U.S. patent application number 16/185368 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for support for a folded garment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Taltech Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Support for a Folded Garment. Invention is credited to John WONG.
Application Number | 20200115147 16/185368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70159426 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200115147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WONG; John |
April 16, 2020 |
Support for a Folded Garment
Abstract
A support for a folded garment, the support comprising a planar
supporting member arranged to support the folded garment and a tab
coupled to the planar supporting member. The tab is configured to
project from a plane of the planar supporting member. The tab
comprises an aperture and the aperture is configured to receive a
button of the folded garment so as to hold the folded garment in a
position against the planar supporting member.
Inventors: |
WONG; John; (Kowloon,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Support for a Folded Garment |
Tortola |
|
VG |
|
|
Assignee: |
Taltech Limited
Tortola
VG
|
Family ID: |
70159426 |
Appl. No.: |
16/185368 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/182
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/18 20060101
B65D085/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2018 |
GB |
1816620.7 |
Oct 22, 2018 |
GB |
1817148.8 |
Claims
1. A support for a folded garment, the support comprising: a planar
supporting member arranged to support the folded garment; a tab
coupled to the planar supporting member, and configured to project
from a plane of the planar supporting member; and wherein the tab
comprises a slot, wherein the slot is configured to receive a
thread of a button of the folded garment so as to hold the folded
garment in a position against the planar supporting member, wherein
the slot comprises projections forming a series of discrete holes
in the slot which a thread of the button of the folded garment may
be located.
2. A support according to claim 1 wherein the tab is integrally
formed with the planar supporting member.
3. A support according to claim 1, wherein the planar supporting
member comprises an orifice, and the tab is arranged to extend
though said orifice in the planar supporting member.
4. A support according to claim 1, wherein the series of discrete
holes are formed by projections which do not interdigitate.
5. A support according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the
projections mirror one another so as to form the series of
holes.
6. A support according to claim 1, wherein the projections are
triangle shaped.
7. A support according to claim 1, wherein the projections are
curved.
8. A support according claim 1, wherein the support further
comprises an opening, wherein a portion of the slot terminates at
the opening and where the opening has a width greater than the
slot.
9. A support according to claim 8, wherein the opening is located
at an end of the slot in the tab.
10. A support according to claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a
foldable portion, the foldable portion arranged to fold out of a
plane of the tab, and comprising a side of the slot.
11. A support according to claim 10, further comprising a second
foldable portion opposing the said first foldable portion, the
second foldable portion arranged to fold out of a plane of the tab
and comprising a second side of the slot.
12. A support according to claim 1, wherein the planar support
member comprises cardboard or plastic.
13. A support according to claim 1, wherein the tab comprises
cardboard or plastic.
14. A support according to claim 1, further comprising a void, the
void configured to provide a portion of the support in which no
material of the support is present.
15. An article comprising a folded garment and a support according
to claim 1, wherein the folded garment is folded over the planar
supporting member such that a portion of the folded garment is
located between the planar supporting member and the tab, and a
button of the folded garment is received by the tab.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a support for a folded
garment, and in particular, to a support for a folded shirt.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is conventional practice in retailing to pack garments,
such as shirts, in individual transparent bags and to fold the
shirts so as to present an attractive appearance. During
manufacturing, when a shirt has been produced, such as when it
emerges from a pressing operation that follows sewing assembly, the
shirt is folded in a specified manner and is usually provided with
additional materials to stabilize the folded shape during packing,
shipping, warehousing and distribution of the shirt.
[0003] One method of supporting the shirt is to use a cardboard
insert, where the cardboard insert is usually in the form of an
appropriately shaped flat sheet of cardboard, and is tucked inside
a folded body of the shirt. For example, towards the end of a shirt
manufacturing process, the cardboard insert may be placed at the
back of the shirt, and then portions of the shirt, including the
arm portions, may be folded back so as to fold over the cardboard
insert, such that the cardboard insert can be said to be located
inside the folded body of the shirt.
