WO2021191458A1 - Clothes hangers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to clothes hangers. In particular, clothes hangers which may be made from sustainable and/or environmentally friendly materials – for example paper or pulp based clothes hangers. A shoulder-piece for attachment to a substantially planar clothes hanger is disclosed which comprises first and second elongate sections each forming part of the transverse periphery of a shell for containing an arm of the clothes-hanger. A clothes hanger is also disclosed comprising a substantially planar hanger frame incorporating a hook and a moulded shell shaped in the form of a contoured clothes hanger which extends over the planar hanger and is fixed thereto. A method of fixing a hook to, or within, the body of a substantially planar clothes hanger is disclosed. A clothes hanger is also disclosed comprising a plurality of layers of sheet material. A clothes hanger is disclosed comprising a gripper comprising one or more pieces of flat material. A method of providing an indicator for a clothes hanger is also disclosed.

Description

CLOTHES HANGERS

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to clothes hangers. In particular the invention relates clothes hangers which may be made from sustainable and/or environmentally friendly materials - for example paper or pulp based clothes hangers.

Background

Clothing companies, as an example, are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to convey, store and display their products. For example, when clothing is being offered for sale in a modern retail environment the clothes-hanger may be an important 'point-of-sale' tool. As such clothes hangers may include both functional and aesthetic features to show a garment in its best possible aspect. However, traditional clothes hangers are typically formed from plastic, metal (such as bent wire) or a combination of both. Such clothes hangers have an environmental footprint and may create waste which is difficult to recycle. Accordingly, many clothing brands and/or retailers have a desire to use alternate clothes hangers which are formed from more environmentally friendly material such as paper which has a lower environmental footprint and may, for example, be easily recycled.

Clothes hangers made from paper based materials (which it will be appreciated may include, without limitation, cardboard or paperboard and other cellulose-based pulp products) may be mainly formed from sheet based material. As such one disadvantage of current products may be that the resulting clothes hanger has a substantially planar form. Accordingly, the inventors have recognised that it would be desirable to provide clothes hangers formed from paper-based materials which have an increased front-to-back depth and/or include a three dimensional contoured form and/or shoulder portions so as to provide a similar function to existing shaped plastic and wood hangers. Such arrangements may for example ensure that the hanger is adequate for the filling-out of that area of a garment in immediate contact with the hanger arms. The inventors have also identified that it may be desirable to provide a hanger with a gripper made perhaps from a stronger material such as metal, plastic etc., may be attached securely to a hanger made from a softer and less durable material and in a flat format.

Further it is considered that it may be desirable to provide an arrangement in which a support hook made perhaps from a material such as metal, plastic etc., may be attached securely to a hanger made from a softer and less durable material and in a flat format. Embodiments have, therefore, been conceived with the aim of equipping a substantially planar hanger with a metal hook which is both functional and stable.

Another common requirement of clothes hangers is to display information which relates to the garment which hangs on it - for example, size information, price or any other message which the operator wishes to convey. As such, further embodiments have been conceived with the aim of equipping a clothes hanger with a small and easily attachable and detachable device which can indicate any small piece of information, for example the size of a garment. In the current market place, this has been done with small plastic attachments of various types. In a product, however, which aims to be environmentally friendly, such a device would require to be made in an equally environmentally appropriate way.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a shoulder-piece for attachment to a substantially planar clothes hanger as claimed in claim 1. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 2 to 15.

Embodiments of the invention may reduce the number of steps required to assembly a clothes hanger. For example, embodiments may advantageously remove the need to include any additional gluing of pinning steps.

The Inventors have surprising found that the provision of a 'locking-pin' made in pulp, projecting through an aperture to fit as tightly as possible provides an effective and reliable connection without the need for further attachment means. In particular, in embodiments the aperture into which the locking-pin fits is cut from the top flat surface of a pedestal and this has been found to provide a particularly reliable connection. The pedestal may be a rectangular pyramid in some embodiments, but may also be polygonal. The locking pin may also be polygonal. The inventors have found that when such a locking pin is pushed into an aperture on a pedestal it may provide a very strong fit, much greater than could be anticipated. As such, embodiments provide the opportunity to form a 'one-shot' assembly across a range of pulp artefacts, without additional processes. The inventors believe that the provision of an aperture being cut into a flat top surfaced pedestal is particularly advantageous as it significantly reduces the possibility of stress- related 'decay' occurring within that aperture (for example in comparison to a pedestal which simply has its top removed to form an aperture rather than having an aperture in a flat surface). According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a clothes hanger as claimed in claim 16. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 17 or 18.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a clothes hanger as claimed in claim 19. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 20 to 24.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fixing a hook to, or within, the body of a substantially planar clothes hanger as claimed in claim 25. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 26 or 27.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a clothes hanger comprising a gripper as claimed in claim 28. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 29 to 32.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing an indicator for a clothes hanger claimed in claim 33. Embodiments may include one or more features as defined in dependent claims 34 or 35.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description or drawings.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention may be performed in various ways, and embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.l shows a known planar clothes hanger in elevation;

Fig.2 shows the same hanger in perspective;

Fig.3 shows two shoulder-pieces in plan, and joined at the middle, according to an embodiment of the invention;.

