US2742149A - Package of stretch socks - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 956 r J. c. BERRY 2,742,149

PACKAGE 0F STRETCH socxs Filed Dec. 6, 1954 70 '1 740 g? J H \z INVENTOR JOHN C. BRRY AGENTS applicationSerial No. 445,041, filed July 22, Patent No. 2,696,295, directed to a stocking present invention relates to improved forms ofa stocking Alternatively he may me'nted display table.

'This'form of marketing possesses several disadvanstockings.

Unite 2,742,149 PACKAGE or STRETCH soc s JohnC. Berry, Durham, N. C. Application December 6, 1954, Serial No. 473,293

Claims. 01. 206-79) v The present application is a continuation-in-part of my 1954, now package. The

package. V

t The method of marketing stockings heretofore employed has usually been for the manufacturer to secure the two stockings forming a pair torone another by means of paper tape or the like. The stockings are then packaged several to a box and shipped in this manner to the retailer. The retail dealer then merchandises the stockings by selecting several representative colors and placing them on a display table for examination by customers.

place his entirestock on a comparttages, a principal one being the inability of the customer to visualize how a-particular. stockingwill appear or fit when in stretched, wearing condition. This is particularly undesirable with the advent of the so-called stretch Another disadvantage is that the formof {p 'displaynow employed requires considerable space to V properlypresent the stockings.

procedure results oftentimes in a mixing of sizes and i Moreover,- such a display colors due to continuous customer handling-which requires continuous re-sorting of the stockings to'restore them to their proper place. Further, stockings are quite often separated from their mates which oftentimes requires considerable effort to re-mate them, or results in the loss of a'cornplete pair of stockings.

It has been found that these foregoing and related disadvantages can be eliminated by the provisionof a stocking. package in which twostockings are applied overi'a single fiat insert by which a I will be retained thereon in a fairly rigid state withno possibility of the stockings becoming separated, and will similarly give to the wearer a visual presentation of how the stocking will appear in worn condition prior to purchasing the same. p

It is therefore aprincipal object of the present invention to provide a stocking package that will present a pleasing appearance'm a customer, and will permit him tofvisualize prior to purchase how the stocking will appear in wearing ,condition, a

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision -of. a stocking package that will visually present stretch socks in awearing condition. x

A still further object of the presentinvention is to provide a stocking package that will permit of full display of V fvarious sizes and colors in a very small area.

-*Another object of the present invention is the provision e of a stocking package that permits a retailer to maintain a full complement ofstockings in a neat manner for examination by customers without a corresponding disarrange- V ment of the stockings.

Other and-additional objects will become manifest from complete pair of stockings States Patent 0 Cil ibility. H 1'1" he insert 70 is provided with a forward or leading edge 2,742,149 Patented Apr. 17, '1956 ice.

the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

-To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating,

however, but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed;

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an improved form of an insert for use in forming a stocking package made in accordance-with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a stocking package using the insert shown in Fig. l. i

.Fig. 3 is a front elevation of still another form of a stocking package using the insert shown in Fig. 1 to form the package'of the present invention. 7

ig. 4 is the stocking package of Fig. 2 in foldedposition.

Fig. 5 is the stocking package of Fig. 3 in' folded position. a

Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of a stocking package made in accordance with the present invention, and generally designated by reference numeral 10, is shown.

The stocking package 19 comprises a flat, oblong strip insert or board '70 of sheet material made preferably from cardboard, chipboard, or related paper-type material.

The insert 70 is of a weight and strength sufiicient to support the stockings in a fiat position, and yet retain its rigidity and original configuration when the stockings are and still possess a certain degree of flexpia'ced thereon 71 and a trailing or rear edge 72, each of which are generally straight and substantially parallel with respect to one another. The lower end of the leading edge 71 and the trailing edge 72 are united to one another by means of va rounded toe portion 73. The upper end of the leading edge 71 and the trailing edge 72 are connected by a substantially straightedge portion 74. A folding line 7411 may be provided on the insert 70, if desired. The length of theinser-t 70 must be ofa length at least suflicient to "the foot portion and theankle portionof the insert 70 isupporting and engaging the corresponding parts of the stocking 75. This construction will result in the first stocking 75"being held in a fiat, extended, and slightly I :tensioned state. The insert carrying the first stocking .is positioned within a second or mating stocking 76 in the same maner as the insert 70 was positioned within the first stocking '75. This construction results in a flat I stocking package 10 providing a pair of stockings in a 1am, supported, laid out and slightly tensioned state, and

which will present the stocking in a state similar to that when worn and provides for their shipping, stocking and merchandising without the disadvantage heretofore encountered.

