US2965227A - Display package for stretch socks - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1960 H. B. CAULFIELD DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR STRETCH socxs 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1957 mmwwm nu u n n u umlmmwl INVENTOR. fis lva o C4 (/4 H540 BY W rm n w m Dec. 20, 1960 H. B. CAULFIELD DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR STRETCH socKs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1957 INVENTOR. fl BfP/YflfO 0404/1520 ngv-apvsrs United States Patent l DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR STRETCH SOCKS Harding Bernard Caulfield, Marietta, Ga., assignor to Kayser-Roth Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 637,445

4 Claims. (Cl. 206--78) The present invention relates to a novel package for hosiery, and in particular, for hosiery of a type known as stretch socks and provides an economical yet highly attractive display package.

Stretch socks are made of yarn that has the property of being highly stretchable. Socks made of such yarn fit foot sizes within wide limits. Stretch socks have many desirable characteristics, and there is a large demand for same in the market. As with the conventional sock, the hosiery manufacturer desires to package stretch socks for transportation and retail display in convenient, economical and attractive packages. Packaging of stretch socks has presented certain problems. The elastic nature of the yarn of which the sock is made causes the socks to contract circumferentially and lengthwise. Stretch socks intended for adults contract so much that they look like socks for small children. Stretch socks provide many problems. When stretch socks are displayed for sale in unstretched condition, the socks have a tendency to pucker or roll and create an unattractive appearance. Designs on a sock are distorted by such shrinking" and thus create an untidy appearance and consequently discourage sales. In addition, the contracted socks appear so small that people looking for socks for an adult are apt to pass them up thinking that the socks are for children. Moreover, hosiery manufacturers desire to standardize shipping boxes, top stickers, bands and labels. When the stretch socks are shipped and displayed in unstretched condition, the hosiery manufacturer is not able to make use of the boxes, stickers, bands he otherwise uses for his standard socks. This requires additional inventories of boxes, tickets, bands and thus increase his costs.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the instant invention to provide novel apparatus for packaging socks and, in particular, stretch socks, sothat they present an attractive appearance on a counter, in a window or showcase of a shop. In addition, the display apparatus is provided with cut out windows which allow the customer to test the quality of the sock material.

; It is a further object of the invention to package stretch socks in such a way that their size corresponds approximately to the size of the conventional socks to which the public is accustomed. Thus, when packaged in accordance with the invention, stretch socks intended for men have a mans size instead of looking like childrens socks. The invention further provides an attractive display package in which stretch socks are held flat, smooth and the designs on the socks are presented in proper size and proportions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient and economical method of packaging stretch socks in an attractive manner which increases their saleability and, at the same time, makes the socks more convenient to handle.

, It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a novel display package for .stretch sock hosiery; The package is made up of three'sheet like'panls pref 2,965,227 Patented Dec. 20, .1950

erably of cardboard material. These panels include a main leg panel and a foot panel which are connected to each other along a transverse fold line. In addition, there is also provided an auxiliary leg panel. One sock of a pair is circumferentially mounted in stretched condition on the main leg panel and the foot panel together, with the foot panel extending into the foot of the sock and with the leg panel positioned within the leg portion of the sock and extending to the open top thereof. The auxiliary leg form and the other sock of the pair are suspended within the leg of the stretch sock in flat superposed relationship along-side the main leg panel with the second sock interposed between the two leg panels. The forms have smooth faces to facilitate slidable assemblage of the package. Ultimately, the package is folded along the fold line between the main leg panel and the foot panel. Stickers and bands are used to secure the package in a smooth longitudinal assemblage.

The package, in accordance with the instant invention, displays the socks in smooth and flat relationship, and thus increases greatly the saleability of socks of this character. The display package displays the socks in a manner so that they look like conventional socks in respect to their size. Furthermore, the three panels are provided with cut-out windows. The Windows are disposed on respective panels so that they are in overlying relationship when the package is completely assembled and folded. This provides the assembled package with a region void of sheet material of which the panels are made. The stretch sock extends circumferentially over the windows, the second sock is suspended therebetween. By running ones fingers along the sock material over the region of the windows, the consumer is able to test the texture of the socks between his fingers. Thus, the consumer is given the opportunity to judge the quality of the sock material.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary leg panel is separate from the other two panels and is superposed, together with the second sock, upon the main leg panel prior to stretching the first sock over the main leg panel and the foot panel and prior to folding of these two panels. In a second embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary leg panel is connected to the main leg panel along a transverse fold line, so that the three panels are unitary.