[0004] Further additional materials that can help support the shirt
may include a plastic or cardboard insert to shape a neck of the
shirt, a plastic or cardboard insert to maintain the shape of a
collar of the shirt, and/or pins or clips to prevent slippage of
one part of the shirt against another and/or hold the shirt
relative to any of the other supporting materials, such as the
cardboard insert. For example, one or more plastic clips may be
used to secure the sleeves of the shirt to each other to prevent
the sleeves from slipping relative to the rest of the folded shirt.
One or more layers of a flexible material such as tissue paper may
be placed between the shirt and a cardboard insert before the shirt
is folded around the cardboard insert. The one or more layers of
flexible material may improve the appearance of the folded shirt
by, for example, at least partially occupying a volume between the
cardboard insert and the shirt such that the shirt is pushed
outwardly. FIG. 1 shows a portion of a folded shirt 1 according to
a prior art method where clips 2 have been used to help support the
shirt 1. The clips 2 effectively clamp the shirt 1 and the
cardboard insert (not shown) together, thus preventing the shirt 1
from moving relative to the cardboard insert. This helps the shirt
1 maintain its folded shape during shipping and distribution.
[0005] Pins have been used to prevent slippage for decades but many
users now specify "metal free" packaging, or otherwise prefer
plastic clips because of perceived disadvantages of pins. For
example, pins may injure customers if not removed before putting on
the garment. Additionally, pins can damage the fabric of the
garment if pushed through the yarn, for example. Pins can also
become rusty after prolonged storage, and lubricants which may be
applied to the pins to prevent rust can leave marks on the shirt.
The marks may, for example, be especially visible on white
shirts.
[0006] Furthermore, using pins, as well as plastic clips, for the
aforementioned purpose adds additional time to the manufacture
process, since, in many cases, a worker must manually add the pins
or clips. The additional time increases with the number of pins or
clips that must be used. Further still, using pins or clips adds an
additional cost to the finished, packed shirt, both in terms of the
additional time taken to package the shirt, and in terms of the
cost of the individual pins and clips.
[0007] There remains a need to provide an improved method of
supporting a folded garment, such as a shirt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is the objective of the invention to alleviate one or
more of the aforementioned problems.
[0009] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a
support for a folded garment. The support comprises a planar
supporting member arranged to support the folded garment, and a tab
coupled to the planar supporting member, and configured to project
from a plane of the planar supporting member. The tab comprises a
slot, wherein the slot is configured to receive a thread of a
button of the folded garment so as to hold the folded garment in a
position against the planar supporting member. The slot further
comprises projections forming a series of discrete holes in which a
thread of the button of the folded garment may be located.
[0010] For example, the discrete holes may be formed between
projections from one side of the slot meeting either of the other
side of the slot, or projections of the other side of the slot. It
will be appreciated that "meeting" does not necessarily mean
touching. For example, while a number of discrete holes may be
formed by the projections, there may be a relatively small space
between the projections from one side and either of the other side
of the slot, or projections of the other side of the slot.
Therefore, the holes may be thought of as regions of the slot
having a relatively large area of no material between each side of
the slot, compared with regions of the slot where each side of the
slot meet, providing a relatively small area of no material between
each side of the slot.
[0011] Advantageously, the first aspect provides a support for a
folded garment, such as a shirt, which does not require the use of
pins or clips to hold the shirt in place relative to the support.
This improves the packaging process by improving the speed with
which shirts may be packaged and reducing the cost of the packaging
process.
[0012] Providing a series of discrete holes provides a discrete
space in which to locate the thread of the button when the button
is pushed through the slot. The thread of the button is then
constrained within the discrete hole. This is in contrast to, for
example, slots having projections on either side of the slot which
interdigitate, such as a zigzag line being cut to form the slot,
where no discrete holes are provided. Providing discrete holes
allows one hole to be selected for a given button, and provides an
increase in space for the thread to be received and accomdated,
while still constraining the thread to the discrete hole. This
reduces deformation of the tab and reduces the risk of damage to
the thread.
