Headgear packaging system

Details Headgear packaging system Headgear packaging system

1999-11-05

2001-07-10

Weaver, Sue A. (Department: 3727)

Special receptacle or package

For apparel

Hat and headwear

C206S278000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06257398

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to protective headgear, and particularly helmets. More specifically, the invention is directed to a packaging system for presenting headgear for point-of-purchase display at a store or other sales outlet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many types of protective headgear which are presently offered for a variety of recreational activities and work-related uses. The packaging normally used for point-of-purchase display of such items is an ordinary cardboard box with a flap opening on one side to allow access to the product. There are some variations, such as sleeves with slide-out trays to hold the product, but these alternatives still utilize a cardboard enclosure for the product.
There are several disadvantages associated with box-style packaging arrangements. First, a box requires considerable retail shelf space, which is often limited in busy sales outlets. Second, boxes do not survive well on retail shelves as customers remove the helmets from the boxes to inspect them. Third, in order to be effective, a headgear must properly fit the wearer. It is therefore important that a prospective headgear wearer be allowed to try on the prospective item before accepting it. A box makes it inconvenient for a customer to try on the product, as he or she must take the item out of the box and then try to get it back inside the box properly. This may lead some customers to purchase without actually verifying that the headgear fits correctly.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a headgear packaging system that overcomes the foregoing disadvantages. What is required is a headgear packaging system that maximizes shelf space availability, withstands handling by multiple customers, and allows the customer to easily try on the headgear prior to purchase.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a headgear packaging system is provided for point-of-purchase display of headgear. The headgear packaging system is removably mounted to the headgear and configured to allow the headgear to be fitted to a wearer's head without removal of the packaging system from the headgear. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the headgear packaging system includes a headgear engagement portion for engaging the headgear, an opening portion allowing substantially unhindered access to the headgear interior, and a lip portion connected to the engagement portion.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the headgear engagement portion is preferably a headgear engagement element such as a continuous or intermittent trough that engages a lower rim portion of the headgear. The trough includes a base wall, an inner wall and an outer wall. The base wall engages the headgear lower rim. The inner wall terminates generally proximate to the headgear lower rim and defines the opening in the headgear packaging system. The outer wall, the inner wall, or both, may be formed with a slight backdraft to exert a gripping force on the headgear. Preferably, at least the outer wall has a backdraft and extends sufficiently distally from the headgear lower rim so that the headgear packaging system remains adequately secured to the headgear prior to purchase and use. Typically, the headgear will include an outer shell mounted on an inner liner. In that case, the trough outer wall may terminate generally proximate to the lower edge of the outer shell. The lip portion of the packaging system may extend continuously around the headgear, or it may be of lesser extent. In either case, part of the lip portion is preferably widened adjacent to one side of the headgear, e.g., at the front of the headgear, to receive display graphics and possibly a cavity for holding printed materials, sizing pads, and/or other items relating to the headgear. This same area (or some other part of the lip portion), may be formed with an aperture to allow the headgear to be mounted on a display peg.


REFERENCES:
patent: 401127 (1990-12-01), None

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