Garment Hanger with a Rotatable Hook

The present application claims the benefit of priority to United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 2406881.9, filed May 15, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a garment hanger with a rotatable hook and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a cardboard hanger with a plastic rotatable or swing hook.

The use of cardboard hangers has in recent years become increasingly popular due to the case of recycling of cardboard materials. Plastic garment hangers have the disadvantage that they are formed from a variety of polymer materials not all of which can be successfully recycled. Furthermore, the shape of a hanger, with hooks and arms, tend to make them more likely to become fouled in a recycling sorting conveyor machine meaning that their domestic recycling is not encouraged. Although the recycling and reuse of hangers in a physical retail environment is straightforward more clothing is being bought online and hangers must be sufficiently versatile to be used in store whilst being lightweight enough to be transported for online purchases.

Cardboard hangers also have the disadvantage that they are structurally weaker and more prone to damage than equivalent plastic products, especially in the presence of moisture. The hook of such hangers is a point of particular vulnerability. This is particularly the case where cardboard hangers are being used and transported for online purchases. Typically, the packaging for online purchase of clothing is in plastic bags offering no protection to the hanger.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a garment hanger comprising a body for supporting a garment thereon. The body comprises a sheet material and having a non-circular aperture extending therethrough. The hanger also has a suspension member comprising a hook for suspending the hanger and a retainer for engaging the non-circular aperture and releasably and rotatably retaining engagement between the suspension member and the body. The retainer has an axle and at least one foot. The suspension member also has a rotation limiter comprising a first edge engager, in use, engaging an edge of the sheet material to limit rotation of the suspension member relative to the body.

By providing a suspension member attached to a sheet material body by a retainer, the advantage is provided that a cardboard hanger can be provided with a robust, lightweight hanger that can be easily recycled in domestic or curbside recycling facilities. The retainer, with an axle and foot, can be easily released from engagement with the non-circular aperture to allow separate recycling of the components. Furthermore, the separate suspension member can be made from plastic materials and is therefore less inclined to be damaged. This protection of the hook, of the suspension member, is enhanced by the rotational connection of the hook on the sheet material which enables the suspension member to be rotated around the axle of the rotation but limited by the rotation limiter. This is particularly important where the hanger is used during the transportation of garments that have been purchased online for home delivery as the hook is protected less likely to be damaged nor is excessive force likely applied to the hook resulting in damage to the non-circular aperture.

In a preferred embodiment the suspension member further comprises a rotation controller having a second edge engager in use engaging the edge of the sheet material adjacent the rotation limiter and a flexible member allowing the second engager to control rotation of the suspension member.

By providing a rotation controller in combination with the rotation limiter on the suspension member the advantage is provided that the movement of the hook is controlled to allow some rotation of the suspension member but prevent free rotation. As a result, when the hanger is in normal use on a rail then each of the hangers will adopt the same position ensuring that the display of garments is uniform. When the hanger is not hung on a rail the rotation controller ensures that the suspension member remains in an upright, working condition, until it is deliberately moved into a storage or delivery condition. That is, if a garment is being packaged for delivery following an online purchase then the suspension member can be rotated so as to be adjacent to the sheet material body and therefore protected ensuring that the hanger arrives in a state which enables use.

In a preferred embodiment the suspension member further comprises a connector for joining the hook to the retainer.

In another preferred embodiment the connector comprises a label area.

Ideally the suspension member is formed as a single component.

In a preferred embodiment the connector comprises a planar portion with the retainer extending therefrom, the rotation limiter extending perpendicular from the planar portion.

In another preferred embodiment the connector is located in a first plane and the sheet material and the rotation limiter are in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

By having a planar portion as part of the connector with the retainer extending there from and with the sheet material and rotation limiter in another plane that is parallel to the plane of the connector, the advantage is provided that the components together form a compact hanger that is not any larger than equivalent hangers of the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment the sheet material comprises cardboard and the suspension member comprises an injection moulded thermoplastic material.

In another preferred embodiment the rotation limiter comprises a size marker.

In a further preferred embodiment the size marker extends over said hook.

Referring initially to, a garment hangeris formed from two components namely a bodyand a suspension member. The bodyis formed from a sheet material such as cardboard and is provided to support a garment. In the example shown the hangeris for supporting garments known as tops, these include, but are not limited to, shirts, blouses, T-shirts, sweatshirts and lightweight knitwear. As a result, the bodyhas a pair of armswhich extend from a central portionto which the suspension memberis attached. The cardboard of the sheet material must be sufficiently strong to support the garment and therefore this cardboard is typically between 1.5 mm and 5 mm thick. The sheet material forming the bodyhas a non-circular aperture(see) extending therethrough. The non-circular apertureis shaped to cooperate with a component of the suspension member. The aperturehas a circular central portion with two elongate portions extending there from.