Forms made in accordance with the instant invention use a minimum of cardboard material. The windows further reduce the weight of the package. A light-weight, less bulky package provides the hosiery manufacturer with certain desirable economies. The cost of the display package is reduced. The costs to ship the display packages from the manufacturer to the retailer are minimized; and, in addition, the invention permits the manufacturer to use standardized sock boxes, stickers, and bands.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the figures in which' Fig. l is a face elevation of a display package completely assembled for counter display and shows the outer stretched sock longitudinally mounted in folded, flat relationship; and also shows a top sticker and lower band maintaining the package in smooth, neat as semblage;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a right-side elevation of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display package taken along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows the stretched sock mounted on the main leg panel and the foot panel prior to folding of same; Fig. 6'shows in dash lines ,the folded sock suspended between the main leg panel and the auxiliary leg panel; atthe lower end, Fig. 6 shows the other sock of the pair about to be mounted upon the main leg panel and the foot panel, prior to folding of the latter;

Fig. 7 shows the one sock of the pair in folded position prior to suspending same between the panels, as shown in dashed outline in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal elevation, partly cut off, of the main leg panel and the foot panel; this figure shows the cut-out window in the main leg panel, whereas, Fig. 6 shows the windows in the other panels. 3

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 9-13.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal elevation of the unitary form used in assembling the hosiery display package in accordance with this embodiment, showing the auxiliary leg panel connected to the main leg panel along a transverse fold line;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, and shows in dash lines the folded sock suspended between the main leg panel and the auxiliary leg panel; at the lower end Fig. 10 shows the other sock of the pair about to be mounted upon the main leg panel and the foot panel, prior to folding of the latter;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 5, and shows the stretched sock mounted upon the main leg panel and the foot panel prior to folding same;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 2, and is a rear elevation of the display package completely assembled for counter display; and

Fig. 13 is a section on line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Display package 20 is made up of a pair of stretch socks 23 and 24, two forms 21 and 22, a top sticker 25 and band 26. The forms are made of fiat cardboard or other suitable thin, relatively stiif, smooth sheet material. Form 21 comprises a main leg panel 29 and a foot panel 33, which are connected together along a transverse scored fold line 34. Sock 23 is stretched widthwise and lengthwise on main leg portion 29 and foot panel 33, with foot panel 33 extending into the foot portion of sock 23 and with main leg panel 29 extending into the leg :portion of the sock and to the open end thereof. Form 22 and the folded second sock 24 are also positioned within the leg portion of sock 23, in superposed relationship to the main leg panel 29. Hence, form 22'may be considered as an auxiliary leg panel. While the auxiliary form or leg panel 22-is shown in this embodiment as separate from form 21,'it will be apparent from the second embodiment that form 22 may be connected to main leg portion 29 along a transverse fold line, forming a single unitary form instead of the two separate forms 21 and 22.

In the complete assembly, foot panel 33 is folded upon fold line 34 to bring it into superposedrel ationship with the other two panels, and the entire assembly is secured together by the aforesaid top sticker 25 and band 26.

Main leg panel 29 is substantially rectangular in shape and has side edges 27, 28 which are substantially parallelto each other. The top portion 31 of main leg panel 29 is of reduced width, and its side edges merge with the respective side edges 27 and 28 via gradually curved shoulders 39.

, Foot panel 33 is of approximately the same width as main leg panel 29. Said main panel 33 for part of its length, has a substantially uniform width defined by parallel side edges 35, 36 which width is substantially equal to the width of the main portion of main leg panel 29. At its lower end, foot panel 33 terrninat esin a round too 37. i

Form or auxiliary leg panel 22 is also substantially rectangular in shape and has side edges 27' and. 28' de lining a main. portion 30 of substantially uniform width. The top portion 3230f form 22 is of reduced width, and

its side edges merge with the respective side edges 27 and 28' via gradually curved shoulders 39.

