Automated methods and devices for removing a size indicator from a garment hanger having a removable size indicator

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6681966
  • Patent Number
    6,681,966
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, July 17, 2002
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 27, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A method for removing a releasable size indicator from a garment hanger. The garment hanger including: a body having at least one web for removably securing a size indicator to the body, the web having a fixed latch and a pivoting latch; and a size indicator having finger means for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches. The method including: (a) feeding the garment hanger to an indicator removal station; (b) supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station for removal of the size indicator; (c) depressing the pivoting latch to pivot the same out of engagement with the finger means to release the size indicator from the web; (d) collecting the released size indicator; (e) removing the garment hanger from the indicator removal station; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e) for each of a plurality of hangers sequentially fed to the indicator removal station.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to garment hangers having a removable size indicator and, more particularly, to an automated means for removing the size indicator from the garment hanger.




2. Prior Art




For purposes of displaying garments suspended on hangers in an orderly and attractive manner to the retail customer, it is often desired to affix an indicating means on the hanger in a position visible to the retail customer while the hanger is suspended on a rack. The indicating means identifies some attribute of the garment suspended from the hanger, such as size, quality, color, manufacturing data, or pattern.




The provision of a readily visible size indicator on a garment hanger is now accepted by retailers as a desirable addition to the garment hanger. To accommodate the various types of hangers available in the industry, numerous indicating means have been developed in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Similarly, hangers have been developed to accommodate a variety of different indicating means.




The size indicators can be positioned at different locations on the hanger, such as the top and side and can also be inserted on the hanger in an automated fashion. Furthermore, it is increasingly common for customers to require that the indicator be removable from the hanger for re-use with other sized garments or re-location.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is an object of the present invention to provide automated methods and devices for removing releasable size indicators from garment hangers.




Accordingly, a method for removing a releasable size indicator from a garment hanger is provided where the garment hanger comprises: a body having at least one web for removably securing a size indicator to the body, the web having a fixed latch and a pivoting latch; and a size indicator having finger means for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches such that the size indicator is secured on the web during normal use, but wherein the size indicator may be released from the web when the pivoting latch is pivoted out of engagement with the finger means of the size indicator. The method comprises: (a) feeding the garment hanger to an indicator removal station; (b) supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station for removal of the size indicator; (c) depressing the pivoting latch to pivot the same out of engagement with the finger means to release the size indicator from the web; (d) collecting the released size indicator; (e) removing the garment hanger from the indicator removal station; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e) for each of a plurality of hangers sequentially fed to the indicator removal station.




Preferably, the feeding comprises feeding the garment hanger on a feeding rail to the indicator removal station. The supporting preferably comprises supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station at a location on the feeding rail. Alternatively, the supporting comprises supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station at a location remote from the feeding rail. Preferably, the depressing comprises actuating a cylinder having a pin attached thereto, the pin engaging the pivoting latch upon actuation of the cylinder.




Also provided is an apparatus for removing a releasable size indicator from the garment hanger. The apparatus comprising: (a) means for feeding the garment hanger to an indicator removal station; (b) means for supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station for removal of the size indicator; (c) means for depressing the pivoting latch to pivot the same out of engagement with the finger means to release the size indicator from the web; (d) means for collecting the released size indicator; (e) means for removing the garment hanger from the indicator removal station; and (f) means for repeating the release and collection of size indicators for each of a plurality of hangers sequentially fed to the indicator removal station.




Preferably, the means for feeding comprises means for feeding the garment hanger on a feeding rail to the indicator removal station. The indicator removal station is preferably located at a location on the feeding rail, or alternatively at a location remote from the feeding rail. Preferably, the means for depressing comprises a cylinder having a pin attached thereto, the pin engaging the pivoting latch upon actuation of the cylinder.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:





FIG. 1

illustrates a first embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention having a first web at a junction between the hook and body of the garment hanger.




FIGS.


2


(


a


) and


2


(


c


) illustrate an end view of a first and second version, respectively, of a first embodiment of a size indicator of the present invention for engaging the first web of FIG.


1


.




FIG.


2


(


b


) illustrates a top view of the size indicator of FIG.


2


(


a


).




FIG.


3


(


a


) illustrates an enlarged view of the first web of FIG.


1


.




FIG.


3


(


b


) illustrates the enlarged view of the web of

FIG. 3



a


with a size indicator secured thereon.





FIG. 4

illustrates a partial sectional view of the first web of

FIG. 3

as taken along line


4





4


thereof.





FIG. 5

illustrates a partial sectional view of the web of FIG.


3


. as taken along line


5





5


thereof, the movement of the pivoting latch illustrated therein by a broken line.




FIG.


6


(


a


) illustrates a partial sectional view of the web of

FIG. 3

as taken along line


5





5


thereof and additionally having the first version of the size indicator secured thereon.




FIG.


