flexible crease lines 71. In this way, a minimum width of the narrowed portion of the support panel 2 is less than a maximum width of the portions above and below the narrowed portion of the support panel 2. In this particular embodiment, the minimum width of the narrowed portion is less than half of the maximum width of the portions above and below the narrowed portion.

[00146] In some embodiments, the packing support 1 may also comprise a collar support piece 72 configured to stiffen a portion of a collar of a packed shirt. The collar support piece 72 is frangibly attached to a boundary of the support panel 2. Specifically, the collar support piece 72 is provided in a part of the right cut-out portion 70. The collar support piece 72 comprises a first part, having defined therein a top button securing slot 73 and a second part having defined therein a button securing slot 74. A collar fold line 75 is provided between the first part and the second part of the collar support piece 72. An open region of the top button securing slot 73 faces away from the collar fold line 75. An open region of the button securing slot 74 faces in a direction parallel to the direction of the collar fold line 75.

[00147] Figures 26 -32 illustrate the steps required for packing a shirt using the packing support according to an embodiment very similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 25.

[00148] Figure 26 shows the pieces of packaging required for packing a shirt using the packing support 1 according to an embodiment very similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 25. In this particular embodiment the collar support piece 72 is provided separately to the support panel 2. The packing support 1 is additionally provided with a clip 76 formed from a plastics material.

[00149] Figure 27 shows the support panel 2 laid flat against a back of a shirt, with the under-collar support 51 positioned beneath the folded collar of the shirt, substantially as described in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 23.

[00150] Figure 28 shows a sleeve of the shirt passed across a back of the support panel 2 and tucked around the sleeve tab 65. A top edge of the sleeve is slotted into the locating slot 68. The use of the locating slot 68 contributes to holding the sleeve in place against the support panel 2.

[00151] As shown in Figure 29, the other sleeve of the shirt is then folded over the back of the support panel 2 and the clip 76 is used to hold a top of each sleeve together. The use of the clip 76 ensures the shirt can remain tightly held around the edges of the support panel 2. In some previously described embodiments, a bend-out clip had alternatively been used to hold the semi-packed shirt in place against the back of the support panel 2.

As shown in Figure 30, the use of the clip 76, instead of the bend-out clip which may be defined within the material of the support panel, allows the bottom portion of the semi-packed shirt to be folded up against the folded shoulders of the shirt and tucked between the support panel 2 and the folded shoulders of the shirt. As described in relation to other embodiments of the present invention, the button tab 6 may be used to secure to a lower button of the packed shirt and hold the packed shirt in place against the back of the support panel 2.

[00152] Figure 31 shows the steps involved (Q, R, S, 1) to fit the collar support piece 72 to a shirt. A particularly flimsy part of the collar of a packed shirt is the front of the collar where the additional support usually provided by the folded collar is absent to allow access to the top button of the shirt. The use of the collar support piece 72 ensures that the whole of the collar of a packed shirt remains stiff. The first part of the collar support piece 72 is provided with a top button securing slot 73. The top button securing slot 73 is shaped to engage with the connecting threads of the top button of the shirt. As shown in a first step Q, the first part of the collar support piece 72 should be pushed between the two layers of the collar around the top button of the shirt. An open end of the top button securing slot 73 should be facing the connecting threads of the top button. As shown in a second step R, the collar support piece 72 should be moved into place until the top button securing slot is fully engaged with the connecting threads of the top button of the shirt. A third step S shows the button securing slot 74 being aligned with a second button of the shirt. The collar support piece 72 is rotated about the connecting threads of the top button to engage the button securing slot 74 with the connecting threads of the second button of the shirt, as shown in a fourth step T. The collar support piece 72 is also bent along collar fold line 75 to ensure correct positioning and support of the collar support piece 72 on the shirt.

[00153] As will be appreciated, the button securing slot 74 must be located on the correct side of the collar support piece, such that the opening of the button securing slot 74 faces the connecting threads of the second button of the shirt. The collar support piece 72 may simply be turned over where the shirt is provided such that a different side of the shirt has defined therein the buttonholes used for fastening the front of the shirt. Alternatively, a collar support piece 72 may be provided in the opposite sense.

[00154] Figure 32 shows a packed shirt, packed using the packing support as described in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 26 -31. In particular, it will be appreciated that the collar support piece 72 is hidden from view in the packed shirt, whilst still providing a collar stiffening function.