The longitudinal length of main portion 30 of form 22 is less than the length of the main portion of panel 29. The lower end of form 22 terminates in a substantially straight transverse edge 38. Edge 38 is adapted to nest along the fold line 34 upon folding together leg and foot panels 29, 33 of form 21 as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Side edges 27, 35 of leg panel 29 and foot panel 33 are provided with outwardly curved projections 40, 41 disposed symmetrically about transverse fold line 34. Inwardly projecting notches 42 at the opposite ends of fold line 34 facilitate folding of form 21. Notches 42 are provided with rounded corners, such as 43, which merge with the side edges of leg andfoot panels 29, 33, shown best in Figs. 6 and 8. All corners of the forms are preferably rounded to avoid sharp edges which might otherwise cut into and shear socks 23, 24. The Width and overall length dimensions of form 21 are preselected to be greater than the width and length of the sock in its normal unstretched condition. When sock 23 is circumferentially mounted on form 21 in the manner described hereinafter, sock 23 is smoothly stretched lengthwise and widthwise and caused to conform to the shape of form 21.

Fig. 7 shows sock 24 of the pair in unstretched folded condition. Each sock has a narrow Width elastic top 47, a leg portion 48, a foot portion 49 terminating in a round toe and a heel 45. Sock 24 is folded along a substantially transverse line 44 approximately midway its top and toe ends in preparation for mounting same in display package 20. Transverse line 44 passes through heel 45 of sock 24.

Display package 20 may be assembled by laying folded sock 24 on leg portion 29 of the unfolded form 21, as shown by dashed outline in Fig. 6. It should be noted that the downwardly jutting lower end of heel 45 of sock 24 is in proximity to fold line 34. The overall length of leg panel 29 is somewhat greater than the longitudinal length of folded sock 24. Form 22 then may be laid upon folded sock 24. Top portions 31, 32 of both forms are at the same end. Transverse edge 38 of form 22 is substantially alined with fold line 34. Edge 38 is adapted to nest in the fold of form 21 as shown in Fig. 4. The other sock 23 of the pair is circumferentially drawn over form 21, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6. The superposed leg panels 29, 33 between which sock 24 is suspended, should be held together in neat, flat relationship as sock 23 is mounted over the flat assemblage. The faces of forms 21, 22 provide smooth slidable surfaces and facilitate pulling sock 23 up and over forms 21, 22. It would be relatively more difficult to pull sock 23 directly over sock 24. The material of one sock would be then rubbing against the other. A neat, flat relationship wouldbe difiicult' to maintain under such circumstances, particularly if it is desired to assemble quickly the display package. Forms 21, 22 retain sock 24 in fiat, even and folded condition as sock 23 is being pulled up on form 21.

Fig. 5 shows sock 23 circumferentially stretched lengthwise and widthwise over form 21, prior to folding the latter. The toe of sock 23 engages round toe of form 21. Convex projections 40, 41 hold heel 45 of sock 2 3 in stretched. condition and maintain heel 45in substantially neat, flat condition when the assemblage is folded. Elastic top 47 of sock 23 engages top 31 of form 21 to retain sock 23 in lengthwise stretched condition on form 21.

It will be understood that the package also may be assembled by first circumferentially stretching-sock23 over the unfolded form 21 and then inserting the superposed sock 24 and form 22 into the open top47 of stretched sock 23. When inserting the bodies, sock 24- is disposed to lie between the two leg panels 29,133. The faces of panels 29, 33 contiguous with the socks provide smooth slidable surfaces facilitating insertion of the superposed bodies. In addition, forms 21, 2 2 maintain the bodies in flat relationship, Sock 24 and form 22 will be forcibly inserted into sock 23 until the transverse edge 38 of form 22 is in proximity with fold line 34.

