U.S. patent application number 09/902015 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for method and apparatus for shipment of hanging goods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Megatech Trading Limited. Invention is credited to Guo, Zhang Xing.
Application Number | 20020005389 09/902015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25739814 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020005389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guo, Zhang Xing |
January 17, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for shipment of hanging goods
Abstract
The invention defines a movable and horizontally foldable
hanger-rack and method of using the same for transporting garments
and other goods capable of being suspended from a hanger, between a
manufacturer and a retail store. A hanger-rack includes a base
structure having wheels, two-opposing side supports extending
upwards from the base structure, and an upper support between the
sides supports for supporting garments on hangers. The hanger-rack
also includes a plurality of strings hanging from the upper
supports that facilitate placement of hangers. In a horizontally
collapsed position, the hanger-rack is less than 1/5 of its
fully-extended size. A cargo system is defined including the
moveable hanger-rack and a freight container for receiving the
same.
Inventors: |
Guo, Zhang Xing; (Shanghai,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY L.L.P.
Two Renaissance Square
Suite 2700
40 North Central Avenue
Phoenix
AZ
85004-4498
US
|
Assignee: |
Megatech Trading Limited
|
Family ID: |
25739814 |
Appl. No.: |
09/902015 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.3 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/19 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 11, 2000 |
CN |
002 18361.7 |
Sep 25, 2000 |
HK |
00106052.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for transporting garments on hangers comprising: a
movable-hanger rack foldable between a fully extended position and
a collapsed position, said movable hanger-rack comprising a
horizontal base structure, at least two opposing side supports
moveably connected thereto, and a garment hanging structure,
wherein when the movable hanger-rack is in the fully extended
position, the at least two opposing side supports are in a
substantially vertical position and the garment hanging structure
is disposed between the at least two opposing side supports in a
location above the base structure, and wherein when the movable
hanger-rack is in the collapsed position, the garment hanging
structure is at least partially disconnected and the at least two
opposing side supports are moved inward to a position substantially
parallel to the base structure.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least
two wheels disposed on said base structure to facilitate movement
of the movable hanger-rack.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising slots
disposed on said base structure to facilitate at least one of, (i)
movement of the movable hanger-rack by a forklift, and (ii)
securing the moveable hanger-rack.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when in the
collapsed position, the movable hanger-rack is configured to be
vertically stacked on and under additional similarly constructed
movable hanger-racks in respective collapsed positions.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment hanging
structure comprises a plurality of garment hanging strings
connected to a at least one upper support.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising at least
two wheels disposed on said base structure to facilitate rolloing
of the movable hanger-rack.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when in the
collapsed position, the movable hanger-rack is configured to be
vertically stacked on and under additional similarly constructed
movable hanger-racks in respective collapsed positions.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
identification device displayed on a peripheral location of the
moveable hanger-rack for providing information relating to at least
one of, the type and number of garments transported in the movable
hanger-rack, tracking of garments transported in the moveable
hanger-rack, destination of the movable hanger rack, and
identification of additional moveable hanger-racks associated with
a customer order.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an
identification device displayed on a peripheral location of the
moveable hanger-rack for identifying information relating to
shipment of garments to be placed in the moveable hanger-rack.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least
one connecting member disposed on a peripheral location of the
moveable hanger rack, the at least one connecting member configured
to connect with similar connecting members of additional similarly
constructed hanger-racks.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising at least
one connecting member disposed on a peripheral location of the
moveable hanger rack, the at least one connecting member configured
to connect with similar connecting members of additional similarly
constructed hanger-racks.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moveable
hanger-rack is configured to be less than or equal to 1/5 of its
size in the collapsed position as compared to the size of the
moveable-hanger-rack in the fully extended position.
13. A method of transporting garments comprising: hanging at least
one garment on a moveable hanger-rack that is foldable between a
fully extended position and a horizontally collapsed position, the
placement of the at least one garment occurring while the moveable
hanger-rack is in the fully extended position; transporting the
moveable hanger-rack to a receiving destination; and releasing at
least one of (i) the moveable hanger-rack or (ii) the at least one
garment contained therein, to the receiving destination.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein transporting the
moveable hanger-rack comprises: loading the moveable hanger-rack
into a freight container; moving the freight container to the
receiving destination; and unloading the moveable hanger-rack from
the freight container.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein after releasing, the
method further comprises, returning the moveable hanger-rack in the
horizontally collapsed position.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of the
moveable hanger-racks containing garments are transported in the
freight container to the receiving destination.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the
plurality of moveable hanger-racks is unloaded at the receiving
station, wherein unloading comprises identifying the at least one
of the plurality of moveable hanger-racks from a identification
device located on a periphery thereof.
