U.S. patent application number 14/789937 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for garment packaging systems and methods with garment insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERATION TUX, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is generation Tux, Inc.. Invention is credited to Matthew Schow, David Nathan Stevens.
Application Number | 20170000205 14/789937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57683171 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170000205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schow; Matthew ; et
al. |
January 5, 2017 |
GARMENT PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH GARMENT INSERT
Abstract
A garment insert may comprise: a body panel including an upper
edge and a slot below the upper edge; a first support flap
extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking
member configured to be inserted into the slot, the first support
flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first
portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking
member to insert into the slot; and a second support flap extending
away from the upper edge and including a second locking member
configured to be inserted into the slot, the second support flap
configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion
of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking
member to be inserted into the slot.
Inventors: |
Schow; Matthew; (San Rafael,
CA) ; Stevens; David Nathan; (Richmond, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
generation Tux, Inc. |
Oakland |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERATION TUX, INC.
Oakland
CA
|
Family ID: |
57683171 |
Appl. No.: |
14/789937 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/22 20130101; B65D
85/185 20130101; B65D 85/18 20130101; B65D 5/46024 20130101; B65D
5/10 20130101; A41H 5/00 20130101; B65D 85/187 20130101; A47G 25/20
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41H 5/00 20060101
A41H005/00; B65D 85/18 20060101 B65D085/18 |
Claims
1. A garment insert comprising: a body panel including an upper
edge and a slot below the upper edge; a first support flap
extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking
member configured to be inserted into the slot, the first support
flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first
portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking
member to insert into the slot; and a second support flap extending
away from the upper edge and including a second locking member
configured to be inserted into the slot, the second support flap
configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion
of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking
member to be inserted into the slot.
2. The garment insert of claim 1, wherein the first support flap
when folded creates a first hanger arm opening.
3. The garment insert of claim 1, wherein the second support flap
when folded creates a second hanger arm opening.
4. The garment insert of claim 1, wherein the garment insert is
formed from a single cardboard blank.
5. The garment insert of claim 1, wherein the body panel includes a
width based on a button down shirt.
6. The garment insert of claim 1, wherein the body panel includes a
length based on a button down shirt.
7. A method comprising: obtaining a garment insert comprising: a
body panel including an upper edge and a slot below the upper edge;
a first support flap extending away from the upper edge and
including a first locking member configured to be inserted into the
slot, the first support flap configured to fold towards the body
panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature opening and to
allow the first locking member to insert into the slot; and a
second support flap extending away from the upper edge and
including a second locking member configured to be inserted into
the slot, the second support flap configured to fold towards the
body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening
and to allow the second locking member to be inserted into the
slot; positioning on the body panel a hanger with a first arm, a
second arm, and a hanger feature; folding the first support flap
over the first arm of the hanger towards the body panel; inserting
the first locking member into the slot; folding the second support
flap over the second arm of the hanger towards the body panel; and
inserting the second locking member into the slot, thereby securing
the hanger between the body panel and the first and second support
flaps such that the hanger feature extends into the hanger feature
opening.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the garment insert is formed from
a single cardboard blank.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the body panel includes a width
based on a button down shirt, and further comprising inserting the
garment insert into a button down shirt.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the body panel includes a length
based on a button down shirt, and further comprising inserting the
garment insert into a button down shirt.
11. A garment insert comprising: a body panel including an upper
edge and at least one fastening mechanism below the upper edge; a
first support flap extending away from the upper edge and including
a first locking member configured to attach to the at least one
fastening mechanism, the first support flap configured to fold
towards the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature
opening and to allow the first locking member to attach to the at
least one fastening mechanism; and a second support flap extending
away from the upper edge and including a second locking member
configured to attach to the at least one fastening mechanism, the
second support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to
form a second portion of the hanger feature opening and to allow
the second locking member to attach to the at least one fastening
mechanism.
12. The garment insert of claim 11, wherein the first support flap
when folded creates a first hanger arm opening.
13. The garment insert of claim 11, wherein the second support flap
when folded creates a second hanger arm opening.
14. The garment insert of claim 11, wherein the garment insert is
formed from a single cardboard blank.
15. The garment insert of claim 11, wherein the body panel includes
a width based on a button down shirt.
16. The garment insert of claim 11, wherein the body panel includes
a length based on a button down shirt.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field relates to containers for packaging
clothing. More specifically, the technical field relates to
collapsible containers for packaging garments, including formal
wear.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Formal and semi-formal garments often needs to be
transported from one location to another. As one example, a person
may want to transport formal or semi-formal garments to a venue
before an event to dress at the event location. As another example,
a person traveling to a formal or semi-formal event may want to
pack nice garments in luggage to be transported on a car or plane.
As yet another example, a clothing rental service may want to send
formal or semi-formal garments to a customer by mail or parcel
service.
[0003] Packing formal or semi-formal garments, however, is not
easy. Slacks, tuxedos, suits, etc., and accessories (neckties,
bowties, socks, cummerbunds, etc.) are often made of delicate
materials that crumple and/or crease easily. The shape of shoes,
similarly, may get distorted when packed, and may cause additional
crumpling and/or creasing of slacks, shirts, and/or jackets if
packed together. Garment bags are not designed for transport by
mail or parcel service, and do not protect the contents if a heavy
item is placed upon the garment bags. Systems and methods that
allow formal or semi-formal garments to be effectively packed and
transported would be desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] A garment box may include: a base panel; a roof panel
opposite the base panel; a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel
and the roof panel; a first right sidewall; a first left sidewall
opposite the first right sidewall; a first front sidewall opposite
the rear sidewall, the first front sidewall including a hanger slot
for receiving a hanger, and including a hanger channel extending
from the hanger slot, the hanger channel configured to secure the
hanger to the first front sidewall; and a second front sidewall
coupled to the first front sidewall and the base panel, the second
front sidewall being spaced apart from the first front sidewall by
a gap, a portion of the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
[0005] In some embodiments, the first left sidewall comprises a
left hook configured to receive a left attachment handle of a
garment bag to secure the left attachment handle of the garment bag
to the first left sidewall. The first right sidewall may comprise a
right hook configured to receive a right attachment handle of a
garment bag to secure the right attachment handle of the garment
bag to the first right sidewall.
[0006] The second front sidewall may include handle slots for
securing a box handle to the box. In an embodiment, the first front
sidewall includes a front sidewall base spacer for maintaining the
gap when the box is closed. The first front sidewall may include a
front sidewall roof spacer for maintaining the gap when the box is
closed.
[0007] The box may further comprise a front flap coupled to the
roof panel, the front flap configured to cover the first front
sidewall when the box is closed. Further, the box may comprise a
right locking flap and a left locking flap coupled to the front
flap, the right locking flap configured to lock into a right
sidewall flap opening of the first front sidewall, and the left
locking flap configured to lock into a left sidewall flap opening
of the first front sidewall.
[0008] In some embodiments, the front flap comprises a box handle
opening, the box handle opening configured to receive a portion of
a box handle. The box may further comprise a second right sidewall
coupled to the first right sidewall and the base panel, the second
right sidewall forming an outer right sidewall of the box. The box
may further comprise a second left sidewall coupled to the first
left sidewall and the base panel, the second left sidewall forming
an outer left sidewall of the box.
[0009] In an embodiment, the first front sidewall comprises front
protrusions and the base panel comprises front base slots
configured to receive the front protrusions to secure the first
front sidewall to the base panel. The box may further comprise
further comprising a right roof supporting flap coupled to the roof
panel and a left roof supporting flap coupled to the roof panel,
the right roof supporting flap and the left roof supporting flap
being configured to support the roof panel while the box is
closed.
[0010] The box may be substantially made of a cardboard blank. In
various embodiments, the cardboard blank is a corrugated cardboard
blank.
[0011] A method may comprise: obtaining a cardboard blank; forming
a base panel by folding the cardboard blank along at least one base
panel fold line; forming a roof panel opposite the base panel by
folding the cardboard blank along at least one roof panel fold
line; forming a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel and the
roof panel by folding the blank along at least one rear sidewall
fold line; forming a first right sidewall by folding the cardboard
blank along a first right sidewall fold line; forming a first left
sidewall opposite the first right sidewall by folding the cardboard
blank along a first left sidewall fold line; forming a first front
sidewall opposite the rear sidewall by folding the cardboard blank
along at least one first front sidewall fold line, the first front
sidewall including a hanger slot for receiving a hanger, and
including a hanger channel extending from the hanger slot, the
hanger channel configured to secure the hanger to the first front
sidewall; and forming a second front sidewall coupled to the first
front sidewall and the base panel by folding the cardboard blank
along at least one second sidewall fold line, the second front
sidewall being spaced apart from the first front sidewall by a gap,
a portion of the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
[0012] In some embodiments, the first left sidewall comprises a
left hook configured to receive a left attachment handle of a
garment bag to secure the left attachment handle of the garment bag
to the first left sidewall. The first right sidewall may comprise a
right hook configured to receive a right attachment handle of a
garment bag to secure the right attachment handle of the garment
bag to the first right sidewall. The cardboard blank may be a
corrugated cardboard blank.
[0013] A box may comprise: a base panel; a roof panel opposite the
base panel; a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel and the roof
panel; a first right sidewall; a first left sidewall opposite the
first right sidewall; a first front sidewall opposite the rear
sidewall, the first front sidewall including means for receiving a
hanger, and including a means for securing the hanger to the first
front sidewall; and a second front sidewall coupled to the first
front sidewall and the base panel, the second front sidewall being
spaced apart from the first front sidewall by a gap, a portion of
the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
[0014] A shoe box may include a base panel; a roof panel opposite
and spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to
the base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled
to the base panel and the roof panel, the at least one front panel
opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base
panel, and the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at
least one front panel forming a tubular cavity for receiving at
least one shoe therein; and left and right side support structures
configured to assist in spacing the base panel from a base of a
garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in
spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a
second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment
receptacle.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first distance allows a first
portion of a garment to reside between base panel of the shoe box
and the base of the garment box, and the second distance allows a
second portion of the garment to reside between the roof panel of
the shoe box and the roof of the garment box, thereby preventing a
total weight of the shoe box from resting on the garment.
[0016] The left and right side structures may comprise a plurality
of wings, each of the plurality of wings being formed from the base
panel or the roof panel. The plurality of wings may comprise left
and right base wings formed from the base panel, each of the left
and right base wings comprising base flaps configured to be
received by lateral base slots on the base panel. Moreover, the
plurality of wings may comprise left and right roof wings formed
from the roof panel, each of the left and right roof wings
comprising roof flaps configured to be received by lateral roof
slots on the roof panel.
