US3321069A

US3321069A - Envelope for packaging ladies' stockings

Info

Publication number: US3321069A
Application number: US501892A
Authority: US
Inventors: Perry G Harmon
Original assignee: Hanes Corp
Current assignee: Hillshire Brands Co
Priority date: 1965-10-22
Filing date: 1965-10-22
Publication date: 1967-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-23

Description

May 23, 1967 P. G. HARMON ENVELOPE FOR PACKAGING LADIES STOCKINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 22, 1965 Iii-72.4

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United States Patent 3,321,069 ENVELOPE FOR PACKAGING LADIES STOCKINGS Perry G. Harmon, Winston-Salem, N.C., assignor t0 Hanes Corporation, Winston-Salem, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Oct. 22, 1265, Ser. No. 501,892 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-4531) This invention relates generally to envelopes and particularly to an improved envelope for packaging ladies stockings.

Ladies stockings are commonly packaged in envelopes having transparent panels and stacked in racks for display in retail stores. The customer may remove a package from a stack, examine its contents through the transparent panels and then return the package to the stack. Naturally, the properietor does not want the customer to have trouble removing a package from the stack or returning it after its contents is inspected. Nevertheless, such troubles are not uncommon, and when they occur, the display is left in disarray by the customer. Normally, the heavy paper blank out of which the package is formed has straight edges which define a large rectangular transparent panel through which the stockings may be inspected. The edges extending across the package tend to bulge or bow outwardly, giving rise to difficulties in removing packages from a stack thereof and in replacing them.

Accordingly, an important object of the invention is to provide an improved rectangular, flat package of the type having a transparent panel and used for packaging ladies stockings.

Another object is to provide such a package which facilitates the initial stacking of a group thereof tightly in a rack and which facilitates returning to the stack a package removed therefrom for inspection.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent when the following description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view looking at the back of a package embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a rack loaded with packages embodying the present invention and with packages constructed in accordance with the prior art;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the rack shown in FIGURE FIGURE 4 is a view looking at the front of a prior art package;

FIGURE 5 is a view looking at the back of the package shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section on line VI-VI in FIGURE 3;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations of sections respectively on lines VIIVII and VIII-VIII in FIGURE 6;

FIGURES 9 and 10 are diagrammatic illustrations of sections respectively on lines IX-IX and X-Xin FIG- URE 6; 7

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged section on line XI-XI in FIGURE 3;

FIGURES 12 and 13 are diagrammatic illustrations of sections respectively on lines XII-XII and XIII-XIII in FIGURE 11;

FIGURES l4 and 15 are diagrammatic illustrations of sections respectively on lines XIV-XIV and XV-XV in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 16 is a view looking at the back of a modified envelope; and

FIGURE 17 is a view looking at the back of another modified envelope.

prior art The following description is directed to the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and is not addressed to the scope of the invention, which may be practiced in a variety of forms.

The packages are displayed in a wire rack, generally designated 10. The rack is provided with opposite side members 12, each of which has a fore leg 14 terminating in a turned up foot 16 and a hind leg 18 terminating in a turned up foot 20. Extending transversely of the rack are a crossbar 22 opposite end portions of which are affixed respectively to the feet 16 and a crossbar 26 opposite end portions of which are affixed respectively to the feet 20. Also extending transversely of the rack are a pair of crossbars 24 each of which has opposite end portions affixed respectively to the legs 18.

The rack is provided with a series of members 23, 34aa', and 38, each of which is of inverted U-shape. The member 28 has lateral extensions 30 which terminate in turned up portions 32 afiixed to the bar 22. The members 28, 34a-d and 38 are afiixed to each other serially by means of lateral extensions, designated 36a-d and 40. The member 38 is afiixed to the crossbars 24. The member 340 is seated upon and aflixed to the crossbar 26. The members 28, 34a-d, and 38 are disposed respectively in rearwardly inclined parallel planes. Affixed to each of the side members 12 is a decorative piece 42. Extending upwardly from the crossbars 24 is a standard 44 which carries a plate 46. The members 28 and 34a-d form a series of four compartments stacked with packages containing stockings. Two of the stacks, designated A and B, contain packages constructed in accordance with the prior art, and two of the stacks, designated C and D, con tain packages constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 4 through 10, the envelope of a prior art package, designated 48, is formed of a heavy flexible paper blank, generally designated 50. The blank is provided with a rectangular front panel 52 having a diamond shaped cut out 54. On each side of the panel 52 is a side flap 56 folded under the panel 52. At the bottom of the panel 52 is a lower flap 58, and at the top of the panel 52 is an upper flap 60. The