Fig.4 shows the same from below;

Fig.5 shows the same, the underside view of the shoulders, in perspective as they would be moulded;

Fig.6 shows the two shoulder pieces, separated;

Fig.7 shows in plan the left shoulder-piece;

Fig.8 shows, in the upper part, the section through the line A-A in Fig.7, and in the lower part the section through the line B-B in Fig.7;

Fig.9 shows the same sections, but with the apparatus in the closed position, with the location of the hanger-arm indicated by the dotted line;

Fig.10 shows in side view, looking along the length of the hanger from its outer-end, a cross- section indicated by the line D-D in Fig.9, showing how the hanger arm may be retained in situ within the body of the closed shoulder-piece;

Fig.11 shows in perspective how the hanger arm is located within the body of the opened shoulder piece;

Fig.12 shows howthe opposite section ofthe shoulder-piece is pushed overand underthe hanger arm to lock onto the extensions within the outer shell;

Fig.13 shows how the shoulder-piece is locked by pushing one section into the outer shoulder- shell from below, and engaging the tabs along the outer-edge of the outer shell;

Fig.14 shows the completed shoulder on one arm of the hanger;

Fig.15 shows in elevation, the hanger completed with a shoulder now located on both arms;

Fig.16 shows how to release the shoulder-piece from the hanger-arm;

Figs.17 and 18 show a right and left shoulder-piece, opened out in plan from the outside, according to an alternative embodiment;

Figs.18 and 19 show the same from below;

Fig.21 shows the left shoulder-piece opened out and with the hanger-arm located against the back wall ofthe upper shoulder-shell prior to the apparatus being closed around the hanger-arm; Fig.22 shows in inset, one of the tabs in the second or lower section;

Fig.23 shows in inset the slot cut into the third or latch section;

Fig.24 shows the next stage of deployment with the third or latching section folded into the second or pylon section and beneath the hanger-arm;

Fig.25 shows the shoulder-piece locked in-situ around the hanger-arm;

Fig.26 shows in inset how the tab from the uppers section engages with the slot on the latch section;

Fig.27 shows in plan-view, the fully-deployed shoulder-piece, indication a section-view on the hanger arm;

Fig.28 shows in cross-section the interior of the deployed shoulder-piece in the section indicated by section-line X-X in Fig.27; Fig.29 shows again in plan-view, the fully-deployed shoulder-piece, indication a section-view on the hanger-arm;

Fig.30 shows in cross-section the interior of the deployed shoulder-piece in the section indicated by section-line Y-Y in Fig.29;

Fig.31 shows the hanger with the fully-deployed shoulder-pieces attached;

Fig.32 shows the first embodiment, a moulded hanger-shaped shell prior to being dropped over a planar hanger frame;

Fig.33 shows the planar hanger-frame within the outer shell;

Fig.34 shows how an indent on the tip of each arm of the planar-hanger engages with the inner bottom edge of the indented slot on either side of the outer shell;

Fig.35 shows the same viewed from below;

Fig.36 shows in perspective from above a second embodiment where a planar hanger frame sits below an outer shell with attachments designed to fold beneath main outer sections to embrace and contain the planar section prior to assembly;

Fig.37 shows the same from behind;

Fig.38 shows the planar hanger-frame situated within the body of the outer shells prior to being held in situ by the fold-in sections hinged on the back edge of the upper shells;

Fig.39 shows the same from the front, with both arms of the outer shell now folded down;

Fig.40 shows the same from below;

Fig.41 shows in plan, the location 'C' of the section-view;

Fig.42 shows cross-section, the upper shell with the planar hanger frame in situ with lower section hinged on from the base of the back wall of the outer shell;

Fig.43 shows the same cross-section with the lower section folded upwards into the body of outer shell trapping the planar hanger-frame within;

Fig.44 shows the same in perspective from below;

Fig.45 shows the completed hanger with the arms of planar hanger-frame now locked into the body of the outer shells;

Fig.46 shows where the cross-section is located;

Fig.47 shows how the locking pins in the upper outer shells fit into the apertures on the pedestals of the lower section;

Fig.48 shows the completed hanger in perspective;

Fig.49 shows the same in front elevation; Fig.50 shows a third embodiment where the outer shells are again hinged to attach to a planar hanger-frame by means of flat tabs attached to the planar-frame lock into the outer shells at indented slots on each arm of the outer shell;

Fig.51 shows the tabs which attach the two parts;

Fig.52 shows the obverse of the hinged outer shells;

Fig.53 shows the outer shells with the planar-frame prior to their being folded down to be locked onto the planar-frame;

Fig.54 shows the fully assembled hanger with the tabs in situ;

Fig.55 shows in section how the tab locks the planar-frame into the outer shells;

Fig.56 shows an exploded view of a hanger formed from a plurality of layers;

Fig.57 shows an assembled view of the hanger of Fig.56;

Fig.58 shows an exploded view of another hanger formed from a plurality of layers;

Fig.59 shows an assembled view of the hanger of Fig.58;

Fig.60 shows an exploded view of another hanger formed from a plurality of layers;

Fig.61 shows an assembled view of the hanger of Fig.60;

Fig.62 shows a hook with a lower section which has been narrowed for a short distance along its length;

Fig.63 shows a perspective view of the same;

Fig.64 shows a plan view of a pre-formed flange prior to fixing;

Fig.65 shows a side view of the same;

Fig.66 shows a perspective of the pre-formed flange;

Fig.67 shows how the flange is folded during fixing to the shank;

Fig.68 shows a perspective view of one side of the fixed flange;

Fig.69 shows the other side;

Fig.70 shows the hook with the flange fitted and embedded into the narrowed section;

Fig.71 shows another hook fitted with a small collar at its base;

Fig.72 shows a perspective of the same;

Fig.73 shows another pre-formed flange in perspective;

Fig.74 shows how the flange is folded to fit the shank of the collared hook;

Fig.75 shows a perspective view of the fitted flange;

Fig.76 shows the same from the other side;

Fig 77 shows the shows the hook with the flange fitted;

Fig.78 shows essentially the same flange in a different shape; Fig.79 shows in perspective, another format of the flange with small extensions cut from one side;

Fig.80 shows the folding of the flange onto the shank;

Fig.81 shows the folding completed;

Fig.82 shows in perspective another type of flange where small extensions are formed at cut outs;

Fig.83 shows how the extensions locate and grip the shank at fitting;

Fig.84 shows another type of shank fitted with 'mouse-ears';

Fig.85 shows the hook with the flange attached;