[0017] In various embodiments, the left and right support
structures comprise a left ring positioned around the left side of
the shoe box and a right ring positioned around the right side of
the shoe box. The left and rights support structures may comprise
support protrusions attached to the left and right sides of the
shoe box. The left and right sides of the shoe box may remain
open.
[0018] In some embodiments, the length of each of the base panel,
the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one
front panel are each about the length of the garment
receptacle.
[0019] The shoe box may be formed from a single blank. The garment
may be in a garment bag.
[0020] A method may comprise: positioning a garment within a
garment receptacle, the garment receptacle having a receptacle base
and a receptacle roof; and inserting, within the garment receptacle
over at least a portion of the garment, a shoe box comprising: a
base panel; a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel;
at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof
panel; at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the
roof panel, the at least one front panel being opposite and spaced
from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof
panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel
forming a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein;
and left and right side support structures configured to assist in
spacing the base panel from the receptacle base of the garment
receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing
the roof panel from the receptacle roof of the garment receptacle
by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the
garment receptacle.
[0021] The garment may be positioned around the shoe box. The left
and right side support structures may comprise a pair of base wings
and a pair of roof wings. The left and right side structures may
comprise left and right side rings positioned around left and right
sides of the shoe box. The left and right side structures may
comprise support protrusions attached to left and right sides of
the shoe box. Left and right sides of the shoe box remain open. The
length of each of the base panel, the roof panel, the at least one
rear panel and the at least one front panel may each be about the
length of the garment receptacle. The garment may reside in a
garment bag.
[0022] A box may comprise: a base panel; a roof panel opposite and
spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to the
base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled to
the base panel and the roof panel, the at least one front panel
opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base
panel, the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least
one front panel forming a tubular cavity for receiving at least one
shoe therein; means for spacing the base panel from a base of a
garment receptacle by a first distance; and means for spacing the
roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second
distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment box.
[0023] A garment bag may comprise: a top; a bottom opposite the
top; a first opening configured to receive into the garment bag a
garment hanging on a hanger, the hanger having a hanger feature for
holding the hanger; a second opening adjacent the top of the
garment bag and configured to receive the hanger feature
therethrough; a left attachment handle positioned adjacent the
bottom of the garment bag and positioned to cooperate with a left
hook on a left sidewall of a garment receptacle; and a right
attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag
and positioned to cooperate with a right hook on a right sidewall
of the garment receptacle.
[0024] In some embodiments, the garment bag is made of fabric. The
left and right attachment handles may be fabric handles. The first
opening may be along a right side or a left side of the garment
bag.
[0025] In an embodiment, the garment bag further comprises a zipper
for opening and closing the first opening. The garment bag may
further comprise handles for carrying the garment bag.
[0026] The garment bag may further comprise: one or more top
fasteners positioned adjacent the top of the garment bag; and one
or more bottom fasteners positioned adjacent the bottom of the
garment bag, the bottom configured to removably fasten to the top
fasteners in a folded position. In various embodiments, the hanger
feature is a hanger hook.
[0027] A method may comprise: positioning a garment on a hanger,
the hanger having a hanger feature for holding the hanger;
inserting the garment on the hanger into a first opening of a
garment bag, the garment bag having a top and a bottom, the garment
bag further having a left attachment handle positioned adjacent the
bottom of the garment bag, the garment bag further having a right
attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment
bag; inserting the hanger feature through a second opening adjacent
the top of the garment bag; inserting the garment bag into a
garment receptacle having left hook on a left sidewall of the
garment receptacle and a right hook on a right sidewall of the
garment receptacle; attaching the hanger feature to the top of the
garment receptacle; folding the garment bag over so that the bottom
comes into contact with the top of the garment bag; attaching the
left attachment handle to the left hook; and attaching the right
attachment handle to the right hook.
[0028] A garment bag may comprise: a top; a bottom opposite the
top; a first opening configured to receive into the garment bag a
garment hanging on a hanger, the hanger having holding means for
holding the hanger; a second opening adjacent the top of the
garment bag and configured to receive the holding means
therethrough; means positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment
bag for cooperating with a left attachment means on a left sidewall
of a garment receptacle; and means positioned adjacent the bottom
of the garment bag for cooperating with a right attachment means on
a right sidewall of the garment receptacle.
[0029] A garment insert may comprise: a body panel including an
upper edge and a slot below the upper edge; a first support flap
extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking
member configured to be inserted into the slot, the first support
flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first
portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking
member to insert into the slot; and a second support flap extending
away from the upper edge and including a second locking member
configured to be inserted into the slot, the second support flap
configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion
of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking
member to be inserted into the slot.
[0030] In some embodiments, the first support flap when folded
creates a first hanger arm opening. The second support flap when
folded may create a second hanger arm opening.
[0031] The garment insert may be formed from a single cardboard
blank. Moreover, the body panel may include a width based on a
button down shirt. The body panel may include a length based on a
button down shirt.
[0032] A method may comprise: obtaining a garment insert
comprising: a body panel including an upper edge and a slot below
the upper edge; a first support flap extending away from the upper
edge and including a first locking member configured to be inserted
into the slot, the first support flap configured to fold towards
the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature opening
and to allow the first locking member to insert into the slot; and
a second support flap extending away from the upper edge and
including a second locking member configured to be inserted into
the slot, the second support flap configured to fold towards the
body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening
and to allow the second locking member to be inserted into the
slot; positioning on the body panel a hanger with a first arm, a
second arm, and a hanger feature; folding the first support flap
over the first arm of the hanger towards the body panel; inserting
the first locking member into the slot; folding the second support
flap over the second arm of the hanger towards the body panel; and
inserting the second locking member into the slot, thereby securing
the hanger between the body panel and the first and second support
flaps such that the hanger feature extends into the hanger feature
opening.
[0033] A garment insert may comprise: a body panel including an
upper edge and at least one fastening mechanism below the upper
edge; a first support flap extending away from the upper edge and
including a first locking member configured to attach to the at
least one fastening mechanism, the first support flap configured to
fold towards the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger
feature opening and to allow the first locking member to attach to
the at least one fastening mechanism; and a second support flap
extending away from the upper edge and including a second locking
member configured to attach to the at least one fastening
mechanism, the second support flap configured to fold towards the
body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening
and to allow the second locking member to attach to the at least
one fastening mechanism.
[0034] Other features and embodiments may be apparent from the
accompanying drawings and from the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a garment
packaging system, according to some embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 2 is diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct a garment box, according to some embodiments.
[0037] FIG. 3 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 4 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 5 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 6 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 7 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0042] FIG. 8 is diagram showing an example of a garment box,
according to some embodiments.
[0043] FIG. 9A is diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct a shoe box, according to some embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 9B is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 9C is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0046] FIG. 9D is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 10 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0048] FIG. 11 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0049] FIG. 12 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0050] FIG. 13 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 14 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0052] FIG. 15 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0053] FIG. 16 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0054] FIG. 17 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0055] FIG. 18 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0056] FIG. 19 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box,
according to some embodiments.
[0057] FIG. 20 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag,
according to some embodiments.
[0058] FIG. 21 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag,
according to some embodiments.
[0059] FIG. 22 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag,
according to some embodiments.
[0060] FIG. 23 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag,
according to some embodiments.
[0061] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a hanger being inserted into a
hanger slot, according to some embodiments.
[0062] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an attachment handle being
coupled to a hook, according to some embodiments.
[0063] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a shoe box being inserted on
top of a garment bag into a garment box, according to some
embodiments.
[0064] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a garment box being closed,
according to some embodiments.
[0065] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct a garment insert, according to some embodiments.
[0066] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a rear view of a garment
insert, according to some embodiments.
[0067] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a front view of a garment
insert, according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0068] Various embodiments of garment packaging systems disclosed
herein allow formal and semi-formal garments to be packaged while
being protected from significant crumpling and/or creasing. FIG. 1
is a diagram showing an example of a garment packaging system 100,
according to some embodiments. The garment packaging system 100 may
include a garment box 102, a shoe box 104, and a garment bag 106. A
tuxedo 108 and shoes 110 are also shown, although any garment in
need of protection may be packed. The garment box 102, the shoe box
104, and the garment bag 106 may each be designed to have garments,
including slacks, jackets, shoes, and accessories (neckties,
bowties, socks, cummerbunds, etc.) packaged and/or transported. As
discussed further herein, the garment box 102, the shoe box 104,
and the garment bag 106 may be designed so that the shapes,
creases, and other attributes of items packaged therein are
preserved without being distorted. The garment packaging system 100
may be used with dresses, shoes and accessories.
[0069] The garment box 102 may form a container for holding the
shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the
garment box 102 includes a roof 102a, a base 102b, a right side
102c, a left side 102d, a front 102e, and a rear 102f, as shown in
FIG. 1. The right side 102c, the left side 102d, and the front 102e
may each be formed by inner sidewalls and outer sidewalls. The
garment box 102 may be made of cardboard, paperboard, and/or other
relevant material. FIGS. 2-8 and 24-27 show details and assembly of
the garment box 102. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a blank from
which the garment box 102 may be formed. FIGS. 3-8 show how the
blank in FIG. 2 can be folded to assemble the garment box 102.
FIGS. 24-27 show how the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 can
be loaded into the garment box 102.
[0070] The shoe box 104 may include a container for holding the
shoes 110. In various embodiments, the shoes 110 may be inserted
into the shoe box 104 through the openings on the sides of the shoe
box 104. The shoe box 104 may include a roof 104a, a base 104b, a
right side 104c, a left side 104d, a front 104e, and a rear 104f.
The shoe box 104 may further include roof wings 102g and base wings
102h that float the shoe box 104 above the garments and secure the
shoe box 104 from moving while inside the garment box 102.
[0071] In some embodiments, the shoe box 104 is oriented such that
the roof 104a faces upward when the shoe box 104 is inserted into
the garment box 102. However, it is noted the shoe box 104 may be
oriented in a different manner in various embodiments. For
instance, in some embodiments, the shoe box 104 is oriented so that
the roof 104a faces the front 102e or the rear 102f of the garment
box 102. In these embodiments, the front 104e and/or the rear 104f
of the shoe box 104 may face the base 102b of the garment box 102.