18. The method according to claim 14, wherein loading the moveable
hanger-rack into the freight container includes securing the
moveable hanger rack in the freight container by at least one of,
(a) placing wheels of the moveable hanger-rack in a locked position
and (b) securely connecting the moveable hanger-rack to at least
one of, (i) the freight container and (ii) a similarly constructed
moveable hanger-rack located in an adjacent position.
19. The method according to claim 16 further comprising returning
empty moveable hanger-racks in the horizontally collapsed
position.
20. The method according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of
floor-ready garments are respectively hung in a plurality of the
moveable hanger-racks each having respective wheels, and wherein
loading of the plurality of moveable hanger-racks into the freight
container comprises: connecting the plurality of moveable
hanger-racks via respective connecting members disposed thereon;
and moving the connected plurality of moveable hanger-racks into
the freight container in a train-like manner.
21. The apparatus for transporting garments on hangers according to
claim 1 further comprising: a freight container configured to
receive the moveable hanger-rack therein.
22. The apparatus for transporting garments on hangers according to
claim 12 further comprising: a freight container configured to
receive the moveable hanger-rack therein.
23. A cargo system for transporting goods on hangers comprising: a
plurality of foldable hanger-racks each having a fully extended
position for transporting goods on hangers and a horizontally
collapsed position for storage; and a freight container configured
to contain and transport the plurality of foldable
hanger-racks.
24. The cargo system according to claim 23, wherein each of the
plurality of foldable hanger-racks are configured to be vertically
stacked upon or beneath one another when in the horizontally
collapsed position.
25. The cargo system according to claim 24, wherein the freight
container and foldable hanger-racks are configured and dimensioned
to enable, (i) when foldable hanger-racks are in the fully extended
position, eleven foldable hanger-racks to be contained within the
freight container, and (ii) when foldable hanger-racks are in the
horizontally collapsed position, fifty-five foldable hanger-racks
to be contained within the freight container.
26. The cargo system according to claim 23, further comprising a
cover for each foldable hanger-rack to protect transported goods
from damage and soiling.
27. The method according to claim 20, wherein a corresponding cover
is placed over each of the plurality of moveable hanger-racks
before loading into the freight container.
28. An apparatus for transporting goods on hangers between a
manufacturer and a receiving destination, the apparatus comprising:
a moveable hanger-rack having a fully extended position for
transportation of goods on hangers and a horizontally collapsed
position for storage of the moveable hanger-rack.
29. The apparatus according to claim 28 further comprising a
plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom side of the moveable
hanger-rack.
30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the moveable
hanger-rack is configured such that when in the horizontally
collapsed position, the moveable hanger-rack is vertically
stackable on and beneath additional similarly constructed moveable
hanger-racks.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to shipping containers and
transportation of goods; and more particularly to an apparatus for
transportation of garments on hangers.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] The transportation of "floor-ready" garments from a
manufacturer to a wholesaler or resale merchant is a common
practice in today's garment industry. "Floor-ready" means that a
hanger is shipped with the manufactured garments (often including
price tags and other labels) to facilitate rapid and simplified
deployment of such garments to a merchant's product display.
[0005] The "floor-ready" system, often referred to as Garments on
Hangers (GOH) replaces the conventional "flat-packed" method of
shipping garments. The flat-packed method typically involved the
steps of (i) the manufacturer packing garments (including hangers)
into cartons; (ii) shipping the cartons to merchants, and upon
receipt; (iii) the merchant unpacking, ironing, and marking for
sale the received garments to place them on display. The GOH system
reduces labor costs associated with unpacking and sorting garments
shipped from the manufacturer by placing the manufactured garments,
including labels and price tags, on individual hangers before
shipment to the manufacturer.
