GIFT BAG OPERABLE WITH ONE OR MORE HANGERS

Abstract

A gift bag is described that includes a top panel having a centrally located slot formed therein, a bag body extending downward from the top panel to form a substantial enclosure, and a reinforcing material adjacent the top panel. The reinforcing material is placed so as to not interfere with said centrally located slot and the slot is sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to gift wrapping, and more specifically, to a gift bag operable with one or more hangers.

The gift bag fabricated from a material that resembles gift wrapping paper has become well known and can be found in many different shapes and sizes. They may include, for example, a ribbon, paper or twine matching handles that extends from two sides of the bag. In other gift bags, the handles are provided by forming two oval or other shaped holes on opposite sides of the bag through which a user can extend their fingers.

Often, an article of clothing is given as a gift. Retailers once provided shoppers with a box into which the item may be placed, so that the gift giving purchaser might wrap the box with wrapping paper, as is commonly known. However, the receipt of a complimentary gift box is less prevalent than it once was, and purchasers are less likely to purchase both a gift box to hold one or more articles of clothing in addition to the wrapping paper used to wrap the gift box, hence the increasing popularity of the gift bag.

The simplicity of concealing a gift item within a gift bag has made the use of gift bags very popular. However, for articles of clothing to be given as a gift, placing those within the gift bag may lead to a wrinkled or otherwise disheveled look to the clothing article when the receiver of the gift extracts the article from the gift bag. The reasons are simple. Such articles cannot be hung in the conventional gift bag and thus are typically placed about the bottom of the bag. When giving multiple items as a gift, such items are then typically stacked within the gift bag, further leading to the wrinkling and disheveled appearance described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a gift bag is described that includes a top panel having a centrally located slot formed therein, a bag body extending downward from the top panel to form a substantial enclosure, and a reinforcing material adjacent the top panel. The reinforcing material is placed so as to not interfere with said centrally located slot and the slot is sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough.

In another aspect, a gift bag having a bag body comprising a paper product is provided. The bag body defines a perimeter and includes a top edge. Portions of the top edge are attached together such that the bag body forms a substantial enclosure. A separate portion of the top edge is not attached together such that a slot is formed. The slot is sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough. The paper product includes a decorative pattern printed thereon.

In still another aspect, a gift bag comprising a bag body is provided. The bag body includes a paper product having a decorative pattern printed thereon, the bag body defining a perimeter. The bag body further includes a top portion that is folded and adhered together to form a substantially rectangular top panel. The bag body further includes a centrally located slot formed in the top panel that is sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a garment suspended on a hanger.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a gift bag with the bar engaging portion of the hanger of FIG. 1 extending therethrough.

FIG. 3 is a view of a gift bag that incorporates a gift tag and an outer sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a view of a gift bag that does not incorporate a top panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a garment 10 suspended on a hanger 20. The garment 10 shown is a one piece garment that is typically worn by a small child. The hanger 20 is shown in hidden view and is of the type that gives support to a majority of the garment 10. Such a hanger 20 is common in regard to children's clothing, though use of the common and substantially triangular hanger may be utilized with the garment 10. Except for the most specialized hanger systems, a hanger incorporates a bar engaging portion 30. These bar engaging portions 30 are generally circular as is well known so that the portion 30 can be placed across a hanger rod within a closet, the typical hanger rod being substantially circular in cross-section. However, it should be understood that the herein described embodiments contemplate hangers and bar engaging portions that are small in size as compared to the common clothing hanger, such as would be utilized with jewelry, as well as hangers and bar engaging portions that are oversized as compared to clothing hangers.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a gift bag 100 with the bar engaging portion 30 of the hanger 20 of FIG. 1 extending therethrough. Gift bag 100 solves the above described problems in regard to known gift bags as utilization of gift bag 100 allows for items “wrapped” within gift bag 100, such as articles of clothing, to remain suspended from a device such as hanger 20.

To provide such functionality, gift bag 100 incorporates a bag body 110 which extends downward from a substantially rectangular top panel 120. In embodiments, bag body 110 substantially surrounds an item placed within bag 100. In at least one embodiment, top panel 120 incorporates a substantially centrally located slot 130 formed therethrough. In use, hanger 20 is passed through the bag body 100, and eventually the bar engaging portion 30 of the hanger 20 is passed through the slot 130 as shown. In at least one embodiment, top panel 120 and bag body 110 are integrally formed from a product, for example a paper product, portions of the paper product folded and glued to form top panel 120.