[0013] Optionally, the tab is integrally formed with the planar
supporting member. The term "integrally formed" is intended to
indicate that the tab and the planar supporting member are parts of
a single body rather than the tab and the planar supporting member
being two connected bodies. Alternatively, the planar supporting
member comprises an orifice, and the tab is arranged to extend
though said orifice in the planar supporting member. That is, the
tab may be moved through the orifice to extend therefrom.
[0014] The tab may be held in place by any suitable means. For
example, the tab may have an enlarged portion having a width
greater than the width of the orifice so as to prevent the enlarged
portion of the tab from extending through the orifice.
Alternatively, an adhesive may be used to connect a portion of the
tab to the planar supporting member.
[0015] The slot may be elongated, where the slot has a main axis
(length) and a minor axis (width), where the size of the main axis
is greater than the size of the minor axis. The main axis may, in
use, run substantially parallel with an axis of the front buttons
of a shirt. The word "slot" is not intended to limit the slot to
having planar sides. The slot may have curved and/or angled sides,
e.g, the projections of the slot may comprise teeth on one or more
sides of the slot.
[0016] The series of discrete holes may be formed by projections
which do not interdigitate For example, both sides of the slot may
comprise projections and the position of the projections may mirror
one another so as to form the series of holes.
[0017] The projections may be any suitable shape. For example, the
projections may be triangle shaped, square shaped, curved etc. The
projections may, for example, be teeth or wave-like structures. The
projections may be formed integrally with the tab. The projections
may be reinforced by, for example, increasing a thickness of the
tab at the projections relative to the rest of the tab.
[0018] When the projections on both sides of the slot are triangle
shaped, the discrete holes may be square, or may be diamond
shaped.
[0019] The projections may be resiliently deformable.
[0020] Optionally, the aperture further comprises an opening,
wherein a portion of the slot terminates at the opening and where
the opening has a width greater than the slot. The opening may help
facilitate moving the button into the slot by allowing the button
to first pass through the opening. The opening may have a width
greater than the width of the button. The opening may be located in
either the tab, the planar support member, or may extend over both
the tab and planar support member.
[0021] Optionally, the tab comprises a foldable portion, the
foldable portion arranged to fold out of a plane of the tab, and
comprising a first edge of the slot. The foldable portion may be
formed by providing a slit in the tab substantially perpendicular
to the slot.
[0022] A foldable portion which comprises a first edge of the slot
allows the width of the slot to be increased as the foldable
portion is folded out of the plane of the tab, facilitating moving
a button through the slot.
[0023] Optionally, the tab comprises a second foldable portion
opposing the first foldable portion, the second foldable portion
arranged to fold out of a plane of the tab and comprising a second
edge of the slot. The second foldable portion may be formed by
providing a slit in the tab substantially perpendicular to the
slot.
[0024] The first and second edges of the slot may be edges of the
slot that run along the main axis of the slot.
[0025] Optionally, the planar support member comprises cardboard.
The planar support member may comprise plastic.
[0026] Optionally, the tab comprises cardboard. The tab may
comprise plastic.
[0027] The support may further comprise a void. The void may be
configured to provide a portion of the support in which no material
of the support is present. The void provides a region of the
support in which a user can feel the folded garment without
interference from the support.
[0028] In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an
article. The article comprises a folded garment and a support
according to the first aspect, wherein the folded garment is folded
over the planar supporting member such that a portion of the folded
garment comprising the button is located between the planar
supporting member and the tab, and a button of the folded garment
is received by the tab.
[0029] In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a
support for a folded garment.
[0030] The support comprises a planar supporting member arranged to
support the folded garment, and a tab coupled to the planar
supporting member, and configured to project from a plane of the
planar supporting member. The tab comprises an aperture, wherein
the aperture is configured to receive a button of the folded
garment so as to hold the folded garment in a position against the
planar supporting member.