It will be found advantageous, particularly when the stocking package iii contains large size stockings, to provide means for reducing the size of the package to facilitate packing, shippin and storing. While, as hereinbefore stated, the insert 70 must be of a strength sufficient to support the stockingin a substantially rigid or partially erect state, the insert 7'0 may be'provided, as hereinbefore indicated, with a score or folding line 74a positioned trans verse to the long axis of the insert 70 which will permit the stocking package 10 to be folded upon itself to reduce the size of the package, as shown in Figs. 4 and While the folding line 74a may be positioned at any suitable point on the insert 70, it is preferred, as shown, that it be located at substantially themidpoint of the insert 70 so that the stocking package may be folded in half, with the bottom and top ends being in substantial alignment with one another. v

Reference is now to be had to Figs. 2 and 4 wherein one form of a stocking package utilizing the form of insert of Fig. 1 is shown. In this form of the stocking package, the stockings 75 and 76 are placed on the insert 70 with the heel portion of at least the stocking 76 resting against and engaging the fiatface of the insert 70. The insert carrying 'the tensioned or slightly stretched stockings in this condition may then be folded along its folding line 74a upon itself with the heel portion being contained within or between the folded portions of the insert 70. .Thus

it is possible to eliminate a positive heel portion configuration from the insert without departing from the spirit and scope of the broad invention.

Reference is now to be had to Figs. 3 and 5 wherein another form of a stocking package employing so-called stretchable socks with the insert 70 is illustrated. The stretchable socks 77, 77a are positioned on the insert 70 with the heel portion of the stocking resting against the trailing edge 72 of the insert 70. Thus, it is Possible, particularly when using stretchable stockings, such as mens stretch nylon socks, to employ the insert '70 without leaving too'large a heel bulge along the trailing edge 72; This is due to the fact that stretchable hose 77 will be placed on Thus, with no heel portion on the insert, the heel portion will not be highly stretched in comparison with the remainder of the the insert in an expanded, tensioned state.

stocking, resulting in the formation of only a small loose heel portion against the trailing edge of the insert 70.

It is to be noted that an identification bearing rider or saddle 82 is applied to the upper portion of the stocking package. It should be noted to further insure the proper retention of the stocking on the insert that the upper free ends of the stocking may be hooked on the upper corners of the stocking and the rider placed thereover. Further, in

the formation of the folded stocking, package, the insert may be folded and a rider employed to engage the a; when a full leg length insert is positioned therein and placing the stocking in a slightly tensioned state. Moreover, a leg length insert which would properly support full to be snagged. However, withhosiery of this type, a

transparent covered package such as shown in my copending parent application Serial No. 445,041, now Patent No. 2,696,295, should be used.

Machines for forming the stocking packages are disclosed in my copending parent application Serial No. 445,041, now Patent No. 2,696,295, as well as in my copending divisional application Serial No. 564,400, filed February '9, 1956.

I claim: 7 1. A sock package comprising a one-piece, elongated, flat substantiallystiii'strip insertof sheet material, said strip insert having a substantially straight leading edge and a subsantially straight trailing edge, said leading edge and said. trailing edge being substantially parallel to one another, a first sock enveloping said insert in a flat slightly tensioned state, and a second mating sock enveloping said insert and said first sock in a flat slightly tensioned state.

2. A sock package in'accordance with claim 1 in which the heel portion of the outer sock is positioned on the fiat face of the insert.

3. A sock package in accordance with claim 1 in which both the inner and outer socks carried by the insert have their heel portions positioned on the fiat face of the insert.

- 4. A sock package in accordance with claim 1' whereinthe insert isprovided with a folding line positioned transversento the long axis of said insert, said folding line positioned at .a point on said insert to permit the folding of thesock package upon itself so that the bottom of the package will be in substantial alignment with the top edge of said package.

5. 1A stretchable sock package comprising a one-piece, elongated, flat, substantially stiff strip insert of sheet material, said insert having a substantially straight leading edge and a substantially straight trailing edge, said leading edge and said trailing edge being substantially parallel to one another, afirst stretchable sock enveloping said insert in a flat stretched state and a second mating sock enveloping said insert and said first sock in a flat stretched state,

outer surface of the upper end of the insert 70 with the opposite end engaging the outer surface of the toe portio of the sock.

Alternative forms of positioning the rider means are disclosed in detail in my copending parent application Such Serial No. 445,041, now Patent No. 2,696,295. alternative forms can benused equally well with the stocking package made in accordance with the present invention. I

By the term stocking used herein and in the appended claims,it is used to define mens, womens, and children sw i socks and stockings of the type known as ankle socks,.as' well as socks extending as far as part way up on the calf of a wearer, such as argyles; The term stockings is not to include ladies full fashioned sheer hosiery normally sold in full leg length as so-called nylons. It has been:==-

, found that the sheerness of such hosiery is likely to result in possible damage to the yarn by snagging or the like said insert having a width greater than the normal relaxed width-of said socks when 'in an unstretched state.

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

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