7


(


a


) illustrates the first web and first version of the first embodiment of the size indicator of FIG.


6


(


a


) wherein the pivoting latch is being pivoted to release the size indicator therefrom.




FIG.


6


(


b


) illustrates a partial sectional view of the web of

FIG. 3

as taken along line


5





5


thereof and additionally having the second version of the size indicator secured thereon.




FIG.


7


(


b


) illustrates the first web and second version of the first embodiment of the size indicator of FIG.


6


(


b


) wherein the pivoting latch is being pivoted to release the size indicator therefrom.





FIG. 8

illustrates a second embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention having the first web at a junction between the hook and body of the garment hanger and a second web at a top portion of the hook.




FIGS.


9


(


a


) and


9


(


c


) illustrate an end view of a first and second version, respectively, of a second embodiment of a size indicator of the present invention for engaging the second web of FIG.


1


.




FIG.


9


(


b


) illustrates a side view of the size indicators of FIGS.


9


(


a


) and


9


(


c


).





FIG. 10

illustrates an enlarged view of the second web of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 11

illustrates a third embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention having the second web at the top portion of the hook.





FIG. 12

illustrates a schematic view of a decapping apparatus of the present invention for automatically removing the size indicator from the garment hangers.





FIGS. 13



a


and


13




b


illustrate a side and front view, respectively, of a preferred implementation of the hanger loading means of FIG.


12


.





FIG. 14

illustrates plan view of a garment hanger retained on the indexing table of

FIG. 12

, the pin plunger means not shown therein for the sake of clarity.





FIG. 15

illustrates an enlarged plan view of the size indicator and corresponding web portion of the garment hanger of FIG.


14


.





FIG. 16

illustrates a side view of the indexing table and garment hanger of

FIG. 14

as well as the pin plunger means omitted from FIG.


14


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to

FIG. 1

, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the garment hanger of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral


100




a.


The garment hanger


100




a


has a hanging means, such as a hook


102


, for supporting the hanger


100




a


on a display (not shown). The hanger


100




a


further having a body


104


connected to the hook


102


. The body has at least one web


106




a


for removably securing a first version of a first embodiment of a size indicator


108




a


(

FIG. 2



a


) to the body


104


. In a first embodiment of the garment hanger of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the web


106




a


is located at a junction between the hook


102


and the body


104


. As will be discussed below with regard to

FIG. 8

, in a second embodiment of the garment hanger of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral


100




b,


the web


106




b


can be alternatively located at a top portion


102




a


of the hook


102


. Furthermore, as will be discussed below with regard to

FIG. 11

, in a third embodiment of the garment hanger of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral


100




c,


the web


106




b


can be alternatively located at both the junction between the hook


102


and the body


104


and at the top portion


102




a


of the hook


102


.




Referring Now to

FIG. 3



a,


the web has a fixed latch


110


and a pivoting latch


112


. The pivoting latch


112


is preferably located at a central portion of the web


106




a


and the fixed latch


110


is located on at least one end of the pivoting latch


112


. Preferably, the fixed latch


110


, as shown in

FIG. 3

, comprises two abutments


110




a,




110




b


located on each end of the pivoting latch


112


. As illustrated in

FIGS. 4-7

, and most clearly in

FIGS. 6



a


and


6




b,


it is also preferable that the pivoting latch


112


projects from a first side


114


of the web


106




a


and the fixed latch


110


projects from an opposite side


116


of the web


106




a.






Referring back to

FIG. 3



a,


the pivoting latch


112


is preferably defined by a slot


118


cut through the web


106




a.


The slot preferably has a shape defined by at least two sides


118




a,




118




b.


The pivoting latch


112


is further defined by a living hinge, shown by dotted line


120


closing the shape of the slot


118


. As shown in

FIG. 3



a,


the slot


118


is preferably substantially two sided


118




a,




118




b


and the living hinge


120


closes the shape of the slot


118


thereby forming a triangular shaped pivoting latch


112


. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the pivoting latch and the slot defining the shape thereof, can have a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.




Referring now to

FIGS. 3



a,




3




b,


and


6




a


in combination, the pivoting latch


112


preferably has an engagement means for facilitating movement of the pivoting latch about arrow A shown in

FIGS. 7



a


and


7




b.


The engagement means preferably comprises a cantilevered end


122


of the pivoting latch


112


which when a releasing force (F) is applied thereto provides a mechanical advantage for movement of the pivoting latch


112


out of engagement with the size indicator. Simultaneously, the opposite side of the pivoting latch


112


displaces the size indicator such that it no longer engages the fixed latch


110


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2



a,




2




b,


and


6




a


in combination, a first version of the size indicator


108




a


of the first embodiment generally has a face


124


and two sides


126


,


128


depending therefrom to form a generally C-shaped channel


109


. Each of the sides


126


,


128


terminate in a foremost edge


130


,


132


. The foremost edges


130


,


132


are preferably configured such that the cantilevered end


122


of the pivoting latch


112


is exposed when the size indicator


108




a


is secured on the web


106




a.






