Hosiery Package

Abstract

An improved package for hosiery articles and the like comprising a generally flat rectangular outer body envelope and a flattened tubular liner attached to the inside of the outer body in such a manner as not to inhibit flexing of the outer body or the liner to enable them to receive the article. The liner is of lesser width than the outer body to confine the article so it remains in position beneath an inspection window formed in the outer body. The outer body can be provided with a closure flap and a shortened back panel, so that a portion of the article can be folded over the panel and grasped between the closure flap and the panel to hold the article firmly in position.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 177,228 entitled "Garment Handling and Packaging Apparatus and Method", filed Sept. 2, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,226.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to envelope type packages, and more particularly to an improved envelope type package for hosiery and similar articles. The package is especially suitable for merchandising garments such as ladies' stretch stockings and pantyhose.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It has long been the practice to package hosiery articles, and particularly ladies' nylon and silk stockings and pantyhose, in generally flat, rectangular, envelope-type packages with the garments being wrapped or folded around an insert, or folder, positioned within the envelope. In order to permit viewing of the garments without requiring the package to be opened, the envelope is normally provided with a viewing window covered with a transparent material such as cellophane, or, alternatively, the entire envelope, or a major portion thereof, may be constructed of cellophane. When the entire envelope is of cellophane, the folder is normally of a relatively rigid material such as a lightweight paperboard so that the package retains its flat, rectangular shape and the garments are retained in a flat, smooth condition.

The recent development of the stretch, or super-stretch, stockings and pantyhose has presented a problem to hosiery manufacturers because these garments do not readily lend themselves to merchandising in the conventional hosiery packages. For example, such garments normally are not boarded during their manufacture, and therefore do not present the smooth, flat appearance which the customer has come to expect when buying the conventional boarded stockings. Further, these garments, in their unstretched condition, are much smaller than boarded garments of comparable size and therefore do not fill a conventional package, nor do they lend themselves readily to folding around a conventional folder.

To avoid the problems presented by packaging the new stretch garments in conventional packages, many manufacturers have resorted to the use of nonconventional containers such as rigid paperboard or plastic boxes, cans, or the like. However, this solution has not proven entirely satisfactory for various reasons. For example, such rigid containers do not readily lend themselves to the use of an inspection window, with result that there is an increased tendency for the customer to open the container and remove the garments for inspection. Further, because the customer has long been conditioned to purchasing quality, high fashion hosiery in the familiar flat package, there has been some tendency to regard such nonconventional packages as an indication of an inferior product. Also, retain outlets normally have display racks which are designed especially for the conventional packages, and which can not be employed for the merchandising of such nonconventional packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved envelope-type package for hosiery and other articles, which package is particularly well adapted to packaging and merchandising stretch hosiery articles.

Another object is to provide such a package which presents the overall appearance of a conventional hosiery package and which readily lends itself to filling by automatic packaging equipment.

Another object is to provide such a package which retains articles packaged therein against undesirable movement within the package without the necessity of using a rigid folder or insert within the package.

Another object is to provide such a package having improved closure means.

Another object is to provide such a package which effectively protects the garments packaged therein from damage when inserting the garments into the package or removing them therefrom,

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are attained in a hosiery package according to the present invention in which the outer body portion is formed from a single die-cut blank of relatively heavy paperboard folded and secured to form a flattened envelope tube having open top and bottom ends adapted to be closed by integrally formed folding flaps. An inspection window is provided in one panel of the envelope blank, preferably at one end thereof and extending into the adjacent end flap so that an article in the package may be viewed through the end window without lifting the individual package from a stack thereof. The inspection window is covered by a thin sheet of transparent material to prevent the article from becoming soiled or damaged, and means are provided for retaining the article in position within the package beneath the inspection window.

