Abstract: A carrier apparatus for supporting a garment includes a hanger having first and second arm elements that project radially outwardly from a central hanging axis and which are connected by a hinged coupling which allows the first and second arm elements to be folded around said central axis or axes parallel to said central hanging axis to thereby substantially overlie one another.

Abstract: The necktie travel bag of the present invention is designed and configured to maintain one or more neckties flat and unwrinkled during travel or storage so that it can be ready to be worn by a user and accent the attire instantly upon unpacking. By allowing the neckties to be packed in a perfectly elongated flat configuration without any folding or bending, the necktie travel bag maintains the neckties unwrinkled and flat even if it is shoved inside a suit case or suit bag along with a multitude of other items that shift and move during travel. The rigidly flexible material that is used to make the necktie travel bag of the present invention keeps the neckties unwrinkled while a hook attachment allows the necktie travel bag to be hung inside a suit bag or a closet.

Abstract: A multi-output type DC/DC converter including: a reactor connected to a direct-current power supply; a first switching circuit to apply a current to the reactor; a second switching to switch an output from the reactor to any one of output terminals; output voltage detection units to detect voltages of the output terminals; comparison circuits to compare outputs of the output voltage detection units with a waveform signal of a predetermined frequency; and an output selection unit to receive outputs of the comparison circuits as inputs, the output selection unit selecting an output of a comparison circuit, the output having an earlier rise or an earlier fall, to generate a plurality of control signals pertaining to on and off of the first switching circuit and/or the second switching circuit, the output selection unit treating the plurality of control signals in accordance with a predetermined priority order when the outputs of the plurality of comparison circuits change almost at the same time, wherein a curre

Abstract: An apparatus containing a glove stack and method of folding gloves therein. The invention provides both an apparatus and a method to allow a plurality of generally disposable gloves to be folded in a compact manner, stored in a clean environment, and then dispensed individually from an enclosure. The enclosure may be a disposable wrapper which may further be contained within a dispenser housing having a dispenser aperture. The gloves may be enwrapped under compression, and may be compressed by the dispenser in order to facilitate packing and dispensing. The dispenser may have a bias, such as an expansible element, to urge gloves towards the dispensing aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the gloves may be dispensed thumb first, although other orientations are contemplated, and a novel method for folding the gloves to facilitate packing and dispensing is taught.

Abstract: A hanging display package for an article of apparel. The display package comprises a rear panel having opposed side edges that define a first width. A pair of flaps project laterally outwardly from each of the opposed side edges. A front panel has opposed side edges defining a second width that is narrower than the width of the rear panel. The bottom edge of the front panel is substantially centered along and hingedly connected to the rear panel. An aperture is formed through the front panel for receiving a garment hanger. When a garment is placed on the garment hanger, the laterally projecting flaps are folded inwardly to fold the garment inward, and the rear panel is folded upwardly to fold the garment upward, a compact hanging display package is formed.

Abstract: An assembly for transporting, storing and merchandising plural articles of merchandise. The assembly comprises a shipping container in which a fixture and the articles of merchandise are located. The shipping container includes an outer carton and an inner compartment. The fixture is located within the inner compartment and includes an elongated display member and a bracket. The elongated display member supports the articles of merchandise. The shipping container includes a portion that can be opened to provide access to the bracket to enable the bracket to be connected to the elongated display member while that member is still within the shipping container. The fixture and the shipping carton can then be mounted on any vertically oriented structural member, whereupon the shipping container can be removed leaving the fixture in place with the merchandise suspended from it.

Abstract: A compact, free-standing garment bag capable of being carried aboard commercial aircraft as carry-on baggage comprising a suit folder apparatus for hanging at least one suit wherein said suit folder apparatus is removable from the garment bag, an enclosure for receiving the suit folder apparatus wherein the apparatus is used to initiate at least two folds of the enclosure, and a compartment for receiving the folded enclosure.

Abstract: A laundry tote including at least one rotatable support member for hanging the tote is disclosed. The tote may also include a cover which can be secured over the top to prevent laundry from inadvertently falling out of the tote, and may include a pocket for receiving a label or the like for identification purposes.

Abstract: A piece of luggage for carrying clothing and accessories is disclosed. The luggage may be used to carry and store clothing on hangers together with accouterments in a convenient, vertically-accessible configuration.