The size indicator


108




a


further having finger means


134


for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches


110


,


112


, respectively, such that the size indicator


108




a


is secured on the web during normal use. However, the size indicator


108




a


is releasably secured on the web


106




a


such that it may be released from the web


106




a


when the pivoting latch


112


is pivoted out of engagement with the finger means


134


of the size indicator


108




a


when the release force (F) is applied. The finger means


134


preferably comprises an inwardly facing ridge


134




a,




134




b


disposed at each of the foremost edges


130


,


132


and projecting inwards towards the channel


109


of the size indicator


108




a.






In an alternative version, a second size indicator of the first embodiment is illustrated in

FIG. 2



c


in which like reference numerals refer to similar features, the second size indicator being referred to generally by reference numeral


111




a.


The second size indicator


111




a


generally has two sides


126


,


128


depending from an apex


125


to form a generally V-shaped channel


113


. Each of the sides


126


,


128


terminate in a foremost edge


130


,


132


. The foremost edges


130


,


132


are preferably configured such that the cantilevered end


122


of the pivoting latch


112


is exposed when the size indicator


111




a


is secured on the web


106




a.


The size indicator


111




a


further having finger means


134


for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches


110


,


112


, respectively, such that the size indicator


111




a


is secured on the web during normal use. However, the size indicator


111




a


is releasably secured on the web


106




a


such that it may be released from the web


106




a


when the pivoting latch


112


is pivoted out of engagement with the finger means


134


of the size indicator


111




a


when the release force (F) is applied. The finger means


134


preferably comprises an inwardly facing ridge


134




a,




134




b


disposed at each of the foremost edges


130


,


132


and projecting inwards towards the V-shaped channel


113


of the size indicator


111




a.






Referring back to

FIGS. 3



a


and


6




a


in combination, the web preferably also has a guard


136


extending across the web


106




a


and below the size indicator


108




a.


In a preferred implementation, the guard


136


has a down-turned portion


138


which follows the contours of the cantilevered end


122


to thereby enable access to the edges of the size indicator and the engagement means


122


but prevents inadvertent actuation of the pivoting latch


112


. The cantilevered end and engagement means


122


are preferably configured to engage a tool (not shown) used for application of the releasing force (F). The engagement means is preferably a dimple


140


formed on a side of the cantilevered end


122


. The tool having a tip substantially conforming to the shape of the dimple


140


and having a width such that it is not prevented from engaging the dimple


140


by the guard


136


.




The web preferably also has an outermost edge


142


having an outermost portion


142




a


of a predetermined cross-section. The first version of the size indicator


108




a


having a trough


144


(

FIG. 2



a


) with a mating cross-section substantially configured to receive the outermost portion


142




a


therein for preventing a lateral movement of the size indicator along direction B—B when the size indicator


108




a


is secured on the web


106




a.


The preferable predetermined cross-section of both the outermost portion


142




a


and the trough


144


is substantially rectangular. In the second version of the size indicator


111




a


the inner portion of the apex


125


forms a trough


144




a


which is shaped such that the outermost portion


142




a


is accepted therein when the size indicator


111




a


is secured on the web


106




a


to prevent lateral movement of the size indicator


111




a


along direction B—B (illustrated in

FIG. 6



b


).




Referring to

FIG. 3



b,


the web


106




a


further comprises locating means for locating the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


in a predetermined position on the web


106




a.


The locating means preferably comprises first and second guides


146




a,




146




b


disposed adjacent each side edge


148




a,




148




b


of the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


and spaced apart to align the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


therebetween and to center the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


during application thereof on the web


106




a.


Preferably, the first and second guides


146




a,




146




b


do not extend the full length of the side edges


148




a,




148




b


of the size indicator but define elongate openings


150




a,




150




b


which expose the side edges


148




a,




148




b


of the size indicator.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6



a


and


7




a,


the operation of the garment hanger


100




a


of the present invention will be explained with regard to size indicator


108




a.


Size indicator


108




a


is mounted on the web


106




a


by sliding it over web


106




a


in the direction of arrow C. While being mounted in the direction of arrow C, the pivoting latch


112


pivots in the direction of arrow A until the inwardly facing ridges


134




a,




134




b


of finger means


134


pass over the fixed and pivoting ridges


110


,


112


. After which, the inwardly facing fingers


134




a,




134




b


snap into place in an area defined by the guide


136


and a bottom edge of the fixed and pivoting ridges


110


,


112


, the area being referenced by reference numeral


152


(illustrated in FIGS.


4


and


5


). As such, the size indicator


108




a


is releasably secured on the web


106




a.