[0006] A conventional GOH system uses a freight container, as shown
in FIG. 1. Freight container 10 is temporarily fixed with various
metal rods 15 to facilitate hanging of the garments. Freight
container 10 is, for example, a conventional forty-foot or
twenty-foot cargo container used to transport various goods on
ships, trucks, trains and airplanes. In order to fully utilize the
space of the cargo container, a manufacturer may ship thousands of
garments pertaining to orders for multiple merchants (e.g. up to
9000 pairs of trousers). Although the garments are intended to be
of "floor ready" status, the consignee (or merchant) still needs a
distribution center to unload, sort out, and route the large number
of garments to its various retail outlets.
[0007] A major detriment of the conventional GOH system is that a
great deal of labor is required to load and unload the garments to
and from the cargo container. For example, finished garments may be
hung in an assembly line during manufacture, moved from the
assembly line to be transported on a carrying rack, and then
re-hung onto the temporary rods 15 in freight container 10. Just
the loading process may involve hanging up the garment three
separate times (i.e., from the production line to assembly line in
the factory; from the assembly line to a carrying rack; and from
the carrying rack to the container). Moreover, the reverse process
is basically required when the goods are unloaded from the freight
container 10 to the placement of garments in a retail store. The
present inventor estimates that merely the process of hanging up
garments in the forty-foot cargo-type of freight container 10
requires a specially trained worker at least eight hours.
[0008] Furthermore, the freight carrier spends time to temporarily
arrange and subsequently remove rods 15 from freight container 10,
which increases freight costs. The inventor estimates the freight
charges for this arrangement are increased by 30% for carriages
from Asia to America, and by 100% for voyages within Asia.
[0009] A further disadvantage of the conventional GOH system is
that, due to the heavy weight of the garments and turbulences
involved in various types of cargo transportation (e.g., rough
roads, rough seas, or air turbulence), rods 15 may collapse and the
garments fall to the floor of freight container 10, resulting in
stained or damaged articles and/or additional labor expenses for
properly organizing the garments.
[0010] A yet further disadvantage of the conventional GOH system,
is that since the cargo-type freight containers 10 require special
adaptation with rods 15, it would be unusual and practically
difficult to combine the shipment of garments with other types of
goods. Consequently, a shipper of garments may be required to pay
freight charges for an entire freight container 10 even though its
respective goods do not require the full space of freight container
10.
[0011] Published PCT patent application WO 98/24699 to Immonen et
al. discloses a transport cage for supporting hanging garments.
Immonen discloses a transport cage having an opposed pair of
vertical wall elements that, through a sequence of operations, can
be placed in a return position by pivoting vertical wall elements
thus making the cage assume an essentially "plow-like" angled
position in which a number of thus angled tranport cages can be
pushed home into each other forming a long continuous row of cages
(page 5, lines 10-28). Patent GB 2,149,361A to Mitchell discloses a
similarly folding nestable handling trolley.
[0012] A problem with these types of transport cages is that the
cages collapse vertically (e.g., the base portions respectively
fold to a vertical position) rather than horizontally. This
limitation may lead to instability when only one or relative few
cages are being return transported in the collapsed position.
Moreover, since the conventional cages have multiple pivoting parts
for collapsing, the overall expense of each transport cage is
relatively high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to solve at least
one of the foregoing problems by providing a movable hanger-rack
foldable between a fully extended position and a collapsed
position. The hanger-rack includes a horizontal base structure, at
least two opposing side supports moveably connected thereto, and at
least one upper support. When the hanger-rack is in the fully
extended position, the opposing side supports are in a
substantially vertical position and the upper support is disposed
between the opposing side supports in a location above and
approximately parallel to the horizontal base structure. When the
hanger-rack is in the collapsed position, the upper support is
disconnected and the opposing side supports are folded inward to a
position approximately parallel to the horizontal base
structure.
[0014] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of transporting garments utilizing hanger-rack discussed
above.
[0015] A yet further aspect of the invention defines a cargo system
including a freight container and the moveable hanger-rack.
[0016] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view including a cut-away portion of
a cargo freight container for transporting garments on hangers
according to a system of the related art.
[0018] FIGS. 2 and 2A is a perspective view of an apparatus for
transporting garments according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown if FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus for
transporting garments according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIGS. 5A-5D are sequential perspective views of the FIG. 4
apparatus being horizontally collapsed.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cargo system according a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a preferred method for
transporting garments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be further
described with reference to the drawings, wherein like designations
denote like elements.