The unfolded assemblage shown in Fig. 5 is then folded along transverse line 34. The folded assemblage is secured together by suitable wrappings such as sticker 25 and band 26. Top sticker 25 is coated with adhesive material along its inner face and folded over the opposed faces of the assemblage. Sticker 25 also holds sock 23 in longitudinal stretched condition on the form. Bottom band 26 has a front face 50 and a flap 51. Flap 51 extends under the assemblage to overlie the lower portion of the rear surface of the assemblage. Band 26 also has side flaps 52, 52 shown in dashed outline in Fig. 2. The side flaps 52 are drawn tightly around the rear face of the assemblage. Band 26 is secured firmly by adhesive material along the inner surface of rear flap 51 attached to side flaps 52, as shown in Fig. 2. Since band 26 is tightly wrapped about the assemblage, and because the side of the assemblage containing heel 45 is outwardly inclined toward the lower end of assemblage, band 26 does not drop off the assemblage. Band 26 serves to hide the bulge produced by the folded heel 45 and cooperates with sticker 26 to maintain the assemblage in smooth parallel relationship.

Sales messages such as price, trade names, etc., may be printed on sticker 25 and band 26. Fig. 1 shows the fully packaged assemblage. It will be noted that the ornamental pattern of the sock is fully exposed for view without distortion.

Leg panels 29, 22 and foot portion 33 are provided with rectangular cut-out windows 53, 54, 55. Windows 53, 54, 55 are disposed longitudinally along respective form 21, 22 in such manner that the windows substantially overlie when assemblage 20 is in flat folded relationship. Stretched sock 23 extends circumferentially over windows 53, 54, 55. Folded sock 24 is suspended therebetween. This relationship is best shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. For example, in tracing the various crosssectional folds of Fig. 4 and starting from the left-hand side, the first layer represents the front face of leg 48 of sock 23. The next layer is leg panel 29 of form 21. The next four folds represent the layers of folded sock 24. The next vertical body is the short form 22 showing its lower edge 38 nesting in the fold 34 of form 21. The following layer is the rear face of leg 48 of sock 23. The next layer is rear face of foot 49 of sock 23, which is followed by foot panel 33 of form 21, and finally at the extreme right, by the forward face of foot 49 of sock 23. It will be observed that the faces of foot 49 of sock 23 are joined and extend around the top of foot panel 33 of form 21. This represents the toe of sock 23 extending over round toe 37 of panel 33.

The assemblage is void of the relatively stiff cardboard material over the area of windows 53, 54, 55. The consumer is able to test the texture of the socks by pressing or running the sock material between his fingers over the window region. This allows the consumer to obtain a true feeling of the material as he rubs the material between his fingers. Although the embodiment shows cutout windows 53, 54, 55 on the forms it is understood that structure 20 may be modified so that only certain of the portions are provided with cut-outs. For example, package 20 may be modified so that it possesses only one window either on leg panel 29 or foot panel 33. Another modification contemplates two windows. The first will be on form 22 and the other on either leg panel 29 or foot panel 33. In these instances, the test may be best performed by rubbing a finger along the sock over the cut-out area but only along the face of the sock adjacent the window. The disclosed embodiment however is preferred.

sisting of three panels 61, 62 and 63. Foot panel 61 is quite similar to the foot panel 33 of form 21 of the first embodiment. Thus, the window 55a of panel 61 corresponds to window 55 of the first embodiment. The side edges 35a and 36a, the toe 37a, the fold line 34a, the notches 42a and the rounded corners 43a are similar to the corresponding parts of the first embodiment.

The sides edges 27a and 28a, window 53a and shoulders 39a and top portion 31 of main leg panel 62 are similar to the corresponding parts of panel 29 of the first embodiment.

Auxiliary leg panel 63 is joined to panel 62 along the transverse scored fold line 64. Said panel 63 has side edges 65 and 66 defining a main portion 67 of substantially uniform width. A bottom portion 68 of reduced width projects downwardly from leg portion 60. The side edges 69 and 70 of bottom portion 68 merge with the side edges 65 and 66 via gradually curved shoulders 71. Panel 63 has a rectangular window 72.