Referring now to

FIGS. 6



b


and


7




b,


the operation of the garment hanger


100




a


of the present invention will be explained with regard to second version of the first embodiment of the size indicator


111




a.


Similar to the manner in which size indicator


108




a


is mounted, size indicator


111




a


is mounted on the web


106




a


by sliding it in the direction of arrow C over web


106




b.


While being mounted in the direction of arrow C, the pivoting latch


112


pivots in the direction of arrow A until the inwardly facing ridges


134




a,




134




b


of finger means


134


pass over the fixed and pivoting ridges


110


,


112


. After which, the inwardly facing fingers


134




a,




134




b


snap into place in an area defined by the guide


136


and a bottom edge of the fixed and pivoting ridges


110


,


112


, the area being referenced by reference numeral


152


(illustrated in FIGS.


4


and


5


).




To release the size indicators


108




a,




111




a


from the web


106




a,


a releasing force (F) is applied to the cantilevered end


122


of the pivoting latch


112


, preferably by engaging the dimple


140


thereon with a release tool (not shown). The release force (F) results in the pivoting latch


112


to pivot about the living hinge


120


in the direction of arrow A. As can be seen in

FIGS. 7



a


and


7




b,


planar side wall of the pivoting latch


112


causes the inner ridge


134




a


of the finger means


134


of size indicators


108




a,




111




a


to extend past the furthest extending portion of the fixed latch


110


. At this point, the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


may be manually removed from the web


106




a.






Preferably, the size indicators


108




a,




111




a


are fabricated from a resilient material and thereby the sides


126


,


128


may be slightly biased towards each other. Thus, when the side


126


of the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


extends past the furthest extending portion of the fixed latch


110


the resilient bias of the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


pops the size indicator off of the web automatically, without further manual intervention.




Preliminary testing of the releasable size indicators


108




a,




111




a


of the present invention has indicated that a force of approximately 25-30 pounds is needed to pull the size indicators from the latches of the web. Thus, the size indicators


108




a,




111




a


of the present invention are considered to be child-proof, since industry standards require a minimum force of 15 pounds to pull off a size indicator from a hanger for the size indicator to be considered child-proof.




Referring now to

FIGS. 8

,


9




a,




9




b,


and


10


, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the garment hanger of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral


100




b


and in which like reference numerals denote like elements as previously discussed. The garment hanger


100




b


differs from garment hanger


100




a


illustrated in

FIG. 1

in that a second web


106




b


is disposed at a top portion


102




a


of the hook


102


. Generally, the second web


106




b


differs from the first web


106




a


by the inclusion of first and second pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b.






Referring Now to

FIG. 10

, the web


106




b


has a fixed latch


210


and first and second pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b.


The fixed latch


210


is preferably located at a central portion of the web


106




b


and each of the pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b


is located each end of the fixed latch


210


. As with hanger


100




a


it is preferable that the pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b


project from a first side of the web


106




b


and the fixed latch


210


project from an opposite side of the web


106




b.






Referring back to

FIG. 10

, each pivoting latch


212




a,




212




b


is preferably defined by a slot


218




a,




218




b


cut through the web


106




b.


Each slot preferably has a triangular shape as discussed above with regard to hanger


100




a.


Each slot


218




a,




218




b


is defined by a living hinge, shown by dotted lines


220




a,




220




b


closing the shape of each slot


218




a,




218




b.






As discussed above with regard to hanger


100




a,


each pivoting latch


212




a,




212




b


preferably has an engagement means for facilitating movement of the pivoting latch. The engagement means preferably comprises a cantilevered end


222




a,




222




b


of the pivoting latch


212




a,




212




b


which when the releasing force (F) is applied thereto provides a mechanical advantage for movement of each pivoting latch


212




a,




212




b


out of engagement with a first or second version of a second embodiment of a size indicator


108




b,




111




b,


respectively.




Referring now to

FIGS. 9



a


and


9




b,


in combination, the first version of the second embodiment of the size indicator


108




b


generally has a face


224


and two sides


226


,


228


depending therefrom to form a generally C-shaped channel


209


. Each of the sides


226


,


228


terminate in a foremost edge


230


,


232


. The foremost edges


230


,


232


are preferably configured such that the cantilevered end


222




a,




222




b


of each of the pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b


are exposed when the size indicator


108




b


is secured on the web


106




b.






In an alternative version, a second size indicator of the second embodiment is illustrated in

FIG. 9



c


in which like reference numerals refer to similar features, the second size indicator of the second embodiment being referred to generally by reference numeral


111




b.


Size indicator


111




b


having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of size indicator


111




a,


in that the side walls


226


and


228


meet at an apex


225


and define a V-shaped cavity


213


.