Such embodiments may have the advantage of not crushing garments in
the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106
are inserted into the garment box 102.
[0072] In some embodiments, the shoe box 104 may be inserted into
the garment box 102 after the garment bag 106 has been inserted
into the garment box 102. The shoe box 104 may be made of
cardboard, paperboard, or other relevant material. FIGS. 9-19 and
24-27 show details and assembly of the shoe box 104. More
specifically, FIG. 9A shows a blank from which the shoe box 104 can
be formed. FIGS. 10-19 show how the blank in FIG. 9A can be folded
to assemble the shoe box 104. FIGS. 24-27 show how the shoe box 104
can be loaded into the garment box 102.
[0073] The garment bag 106 may hold garments to be protected, such
as the tuxedo 108. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106
includes a hanger slot for hangers used to hang the garments and/or
accessories. The hanger slot may be designed to be aligned with a
hanger slot and/or hanger channel of the garment box 102. The
garment bag 106 may further include an attachment handle that
allows the garment bag 106 to be attached to hooks in the garment
box 102. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106 includes a
medial fold line, along which the garment bag 106 may be folded
when inserted into the garment box 102. After folding along the
medial fold line, the garment bag 106 may surround the shoe box 104
when the garment bag 106 and the shoe box 104 are inside the
garment box 102. The garment bag 106 may be made of fabric or other
material. FIGS. 20-27 show details of the garment bag 106. More
specifically, FIGS. 20-23 show several perspectives of the garment
bag 106. FIGS. 24-27 show how the garment bag 106 can be loaded
into the garment box 102.
[0074] The garment packaging system 100 may further include a
garment insert that is inserted into specific types of garments
(e.g., shirts) before the garments are hung on hangers. In some
embodiments, the garment insert supports the garments by keeping
the garments wide and/or flat when the garments are hung on a
hanger. As discussed further herein, the garment insert may be
formed out of a cardboard blank that has a body and support flaps.
The body may include a slot. The support flaps may be coupled to
the slot. When assembled, the garment insert may include a hanger
hook (or other hanging feature such as a ball, loop, flange, etc.)
opening that receives a hanger hook of a hanger hanging the
garment. The garment insert may further include hanger arm openings
that receive hanger arms of the hanger. In various embodiments, the
garment insert is used to support specific types of garments (e.g.,
shirts) before these specific types of garments are placed into the
garment bag 106. FIGS. 28-30 show details and assembly of the
garment insert. More specifically, FIG. 28 shows a blank from which
the garment insert may be formed. FIG. 29 shows a rear view of the
garment insert, and FIG. 30 shows a front view of the garment
insert.
[0075] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. The
blank may be formed from a single sheet of material, such as
cardboard, paperboard, etc. As an example, the blank may be formed
from a corrugated cardboard blank.
[0076] The garment box 102 may include a front flap 202, a right
locking flap 214a, a left locking flap 214b, a roof panel 204, a
right roof supporting flap 218a, a left roof supporting flap 218b,
a rear sidewall 206, a rear right support flap 220a, a rear left
support flap 220b, a base panel 208, an inner right sidewall 222a,
an inner left sidewall 222b, an outer right sidewall 224a, an outer
left sidewall 224b, an outer front sidewall 210, a front right
support flap 220c, a front left support flap 220d, and an inner
front sidewall 212.
[0077] The front flap 202 may comprise a flap that has dimensions
corresponding to dimensions of the front 102e of the garment box
102. The front flap 202 may be rectangular or have any convenient
shape. In some embodiments, the front flap 202 may have length and
width dimensions similar to the length and width dimensions of the
outer front sidewall 210, discussed further herein. The front flap
202 may include a box handle opening 216 for receiving a box
handle. In various embodiments, the box handle opening 216 is
configured to allow a box handle of the garment box 102 to pass
through when the garment box 102 has been assembled.
[0078] The front flap 202 may be coupled to a right locking flap
214a and a left locking flap 214b. The right locking flap 214a may
be formed by a right outer curve. In some embodiments, the right
outer curve may include an arc that begins at a top right corner of
the front flap 202, forms a point near a bottom right corner of the
front flap 202, and forms a line that connects the point to the
bottom right corner of the front flap 202. The right locking flap
214a may be coupled to the rectangular central portion of the front
flap 202 by a right locking flap fold line 240a. The right locking
flap 214a may have dimensions that allow the tip of the right outer
curve to be inserted into the right sidewall flap opening 258a.
[0079] The left locking flap 214b may be formed by a left outer
curve. The left outer curve may include an arc that begins at a top
left corner of the front flap 202, forms a point near a bottom left
corner of the front flap 202, and forms a line that connects the
point to the bottom left corner of the front flap 202. The left
locking flap 214b may be coupled to the rectangular central portion
of the front flap 202 by a left locking flap fold line 240b. The
left locking flap 214b may have dimensions that allow the tip of
the left outer curve to be inserted into the left sidewall flap
opening 258b.
[0080] The roof panel 204 may comprise a panel that has dimensions
corresponding to dimensions of the roof 102a of the garment box
102. The roof panel 204 may be rectangular or have any convenient
shape. In some embodiments, a width dimension of the roof panel 204
may correspond to a width of the base panel 208, discussed further
herein. Further, a length dimension of the roof panel 204 may
correspond to the sum of a length of the base panel 208 and a
length of the front sidewall base spacer 266, discussed further
herein. The roof panel 204 may be coupled to the front flap 202 by
a front flap fold line 242. The roof panel 204 may further be
coupled to the rear sidewall by a roof panel fold line 246.
[0081] The roof panel 204 may be coupled to the right roof
supporting flap 218a by a right roof support flap fold line 244a,
and to the left roof supporting flap 218b by a left roof support
flap fold line 244b.
[0082] The right roof supporting flap 218a may be formed by a right
outer curve having a first narrow portion, a second narrow portion,
and a wide portion. The first narrow portion of the right outer
curve may comprise a first arc that begins at the top right corner
of the roof panel 204, and levels off to a first line at a first
distance parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204. The
second narrow portion of the right outer curve may comprise a
second arc that begins at the first line parallel to the right side
of the roof panel 204 and steps to a second line at a second
distance parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204. The wide
portion of the right outer curve may comprise a third arc that
begins at the second line parallel to the right side of the roof
panel 204 and forms a third line at a third distance parallel to
the right side of the roof panel 204. The third arc may further
connect the third line to the bottom right corner of the roof panel
204. The third arc may form a small gap between the bottom right
corner of the roof panel 204 and the rear right support flap 220a
so that the right roof supporting flap 218a may reside against the
rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is assembled. In various
embodiments, the right roof supporting flap 218a supports the roof
panel 204 when the garment box 102 is built.
[0083] The left roof supporting flap 218b may be formed by a left
outer curve having a first narrow portion, a second narrow portion,
and a wide portion. The first narrow portion of the right outer
curve may comprise a first arc that begins at the top left corner
of the roof panel 204, and levels off to a first line at a first
distance parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204. The
second narrow portion of the left outer curve may comprise a second
arc that begins at the first line parallel to the left side of the
roof panel 204 and steps to a second line at a second distance
parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204. The wide portion
of the left outer curve may comprise a third arc that begins at the
second line parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204 and
forms a third line at a third distance parallel to the left side of
the roof panel 204. The third arc may further connect the third
line to the bottom left corner of the roof panel 204. The third arc
may form a small gap between the bottom left corner of the roof
panel 204 and the rear left support flap 220b so that the left roof
supporting flap 218b may reside against the rear sidewall 206 when
the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the left roof
supporting flap 218b supports the roof panel 204 when the garment
box 102 is assembled.
[0084] The rear sidewall 206 may comprise a panel that has
dimensions corresponding to the rear 102f of the garment box 102.
The rear sidewall 206 may be rectangular or have any convenient
shape. The rear sidewall 206 may be coupled to the roof panel 204
by the roof panel fold line 246.
[0085] The rear sidewall 206 may be coupled to the rear right
support flap 220a by a right rear support flap fold line 248a, and
to the rear left support flap 220b by a left rear support flap fold
line 248b. The rear right support flap 220a may comprise a flap
that is separated from the right roof supporting flap 218a and the
outer right sidewall 224a by incisions. The rear right support flap
220a may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. In some
embodiments, the rear right support flap 220a has a length
dimension corresponding to a length of the rear sidewall 206, and
has a width dimension corresponding to a width of the outer right
sidewall 224a. The rear right support flap 220a may provide support
for the right side of the rear sidewall 206 when the garment box
102 is built. In various embodiments, the rear right support flap
220a is surrounded by the inner right sidewall 222a and the outer
right sidewall 224a when the garment box 102 is built.
[0086] Further, the rear left support flap 220b may comprise a flap
that is separated from the left roof supporting flap 218b and the
outer left sidewall 224b by incisions. The rear left support flap
220b may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The rear left
support flap 220b may have a length dimension corresponding to a
length of the rear sidewall 206, and a width dimension
corresponding to a width of the outer left sidewall 224b. The rear
left support flap 220b may provide support for the left side of the
rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is built. In various
embodiments, the rear left support flap 220b is surrounded by the
inner left sidewall 222b and the outer left sidewall 224b when the
garment box 102 is built.
[0087] The base panel 208 may comprise a panel that has dimensions
corresponding to the base 102b of the garment box 102. The base
panel 208 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The base
panel 208 may have width dimensions that correspond to width
dimensions of the roof panel 204. Further, the base panel 208 may
have a length dimension that corresponds to a difference of the
length dimension of the roof panel 204 and the length dimension of
the front sidewall base spacer 266, as discussed further herein.
The base panel 208 may be coupled to the rear sidewall 206 by a
rear base panel fold line 252c.
[0088] The base panel 208 may include right base slots 226a, left
base slots 226b, and front base slots 228. The right base slots
226a, the left base slots 226b, and the front base slots 228 may
each comprise a set of slots configured to receive protrusions. For
example, the right base slots 226a may include a set of slots to
receive right protrusions 236a, as discussed further herein. The
left base slots 226b may include a set of slots to receive left
protrusions 236b, as discussed further herein. The front base slots
228 may include a set of slots to receive front protrusions 260, as
discussed further herein. In the illustrated example, each of the
right base slots 226a, the left base slots 226b, and the front base
slots 228 comprise three slots. However, it is noted that in
various embodiments, one or more of the right base slots 226, the
left base slots 226b, and the front base slots 228 may comprise
more or less than three base slots without departing from the scope
and substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
[0089] In various embodiments, the base panel 208 includes a base
gap area 270. The base gap area 270 may be defined as the region of
the base panel 208 between the front base slots 228 and the outer
front sidewall 210. As described further herein, when the garment
box 102 has been assembled, the base gap area 270 may create an
opening between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front
sidewall 212. The opening may receive at least a portion of a
hanger.