The transparent material covering the inspection window is preferably one wall of a flattened transparent plastic tube, or sleeve, mounted within the paperboard body and having its opposed sides adhered to the adjacent inner side walls of the paperboard body. Also, the width of the flattened plastic sleeve is preferably somewhat smaller than the paperboard body, and the sleeve is positioned with its side edges in inwardly spaced relation to the corresponding side edges of the body. Further, the plastic sleeve is adhered to the panels of the body along lines spaced from the edge of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantates of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptio, taken with the drwings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front and top of a closed package according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and showing the back and top of the package shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of an open, empty package or container according to the present invention, with portions broken away to more clearly illustrate other portions;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of an open, empty package of the type shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of a closed, filled package of the type shown in FIG. 7, with certain portions broken away to more clearly illustrate other portions;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 9

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10 and showing a step in the process of closing the package;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary rear elevation view similar to FIG. 8 and showing a further embodiment of the invention, with certain elements broken away to more clearly illustrate other elements;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of a closed, filled package of the type shown in FIG. 12 with portions broken away to more clearly show other portions;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the top and rear of an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 15--15 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 and showing a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a hosiery package according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. This embodiment comprises an envelope-type container including an outer paperboard body portion 12 and a tubular plastic liner 14. The body portion 12 is formed from a relatively heavy, one-piece paperboard blank die-cut and folded into a flattened tube and having its opposed side edges adhesively secured together as at 16. The flattened tubular body has an open bottom end adapted to be closed by a closure flap 18 integrally formed on the front panel 20 and adapted to be folded over and secured to the outer surface of the back panel 22. A similar top closure flap 24 is integrally formed on the front panel for closing the top open end of the tubular body.

The inner surface of the bottom flap 18 and the outer surface of the back panel 22 of the tubular envelope adjacent the end thereof are coated with a self-adhering adhesive material as indicated at 26. Also, flap 18 is scored, as more fully described hereinbelow, to facilitate folding and closing the bottom of the package. Similar score lines are formed at the top flap 24 to facilitate closing the top open end of the carton; however, the self-adhering adhesive is preferably applied only at the side edge portions of the top as indicated at 28 so that, upon folding the top flap 24 onto the adjacent surface of the back panel 22, it will adhere only at the end portions of the flap, leaving the central portion 30 unadhered to facilitate opening the package. Also, elimination of the adhesive in the central portion of the package precludes the possiblity of damage to the delicate fabric of a garment being removed from the package by inadvertently bringing the garment into contact with the adhesive or with a roughened or damaged portion of the package which might be produced tearing open a fully sealed carton. A lifting tab 32 on the central portion of flap 30 is also provided to facilitate opening the carton.

The liner 14 is in the form of a length of thin, seamless, clear plastic tubing which is flattened and positioned centrally within the body portion 12 of the carton 10. The plastic tubing liner has its front panel 34 bonded to the inner surface of the front panel 20 along the length of the package along two lines 36, 38 spaced inwardly from the side edges 40, 42, respectively, of the folded tubular lining. The back panel 44 of the tubular liner is similarly adhered to the back panel 22 along two lines 46, 48, respectively, spaced inwardly from the side edges 40, 42. The location of the respective adhesive lines are such that, upon expansion of the tubular envelope body from the flattened condition to the condition shown in FIG. 6, the plastic tubular liner 14 will be formed into a generally rectangular configuration located centrally within the paperboard body in position to receive a folded garment from an automatic packaging apparatus in the manner described in my above-mentioned co-pending application.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the plastic liner 14 has its open bottom end 50 positioned adjacen to the bottom edge 52 of the back panel 22; however, the liner has an upwardly projecting portion 54 which extends above the corresponding top edge 56 of the back panel 22. This projection 54 provides a shield, preventing contact of the sheer fabric of the garment with the exposed edge 56 as a garment is inserted into or withdrawn from the open end of a carton, thereby preventing the possibility of damage in the form of a "pick" or "run" due to a thread being caught upon an uneven or roughened surface of the edge of the cardboard blank portion of the open carton.

An inspection opening, or window 58, is formed in the central portion of the front panel 20, preferably near the top portion thereof, to permit viewing of the contents of the closed package. The window 58 is located in the area between the adhesive lines 36, 38 so that the front panel 34 of the plastic tube is retained in a smooth condition over the window. Also, if desired, additional adhesive may be applied around the periphery of the opening 58 to secure the panel 34 completely around this periphery.