Fig.86 shows how the flanged hook sits within the central member of the hanger and how hanger may be constructed in three layers;

Fig.87 shows an enlarged image of the slot into which the flanged shank is fitted;

Figs.88-90 show exactly the same with a flange of a different shape, rounded or elliptical in this case;

Figs.91-94 are schematic drawings showing in perspective how the flanged shank fits into the slot in the central member of the hanger, and how the hanger is constructed in three layers to contain the fitted hook;

Fig 95 shoes the assembled hanger of Fig.91 to 94;

Fig.96 shows in oblique view the three layers of the hanger with the central hooked section in the centre, prior to assembly;

Fig.97 shows the front of the hanger in elevation with the two horizontal apertures on the front layer;

Fig.98 shows the obverse;

Fig.99 shows the first embodiment of the gripper in oblique view;

Fig.100 shows a side view;

Fig.101 shows a front elevation of the gripper;

Fig.102 shows a section of how the gripper fits onto the arm of a planar clothes hanger where the aperture is cut through the whole hanger;

Fig. 103 shows the same except that aperture is cut into only one layer of the hanger arm;

Fig.104 shows in oblique view how the gripper is fitted to the hanger with the pommel located within the aperture;

Fig.105 shows the obverse of the same;

Fig.106 shows in a front elevation how a garment is held onto the hanger by the grippers; Fig.107 shows how a lighter garment like pants may be held onto the hanger, where the front of the hanger becomes the back, with the waist held beneath the gripper;

Fig.108 shows another method of securing the same, by 'looping' around the gripper-leg;

Fig.109 shows the obverse in both methods of attachment;

Fig. 110 shows in a front elevation how light pants are displayed on the hanger;

Figs. Ill, 112, 113 and 114 show a variant format of substantially the same gripper where the lift-tab points upwards to work as a lever pushed inwards from the top to open the gripper;

Fig.115 shows a pre-printed strip of material;

Fig.116 shows how a strip, with adhesive applied to edges to be conjoined, may be wrapped around a spindle;

Fig.117 shows the point at which the strip is tightened and the adhesive links the edges thereby forming the strip into a tube;

Fig.118 shows the completed printed and fully formed tube, removed from the spindle, bearing the information with cut-indicators showing how the tube is divided into sections with the information configured to appear at the centre of each section;

Fig.119 shows a number of these sections after they have been cut;

Fig.120 shows how the small tubular sections may be inserted onto the support-hook of the hanger, and slid down to a point of rest where the hook-shank meets the top edge of the hanger; and

Fig.121 shows the hanger displaying the information.

Detail Description of Embodiments

Various embodiments in accordance with different aspects of the invention will now be described in further detail.

Shoulder Pieces

With reference to Fig 1 to 31, embodiments of the invention which provide a shaped shoulder piece for use with a substantially planar hanger will now be described. The present designs, although makeable from plastic, metal or other material, have been conceived, therefore, with the aim of equipping a substantially planar hanger with shoulders which can be created from an environmentally-friendly material, for example, the range of fibrous or organic material now available, and particularly paper pulp. Moreover, although the shoulders may be attached to a planar hanger frame, using glue, pins or such like, the present invention has been created with an added facility of being easily attached or detached without adhesive, pins, clips or intermediate device so that the planar hanger may be used with or without the shoulder attachment.

Pulp-moulding technology, however, has some limitations which bear on this invention and its manufacture. Those limitations are, that no part of the moulded structure should comprise what is termed, a 'negative draft angle' within any form which has either, 'over-hangs' requiring the mould to have 'indents' or 'outcrops' within any near-vertical form, or having any characteristic which nears being perpendicular to the mould itself, the generally accepted limit being around 80 Degrees, making the creation of a parallel-sided cylinder or box, for example, difficult or impossible to remove from the mould when the material sets. This makes it difficult to create a robust locking mechanism.

In the embodiments of the present invention, this limitation has been compensated for by means of designing into the artefact to be moulded certain features which can function in spite of this limitation. Embodiments of the present invention, therefore, has adopted features which make use of the nature and texture of the material of paper pulp to achieve locking mechanisms which conform to the negative draft-angle limitation.

Fig.l shows in elevation, a substantially planar hanger 2, which is seen again in perspective in Fig.2. Fig.3 shows in plan view the shoulder-pieces 1L,1R joined in the centre by a cut-line E-E with frontal or upper sections 3L,3R at the top, showing the interior of the incorporated extensions, 5L,6L,7L and 5R,6R,7R which in this embodiment are of a circular and conical shape, pointing into the interior of the shoulder-shells 3L, 3R to form a series of locking-pins of a 'male' character. On the opposite sections 4L,4R, separated from the sections 3L,3R by fold-lines A-B,B- C, are located a series of pedestals 8L,9L,10L and 8R,9R,10R in the shape of flat-topped pyramids with apertures 8X,9X,10X and 8Y,9Y,10Y cut into the top surfaces to form a 'female' receptor for the 'male' locking pins.

Fig.4 shows the obverse of the shoulders 1L,1R, and the outside surfaces of both sets of male extensions 5L,6L,7L and 5R,6R,7R extending within the shoulder shells 3L, 3R, and on the opposite panels 4L,4R the outer surfaces of the corresponding female pedestals 8L,9L,10L and 8R,9R,10R. Fig.5 is a perspective of the shoulders 1L,1R as they may come out from the mould, with the interior uppermost. Fig.6 shows the separation of the two shoulders 1L,1R prior to attaching to the hanger 2.

The discussion will be now be continued with reference only to section 1L, as the two shoulder- pieces 1L,1R are symmetrical. In Fig.7 the section 1L comprising two sections 3L,4L separated by a fold-line A-B is seen in plan with section-lines A-A and B-B indicating which areas of the cross-section are viewed in Fig.8 and Fig.9 respectively. In Fig.8 therefore the upper cross-section A-A shows the inward-pointing male locking-pins 5L,6L,7L arranged along the length of the section 3L, while below the cross-section B-B shows the panel 4L comprising the female pyramid-shaped pedestals 8L,9L,10L with the apertures 8X,9X,10X located on their top surfaces.