The first and second size indicators


108




b,




111




b


of the second embodiment further have finger means


234


for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches


210


,


212




a,


and


212




b,


respectively, such that the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


are secured on the web


106




b


during normal use. However, the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


are releasably secured on the web


106




b


such that they may be released from the web


106




b


when both of the pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b


are pivoted out of engagement with the finger means


234


of the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


when a release force is applied. The finger means


234


preferably comprises inwardly facing ridges


234




a,




234




b


disposed at each of the foremost edges


230


,


232


and projecting inwards towards the channel


209


,


213


of the size indicators


108




b,




111




b.






Although a size indication can be disposed on either the top or side surfaces of second size indicator


108




b


of the second embodiment, it is preferable that size indicator


108




a


of the first embodiment have the size indication


107


disposed on the face


124


of the size indicator


108




a


and the size indicator


108




b


of the second embodiment have the size indication


207


on both sides


226


,


228


of the size indicator


108




b.


Because size indicators


111




a,




11




b


are triangular in cross-section, the size indication


107


,


207


, can only be displayed on the sides thereof (


126


,


128


for size indicator


111




a;




226


,


228


for size indicator


111




b


).




Referring to

FIG. 10

, the web


106




b


preferably also has a mounting hedge


236


extending partially across the web


106




b


and below the size indicator


108




b


to provide external support for the edges


230


,


232


of the size indicator. Each of the cantilevered ends and engagement means


222




a,




222




b


are preferably configured to engage a tool (not shown) used for application of the releasing force (F). The engagement means is preferably a dimple


240




a,




240




b


formed on a side of each of the cantilevered ends


222




a,




222




b.


The tool being configured as described above with regard to hanger


100




a.






The web


106




b


preferably also has an outermost edge


242


having an outermost portion as described with regard to hanger


100




a.


The size indicator


108




b


having a trough


244


(

FIG. 9



a


) with a mating cross-section substantially configured to receive the outermost portion therein for preventing a lateral movement of the size indicator when the size indicator


108




b


is secured on the web


106




b.


The preferable predetermined cross-section of both the outermost portion and the trough


244


is substantially rectangular. The second version of the second embodiment of the size indicator


111




b,


like size indicator


111




a,


has a trough


244




a


which is shaped such that the outermost portion is accepted therein when the size indicator


111




b


is secured on the web


106




a


to prevent lateral movement of the size indicator


111




b


along direction B—B.




The web


106




b


further comprises locating means for locating the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


in a predetermined position on the web


106




b.


The locating means are formed from reinforcing webs of the hanger hook and preferably comprises first and second guides


246




a,




246




b


disposed adjacent each side edge


248




a,




248




b


of the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


and spaced apart to align the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


therebetween and to center the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


during application thereof on the web


106




b.






The operation of the hanger


100




b


of the second embodiment of the present invention operates substantially equivalently to that of the hanger


100




a


of the first embodiment. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that both pivoting latches


212




a,




212




b


are pivoted by application of the release force to release the size indicators


108




b,




111




b


from the web


106




b.







FIG. 11

illustrates a hanger of a third embodiment of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral


100




c.


The hanger


100




c


of the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the second embodiment (hanger


100




b


) with the exception of the elimination of side sizer web


106




a.






The method and apparatus for removing the size indicator


108




a,




111




a


from the hangers


100




a


-


100




c


will be hereinafter described with respect to

FIGS. 12-16

. Throughout this description, the term decapping will be used to describe the removal of the size indicator


108




a,




111


from hangers


100




a


-


100




c.


Although described with respect to indicators


108




a,




111




a,


those skilled in the art will appreciate that other size indicators used with hangers


100




a


-


100




c


can also be decapped using the devices and methods disclosed herein, such as those size indicators disclosed in issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,478, and copending U.S. applications Ser. Nos. 09/852,189 and 10,043,346, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by their reference. For the sake of simplicity, the hanger and size indicator will be referred to in

FIGS. 12-16

by reference numerals


100




a


and


108




a,


respectively.




As discussed above and illustrated in

FIG. 7



a,


the pivoting latch


112


is easily deflected by applying a force F to the cantilevered end


122


of the size indicator


108




a,


and more particularly, to the dimple


140


, to release the size indicator


108




a


from the web


106




a


and allow the indicator


108




a


to be removed from the hanger


100




a.


With the decapping apparatus of the present invention, indicators


108




a


can be automatically removed from their respective hangers


100




a.






In a first embodiment, the hanger


100




a


is fed to the decapping apparatus


300


, by means of a feeding rail


302


. The feeding rail


302


is inclined so that the hangers


100




a


move downwardly toward the decapping apparatus by gravity. The hangers


100




a


can be put onto the feeding rail


302


manually or automatically. Other means to feed hangers


100




a


to the decapping apparatus could comprise a screw conveyor, a belt conveyor, or any other appropriate means to carry the hangers


100




a


toward the decapping apparatus


300


. At an end


302




a


of the feeding rail


302


is a stop means


304


, such as one or more movable stop plates which reciprocate in the direction of arrow A to provide a one hanger at a time feed from the accumulated hangers


100




a


at the end


302




a


of the feeding rail


302


. The action of the stop means


304


is accomplished by any means known in the art, such as by actuation of a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) attached thereto. A pair of reciprocating stop plates in the stop means


304


will prevent the hangers


100




a


from falling off of the feeding rail


302


when in a blocking position, as shown in FIG.