The suspension memberis formed from a thermoplastic material by injection moulding. The suspension memberhas a hookfor suspending the hanger from a rail or the like and a retainerwhich engages the non-circular apertureof the body. The retainerhas an axleand a pair of feetwhich extend from the axle in opposite directions. The hookand retainerare joined by a connector. The connectoris substantially planar having a front surfaceand a rear surfacewith the front surfaceacting as a label area for displaying information about the garment hung on the hanger. The axleextends from the connectorat one end and the feetextend from the other end of the axle. The gap between the feetand the connectoris sized to match the thickness of the sheet material of the body(typically between 1.5 mm and 5 mm).

Also forming part of the suspension memberis a rotation limiterwhich is located at the base of the hookand the top of the connectorand extended in the same direction as the axle. A further element of the suspension memberis a rotation controllerwhich includes a biassing armand a protrusionwhich extends from the biassing arm in the same direction as the rotation limiterand the axle.

The suspension memberis not significantly thicker than the sheet material that forms the body. As mentioned above, the distance between the surfaceof the connectorand the armsis approximately the same as the thickness of the sheet material. Therefore, the only essential components extending beyond the thickness of the sheet material are the connectorand the feettogether with the portion of the axleto which the feet are joined. Since the suspension memberis not a significantly thick item to be formed by injection moulding this is preferably achieved using a two-part tool with no sliding cores. In order to achieve this a pair of holesare formed in the front surfaceof the connectorand the centre of the axlehas a recess in order to reduce the volume of thermoplastic material required to produce the suspension memberand to avoid the formation of a small dip or indentation.

As can be seen in, the cardboard bodysits between the rear surfaceand feetand holesare aligned with the feet.

In the embodiment shown in, a size markeris provided to carry additional information about the garment hung on the hanger.

With additional reference to, operation of the garment hanger of the present invention, in particular the construction of the hanger, will now be described. Referring initially to, in order to start the construction of the hangerthe suspension memberis brought into engagement with the bodyso as to align the retainerwith the non-circular aperture. As set out above, the shape of the non-circular aperturematches the shape of the retainer, that is the shape of the axleand feetwhen viewed along the axis of the axle. When in this position with the retainer on one side of the body, the retaineris pushed through the non-circular apertureso that the feetextend through to the other side of the sheet material. As can be seen from, part of the hookand the size markerare aligned behind the bodyand it is therefore necessary for there to be a slight flexion of the connectorin order for the retainerto extend through the non-circular apertureso that the surfaceof the connectoris able to contact the sheet material of body. The protrusionof the rotation controlleralso presses against the surface of the bodyand this causes the flexion of the biassing armof the rotation controller. Once the retaineris extending through the non-circular aperturethe suspension membercan be rotated, as seen in, so that the feetare no longer aligned with the elongate portions of the non-circular aperturewhich extend from the circular central portion of that non-circular aperture. The feet are now acting to retain the suspension memberan engagement with the body. Furthermore, the axleof the retainerallows rotation of suspension memberaround the bodyas the axleis contained within the circular central portion of the non-circular aperturebecause the diameter of the axel is larger than the width of the feet.

The hookhas now moved past the central portionof the bodyand the connectorno longer needs to flex in order to accommodate the extra thickness of the hook. As a result, surfaceof the connectorengages and is parallel to the planar surface of the body. The suspension memberis free to rotate and does so until the rotation limiter, and in particular the first edge engager, that is the bottom surface of the limiter, engages the uppermost edge of the body, as shown in. This position is the working condition of the hangerand the hanger is now ready for use. However, when the hanger is not hung on a rail the suspension memberis able to rotate between the working condition, as shown in, and a storage condition, as shown in. This storage condition is used particularly when purchases are made online and the hanger and garment hung there on are being packaged for delivery to the customer. The suspension memberis able to rotate through 90° and the endof the rotation limiterand the bottom edge of the hookengage the uppermost edge of the central portionof the bodyon the other side of the non-circular apertureto that engaged by the rotation limiterwhen the hangeris in the working condition.

With further reference to, the removal of the suspension memberfrom the bodywill now be described. This process is typically undertaken by a customer when a garment has been purchased and the hanger is taken home and allows the purchaser to separate the plastic and cardboard elements of the hangerfor recycling. As can be seen fromthe protrusionof the rotation controllerextends over the uppermost edge of the central portionof the body. This protrusionstops the free rotation of the suspension memberwhen the hanger is not hung from a rail ensuring that the hook remains upright in the working condition shown in. In order to move the suspension member from the working condition the protrusionis pushed in the direction shown in the arrow onagainst the force of the biassing armso that the protrusion is no longer engaging the uppermost edge of the body. The suspension membercan then be rotated, as shown in, so that the hook has passed through more than 90° and the feetof the retainerare aligned with the non-circular aperture. This requires slight flexion of the connectoras previously described. When correctly aligned the retainercan be pushed, in the direction indicated by the arrow in, through the non-circular apertureto release the suspension memberfrom engagement with the body. The plastic suspension memberand cardboard bodycan then be separately recycled.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the protection which is defined by the appended claims. For example, the above embodiments are a type of hanger known as a tops hanger, that is one design to carry garments such as shirts, blouses, T-shirts and lightweight jackets. However, the present invention is equally suitable for use on other types of hangers including, but not limited to, bottoms hangers, lingerie hangers, footwear hangers, knitwear hangers and the like.

show examples of alternative embodiments of the present invention. In these examples the same reference numerals have been used as those used to describe the previous embodiments.shows a garment hangerwith a bodyand a suspension member. Inonly the suspension memberis shown and the only difference between the suspension members shown inis the shape of the hook. In both these examples, and therefore differing from the first embodiment set out above, there is no separate size marker for attachment to the suspension member. The garment hangershown inis similar to that shown inexcept that the hookis formed from metal and is inserted after the remainder of the suspension memberhas been produced.