In Fig.9 the same cross-sections A-A, B-B are shown with the panel 4L now folded into the opposite section 3L along fold-line A-B where the male locking-pins 5L,6L,7L have now entered the female pedestals 8L,9L,10L respectively through apertures 8X,9X,10X which have been cut so that they may grip the locking-pins 5L,6L,7L trapping the hanger arm 2L (indicated in Fig.9 by the dotted line) between the conjoined locking-pins 5L,6L,7L with the pedestals 8L,9L,10L and the panel 11XL which forms a wall within the shoulder-shell 3L. In the same operation of closing the shoulder 1L around the arm 2L of the hanger 2, the tabs T1,T2,T3 located on the edge of the panel 4L may be engaged with the corresponding slots S1,S2,S3 on the shell-section 3L to add further security to the conjoined sections 3L,4I of the shoulder 1L. The now attached shoulder 1L may be further secured from sliding off the hanger arm 2L by the end of the arm being located within a small slot S7 cut into the lower panel 4L at the outer-end of the fold-line A-B.

Fig.10 shows a cross-section (indicated in Fig.9 by the line D-D) looking from the outer end of the now locked shoulder 1L where the locking pin 6L, engaging with the pedestal 9L through the aperture 9X on said pedestal 9L is trapping the hanger-arm against the back wall 11XL of the shoulder 1L. The engagement of the tab T2 can be seen engaging with the slot S2 to add to the security of the lock.

Figs.11-14 are schematic drawings showing how the shoulder 1L is fitted to the hanger 2, which also indicates how the opposite shoulder 1R is attached to the other arm 2R of the hanger 2.

In Fig.15 the hanger arm is placed against the inner wall 11XL of the open shoulder 1L behind the locking-pins 5L,6L,7L, while in Fig.12 the panel 4L is brought around along fold-line A-B and folded over to allow the locking-pins 5L,6L,7L in the shell-section 3L to enter the tops of the pedestals 8L,9L,10L through their respective apertures 8X,9X,10X. Fig.13 shows the final pressure being applied to push the locking-pins 5L,6L,7L into the pedestals 8L,9L,10L, and to engage the tabs T1,T2,T3 on the outer edge of panel 3L with the slots S1,S2,S3 in outer edge of the shoulder-shell 3L.

Fig.14 shows from above the shoulder-piece 1L attached to the hanger arm 2L. Fig.15 shows in front elevation the hanger 2 with both shoulders II, 1R fully attached to each arm 2L,2R of the hanger 2. Fig.16 shows how the shoulder-piece 1L is detached from the hanger 2 by lifting the outer edge of the panel 4L and pulling the outer edge of the shoulder-shell 3L outwards as the pedestals 8L,9L,10L are pulled away from the locking-pins 5L,6L,7L, and the tabs T1,T2,T3 located on the edge of the panel 4L, are disengaged from their slots S1,S2,S3 on the shell-section 3L as the panel 4L is folded outwards along fold-line A-B, releasing the hanger-arm 2L.

Figs. 17-31 show shoulder pieces according to a second embodiment of the present invention, also moulded from paper pulp.

Figs.17-20 show the outer surfaces of both the right shoulder piece HR and the left shoulder piece 11L first from above in Figs 17 and Fig.18 in the open position, prior to deployment and in perspective, and then in Figs.19-20 from below. Each shoulder-piece 11R and HL consists of three sections, 12R,13R and 14R, and 12L,13L andl4L, separated by fold-lines F-F and G-G in the case of HR, and by fold-lines H-H and J-J in the case of HL.

The discussion will be now be continued with reference only to section HL, as the two shoulder- pieces HL,HR are symmetrical.

In Fig.21, which shows the apparatus HIL in the inverted position, the shoulder-piece HL is shown in the open, pre-deployed position with the hanger arm 2L located against the inside back surface of the upper section 13L. Fig.22 shows an enlarged image of the tab T9L, one of a series cut into the outer edge of the top-section 13L. Fig.23 shows an enlarged image of one of the slots S10L on the outer section 12L. In Fig.24, the slot-section 12L is folded inwards to cover the underside of the hanger-arm 2L, and in Fig.25 the lower panel 14L is brought around to fold along fold-line J-J to cover the underside of the upper shell 13L in which the underside of hanger arm 2L is now covered by the outer slot-section 12L, where the tabs T9,T10,TH on the outer edge of the lower section 14L may engage with slots S9L,S10L,SHL respectively, as shown in the enlarged view in Fig.26. Fig.27 is a plan view of the deployed shoulder-piece HL on the hanger-arm 2L with the top-section 13L uppermost to indicate by line X-X where the cross-section is taken from in Fig.28. Fig.29 shows again the same plan view shown in Fig.27, this time to indicate by line Y- Y where the cross-section is taken from as shown in Fig.30, showing how the hanger-arm 2L is held by extensions 15L,16L,17L against the back of section 13L.

Fig.31 shows the hanger 2 with both shoulder-pieces 13R,13L fully deployed on the hanger-arms 2R,2L.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides shoulder pieces that can be moulded from an environmentally-friendly material and easily and securely attached to a substantially planar clothes hanger. Contoured hangers

With reference to Fig 32 to 55, embodiments of the invention are described which relate to forming a contoured clothes hanger using a more environmentally-friendly material such as paper-pulp and designing a hanger using a softer material than traditional plastic or wood, to provide such a hanger with comparable strength now be described. A number of embodiments have been designed in conformity to the methods used in paper-pulp technology, whereby shaped shells have been designed to drop over and be fixed to a substantially planar hanger- frame which may incorporate a metal hook, to provide a stable and durable hanger.