[00155] Figure 33 illustrates a packing support according to another embodiment of the present invention. The packing support 1 as shown in Figure 33 is for use with shirts and tops having soft collars. The packing support 1 of Figure 33 is particularly suitable for use with pyjama shirts or pyjama sets, containing both a pyjama shirt and at least one pair of pyjama trousers.

[00156] As in some other embodiments, the packing support 1 is formed from a sheet of corrugated fiberboard. The packing support 1 comprises a support panel 2 on and within which several features are provided. Substantially as has been described in relation to other embodiments of the present invention, the support panel 2 is provided with a notch 12, a sleeve tab 8, crease lines 36, 37, 38, softly serrated edges 15, bend-out clip 16, and weight-saving hole 46. The weight-saving hole 46 in this particular embodiment is rectangular, but it will be appreciated that other shapes and sizes are possible. In some embodiments, the weight-saving hole 46 may not be present.

[00157] The support panel 2 is also provided with a collar grip component 77, located near an uppermost edge of the support panel 2 and extending from an uppermost portion of the support panel 2. Two under-collar inserts 78 are provided on each side of the collar grip component 77, and also extend from the uppermost portion of the support panel 2.

Serrated cut lines 86 are provided at the boundary between each under-collar insert 78 and the collar grip component 77, Each serrated cut line 86 is terminated by a small cut-out region. In this particular embodiment, the cut-out region is rectangular. A hanging tab 79 extends from a distal end of the collar grip component. A first fold line 80 and a second fold line 81 are provided between the hanging tab 79 and the collar grip component 77.

The first fold line 80 is closer to the collar grip component than the second fold line 81. The hanging tab 79 has defined therein a pair of securing holes 82 and a locating hole 83, configured to engage with a separate hanging member (not shown). Although both the first fold line 80 and the second fold line 81 are described as fold lines, either or both of the first fold line 80 and the second fold line 81 may be provided as a perforated line to allow the hanging tab 79 to be separated from the rest of the packing support 1 and discarded.

[00158] The support panel 2 also has defined therein a button tab 6, configured to bend out from a plane of the support panel 2 by bending along the crease line 37. The button tab 6 is provided with three button engaging holes 84. Each button engaging hole 84 is provided with a button crease line 85 at a top boundary of the button engaging hole 84 and extending across a width of the button tab 6.

[00159] Figures 34 -39 illustrate the steps required for packing a set of garments using the packing support according to the embodiment shown in Figure 33.

[00160] As shown in Figure 34, the shirt having a soft collar is first placed front down on a flat surface, with the packing support 1 laid flat on top. The under-collar inserts 78 are positioned directly beneath the back of the collar, with the hanging tab 79 and collar grip component 77 positioned centrally at the back of the shirt, such that the hanging tab 79 is over a back of the collar of the shirt.

[00161] Figure 35 shows the under-collar inserts 78 each being pushed up within the collar of the shirt. The collar grip component 77 rests outside the collar of the shirt. In this way, the serrated cut lines 86 press against the material of the collar and hold the collar in place on the packing support. When the collar of the shirt is fitted onto the under-collar inserts 78, an edging or piping of the collar can engage with the cut-out regions that terminate each of the serrated cut lines 86. This provides additional resistance to the collar being unintentionally disengaged from the packing support 1.

[00162] A hook member formed from a plastics material can be added to the hanging tab to allow the packed shirt to be hung up as desired. It will be appreciated that many hook designs may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[00163] Figure 36 shows a first stage U of the subsequent packing process, where a sleeve of the shirt is folded around an edge of the support panel 2 and passed under the bend-out clip 16 and the sleeve tab 8. A second stage V shows the same sleeve folded back over itself. A third stage W shows the second sleeve folded around an opposing edge of the support panel 2 and passed beneath the bend-out clip 16, such that the bend-out clip 16 holds both sleeves to each other and against the support panel 2.

[00164] Figure 37 shows the subsequent packing stages when a pair of pyjama trousers is packed along with the pyjama shirt as a single item. A first combined packing stage X shows a semi-packed shirt 87 provided alongside a semi-packed pyjama trousers 88. In a second combined packing stage Y, the pyjama trousers 88 are folded and placed near a top of the semi-packed shirt 87, taking care to ensure that the button tab 6 is still accessible above the folded pyjama trousers 88. In a third combined packing stage Z, the remainder of the semi-packed shirt 87 is folded over the pack of the pyjama trousers 88, holding them in place behind the support panel 2.

[00165] Figure 38 shows a button of the pyjama shirt 87 being passed through a button engaging hole 84 of the button tab 6. The button tab 6 is bent up to accommodate the thickness of the packed pyjama set. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, the button crease line (not shown in Figure 38) may be bent to allow the packing support 1 to accommodate a thicker package. This may be where multiple pairs of trousers are provided as part of the pyjama packaging, or where large sizes are provided, but in the same footprint of the packing support 1.

[00166] Figure 39 shows a fully packed pyjama set. The packed pyjamas are additionally provided with a wrap band 89 configured to hold the shirt packaging in place on the packing support. The wrap band may be configured to secure to a button of the pyjama shirt using a button engaging slot. In some embodiments, the wrap band 89 may be printed with information about the garments. It will be appreciated that the wrap band 89 may not be provided at all in some embodiments, since the packing support holds the garments in place securely even without the use of the wrap band 89.

[00167] As used herein, the term "soft-collared shirt" is taken to mean a shirt or top having a folded collar, where the collar is no stiffer than a majority of the rest of the shirt or top.

[00168] Figure 40 illustrates a packing support piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packing support piece is in the form of an uppermost packing support 90, having a support panel 2 and an under-collar support 51. A crease line 64 is provided between the support panel 2 and the under-collar support 51 to allow the under-collar support 51 to bend up relative to the support panel 2. The support panel 2 and under-collar support 51 are substantially as described with reference to Figure 25, apart from the hereinafter described differences. The support panel 2 has defined therein two connecting button holes 91. The connecting button holes 91 are positioned in a vertical line in the centre of the support panel 2, just below the crease line 64. Each connecting button hole 91 has a shape that substantially resembles an upside-down "T" shape. In this particular embodiment, the uppermost packing support 90 has no cut-out portion corresponding to the left cut-out portion 69 and right cut-out portion 70 seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 25. For this reason, the collar support piece 72 is provided as a cut-out within the support panel 2. The features and operation of the collar support piece 72 is substantially as described in relation to Figure 31 The uppermost packing support 90 has a height which is shorter than some other packing supports described herein. In this particular example, the height of the uppermost packing support 90 is 229 millimetres.

[00169] In use, the uppermost packing support 90 is configured to be fitted with a shirt, substantially as described with reference to Figures 23 and 27 -29. As described above, the collar support piece 72 can then be fitted, substantially as described in relation to Figure 31. When a first shirt has been part packed using a packing support 1 as described with reference to Figures 23 and 27 -29, a second shirt may be part-packed around the uppermost packing support 90. The uppermost packing support 90 can then be secured to the first shirt by buttoning a second button of the first shirt (i.e. the button below the top button) through one of the connecting button holes 91. The bundle of two part-packed shirts are then both folded behind the packing support assembly and the loose shirt material is folded within the lowermost shirt, substantially as described with reference to Figure 30. The uppermost packing support 90 does not protrude beneath a lower edge of the packing support 1 because the uppermost packing support 90 is shorter than the packing support 1 In this way, a shirt packaging comprising two packed shirts may be assembled.

[00170] Figure 41 illustrates a packing support piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packing support piece is in the form of a middle packing support 92, having a support panel 2 and an under-collar support 51. A crease line 64 is provided between the support panel 2 and the under-collar support 51 to allow the under-collar support 51 to bend up relative to the support panel 2. The support panel 2 and under-collar support 51 are substantially as described with reference to Figure 25, apart from the hereinafter described differences. The support panel 2 has defined therein two connecting button holes 93. The connecting button holes 93 are positioned in a vertical line in the centre of a button tab 6, just below the crease line 64. Each connecting button hole 93 has a shape that substantially resembles a cross. Substantially as described with reference to the uppermost packing support 90 and Figure 40 above, a third shirt can be part-packed around the middle packing support 92. In this case, the middle packing support 92 can be secured to the first shirt by buttoning a second button of the first shirt through one of the connecting button holes 93. In this case, the uppermost packing support 90 will be secured to the third shirt (part-packed on the middle packing support 92) by buttoning a second button of the third shirt through one of the connecting button holes 91 of the uppermost packing support 90. In this way, a shirt packaging comprising three packed shirts may be assembled.

[00171] Figure 42 illustrates a step required for packing a set of shirts using the packing support according to the embodiment shown in Figures 40 and 41. A second button 94 of a lower shirt can be buttoned through a connecting button hole 91 of an uppermost packing support 90 to connect a lower shirt to an upper shirt.

[00172] Figures 43 and 44 illustrate a plurality of shirts packaged using the packing supports according to the embodiments shown in Figures 40 and 41. Figure 43 shows two shirts packaged together, where the lower shirt is secured to the upper packing support.

Figure 43 shows three shirts packaged together, where the lower shirt is secured to the middle packing support, and a middle shirt, packed on the middle packing support, is secured to the upper packing support. In multiple shirt packages, a width of the support panel in each packing support may be different. In particular, the width of the support panel of the uppermost packing support is wider than the width of the support panel of the middle packing support, which is wider than the width of the support panel of the lowermost packing support. This ensures that the footprint of the lowermost packing support with multiple shirts wrapped around is substantially the same as the footprint of the uppermost packing support with only one shirt wrapped around.

(00173] Although embodiments of the packing supports have used certain shapes for connecting button holes 91, 93, it will be appreciated that different shapes could equally be used. For example, all holes configured to be secured to a button could be cross-shaped, T-shaped, inverse-T-shaped, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, a mixture of button hole shapes can be used, both between multiple packing supports and within a single packing support.

[00174] Although embodiments of the packing supports are described as having the support panel being formed from a sheet of corrugated fibreboard, it will be appreciated that other materials could be used, such as cardboard or plastics.

[00175] Although embodiments shown in the figures enclosed herein show a "left-handed" or "right-handed" design, it will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art would understand that a former made to the design of some embodiments can be used either way up, by folding some or all fold lines in the opposite sense to that described. In some embodiments, the former may be constructed such that the fold lines have a preferred direction of folding. In these embodiments, the design can be mirrored such that the "other-handed" shirt packing can be achieved whilst retaining the preferred direction of folding.

Fold lines may be scored lines in the former.

[00176] For the purposes of this document, "left-handed" and "right-handed" are taken to indicate a difference in the shirt packing of some embodiments wherein a left or right sleeve is passed under the sleeve tab, and so a left or right cuff may be displayed at the front of the packed shirt. In a shirt with one breast pocket, the breast of the shirt having the breast pocket may determine the desired cuff to be displayed. "Other-handed" refers to the design being in the opposite sense as previously.

[00177] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[00178] Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings).

[00179] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a collar defining a collar opening, the packing support comprising: a support panel; an inner collar support configured for forming, in use, a ring within the collar opening; and a connecting member connecting the support panel to the inner collar support by extending from an end of the support panel to the inner collar support.
2. A packing support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member is dimensioned to connect the inner collar support to the support panel while the inner collar support is positioned within the collar opening of the shirt.
3. A packing support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the connecting member between the support panel and the inner collar support is at least the width of the inner collar support.
4. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an under-collar support configured for supporting the folded collar, in use, wherein the under-collar support is connected to the support panel.
5. A packing support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the under-collar support is frangibly connected to the support panel.
6. A packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a collar defining a collar opening, the packing support comprising: a support panel; and an under-collar support configured for supporting the folded collar, in use, wherein the under-collar support is frangibly connected to the support panel.
7. A packing support as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein one of the under-collar support and the support panel has defined therein at least a connecting slot, and the other of the under-collar support and the support panel has extending therefrom at least a complimentary connecting tab, arranged to connect the under-collar support to the support panel by engagement of the connecting tab in the connecting slot.
8. A packing support as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in a position of use, a part of the connecting tab is wider than a width of the connecting slot, whereby to substantially prevent disengagement of the connecting tab from the connecting slot.
9. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the under-collar support is adapted to be secured to a collar button of the shirt.
10. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the under-collar support is connected to the support panel between the inner collar support and the support panel.
11. A packing support for a shirt having a soft collar, wherein the packing support comprises: a support panel formed from a sheet material; and a collar grip formed by cuts through the sheet material, and configured for holding the folded soft collar on the packing support, in use.
12. A packing support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cuts define an under-collar portion; and an outer collar portion, wherein the under-collar portion is arranged to be inserted under a folded soft collar and the outer collar portion is arranged to pass outside the folded soft collar and to grip the folded soft collar against the under-collar portion.
13. A packing support as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cuts each terminate in a cut-out region, configured to retain an edge of the folded soft collar in the collar grip.
14. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support panel has defined therein a bend-out clip configured to hold two sides of the folded shirt to each other against the support panel.
15. A packing support for a shirt comprising a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, wherein the support panel has defined therein a bend-out clip configured to hold two sides of the folded shirt to each other against the support panel.
16. A packing support as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the bend-out clip is defined by at least one cut through the material of the support panel.
17. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shirt has a series of front buttons and is folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt, the packing support further comprising a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration, wherein the button tab has at least one hole defined therein for engagement with one of the front buttons, and wherein the button tab is provided with a first crease line at an interface between the button tab and the support panel, and a second crease line between the hole and the first crease line.
18. A packing support fora shirt, the shirt having a series of front buttons and being folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt, the packing support comprising: a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use; and a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration, wherein the button tab has at least one hole defined therein for engagement with one of the front buttons, and wherein the button tab is provided with a first crease line at an interface between the button tab and the support panel, and a second crease line between the hole and the first crease line.
19. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shirt has a series of front buttons and is folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt, the packing support further comprising a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration, wherein the button tab has at least two holes defined therein for selective engagement between said one of the front buttons and one of said holes.
20. A packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a series of front buttons and being folded when packed with a lower portion of the front of the shirt behind an upper portion of the front of the shirt, the packing support comprising: a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, a button tab configured to secure one of the front buttons of the lower portion of the packed shirt to the packing support, whereby to retain the packed shirt in a folded configuration, wherein the button tab has at least two holes defined therein for selective engagement between said one of the front buttons and one of said holes.
21. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the button tab is defined by at least one cut through the material of the packing support.
22. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support panel further comprises a sleeve tab provided at an edge of the support panel and configured to secure a sleeve of the shirt against the support panel.
23. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a stiffening panel arranged to fold over at least a part of a surface of the support panel to stiffen at least a part of the packing support.
24. A packing support for a shirt comprising a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, and a stiffening panel arranged to fold over at least a part of a surface of the support panel to stiffen at least a part of the support panel.
25. A packing support as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein one of the support panel and the stiffening panel has defined therein at least a slot and the other of the support panel and the stiffening panel has defined therein at least a corresponding slot-in tab, arranged to secure a surface of the stiffening panel against a surface of the support panel.
26. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 23 and one of claim 14 or 15, wherein the stiffening panel has defined therein a further bend-out clip corresponding to the bend-out clip defined in the support panel, and the further bend-out clip is configured to reinforce the bend-out clip in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.
27. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 23 and any of claims l7to 20, wherein the stiffening panel has defined therein a further button tab corresponding to the button tab defined in the support panel, and the further button tab is configured to reinforce the button tab in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.
28. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 23 or claim 22, wherein the stiffening panel has defined therein a further sleeve tab corresponding to the sleeve tab defined in the support panel, and the further sleeve tab is configured to reinforce the sleeve tab in the support panel when the stiffening panel is folded over the support panel.
29. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, the support panel having a shoulder region around which a shoulder of the shirt is folded, in use, and at least one creased line running across a width of the support panel below the shoulder region.
30. A packing support for a shirt, the packing support comprising: a support panel around which the shirt is folded, in use, the support panel having a shoulder region around which a shoulder of the shirt is folded, in use, and at least one creased line running across a width of the support panel below the shoulder region.
31. A packing support as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the support panel has a waisted region below the shoulder region, the waisted region having a width less than a width of the shoulder region, and wherein the at least one creased line is provided within the waisted region.
32. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the at least one creased line is a plurality of creased lines.
33. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 29 to 32, when dependent on claim 22, wherein the sleeve tab is provided with at least one sleeve tab creased line, running substantially parallel to a one of the at least one creased line on the support panel.
34. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the packing support has at least one hole defined therein configured for engagement with a shirt front button of a further shirt.
35. A packing support for a shirt, the packing support comprising: a support panel, around which the shirt is folded, in use, wherein the packing support has at least one hole defined therein configured for engagement with a shirt front button of a further shirt.
36. A packing support as claimed in claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the at least one hole is defined in the support panel.
37. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim for a shirt having a collar, wherein the packing support further comprises a detachable collar support member for supporting the collar in the packed shirt.
38. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim for a shirt having a collar and a collar button connecting a first end of the collar to a second end of the collar, the collar button being attached to the first end of the collar by connecting threads, wherein the packing support comprises a collar support member configured for insertion between the first end of the collar and the second end of the collar, the collar support member having defined therein a first slot configured to engage the connecting threads of the collar button, and a second slot configured to engage the connecting threads of a further button of the shirt, whereby to support the collar in the packed shirt.
39. A packing support for a shirt having a collar and a collar button connecting a first end of the collar to a second end of the collar, the collar button being attached to the first end of the collar by connecting threads, wherein the packing support is configured for insertion between the first end of the collar and the second end of the collar, and has defined therein a first slot configured to engage the connecting threads of the collar button, and a second slot configured to engage the connecting threads of a further button of the shirt, whereby to support the collar in the packed shirt.
40. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim for a shirt having a folded collar, wherein the packing support further comprises a detachable butterfly section for supporting a front of the folded collar.
41. A packing support as claimed in claim 43, wherein the butterfly section is defined by at least one cut through the material of the support panel or the stiffening panel.
42. A packing support as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, wherein the support panel or the stiffening panel has defined within it a cut-out hole, wherein an edge of the cut-out hole is also an edge of the butterfly section.
43. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 43 to 45, wherein the butterfly section comprises: a base member; and at least one collar filling member extending from an edge of the base member, wherein the collar filling member comprises a first connector at a distal end thereof configured for attachment to a complementary second connector on the base member and the collar filling member is longer than the distance in the plane of the base member between said edge of the base member and said second connector, whereby the collar filling member adopts a bowed configuration when the first connector is attached to the second connector.
44. A packing support for a shirt, the shirt having a folded collar, wherein the packing support is in the form of a butterfly section arranged to support a front of the folded collar, the butterfly section comprising: a base member; and at least one collar filling member, the collar filling member comprises a first connector at a distal end thereof configured for attachment to a complementary second connector on the base member and the collar filling member is longer than the distance in the plane of the base member between said edge of the base member and said second connector, whereby the collar filling member adopts a bowed configuration when the first connector is attached to the second connector.
45. A packing support as claimed in claim 46 or claim 47, wherein one of the first connector and the second connector is a slot and the other of the first connector and the second connector is a corresponding tab configured to secure the collar filling member to the base member.
46. A packing support as claimed in any of claims 46 to 48, wherein the collar filling member is detachable from the base member.
47. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on claim 45, wherein the butterfly section is orientated such that, when the butterfly section is within one of the support panel or the stiffening panel, a free edge of the base member defines at least a part of a boundary of the cut-out hole.
48. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the packing support further comprises a hanging tab for connection to a hanger, the hanging tab extending from the support panel.
49. A packing support as claimed in claim 51, wherein the hanging tab is frangibly attached to the support panel.
50. A packing support as claimed in claim 51 or claim 52, wherein the hanging tab comprises at least one creased line provided between the hanging tab and the support panel.
51. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on any of claims 14, 15, 17 to 20 or 48, wherein at least one of the hanging tab, the bend-out clip and the button tab is provided adjacent a cut-out for using a finger to pull out the at least one tab or clip from the packing support.
52. A packing support as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein the shirt is a long-sleeved shirt having cuffs, and wherein the packing support further comprises a detachable cuff holder arranged to secure at least one of the cuffs of the shirt to the front of the packed shirt.
53. A packing support as claimed in claim 52, wherein the cuff holder is a cut-out from the support panel or the stiffening panel.
54. A packing support as claimed in claim 52, wherein the cuff holder is provided alongside the support panel or the stiffening panel.
55. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the packing support is formed, for example cut, from a sheet material.
56. A packing support as claimed in claim 55, wherein the sheet material is substantially transparent.
57. A packing support as claimed in claim 55 or 56, wherein the sheet material is polypropylene.
58. A packing support as claimed in claim 55, wherein the sheet material is corrugated fiberboard.
59. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the packing support is a single, integrally formed component.
60. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support panel defines, in use, a portion of the front of the packed shirt behind which the remainder of the front of the shirt is folded.
61. A packing support as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a shirt.
62. A packing support as claimed in claim 61 wherein the shirt is a soft collared shirt.
63. A plurality of packed shirts, wherein one of the packed shirts is packed using a packing support as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on claim 34 or claim 35, and wherein a further one of the packed shirts has a shirt front button and the hole in the packing support is engaged with the shirt front button of the further packed shirt.