Abstract: A jointed clamp for attachment to an inside portion of the top of a garment bag has a pair of clamp jaws pivotal connected at their back ends with a hinge pin, and a latching device for releasibly securing the clamp jaws in a closed position. Each of the clamp jaws includes an elongate U-shaped channel, a resilient block seated in the channel and a transversely extending rivet located at the front end of and extending through the resilient block and channel walls. A vertical member is mounted in and extends between the two clamp jaws in a rearward portion thereof, forward of the hinge pin. The resilient block contacts the vertical member which prevents rearward longitudinal movement within the channel. One of the clamp jaws is provided with a plurality of indentations to hold the hooks of coat hangers, and this same clamp jaw is also provided with a vertical tab in the front portion thereof which engages the front end of the seated block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a garment carrier comprising a base frame in the general shape of a hanger, with a triangular-shaped lower portion integral with an arcuate shaped hand gripping hook-like portion. The base hanger is insertable into the interior of a cover, with the lower triangular-shaped portion of the base hanger residing within the interior of the cover, and the upper arcuate hand gripping portion extending through an opening in the upper end of the cover, residing external of the cover. A support strap, having an upper aperture and a lower aperture, is slidably received onto the base frame by receipt of the arcuate hand gripping portion of the base frame into the upper aperture of the strap. The hooks of the plurality of clothes hangers with their respective garments are slidably received into the lower aperture of the support strap. The garment carrier, with hanger supported garments, may then be transported by gripping the hand gripping portion of the base frame which extends outward of the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a garment carrier comprising a base frame in the general shape of a hanger, with a triangular-shaped lower portion integral with an arcuate shaped hand gripping hook-like portion. The base hanger is insertable into the interior of a cover, with the lower triangular-shaped portion of the base hanger residing within the interior of the cover, and the upper arcuate hand gripping portion extending through an opening in the upper end of the cover, residing external of the cover. A support strap, having an upper aperture and a lower aperture, is slidably received onto the base frame by receipt of the arcuate hand gripping portion of the base frame into the upper aperture of the strap. The hooks of the plurality of clothes hangers with their respective garments are slidably received into the lower aperture of the support strap. The garment carrier, with hanger supported garments, may then be transported by gripping the hand gripping portion of the base frame which extends outward of the cover.

Abstract: A trolley for suspending and retaining the hooked ends of clothes hangers in a piece of luggage such as a garment bag includes gripping structures which contact the hooked ends of the hangers. The gripping structures incorporate an arrangement for creating a greater resistance against withdrawing the hanger ends from between the opposed gripping structures than for moving the hanger ends into the trolley. The effect is preferably established by a rib configuration integral with the gripping structures that creates a pawl-like resistance. The pawl-like resistance retains the hanger ends in the trolley and inhibits them from unintentional withdrawal from the trolley.

Abstract: An improved combination shipping and display structure for neckties or the like. A generally rectangular, open-faced inner carton includes an assembly of tie hanger rods supported from an assembly of supporting horizontal and vertical rods. The assembly of the supporting rods is supported within the inner carton by hinged flaps which are part of the carton side walls and fold inward to secure the assembly of supporting rods into the carton against the back panel thereof. The top of the inner carton folds backward and includes a flap affording an advertising panel and a tongue retained between the carton back panel and a top horizontal rod member in the display mode. The retainer assembly has a back panel formed as one piece with vertical baffles held in slots in inwardly bent portions of the retainer back panel. The inner carton with retainer assembly in place are inserted into a conventional outer carton for shipping.

Abstract: A trolley for suspending and retaining the hooked ends of clothes hangers in a piece of luggage such as a garment bag includes gripping structures which contact the hooked ends of the hangers. The gripping structures incorporate an arrangement for creating a greater resistance against withdrawing the hanger ends from between the opposed gripping structures than for moving the hanger ends into the trolley. The effect is preferably established by a rib configuration integral with the gripping structures that creates a pawl-like resistance. The pawl-like resistance retains the hanger ends in the trolley and inhibits them from unintentional withdrawal from the trolley.

Abstract: A combination shipping and display structure for neckties or the like. A generally rectangular, open-faced inner carton includes an assembly of tie hanger rods supported from an assembly of horizontal and vertical rods. The top of the inner carton folds backward and includes a flap affording an advertising panel and a tongue retained between the carton back panel and a top horizontal rod member in the display mode. A retainer assembly including spaced U-shaped apertures and baffles laterally supports columns of ties on the hangers. The inner carton and retainer assembly are inserted into a conventional outer carton for shipping.

