Patent Application
20060225597
The present invention relates generally to T-shirts and in particular relates to printed T-shirts and a method and apparatus for merchandising printed T-shirts.
One of the more common ways of displaying printed T-shirts for sale, as commonly available in souvenir shops for example, for sale is to fold the T-shirts into a rectangular shape of around 12″×15″ and then stack the shirts on display shelves. However, this approach has several drawbacks. First, many customers tend to unfold the shirts to see what exactly is printed on them and then just toss them back in a pile, so store clerks find themselves constantly refolding the T-shirts. Additionally, the folded T-shirts tend to occupy a large amount of space on the display shelves.
To reduce the amount of space needed to display a large volume of printed T-shirts, some have compressed or compacted or molded the T-shirts into smaller packages. Once compacted, the printed T-shirts are wrapped in a transparent plastic material, such as cellophane, to hold its shape. Additionally, some have even compacted T-shirts into a block and then prior to wrapping with plastic, included a label inside the plastic wrapping showing what was printed on the T-shirt. However, this arrangement is not conducive for mailing. For example, when people are vacationing, many tend to travel light and would prefer to ship souvenirs home. In order to mail the T-shirt, the purchaser of the T-shirt typically would package it in another envelope or box, would add a mailing label, or would have to find a suitable pen to write on the outside of the plastic wrapping.
There is, therefore, a need in the industry for an apparatus that allows for the merchandising of compacted T-shirts, and that solves the above-described shortcomings and other related and unrelated shortcomings.
Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention is a method for merchandising printed T-shirts. The method comprises molding the printed T-shirts into a compact, three-dimensional shape. The method further includes the step of packaging the T-shirt in a wrapping to maintain the T-shirts in the compact, three-dimensional shape. The method further includes placing the packaged T-shirts in a display case having a plurality of baskets each configured for holding at least one or more of the packaged T-shirts.
Preferably, the display case is a revolving case. Preferably, the three-dimensional shape is generally brick-like or block-like. Also preferably, the method can further include affixing a mailing label to the outside of the wrapping to make it easy for a purchaser to address and mail the T-shirt without repackaging or re-wrapping the T-shirt. In one form, the mailing label can be paper. In another form, the mailing label can be vinyl. Optionally, a portion of the mailing label can bear an image representing an image printed on the T-shirt.
Furthermore, the display can be freestanding upon the floor or can be adapted and configured to be supported upon a counter or another piece of furniture. Also, the display case can be wall-mounted. Preferably, the baskets comprise wire baskets. Optionally, the baskets comprise plastic baskets which can be clear or translucent or wood or other materials as well. Preferably, the baskets have a generally open top to allow T-shirts to be removed easily therefrom.
In another form, the present invention comprises an improvement in the merchandising of printed, molded T-shirts of the type that are compressed or molded into a compact three-dimensional shape. The improvement comprises using a revolving display fixture for displaying a plurality of the compact, molded T-shirts. The display fixture has a plurality of basket-like or bucket-like compartments for holding one or more of the T-shirts.
In yet another form, the present invention comprises a packaged, printed T-shirt. The packaged printed T-shirt includes a printed T-shirt formed into a compact box-like shape. The packaged, printed T-shirt also includes a translucent or transparent wrapping wrapped about the outside of the compact, box-like shape of the T-shirt. A writable label is affixed to the outside of the wrapping to allow the T-shirt to be readily addressed and forwarded to a recipient address. Preferably, the writable label is a paper label. Alternatively, the writable label can be vinyl. Optionally, the writable label can comprise an address portion and an image portion, with the image portion bearing a representation or likeness of an image printed on the T-shirt. Preferably, the compact box-like shape has a width and height of about 3″×5″.
FIG.1 is a perspective view of a display case for printed T-shirts according to an illustrative form of the present invention.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Once shaped, each T-shirt 12 is packaged in a wrapping material 18, such as cellophane or plastic, to secure the shape. Preferably, the wrapping material 18 is transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent so as to the allow a purchaser to view (or partially view) the T-shirt. Alternatively, an opaque material can be used to wrap the molded T-shirt. Optionally, the opaque material can have a window for viewing an image or indicia of what is printed on the T-shirt, or a sticker or label can be affixed to the opaque wrapping to inform the purchaser of the contents.
Preferably, each packaged T-shirt 12 has a label 20 affixed thereto with some form of adhesive. Preferably, the label 20 is a paper label that is affixed to the outside of the wrapping. The label 20 can be a mailing label placed on the outside of the wrapping so as to make it easy for a purchaser to address and mail the T-shirt without re-packaging or re-wrapping. Paper is preferable because purchasers can write on it with almost any available writing instrument, although the present invention contemplates the use of other labels, including those made of vinyl and those with a plastic or glossy finish. As depicted in
Referring back to
Optionally, the display cases of the present invention include a shirt frame 80 as depicted in
The shirt frame 80 optionally includes a sign holder 82 to hold a sign 84 of what is being displayed. Preferably, the sign holder 82 includes two parallel pieces of wire or another rigid material, with an opening therebetween such that a paper or cardboard sign can be securely held therewithin.
The present invention also includes a method of merchandising T-shirts 12 in a display case of the present invention. The T-shirts 12 are molded or compressed into a compact, three-dimensional shape 14, such as a generally block-like or brick-like shape. The compressed T-shirts are packaged in a wrapping 18, such as a transparent or translucent wrapping, to maintain the T-shirts in the compact, three-dimensional shape 14. The T-shirts 12 are placed in a display case, such a revolving display case or a flat, planar display case, having a plurality of basket-like holders each configured for holding at least one of the packaged T-shirts. A writable label, such as a paper or vinyl label, can be affixed to the outside of the wrapping 18 to make it easy for a purchaser to address and mail the T-shirt 12 without re-packaging or re-wrapping. Optionally, the label can include a representation of the image or indicia printed on the T-shirt 12.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/567,942, filed Apr. 8, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60669596 | Apr 2005 | US |
