U.S. patent application number 12/544770 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for hosiery display package.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.. Invention is credited to James Lindars.
Application Number | 20100059396 12/544770 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41798275 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100059396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindars; James |
March 11, 2010 |
HOSIERY DISPLAY PACKAGE
Abstract
A hosiery display package includes a support panel joined with a
base for supporting displayed hosiery, and a sleeve movably coupled
to the base. The sleeve is movable between a closed position in
which the hosiery is secured within the package, and an open
position in which hosiery is removable from the support panel.
Inventors: |
Lindars; James; (Huntington,
VT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
Rockford
MI
|
Family ID: |
41798275 |
Appl. No.: |
12/544770 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61095128 |
Sep 8, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 73/0071
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/299 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/18 20060101
B65D085/18 |
Claims
1. A hosiery display package comprising: a base including a track
and a first support panel adapted to support at least a portion of
a hosiery article along a fold line of the hosiery; a sleeve
including a sleeve front panel and a slider panel, the slider panel
slidably joined with the track; wherein the sleeve is adapted to
slidably move relative to the first support panel from a closed
mode in which the sleeve at least partially conceals the hosiery to
an open mode in which the hosiery is exposed a sufficient amount to
enable a user to remove the hosiery from the first support
panel.
2. The display package of claim 1 wherein the base includes a base
front panel and a base rear panel, wherein the track is defined
between the base front and base rear panels.
3. The display package of claim 2 wherein the first support panel
is movably joined with the base front panel.
4. The display package of claim 3 wherein a second support panel is
movably joined with the base front panel in opposing relation to
the first support panel.
5. The display package of claim 4 wherein the first and second
support panels at least partially overlap when in a folded
position.
6. The display package of claim 2 wherein the sleeve includes
opposing sleeve side panels, and a sleeve rear panel joined with
the sleeve front panel by the opposing sleeve side panels.
7. The display package of claim 6 wherein the slider panel is
joined with the sleeve side panels and positioned a preselected
distance away from the sleeve rear panel to define a cavity between
the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
8. The display package of claim 7 wherein the base rear panel is
disposed within the cavity between the slider panel and the sleeve
rear panel.
9. The display package of claim 8 wherein the slider panel is
positioned to hold the sleeve front panel a preselected distance
away from the base front panel, wherein the first and second
support panels and at least a portion of the hosiery can fit within
the preselected distance when the first and second support panels
are in a folded position.
10. The display package of claim 4 wherein the second support panel
includes an inner surface facing the hosiery and an opposite outer
surface, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve is adapted to
engage the outer surface of the second support panel in the closed
mode.
11. A hosiery display package comprising: a base including first
and second support panels, wherein at least one of the first and
second support panels is adapted to support at least a portion of a
hosiery article along a fold line of the hosiery; a sleeve movably
joined with the base, wherein the sleeve is adapted to move
relative to the first support panel from a closed mode in which the
sleeve at least partially conceals the hosiery, to an open mode in
which the hosiery is exposed a sufficient amount to enable a user
to remove the hosiery from the first support panel.
12. The display package of claim 11 wherein the first and second
support panels are foldably joined to the base on opposing sides of
the base.
13. The display package of claim 12 wherein the second support
panel overlaps at least a portion of the first support panel in a
folded position.
14. The display package of claim 11 wherein the sleeve includes a
sleeve front panel, opposing sleeve side panels, a sleeve rear
panel, and a slider panel movable relative to the base.
15. The display package of claim 14 wherein the slider panel is
joined with the sleeve side panels and is positioned a preselected
distance relative to the sleeve rear panel to define a cavity
between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
16. The display package of claim 15 wherein the base includes a
base front panel and a base rear panel disposed within the cavity
between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
17. The display package of claim 16 wherein the slider panel is
positioned to hold the sleeve front panel a preselected distance
away from the base front panel, wherein the first and second
support panels and at least a portion of the hosiery can fit within
the preselected distance when the first and second support panels
are in a folded position.
18. A method of displaying hosiery comprising: providing a hosiery
display package including a sleeve slidably joined with a base, the
base including a first support panel that supports hosiery folded
along a fold line, the hosiery being at least partially concealed
by the sleeve in a closed mode; sliding the sleeve and the base
relative to one another to expose at least a portion of the support
panel and the hosiery in an open mode; and removing the hosiery
from the support panel in the open mode.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the base includes a second
support panel, wherein the method further comprises sliding the
sleeve and the base relative to one another to at least partially
enclose the first and second support panels and the hosiery.
20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of moving the
second support panel away from the first support panel and the
supported hosiery to expose the hosiery when in an open mode.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/095,128, filed Sep. 8, 2008, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a hosiery display package,
and more particularly to a hosiery display package that facilitates
securement of and access to displayed hosiery merchandise.
