Abstract:
A wedding veil support and display for the transport and display of wedding veils and accessories includes a display body adapted to fit under a veil, maintain the shape of the veil when transporting the veil, and, in cases where the display body is suspended from a clothing rod or peg, support the veil in an upright position such that the veil and any displayed accessories such as jewelry, may be viewed or photographed in a natural state, e.g., the manner in which the veil is intended to be worn, adjacent a bridal gown.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to apparel displays, and more particularly displays for wedding veils, and wedding veil accessories for storage and merchandising display purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Veils, worn since ancient times, were designed for both practical considerations, e.g., to afford women a degree of anonymity, and to be symbolic. In Jewish and Christian wedding ceremonies, the veil symbolizes the transition of the bride from an unmarried to a married state when the veil is lifted either by the bride&#39;s father, a proxy such as another significant member of the family, or by the groom. While the particular habits of wearing the veil vary by culture, wedding veils come in a variety of transparencies, shapes, lengths and trim. Commonly, a wedding veil has an inside upper portion attachable to the hair of the bride which may include a hair comb, clip, or other means of affixment to the hair, and a trailing portion which may include a decorative trim, e.g., lace, chosen to match the bridal gown. A fascinator is an accessory often worn with a veil that may include beads, flowers or other decorative elements as an accent piece. 
     For many years and up to the present time, merchandisers of bridal apparel have typically employed a type of veil hanger that includes a hook and a clip attachable to the veil such that the veil is displayed in an inverted state. While such a veil hanger is compact, it is difficult for the shopper or sales staff to visualize what the veil will look like when mixed and matched with different gowns when the veil is displayed inverted. 
     It would be desirable to provide a space economizing veil display and support article for displaying wedding veils in an upright position. 
     It would be additionally desirable to provide a veil display and support that prevents the veil from being crumpled and creased during transport, either when boxed shipped, or hanging transport by vehicle. 
     It would be furthermore desirable to accommodate the custom of taking professional photographs of wedding gowns by providing a veil display article that displays a paired veil in a natural state; e.g., upright as it is intended to be worn, next to the wedding gown, and with any jewelry intended to be worn displayed with the veil display article. In cases where the wedding gown and veil are to be photographed, the veil display article with the veil may be hung from a wall mounted peg superior to the wedding gown, such that the back side of the veil is displayed against the wall. 
     It would be still further desirable to provide a pocket or recess within a veil display article that would permit the bride the convenience of transporting her veil and jewelry together the event setting the day of the wedding. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a space economizing wedding veil support and display that may be packaged with a wedding veil and employed in merchandising to optimally display a wedding veil in a natural, i.e., upright position, so that the appearance of a paired gown and veil may be quickly appreciated and evaluated. 
     A general embodiment of the invention includes a display body with a rounded portion adapted to fit under a wedding veil with or without a head piece, and configured to hang from a clothing rod, post or peg. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, a substantially planar side of the display body is adapted to rest stably against a flat surface without rocking from side to side when the veil is displayed. 
     In a second aspect of the invention combinable with any other aspect, the display body includes a hook adapted to hang from a rod or post. 
     In a third aspect of the invention combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a section of a spherical body adapted for placement under the veil or head piece. 
     In a fourth aspect of the invention combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a section that is a one half section of a sphere adapted for placement under the veil or head piece. 
     In a fifth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a section that is a one quarter section of a sphere adapted for placement under the veil or head piece. 
     In a sixth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include an open recess or reversibly sealable compartment for storing bridal accessories and other small items. 
     In a seventh aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a substantially planar bottom side for resting on a flat surface such as a countertop. 
     In an eighth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a soft exterior that may be penetrated by hat pins and the like. 
     In a ninth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a tether with snaps or other fastening members, in place of a swivelable hook for suspension from a clothing rod, a post, a knob or the like. 
     In a tenth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a hook that hinges, folds or pivots toward the display body for storing or shipping purposes. 
     In an eleventh aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a covering selected to match the fabric of a particular bridal gown. 
     In a twelfth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a removable and/or replaceable covering. 
     In a thirteenth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a padding or batting covered with a solid fabric with a lace fabric overlay. 
     In a fourteenth aspect combinable with any other aspect, the display body may include a pocket with or without a closure flap, an elastic gather about the pocket opening, or a zip fastener to store jewelry and other small items. 
     In various embodiments, an open or sealable compartment of the hanging body may be sub-compartmentalized. 