The typical hanger includes members that extend from the bar engaging portion which can be referred to as a left shoulder and a right shoulder. When used with an upper torso garment, for example a shirt, these shoulders are covered by portions of the garment, again for example, the shoulder portions of a shirt. When bar engaging portion 30 extends through slot 130, the shoulders of the hanger 20 will eventually come to engage a bottom surface 140 of the top panel 120. Thus, when the gift bag is utilized together with a hanger, the gift will essentially be suspended by the shoulders of the hanger(s) therein.

In at least one embodiment, top panel 120 includes a reinforcing member 150 which, depending on the configuration, may include a corresponding slot therethrough intended to correspond with slot 130. As in many embodiments bag 100 is fabricated from a paper product, reinforcing member 150 operates to prevent or reduce the occurrence of tearing of top panel 120. In embodiments, reinforcing material is fabricated from one of poster board, cardboard, or a semi-rigid plastic sheet material. A fold line 160 is shown to indicate that the gift bag 100 may be folded when not in use such that the top panel is substantially coplanar with a front panel of the gift bag 100.

The multiple embodiments of gift bag 100 include embodiments that are larger (and smaller) in one or more of width, depth, and height to correspond with the many garments types and sizes (as well as non-garment items that are suspended from hanging devices) available in the marketplace. Embodiments of gift bag 100 are contemplated that will hold many garments and their corresponding hangers. In such embodiment, a width of slot 130 may be expanded such that two, five, or ten or more of bar engaging portion 30 to pass threrethrough.

FIG. 3 is a view of a gift bag 200 functionally similar to gift bag 100, but that incorporating a gift tag 202 and an outer sleeve 204, both attached to an outer surface 210 of bag body 110. For clarity, a hanger or a garment is not shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, gift tag 202 includes a bottom portion 220 attached to the bag 200 and a top flap 222 that extends from the bottom portion 220 along a fold line 224. Generally, gift tag 202 is used by a user of the gift bag 200 to write who the gift is “to” and who the gift is “from”, though other messages may be written thereon. Gift tag 202 can be fabricated in many different sizes and shapes, for example, to correspond with a theme (e.g., baby shower, birthday). Outer sleeve 204 is essentially a pocket on the outside of bag 200. Outer sleeve 204 also may be fabricated in many sizes for example to hold a gift card envelope 230, or many other items. In one embodiment, gift bag 200 may include a retail hanger 240 adhesively attached to a back side of bag 200, allowing for the display of gift bag 200 in a retail setting, for example, from a display on which multiple gift bags 200 are deployed on a “peg” type display. The retail hanger 240 may be fabricated from paper products, a clear plastic, or a colored plastic that matches a decorative pattern printed on the bag. The retail hanger 240 may be attached with an adhesive that allows it to be easily removed from the bag 200 or it may be permanently attached to the bag 200. Gift hanger 240 may be fabricated in any size as long as it is sized to interface with the device from which the gift bag 200 is displayed. A fold line 260 is shown and serves the same purpose as fold line 160 (shown in FIG. 2) which is described above. It should be understood that all embodiments of gift bags described herein can be equipped with none, any, or all of the features described with respect to gift bag 200.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of gift bag 400 that does not incorporate a top panel. In such an embodiment, tops 410 and 412 of opposite facing portions of a bag body 420 are adhered to one another except for an area 430 where the tops 410 and 412 are not adhered which provides an opening 432 for the rod engaging portion 30 of hanger 20 to pass through. In such an embodiment, the shoulder portions of the hanger 20 will directly engage the bag body 420 rather than a top panel or reinforcing material as described above. It is contemplated that the embodiment of gift bag 400 be utilized when few items are “wrapped” therein and may be utilized fewer times since there is no reinforcing material to prevent ripping of the bag material. However, in all embodiments, the gift bag is configured such that the rod engaging member may pass through a slot at the top of the gift bag, so that the gift bag and its contents may be hung using the hanger. Gift bag 400 is shown with a decorative pattern. The gift bags 100 and 200 described above are also contemplated to have printing, for example, a decorative pattern printed thereon. For clarity in describing the various mechanical and functional features of such gift bags, decorative patterns are not included in those figures.

The above described embodiments of gift bags may be fabricated from paper products, plastic products, metallic foil, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the gift bags are fabricated from a thin paper product similar to common wrapping paper. In other embodiments, the gift bags may be a multi-layered paper product including a coating thereon which provides a certain amount of resistance to liquids. Such a coating, or another coating material, may be utilized to provide a glossy finish to the gift bag. The gift bag embodiments described herein are intended to “wrap” gifts, and as such, it should be understood that any number of decorative patterns, colors, and motifs can be printed onto the materials that constitute the bag, the bag body, and the top panel.