[0090] The inner right sidewall 222a may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the right side 102c of the garment box
102. The inner right sidewall 222a may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The inner right sidewall 222a may include a right
hook 230a and right protrusions 236a, The right hook 230a may
include an angled opening that can receive straps of the garment
bag 106 to secure the garment bag to the inner right sidewall 222a.
In various embodiments, the right protrusions 236a may have
dimensions corresponding to the right base slots 226a. For example,
the length of each of the right protrusions 236a may correspond to
the length of each of the right base slots 226a.
[0091] Further, in various embodiments, the bottom side of the
inner right sidewall 222a includes a narrow area that aligns with
the base gap area 270. The narrow area may allow an opening to be
created between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front
sidewall 212.
[0092] The inner left sidewall 222b may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the left side 102d of the garment box
102. The inner left sidewall 222b may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The inner left sidewall 222b may include a left
hook 230b and left protrusions 236b, The left hook 230b may each
include an angled opening that can receive straps of the garment
bag 106 to secure the garment bag to the inner left sidewall 222b.
In various embodiments, the left protrusions 236b may have
dimensions corresponding to the left base slots 226b. For example,
the length of each of the left protrusions 236b may correspond to
the length of each of the left base slots 226b. Further, in some
embodiments, the bottom side of the inner left sidewall 222b
includes a narrow area that aligns with the base gap area 270. The
narrow area may allow an opening to be created between the outer
front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212.
[0093] The outer right sidewall 224a may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the right side 102c of the garment box
102. The outer right sidewall 224a may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The outer right sidewall 224a may have a length
dimension corresponding to the length of the base panel 208. The
outer right sidewall 224a may further have a width dimension
corresponding to a width of the rear right support flap 220a and
the front right support flap 220c. The outer right sidewall 224a
may be coupled to the base panel 208 by a right base panel fold
line 252a. The outer right sidewall 224a may be coupled to the
inner right sidewall 222a by a right inner sidewall fold line
250a.
[0094] The outer left sidewall 224b may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the left side 102d of the garment box
102. The outer left sidewall 224b may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The outer left sidewall 224b may have a length
dimension corresponding to the length of the base panel 208. The
outer left sidewall 224b may further have a width dimension
corresponding to a width of the rear left support flap 220b and the
front left support flap 220d. The outer left sidewall 224b may be
coupled to the base panel 208 by a left base panel fold line 252b.
The outer left sidewall 224b may be coupled to the inner left
sidewall 222b by a left inner sidewall fold line 250b.
[0095] The outer front sidewall 210 may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the front 102e of the garment box 102.
The outer front sidewall 210 may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The outer front sidewall 210 may have length and
width dimensions that correspond to length and width dimensions of
the front flap 202 as discussed further herein. In some
embodiments, the outer front sidewall 210 includes handle slots 232
for a box handle to be coupled thereto.
[0096] The outer front sidewall 210 may be coupled to the base
panel 208 by a front base panel fold line 252d, to the front right
support flap 220c by a right front support flap fold line 254a, and
to the front left support flap 220d by a left front support flap
fold line 254b.
[0097] The front right support flap 220c may comprise a flap that
is separated from the outer right sidewall 224a by an incision. The
front right support flap 220c may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. In some embodiments, the front right support flap
220c has a length dimension corresponding to a length of the outer
front sidewall 210, and has a width dimension corresponding to a
width of the outer right sidewall 224a. The front right support
flap 220c may provide support for the right side of the outer front
sidewall 210 and/or the inner front sidewall 212 when the garment
box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the front right support
flap 220c is surrounded by the inner right sidewall 222a and the
outer right sidewall 224a when the garment box 102 is built.
[0098] Further, the front left support flap 220d may comprise a
flap that is separated from the outer front sidewall 210 by an
incision. The front left support flap 220d may be rectangular or
have any convenient shape. The front left support flap 220d may
have a length dimension corresponding to a length of the outer
front sidewall 210, and a width dimension corresponding to a width
of the outer left sidewall 224b. The front left support flap 220d
may provide support for the left side of the outer front sidewall
210 and/or the inner front sidewall 212 when the garment box 102 is
built. In various embodiments, the front left support flap 220d is
surrounded by the inner left sidewall 222b and the outer left
sidewall 224b when the garment box 102 is assembled.
[0099] The inner front sidewall 212 may comprise a panel with
dimensions corresponding to the front 102e of the garment box 102.
The inner front sidewall 212 may be rectangular or have any
convenient shape. The inner front sidewall 212 may be coupled to
the outer front sidewall 210 by a front inner sidewall fold line
256. The inner front sidewall 212 may form an inner sidewall of the
garment box 102 when the garment box 102 is assembled. In some
embodiments, the inner front sidewall 212 may reside under the
outer front sidewall 210 when the garment box 102 is assembled.
[0100] In some embodiments, the inner front sidewall 212 includes a
hanger slot 234, a hanger channel 264, a right sidewall flap 238a,
a left sidewall flap 238b, a front sidewall roof spacer 268, and
front protrusions 260. The hanger slot 234 may include a slot to
receive a hanger. In an embodiment, the hanger slot 234 comprises a
rectangular slot that allows a hanger to be inserted into it. The
hanger slot 234 may receive the top of hangers used to hang the
garments. The hanger channel 264 may include a channel in the front
inner sidewall that begins at the hanger slot 234 and terminates a
predetermined distance from the hanger slot 234. The hanger channel
264 may be configured according to a variety of dimensions. For
example, the hanger channel 264 may be approximately the width of a
shaft of a hanger.
[0101] The right sidewall flap 238a may define the right side of
the inner front sidewall 212. The right sidewall flap 238a may
include a right sidewall flap opening 258a. The left sidewall flap
238b may define the left side of the inner front sidewall 212. The
left sidewall flap 238b may include a left sidewall flap opening
258b. The front protrusions 260 may include protrusions that can be
inserted into the front base slots 228. In various embodiments, the
front protrusions 260 are configured to secure the inner front
sidewall 212 to the base panel 208 when the garment box 102 is
assembled. More specifically, once inserted into the inner front
sidewall 212, the front protrusions 260 may allow the inner front
sidewall 212 to be secured against the upper end of the base gap
area 270. The front protrusions 260 may also allow the outer front
sidewall 210 to form the front sidewall of the garment box 102 once
the garment box 102 is assembled.
[0102] The blank shown in FIG. 2 can be folded to assemble the
garment box 102 as follows. It is noted the blank shown in FIG. 2
can be folded in other ways to build the garment box 102, and that
the following discussion is by way of example only.
[0103] In various embodiments, the blank is folded along inner
sidewall fold lines to form inner sidewalls and outer sidewalls on
right, left, and front sides. More specifically, the blank may be
folded along the right inner sidewall fold line 250a so that the
right protrusions 236a are aligned with the right base slots 226a
and the inner right sidewall 222a and the outer right sidewall 224a
are aligned with one another. Similarly, the blank may be folded
along the left inner sidewall fold line 250b so that the left
protrusions 236b are aligned with the left base slots 226b and the
inner left sidewall 222b and the outer left sidewall 224b are
aligned with one another.
[0104] The blank may also be folded along the front inner sidewall
fold line 256 to align the inner front sidewall 212 with the outer
front sidewall 210. With this orientation, the hanger slot 234 and
the hanger channel 264 may face the inside of the garment box 102.
The base gap area 270 may an open area between the outer front
sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212 that creates room for
objects (e.g., portions of hangers) between the outer front
sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212.
[0105] The blank may further be folded along the right front
support flap fold line 254a and the left front support flap fold
line 254b to form flaps from the front right support flap 220c and
the front left support flap 220d, respectively. The outer portion
of the front right support flap 220c may be aligned along the right
base panel fold line 252a, and the outer portion of the front left
support flap 220d may be aligned along the left base panel fold
line 252b.
[0106] In various embodiments, protrusions on the right, left, and
front inner sidewalls may be coupled to respective slots on the
base panel 208 to secure the right, left, and front inner sidewalls
to the base panel 208. More specifically, the right protrusions
236a may be inserted into the right base slots 226a. The left
protrusions 236b may be inserted into the left base slots 226b.
Further, the front protrusions 260 may be inserted into the front
base slots 228.
[0107] In some embodiments, the blank may be folded to form the
rear sidewall of the garment box 102. More specifically, blank may
be folded along the rear base panel fold line 252c to form the rear
sidewall 206 of the garment box 102. The blank may also be folded
along the right rear support flap fold line 248a and the left rear
support flap fold line 248b so that the outer sides of the rear
right support flap 220a and the rear left support flap 220b are
aligned with the right base panel fold line 252a and the left base
panel fold line 252b, respectively. At this point, the garment box
102 may have been constructed and ready to receive the shoe box 104
and/or the garment bag 106, as described further herein.
[0108] The garment box 102 may be closed as follows. In various
embodiments, the roof panel 204 may be vertically aligned with the
base panel 208. The right roof supporting flap 218a and the left
roof supporting flap 218b may be aligned along the right base panel
fold line 252a and the left base panel fold line 252b so that the
right roof supporting flap 218a and the left roof supporting flap
218b are inserted along the inner right sidewall 222a and the inner
left sidewall 222b. Further, the front flap 202 may be placed over
the outer front sidewall 210. The right locking flap 214a and the
left locking flap 214b may lock the front flap 202 to the outer
front sidewall 210. In some embodiments, the right locking flap
214a is inserted into a right sidewall flap opening 258a, along the
right side of the inner front sidewall 212. The left locking flap
214b may be inserted into a left sidewall flap opening 258b, along
the left side of the inner front sidewall 212.
[0109] Although FIG. 2 shows the garment box 102 as being assembled
from a single cardboard blank, it is noted that, in various
embodiments, the garment box 102 may be built in other ways. For
example, in some embodiments, the roof panel of the garment box 102
may be separable from the base panel, the rear panel, the side
panels, and/or the front panels. In such an embodiment, the roof
panel may be built from a first blank, while the base panel, the
rear panel, the side panels, and/or the front panels may be built
from a second blank. As another example, though the blank in FIG. 2
shows inner and outer right and left sidewalls, it is noted that in
various embodiments, the garment box 102 need only have one right
sidewall and one left sidewall.