While the closed, filled package is generally flat, a garment such as a pair of pantyhose, folded into an elongated, relatively narrow, flat pack as indicated generally at 60 and packaged in the carton will, nevetheless, expand the package slightly so that the front and back panel 20, 22, respectively, are spaced apart in the central portion thereof. However, since the garment does not extend completely to the side edges of the paperboard body, the filled package tapers gradually, in cross section, from the expanded central portion to the thin edge at the sides. The body is made from a paperboard stock having substantial strength in flexure so that the flexing of the front and back panels by the folded garment as shown in FIG. 5 results in a compressive force being applied to the pack to retain the garment in a smooth, flat condition and to resist movement within the package during normal handling.

The score lines in the bottom and top flaps, respectively, are designed to facilitate folding the flaps to accomodate the non-uniformity in cross section of the package. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the folded top flap 24 produces an end panel 60 comprising a generally rectangular central portion 62 defined by a first pair of parallel, trasversely extending score lines 64, 66 and a second pair of longitudinally extending parallel score lines 68, 70. The end panel 60 also includes a pair of generally triangular shaped, upwardly inclined end panel portions 72, 74. Panel portion 72 is defined by the score lines 68 and a pair of converging extension 76, 78 of the parallel score lines 64, 66, respectively, and panel portion 74 is defined by corresponding score lines 70, 80 and 82. It has been found that this score line configuration effectively closes the package causing the folded portion of the flaps to wrap around or conform to the contour of the underlying portion of the back panel and thereby eliminates any tendency of the package to wrinkle or buckle along its thin side edges. Identical score lines are provided on both the top and bottom flaps and, accordingly, those on the bottom flap will not be described in detail here.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, an alternate embodiment of the invention will be described. The basic construction of this embodiment is quite similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and, accordingly, only the differences therein will be described, with like reference numerals being employed to identify corresponding parts of the two embodiments. In this second embodiment of the invention, the central portion of the back panel 22 is somewhat recessed, or shorter than the corresponding portion of the front panel 20 as indicated in FIG. 8. The end of panel 22 is defined by a straight transversely extending central edge portion 156 and a pair of upwardly inclined edge portions 157. The recessed edge 156 is substantially shorter than the width of the tubular liner 14 for the reasons pointed out hereinbelow.

In the second embodiment, the inspection window 58 has been eliminated from the central portion of the front panel 20, and a larger inspection window 158 substituted therefor. The window 158 is formed in the top portion of the panel 20 and extends upwardly into the top closure flap 24 through the end panel 62 to the uppermost score line 66. Also, the plastic tubular liner is somewhat longer than in the first described embodiment, with the upwardly projecting portion 154 extending beyond the end of the window 158 and being secured to the back panel 20 and end flap 24 around the entire periphery of the window 158. This location of the inspection window permits viewing of the articles packaged in the carton from the front of the package in the conventional manner, or from the end of the package without removing the individual package from a stack thereof in a display rack or the like.