[0003] There are a variety of hosiery display packages. A simple
hosiery display package includes a band adhered around a folded
hosiery item. A plastic hanger is inserted between the fold and the
band to support the product at the fold. The hanger includes a hook
adapted to hang from a peg or a display. The band typically
includes an adhesive that retains the product and a label providing
product information. Typically, however, the adhesive creates
multiple issues for retailers and consumers. For example, the
adhesive may stick to the product and leave a residue after being
removed. In some cases, the consumer may be required to remove the
adhesive residue from the product. This can be unnecessarily
burdensome. Alternatively, the adhesive may possibly damage the
product when the band is removed. This is particularly problematic
with fine mesh fabrics.
[0004] Another conventional hosiery display package includes a
paperboard sleeve that surrounds the hosiery. For example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,257,522 to Thorneburg discloses a paperboard hosiery
display hanger package including a hanger panel that is fixedly and
immovably joined with a side panel, a front panel and yet another
side panel. The front panel and two side panels form a sleeve
within which folded socks can be forcibly inserted and secured in
place. While this provides a holder for the socks if the sleeve is
improperly sized too large, the socks can unintentionally slide out
of the sleeve. On the other hand, if the sleeve is improperly sized
too small, the socks can be difficult to remove from the
sleeve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A hosiery display package is provided that can move between
a closed mode, in which the hosiery is at least partially
concealed, and an open mode, in which the hosiery is at least
partially exposed.
[0006] In one embodiment, the display package includes a support
panel joined with a base for supporting displayed hosiery, and a
sleeve movably coupled to the base. Specifically, the sleeve can be
movable between a closed position in which the hosiery is secured
within the package, and an open position in which hosiery may be
removed from the support panel.
[0007] In another embodiment, the base can include a front panel
and a rear panel. At least one of the front panel and the rear
panel can define a track. The sleeve can be slidably positioned at
least partially within the track so that the sleeve moves relative
to the base, and optionally the support panel.
[0008] In still another embodiment, the support panel can be
foldably joined with the base front panel. Optionally, a second
support panel can be joined in opposing relation to the support
panel. Optionally, the support panels can be joined directly with
the base front panel. The hosiery can be folded over one or both of
these support panels along a fold line to support the hosiery.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the sleeve can include a front
panel, opposing side panels, and a rear panel joined with the front
panel via the opposing side panels.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the sleeve can include at least one
slider panel. Optionally, the slider panel can be positioned within
the track so that the track of the base guides the slider panel and
thus the sleeve relative to the base.
[0011] In yet a further embodiment, the slider panel can be joined
with the side panels of the sleeve and positioned a preselected
distance away from the rear sleeve panel to define a cavity between
the slider panel and the rear sleeve panel. The base rear panel can
be disposed within that cavity. The slider panel can be positioned
to hold the sleeve front panel and the base front panel a
preselected distance away from one another so that the hosiery or
other merchandise can fit therebetween when the display package is
in a closed mode.
[0012] In a further embodiment, a method is provided which can
include: providing a hosiery display package including a sleeve
slidably joined with a base, the base including at least one
support panel that supports hosiery folded along a fold line, the
hosiery being at least partially concealed by the sleeve in a
closed mode; sliding the sleeve and base relative to one another to
expose at least a portion of the support panel and the hosiery in
an open mode; and removing the hosiery from the support panel.
Optionally, the base can include a second, opposing support panel
that can be folded over the hosiery first portion to further secure
the hosiery relative to the package. Further optionally, the method
can include the step of moving the second support panel away from
the other support panel and the supported hosiery to expose the
hosiery, thereby enabling it to be removed from the support
panel.
[0013] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by
reference to the detailed description of the invention and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a current embodiment of a hosiery
display package in a closed mode;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a second front view of the hosiery display
package, with a sleeve of the package moved relative to the
base;
[0016] FIG. 3 is third front view of the hosiery display package,
with the hosiery exposed, in an open mode;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fourth front view of the hosiery display package
with a support panel open to further expose the hosiery in an open
mode;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a fifth front view of the hosiery display package,
with the hosiery removed, in an open mode;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hosiery display package
showing a track defined by the base;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the track defined by the base
in a partially open mode;
[0021] FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the hosiery display
package showing a slider panel within the track; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view showing support panels folded within
the sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0023] A current embodiment of the present hosiery display package
is illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 and generally designated 10. The
hosiery display package 10 can include a base 20 to which a sleeve
40 is slidably joined. The display package can be configured to
display hosiery 100 or any other elongated garment or other
suitable object as desired. In general, the components of the
hosiery display package described herein can be constructed of
paperboard, plastic, foil, wood or any other material as
desired.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6-9, the base 20 can include a
base front panel 22 and a base rear panel 26. The base front panel
22 and base rear panel 26 can be separated from one another a
preselected distance 28. This distance can be altered, but
generally can be about 1/4 inch, an 1/8 inch, 1/16 inch, 1/32 inch
or any other dimension as desired. At least one of the base front
panel 22 and base rear panel 26 can be joined by an upper panel 27
and a lower panel 29. These panels 27, 29 can separate the base
front panel 22 and the base rear panel 26 the preselected distance
28 as desired. Optionally, the upper and lower panels 27, 29 can be
absent altogether with the ends of the base front panel and base
rear panel simply adhered or otherwise joined together, with a
remainder of the base front panel and base rear panel disconnected
to provide a sliding track 24 therebetween.