[0110] FIGS. 3-8 show how the blank in FIG. 2 can be folded to
assemble the garment box 102. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows an
example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments, as
an unfolded blank. A box handle has been inserted into the handle
slots 232.
[0111] FIG. 4 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 4, the blank shown in FIG. 3 has been
folded along the front inner sidewall fold line 256 and the outer
front sidewall 210 has been raised to be perpendicular to the base
panel 208. Further, the blank has been folded along the right front
support flap fold line 254a and the left front support flap fold
line 254b to form flaps from the front right support flap 220c and
the front left support flap 220d, respectively.
[0112] FIG. 5 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 5, the blank has been folded along the
left base panel fold line 252b to form the left sidewall of the
garment box 102. The blank has been folded along the left rear
support flap fold line 248b and the left front support flap fold
line 254b so that the rear left support flap 220b and the front
left support flap 220d are aligned with the left base panel fold
line 252b. The blank has further been folded along the left inner
sidewall fold line so that the inner left sidewall 222b and the
outer left sidewall 224b have been formed, and so the outer left
224b and the inner left sidewall 222b surround the rear left
support flap 220b and the front left support flap 220d. The left
protrusions 236b have been inserted into the left base slots 226b
to secure the inner left sidewall 222b and the outer left sidewall
224b to the base panel.
[0113] FIG. 6 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 6, the rear right support flap 220a and
the front right support flap 220c have been raised.
[0114] FIG. 7 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 7, the blank has been folded along the
right inner sidewall fold line 250a, and the inner right sidewall
222a has been folded over the rear right support flap 220a and the
front right support flap 220c. The right protrusions 236a have been
inserted into the right base slots 226a. Further, the blank has
been folded along the front base panel fold line 252d to form the
front sidewall of the garment box 102. The blank has also been
folded along the front inner sidewall fold line 256 so that the
inner front sidewall 212 and the outer front sidewall 210 have been
formed. The front protrusions 260 have been inserted into the front
base slots 228. In various embodiments, the garment box 102 has
been assembled, although the lid has not been closed.
[0115] FIG. 8 is diagram showing an example of the garment box 102,
according to some embodiments. In FIG. 8, the lid of the garment
box 102 has been closed. More specifically, the right roof
supporting flap 218a and the left roof supporting flap 218b have
been aligned with the right base panel fold line 252a and the left
base panel fold line 252b, respectively, The right roof supporting
flap 218a and the left roof supporting flap 218b have further been
inserted along the inner right sidewall 222a and the inner left
sidewall 222b, respectively. Further, the right locking flap 214a
and the left locking flap 214b have been inserted into the right
sidewall flap opening 258a and the left sidewall flap opening 258b.
The front flap 202 has been placed over the outer front sidewall
210.
[0116] FIG. 9A is diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. The
blank shown in FIG. 9A may be formed from a single sheet of
material, such as cardboard, paperboard, etc. As an example, the
blank shown in FIG. 9A may be formed from a corrugated cardboard
blank.
[0117] The shoe box 104 may include an inner base panel 902, a
lower rear panel 904, an upper rear panel 906, a roof panel 908, an
upper front panel 910, a lower front panel 912, an outer base panel
914, a right roof flap 922a, a left roof flap 922b, a right base
flap 926a, and a left base flap 926b.
[0118] The inner base panel 902 may comprise a panel that has
dimensions corresponding to the base 104b of the shoe box 104. The
inner base panel 902 may be rectangular or have any convenient
shape.
[0119] The inner base panel 902 may have a right lateral slot 916a,
a left lateral slot 916b, and transverse slots 918. The right
lateral slot 916a and the left lateral slot 916b may each comprise
a set of slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right
lateral slot 916a may be configured to receive the right base flap
926a, as discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot
916b may be configured to receive the left base flap 926b, as
discussed further herein. In various embodiments, the right lateral
slot 916a and the left lateral slot 916b may be aligned with the
right lateral slot 924a and the left lateral slot 924b,
respectively, when the shoe box 104 is assembled.
[0120] The transverse slots 918 may comprise a set of slots
configured to receive flaps. In some embodiments, the transverse
slots 918 receive the base flaps 928 in order to secure the inner
base panel 902 to the outer base panel 914 when the shoe box 104 is
assembled. In the illustrated example, the transverse slots 918
comprise three slots. However, it is noted that in various
embodiments, the transverse slots 918 may comprise more or less
than three base slots without departing from the scope and
substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
[0121] The lower rear panel 904 may comprise a panel that has a
length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension
of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension
corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902.
The lower rear panel 904 may be coupled to the inner base panel 902
by an inner base panel fold line 930. The upper rear panel 906 may
comprise a panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one
half of the length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a
width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner
base panel 902. The upper rear panel 906 may be coupled to the
lower rear panel 904 by a rear panel fold line 932.
[0122] The roof panel 908 may comprise a panel that has dimensions
corresponding to sum of the dimensions of the roof 104a and the
roof wings 104g of the shoe box 104. More specifically, the roof
panel 908 may have a length dimension corresponding to the length
dimension of the roof 104a of the shoe box 104. The roof panel 908
may further have a width dimension corresponding to the sum of the
width of the roof 104a and the roof wings 104g of the shoe box
104.
[0123] In various embodiments, the roof panel 908 includes a right
lateral slot 920a and a left lateral slot 920b. The right lateral
slot 920a and the left lateral slot 920b may each comprise a set of
slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right lateral
slot 920 may be configured to receive the right roof flap 922a, as
discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot 920b may
be configured to receive the left roof flap 922b, as discussed
further herein.
[0124] The roof panel 908 may include a right roof wing 946a and a
left roof wing 946b. The right roof wing 946a and the left roof
wing 946b may each have dimensions corresponding to the roof wings
104g. The right roof wing 946a may be separated from the remainder
of the roof panel 908 by a right wing fold line 950a, and the left
roof wing 946b may be separated from the remainder of the roof
panel 908 by a left wing fold line 950b. In various embodiments,
the right roof wing 946a has a medial fold line 954a that enables
the right roof wing 946a to be folded along its midline. The left
roof wing 946b may also have a medial fold line 954b that enables
the left roof wing 946b to be folded along its midline.
[0125] The right roof wing 946a may be coupled to the right roof
flap 922a by a right flap fold line 942a and to the left roof flap
922b by a left flap fold line 942b. The left roof wing 946b may be
coupled to the upper rear panel 906 by a roof panel fold line
934.
[0126] The right roof flap 922a and the left roof flap 922b may
comprise a flap that can be folded and inserted into the right
lateral slot 920a and the left lateral slot 920b. In some
embodiments, the right roof flap 922a comprises a T-shaped flap
that can be folded into a central section and two side sections.
The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of
the right lateral slot 920a. When the right roof flap 922a is
folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section,
and the right roof flap 922a may have a thickness such that it can
be inserted into the right lateral slot 920a. After being inserted
into the right lateral slot 920a, the side sections of the right
roof flap 922a may fan out and lock the right roof flap 922a into
the right lateral slot 920a.
[0127] Similarly, the left roof flap 922b may comprise a T-shaped
flap that can be folded into a central section and two side
sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a
length of the left lateral slot 920b. When the left roof flap 922b
is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central
section, and the left roof flap 922b may have a thickness such that
it can be inserted into the left lateral slot 920b. After being
inserted into the left lateral slot 920b, the side sections of the
left roof flap 922b may fan out and lock the left roof flap 922b
into the left lateral slot 920b.
[0128] The upper front panel 910 may comprise a panel that has a
length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension
of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension
corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902.
The upper front panel 910 may be coupled to the roof panel 908 by a
roof panel fold line 936. The lower front panel 912 may comprise a
panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one half of the
length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a width
dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base
panel 902. The lower front panel 912 may be coupled to the upper
front panel 910 by a front panel fold line 938.
[0129] The outer base panel 914 may comprise a panel that has
dimensions corresponding to sum of the dimensions of the base 104b
and the base wings 104h of the shoe box 104. More specifically, the
outer base panel 914 may have a length dimension corresponding to
the length dimension of the base 104b of the shoe box 104. The
outer base panel 914 may further have a width dimension
corresponding to the sum of the width of the base 104b and the base
wings 104h of the shoe box 104. The outer base panel 914 may be
coupled to the lower front panel 912 by an outer base panel fold
line 940.
[0130] In various embodiments, the outer base panel 914 includes a
right lateral slot 924a and a left lateral slot 924b. The right
lateral slot 924a and the left lateral slot 924b may each comprise
a set of slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right
lateral slot 924a may be configured to receive the right base flap
926a, as discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot
924b may be configured to receive the left base flap 926b, as
discussed further herein.
[0131] The outer base panel 914 may include a right base wing 948a
and a left base wing 948b. The right base wing 948a and the left
base wing 948b may each have dimensions corresponding to the base
wings 104h. The right base wing 948a may be separated from the
remainder of the outer base panel 914 by a right wing fold line
952a, and the left base wing 948b may be separated from the
remainder of the outer base panel 914 by a left wing fold line
952b. The right base wing 948a may have a medial fold line 956a
that enables the right base wing 948a to be folded along its
midline. The left base wing 948b may also have a medial fold line
956b that enables the left base wing 948b to be folded along its
midline.
[0132] The right base wing 948a may be coupled to the right base
flap 926a by a right flap fold line 944a. The left base wing 948b
may be coupled to the left base flap 926b by a left flap fold line
944b.
[0133] The right base flap 926a and the left base flap 926b may
each comprise a flap that can be folded and inserted into the right
lateral slot 924a and the left lateral slot 924b. In some
embodiments, the right base flap 926a comprises a T-shaped flap
that can be folded into a central section and two side sections.
The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of
the right lateral slot 924a. When the right base flap 926a is
folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section,
and the right base flap 926a may have a thickness such that it can
be inserted into the right lateral slot 924a. After being inserted
into the right lateral slot 924a, the side sections of the right
base flap 926a may fan out and lock the right base flap 926a into
the right lateral slot 924a.
[0134] Similarly, the left base flap 926b may comprise a T-shaped
flap that can be folded into a central section and two side
sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a
length of the left lateral slot 924b. When the left base flap 926b
is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central
section, and the left base flap 926b may have a thickness such that
it can be inserted into the left lateral slot 924b. After being
inserted into the left lateral slot 924b, the side sections of the
left base flap 926b may fan out and lock the left base flap 926b
into the left lateral slot 924b.