In Fig.32 a single moulded shell 102, shaped in the form of a contoured clothes hanger 102 has two indented slots 104R, 104L formed on either side of the hanger shell 102, and is shown above the planar hanger frame 101 which may incorporate a hook 103, prior to said shell 102 being dropped onto the hanger frame 101, which has small indents 105R,105L cut into the underside of the tip of each arm 101R,101L of the hanger frame 101, and which are designed to secure the hanger frame 101 within the shell 102 by locking into the upward facing bottom edges (Fig.34) of the indented slots 104R,104L formed at the outer ends of the shoulder on each side of the shell 102, also seen from below in Fig.35.

Fig.35 shows another embodiment in which another contoured shoulder-shell 107 is seen from above, prior to being dropped onto the planar hanger-frame 101. Consisting of an upper section made of three parts 107R,107M,107L linked by a series of folds 109R,109L, and by a series of 'concertina-folds' A-A,B-B,C-C,D-D, the two outer sections 107R,107L each have another section 108R,108L attached to the back edges of each of the upper sections 107R,107L at fold-lines X- X,Y-Y seen in Fig.37. Fig.38 shows the dotted outline of the hanger frame 101 within the upper sections 107R,107M,107L prior to the outer sections 107R,107L being folded downwards (Fig.39) at folds 109R,109L, compressing 'concertina-folds' A-A,B-B,C-C,D-D inwards, and seen again from below in Fig.40. Fig.41 shows the location of the section D-D on the upper section 107L which shows in section (Figs.43-44) how the lower sections 108L,108R are folded upwards to trap the arms 101R,101L within the body of the upper shoulder-shells 107R,107L. Figs.42-44 show how the lower sections 108R,108L fold upwards into the upper sections 107R,107L to be locked by a series of locking pins 107A,107B,107C and 107D,107E,107F into a corresponding series of pyramid-shaped pedestals 108A,108B,108C and 108D,108E,108F each cut with an aperture to grip the locking pins 107A,107B,107C and 107D,107E,107F forming a secure bond between the upper outer shells 107R,107L and the lower sections 108R,108L, trapping the hanger frame 1 within the fully assembled structure 107. In Fig.45 the dotted lines show how the locking pins

107A,107B,107C and 107D,107E,107F held within the pedestals 108A,108B,108C and 108D,108E,108F secure the hanger frame within the outer structure 107. Figs.15-16 shows the same in section. Figs 48-49 show the fully assembled Hanger 107,101.

Figs.50-55 show a further embodiment having a similar design with an alternative method of fixing the hanger-frame 111 which may also incorporate a hook 3, within another outer shell 110, which again isformed ofthree sections 110R,110M,110L joined at folds 112R,112Land bya series of 'concertina-folds' E-E,F-F,G-G,H-H, and having a series of indented slots 113R,117R on the front and back of the outer shell 110R and by the same slots 113L,117L on the front and back of the opposite arm 110L. In this embodiment, the hanger-frame is secured by one or more tabs 16R.16L designed to engage with slots 15R,15L on each arm 14R,14L (Figs.50-51).

Fig.53 shows the first part of the assembly where the outer shell 110R,110M,110L is located on the hanger-frame 111 prior to being folded downwards at folds 112R, 112L, compressing 'concertina-folds' E-E,F-F,G-G,H-H, inwards and engaging the tabs 16R,16L with the slots 113R,117R,113L,117L on each outer shell 110R,110L where the lower edges of the slots 113R,117R,113L,117L engage with the indents X2,X3 on the tabs 116R,116L as seen in the sectional view in Fig.55, securing the hanger frame 111 within the outer shoulder-shell 110. The fully-assembled hanger is seen in Fig.54.

Formation of Substantially Planar Hangers

With reference to Fig 56 to 61, embodiments of the invention provide a substantially planar hanger with a greater depth of material between the front and back of the hanger.

According to embodiments of the present invention therefore the hanger has been built in layers using a combination of solid-board with any lighter but bulkier material, for example, in the present embodiment, 'flute-board', a material created by enclosing a substantially corrugated paper or card between two layers of paper or card, to provide a lighter but thicker sheet material, commonly used for strong, light packaging and boxes. These may be combined in a variety of ways with, for example, a central member made from solid-board to which the support-hook may be attached, enveloped by layers of flute-board built-up to a point where a desired thickness is reached, where an outer layer of solid-board may be applied to one or both surfaces to complete and provide a durable surface to the hanger.

Fig.56 shows the hanger 201 prior to the joining of the layers, 203,204,205,206,207 with the central layer 205 which carries the hook 202 sandwiched between one layer of flute-board 204 on one side and another layer of flute-board 206 on the other. In this example the layers of flute- board 204,206 are single-layer flute-boards, but with each layer 204,206 cut in such a way that one layer 204 has the flutes running horizontally, while the other 206 has the flutes running vertically to provide an overall strength to the hanger 201. Fig.57 shows the fully assembled hanger 201.

In Fig.58 a slightly different variant shows the hanger 208, again comprised of a number of layers 203,209,205,210,207, where the flute-board layers 209,210 are double layers where the flutes within each layer 209,210 have been manufactured running at 90 degrees to each other. Fig.59 shows the completed hanger 208.

In Fig.60 another combination shows the hanger 211, built from layers 203,209,205,212,207 in which layer 205 is a solid-board which carries the hook 202, but is not placed in the centre of the assembly, but which itself 205 forms a sandwich with another solid-board layer 212 enveloping a layer of double-flute-board 209, to be completed by the outer surface-layers 203,207.

It will be appreciated that the number of layers of material determines the thickness of the hanger 201,208,211, and that a number of differing combinations of solid-board with different types of lighter-weight material will provide for a hanger of substantial volume, thickness and durability.