[0031] The aperture may comprise a slot. The slot may comprise
projections.
[0032] Any of the features of any of the above aspects of the
invention may be combined with any other feature of any of the
other aspects of the invention, in any combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a folded shirt according to a
prior art method where clips have been used to help support the
shirt;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a portion of a folded shirt according to a
first embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a portion of a folded shirt according to a
second embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4;
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a portion of a folded shirt according to a
third embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 shows a portion of a folded shirt according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a support according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 9 shows an illustration side view of a button located
within a slot having interdigitate projections; and
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an illustration side view of a button located
within a slot having non-interdigitate projections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, there will now be described
several embodiments for a support for a folded garment, such as a
shirt, which does not require the use of pins or clips. Common
features between the embodiments use the same reference
numerals.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a portion of a folded shirt 1 and a support 3
according to a first embodiment of the invention, and. FIG. 3 shows
an enlarged view of the support 3. The support 3 comprises a planar
supporting member 4 and a tab 5 coupled to the planar supporting
member 4. The planar supporting member 4 may, for example, be a
sheet of cardboard. The planar supporting member 4 may be a sheet
of, for example, plastic. The tab 5 may, for example, be a sheet of
cardboard. The tab 5 may be a sheet of, for example, plastic.
[0046] In the first embodiment, the tab 5 is coupled to the planar
supporting member 4 by extending though an orifice 6 in the planar
supporting member 4. The planar supporting member 4 and the tab 5
may be separate components (i.e. not formed integrally), and the
tab 5 is placed such that the tab 5 extends through the orifice 6.
The tab 5 may have an enlarged portion (not shown) having a width
greater than the width of the orifice 6 so as to prevent the
enlarged portion of the tab 5 from extending through the orifice 6,
and thus preventing the tab 5 from further extending from (and
falling out of) the orifice 6.
[0047] The tab 5 is arranged to project from a plane of the planar
supporting member 4. Such projection allows a portion of the shirt
1 to be placed between the planar supporting member 4 and the tab
5. The tab 5 may be able to pivot and/or flex relative to the
planar supporting member 4. For example, the tab 5 may pivot about
an axis coaxial with the orifice 6. The material of the tab 5 may
also be resiliently deformable such that the tab 5 may flex.
[0048] The tab 5 comprises a slot 7. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the slot 7 is in the form of a zig-zag. The zig-zag
shape may be formed by cutting the slot 7 in the tab 5 such that
the slot 7 resembles a series of projections having complimentary
formations 7a, 7b. In an alternative embodiment, the projections
7a, 7b need not have complimentary formations, i.e., the
projections 7a, 7b may partially interdigitate, or may not
interdigitate at all (see FIGS. 6 and 8 for example, which shows
projections 7a, 7b which do not interdigitate). When the
projections 7a, 7b do not interdigitate, tips of the projections
7a, 7b may touch each other.
[0049] The slot 7 is configured to receive a button 1a of the shirt
1. That is, the button 1a may be passed through the slot 7. The
button 1a is connected to fabric of the shirt 1 in a conventional
way, such as by using a thread 53 (shown in FIG. 9). As such, when
the button 1a has passed through the slot 7, the thread 53 extends
from the shirt 1, through the slot 7, to the button 1a. The button
1a may, for example, be a front button 1a of the shirt 1. As can be
seen in FIG. 2, the shirt 1 is folded in such a way that a portion
of the shirt 1 is located between the planar supporting member 4
and the tab 5. The portion of the shirt 1 located between the
planar supporting member 4 and the tab 5 comprises the button 1a,
where the button 1a faces towards the tab 5.