[0135] Though the blank shown in FIG. 9A is related to shoe box 104
having eight sides (e.g., right side, left side, base, roof, lower
rear, upper rear, lower front, and upper front), it is noted other
configurations of the shoe box 104 are possible without departing
from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts herein. For
example, in some embodiments, the shoe box 104 comprises a
six-sided box having a right side, a left side, a roof, a base, a
front, and a rear. In such an embodiment, the rear panel fold line
932 and the front panel fold line 938 need not exist or need not be
folded when assembling the shoe box 104. The blank shown in FIG. 9A
can be folded to build the shoe box 104 as follows. It is noted the
blank shown in FIG. 9A can be folded in other ways to build the
shoe box 104, and that the following discussion is by way of
example only.
[0136] In various embodiments, the blank may be folded along the
inner base panel fold line 930 and the outer base panel fold line
940 in order to define the inner base panel 902 and the outer base
panel 914. The blank may be folded along the rear panel fold line
932 to define the lower rear panel 904 and the upper rear panel
906. Further, the blank may be folded along the roof panel fold
line 934 and the roof panel fold line 936 to define the roof panel
908. In various embodiments, the blank is folded along the front
panel fold line 938 to define the upper front panel 910 and the
lower front panel 912.
[0137] In some embodiments, the inner base panel 902 and the outer
base panel 914 may be aligned with one another. Further, the right
lateral slot 916a may be aligned with the right lateral slot 924a,
and the left lateral slot 916b is aligned with the left lateral
slot 924b. The base flaps 928 may be inserted into the transverse
slots 918 in order to secure the outer base panel 914 to the inner
base panel 902.
[0138] The blank may be folded along the right wing fold line 952a
to define the right base wing 948a. The blank may also be folded
along the medial fold line 956a to place the right base flap 926a
over the right lateral slot 924a and the right lateral slot 916a.
In various embodiments, the right base flap 926a is folded so that
the side sections of the right base flap 926a reside over the
central section of the right base flap 926a. Once folded, the right
base flap 926a may be inserted into the right lateral slot 924a and
the right lateral slot 916a, so that the side portions fan out and
lock into the right lateral slot 924a and the right lateral slot
916a.
[0139] The blank may be further folded along the left wing fold
line 952b to define the left base wing 948b. The blank may be
folded along the medial fold line 956b to place the left base flap
926b over the left lateral slot 924b and the left lateral slot
916b. In various embodiments, the left base flap 926b is folded so
that the side sections of the left base flap 926b reside over the
central section of the left base flap 926b. Once folded, the left
base flap 926b may be inserted into the left lateral slot 924b and
the left lateral slot 916b, so that the side portions fan out and
lock into the left lateral slot 924b and the left lateral slot
916b.
[0140] In some embodiments, the blank is folded along the right
wing fold line 950a to define the right roof wing 946a. The blank
may also be folded along the medial fold line 954a to place the
right roof flap 922a over the right lateral slot 920a. In various
embodiments, the right roof flap 922a is folded so that the side
sections of the right roof flap 922a reside over the central
section of the right roof flap 922a. Once folded, the right roof
flap 922a may be inserted into the right lateral slot 920a, so that
the side portions fan out and lock into the right lateral slot
920a.
[0141] The blank may also be folded along the left wing fold line
950b to define the left roof wing 946b. The blank may be folded
along the medial fold line 954b to place the left roof flap 922b
over the left lateral slot 920b. In various embodiments, the left
roof flap 922b is folded so that the side sections of the left roof
flap 922b reside over the central section of the left roof flap
922b. Once folded, the left roof flap 922b may be inserted into the
left lateral slot 920b, so that the side portions fan out and lock
into the left lateral slot 920b.
[0142] FIGS. 10-19 show how the blank in FIG. 9 can be folded to
assemble the shoe box 104. More specifically, FIG. 10 shows an
example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments, as an
unfolded blank.
[0143] FIG. 11 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 11, the blank shown in FIG. 10 has been
folded along the inner base panel fold line 930 and the outer base
panel fold line 940 in order to define the inner base panel 902 and
the outer base panel 914. The blank has also been folded along the
rear panel fold line 932 to define the lower rear panel 904 and the
upper rear panel 906. The blank has also been folded along the roof
panel fold line 934 and the roof panel fold line 936 to define the
roof panel 908. Further, the blank has been folded along the front
panel fold line 938 to define the upper front panel 910 and the
lower front panel 912. The inner base panel 902 is about to be
aligned with the outer base panel 904.
[0144] FIG. 12 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 12, the inner base panel 902 has been
aligned with the outer base panel 914. The base flaps 928 have been
inserted into the transverse slots 918, and the outer base panel
914 has been secured to the inner base panel 902. Further, the
blank has been folded along the right wing fold line 952a to define
the right base wing 948a, and along the left wing fold line 952b to
define the left base wing 948b.
[0145] FIG. 13 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 13, the right base flap 926a is about to
be folded so that the side sections are over the central section of
the right base flap 926a.
[0146] FIG. 14 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. The side sections of the right base flap 926a
have been folded over the central section of the right base flap
926a so that the right base flap 926a can be inserted into the
right lateral slot 924a and the right lateral slot 916a.
[0147] FIG. 15 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 15, the right base flap 926a is about to
be inserted into the right lateral slot 924a and the right lateral
slot 916a.
[0148] FIG. 16 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 16, the right base flap 926a has been
inserted into the right lateral slot 924a and the right lateral
slot 916a. The side portions of the right base flap 926a have
fanned out and locked the right base flap 926a into the right
lateral slot 924a and the right lateral slot 916a.
[0149] FIG. 17 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 17, the right roof flap 922a has also
been folded along medial fold line 954a. The right roof flap 922a
has also been folded so that the side sections are over the central
section of the right roof flap 922a. The right roof flap 922a has
been inserted into the right lateral slot 920a. The side sections
of the right roof flap 922a have fanned out and locked the right
roof flap 922a into the right lateral slot 920a.
[0150] FIG. 18 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 18 depicts a view of the
roof of the shoe box 104 after the shoe box 104 has been assembled.
Notably, in some embodiments, the width of the assembled shoe box
104 (including the wings) is the same as the width of the interior
of the garment box 102, so that the shoe box 104 when inserted into
the garment box 102 is secured from shifting left or right.
Further, the height of the shoe box 104 (including the wings) may
be the same as the height of the interior of the garment box 102 so
that the shoe box 104 is secured from shifting up or down.
[0151] FIG. 19 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to
some embodiments. FIG. 19 shows the right side of the shoe box 104
after shoes have been inserted into the shoe box 104.
[0152] Although the blank shown in FIG. 9A comprises the right roof
wing 946a, the left roof wing 946b, the right base wing 948a, and
the left base wing 948b, it is noted that in various embodiments,
the blank may include any set of structures that allow the shoe box
104 to float over at least a portion of the garment bag 106 when
the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the
garment box 102. As an example, the blank shown in FIG. 9 may
include side portions that create a circular shape (e.g., a
doughnut-like shape) that allows the shoe box 104 to float over a
bottom half of the garment bag 106, and allows the top half of the
garment bag 106 to reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe box
104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box
102.
[0153] Further, although the shoe box 104 has been described thus
far as capable of being constructed from the blank shown in FIG.
9A, it is noted that in various embodiments, the shoe box 104 is
constructed out of different blanks and/or different structures.
More specifically, the shoe box 104 may have attachments that allow
the body of the shoe box 104 to float over a bottom half of the
garment bag 106, and allow the top half of the garment bag 106 to
reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe box 104 and the garment
bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102.
[0154] For instance, the shoe box 104 may include cardboard
attachments that space the shoe box 104 from the walls of the
garment box 102. FIG. 9B is diagram showing an example of the shoe
box 104, according to these embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9B,
the shoe box 104 includes a right wing attachment 958a, a left wing
attachment, and a body 960. In this example, the right wing
attachment 958a and the left wing attachment 958b are formed from
blanks that are distinct from the blank used to form the body 960.
The right wing attachment 958a and the left wing attachment 958b
may create any shape (e.g., a circular shape, a rectangular shape,
a doughnut-shape, etc.) that allows the shoe box 104 to float over
a bottom half of the garment bag 106, and allows the top half of
the garment bag 106 to reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe
box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box
102. In various embodiments, the right wing attachment 958a and the
left wing attachment 958b may be part of the blank or may be
coupled to the blank in order for the shoe box 104 to float over at
least a portion of the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and
the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102.
[0155] As another example, the shoe box 104 may include protrusions
that space the shoe box 104 from the walls of the garment box 102.
FIG. 9C is diagram showing an example of the shoe box 104,
according to these embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9C, the shoe
box 104 may include a right spacing protrusions 962a, left spacing
protrusions 962b, and a body 964. The right spacing protrusions
962a and the left spacing protrusions 962b may include wire or
other material that allows the body 964 to float over at least a
portion of the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the
garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102. It is
noted that various embodiments may use some combination of the
structures referenced herein. It is further noted that the shoe box
may be used to pack shoes within any garment receptacle, such as a
suitcase.
[0156] Moreover, it is noted that in various embodiments, the blank
may include structures not shown in FIG. 9A that allow the shoe box
104 to not substantially move within the garment box 102 when the
shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted into the garment
box 102. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the
right roof wing 946a, the left roof wing 946b, the right base wing
948a, and the left base wing 948b allow the shoe box 104 to not
substantially move within the garment box 102 when the shoe box 104
and the garment bag 106 are inserted into the garment box 102.
[0157] However, it is noted that in various embodiments, the shoe
box 104 may include structures that secure the shoe box 104 to the
garment box 102 to further limit movement within the garment box
102. More specifically, the shoe box 104 may include support
protrusions that limit movement of the shoe box 104 in the garment
box 102. FIG. 9D is diagram showing an example of the shoe box 104,
according to some embodiments. The shoe box 104 includes right
support protrusions 966a, left support protrusions 966b, and a body
968. The right support protrusions 966a and the left support
protrusions 966b may include, e.g., wires, shafts, cylinders, etc.
that protrude from the respective right and left sides of the shoe
box 104 and are received into respective slots (e.g., right support
slots 970a and left support slots 970b) on the right and left
sidewalls of the shoe box 104. The right support protrusions 966a
and the left support protrusions 966b may also be received by
support slots on the sidewalls of the garment box 102. The slots
(e.g., the right support slots 970a and left support slots 970b
and/or support slots on the garment box 102) may be threaded, e.g.,
may receive a threaded end of at least a portion of the right
support protrusions 966a and the left support protrusions 966b. It
is noted that various embodiments may use some combination of the
structures referenced herein.