flaps

58 and 60 are folded over the side flaps 56. The interior of the envelope is lined with a transparent cellophane sheet 62 containing a pair of stockings 64. The cutout 54 defines a. front transparent panel 66, and the inner edges of the

flaps

56, 58 and 60 define a large rear transparent panel 68. The lower edge '70 of the upper flap 60 is straight and is provided with a recess affording a finger hold 72. It will be noted that the straight edge bulges outwardly, as at 74, and that the upper edge 76 of the lower flap 58 is straight and bulges outwardly, as at '78. It will also be noted that the mutually overly ing end portions of the

flaps

56, 58' and 60 are adhesively secured together and that the transparent lining 62 is adhesively secured in position within the blank 50. How ever, no adhesive is applied in the area of the finger hold '72, and no adhesive is applied to the flap 58, between the flaps 56.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 6 to 10, normally no difficulty is experienced in removing a package 48a from a stack A or B of packages. However, difficulty may be experienced when replacing the package 48a.

When a package 48a is removed, the lower edge 70 of its upper flap 6t}- and the upper edge 76 of its lower flap 58 bulge or bow outwardly due to the presence of the enclosed pair of stockings. Normally, no difficulty is experienced in reinserting the package 48a until it is almost fully reinserted between the adjacent packages 48b and 480. At this point, the packages 48b and 480 are separated somewhat by the package 48a and the edge 76 of the package 481) bulges or bows outwardly and thereby forms an obstruction, as shown in FIGURE 8, which must be cleared by the bottom of the package 48a. In addition, the outwardly bulging or bowed edge '70 of the package 48a forms an obstruction, as shown in FIGURE 7, which must clear the top of the package 48c. Thus the customer may experience difficulty in returning the package 48a neatly to its stack.

In the event that the rearmost package 48d is removed from the stack, difiiculty may be experienced by reason of the edge 76 of the package bulging or bowing outwardly sufliciently to catch under the horizontally extending portion of the member 340.

Normally, the packages all face forwardly, but occasionally one is replaced facing in the wrong direction. In this event, when the package adjacent to and in front of the one facing in the wrong direction is removed from the stack, the package facing in the wrong direction tends to be removed also by reason of its edge '70 bulging or bowing outwardly suificiently to catch over the edge '76 of the package which is being removed from the stack.

All of these difficulties constitute nuisances which it is desirable to avoid for the sake of all concerned.

Now referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 11 to 15, the envelope of a package constructed in accordance with the invention, generally designated 80, is formed of a heavy flexible paper blank, generally designated 82. The blank 82 is provided with a rectangular front panel 84 having an oval shaped cutout 8 6. On each side of the panel 84 is a flap 88 folded under the panel. At the lower end of the panel is a flap 90, and at the upper end is a flap 92. The

flaps

90 and 92 are folded over the side flaps 88. Within the blank is a transparent cellophane lining 94 containing a pair of stockings 96. The cutout 8d defines a transparent panel 98, and the side flaps 88 and lower and

upper flaps

90 and 92 define a large transparent panel 100. It will be noted that the lower edge 102 of the upper flap is curved and that it bulges outwardly, as at 106, and that the upper edge 108 of the lower flap is curved and bulges outwardly, as at 110. The mutually overlying portions of the

flaps

88, 90 and 92 are adhesively secured together and the transparent lining is adhesively secured in position within the blank 82, all in substantially the same manner as in the prior art package, and it will be particularly noted that no adhesive is applied under the marginal portion of the flap 92, between the side flaps 88, and that no adhesive is applied to the flap 90, between the side flaps 88.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 11 to 15, the difficulties which may be experienced with the prior art packages are eliminated by the packages constructed in accordance with the invention.

When a package 80a is removed, the lower edge 102 of the upper flap 92, and the upper edge 108 of the lower flap 90 bulge'or 'bow outwardly due to the presence of the enclosed pair of stockings. When the package 80a is almost fully reinserted between the packages 8% and Me, the packages 8% and 800 are separated somewhat by the package 80a and the edge 108 of the package 80b bulges or bows outwardly and thereby forms an obstruction, as shown in FIGURE 13, which must be cleared by the bottom of the package 80a. In addition, the outwardly bulging or bowed edge 102 of the package 80a forms an obstruction, as shown in FIGURE 12, which must clear the top of the package 800.

