WO2010106339A1

WO2010106339A1 - Improvements in or relating to the transportation of clothing garments

Info

Publication number: WO2010106339A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/000511
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Gadsby
Original assignee: Montfort Services Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2009-03-19
Filing date: 2010-03-18
Publication date: 2010-09-23
Also published as: GB2468700B; GB0904709D0; GB2468700A

Abstract

In the field of garment transportation there is a need for improvements to reduce the damage caused to the garments while in transit. A transit hanger (10; 40; 70) for transporting a plurality of clothing garments (32) each supported by a clothing hanger (34) comprises a suspension member (12) to suspend the transit hanger (10; 40) from a support element. The suspension member (12), in use, defines a suspension axis (As). The transit hanger (10; 40) also includes a plurality of pairs (16, 18, 20) of clothing hanger retention sites (22, 24) which are integrally formed in a single transit hanger body (26). Each clothing hanger retention site (22, 24) within a given pair (16, 18, 20) is spaced from the suspension member (12) so as to, in use, lie substantially equidistant from the suspension axis (A8). The transit hanger body (26) includes a proximal arm (54) which lies adjacent to the suspension member (12) and a distal arm (56) which lies spaced from the suspension member (12). The proximal and distal arms (54, 56) are selectively interconnected with one another and each clothing hanger retention site (22, 24) within a given pair of retention sites (16, 18, 20) lies where the proximal and distal arms (54, 56) are interconnected.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF CLOTHING GARMENTS

This invention relates to a transit hanger in particular, but not exclusively for transporting a plurality of clothing garments each supported by a clothing hanger, and a method of transporting a plurality of said clothing garments.

Conventionally clothing garments, such as coats, are transported in bulk by suspending a plurality of the garments, via their respective clothing hanger, from a chord including a plurality of loops for receiving and retaining the clothing hangers. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Typically, the chord is suspended from the roof of a shipping container.

In this way it is possible to transport a large number of clothing garments from one place to another.

However, transporting clothing garments in this manner can lead to the garments being damaged while in transit. Such damage can include crushing, creasing, and glazing (a shiny mark caused by two garments rubbing together), In addition, one garment can cause an impression mark in another garment. Most typically this arises where a button on one garment is pressed into another garment.

All of the damage outlined above has a detrimental effect on product quality and can lead to customer complaints and the need to return garments. Such return of garments has an adverse effect on the efficiency of transporting the garments, and so is very undesirable.

There is a need, therefore, to improve the transportation of clothing garments so as to reduce the damage caused to the garments while in transit.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a transit hanger, for transporting a plurality of clothing garments each supported by a clothing hanger, comprising: a suspension member to suspend the transit hanger from a support element, the suspension member, in use, defining a suspension axis; and a plurality of pairs of clothing hanger retention sites integrally formed in a single transit hanger body, each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair being spaced from the suspension member so as to, in use, lie substantially equidistant from the suspension axis, the transit hanger body including a proximal arm lying adjacent to the suspension member and a distal arm lying spaced from the suspension member, the proximal and distal arms being selectively interconnected with one another and each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair of retention sites lying where the proximal and distal arms are interconnected.

The provision of a plurality of clothing hanger retention sites allows respective clothing garments to be spaced laterally from another to a desired extent. Such lateral spacing reduces the extent to which one garment interacts with another, and so reduces the opportunity for one garment to damage another.

Meanwhile, arranging first and second clothing hanger retention sites in a pair so as to, in use, lie substantially equidistant from the suspension axis, results in the mass of a first garment retained by the first retention site balancing the mass of a second garment retained by the second retention site about the suspension axis. Consequently the spacing of each retention site from the suspension axis is maintained, thereby maintaining the desired degree of lateral spacing between adjacent garments.

Furthermore, locating the clothing hanger retention sites within each pair of retention sites where the proximal and distal arms are interconnected allows both the proximal and distal arms to support any load hung from such a retention site. Such an arrangement improves the strength of the transit hanger and helps to prevent buckling of the transit hanger body when loaded.

Optionally at least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites are equally spaced from the suspension axis by a different amount.

Such an arrangement allow clothing garments to be packed in a desired density during transportation while minimising the risk of damage occurring.

At least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites may lie within the same suspension plane. This configuration simplifies the manufacture of the transit hanger, and so helps to reduce its unit price. Conveniently at least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites are spaced from one another so as to, in use, be spaced from one another along the suspension axis. Arranging the pairs of clothing hanger retention sites in this way also helps to increase the density of packing possible while minimising garment damage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each pair of retention sites lies within the same suspension plane and is equally spaced from the suspension axis by a different amount. Such an arrangement has desirable packing and manufacturing characteristics.