Hanger Support Hooks

With reference to Fig 62 to 95, embodiments of the invention provide a way of fixing a hook to, or within the body of a substantially planar clothes hanger.

According to embodiments a method has been developed of securing metal hook to an essentially flat hanger, consisting of a hook which has been fitted at its lower end with a flange which may be of any shape, made from some strong and resilient material, e.g., metal, folded over the shank to form one or more 'wings' or protusions, extending horizontally outwards on one, or either side of the shank a short distance from its base, and held in place by being shaped to embrace the shank either prior to being attached to the shank, or by tooling at the moment of attachment, and which may also be spot-welded, pinned, folded-over or glued for added security. The flange is secured on the vertical either by its location at a section of the shank which has been narrowed to embed the flange, or by a collar, or any feature which prevents the flange from sliding off the shank located near its base. When the section of the hook bearing the flange is embedded within a slot shaped to accommodate and constrict both the flange and the shank, the hook is set at ninety degrees to the hanger, and set centrally within the upper section of the hanger to be held in situ by the slot being covered on both its exposed sides, thereby containing the flanged shank and providing the hanger with a securely based hook.

Fig.62 shows a hook 301 where the shank 302 has a section 303 which has been narrowed, and shown again in perspective in Fig.63, so that a flange 305 may be attached so that it is prevented from sliding off the shank 302. In Fig.64 a plan view of the flange 305 is shown divided at its center into two sections 306,307 by a fold-line B-B, and with a channel A-A formed on one side 306. This channel A-A may be pre-formed on the flange 305, but may also be formed by tooling at the point of attachment. Fig.65 shows the flange 305 in a side view, and in Fig.66 a perspective view. Figs.67-69 show three views in perspective of how the flange 305 may be fitted to the shank 302 at the narrow-section 303, by folding over with the channel A-A fitting into the narrowed section 303 and folded. The flange 305 may be held in situ in a variety of ways, first by being pinned, spot-welded or glued at the point 308 on the section 307 of the flange 305, or if the material used for the flange 305 is spring-like, or strong but malleable it may remain in situ without further means of attachment. Fig.70 shows the hook 301 fitted with the flange 305. In Fig.71 a similar hook 309 is shown, this time equipped by a collar 311 which secures the flange 312 on the shank 310 on the vertical from just above its base 11A, shown again in perspective in Fig.72. In Fig.73 the flange 312 is seen in perspective, divided centrally into two sections 313,314 by a fold-line D-D, with channels C-C and E-E set at the center of each of those sections 313,314. Figs. 74-76 show a similar process to the first flange 305, of how the flange 312 is folded around the shank 310 where the shank 310 fits into the channels C-C, D-D, and as before the flange 312 may be secured by spot-weld, pin or glue at the point 308, or if made from a spring-like material or strong malleable material, may hold by itself. Fig 77 shows the completed hook 309 fitted with the flange 312, and Fig.78 shows a completed flange 312X and hook 309 which differs from the flange 312 only insofar as it is a different shape, in this case elliptical/rounded.

Figs.79-81 show a variant flange 315 again divided by a fold-line F-F into two sections 316,317 and where the means of securing the flange 315 onto the shank 310 of the collared hook 309 is by means of two small 'teeth' 318X, 319X (Fig.80) cut from the sectionl7 of the flange 315, at slots 18,19 to fold downwards and opposite each other so as to embrace the shank 310 when the flange 315 is folded over the shank 310, again to be held by spot-weld, pin, gluing or by the spring-like material or if malleable by remaining as the tooling left it.

Figs.81-83 show an alternative flange 320 again divided by a central fold-line G-G into two sections 21,22 where one section 322 has cut out from its opposite lengthwise edges, small sections 323,324 where the outer corners W,X and Y,Z created on either side of the excisions W,X and Z,Y are folded inwards towards, when folded, the opposite panel 321, to form a channel between W,Y and X,Z into which the shank 310 may fit when the flange 320 is folded around the shank 310, and as in the previous embodiments, restricted in any downward track on the shank 310 by the collar 311 set just above the base 311A of the shank 310. Again, fixing may be as previously described in Figs.74-76. Fig.84 shows another type of hook 326 where the shank 310A is fitted with small extensions known as 'mouse-ears K,L.

All the flanges 305,312,315,320 or 312X previously described are fitted in the same way. In Figs.85-290 a method of possible construction shows how hooks 301,309 fitted with the flange 312, or 312X may be attached to a central member of a hanger 327, 327A by being placed in a slot 329,330 cut to correspond closely to the shape of the shank 305,310 and flange 312 or 312X so as to embrace and constrict the hook 301,309 and shank 302,3010 fitted the flange 312 or 312X so as to secure the hook 301,309 extending upwards at 90 degrees to the top of the hanger. Figs. 26 and 29 show the slots prior to fitting. Figs.88-90 show the same construction but with a flange 312X which may be rounded or elliptical.

In Figs.91-92 a series of close-up perspective drawings shows again how the hanger 326,327,328 is constructed to contain and secure the hook 301,309 with the flange 312. In Fig.91 the shank 310 bearing the flange 312 is set to drop into the slot 329 on the central member 327 of a three- layer hanger 326,327,328, supported on its back by an outer-layer 326. In Fig.92 the shank 310 with its flange 312 is located within the slot 329 supported behind by the additional layer 326. Fig.94 shows the same with another layer 328 about to drop onto the central layer 327, from the other side sealing the assembled hook, 301,309 shank 310 and flange 312 securely within the slot 329 in the central member 327 of the hanger 326, 327, 328.

Fig. 95 shows the completed hanger 326, 327, 328 with hook 301,309 fully attached within the body of the hanger 326, 327, 328.

