Display packaging

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display packaging and is particularly concerned with display goods made from fabrics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many display packages for retail point of sale provide for visual display of goods, and also provide for protection of those goods from direct handling by customers. Blister packs for example have a molded transparent cover sheet glued to a card backing that serves as a product information carrier.

There is a category of goods that require tactile as well as visual inspection by the customer. Typically these are products made from sheet material such as fabric or plastic. With this category of goods, the customers' assessment of quality necessarily includes touching the material. Consequently, packaging such goods faces challenges not associated with other types of goods. For example, food packaging is intended to prevent contact and tampering post manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved display packaging.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a display packaging comprising a hanger for supporting a product of material and a sleeve for covering a portion of the product, whereby the product is retained on the hanger by the sleeve.

Preferably, the display packaging includes a pocket for receiving product information cards.

Conveniently, the pocket is formed by affixing a separate sheet to the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in a perspective view a display packaging in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a front elevation the display packaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates in a front elevation the sleeve from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates in a side elevation the sleeve from FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in a perspective view a display packaging in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The display packaging 10 includes a hanger 12 for supporting a product 14 of material and a sleeve 16 for covering a portion of the product 14 and thereby retaining the product 14 on the hanger 12. The sleeve 16 includes pockets 18 for receiving product information cards 20 (only one of each visible in the figure). The sleeve 16 is made of a clear plastic such as vinyl so that neither the product 14 not the product information cars are obscured.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated in a front elevation the display packaging of FIG. 1. The hanger 12 includes a crossbar 22 detachably at one end to allow loading of the product onto the hanger. However, other crossbar arrangements could be used effectively, for example, a fully detachable crossbar. The sleeve 16 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in a front elevation the sleeve from FIG. 1. In operation, the sleeve 16 serves several purposes. First, the sleeve 16 encircles the product 14 thereby retaining it on the crossbar 22. Secondly, the sleeve 16 provides protection for a substantial portion of the product, while allowing a customer to feel the product. Thirdly, the sleeve 16 provides a carrier for product information. In the embodiment of the figures, the sleeve 16 includes two pockets 18 for receiving product information cards. Consequently, various products can use the same sleeve structure by swapping the product cards appropriately. The sleeve 16 and pockets 18 can be formed by various methods. Separate sheets of vinyl can be welded or bonded to the sleeve 16 to form pockets 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in a side elevation the sleeve from FIG. 1. The pockets 18 of FIG. 4 are formed by welding or bonding separate vinyl sheets 24 to the sleeve 16. In FIG. 4 the vinyl sheets are bonded or welded to the inside of the sleeve. As an alternative embodiment, the vinyl sheets could be welded or bonded to the outside of the sleeve.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an further embodiment of the sleeve. The sleeve is folded back on itself to form a double walled and the pockets are then formed by transverse weld or bond lines.