Preferably the transit hanger further includes a further clothing hanger retention site aligned with the suspension member so as to, in use, lie on the suspension axis. The inclusion of a further clothing hanger retention site allows the retention of another, e.g. clothing garment, without disturbing the balance of any other garments already retained by the transit hanger.

Optionally the transit hanger further includes a handle. The provision of a handle allows an operative readily to both suspend the transit hanger from a support element and move the transit hanger (and clothing garments hanging therefrom) from one support element to another.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transporting a plurality of clothing garments each supported by a clothing hanger, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a transit hanger including a suspension member and a plurality of pairs of clothing hanger retention sites integrally formed in a single transit hanger body, each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair being spaced from the suspension member, and the transit hanger body including a proximal arm lying adjacent to the suspension member and a distal arm lying spaced from the suspension member, the proximal and distal arms being selectively interconnected with one another and each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair of retention sites lying where the proximal and distal arms are interconnected;

(b) suspending the transit hanger from a support element via the suspension member such that the suspension member defines a suspension axis and each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair lies substantially equidistant from the suspension axis; and (c) arranging respective pairs of clothing garments such that the clothing hanger of each clothing garment within the or each said pair is retained by a clothing hanger retention site in a corresponding pair of retention sites.

The method of the invention shares the advantages set out above in connection with the transit hanger of the invention.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the manner in which clothing garments are conventionally transported;

Figure 2 shows a further view of the clothing garment arrangement shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a transit hanger according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows the transit hanger shown in Figure 3 in use; Figure 5 shows a transit hanger according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a transit hanger according to a third embodiment of the invention.

A transit hanger according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The transit hanger 10 includes a suspension member 12 to suspend the transit hanger 10 from a support element (not shown), such as a chord, rope or rail.

The suspension member 12 defines a suspension axis A_s which, in use, extends substantially vertically below the suspension member 12.

In the embodiment shown the suspension member 12 includes a hook 14 which is rotatable about the suspension axis A₃ relative to the remainder of the transit hanger 10. The suspension member 12, i.e. hook 14, may be lockable in a position extending substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the transit hanger 10. Other embodiments of the invention may include a different suspension member 12 which may, or may not, be rotatable relative to the remainder of the transit hanger 10. The transit hanger 10 shown includes first, second and third pairs 16, 18, 20 of first and second clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24 which are integrally formed in a single transit hanger body 26. In each instance the respective retention site 22, 24 is defined by an aperture passing through the transit hanger body 26. Other types of retention site, such as for example, hooks, recesses, grooves, and/or channels may be including in other embodiments of the invention.

Each clothing hanger retention site 22, 24 within a given pair 16, 18, 20 is spaced from the suspension member 12 so as to, in use, lie substantially equidistant from the suspension axis A_s.

Other embodiments of the invention (not shown) may include less than or more than three pairs of clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24.

The transit hanger body 26 includes a proximal arm 54 that lies adjacent to the suspension member 12 and a distal arm 56 which lies spaced from the suspension member 12.

The proximal and distal arms 54, 56 are selectively interconnected with one another and each clothing hanger retention site 22, 24 within a given pair 16, 18, 20 lies where the proximal and distal arms 54, 56 are interconnected.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, the proximal and distal arms 54, 56 are interconnected by a connecting arm 58 where each of the first and second pairs 16, 18 of retention sites 22, 24 are located, with the retention sites lying adjacent to the distal arm 54. Meanwhile the proximal and distal arms 54, 56 are interconnected directly with one another where the third pair 20 of retention sites 22, 24 are located.

In the embodiment shown, each pair 16, 18, 20 of clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24 is equally spaced from the suspension axis A_s by a different amount. In particular, each retention site 22, 24 in the first pair 16 is equally spaced from the suspension axis A_s by a first amount Si, each retention site 22, 24 in the second pair 18 is equally spaced from the suspension axis A_s by a second amount S₂, the second amount S₂ being greater that the first amount S₁, and each retention site 22, 24 in the third pair 20 is equally spaced from the suspension axis A_s by a third amount S₃, the third amount being greater than the second amount S₂. Each of pair 16, 18, 20 of clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24 lies within the same suspension plane, i.e. the transit hanger is essentially two-dimensional.

In addition, each pair 16, 18, 20 of clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24 are spaced from one another so as to, in use, be spaced from one another along the suspension axis A_s. In practice this means that in use each pair 16, 18, 20 of retention sites 22, 24 is spaced from one another vertically, such that they lie at different heights along the suspension axis A_s. In particular the first pair 16 adopts, in use, the lowermost position, the third pair 20 the highermost position, and the second pair 18 a position midway between the first and third pairs 16, 20.

