Special receptacle or package – For apparel – Cedar chest type
Patent
1996-05-15
1997-12-02
Garbe, Stephen P.
Special receptacle or package
For apparel
Cedar chest type
53429, 53438, 53469, B65D 8518
Patent
active
056926065
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of textile packaging and, more particularly, to the compact packaging of hosiery.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Hosiery, such as pantyhose and stockings, commonly found in today's marketplace are formed of delicate woven or knitted material. Due to the delicate nature of the material used to form various hosiery items, it is extremely common for these items to tear or "run". For that reason, it is common practice for women wearing pantyhose, for example, to carry an extra or spare pair. Unfortunately, pantyhose are rather bulky even in their packaged form. Generally, pantyhose, as well as other hosiery items, are packaged within either a sealed bag or in a two-piece container. Due to the bulky nature of these packaged items, it is generally considered cumbersome to carry a spare, particularly a spare pair of pantyhose, even in a handbag. However, due to the potential need for the auxiliary hosiery item, a spare is still generally retained by many women.
In view of the relatively bulky nature of known hosiery packages, there exists a need to reduce the necessary package size of a hosiery item, particularly in the case of a pair of pantyhose, in order to enable the package to be conveniently carried in a handbag or even a clothes pocket. Obviously, reducing the size of the package achieves additional advantages as well. For example, the need for less packing material can result in lower transportation and manufacturing costs.
The concept of minimizing the packaging size of textiles and the like is known in the art. For example, it is common to vacuum seal articles within packages in order to minimize the size of the package. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,764,859. It is also known in the art to compress various textile articles in order to obtain a compact product. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,227 discloses a method and apparatus for compression packaging sheet articles. In one exemplary embodiment disclosed in this patent, pantyhose are compressed within a mold at an elevated pressure in the range of 2,800 --3,100 PSI for a predetermined time. The pressure and time are selected such that the pantyhose are compressed to form a stable, substantially rigid, compacted article which retains substantially the shape of the mold after it is removed therefrom. The article can then be placed in a suitable package for handling, storage and transportation. In accordance with this known prior art, the compressed article can be returned to its original, uncompressed condition by pulling loose edges or comers of the article. In addition, water can be used to aid in expanding the compressed article.
Unfortunately, this known prior an arrangement, although perhaps successful in compressing and packaging various sheet articles, can be extremely damaging to delicate fabrics such as those used to make pantyhose. In fact, given the degree of care necessary to return the compressed pantyhose back to its original uncompressed state without damaging the pantyhose, this can be a very time consuming task and can often result in actual damage to the pantyhose. Another drawback of the packaging arrangement disclosed in the '227 Patent is that the compressed article has to be generally placed in a waterproof package since the infusion of water into the compressed article can cause an untimely expansion of the compressed article. For this reason, additional manufacturing costs will be incurred in order to provide such a sealed package.
Therefore, as indicated above, there exists a need in the art for a packaging arrangement for hosiery items, in particular pantyhose, wherein each item can be housed in a compact package which can be readily and conveniently carried in a handbag, clothes pocket or the like. In addition, there exists a need in the art for a hosiery packaging arrangement which does not increase the likelihood of damage to the item as it is either compressed into a compact and packaged state or u
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Diederiks, Jr. Everett G.
Garbe Stephen P.
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