[0025] The upper panel 27 can define an aperture 25 within which an
optional hook 50 can be positioned. Optionally, this construction
can be substituted with a configuration wherein the base front
panel and/or base rear panel 22, 26 define a die cut corresponding
to a hook 50 so that hosiery display package can be positioned on a
peg for display (FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0026] Moving to FIGS. 2-4 and 7-9, the base 20 can include support
panels 30, for example, a first support panel 32 and a second
support panel 34. The support panels 30 can be die cut from the
same panel as at least one of the front panel or the rear panel, or
simply can be adhered to either of the front or rear base panels.
These support panels can be configured to fold inward toward the
front base panel, and can be configured in opposing folding
relation relative to one another as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At
least one of the opposing support panels 32, 34 can include an
upper support edge 33, 35 respectively. These upper support edges
33, 35 can be configured to support an article of hosiery 100 along
a fold 102 (FIG. 4). Optionally, the support panels 30 can overlap
when in a folded position. For example, the support panels 30 can
be configured so that the hosiery 100, when folded thereover, is
divided into a first portion 104 and a second portion 106. The
first portion 104 can be positioned between a rear surface 52 of
the first support panel 34 and a front surface 54 of the base front
panel 22. The second portion 106 of the hosiery can be positioned
adjacent the front surface 31 of the first support panel 34.
Optionally, the second support panel 32 can be configured so that a
rear surface 56 thereof is positioned adjacent the second portion
106 of the hosiery when the second support panel 32 is folded in
opposing relation to the first support panel 34.
[0027] While two support panels 32 and 34 are shown in the
illustrated embodiments, any suitable number of support panels 30
can be included in the display package 10. For example, multiple
support panels 30 could be included on each side of the base 20.
Further, the support panels 30 can be formed in any shape suitable
to support the hosiery 100 or other article that may be desired to
be displayed in the package 10. For example, the support panels 30
can be generally rectangular in shape with rounded edges, as shown
in the illustrated embodiments, or they could be square, circular,
oval, or in the shape of character.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, the sleeve 40 can assist in
retaining the hosiery. In particular, the sleeve 40 can be
removably positioned over the support panels 30 and can optionally
hold the support panels 30 in closed or folded configuration. The
sleeve 40 can also conceal and retain all or a portion of the
hosiery 100. The sleeve 40 can include a front panel 42, opposing
side panels 41 and 43 and a rear panel 44, as shown in FIGS. 7-8.
The side panels 41 and 43 can be positioned a preselected distance
from one another so that at least one of the base front panel 22
and base rear panel 26 can fit between those elements. The sleeve
front panel 42 and sleeve rear panel 44 can be separated from one
another a preselected distance, which can optionally be generally
matched to the depth of the hosiery 100 when it is folded over the
support panels 30, such that the hosiery 100 and support panels 30
all fit within the sleeve 40. Optionally, the sleeve 40 can conceal
the support panels 30 when the package 10 is viewed from a front
view (e.g., FIG. 1). Further, the sleeve 40 can be configured so
that the sleeve front panel 42 contacts the support panel 32 when
the package 10 is in a closed mode, and more particularly, the
front surface 58 of the second panel 32 can be configured to engage
the inside surface 60 of the front panel 42 in this closed
mode.
[0029] Optionally, at least one of the panels 41, 42, 43 and 44 of
the sleeve can be die cut or otherwise formed in any suitable,
desired shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the top edge 45 of
the sleeve front panel 42 can be asymmetrical and/or at an angle,
such that the sleeve front panel 42 increases in length from left
to right. The asymmetrical top edge 45 can enable a portion of the
hosiery 100 to be exposed above the sleeve front panel 42.
Alternatively, the sleeve front panel 40 can be cut in the shape or
form of a character or portion of the character, and the character
can optionally be illustrated on the front surface of the sleeve
front panel 42.