[0025] An apparatus according to the present invention includes a
movable hanger-rack facilitating the transportation of hanging
goods in freight containers. As used herein the following terms are
defined: (1) a "hanger-rack" means a free-standing module for
supporting and transporting goods suspended by a hanger; (2)
"garment" or "garments" means any article of clothing or other
ornamentation intended to be worn by a human being or animal; (3)
"hanger" is any structure used to suspend articles above ground and
is not limited to conventional clothes hangers.
[0026] According to one preferred embodiment, a hanger-rack
includes a horizontal base structure and at least two opposing side
supports extending upwards from the base structure. The hanger-rack
also preferably includes an upper support disposed between the two
opposing side supports from which garments on hangers are directly
or indirectly supported.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example hanger-rack
200 according to one preferred embodiment. Hanger-rack 200 includes
a base structure 210 and two opposing side supports 220.
Hanger-rack 200 also includes a garment hanging structure. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the garment hanging structure includes
upper support 230 and a series of garment hanging lines 232
connected to upper support 230 at one end, and preferably, although
not required, connected to base structure 210 at an opposite end.
Each line 232 is configured to support garment hangers 240. In
another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the garment hanging structure
includes only upper support 230, e.g., omitting lines 232.
[0028] The configuration of lines 232 to support garment hangers
240 may be implemented through a series of knotted loops 234
disposed along a length of nylon string, an example of which is
shown in FIG. 2A. Lines 232 may be connected to upper support 230
by rods 231, which may be fixed or removably attached to upper
support 230.
[0029] Lines 232 may also be removably attached to upper support
230 and base structure 210 by hooks (not shown) on the ends of each
line 232. Other line configurations suitable for supporting hangers
may be substituted for knotted loops 234 and/or nylon strings, some
examples of which include: cloth or nylon straps having garment
hanger receiving holes disposed along their respective lengths;
chains having respective linked portions with openings large enough
to fixedly support garment hangers 240; a series of plastic or
aluminum bars with holes along their lengths, and so on. Lines 232
are preferably made of a flexible material such as industrial
strength nylon, wire, rope or twine. While flexibility is not
required, it is advantageous for a folding hanger-rack 200 as
discussed further below.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, upper support 230 is disposed in a
location inward from the width periphery of base structure 210.
This configuration is advantageous in that garments hung on the
garment hanging structure are fully contained within the peripheral
boundaries of base 210 and opposing side supports 220, thereby
protecting the hanging garments from damage and/or soiling.
[0031] Base structure 210 preferably includes frame 211 and
optionally includes, platform 212. Base structure 210 may be
constructed from any known rigid materials selected on the basis of
weight, strength and durability considerations. For example, frame
211 may be made of steel, aluminum, an alloy or plastic. Frame 211
provides a rigid support for hanger-rack 200 and includes
lengthwise bars 211 and widthwise bars 214. In a preferred
embodiment, lengthwise bars 213 are of the same design as upper
supports 230, including rods 231 for attaching lines 232. Upper
supports 230 and lengthwise bars 213 are attached to their
respective supporting elements (e.g. side supports 220 and width
bars 214 of frame 211) via fasteners 400 (see FIG. 4). Fasteners
400 may be any type of conventional fastener but preferably
includes a quick release mechanism for simplified removal of upper
supports 230.
[0032] Platform 212 is composed of wood, steel, aluminum or plastic
and is provided to minimize damaging and soiling
garments-in-transport (e.g. if a garment falls off the garment
support structure).
[0033] An optional cover 650 (FIG. 6) made of plastic or cloth is
placed over the hanger-rack 200 to protect it and
garments-in-transport from damage and soiling. If cover 650 is
opaque, it provides anonymity, thereby improving security for the
transported goods.
[0034] Hanger-rack 200 is capable of transporting garments from a
point where the garments are manufactured to an end point such as a
retail outlet or a distributor warehouse. Accordingly, the
preferred dimensions of hanger-rack 200 are selected to be
compatible with the expected mode of transportation (e.g., a cargo
container to be loaded on a ship or airplane, the freight container
of a semi tractor-trailer, box cars of a train). In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the hanger-rack 200 is
dimensioned for transport in a conventional forty-foot cargo
container commonly used by freight carriers. For use in this type
of cargo container, each hanger-rack 200 preferably has a length of
approximately 230 cm, a width of approximately 105 cm and a height
of approximately 222 cm. With these dimensions, the conventional
forty-foot cargo container may hold as many as eleven hanger-racks
200. Moreover, each hanger-rack 200 can accommodate over 800
garments (e.g. silk shirts).