In the above embodiments the same form of non-circular apertureand retainerhave been used. However, the shape of the retainer, with the axleand a pair of feetextending perpendicular to the axle and in opposite directions from each other, is not the only shape of retainer which would work in the present invention. For example, a single foot could be used or more than two feet and the spread of the feet around the axle can very. However, it is preferable that the hook is limited to rotation of 90° and that the non-circular apertureand retainerare arranged so that the retainer does not become aligned with the aperture during the rotation of the suspension memberthrough those 90°.

Although the bodyhas been described as being of cardboard, other sheet materials could be used in its place. Any sheet material that has the structural integrity to support a garment can be used including, but not limited to, plastics including thermoplastics and other polymers, metal, wood, fibreboard, hardboard and laminated products.

Referring now to, in which components equivalent to those inhave been identified with like reference numerals increased by 100, operation of the garment hangerof the present invention will now be described. The garment hangeris formed from two components a bodyand a suspension member. The body, constructed from sheet material such as cardboard, is designed to support garments such as tops including but not limited to shirts, blouses, T-shirts and the like. The bodyincludes a pair of armsextending from a central portion, to which the suspension memberis connected. The armsalso include a pair of curved first recessesalong an edgeof the bodyof the sheet material. These curved recessesare designed to hold garments with straps, such as swimming costumes or vests.

Referring additionally to, located on the central portionof the bodyis a non-circular apertureextending therethrough. The apertureis shaped to cooperate with a component of the suspension member. The aperturehas a circular central portion and a single elongate portion extending there from.

Referring tothe suspension memberincludes a hookfor suspending the garment hangerfrom a rail and a retainerfor engaging the non-circular apertureof the body. The hookincludes a curved portionand a base portion. Following along the inner contour of the hook, along the curved portiontowards the base, are a pair of second recesses. These second recessesare symmetrically positioned on opposing sides of the hook and are dimensioned to permit the insertion and passage of a size marker. The second recessesenable guided engagement of the rotation limiteralong the hookand secured at the baseby a pair of third recesses. The third recessesare symmetrically positioned on opposing sides of the hook. The third recessescould also be formed from an aperture extending through the sides of the hook.

The retainer, located below the baseof the hook, is positioned within the lower portion of a connector. The retainerincludes an axleand a footwhich extends from the axle. In this embodiment, a single footis used instead of the two feet seen in the previous embodiments. The hookand retainerare joined by a connector. The connectoris substantially planar having a front surfaceand a rear surfacewith the front surfaceacting as a label area for potentially displaying information about the garment hung on the hanger. The axleextends from the rear surface of the connectorat one end and the footextends from the other end of the axel. The gap between the footand the connectoris sized to substantially match the thickness of the sheet material of the body(typically between 1.5 mm and 5 mm).

Referring now tothe size marker, when in use, is located at the baseof the hookand the top of the connector. In this embodiment, a major difference from the previous embodiments is that the size markeracts as a rotation limiterhaving a pair of first edge engagers, that engage with the edgeof the bodywhen in use. The first edge engagersare located at opposing sidesof the size marker. The first edge engagerslimit rotational movement of the suspension memberaround the axle. Extending in between said first edge engagersare a pair of protrusions. The gap between protrusionsis substantially equal to the thickness of the sheet material of the bodyplus the thickness of the connector, such that the protrusionsfurther limit movement of the suspension member. These protrusionsallow this embodiment to operate with a single foot. Extending through the size markeris an aperture. Located on opposing sides of the apertureare a pair of guiding teeth. The apertureand the guiding teethenable the size markerto thread onto the second recessof the hook, whereby one of each tooth is located either side of the second recess. The guiding teeth are substantially the same length and height as the second recess, allowing the size markerto be accurately guided along the entire length of the recess on the hook.

Operation and assembly of the garment hanger of the present invention will now be described.

Firstly, the toothand axleof the retainer, part of the suspension member, are inserted into the non-circular apertureof the body, so that the planar surface of the bodycontacts the rear surfaceof the connector. The suspension memberis then rotated so as to position the hookto extend upward from the edgeof the body.

Next, the size markeris threaded onto the suspension memberby inserting the end of the hookinto the apertureof the size marker. The guiding teethengage with both surfaces of the second recesses, on either side of the hook, allowing the size marker to be guided along the curved portiontoward the base portion. Once the size markerhas reached the base portionthe first edge engagerengages the edgeof the body. To lock the size markerand therefore the suspension member into place the guiding teetheach extend into the third recessesof the hook, preventing the rotation and movement of the suspension member relative to the bodyof the hanger.