The recessed edge 156 of back panel 22 cooperates with the top closure flap 24 to define retaining means for engaging and retaining a garment in the package in a position clearly visible through the window 158. The garment is folded into an elongated narrow configuration and positioned within the open carton with the uppermost end of the garment 60 positioned substantially adjacent the uppermost open end of portions 154 of the plastic tube 14. The top closure flap 24 is then folded to the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 secured in the closed position by the self-adhering adhesive as previously described to thereby fold a small portion of the garment over the edge 156 through the space 86 to the outer portion of the back panel 22. This folded over portion is firmly retained in this position by the edge 156 and remains in clear view in the inspection window despite repreated handlings. Further, the space 86, being substantially as great as the thickness of the folded-over garment, eliminates any interference with the closure flap.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment employs an outer paperboard body portion 12 similar to that described above with respect to the second embodiment, with the exception that the top edge portion of the back panel 22 is formed with a clearly defined recessed, or notched out garment retaining portion 256 which extends only a portion of the transverse width of the package. This notched out portion 256 is adapted to permit the top end portion of a garment to be folded over the edge of the back panel in the manner described above with regard to the second embodiment, with the shoulder portions 257 serving positive stops to retain the garment against lateral movement the package. The top edge portion is preferably sanded or otherwise treated to eliminate any rough portions which might snag a thread and damage a sheer hosiery article. Also, the plastic tubular liner sleeve has been eliminated, and a conventional inspection window covering 160 is positioned over the inspection window 158 and secured to the inner surface of the front panel 20 around the entire periphery of the inspection window. Thus, retaining means defined by the recessed top end of the back panel and the top closure flap, in combination with the clamping action of the flexed front and back panels, are relied upon to retain the garment in position centrally within the carton and beneath the inspection window. If desired, as when packaging heavier or highly elastic articles, the same retaining means may be provided at the bottom end of the container so that the garments are, in effect, stretched between the two ends of the closed container. This double retaining means is normally not required, however, for articles such as stretch stockings and pantyhose.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, alternate embodiments of the means for closing the package will be described. In these embodiments, the self-adhering adhesive coating on the outer surface of the top of back panel 22 and one the top closure flap 24 has been eliminated, and reclosable fastener means is employed to releasably secure the top closure flap in its folded relation closing the package. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the use of conventional tuck-lock tab fasteners, with a pair of tabs 90 being integrally formed on the top flap 24, one adjacent each side edge thereof in position to be received in cooperating slots 92 in the side edge portions of panel 22.

Since the garments packaged in the containers described above are retained in spaced relation to the side edges of the paperboard body, the tab locks at the sides of the carton will not interfere with the garments, even when no tubular liner is used. This permits the package to be repeatedly opened and reclosed without defacing the package or risking damage to the garments. When the tubular liner is employed in the carton, however, it is not necessary to restrict the location of the fasteners to the side edges of the carton. Since the tab-receiving slot 92 only needs to go through the paperboard panel 22, a single slot may be located in the center of the panel between the lines 46 and 48, with the portion of the associated tab 90 which projects into the carton extending between the plastic tube panel 44 and the inner surface of panel 22.

FIG. 17 illustrates the use of a conventional molded plastic fastener element 94 employed to releasably retain the top closure flap 24 in the closed position. The dumbbell-shaped fastener 94 is adapted to be inserted through openings, or slits, 96 extending through the closure flap and the front and back panels adjacent the side edges of the package. Thus, it is apparent that any convenient fastener means may be employed, including penetrating fasteners such as staples as well as snap fasteners or the like.

While only the top portion of the package of the second and third embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is believed apparent that identical structures could be employed on the bottom end of the package. Similarly, fastener means other than adhesive may be employed to secure the bottom closure flap in the manner described above with regard to the top closure. Since only a duplication of parts would be employed, it is not believed necessary to illustrate these various modifications of the invention on the bottom end of the package.

While I have disclosed and described preferred embodiments of my invention, I wish it understood that I do not intend to be restricted solely thereto, but that I do intend to include all embodiments thereof which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A package for hosiery articles and the like comprising:

a pair of opposed generally rectangular front and back panels each terminating in first and second edges and joined along their contiguous side edges to define a substantially flat envelope having first and second ends, said back panel being slightly shorter than said front panel along at least a portion of the width of said envelope so that said first edge of said back panel is slightly offset longitudinally from said first edge of said back panel is slightly of the width to define an article gripping portion, the longitudinal distance between said edges being substantially no greater than the uncompressed thickness of said folded articles whereby a portion of said articles in said package may be folded sharply outwardly and downwardly over said article gripping portion along the outside of said back panel,

a closure flap attached to said front panel at said first end and extending outwardly therefrom at said first edge of said front panel, said closure flap having a fold line at said first edge of said front panel and being foldable over along said fold line and attachable to said back panel to close said first end of said envelope, said closure flap when in the closed position interacting with said article gripping portion and with said back panel to sharply fold said folded portion of said article over said article gripping portion to grip said folded portion to hold said article in position within said envelope,

means for attaching said closure flap to said back panel, and

means for closing said second end of said envelope.