[0050] Once the shirt 1 is appropriately folded, the button 1a is
moved through the slot 7. When the button 1a is in its normal
position, i.e., when a plane of the button 1a generally coincides
with a plane of the shirt 1, the width of the slot 7 is less than
the width of the button 1a, which prevents the button 1a from
passing back through the slot 7. In order to initially move the
button 1a through the slot 7, a user may manipulate the button 1a,
such as by rotating the button 1a so as to present a smaller width
to the slot 7 (i.e. the button 1a is presented to the slot 7
side-on). Once the button 1a has been moved through the slot 7, the
button 1a can return to its normal position, i.e. in the plane of
the shirt 1. The button 1a is then located on an opposite side of
the tab 5 to the portion of the shirt 1 to which the button 1a is
coupled to.
[0051] The projections 7a, 7b may be resiliently deformable so as
to assist with moving the button 1a through the slot 5. The
projections 7a, 7b help constrain, grip and/or restrict movement of
the thread 53 which connects the button 1a to the shirt 1, so as to
hold the button 1a. In place relative to the tab 5. This in turn
holds the shirt 1 in place relative to the planar supporting member
4. The shirt 1 is then ready for packing, where, for example, the
folded shirt 1 is placed in a transparent plastic bag.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a portion of a folded shirt 1 and a support 3
according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows an
enlarged view of the tab 5 of the support 3 shown in FIG. 4. The
tab 5 comprises a first foldable portion 8 and a second foldable
portion 9. The first and second foldable portions 8, 9 are formed
by providing two slits 10, 11 at either end of the slot 7, such
that the first and second foldable portions 8, 9 can fold out of a
plane of the tab 5. The arrows in FIG. 5 show the direction in
which the first and second foldable portions 8, 9 may fold.
[0053] The first and second foldable portions 8, 9, aid with
passing the button 1a through the slot 7, because the first and
second foldable portions 8, 9 allow the slot 7 to be opened up,
i.e. the width of the slot 7 is increased, in order to assist with
passing the button 1a through the slot 7. Once the button 1a has
passed through the slot 7, the first and second foldable portions
8, 9 can be manipulated so as to return to their normal unfolded
position, with the button 1a remaining on an opposite side of the
tab 5 than the portion of the shirt 1 to which the button 1a is
coupled. Furthermore, the button 1a then prevents the first and
second foldable portions 8, 9 from folding back out of a plane of
the tab 5 without intentional manipulation, such as when a user
removes the tab 5, to avoid accidental removal of the button 1a
from the tab 5.
[0054] FIG. 6 shows a portion of a folded shirt 1 and a support 3
according to a third embodiment of the invention. In the third
embodiment, the tab 5 is integrally formed with the planar
supporting member 4. In an embodiment, the integrally formed tab 5
is formed by cutting a portion of the planar support member 4 so as
to define the tab 5 and then pivoting the tab 5 out of a plane of
the planar support member 4. The support 3 is shown with two
recesses 54 which may be used to each receive a clip for holding
the shirt 1 to the support 3 While embodiments of the present
invention relate to supports which can be used without pins or
clips, providing a recess for receiving a clip provides additional
flexibility to the support 3, allowing a user to choose whether to
use a clip or not. It will be appreciated that such a feature is
not essential.
[0055] The support 3 further comprises an opening 12 which is
located at an end 7c of the slot 7 in the tab 5. The opening 12 is
arranged such that it has a greater width W1 than a width W2 of the
slot 7. The width W1 of the opening 12 may, for example, be about 1
cm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the opening 12 tapers in
width towards the slot 7 (i.e. the opening 12 becomes narrower as
the opening 12 approaches the slot 7). While the opening 12 is
shown as being located substantially in the planar support member
4, it will be appreciated that the opening 12 may be located in the
tab 5 (as shown in FIG. 7).