While described herein as having a portion of a hanger passing through a slot in the top of the gift bag, it is further contemplated that the described gift bag embodiments can be utilized with other gift items. For example, a gift item that includes a handle, such as a purse or briefcase could take advantage of the gift bags by passing the handle of the purse or briefcase through the slot at the top. As mentioned elsewhere herein, embodiments of the gift bags may be sized to correspond with the items they are meant to conceal. For example, smaller items that are suspended from a small hanger type device, such as jewelry or hosiery, would in turn utilize a gift bag that is smaller in overall size. Over sized items, for example, a set of automobile floor mats that are attached together using a cardboard or plastic hanging device, would in turn utilize a gift bag that is larger in overall size.

Though not shown in the figures, the various gift bags described herein may include indicia printed thereon, such as a company logo, or alphanumeric text indicating a source of the gift bag instead of or in addition to a decorative pattern. In an embodiment, such indicia are located at an inconspicuous location, such as a side area that may be folded, but away from a bottom edge of the bag so that such indicia may not be cut away by simply reducing a “length” of the gift bag.

It is further contemplated that a manufacturer or supplier of such gift bags may be supplying the described gift bags to a third party, such as a retailer, for end use by the retailer. In such embodiments, a logo or other indicia that relates to the third party may be printed on the bag in a conspicuous location so that a person receiving items that are wrapped in such a gift bag is made aware of the retailer from which the gift was purchased. Such indicia may be in addition to or instead of a decorative pattern. Such indicia would also be printed in a location that is distant from the bottom edge of the bag so that such indicia may not be cut away by simply reducing a “length” of the gift bag. In such embodiment, the above described gift tag 202 and outer sleeve 204 may not be utilized, or at least placed in locations on the gift bags so as to not interfere with the third party indicia.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A gift bag comprising:

a top panel comprising a centrally located slot formed therein, said slot sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough;

a bag body extend downward from said top panel to form a substantial enclosure; and

a reinforcing material adjacent said top panel, said reinforcing material placed so as to not interfere with said centrally located slot.

2. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said top panel and said bag body comprise at least one of a paper product and a plastic product.

3. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said top panel and said bag body are integrally formed from a product that is folded and glued to form said top panel.

4. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said top panel is substantially rectangular.

5. A gift bag according to claim 4 wherein said reinforcing material comprises a shape and size similar to said top panel, said reinforcing material comprising a slot formed therein aligned with said top panel slot.

6. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcing material comprises at least one of poster board, cardboard, and a semi-rigid plastic sheet material.

7. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag body comprises at least one of a gift tag and an outer sleeve attached thereto.

8. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag body comprises at least one of a wrapping paper material, a multi-layered paper product, a paper product comprising a coating thereon which provides at least some resistance to liquids, and a coating material that provides a glossy finish.

9. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag body comprises a decorative pattern printed thereon.

10. A gift bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag body is sized to substantially cover a garment suspended on a hanger operatively placed within said gift bag.

11. A gift bag comprising a bag body comprising a paper product, said bag body defining a perimeter, said bag body comprising a top edge, portions of said top edge attached together such that said bag body forms a substantial enclosure, a portion of said top edge not attached together such that a slot is formed, the slot sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough, said paper product comprising a decorative pattern printed thereon.

12. A gift bag according to claim 11 wherein said bag body comprises at least one of a gift tag and an outer sleeve attached thereto.

13. A gift bag according to claim 11 wherein said paper product comprises at least one of a wrapping paper material, a multi-layered paper product, a paper product comprising a coating thereon which provides at least some resistance to liquids, and a coating material that provides a glossy finish.

14. A gift bag according to claim 11 wherein said bag body is sized to substantially cover a garment suspended on a hanger operatively placed within said gift bag.

15. A gift bag according to claim 11 further comprising a reinforcing material, said reinforcing material placed so as to reinforce an area of said bag body proximate the slot.

16. A gift bag comprising a bag body comprising:

a paper product having a decorative pattern printed thereon, said bag body defining a perimeter, said bag body comprising a top portion, said top portion of said bag body folded and adhered together to form a substantially rectangular top panel; and

a centrally located slot formed in the top panel, said slot sized to allow a rod engaging member of a hanger to pass therethrough.

17. A gift bag according to claim 16 further comprising a reinforcing material, said reinforcing material placed so as to reinforce an area of said top panel proximate said centrally located slot.

18. A gift bag according to claim 17 wherein said reinforcing material comprises a shape and size similar to said top panel, said reinforcing material comprising a slot formed therein aligned with said centrally located slot.

19. A gift bag according to claim 16 wherein said bag body comprises at least one of a gift tag and an outer sleeve attached thereto.

20. A gift bag according to claim 16 wherein said paper product comprises at least one of a wrapping paper material, a multi-layered paper product, a paper product comprising a coating thereon which provides at least some resistance to liquids, and a coating material that provides a glossy finish.