2. The package of claim 1 further comprising an inspection window.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said front and back panels are formed of paperboard stock having sufficient strength in flexure to apply a light compressive force to said article positioned therebetween to thereby normally retain said article in a smooth, flat condition and to resist movement of said article within said envelope during normal handling thereof.

4. The package of claim 1 further comprising article holding means mounted inside said envelope and engaging said article to hold said article in position.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein said article holding means comprises a liner installed inside said envelope, said article being placed inside said liner.

6. The package of claim 5 wherein said liner extends beyond said short portion of said back panel and is foldable outwardly thereover with said article inside.

7. The package of claim 5 wherein said liner is attached to the inside surface of at least one of said panels.

8. The package of claim 5 further comprising an inspection window in one of said panels, and wherein said liner is transparent and extends over said inspection window.

9. A package for hosiery articles and the like comprising:

an outer body comprising a pair of opposed generally rectangular front and back panels joined along their contiguous side edges to define a substantially flat, open-ended envelope, said outer body being flexible outwardly to receive and accommodate said articles,

first closure means for closing one end of said outer body,

second closure means for closing the other end of said outer body,

an elongated flattened tubular liner positioned inside said envelope, the length of said liner being substantially equal to the length of said outer body and the width of said liner being less than the width of said outer body, the side edges of said liner being inwardly spaced from the side edges of said outer body and generally parallel thereto, said liner being flexible outwardly to receive and accommodate said articles, and

means joining said liner to the inside surface of at least one of said panels at a point so spaced inwardly from the side edges of said liner as not to inhibit the said flexing of said liner or said outer body.

10. The package of claim 9 wherein said flap has a plurality of score lines formed therein, including a pair of spaced parallel lines formed in and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular envelope, said parallel score lines being substantially shorter than the transverse dimension of said envelope and terminating in laterally spaced relation to the side edges of said envelope, and a pair of converging score lines at each end of each said pair of score lines and extending in converging relation from the ends of said parallel score lines to the side edges of said envelope body.

11. The package of claim 9 wherein said means joining said liner is disposed along a pair of longitudinally extending lines spaced from one another and from the side edges of liner.

12. The package of claim 9 further comprising an inspection window formed in one of said panels, and wherein said liner is substantially transparent and extends over said window.

13. The package of claim 9 further comprising article retaining means for releasably clamping a portion of said articles in said package when said package is closed to restrain said article against movement within said package.

14. The package of claim 9 wherein said panels are formed of paperboard stock having sufficient strength in flexure to apply a light compressive force to the article in said package to retain the said article in a smooth, flat condition and to resist movement of said article within said package during normal handling thereof.

15. The package of claim 9 wherein said second closure means comprises a closure flap attached to one of said panels and extending outwardly therefrom, said closure flap being foldable over upon and joinable to the other of said panels.

16. The package of claim 15 further comprising an inspection window formed in said one panel and extending into said closure flap, and wherein said liner is substantially transparent and extends over said window.

17. The package of claim 15 wherein said closure flap is formed on said front panel and wherein said back panel has a portion shorter than said front panel along the width thereof at said other end of said outer body, so that a portion of said article in said package can be folded outwardly over said shorter portion and downwardly along the outer surface of said back panel to be engaged by said closure flap upon closing of said closure flap to releasably grip said article between said closure flap and said back panel.

18. The package of claim 17 wherein said liner is longer than said shorter portion and is foldable outwardly thereover with said article inside.

19. The package of claim 17 wherein said shorter portion is centered along the width of said back panel and said closure flap is joinable to said back panel at points flanking said shorter portion.

20. The package of claim 15 further comprising fastener means extendable through said other panel for joining said closure flap to said other panel.

21. The package of claim 20 wherein said fastener means comprise tab means integrally formed on said closure flap, and a tab receiving opening formed in said other panel.

22. The package of claim 20 wherein said fastener means comprises a removable fastener element extendable through said closure flap and said other panel.