[0056] The opening 12 provides an enlarged portion of the slot 7
through which the button 1a can be more easily moved. For example,
the width WI of the opening 12 may be greater than the diameter of
the button 1a. Once the button 1a has been moved through the
opening 12, the button 1a may be moved along the main axis of the
slot 7 to a position where the slot 7 is sufficiently narrow to
hold the button 1a in place, and which holds the shirt 1 in a
suitable folded configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the
button 1a has been moved downward (as viewed in FIG. 6) relative to
the opening 12 such that the button 1a is located between the
projections 7a, 7b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the
projections 7a, 7b are triangular shaped and the positions of the
projections 7a, 7b mirror one another so as to form a series of
square holes 19 (that is, the projections 7a, 7b are not
interdigitate). The series of square holes 19 are configured to
provide discrete selection of positions in which to locate the
button 1a, i.e. the thread 53 (see FIG. 10) which couples the
button 1a to the shirt 1 is located in one of the square holes 19
when the button 1a has passed through the slot 7. In other words,
the projections 7a, 7b form a series of discrete holes 19 in which
the thread 53 of the button 1a of the shirt 1 may be located. The
holes 19 formed by the projections 7a, 7b may take any shape, e.g.
triangular, rectangular, diamond, etc., dependent on the shape of
the projections 7a, 7b.
[0057] It will be appreciated that the opening 12 is not necessary
in all embodiments. In other embodiments the opening 12 may be
formed at the opposite end of the slot 7. In further embodiments,
there may be two openings, one at either end of the slot 7.
[0058] Providing the slot with a series of projections 7a, 7b which
do not interdigitate, such as that shown in FIG. 6, has advantages
over projections 7a, 7b which interdigitate (such as that shown in
FIG. 5). For example, use, and in particular, repeated use, of a
slot 7 with projections 7a, 7b which interdigitate can cause the
projections 7a, 7b to become deformed. For example, a slot 7 which
is formed in a tab 5 by cutting a zigzag such that the formed
projections 7a, 7b interdigitate leaves little distance between
each projection 7a, 7b, as can be seen in FIG. 5. If the distance
between the projections 7a, 7b is smaller than the width of the
thread 53 passing between the projections 7a, 7b, the projections
7a, 7b will be pushed apart and deform. Said deformation may also
cause the tab 5 to deform, such as becoming concave or convex.
[0059] Deformation of the tab 5 may lead to an increase in packing
space, undesirable appearance, and compromise the structural
integrity of the support 3. Additionally, deformation of either the
projections 7a, 7b or the tab 5 will reduce the effectiveness of
the connection between the shirt 1 and the support 3. For example,
deformed projections 7a, 7b will not robustly hold the button 1a.
Projections 7a, 7b which do not interdigitate do not suffer from
the same drawbacks. This is because a larger distance is provided
between the projections 7a, 7b in which the thread 53 of the button
1a may be located. For example, the square holes 19 shown in FIG. 6
provide adequate space for the thread 53 of the button la to be
located without deforming the projections 7a, 7b of the tab 5.
[0060] A further advantage of projections 7a, 7b which do not
interdigitate is a reduction in the risk of damage to the thread 53
of the button 1a. As described above, projections 7a, 7b which
interdigitate leave little distance between each projection 7a, 7b
along the length of the slot 7. This can cause the thread 53 to be
constrained more tightly in its movement between each projection
7a, 7b. If the fit between the thread 53 and the projections 7a, 7b
is too tight, excessive rubbing between the projections 7a, 7b and
the thread 53 may occur, causing damage to the thread 53.
[0061] FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrations of a side view of the
thread 53 being located between projections 7a, 7b which
interdigitate and which do not interdigitate respectively. As can
be seen when comparing FIGS. 9 and 10, the additional space
provided by the square hole 19 formed by projections 7a, 7b (which
do not interdigitate) means that the projections 7a, 7b do not
restrict movement of the thread 53 as strongly as in the case where
the projections 7a, 7b interdigitate as shown in FIG. 9. Therefore,
the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 reduces excessive rubbing between
the thread 53 and projections 7a, 7b. This reduces the risk of
causing damage to the thread 53, while maintaining the thread 53
within the confines of the square hole 19.