Hanger Grippers

With reference to Fig 96 to 114, embodiments of the invention also provide a method of equipping a clothes hanger with a means of holding garments of different size and weight onto the hanger by means of one or more grippers which can locate at different points on the hanger. Embodiments have been conceived, therefore, with the aim of equipping a substantially planar hanger with a gripper which may be flatterthan conventional mechanical grippers, allowing more hangers on a rail, and which may be made from a single piece of springy material such as metal or plastic without the need for expensive engineering, mechanical assembly and tooling According to embodiments of the present invention therefore a gripper which may be formed from one or more pieces of flat material, either metal or some other spring-capable substance, is configured into an approximately inverted 'U' shape, to contain the arm of a substantially planar hanger where one straight leg of the 'U' confines the arm of said hanger between the point where the legs of the inverted 'U' meet, and the end of said leg by a tab which extends inwards at 90 degrees to hold the top and bottom edges of the hanger arm, which is held against this leg by means of an inward-facing horizontal pommel formed at a point near the end of the opposite leg, and which thereafter extends outwards and downwards to form a tab which may be lifted to open and release the gripper for the purpose of retaining and displaying a garment According to the present invention therefore a gripper which may be formed from one or more pieces of flat material, either metal or some other resilient material. The gripper has a general inverted U-shape. It comprises a first, generally straight leg, and a second leg that is bent towards the first leg. The two legs meet at a point between the top of the inverted U and the respective ends of the two legs. The first leg may, at its end, be provided with a tab that extends towards the second leg. The tab may make a 90-degree angle with the first leg. The second leg flares away from the first leg beyond the point where the two legs meet, and ends in a tab that may be lifted to open and release the gripper. The gripper is designed for use with a substantially planar hanger. When mounted on the hanger the first leg of the gripper engages the rear surface of the hanger arm. The optional tab at the end of the first leg engages the bottom edge of the hanger arm. The second leg forms an inward-facing pommel which engages the front surface of the hanger arm, or falls within a slot or other opening provided in the hanger arm. The tab provided at the end of the second leg extends forward and downward from the hanger, so that it may be lifted to open and release the gripper for the purpose of retaining and displaying a garment.

Fig.96 shows how the planar hanger 1 may be formed by bringing together three layers 401C, 401A, a thicker central panel with a hook, and 401B with, in the present embodiment, two horizontal apertures 3,4 cut into either side of said front panel 401B. In Fig.97 a front elevation is shown with the two apertures 403,404 running horizontally along the lower surface on each arm of the front panel 401B, Fig.3 showing the obverse. In Figs. 99-103 a number of views of the gripper 405 are shown. In Fig.99 an oblique view shows the gripper 405 made from a single piece of flat material which may be metal or some other springy material, which is configured (Fig.100) into an approximately inverted 'U' shape, to contain the section of the arm L,R (Figs.102-103), of a substantially planar hanger 401 where one straight leg 410 of the gripper 405 confines the arm L,R of said hanger 401 between the point 12 where the legs 410,411 of the gripper 405 meet, and the end of said leg 410 by a tab 408 which extends inwards at 90 degrees from the end of leg 410 to hold the top and bottom edges of the hanger arm L,R, which is held against this leg 410 by means of an inward-facing horizontal pommel 406 formed at a point near the end of the opposite leg 411, said pommel 406 locating onto an indent or aperture 403,404 cut into the hanger 401 (Fig.104. Fig.105 shows the obverse)) and which thereafter extends outwards as a strut 409 and then vertically downwards to form a tab 407 which may be lifted to open and release the gripper 405 for the purpose of retaining and displaying a garment 413, (Fig.106) and which is moveable into different positions along the length of the hanger arm L,R.

Figs.107, 108, 109 show how a lighter garment like small pants 414 may be retained on the hanger 401 by means of the same gripper 405. For this the back and front of the hanger 401 are turned around so that the indents 403,404 on the arms L,R, are at the back 401B of the hanger 401 with the pommel 406 now also located on the back. In Fig, 407 the outer ends of the pants 414 are wrapped around the outer edges of the hanger 401 from the now, front panel 401C and retained at the back 401B between the pommel 406 and the aperture/indent 403. Another method is shown in Fig.108 where the waistband of the pants 414 is looped around the leg 411 of the turned-around gripper 405 and the lift-tab 407, where the front of the garment 414 is displayed on what is now the front panel 401C of the hanger 401. Fig.109 shows what is now the front 401C of the hanger 401, and in Fig, 110 the way the pants 414 are displayed is shown in elevation. Different sizes of garments may be tensioned by sliding the gripper 405 to locate at different distances along the hanger 401.

Figs. Ill, 112, 113 and 114 show what is substantially the same gripper 405X but with the bottom- located lifting tab 407 now replaced by an upward-pointing lever 407X, which opens the gripper 405X by means of inward pressure on the lever 407X from the top. This gripper 405X attaches and functions in exactly the same way as the first gripper.

Hanger Information

With reference to Fig 115 to 121, embodiments of the invention also provide a way to indicate information on a clothes hanger which may relate to the garment which hangs on it, for example, size information, price or other messages the operator wishes to convey.

According to embodiments the hanger has been equipped with a small tubular section which may be pre-printed with whatever information is required by the operator, which in the current embodiment relates to size-information which may be provided in letters, symbols, colours or digits. The present embodiment shows a similar method of making the cylinder to the way drinking straws were manufactured prior to the advent of the plastic drinking straw, i.e., by wrapping a pre-printed strip of material spirally around armature or spindle, as used by most tube manufacturers. It will, however be realised that such a cylinder may also be created by simply rolling a piece of material around a cylindrical former in parallel to the cylinder. Fig.115 shows a strip of material 501 with, in this embodiment, a series of letters SS,MM,LL,XL,XL indicating garment size printed upon it at angle and in pairs. Fig.116 shows how the strip 501, which at this stage may have an adhesive applied to the edges, is formed around a spindle 502. Fig.117 shows how the strip 501 is tightened around the spindle and formed into a cylinder 501'. In Fig.118 each section 501S,501M,501L,501XL bearing the information SS,MM,LL,XL,XL, has been divided into sections by cut-lines AA,BB,CC,DD,EE,FF etc., which when cut and separated will provide a series of small tubes 501S,501M,501L,501XL which when slid onto the hanger-hook 503 (Fig.119) and slid all the way down until touching the top of the hanger 504 will provide an information indicator 501S on the hanger 504.

Fig.121 shows how the hanger 4 displays such an information tube 501S on the shank of the hook 503.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A shoulder-piece for attachment to a substantially planar clothes hanger, the shoulder piece comprising first and second elongate sections each forming part of the transverse periphery of a shell for containing an arm of the clothes-hanger, wherein the first section is provided with at least one protrusion and the second section is provided with at least one hole having a location and a size that correspond to the location and size of the at least one protrusion, such that the first and second sections can be assembled together around an arm of a clothes-hanger to form the shell with the at least protrusion being retained with a frictional fit within the at least one hole.

2. A shoulder piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are hinged together therealong, for example by means of a living hinge.

3. A shoulder piece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hole is formed on a pedestal extending from a surface of the second section.

4. A shoulder piece as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second section comprises a series of pedestals each having one hole cut into the top surface thereof.

5. A shoulder piece as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein each pedestal defines a flat top surface in which the at least one hole is formed.

6. A shoulder piece as claimed in claim 5, wherein the, or each, pedestal is a flat topped pyramid.

7. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hole is a through-hole.

8. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first section is provided with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a row along the first section, the second section being provided with a plurality of holes arranged in a row corresponding to the row of protrusions.

9. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second sections may be generally flat, the other of the first and second sections providing a shoulder-shaped part of the shell.

10. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one protrusion is generally conical.

11. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hole has a tapering formation, for example of polygonal cross-section.

12. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one hole are configured to retain the arm of the hanger against an internal wall of the shell.

IB. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the first or second sections is provided with at least one peripheral tab, engageable in at least one aperture adjacent the periphery of the other of the first or second section.

14. A shoulder piece as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one protrusion and/or the at least one hole is provided on a part which is hinged to one of the first or second sections, said part being foldable against an outer wall of the other of the first and second sections to cause the at least one protrusion to enter the at least one hole.

15. A shoulder piece as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the first or second sections includes at least one internal formation providing a ledge for receiving the arm of the hanger.

16. A clothes hanger comprising a substantially planar hanger frame incorporating a hook and a moulded shell shaped in the form of a contoured clothes hanger which extends over the planar hanger and is fixed thereto.

17. A clothes hanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame includes indents cut into the underside of the tip of each arm of the hanger frame to secure the hanger frame within the shell by locking into the upward facing bottom edges of indented slots formed at the outer ends of the shoulder on each side of the shell.

18. A clothes hanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein the shell comprises an upper section made of three parts linked by a series of folds and by a series of concertina-folds, the two outer sections each having another section attached to the back edges, wherein the two outer sections are folded downwards when placed on the planar hanger frame compressing concertina-folds inwards.

19. A clothes hanger comprising a plurality of layers of sheet material, wherein at least one of the layers comprises a solid board and at least one layer formed of a material having a lower density than the solid board.

20. The clothes hanger of claim 19, wherein the lower density material is flute-board comprising a substantially corrugated paper or card between two layers of paper or card.

21. The clothes hanger of claim 20, wherein the layers comprise a central member made from solid-board, the support hook of the hanger being attached to the central layer.

22. The clothes hanger of claim 21, wherein the central layer is sandwiched between layers of flute-board.

23. The clothes hanger of any of claims claim 20 to 22, wherein the layers comprise at least two flute board layers having flutes running at 90 degrees to each other.

24. The clothes hanger of any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the plurality of layers include outer layers of solid board applied to one or both surfaces to complete and provide a durable surface to the hanger.

25. A method of fixing a hook to, or within, the body of a substantially planar clothes hanger, the method comprising: providing a hook; forming a flange on the lower end of the hook by folding a section of material over the shank of the lower end to define at least one extending horizontally outwards on at least one side of the shank proximal to its base; embedding the section of the hook bearing the flange within a slot shaped to accommodate and constrict both the flange and the shank; and positioning the hook at ninety degrees to the hanger, and set centrally within the upper section of the hanger to be held in situ by the slot being covered on both its exposed sides, thereby containing the flanged shank and providing the hanger with a securely based hook.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the hook is a metal hook and clothes hanger is made from a paper based material.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the flange is secured on the vertical either by its location at a section of the shank which has been narrowed to embed the flange, or by a collar, or any feature which prevents the flange from sliding off the shank located near its base.

28. A clothes hanger comprising a gripper comprising one or more pieces of flat material, either metal or some other resilient material, the gripper having a general inverted U- shape comprising a first, generally straight leg, and a second leg that is bent towards the first leg and wherein the two legs meet at a point between the top of the inverted U and the respective ends of the two legs.

29. The clothes hanger of claim 28, wherein the first leg is provided with a tab at its end that extends towards the second leg.

30. The clothes hanger of claim 29, wherein the second leg flares away from the first leg beyond the point where the two legs meet, and ends in a tab that may be lifted to open and release the gripper.

31. The clothes hanger of any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the hanger is a substantially planar hanger, and the first leg of the gripper engages the rear surface of the hanger arm

32. The clothes hanger of claim 31, wherein the second leg of the gripper forms an inward facing pommel which engages the front surface of the hanger arm or falls within a slot or other opening provided in the hanger arm.

33. A method of providing an indicator for a clothes hanger, the method comprising: providing a pre-printed strip of material; joining the edges of the strip with an adhesive to form the strip into a tube; dividing the tube into sections with the information configured to appear at the centre of each section; and inserting individual sections onto the support-hook of the hanger.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the strip is formed spirally around an armature or spindle to form the tube.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the strip is rolled around a cylindrical former in parallel to the cylinder.