Abstract: A locking trolley for gripping and locking the hooked ends of hangers in a garment bag includes a C-shaped frame member and a jaw member extending forward from the rear of the C-shaped frame member. Gripping pads for gripping the hooked ends of hangers are located between the lower horizontal portion of the C-shaped frame member and the jaw member. A locking arrangement operatively moves the jaw member toward the lower horizontal portion of the frame member to cause the gripping pads to grip the hanger ends and also locks the jaw member in the hanger gripping position. The locking arrangement preferably takes the form of a locking lever pivotably connected to the forward end of the jaw member. The locking lever pivots between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member to hold the jaw member in the locked position. To release the locked relationship the locking lever is grasped and pivoted between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A container for use in shipping garments on hangers has four surrounding walls, preferably, of multiple wall, corrugated kraft board. Dependently connected flaps which form a bottom for the container are arranged to permit shipment of the box in a collapsed condition. An entry flap provided on the front wall of the container is movable between a raised and lowered position. A lid for the container with depending sides is provided. A support structure is provided inside the container. It includes a horizontal support member preferably of wood supported at either end by vertical support members preferably of wood. The support members are held in position by securement plates. The sheet metal securement plates are formed into u-shaped clips which engage the side walls. A central tongue on each clip extends outwardly at an angle. An opening in the tongues receive the horizontal support member. The lower edges of the tongues form and engage in kerfs in the tops of the vertical support members.

Abstract: A framed garment bag with flexible walls having exterior suspension means at the top thereof and a jointed clamp formed of a pair of pivoted channels disposed in a substantially vertical plane on the interior thereof. The upper channel of the clamp which is fixed to the underside of the top, and the lower channel which is pivoted to the rear end of the former, are fitted with contiguous edges of yieldable material which effect a tight retention of the hooks of the garment hangers disposed therebetween when the channels are clamped together in a plane parallel to the top of the frame of the bag. The upper edge of the yieldable material in the lower channel is serrated or roughened to enhance this retention as well as to provide an impediment to the movement of hooks of the hangers when the lower channel lowered to a limited extent is an inclined position for loading or unloading.

Abstract: An improved merchandising package for a foldable flexible garment bag permitting individualized compact packing and storing thereof and incorporating therein an inexpensive disposable hanger to enable the convenient and ready demonstration of the function, utility and advantages of the garment bag.

Abstract: A framed garment bag with flexible walls having exterior suspension means at the top thereof and a jointed clamp disposed in a substantially vertical plane on the interior thereof. The upper jaw of the clamp which is fixed to the underside of the top and the lower jaw which is pivoted to the rear end of the former are fitted with contiguous edges of yieldable material which effect a tight retention of the hooks of the garment hangers disposed therebetween when the jaws are clamped together in a plane parallel to the top of the frame of the bag. When the jointed clamp is open for loading or unloading the garment hangers, the controlled limited downward inclination of the lower jaw provides a convenient frictional guide for the hangers preparatory to their lifting into juxtaposition to the fixed upper jaw by the movement of a clasp of high mechanical efficiency, which movement terminates in a secure clamping between the jaws.

Abstract: An air freight container for shipping goods, such as garments which are transported in the suspended position, is formed of an open scaffold-like frame. The frame is shaped to conform to the interior contour of the freight space in a transport aircraft. The frame includes a floor or base part, end frame parts which extend upwardly from the base part and are disposed in spaced relation to one another, transverse connectors located above the base part and extending between adjacent end frame parts, and diagonal struts connected between the base part and the crown portion of the end frame parts. The various parts of the frame are all formed of pipe sections having the same transverse shape and the various parts are secured together by connectors formed of rigidly connected sleeves which have an interior shape conforming to the exterior shape of the pipe sections which they interconnect. Screw members are threaded into the connector sleeves for securing the sleeves to the pipe sections.

Abstract: A framed garment bag with flexible walls having exterior suspension means at the top thereof and a jointed clamp disposed in a substantially vertical plane on the interior thereof. The upper jaw of the clamp which is fixed to the underside of the top and the lower jaw which is pivoted to the rear end of the former are fitted with contiguous edges of yieldable material which effect a tight retention of the hooks of the garment hangers disposed therebetween when the jaws are clamped together in a plane parallel to the top of the frame of the bag. When the jointed clamp is open for loading or unloading the garment hangers, the controlled limited downward inclination of the lower jaw provides a convenient frictional guide for the hangers preparatory to their lifting into juxtaposition to the fixed upper jaw by the movement of a clasp of high mechanical efficiency, which movement terminates in a secure clamping between the jaws.