[0158] Although the foregoing description discusses the shoe box
104 as being constructed from a single blank that can be folded to
form the shoe box 104, it is noted that in various embodiments, the
shoe box 104 is constructed from other techniques. For example, in
some embodiments, the walls and base of the shoe box 104 may be
constructed from a first blank, and the roof of the shoe box 104
may be constructed from a second blank. Wings, protrusions, etc. of
the shoe box 104 may similarly be formed from blanks, pieces of
cardboard, pieces of paperboard, etc. that are distinct from the
first blank and/or the second blank.
[0159] FIG. 20 is diagram showing an example of the garment bag
106, according to some embodiments. More particularly, FIG. 20
shows a front view 2000A of the garment bag 106, a rear view 2000B
of the garment bag 106, and a side view 2000C of the garment bag
106.
[0160] As shown in the front view 2000A, the garment bag 106 may
include a pocket zipper 2002, an upper carrying handle 2004a, a
lower carrying handle 2004b, a left attachment handle 2006a, a
right attachment handle 2006b, a bag fold line 2008, an
informational graphic 2014, a hanger slot 2016, and an external
zipper 2018. As shown in the rear view 2000B, the garment bag 106
may include the right attachment handle 2006b, the left attachment
handle 2006a, the bag fold line 2008, a right male fastener 2010a,
a left male fastener 2010b, a right female fastener 2012a, and a
left female fastener 2012b. As shown in the side view 2000C, the
garment bag 106 may include the hanger slot 2016, and the external
zipper 2018.
[0161] The pocket zipper 2002 may include a zipper configured to
provide access to a pocket of the garment bag 106. In various
embodiments, the pocket is sized so that it can hold garments and
accessories.
[0162] The upper carrying handle 2004a may include a strap on the
upper side of the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the upper
carrying handle 2004a is sewn to the garment bag 106. Further, the
lower carrying handle 2004b may include a strap on the lower side
of the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the lower carrying
handle 2004b is sewn to the garment bag 106.
[0163] The left attachment handle 2006a may include a strap on the
left side of the garment bag 106. In various embodiments, the left
attachment handle 2006a is sewn to on the left side of the garment
bag 106. The left attachment handle 2006a may be located and/or
sized so that it can be received by the left hook 230b of the
garment box 102. More specifically, in various embodiments, the
left attachment handle 2006a is located at a location on the
garment bag 106 that aligns with the left hook 230b when the
garment bag 106 is folded along the bag fold line 2008. Further,
the left attachment handle 2006a may be sized so that it is
securely received by the left hook 230b when coupled to the left
hook 230b. Moreover, the right attachment handle 2006b may be
located and/or sized so that it can be received by the right hook
230a of the garment box 102. In some embodiments, the right
attachment handle 2006b is located at a location on the garment bag
106 that aligns with the right hook 230a when the garment bag 106
is folded along the bag fold line 2008. Further, the right
attachment handle 2006b may be sized so that it is securely
received by the right hook 230a when coupled to the right hook
230a.
[0164] The bag fold line 2008 may include a line around which the
garment bag 106 can be folded. The bag fold line 2008 may
facilitate carrying the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the
bag fold line 2008 is located at approximately the midline of the
garment bag 106. It is noted the bag fold line 2008 may be located
at other locations without departing from the scope and substance
of the inventive concepts herein.
[0165] The right male fastener 2010a and the left male fastener
2010b may each comprise a male fastener. In some embodiments, one
or more of the right male fastener 2010a and the left male fastener
2010b comprises a male portion of a button. One or more of the
right male fastener 2010a and the left male fastener 2010b may also
comprise a male portion of a snap, a male portion of a button, a
male portion of a hook, a male portion of a magnet, a portion of an
adhesive, a male portion of a Velcro.RTM. fastener, a male portion
of a pin, a screw, etc.
[0166] The right female fastener 2012a and the left female fastener
2012b may each comprise a female fastener. In some embodiments, one
or more of the right female fastener 2012a and the left female
fastener 2012b comprises a female portion of a button. One or more
of the right female fastener 2012a and the left female fastener
2012b may also comprise a female portion of a snap, a female
portion of a button, a female portion of a hook, a female portion
of a magnet, a surface configured to receive an adhesive, a female
portion of a Velcro.RTM. fastener, a female portion of a pin, a
nut, etc. The right female fastener 2012a and the left female
fastener 2012b may be configured to mate with the right male
fastener 2010a and the left male fastener 2010b, respectively. In
some embodiments, the right female fastener 2012a and the left
female fastener 2012b may be aligned with the right male fastener
2010a and the left male fastener 2010b when the garment bag 106 is
folded along the bag fold line 2008.
[0167] The informational graphic 2014 may comprise a logo, an
advertisement, or other item of information that is visually
displayed on the garment bag 106. The hanger slot 2016 may comprise
a slot in the garment bag 106 for a hanger. The external zipper
2018 may include a zipper for opening and/or closing the garment
bag 106.
[0168] Garments may be placed in the garment bag 106 as follows.
Garment accessories may be placed into a pocket associated with the
pocket zipper 2002. Garments may be positioned on a hanger. The
external zipper 2018 may be opened, and the hanger and garments may
be placed within the garment bag 106. At least a portion, e.g., a
portion or more of the hanger handle, may extend from the hanger
slot 2016. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106 is folded
along the bag fold line 2008 and is carried using the upper
carrying handle 2004a and the lower carrying handle 2004b.
[0169] The garment bag 106 may be secured to the garment box 102 as
follows. In some embodiments, the garment box 102 may be opened. At
least a portion of the hanger extending from the hanger slot 2016
may be aligned with and inserted into the hanger slot 234. The
hanger may further be moved down the hanger channel 264 until the
hanger is secured into the inner front sidewall 212 of the garment
box 102. In various embodiments, a portion of the hanger, e.g., the
handle or a portion of the hanger handle, may reside between the
outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212 of the
garment box 102. Moreover, the left attachment handle 2006a of the
garment bag 106 may be aligned with the left hook 230b of the
garment box 102 and the right attachment handle 2006b of the
garment bag 106 may be aligned with the right hook 230a of the
garment box 102. In some embodiments, the left attachment handle
2006a is attached to the left hook 230b, and the right attachment
handle 2006b is attached to the right hook 230a. It will be
appreciated that additional left and right handles may be put onto
the garment bag 106 to cooperate with additional hooks positioned
in the interior of the garment box 102.
[0170] FIG. 21 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according
to some embodiments. In FIG. 21, the front view of the garment bag
106 is shown. A hanger is being used to hang the garment bag 106 on
a hook on a door. The garment bag 106 contains garments
therein.
[0171] FIG. 22 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according
to some embodiments. In FIG. 22, the rear view of the garment bag
106 is shown. The hanger is being used to hang the garment bag 106
on a hook on a door. The garment bag 106 contains garments
therein.
[0172] FIG. 23 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according
to some embodiments. In FIG. 23, the garment bag 106 has been
folded along the bag fold line 2008. The right male fastener 2010a
and the left male fastener 2010b have been mated with the right
female fastener 2012a and the left female fastener 2012b,
respectively. The garment bag 106 may be carried by carrying
handles, including the upper carrying handle 2004a. The garment bag
106 may further be inserted into the garment box 102, using the
techniques described herein.
[0173] FIG. 24 shows a hanger being inserted into the hanger slot
234, according to some embodiments. More specifically, in FIG. 24,
the hanger has been moved down the hanger channel 264 and secured
to the bottom portion of the hanger channel 264. As a result, the
hanger has been secured to the garment box 102.
[0174] FIG. 25 shows the shoe box 104 positioned on top of the
garment bag 106 in the garment box 102, according to some
embodiments. In FIG. 25, the hanger in the garment bag 106 has been
inserted into the hanger slot 234 and secured in the hanger channel
264. The garment bag 106 has been folded along the bag fold line
2008. The shoe box 104 has been placed on the garment bag 106 near
the bag fold line 2008. Advantageously, the right roof wing 946a,
left roof wing 946b, the right base wing 948a, and the left base
wing 948b cause the shoe box 104 to be supported above the garment
bag 106, leaving space for the garments and reducing any crumpling
and/or creasing of the garments therein. Notably, in the embodiment
shown, the shoe box 104 will fall towards the rear of the garment
box 102 when the garment box 102 is lifted.
[0175] FIG. 26 shows the right attachment handle 2006b being
coupled to the right hook 230a, according to some embodiments. In
FIG. 26, the right attachment handle 2006b is shown aligned with
the right hook 230a. The right attachment handle 2006b has been
wrapped around the right hook 230a and secured to the garment box
102. As a result, the garment bag 106 has been secured to the
garment box 102. Further, the garment bag 106 has been wrapped
around the shoe box 104 to prevent creasing of the garments at the
fold line of the garment bag. An additional handle may be added to
the garment bag 106 to cooperate with the right hook 230a.
Additional handles may be added to the garment bag 106 to cooperate
with additional hooks in the garment box 102.
[0176] FIG. 27 is a diagram 2700 of the garment box 102 with the
lid open, according to some embodiments. The garment box 102 has
been loaded with garment bag 106 flipped over the shoe box 104, as
described herein.
[0177] Though the foregoing description describes the garment box
102 and the garment bag 106 as coupled to one another with the
hooks 230 and the straps 2006 (e.g., through the right strap 2006a
being coupled to the right hook 230a and the left strap 2006b being
coupled to the left hook 230b), it is noted that in various
embodiments, other structures may couple the garment box 102 and
the garment bag 106 to one another. For instance, in some
embodiments, one of the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may
have straps that tie it to hooks on the other. As another example,
both the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may have straps
that are tied to one another. As yet another example, one of the
garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may have protrusions that
are received by a slot in the other. The garment box 102 and the
garment bag 106 may also include interlocking structures that allow
the two to be coupled to one another. It is noted other coupling
structures may be used to couple garment box 102 and the garment
bag 106 to one another without departing from the scope and
substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
[0178] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to
construct a garment insert 2800, according to some embodiments. The
blank shown in FIG. 28 may be formed from a single sheet of
material, such as cardboard, paperboard, etc. As described further
herein, the garment insert 2800 may provide a rigid structure that
holds garments flat and wide to reduce wrinkling, crumpling, etc.
of the garments when inserted into the garment bag 106 and/or
garment box 102.