12


. When in the blocking position, the hangers


100




a


accumulate at the end


302




a


of the feeding rail


302


. When the stop means


304


is actuated to a feed position, it releases the endmost hanger


100




a


for loading at an indicator removal station


306


by a hanger loading means


308


, while simultaneously holding the remainder of the accumulated hangers


100




a


in a load position. The use of a pair of reciprocating stop plates to load one of a plurality of accumulated hangers is disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/255,135, the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.




A preferred implementation of the hanger loading means is illustrated in

FIGS. 13



a


and


13




b.


The hanger loading means


308


includes a curved feeding rail extension


310


that is curved towards and ends at the indicator removal station


306


. The feeding rail extension


310


, as with the feeding rail


302


, supports the hook


102


portion of the hanger


100




a.


Also included is at least two guide rails


312


which mimic the curve of the feeding rail extension


310


and support the hanger


100




a


at at least two additional points such that the hanger


100




a


cannot rotate or fall off of the feeding rail extension


310


. When the stop plate


304


is actuated in the direction of arrow A to the feed position, the end most hanger


100




a


is released and is guided to the indicator removal station


306


in a controlled manner by the feeding rail extension


310


and guide rails


312


in the direction of Arrow B.




Referring back to

FIG. 12

, the indicator removal station


306


preferably includes an indexing table


314


that is movable along the direction of Arrow C. The indexing table


314


is shown by way of example having two hanger stations


304




a,




304




b


located thereon. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a single hanger station or three of more hanger stations can be provided without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. In general, after the hangers


100




a


are loaded on the indexing table


314


, they are retained thereon, preferably by clamping, and are positioned to locate the dimple


140


on the pivoting latch


112


of the hanger


100




a


in a registered position to enable automatic actuation of the removal mechanism. The pivoting latch


112


is then depressed to release the size indicator


108




a,


the size indicator


108




a


is collected, the decapped hanger


100




a


is removed and the process repeats with the loading of the next in line of the additional hangers


100




a.


Where multiple hanger stations


304




a,




304




b


are utilized on the indexing table


314


, the indexing table


314


moves in the direction of arrow C towards the feed rail


302


where a first hanger


100




a


is loaded at station


304




b.


The indexing table


314


then moves in the direction of arrow C away from the feed rail


302


for each subsequent hanger


100




a


to be loaded thereon. Preferably, the decapped hangers


100




a


are removed from the indexing table


314


in a similar fashion. The first decapped hanger


100




a


at station


304




b


is removed and the indexing table


314


moves in the direction of arrow C away from the feeding rail


302


for each subsequent decapped hanger


100




a


to be removed.




The decapped hangers


100




a


are preferably removed by way of a removal rail


316


, which is preferably a screw conveyor rail. The decapped hangers


100




a


are loaded onto the removal rail


316


by a hanger pick-up means


318


. The hanger pick-up means can be any means known in the art for locating and transporting articles from a first station to a second station. Preferably, the hanger pick-up means


318


is mechanical and includes a robotic pick-up arm (not shown) which engages a portion of the hanger


100




a


on the indexing table


314


, picks up the engaged hanger


100




a,


swings the hanger


100




a


towards the removal rail


316


, and releases the same onto the removal rail


314


. Alternatively, a computer vision system (not shown) can be used to locate the decapped hanger


100




a


on the indexing table


314


to enable automated pick up of the hanger, such as with a robotic gripper under the control of the computer vision system, and transport the decapped hanger


100




a


to the removal rail


314


and place it thereon.




Referring now to

FIGS. 14-16

, a preferred implementation of the indexing table


314


will be discussed in more detail.

FIG. 14

illustrates a hanger


100




a


having a size indicator


108




a


disposed on a top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


.

FIG. 14

is shown without the pin plunger means for the sake of clarity, such pin plunger means will be discussed fully below with respect to FIG.


16


. After being released onto the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


, the hanger


100




a


is retained therein, preferably by a clamp plate


320


. Preferably, the clamp plate


320


is rotatable about the direction of arrow D (as shown in

FIG. 16

) to clamp the hanger


100




a


about its shoulders


322


. The loading of the hanger


100




a


onto the indexing table


314


by the hanger loading means


308


is such that it is accurately positioned for clamping by the clamp plate


320


and no further positioning is necessary. However, although not preferred, if the hanger


100




a


were loaded in a rough position on the indexing table


314


, a positioning means (not shown) can be provided for positioning the hanger


100




a


such that the shoulders


322


(or other locating portion) corresponds with the clamp plate


320


. The clamp plate


320


, as shown in

FIG. 14

is u-shaped having two forks


324


and is preferably moved along direction D by a rotatable pneumatic cylinder (not shown).