[0062] FIG. 7 shows a portion of a folded shirt 1 and a support 3
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. As in the third
embodiment, the tab 5 is integrally formed with the planar
supporting member 4. The third embodiment or the fourth embodiment
of the invention may be the preferred embodiment of the invention
because the third and fourth embodiments comprise a tab 5 that is
integrally formed with the planar supporting member 4. The fourth
embodiment may be the preferred embodiment of the invention because
the fourth embodiment also includes slits 21, 22 that assist in
facilitating opening of the slot 7 thus allowing the button 1a to
pass through the slot 7. The opening 12 of the fourth embodiment
does not taper towards the slot 7, as in the third embodiment. That
is, a side 12a of the opening 12 that meets with the end 7c of the
slot 7 may be substantially perpendicular to the slot 7. The side
12a of the opening 12 that meets the end 7c of the slot may be
generally transverse to the slot 7. The width W3 of the opening 12
is greater than the width W2 of the opening 12 of the third
embodiment. The width W3 of the opening 12 may, for example, be in
the range of about 1 cm to about 3 cm, e.g. about 1.7 cm. This
arrangement helps to facilitate opening of the slot 7 in order to
move the button 1a through the slot 7. For example, by providing a
side 12a of the opening 12 that is relatively flat in the
horizontal plane (as viewed in FIG. 7), portions of the tab 5
either side of the slot 7 may be bent more easily out of the plane
of the tab 5, thus increasing the width W2 of the slot 7 and
allowing the button 1a to pass through the slot 7.
[0063] In the example of FIG. 7, the tab 5 comprises two slits 21,
22 at an end of the slot 7 that opposes the opening 12. The slits
21, 22 are arranged such that they are generally transverse to the
slot 7. That is, the slits 21, 22 extend in a direction that is not
parallel with the slot 7. The slits 21, 22 are configured to assist
in allowing the button 1a to pass through the slot 7 at an end of
the slot 7 that opposes the opening 12 by increasing the extent to
which the foldable portions 8, 9 are able to fold out of a plane of
the tab 5. The slits 21, 22 allow the foldable portions 8, 9 to
move with less restriction from the tab 5, thereby increasing the
size and/or changing the shape of the slot 7 when the foldable
portions 8, 9 are moved out of a plane of the tab 5. A distance 25
between an end of the slot 7 that opposes the opening 12 and an end
of the tab 5 may be selected so as to decrease a risk of the tab 5
tearing when inserting or removing the button 1a from the slot 7.
The distance 25 may, for example be in the range of about 0.5 cm to
about 1 cm.
[0064] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a support 3 according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 shows the support 3 in an
unfolded configuration, showing values of relative measurements of
features of the support 3. A first width 40 of the tab 5 at an end
of the tab 5 that is attached to the planar support member 4 may,
for example, be within the range of about 4.5 cm to about 6.5 cm. A
second width 46 of the tab 5 at an end of the tab 5 that opposes
the first width 40 may, for example, be in the range of about 3.5
cm to about 4.5 cm. A length 50 of the tab 5 may, for example, be
in the range of about 5.5 cm to about 7.5 cm. The opening 12 may,
for example, have a width 41 in the range of about 1.5 cm to about
2.0 cm. The opening 12 may, for example, have a length 42 in the
range of about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm. The slot 7 may, for example,
have a length 51 in the range of about 4.5 cm to about 5.5 cm.