Inwardly projecting notches 73 at the opposite ends of fold line 64 facilitate folding of panels 62 and 63. Said notches 73 are provided with rounded corners, such as 74, which merge with the side edges of the portions 68 and 31, as shown best in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 shows a step in assembly of the package corresponding to Fig. 6 of the first embodiment. Fig. 10 shows the unstretched sock 24 placed upon main leg panel 62, similarly as in the first embodiment. However, since in the second embodiment the panels 62 and 63 are integral with each other, it is merely necessary to fold auxiliary leg panel 63 along the transverse fold line 64 until panel 63 overlies sock 24 and panel 62. As will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 10, panel 63 differs slightly in shape from form 22 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the width of the main portion 67 of panel 63 is slightly less than the width of the main portion 29a of panel 62. Also, the total length of panel 63 is slightly less than the total length of panel 62.

The connecting portions 68 and 31 of the two panels are of substantially the same size and shape, but the shoulders 71 of panel 63 are slightly reduced in size as compared to the shoulders 39a of panel 62. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, except for the connecting portions 68 and 31, and for the shoulders 71, the panel 63 is located entirely inwardly of the periphery of panel 62. In particular, the end edge 75 of panel 63 is located slightly above the fold line 64.

The remainder of the assembly of the display package 20a according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as in the first embodiment. The other sock 23 of the pair is circumferentially drawn over panel 61 and over the registering panels 63 and 62 and sock 24, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 10 and as shown in Fig. 11. The panels 62 and 63 retain sock 24 in fiat, even and foldable condition as sock 23 is being pulled up upon form 60. The assembly time is reduced and the ease of assembly is increased by reason of the connection of panels 62 and 63 along the fold line 64.

The unfolded assembly of Fig. 11 thus corresponds quite closely to the unfolded assembly of Fig. 5, except for the manner in which panel 63 is secured to panel 62.

Finally, the unfolded assembly of Fig. 11 is folded along the transverse line 34a and secured together by sticker 25a and band 261:, substantially as in the first embodiment, to form assembly 20a. Band 26a corresponds to band 26 and sticker 25a corresponds to sticker 25.

The rectangular cut-out windows 55a, 53a and 72 overly each other and are in substantial registration when assemblage 20a is in flat folded relationship. The registration of windows 72 and 53a is clearly shown in Fig. 10. The registration of the three windows is also clearly shown in Fig. 13. The relationship of the layers of Fig. 13 corresponds substantially to that of Fig. 4, and will not be described in detail.

Since many changes could be made in the above con struction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing firom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

.1.;A display package for a pair of stretch socks com prising a foot panel, a main leg panel connected to said foot panel along a transverse fold line, an auxiliary leg panel, said panels being made of stitt sheet material, said main leg panel and said foot panel having together a length and width materially greater than the length and width of said socks in unstretched c ndition, a sock stretched widthwise and lengthwise on said main leg panel and said foot panel with said foot panel extending into the foot portion of said sock and with said main leg panel extending into the leg portion of said sock and to the open end thereof, said main leg panel and said foot panel being sufficiently stifito withstand the contracting tension of said sock and to hold the sock in stretched condition, said main leg and foot panels being folded about said fold line into superposed relationship, said auxiliary leg panel being positioned between the other two panels and within the leg portion of said sock and terminating short of the fold line between said main leg panel and said foot panel, a'second sock folded fiat and suspended within the leg portion of the first sock and between the superposed leg panels, and means cooperating with said main leg panel and said-foot panel for hoiding same lengthwise in assembled relationship.

2. A display package according to claim 1, said leg panels having main portions of substantially rectangular shape and also having top portions of reduced width projecting upwardly from the respective main portions, the width of said foot panel for part of its longitudinal length being substantially uniform and approximately the same width as the main portion of the main leg panel, the lower end of said foot panel terminating in a round toe, said auxiliary leg panel being shorter than said main leg panel, the toe of the first sock engaging the toe end of said foot panel and the top of the first sock engaging a the reduced width portions of the leg panels to retain the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,332,368 Wadsworth Mar. 2, 1920 1,651,172 Youngblood Nov. 29, 1927 2,615,601 Kahn Oct. 28, 1952 2,742,149 Berry Apr. 17, 1956 2,748,930 Power et a1 June 5, 1956 2,755,924 Tuttle et al. July 24, 1956

Images