Other embodiments of the invention may include respective pairs of clothing hanger retention sites that adopt positions relative to one another that differ to those mentioned above.

Each retention site 22, 24 in the three pairs 16, 18, 20, as mentioned above, is integrally formed from a single transit hanger body 26. Conveniently the transit hanger body 26 may be injection-moulded from a plastics material.

Other arrangements (not shown) may include a plurality of discrete transit hanger body elements, each of which includes one pair of clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24. The discrete hanger body elements may be joined to one another, e.g. by a flexible member such as a chord, so as to form a complete transit hanger.

The transit hanger 10 shown also includes a handle 28 which is defined by a series of recesses 30 formed in the transit hanger body 26.

In use, the transit hanger 10 is suspended from a supporting element (not shown) via the suspension member 12, i.e. hook 14. Respective pairs of clothing garments 32 (with each garment 32 being supported by a corresponding clothing hanger 34) are added to the transit hanger 10. The garments 32 are added such that the clothing hanger 34 of each garment 32 within the said pair of garments is retained by a clothing retention site 22, 24 in a corresponding pair 16, 18, 20 of retention sites.

In this way the mass of each garment 32 in a garment pair is equally-spaced from the suspension axis A_s, and so is balanced relative to the other garment 32. As a result the transit hanger 10 is able to maintain its orientation (with each pair 16, 18, 20 or retention sites 22, 24 extending substantially horizontally), and thereby maintain a desired degree of spacing between adjacent garments 32.

An operative may move the transit hanger 10 from one location to another by lifting the transit hanger 10 via the integrally-formed handle 28, as shown in Figure 4.

A transit hanger according to a second embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 40.

The second transit hanger 40 shares a number of similar features with the first transit hanger 10, and these are designated using the same reference numerals.

The second transit hanger 40 includes a further clothing hanger retention site 42 which is aligned with the suspension member 12 such that, in use, it lies along the corresponding suspension axis A_s.

In use an operative may suspend a further clothing garment 32 (via its corresponding clothing hanger 34) from the further clothing hanger retention site 42) without disrupting the balance of other garments suspended from respective pairs 16, 18 of first and second clothing hanger retention sites 22, 24.

A transit hanger according to a third embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 70.

The third transit hanger 70 is very similar to the second transit hanger 40 and similar features share the same reference numerals.

The third transit hanger 70 additionally includes a plurality of first strengthening ribs 72 lying in the proximal arm 54 adjacent to the suspension member 12.

The third transit hanger 70 also includes a plurality of second strengthening ribs 74 within the hook 14 of the suspension member 12.

The inclusion of such strengthening ribs 72, 74 increases further the strength of the transit hanger 70 and reduces further the likelihood of buckling or other damage occurring during use. In use, the third transit hanger 70 otherwise functions in the same manner as the second transit hanger 40.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A transit hanger, for transporting a plurality of clothing garments each supported by a clothing hanger, comprising: a suspension member to suspend the transit hanger from a support element, the suspension member, in use, defining a suspension axis; and a plurality of pairs of clothing hanger retention sites integrally formed in a single transit hanger body, each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair being spaced from the suspension member so as to, in use, lie substantially equidistant from the suspension axis, the transit hanger body including a proximal arm lying adjacent to the suspension member and a distal arm lying spaced from the suspension member, the proximal and distal arms being selectively interconnected with one another and each clothing hanger retention site within a given pair of retention sites lying where the proximal and distal arms are interconnected.

2. A transit hanger according to Claim 1 wherein at least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites are equally spaced from the suspension axis by a different amount.

3. A transit hanger according to Claimi or Claim 2 wherein at least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites lie within the same suspension plane.

4. A transit hanger according to any preceding claim wherein at least two pairs of clothing hanger retention sites are spaced from one another so as to, in use, be spaced from one another along the suspension axis.

5. A transit hanger according to any preceding claim wherein each pair of retention sites lies within the same suspension plane and is equally spaced from the suspension axis by a different amount.

6. A transit hanger according to any preceding claim further including a further clothing hanger retention site aligned with the suspension member so as to, in use, lie on the suspension axis.

7. A transit hanger according to any preceding claim further including a handle.

8. A method of transporting a plurality of clothing garments each supported by a clothing hanger, the method comprising the steps of:

9. A transit hanger generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of transporting a plurality of clothing garments generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.