[0035] Hanger-rack 200 may optionally include slots 250, as shown
in FIGS. 2-3, for facilitating movement by a fork-lift. Slots 250
may also provide passage for ties to secure each hanger-rack 200 in
freight container 10. Chaining or tying slots 250 to the floor of
the cargo container assists in securing hanger-rack 200 for
transport. When multiple hanger-racks are loaded in freight
container 10, a rod, plank or chain may be inserted through
respective slots 250 of hanger-racks 200 to secure multiple
hanger-racks together, thus providing increased stability.
[0036] Hanger-rack 200 optionally includes any conventional support
for rolling, for example, a wheel or roller. As shown in FIG. 3,
wheels 360 are preferably attached (fixed or removable) to each
corner of base structure 210. Wheels 360 facilitate movement of
hanger-rack 200 over short distances, for example, along a garment
assembly line, in and out of freight container 10, between a
delivery vehicle and a retail store, or through a warehouse. Wheels
360 may be swing casters or any other known type of wheel and are
preferably capable of being locked when it is desired to prevent
hanger-rack 200 from unintentionally moving, for example, during
transport.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of hanger-rack 200 having a
garment hanging structure without lines 232 (e.g., hangers are
supported directly by upper supports 230 or other means). This
embodiment may be preferable for transporting heavier garments such
as coats and the like. Upper supports 230 are preferably
adjustable, both vertically and horizontally to accommodate
different types of garments being hung together (e.g., blouses and
suits, pants and coats). Moreover, the number of upper supports 230
may vary depending on the type and number of garments desired to be
supported. For example, when transporting a small number of coats,
one support may be used. When transporting a large number of small
items such as shorts, hats or shoes, eight or more upper supports
230 may be used in a single hanger-rack 200. Articles may be
supported on or over upper support 230.
[0038] Opposing side supports 220 consist of metal, wood, alloy or
plastic supports having any geometrical peripheral shape known for
support purposes such as a rectangle, square, triangle, circle,
and/or oval. As shown in FIG. 4, side supports 220 are rectangular
supports. With base structure 210, side supports 220 form a
box-shaped hanger-rack 200. Side supports 220 include horizontal
members 421 for supporting upper supports 230. Horizontal members
421 may be fixed or adjustable and may be suitably positioned to
accommodate a desired size or quantity of hanging articles. The
number of horizontal members 421 on each side support 220 may vary
depending on strength requirements, taking into consideration the
type of material used for side supports 230, and the number and
type of hanging structures to be supported.
[0039] Side supports 220 may include vertical members 422 to
provide additional strength and rigidity to hanger-rack 200.
Alternatively, side supports 220 may be configured without
horizontal and vertical members by providing a solid panel (not
shown) having slots for supporting upper support members 230.
[0040] Connecting members may also be provided on peripheral
locations of hanger-racks to facilitate side-by-side and/or
end-to-end inter-connection of multiple hanger-racks as well as
towing of hanger-racks by a motorized vehicle. By including one or
more connecting members, hanger-racks may be secured together for
stability during transportation and/or linked together for moving
multiple hanger-racks in a train-like manner (when including wheels
360).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, connecting member 411 is fixed or
attached by a swivel on an end portion of base structure 210 and
includes an extending portion with coupling means (e.g., holes 412
and pin 413). Connecting members 411 may alternatively be provided
on upper portions of the side supports 220. Connecting member 411
is selected (as well as the location thereof) based on the type of
connection desired. For example, a swivel connection may be used
for train-like movement of multiple hanger-racks 200 while a rigid
connection may be preferable to provide stability of interconnected
hanger-racks 200. Connecting member 411 may be disposed on any one
or all peripheral sides of base structure 210 and a combination of
swivel and rigid connections may be used.
[0042] In a preferred apparatus for transporting garments on
hangers, hanger rack 200 is foldable for storage. By providing a
foldable hanger-rack 200, once a shipment has been delivered to its
destination and garments have been removed; hanger-rack 200 may be
folded to an essentially flat position for storage or returning the
hanger-racks to their origin, for example, to the manufacturer.