     In various embodiments, an open or sealable compartment of the hanging body may be lined with for example, a soft material or lacking a lining. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the display article; 
         FIG. 2  is a back plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is side elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a back plan view thereof showing access panel  280 ; 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are respectively back plan views showing access panel  280  closed and opened, revealing compartment  270 ; 
         FIGS. 5 c  and 5 d    show respectively a display article with a pocket  274  with flap  278 , and a pocket with a gathered elastic opening; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a typical use of the display article when suspended from a peg; 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view illustrating a typical use of the display article when suspended from a peg; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference Listing of the Named Elements 
     
         
           100  display article 
           210  article body 
           220  body upper portion 
           230  body back portion 
           240  body lower portion 
           250  body core 
           260  covering 
           270  compartment 
           273  material layer 
           274  pocket 
           278  pocket flap 
           280  access panel 
           290  panel latch 
           300  hook 
           310  post 
           320  swivel member 
           330  pivot 
           400  clothing rod 
           410  peg 
           500  veil 
       
    
     Definitions 
     Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein, if any, are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-9 , a storage and display article  100  for the transporting and display of wedding veils and accessories includes a article body  210  adapted to fit under a veil  500  so as to support the veil in an upright, i.e., non-inverted position, in order that the veil may be photographed, displayed by a retailer, and/or assessed by a consumer in a natural disposition adjacent a wedding gown. The article body  210  includes an upper portion  220  that is typically arched, a back portion  230  that includes a planar section that may extend over the entire face of the back portion, or only a limited area of the back portion  230 , but in any case, such that the back portion is adapted to rest stably, e.g., with rocking back and forth, against a flat surface such as a table top or wall. The article body  210  also includes a lower portion  240  which may mirror the upper portion in shape, or be truncated. The outer contours of the display body may resemble a half section of a sphere or a transitional shape between a half section of sphere and a quarter section of a sphere. 
     Article body  210  may include a body core  250  of lightweight material such as closed cell foam, open cell foam or styrofoam having a molded exterior texture suitable for display, or, the underlying body core of lightweight material may include a covering  260  of decorative material that is glued, sewn to, or otherwise affixed to the body core. The article body may be penetrable by t-pins or other fasteners to affix a portion of a veil, such as a hair comb, to the display body. The article body may include ties, sewn loops, button holes, hook and loop fasteners or other means for securing a veil or head piece thereto as would be appreciated by those having skill in the art and benefit of the disclosure. 
     Article body  210  may include a hook  300  adapted to hang over a clothing rod, post or peg. Hook  300  may be in a fixed position for hanging on a clothing rod, or swivel so that the veil may be turned to face out from a clothing rod. Typically hook  300  includes a post  310  that is engaged with the upper portion of the display body via a swivel member  320 , which may be any coupling permitting the post to swivel which is molded into or added to the article body at any stage of manufacture. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a display body  210  may incorporate a cavity, a recess or a compartment  270  sized and shaped to store wedding veil accessories, such as pins, hair clips or other small articles for use with the veil. In various embodiments, a compartment  270  may have an access panel  280  situated on the back side  230  of the display body. Access panel  280  may pivot away from an opening  282  to the compartment  270  or it may be removable, e.g., an insert, or plug. Access panel  280  may be unsecured except for a friction fit between the panel sides and the back side of the display body, or secured by hook and loop fasteners, a button and loop, a clasp, a magnet, a snap closure or other customary means that would suggest themselves to those having skill in the art. In addition to practical considerations for storage and packaging purposes, it is contemplated that such a compartment may provide a means for family and friends to convey surprise gifts or notes of best wishes to the bride. 
       FIGS. 1-5   b  depict a veil display and support with a display body  210  having a shape resembling that of a half sphere. The rounded portion of display body  210  is adapted to fit under the crest of a veil, where it is typically affixed to the hair comb portion of the veil. Display body  210  can be solid, or possess a compartment ( FIG. 5 ) accessible from the back portion of the body. The display body may be covered with satin or lace as shown, or other material as desired. Hook  300  may be a metal hook as shown, a molded plastic hook, or a flexible strap that forms a hook or loop which may be placed over a clothing rod, post or peg. Hook  300  may be fixed in place or may swivel about axis of post  310 . Hook  300  may be configured to pivot or fold against body  210 . 
       FIGS. 5 c  and 5 d    depict respectively, a pocketed  274  construction at the back of the display body with and without a pocket flap  278 . While the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 c    shows snap fasteners for securing the pocket flap, any suitable fastener may be employed. 
       FIGS. 6-9  depict a veil display and support with a display body  210  having a shape resembling that of a quarter sphere that otherwise shares elements of the embodiment shown in ( FIGS. 1-5   b ). 
     The following steps outline merely one exemplary method of manufacture that can be employed to produce the veil display and support article of the invention: Molding a foam body in the form of a half section of a sphere or quarter section of a sphere with a substantially planar side opposite that of the rounded portion of the section of a sphere; covering the foam body with a batting and decorative fabric; and installing a hook adapted to swivel to an upper portion of the body. It should be understood that excepting the production of the foam body, the particular steps outlined above may be performed in any order. 
     It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosure encompass any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure, and falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.