[0030] The sleeve 40 can further include a slider panel 46 as shown
in FIG. 8. The slider panel 46 can extend between the side walls 41
and 43 and can include optional attachment flaps 47 and 49 that are
joined with those panels 41 and 43. The attachment panels 47 and 49
can be adhered directly to the side panels 41 and/or 43 as the
application requires. Alternatively, the attachment panels 47 and
49 can be completely absent, with the ends of the slider panel 46
adjacent the side panels 41 and 43 adhered, glued, fastened,
integrally formed or otherwise joined with the sleeve front panel
42, the sleeve rear panel 44, or any other panel of the sleeve as
desired. For example, the ends of the slider panel 46 can be simply
adhered to the rear slider panel 44, with the middle region of the
slider panel 46 free, and a panel of the base placed between that
middle region and the rear slider 44. The slider panel 46 can be of
a preselected width 48 that is sufficient to hold the sleeve 40
relative to the base 20. Optionally, the slider panel 46 can be
configured so that when the sleeve is in a fully open mode, the
slider panel 46 engages the upper panel 27 with a portion of the
sleeve 40 positioned a preselected distance at least partially
above the upper panel 27.
[0031] Alternatively, the slider panel 46 can be absent from the
sleeve. In this construction, the rear panel 44 of the sleeve can
be positioned within the track 24 of the base and adapted to slide
within the track. Optionally, the rear panel 44 can include a tab
or a stop or a recess adapted to engage a corresponding tab, stop
or recess of the base 20 to restrict sliding movement of the sleeve
beyond a desired configuration. Alternatively, the track 24 could
also be absent from the base 20. In this construction, the sleeve
40 could be movably joined with another potion of the base 20. For
example, the sleeve 40 could be foldably or pivotally joined with
the base front panel 22, such that the sleeve 40 could fold or
pivot between the closed and open modes.
[0032] As desired, any portion of the surfaces of any of the panels
of the sleeve and/or base can be used as an information area to
display product or other information such as by applying labels or
printing directly on those surfaces. The thickness of each of the
panels can be selected based on the desired rigidity of the package
or other material cost concerns.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the operation of the display
package 10 will now be described. There, the hosiery 100 is stored
and secured within the display package 10 with the sleeve 40
secured around at least a portion of the hosiery 100. In this
configuration, the display package generally is in a closed mode.
The hosiery 100 is supported with the sleeve 40 by support panels
30. Optionally, the hosiery is folded over the first support panel
34, with the second support panel 32 folded over the first support
panel 34 and a portion of the hosiery 100.
[0034] To open the package, a user can slide the sleeve 40 upward,
within the track 24 (FIGS. 8, 9). Accordingly, the support panels
34 and 32 become partially exposed along with the second portion
106 of the hosiery 100 as shown in FIG. 2. There, the second
support panel 32 is folded in opposing relation to the first
support panel 34, thereby securing the second portion of the
hosiery 106 between the first and second support panels 32, 34. The
remaining portion 104 of the hosiery is positioned behind the first
support panel 34, optionally between that panel and the front base
panel 22.
[0035] As the sleeve 40 slides upward in the direction of the
arrows shown in FIG. 2, the slider panel 46 moves and slides within
the track 24. Due to the constrainment of the optional slider panel
46 within the track 24, the sleeve is provided with a clean sliding
action. The sleeve 40 can continue to slide relative to the base 20
as desired until the slider panel 46 engages a component of the
base 20. As described in the embodiments above, this engagement
occurs when the upper edge of the slider panel 46 engages the upper
panel 27 of the base. Of course, other stop mechanisms can be built
into the base and/or sleeve to provide the desired amount of
opening relative to these components in moving from a closed mode
to an open mode.
[0036] Moving to FIG. 3, the fold 102 of the hosiery 100 is
exposed. A user can optionally move the second support panel 32
away from the hosiery 100 to free the second portion 106. This is
better illustrated in FIG. 4, where the second support panel 32 is
moved away from the first support panel 34. The user can then move
the second portion 106 even farther away from the first support
panel 34 to further access the hosiery 100. As desired, the first
support panel 34 can likewise be folded away from the hosiery 100
to provide additional access to the hosiery 100.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the hosiery 100 has been completely
removed from the display package 10. After being removed from the
package 10, the hosiery 100 or another piece of hosiery or other
item can optionally be reinserted into the package 10 by folding
the hosiery over one of the support panels 30, folding the support
panels 30 closed, and sliding the sleeve back over the support
panels 30 and hosiery 100.
[0038] The above descriptions are those of the preferred
embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can
be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of
the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be
interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law
including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim
elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a,"
"an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the
element to the singular.
* * * * *