Foldable hanger-rack 200 is configured to be stacked on or beneath
additional hanger-racks 200. Preferably, foldable hanger-rack 200
is designed to be folded or collapsed down to a size of about 1/5
or less of its fully extended size.
[0043] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate hanger-rack 200 in various positions
illustrating a method for collapsing the hanger-rack 200. FIG. 5A
shows a perspective view of hanger-rack 200 in a fully extended or
working position. FIG. 5B shows the hanger-rack of FIG. 5A after
upper supports 230 have been removed and stowed. Preferably, upper
supports 230 are similarly constructed to the lengthwise bars of
frame 211, and thus upper supports 230 may be stowed adjacent to
the lengthwise bars of frame 211, as shown by the example of FIG.
5B.
[0044] FIG. 5C illustrates the foldable hanger-rack of FIG. 5B
having partially collapsed side supports 220. Side supports 220 are
moveably connected to base structure 210 and fold inwardly towards
each other to lay horizontally in a collapsed position as shown in
FIG. 5D. Preferably, side supports 220 and base structure 210 are
interconnected by a swivel connection 515 with locking means. With
this design, hanger-rack 200 is an integrated unit, with the
exception of stowed upper supports 230 (although upper supports 230
may also be hingedly connected). Foldable hanger-rack 200 may also
be configured to have side supports 220 that fully separate from
base structure 210 by for example, by removing side supports 220
from holes in base structure 210.
[0045] Swivel connection 515 also may include notches 517 that
facilitate locking of side supports 220 in an upright manner. Side
supports 230 may include spring-loaded pins 522 that project
outwardly via a spring (not shown). Spring loaded pins 522 fit into
notches 517 of swivel connection 515 when the hanger-rack 200 is in
the fully extended position. By pressing spring loaded pins inward,
side supports may be collapsed as shown in FIG. 5C.
[0046] Notches 517 may also facilitate stacking another hanger-rack
(not shown) on top of the folded hanger rack 200 shown in FIG. 5D.
For example, when hanger-rack 200 includes wheels 360, the wheel
axels (not shown) may fit into notches 517.
[0047] According to the preferred dimensions of hanger-rack 200
discussed above, as well as proportional equivalents thereof, side
supports 220 may be collapsed and fully contained within the
horizontal periphery of base structure 210. As previously
mentioned, foldable hanger-rack 200 folds to a horizontally
collapsed position that is less than 1/5 of the size of the fully
extended position. In the preferred embodiment, the height of
hanger-rack 200 is reduced from 222.09 cm (fully extended) to a
height of 33 cm (collapsed). The conventional forty-foot cargo
container may transport up to fifty-five collapsed hanger-racks
200. Consequently, a shipper may require five cargo containers for
an outgoing shipment of hanger-racks in a fully extended position,
but only one cargo container to bring back the collapsed
hanger-racks 200 of the original shipments.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 6, a cargo system according to the
present invention is shown. The cargo system preferably includes a
freight container 10 and at least one hanger-rack 200. Freight
container 10 may be any type container for transporting goods, for
example, the previously-mentioned forty-foot cargo container used
for shipping, a trailer portion of a tractor-trailer, a box car of
a train, a cargo bay in a ship or airplane, or a portion of a
delivery vehicle. Hanger-rack 200 is preferably of the type and
design discussed above, however, any free-standing module for
transporting garments hung from hangers may be used.
[0049] In the preferred cargo system 600, hanger-racks 200 are
secured and stabilized in freight container 10 by any of the
methods discussed above (e.g., interlocked together, secured to the
floor of the freight container, and if provided, wheels 360 are in
a locked position). Hanger-rack covers 650 are provided to cover
each hanger-rack 200 to prevent garments from being soiled or
damaged and provide improved security. Hanger-rack covers 650 may
be plastic (opaque or translucent) or cloth covers that cover only
the garment hanging portions of hanger-rack 200 (as shown) or may
cover the entirety of each hanger-rack above wheels 360.
Hanger-rack covers 650 may either be attached to hanger-rack 200
via fixing means, or free-floating (i.e., not attached). If
attached, fixing means would secure hanger-rack cover 650 to any
portion of hanger-rack 200 and may include any known fasteners such
as buttons, snaps, hooks, ties, etc.