Since many types and sizes of hangers are preferably decapped by the decapping apparatus


300


, it is necessary to further locate the size indicator


108




a


on the hanger


100




a,


which may be at different positions on different types and styles of hangers


100




a.


If only a single style hanger


100




a


in which the size indicator


108




a


is located at the same position on the hanger


100




a


is being processed by the decapping apparatus


300


, the clamping plate


320


can be utilized alone to position and locate the dimple


140


of the pivoting latch


112


. A preferred means for locating the size indicator


108




a


is attachment of the clamp plate


320


(along with its actuation means) on a locating means


326


such as a rotatable cylinder or x-y table, which are preferably pneumatically actuated. Preferably, the locating means


326


moves the hanger


100




a


until a location plate


328


contacts the size indicator


108




a.


The location plate


328


preferably is actuatable into and out from the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


along arrow E (as shown in FIG.


16


). The location plate


328


is preferably actuated between a drop-out position so as not to extend past the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


when the hangers


100




a


are being loaded onto the indexing table


314


and a locating position to protrude from the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


after the hangers


100




a


are clamped to the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


by the clamp plate


320


.




Many different styles of hangers


100




a


will have the size indicator


108




a


in a similar area on the hanger


100




a


and oriented in a similar direction. Therefore, when decapping similar styles of hangers


100




a,


the rough location of the location plate


328


relative to the size indicator


100




a


is generally known and the movement of the locating means


326


can be minimized. If very dissimilar hanger types are decapped, computer vision means can be utilized for locating the size indicator


108




a,


such as by shape or color difference, and the locating means


326


actuated accordingly to position the hanger


100




a


to correspond to the location plate


328


or directly with the pin plunger means (discussed below).

FIG. 15

illustrates the hanger


100




a


having its size indicator


100




a


located against the location plate


328


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 12 and 16

, once the size indicator


108




a


has been located and positioned with respect to the location plate


328


, the position of the dimple


140


is known. The location plate


328


is then actuated in the direction of arrow E to the drop out position to expose the size indicator


108




a.


A pin plunger means


330


is utilized to release the size indicator


108




a


from the web


106




a.


The pin plunger means


330


includes a pin


332


having a tip


334


which corresponds to the dimple


140


. The pin


332


is actuatable in the direction of arrow F between a retracted position, shown in FIG.


16


and an extended position, in which the tip


334


engages the dimple


140


to release the size indicator


108




a


from the web


106




a


of the hanger


100




a.


The actuation of the pin


332


is preferably carried out by a pneumatic cylinder


336


that is supported on the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


by a bracket


338


.




After actuation of the pin to the extended position to release the size indicator


108




a


from the hanger


100




a,


the size indicator


108




a


is collected, preferably by means of a vacuum tube


340


positioned to accept the size indicator


108




a


therein once it is released from the web


106




a


of the hanger


100




a.


The vacuum tube


340


is operatively connected to a vacuum source


342


and a containment vessel


344


for collection of the collected size indicators


108




a.


After removal of the size indicator


108




a


from the hanger


100




a,


referred to herein as decapping the hanger


100




a,


the hanger


100




a


is released from the indexing table


314


by actuating the clamp plate


320


to rotate about direction D away from the top surface


314




a


of the indexing table


314


. The released and decapped hanger


100




a


is then removed from the indexing table


314


and placed on the removal rail


316


as discussed above. After all of the hangers


100




a


on the indexing table


314


have been decapped and removed, the indexing table


314


moves in the direction of arrow C towards the feeding rail


302


where additional hangers


100




a


are loaded onto the hanger stations


304




a,




304




b


of the indexing table


314


as discussed above and the process is repeated.




In an alternative embodiment of the decapping apparatus, the hangers


100




a


are decapped at an indicator removal station located on a feeding rail or other conveying means. Thus, in the alternative embodiment, the hangers


100




a


are decapped without having to be loaded and removed from an intermediate location, such as the indexing table


314


. In the alternative embodiment, the hangers


100




a


can momentarily stop or slow down at the indicator removal station of the feed rail for removal of the size indicator


108




a,


or the components of the indicator removal station, discussed below, can travel with the garment hangers


100




a


while the garment hangers are being decapped.




In the alternative embodiment, each garment hanger


100




a


that enters the indicator removal station (which is a designated portion of the feeding rail) is retained against relative movement with respect to the feeding rail. Such retention of the garment hanger


100




a


is preferably accomplished by way of a clamp which is pneumatically actuated to hold the hanger


100




a.