[0065] In the example of FIG. 8 the tab 5 comprises a second
opening 30 at an end of the slot 7 that opposes the opening 12. The
second opening 30 performs a function similar to the slits 21, 22
shown in FIG. 7. That is, the second opening 30 assists in allowing
a button to pass through the slot 7 at an end of the slot 7 that
opposes the opening 12 by increasing the extent to which the
foldable portions are able to fold out of a plane of the tab 5. The
second opening 30 allows the foldable portions to move with less
restriction from the tab 5, thereby increasing the size and/or
changing the shape of the slot 7 when the foldable portions are
moved out of a plane of the tab 5. The second opening 30 may, for
example, have a width 45 in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 1
cm. The second opening 30 may, for example, have a length 48 in the
range of about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm. A length 49 between the
opening 12 and the second opening 30 may, for example, be in the
range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm. It will be appricated that the
second opening 30 may be replaced with a slit, or slits, such as
that shown in FIG. 7,
[0066] In the example of FIG. 8, the width of the slot 7 increases
from the opening 12 to the second opening 30. The size of the holes
19 may, for example, have a width that increases from about 0.3 cm
to about 0.6 cm from the opening 12 to the second opening 30. That
is, the width 43 of the slot 7 near the opening 12 may be about 0.3
cm and the width 44 of the slot 7 near the second opening 30 may be
about 0.6 cm. A slot 7 that increases in width towards the second
opening 30 may advantageously increase the ease with which a button
is inserted into and/or is removed from the slot 7 at a location
near the second opening 30. Alternatively a straight slot 7 (i.e. a
slot 7 that doesn't have a varied width) may be provided.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, the planar supporting member 4 has a
collar support 13, first, second, third and fourth wings, 14, 15,
16, 17, and a central support 18. It will be appreciated that these
features are not essential to the use, and operation, of the tab 5.
The collar support 13 can be folded so as to support the collar of
a folded shirt. The first, second, third and fourth wings, 14, 15,
16, 17 help maintain the shape of the folded shirt, by reinforcing
the corners of the folded shirt. The central support 18 is shown in
FIG. 8 as being narrower than the wings, which reduces the amount
of material used in the support 3, reducing both the weight and
cost of the support 3. The width 47 of the central support 18 may,
for example, be in the range of about 5 cm to about 7 cm. An
additional advantage of providing a central support 18 which is
narrower than the wings 14, 15, 16, 17 is that a portion 52 of the
support 3 is provided in which no material of the support 3 is
present. That is, a void is provided in the support 3. This allows
a user, such as a customer, to feel the shirt 1 prior to unpacking,
without interference from the support 3. For example, a customer
may feel the softness of the fabric of the shirt by feeling the
shirt 1 in portion 52. The portion 52 of the support 3 in which no
material of the support is present may be achieved in any suitable
way. For example, rather than using wings 14, 15, 16, 17 and a
narrow central support 18, any portion of the support 3 may be cut
out to provide a void as described.
[0068] While the embodiments described have referred to using
projections 7a, 7b to help constrain, grip or restrict movement of
the thread 53 of the button 1a, other such means may be used. For
example, the slot 7 may have a length that is small enough to
prevent substantial movement of the button, i.e. the length of the
slot may be comparable to the length of the button. The tab 5 may
comprise a number of series of such slots, where the button 1a is
placed through an appropriated slot in the series which lines up
with the way the shirt 1 has been folded. The support 3 may, for
example, be generally I-shaped, generally T-shaped or generally
rectangular. In general, the support 3 may be any desired
shape.
[0069] While the embodiments described have related to shirts, it
will be appreciated that the support 3 may be used with other
garments having one or more buttons, such as t-shirts, trousers,
jumpers, etc. The support for a folded garment described and
depicted herein advantageously does not require the use of pins or
clips to hold the folded garment in place relative to the support.
Wastage is reduced because clips and/or pins are not needed. Costs
involved in manufacturing folded garments are reduced because fewer
components (i.e. clips and/or pins) are needed. The speed with
which garments may be packaged is increased because workers don't
need to spend time attaching clips or pins to the support, thus
improving the productivity of a packaging process.
[0070] It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art
that various modifications may be made to the above described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The person of skill in the art will also realise that
where appropriate, suitable parts of any of the embodiments may be
used with other embodiments. For example, the opening 12 of the
fourth embodiment may be used in the tab 5 of the first
embodiment.
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