[0050] Each hanger-rack 200 of cargo system 600 also preferably
includes an identification device providing information related to
the garments contained in each hanger-rack 200. The particular
information provided by the identification device significantly
depends on the type of identification device used.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, an identification device 670 is
displayed on each hanger-rack 200. As shown, identification device
670 is a number plate wherein the displayed number designates the
particular hanger-rack 200. For example, during manufacture, each
garment ordered for a particular designation will be placed on one
or a group of hanger-racks 200. The number displayed on the number
plate is written (or entered by computer) on the invoice or order.
When unloading hanger-racks 200 from freight container 10, the
ultimate destination of each hanger-rack 200 is readily determined
based on the number displayed on identification device 670.
[0052] Many variations of identification device 670 are possible
such as including a scanning bar code displayed externally on any
portion of hanger-rack 200, wherein when scanned by a computer
system (not shown), the bar code provides information relating to:
an ultimate destination; each garment contained within the
hanger-rack 200; pricing information for each garment; total cost
of the order; identification of the number of additional
hanger-racks 200 associated with the order, etc. Moreover, a bar
code can be used to update tracking information of garments and
shipments using conventional techniques. Tracking information could
include information pertaining to the location along a shipping
route, at which the bar code is scanned, and time/date of delivery
to the ultimate destination, etc.
[0053] Identification device 670 could also be as basic as
including color-coded markings or attaching a packing list or
invoice in a prominent external location of each hanger-rack 200 as
well as on the hanger-rack cover 650. In any event, the use of
identification devices 670 for each hanger-rack 200 improves
overall efficiency and speed of distribution for garments shipped
in cargo system 600.
[0054] Next, a preferred method of transporting garments on hangers
will be explained with reference to FIG. 7. When completing a
"floor-ready" garment, a garment manufacturer hangs the "floor
ready" garment on a selected hanger-rack S700. A "selected
hanger-rack" means that the hanger-rack will be, or is
predetermined to be, bound for a specific receiving destination
such as a distributor's warehouse or a retail store. Once the
selected hanger-rack is either full or the order for the receiving
destination is completed within the selected hanger-rack, the
selected hanger-rack is transported into a freight container S710.
As previously mentioned, transporting hanger-racks 200 into a
freight container 10 is preferably accomplished by forklift, by
rolling hanger-racks 200 on their respective wheels 360, or a
combination thereof. It should be noted that transporting
hanger-rack 200 into a freight container may include one movement
of the hanger-racks 200, or a sequence of operations, for example,
rolling the hanger-racks 200 into the back of a truck, unloading
from the truck and reloading by forklift into another freight
container, for example, the forty-foot cargo container.
[0055] Next, the freight container 10 is transported to a receiving
destination S720. As described herein, a receiving destination can
include: (i) a distribution point such as a shipping yard, train
station, or airport; (ii) a storage facility, for example, a
warehouse taking delivery of the garments for future distribution;
and (iii) a final destination such as retail or wholesale store
accepting delivery of garments.
[0056] After transporting the freight container 10 to the receiving
destination, the hanger-racks 200 are unloaded from the freight
container S730, optionally identified S740 by an identification
device 670, and released to the receiving destination S750.
Released to the receiving destination means that custodianship of
the hanger-racks, or garments therein, is transferred to the
receiving destination. In the case where the receiving destination
is a distribution point or a storage facility, the hanger-racks 200
may undergo additional steps of loading S710, transporting S720,
unloading S730, identifying S740 and releasing S750.
[0057] When a receiving destination is finished with hanger-racks
200 (e.g., garments on hangers have been transferred to display
racks), the hanger-racks 200 are folded and returned via a freight
container 10 to the origination point, for example, the garment
manufacturer.
[0058] The present invention specifically addresses the shipment of
garments on hangers. However, it should be noted that the invention
is not limited solely to the transport of garments, but may also be
used and/or easily adapted for transport and shipping of any goods,
and is particularly advantageous, although not limited to, goods
that may be hung on hangers such as those found on display in a
retail store.
[0059] Unless contrary to physical possibility, the inventor
envisions the methods, devices and systems described herein: (i)
may be performed in any sequence and/or combination; and (ii) the
components of respective embodiments combined in any manner
including combination with components of other embodiments.
[0060] Although there have been described preferred embodiments of
this novel invention, many variations and modifications are
possible and the present invention is not limited by the specific
disclosure above, but rather should be limited only by the scope of
the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
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