After the hanger


100




a


is retained against relative movement, cameras are used to image the hangers


100




a


as they enter the indicator removal station. The cameras are preferably digital cameras that capture digital image data of the hanger


100




a


and output the same to a recognition system. Alternatively, the cameras can be analog, in which case their output signal is converted to a digital format. The cameras are further preferably fixed and have a field of view sufficient to capture image data of at least the hook and neck portions of the hanger. Alternatively, the cameras can have a pan, tilt, and/or zoom capability under the control of a processor.




The recognition system analyzes the image data of the hanger and determines the region of the size indicator. The recognition system preferably looks for a difference in color, surface finish, and/or shape in making its determination of the size indicator region. Such recognition systems are well known in the art. Since the location of the dimple


140


relative to the size indicator


108




a


is known, the location of the dimple can be easily calculated by the processor from the location of the size indicator


108




a.


Alternatively, the location of the dimple can be determined directly from the recognition system. For example, the dimple can be coated with a different material from the rest of the hanger


100




a


or with a reflective material to make the finding of its location easier for the recognition system. Once the location of the dimple


140


is known, a pin plunger means, similar to the one described above with regard to the first embodiment of the decapping apparatus, is actuated to a corresponding position and the pin is actuated to engage the dimple


140


and pivot the pivoting latch


112


to release the size indicator


108




a


from the web


106




a.


The pin plunger means may also be mounted for x-y movement to allow the pin plunger to move to the x-y coordinates of the dimple


140


as determined by the recognition system. After release of the size indicator


108


, a vacuum tube is positioned near the size indicator location and the size indicators are collected for re-use. The decapped hangers


100




a


leave the indicator removal station and continue traveling on the feed rail for further processing, such as packaging.




Although not shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components of the first and alternative embodiments of the decapping apparatus are under the control of a processor, such as a programmable logic controller or a dedicated PC, which controls the actuation and synchronization of the components described above to operate in the manner described. Such processors and their use, including their programming, are well known in the automation arts.




While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A method for removing a releasable size indicator from a garment hanger, the garment hanger comprising:a body having at least one web for removably securing a size indicator to the body, the web having a fixed latch and a pivoting latch; and a size indicator having finger means for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches such that the size indicator is secured on the web during normal use, but wherein the size indicator may be released from the web when the pivoting latch is pivoted out of engagement with the finger means of the size indicator; the method comprising: (a) feeding the garment hanger to an indicator removal station; (b) supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station for removal of the size indicator; (c) depressing the pivoting latch to pivot the same out of engagement with the finger means to release the size indicator from the web; (d) collecting the released size indicator; (e) removing the garment hanger from the indicator removal station; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e) for each of a plurality of hangers sequentially fed to the indicator removal station, wherein at least one of the foregoing steps is automated.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding comprises feeding the garment hanger on a feeding rail to the indicator removal station.
  • 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the supporting comprises supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station at a location on the feeding rail.
  • 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the supporting comprises supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station at a location remote from the feeding rail.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the depressing comprises actuating a cylinder having a pin attached thereto, the pin engaging the pivoting latch upon actuation of the cylinder.
  • 6. An apparatus for removing a releasable size indicator from a garment hanger, the garment hanger comprising:a body having at least one web for removably securing a size indicator to the body, the web having a fixed latch and a pivoting latch; and a size indicator having finger means for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches such that the size indicator is secured on the web during normal use, but wherein the size indicator may be released from the web when the pivoting latch is pivoted out of engagement with the finger means of the size indicator; the apparatus comprising: (a) means for feeding the garment hanger to an indicator removal station; (b) means for supporting the garment hanger at the indicator removal station for removal of the size indicator; (c) means for depressing the pivoting latch to pivot the same out of engagement with the finger means to release the size indicator from the web; (d) means for collecting the released size indicator; (e) means for removing the garment hanger from the indicator removal station; and (f) means for repeating the release and collection of size indicators for each of a plurality of hangers sequentially fed to the indicator removal station.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein means for feeding comprises means for feeding the garment hanger on a feeding rail to the indicator removal station.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indicator removal station is located at a location on the feeding rail.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indicator removal station is located at a location remote from the feeding rail.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for depressing comprises a cylinder having a pin attached thereto, the pin engaging the pivoting latch upon actuation of the cylinder.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/043,346 filed Jan. 11, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,634, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/827,072 filed Apr. 5, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,744, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/479,170, filed Jan. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,075. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/186,449 filed Jul. 1, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/255,135 filed Feb. 19, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,910, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/875,508 filed Feb. 2, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,569.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/255135 Feb 1999 US
Child 10/186449 US
Continuation in Parts (4)
Number Date Country
Parent 10/043346 Jan 2002 US
Child 10/196981 US
Parent 09/479170 Jan 2000 US
Child 09/827072 US
Parent 10/196981 US
Child 09/827072 US
Parent 10/186449 Jul 2002 US
Child 10/196981 US