With regard to the former obstruction, the bottom of the package 80a easily clears the opposite end portions of the flap 90 because these are adhesively secured to the flaps 88. Once the upper edges of these portions, desig nated 108a, are cleared, the bottom of the package 80a is cammed over the flap 90 by the curved edge 108.

With regard to the latter obstruction, the top of the package 800 is easily cleared by the opposite end portions of the fla-p92 because these are adhesively secured to the flaps 88. Once the lower edges of these portions, designated 102a, clear, the flap 92 is cammed past the top of the package 800 by the curved edge 102.

The same camming action avoids any difiicu-lty in removing the rearmost package d from the stack, and in removing a package when the adjacent package to the rear thereof has been placed in the stack with wrong face forward.

Although the lower edge 102 of the upper flap and the upper edge 108 of the lower flap are shown and described as being curved, it will be understood that these edges may be V-shaped, 'as at 116 in FIGURE 16, or straight, as at 114 in FIGURE 17.

What is claimed is:

1. In an envelope for packaging shallow-depth articles such as ladies stockings, the combination comprising a heavy flexible paper blank having a substantially rectangular front panel, a pair of flaps extending from said panel and folded back respectively under opposite sides of said panel, a pair of flaps extending from said panel and folded back respectively under the top and bottom of said panel and over said side flaps, the mutually overlying portions of said flaps being adhesively secured together, the portions of said top and bottom flaps extending between said side flaps being smoothly, gradually varied in width, and being of maximum width at the inner edge of at least one of said side flaps and of less than maximum width at all points between said side flaps, a shallow-depth article within said folded blank, and a sheet of transparent material within said folded blank extending across a large opening defined by said flaps and interposed between said flaps and shallow-depth article, the inner marginal portion of at least one of said top and bottom flaps between said side flaps being free of attachment to said transparent sheet material to facilitate opening said envelope.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portions of said top and bottom flaps extendingbetween said side flaps are of maximum width at the inner edges of both side flaps.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portions of the inner edges of the top and bottom flaps extending between the side flaps are coincident with large radius curved lines.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portions of the inner edges of the top and bottom flaps extending between the side flaps are V-shaped.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portions of the inner edges of the top and bottom flaps extending between the side flaps are straight.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the outer edge of the top flap and the portion of the inner edge of the top flap extending between the side flaps are non-parallel and the outer edge of the bottom flap and the portion of the inner edge of the bottom flap extending between the side flaps are non-parallel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,755,375 4/1930 Tanner 22971 1,875,804 9/1932 Dicicco 229-68 2,021,620 11/1935 Weir 22968 3,040,877 6/1962 Chidsey 20645.31

FOREIGN PATENTS 826,044 12/1959 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN AN ENVELOPE FOR PACKAGING SHALLOW-DEPTH ARTICLES SUCH AS LADIES'' STOCKINGS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A HEAVY FLEXIBLE PAPER BLANK HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR FRONT PANEL, A PAIR OF FLAPS EXTENDING FROM SAID PANEL AND FOLDED BACK RESPECTIVELY UNDER OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PANEL, A PAIR OF FLAPS EXTENDING FROM SAID PANEL AND FOLDED BACK RESPECTIVELY UNDER THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SAID PANEL AND OVER SAID SIDE FLAPS, THE MUTUALLY OVERLYING PORTIONS OF SAID FLAPS BEING ADHESIVELY SECURED TOGETHER, THE PORTIONS OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FLAPS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDE FLAPS BEING SMOOTHLY, GRADUALLY VARIED IN WIDTH, AND BEING OF MAXIMUM WIDTH AT THE INNER EDGE OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE FLAPS AND OF LESS THAN MAXIMUM WIDTH AT ALL POINTS BETWEEN SAID SIDE FLAPS, A SHALLOW-DEPTH ARTICLE WITHIN SAID FOLDED BLANK, AND A SHEET OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL WITHIN SAID FOLDED BLANK EXTENDING ACROSS A LARGE OPENING DEFINED BY SAID FLAPS AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID FLAPS AND SHALLOW-DEPTH ARTICLE, THE INNER MARGINAL PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FLAPS BETWEEN SAID SIDE FLAPS BEING FREE OF ATTACHMENT TO SAID TRANSPARENT SHEET MATERIAL TO FACILITATE OPENING SAID ENVELOPE.