[0179] The garment insert 2800 may include a body 2802, a right
support flap 2804a, and a left support flap 2804b. As described
further herein, the body 2802, the right support flap 2804a, and
the left support flap 2804b may be folded to form hanger openings
that accepts a hanger. When folded, the body 2802, the right
support flap 2804a, and the left support flap 2804b may support
garments inside the garment insert 2800 to remain rigid and flat.
The body 2802 may be divided from the right support flap 2804a by a
right support flap fold line 2806a. The body may be divided from
the left support flap 2804b by a left support flap fold line 2806b.
The right support flap fold line 2806a and/or the left support flap
fold line 2806b may include crease lines, scores lines, or virtual
divisions of the blank that are folded to divide the right support
flap 2804a and the left support flap 2804b from the body 2802.
[0180] The body 2802 may include a right edge 2808a, a left edge
2808b, a lower edge 2810, and an upper edge 2812. The right edge
2808a may reside between the lower edge 2810 and the right support
flap fold line 2806a. The left edge 2808b may reside between the
lower edge 2810 and the left support flap fold line 2806b. The
lower edge 2810 may reside along the lower edge of the blank (e.g.,
between the right edge 2808a and the left edge 2808b). The upper
edge 2812 may reside between the right support flap fold line 2806a
and the left support flap fold line 2806b. In various embodiments,
the upper edge 2812 separates the right support flap 2804a and the
left support flap 2804b. The upper edge may have an upper edge
width 2820. In various embodiments, the upper edge width 2820 is
chosen to form a hanger hook opening (see FIG. 29) to receive a
hanger hook.
[0181] The body 2802 may be characterized by a lower body width
2814, an upper body width 2816, and a body length 2818. In some
embodiments, one or more of the lower body width 2814, the upper
body width 2816, and the body length 2818 may be correspond to
dimensions of a specific type of garment (shirt, sweater, jacket,
etc.). For example, in various embodiments, the lower body width
2814 corresponds to an approximate width of a waist area of the
specific type of garment. The upper body width 2816 may correspond
to an approximate width of a chest area of the specific type of
garment. The body length 2818 may correspond to an approximate
length of the specific type of garment.
[0182] In some embodiments, the lower body width 2814, the upper
body width 2816, or the body length 2818 correspond to standardized
dimensions of a specific type of garment. For instance, the lower
body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818
may correspond to dimensions of specific sizes (small, medium,
large, extra-large, etc.). As yet another example, the body length
2818 may be chosen to be relatively small to accommodate "petite"
sized garments, or may be chosen to be relatively large to
accommodate "big and tall" sized garments. In various embodiments,
the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body
length 2818 are standardized (e.g., have uniform dimensions that
can apply to garments of different sizes). More specifically, in an
embodiment, the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816,
or the body length 2818 may be significantly less than the
dimensions of a garment, but still sufficient to support the
garment to remain flat. As an example, the lower body width 2814
may be approximately eighteen inches, the upper body width 2816 may
be approximately eighteen inches, and the body length 2818 may be
approximately twenty-four inches.
[0183] The lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the
body length 2818 may be chosen to accommodate a specific garment
style. For example, in an embodiment, the lower body width 2814 and
the upper body width 2816 are roughly equal to one another to
accommodate "traditional cut" garments. As another example, lower
body width 2814 may be chosen to be much larger than the upper body
width 2816 to accommodate "full cut" garments. As yet another
example, the lower body width 2814 may be chosen to be relatively
small in comparison to the upper body width 2816 in order to
accommodate "slim cut" garments.
[0184] The body 2802 may include a slot 2822. In various
embodiments, the slot 2822 comprises a slot of any convenient shape
(a rectangular slot, an elliptical slot, etc.). The slot 2822 may
have a right portion 2822a and a left portion 2822b. As discussed
further herein, the right portion 2822a may receive the left
locking member 2832b of the left support flap 2804b, and the left
portion 2822b may receive the right locking member 2832a of the
right support flap 2804a, so that the garment insert 2800 can
formed. In some embodiments, the slot 2822 may receive the right
locking member 2832a and the left locking member 2832b in an
overlapping manner.
[0185] The right support flap 2804a may include a right lower
medial edge 2824a, a right upper medial edge 2826a, a right upper
lateral edge 2828a, and a right lower lateral edge 2830a. The right
lower medial edge 2824a may extend from the upper edge 2812 of the
body 2802 to the right upper medial edge 2826a. In some
embodiments, a point is formed at the intersection of the right
lower medial edge 2824a and the right upper medial edge 2826a. The
right upper medial edge 2826a may extend from the right lower
medial edge 2824a to the right upper lateral edge 2828a. A point
may be formed at the intersection of the right upper medial edge
2826a and the right upper lateral edge 2828a.
[0186] The right upper lateral edge 2828a may extend from the right
upper medial edge 2826a to the right lower lateral edge 2830a. A
point may be formed at the intersection of the right upper lateral
edge 2828a and the right lower lateral edge 2830a. In some
embodiments, the right upper lateral edge 2828a includes a right
locking member 2832a. The right locking member 2832a may include a
protrusion along the right upper lateral edge 2828a that can be
inserted into at least a portion of the slot 2822. For example, in
an embodiment, the right locking member 2832a may include a
protrusion that can be inserted and locked into the left portion
2822b of the slot 2822 when the garment insert 2800 has been
assembled.
[0187] The right lower lateral edge 2830a may extend from the right
upper lateral edge 2828a to the right support flap fold line 2806a.
In various embodiments, a point is formed at the intersection of
the right upper lateral edge 2828a and the right lower lateral edge
2830a.
[0188] The left support flap 2804b may include a left lower medial
edge 2824b, a left upper medial edge 2826b, a left upper lateral
edge 2828b, and a left lower lateral edge 2830b. The left lower
medial edge 2824b may be similar to the right lower medial edge
2824a. The left upper medial edge 2826b may be similar to the right
upper medial edge 2826a. The left upper lateral edge 2828b may be
similar to the right upper lateral edge 2828a. In various
embodiments, the left upper lateral edge 2828b includes a left
locking member 2832b, which can be inserted and locked into the
right portion 2822a of the slot 2822. The left lower lateral edge
2830b may be similar to the right lower lateral edge 2830a.
[0189] In various embodiments, the blank shown in FIG. 28 may be
folded into the garment insert 2800. More specifically, in an
embodiment, the blank may be folded along the right support flap
fold line 2806a to bring the right support flap 2804a over the body
2802 and to bring the right locking member 2832a into contact with
the left portion 2822b of the slot 2822. The right locking member
2832a may be inserted and/or locked into the left portion 2822b.
Similarly, the blank may be folded along the left support flap fold
line 2806b to bring the left support flap 2804b over the body 2802
and to bring the left locking member 2832b into contact with the
right portion 2822a of the slot 2822. The left locking member 2832b
may be inserted and/or locked into the right portion 2822a.
[0190] Folding the blank along the right support flap fold line
2806a and the left support flap fold line 2806b may form hanger
openings on the garment insert 2800 to receive a hanger.
[0191] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a rear view of the garment
insert 2900, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 29,
folding the blank along the right support flap fold line 2806a may
form a right hanger arm opening 2904a between the right lower
lateral edge 2830a of the right support flap 2804a and the body
2802. The right hanger arm opening 2904a may, as discussed further
herein, receive a right hanger arm of a hanger 2906. Further,
folding the blank along the left support flap fold line 2806b may
form a left hanger arm opening 2904b between the left lower lateral
edge 2830b of the left support flap 2804b and the body 2802. The
left hanger arm opening 2904b may, as discussed further herein,
receive a left hanger arm of the hanger 2906.
[0192] In various embodiments, folding the blank along both the
right support flap fold line 2806a and the left support flap fold
line 2806b forms a hanger hook opening 2902 between the right lower
medial edge 2824a of the right support flap 2804a, the left lower
medial edge 2824b of the left support flap 2804b, and the upper
edge 2812 of the body 2802. The hanger hook opening 2902 may
receive a hanger hook of the hanger 2906.
[0193] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a front view of the garment
insert 2800, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 30, the garment
insert 2800 has been rotated and placed into a garment (e.g., a
white formal shirt). The garment insert 2800 is configured to
assist the garment in remaining flat and rigid in the garment bag
106 and/or in the garment box 102. For instance, the body 2802 may
assist in holding the waist and chest of the shirt flat by not
allowing the waist and chest to internally collapse. Moreover, the
hanger hook opening 2902, the right hanger arm opening 2904a, and
the left hanger arm opening 2904b may cooperate to secure the
hanger 2906 to a specific position.
[0194] Though the foregoing description describes the garment
insert 2900 as including the right locking member 2832a, the left
locking member 2832b, and the slot 2822 to couple the right support
flap 2804a and the left support flap 2804b to the body 2802, it is
noted that in various embodiments, the right support flap 2804a and
the left support flap 2804b may be coupled to the body 2802 using
other structures. For instance, the right support flap 2804a and
the left support flap 2804b and/or the body 2802 may include at
least portions of a snap, at least portions of a button, at least
portions of a hook, at least portions of a magnet, at least
portions of an adhesive, at least portions of a Velcro.RTM.
fastener, at least portions of a pin, at least portions of a
screw/nut assembly, etc.
[0195] For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the description.
It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that
embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without these
specific details. In some instances, modules, structures,
processes, features, and devices are shown in block diagram form in
order to avoid obscuring the description. In other instances,
functional block diagrams and flow diagrams are shown to represent
data and logic flows. The components of block diagrams and flow
diagrams (e.g., modules, blocks, structures, devices, features,
etc.) may be variously combined, separated, removed, reordered, and
replaced in a manner other than as expressly described and depicted
herein.
[0196] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "some embodiments," "various embodiments," "certain
embodiments," "other embodiments," "one series of embodiments," or
the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The
appearances of, for example, the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in
an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate
or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.
Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an
"embodiment" or the like, various features are described, which may
be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also
variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features
are described that may be preferences or requirements for some
embodiments, but not other embodiments.
[0197] The language used herein has been principally selected for
readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been
selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
It is therefore intended that the scope be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an
application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the
embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of
the scope, which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *