US2673015A

US2673015A - Shirt protector

Info

Publication number: US2673015A
Application number: US117852A
Authority: US
Inventors: Akers Victor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-09-26
Filing date: 1949-09-26
Publication date: 1954-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 1971-03-23

Description

Patented Mar. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The invention, in general, relates to the packaging art and more particularly relates to means for protecting new and especially laundered shirts against wrinkling or other damage.

This application is a continuance-in-part of my copending application entitled Shirt Protector Form, Serial No. 45,592, filed August 20, 1948, now Patent No. 2,560,710, dated July 17, 1951.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a protector device to prevent damage to or wrinkling of packaged, laundered shirts, the device also being applicable to the preservation of new shirts in boxes or packages in transit or on display for sale.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a shirt protector of the indicated nature which is especially characterized by the provision therein of a collar-interlock for maintaining the collar of each laundered shirt, or a plurality of packaged laundered shirts in freshly ironed condition under all conditions of normal handling thereof.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide an improved shirt protector, primarily devised for use in packaged laundered shirts, which is relatively simple to insert and to remove and which can be readily applied by the unskilled as well as the skilled laundry worker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shirt protector of the above character which can be stamped or cut from suitable blanks with a minimum of waste.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment and certain modified embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiments shown, nor to the precise arrangement of the various parts thereof, as my invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present improvement; this view showing the collar support in interlocked operative position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present improvement.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of another modification Q1 the present improvement.

2 Fig. 5 is a development of a blank illustrating the stamping or cutting out of the preferred embodiment of the invention therefrom with a minimum of waste.

In its preferred form, the shirt protector of my present improvement comprises a blank having a body portion of predetermined width,

gether with a collar supporting portion in foldable relation with said body portion for disposal normal thereto in operative position; said collar supporting portion having an extension thereon projecting laterally from said body portion and terminating in a locking tab removably disposed in any selected one of a plurality of openings at the opposite end of said collar supporting portion.

As particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, I provide a blank, generally designated by the reference numeral II, which is preferably fabricated from cardboard or other suitable paper stock and which includes a body portion l2 of generally rectangular configuration including a pair of parallel sides I 3 and I 4, a straight end I6 and an irregular end I1. The body portion l2 of the shirt protector is made to a predetermined width conforming substantially to the width of a folded laundered shirt, or a folded new shirt when packaged. The irregular end I? of the blank H includes bias-cut extremities l8 and I9 that merge, respectively, with the sides [3 and M as well as merge adjacent to the center of the irregular end with the relatively

short sides

21 and 22, respectively, of an extension 23 integral with the body portion E2. The extension 23 of the blank, in turn, merges with a collar supporting element or portion 26 having an extension 2'! thereon which projects laterally from the body portion I2 of the blank H, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings; the opposite end of the collar supporting portion 26 terminating in a straight edge 28 in alignment with the side [4 of the body portion of the blank II.

In accordance with the present improvement, the collar supporting element or portion 2'6 is specially constructed and includes a plurality of openings 3| therein adjacent to the straight end 28 thereof; such openings preferably being defined by striking out relatively small sections of the collar supporting portion 26. Moreover, the collar supporting element 26 is so formed as to define a window 32 therein so as to render a laundry mark of a shirt accessible to view. The

extension 27 of the collar supporting portion 26 of the blank I l is so formed as to provide thereon a locking tab .33 at its outer extremityand;

the tab 33 is preferably formed by cutting away the collar supporting element or portion 26 sufiiciently to notch the same adjacent to the locking tab 33. It is to be especially noted that I provide a score line 33 transversely of the blank I I at the juncture of the body portion and the extension 23. Moreover, I provide a score line 31 in the blank II at the juncture of the body portion I2 and the collar supporting portion 26 of blank I I and, in addition, a third score line 38 is formed in the blank II intermediate the

score lines

36 and 31 but in close proximity to the score line 3! as particularly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the annexed drawings. The score line 38 at the juncture of the body portion I2 and the extension 23 of blank II serves to effect the folding of the blank at the score lines 36 and to place the collar supporting element or portion 25 thereof in a position normal to the body portion I2, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The closely arranged score-finest! and 38 serve to define a bridge section 39 and permit folding of the blank I I at such score lines to fold the same over the top of a collar. not shown, of a laundered shirt, also not shown.

The showing in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings is a view ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention in operative position. The body portion I2 of the blank ll, it is to be understood, is inserted between the fold of a laundered or new shirt With the front of the shirt superposed upon the body portion I2 of the blank. Thereafter the operator folds the blank II on the major score line 36 and again on the two

score lines

31 and 38 to fold. the extension 23 and the collar supporting element in relation to the body portion I2 of the blank Ii thus bringing the collar supporting element or portion 26 into a position inside the collar band of an attached collar of the shirt to which the blank II is being applied. Thereafter the operator grasps the extension 21 of the collar supporting portion 26 and inserts the tab 33 of such extension 21 into any selected one of the openihgs 3| at the opposite end of the collar supporting element to fit the same to the inside of the attached collar of the shirt and at the same time to interlock the ends of the collar supporting portion 26 of the blank. This operation disposes the collar supporting element 26 normal to the body portion l2 thereof. The preserit embodiment has been successfully employed.- in the packaging of laundered shirts in super posed relationship one to the other and in pacr ages of four, six or other numbers and it has been found that the packaged laundered shirts containing inserted protectors of my present improvement will Withstand very rough handling and considerable weights applied to the packages without in any way damaging the laundered shirts or wrinkling the same either in the body portion or the attached collar of the shirt.

In the production of my improved shirt protector, as hereinabove defined, it has been found that a plurality of the shirt protectors can be stamped or cut from a continuous blank of the proper dimensions with a minimum of waste. For example, and with reference to Fig. 5 of the annexed drawings, I have successfully and rapidly stamped out of a suitable continuous blank of cardboard six of my improved shirt protectors at a time and the showing of Fig. 5 indicates the manner of stamping out such six shirt protectors wherein the alternate shirt protectors are inverted relative to the adjacent shirt protectors during the stamping operations. Having the available space, it is obvious that a greater number of shirt protectors of my present improvement can successively and substantially simultaneously be stamped or cut from a continuous sheet of cardboard or other suitable sheeting material.

In Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a slightly modified embodiment of the present improvement. This modification is substantially in all respects similar to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings that I provide a blank iii defining a body portion N2 of predetermined dimensions having the same parallel sides H3 and H4 and a straight end i I6 as Well as an irregular end I ii. In addition, the blank Iii is so formed as to define a relatively short extension I23 and an integral collar supporting portion IZEB with a laterally extending projection or extension l2? terminating in a tab 533. Similarly, the collar supporting portion its of the modification of Fig. 3 formed with a plurality of relatively small openings MI in the opposite end thereof by striking out the material in relatively small portions and is provided with a straight end I28 opposite to the extension l2l'. Moreover, this modification includes major score line's Its at the juncture of the body portion H2 and the extension 423. a score line is? at the juncture of the extension 23 and the collar supporting element 426, as well as a score line I33 intermediate the two previously mentioned score lines but in close proximity to the score line I31; all of these score lines functioning and serving the same purposes as mentioned above in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The essential distinction between the modification of Fig. 3 and the preferred embodiment of the present invention resides in the omission of a locking tab on the extension E2! of the collar supporting portion iii? of blank III. As shown. the modification of Fig. 3 merely includes a latching tab 533 which slip-fits into any selected one of the openings ltI formed in the opposite end of the collar supporting port-ion I26. While this modification is not quite as advantageous in use as the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 because of the absence of the locking tab: with its interlocking function with the openings at the opposite ends of the collar supporting element, the slip fit arrangement of the modification in Fig. 3 has served admirably notwithstanding that it is merely a latching rather than an interlocking combination.

A still further modification of the present improvement is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the annexed drawings and in this modification the shirt protector is formed in substantially the same manher as the preferred embodiment of the invention and includes a body portion 212 having par allel spaced sides 2 l3 and 2 I l as well as a straight end N6 and an irregular end 2H. All of these modifications, including the preferred embodimerit, comprise a body portion of predetermined dimensions arid substantially of the same width as the width of a folded mans shirt. The modification of Fig. i also includes an extension 223 integral with the body portion 2 i2 as well as a collar supporting element or portion 22b integral with the extension 223.

Similar score lines

236, 231 and 238 are provided in the blank 2H and serve the same purpose as the some

lines

36, 31 and 38 in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The modified embodiment of my improved shirt protectors illustrated in Fig. 4 is specially constructed insofar as the collar supporting portion 226 is concerned. In this modification, the collar supporting element is projected laterally to provide an extension 221 thereon which terminates in a reduced portion 22'! and the latter terminates in a locking tab 233. At the opposite end of the collar supporting element 226, the extremity is formed with an elongated slot merging with a transversely arranged slot, designated, respectively, by the reference numerals 23! and 231'. At this end of the collar support ing element or portion 226, the collar supporting element terminates in a straight edge 228. Similarly, this collar supporting portion 226 is formed with an elongated opening 232 defining a win doW for accessibility to view of a laundry mark that may be imprinted or delineated upon a laundered shirt at the collar thereof.

In applying the modification of Fig. 4 to a new shirt or to a laundered shirt, th operator merely inserts the body portion 2I2 of the blank 2H between the folds of a folded laundered or new shirt between the body of the shirt and the tail thereof and then folds the blank 2 upon the score line 238, as well as the score lines 231 and 233 to bring th collar supporting element into a position where it can be inserted within the attached collar of the new or laundered shirt adjacent to the collar band thereof. Th operator then inserts the locking tab 233 into the slot or S1its 23! and 23 I at the opposite ends of the collar supporting portion 226, bringing the tab 233 ultimately into the transversely arranged opening 23 I. I have successfully used this modification of the present invention and find that it serves admirably to maintain the laundered shirts in a fresh and unwrinkled condition despite the number of shirts that are superposed one upon the other in a package thereof.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurat in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. A blank to protect laundered and new shirts against wrinkling or damage in packages in transit, said blank comprising a body portion of predetermined dimensions, a shirt collar supporting portion on said body portion; said collar supporting portion having a straight end in alignment with one side of said body portion and having a plurality of openings therein adjacent to said straight end, an extension on said collar supporting portion projecting laterally from said body portion appreciably beyond the other side thereof, and a tab on said extension; said collar supporting portion being adapted to be folded upon itself and interlocked variably in an endless loop of variable size by inserting said tab of said extension in any selected one of the said plurality of openings.

2. A blank to protect laundered and new shirts as defined in claim 1 and including a reduced portion intermediate said body portion and shirt collar supporting portion; said blank having a first score lin therein at the juncture at said body portion and said reduced portion, a second score line therein at the juncture of said reduced portion and said collar supporting portion, and a third score line therein intermediate said first and second score lines in close proximity to said second score line; said score lines serving to fold the blank upon itself in three different places whereby said collar supporting portion can be folded up and over the outside back of a. shirt collar and inserted inside the band of the collar normal to said body portion.

3. A blank to protect laundered and new shirts from wrinkling when packaged and transported, said blank comprising a body portion of predetermined dimensions, a constricted portion projecting from and integral With on end of said body portion, and a collar supporting portion on said constricted portion; said collar supporting portion having a tab end projecting laterally from said body portion appreciably beyond one side thereof and having an opposite apertured end with a plurality of spaced apertures therein; said collar supporting portion being adapted to be folded about itself and variably interlocked by said tab end and said apertures as an endless loop of variable size.

4. A blank to protect laundered and new shirts from wrinkling or damage in transit when packaged, said blank comprising a body portion of predetermined dimensions, and an integral shirt collar supporting portion; said collar supporting portion consisting of a tab end projecting laterally from said body portion appreciably beyond one side thereof, and an opposite apertured end with a. plurality of spaced apertures therein, said collar supporting portion being adapted to be folded about itself and variably interlocked by said tab end and said apertures as an endless loop of variable size.

5. A blank to protect laundered and new shirts as defined in claim 3, said blank having a first score line therein at th juncture of said body portion and said constricted portion, a second score line. therein at the juncture of said constricted portion and said collar supporting portion, and a third score line therein intermediate said first and second score lines in close proximity to said second score line; said score lines serving to fold the blank upon itself in three different places whereby said collar supporting portion can be folded up and over the outside back of a shirt collar and inserted inside the band of the collar normal to said body portion.

VICTOR AKERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number