# Patent

## Title
Display unit adapted to secure cuff links

## Abstract

A display unit for combining a fabric fashion accessory such as a necktie to jewelry such as cufflinks includes a substrate having first and second panels arranged along an axis, a pair of first flaps attached to the first panel and being pivotally mounted in a direction generally parallel to the axis, a fold at the union of the first and second panels, a first hole disposed proximate to or at the fold in the substrate, a securement that holds the first and second panels to one another and a hanger seated in the first hole comprising a hook and a downwardly depending neck, and a pair of second holes extending through only one of the at least first and second panels which is sized to receive a stem of the jewelry. A method for combining jewelry and a fabric fashion is provided as well.

## Background
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from application Ser. No. 11/216,268 filed Aug. 30, 2005, entitled “Tie & Handkerchief Retail Display Unit,” which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to retail display units for clothing and clothing accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally desirable in the sale of fashion items and accessories to present the merchandise in a manner that permits potential customers to have a good look at the products. It is also important for retailers to be able to maintain the orderly condition of their wares so that their displays remain attractive to passersby. Packaging is conventionally selected to address these needs; however, special considerations come into play when selling multiple products together, such as when selling a necktie and handkerchief in combination, or when selling fabric fashion accessories such as neckties and handkerchiefs with cuff links or other jewelry. For example, it is desirable to permit them to be priced and sold as a unit and to prevent separation of one from the other. There is a need in the art for improved display units adapted to the sale of such combinations. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a display unit for a tie and handkerchief is provided which comprises a substrate having at least first and second panels that are arranged adjacent one another along an axis. A first pair of flaps is attached to the first panel on opposing sides of the axis and are connected for pivotal movement in a first direction that is generally parallel to the axis. A second pair of flaps are attached to the second panel, on opposing sides of the axis, and are also pivotal in the first direction. A fold is defined at the union of the at least first and second panels, and a hole is disposed proximate to or at the fold. A securement holds the at least first and second panels in a closed configuration with the tie and handkerchief disposed in the display unit. A hanger is seated in the hole and includes a hook for mounting the display unit to a display, a neck depending downwardly from the hook, and an engagement surface which seats the hanger within the substrate.
In accordance with a more particular aspect of the embodiment of the invention, the engagement surface of the hanger includes opposing shoulders, each of which has a slot that extends toward one another. In this aspect, top and bottom portions of the shoulders receive a portion of the substrate within the respective slots to thereby engage the hanger to the substrate.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method for combining a necktie and handkerchief into a display unit is provided. The method comprises the steps of disposing the handkerchief and the tie on a substrate of the display unit. The substrate has a first and second panel, such as described above. A first pair of flaps extending from a panel are secured to one another over the combined tie and handkerchief. The first panel is folded so as to overlie the second panel with the handkerchief and tie disposed therebetween. The first and second panel are secured to one another to complete the combination. In a preferred method, a hanger is coupled to the substrate.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a display unit for securing jewelry together with a fabric fashion accessory is provided which comprises a substrate having at least first and second panels that are arranged adjacent one another along an axis. A first pair of flaps is attached on opposing sides of the axis and are connected for pivotal movement in a first direction that is generally parallel to the axis. A fold is defined at the union of the first and second panels, and a first hole is disposed proximate to or at the fold. A securement holds the at least first and second panels in a closed configuration with the fabric fashion accessory(ies) and any jewelry disposed in and projecting from the display unit. A hanger is seated in the first hole and has a hook for mounding the display unit to a display, and a neck depending downwardly from the hook and extending through the first hole. A pair of second holes extend through only one of the at least first and second panels and is sized to receive a stem of a piece of jewelry. In accordance with a more particular aspect, the display unit can but need not include a reinforcement which has a pair of third holes disposed in register with the pair of second holes and sized so as to receive the stem of the jewelry.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method for combining jewelry and a fabric fashion accessory into a display unit is provided which comprising the steps of disposing the fabric fashion accessory on a substrate of the display unit. The substrate has a first panel and a second panel, such as described above. A pair of flaps extend from the second panel of the substrate and are secured to one another over the fabric fashion accessory to complete the display unit. A stem of the jewelry is inserted through a respective hole in one of the first and second panels while in an unengaged position, and the stem is then moved to the engaged position. The second panel is folded so as to overlie the first panel with the fabric fashion accessory disposed therebetween prior to securing the first panel to the second panel. In a preferred method, a hanger is coupled to the substrate.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an inside top plan view of the display unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the hanger in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a first variation of the hanger of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a second variation of the hanger of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the display unit with flaps in the first position.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the display unit with flaps folded into the second position.
FIG. 7 is an inside top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating a tie and a handkerchief when disposed thereupon.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
By way of overview and introduction, a present invention provides a display unit 10 for securing a tie and handkerchief together for presentation to potential customers. The display unit 10 secures the tie and handkerchief so as to permit them to be priced and sold as a unit, and so as to prevent separation of one from the other. More generally, the present invention provides a display suitable for securing various fabric fashion accessories to articles of jewelry for presentation to potential customers. Thus, a display unit in accordance with the invention can secure, by way of example, a necktie and a pair of cufflinks together, a necktie and handkerchief combination together with a pair of cufflinks, or a handkerchief or scarf together with a pin or broach. For ease of discussion, a display unit principally adapted to secure a necktie and handkerchief is described. However, it is to be understood that one or more features can be omitted or combined with other features in order to implement a display unit suitable for securing together particular fabric fashion accessories and/or jewelry.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the display unit 10 that comprises a substrate 90 having a first panel 100 and a second panel 300 arranged along an axis A upon which the tie and handkerchief (not shown) are to be disposed. The entire display unit 10 can be composed of cardboard or any other material that can flex about a fold 202. In the illustrated embodiment, flaps 320, 360 extend from the second panel 300 on one side of the axis A and flaps 340, 380 extend from the opposite side of the axis A. Flaps 320, 360 can instead comprise a single flap, and flaps 340, 380 can also comprise a single flap. A single flap is particularly suitable when the only fabric fashion accessory being secured within the display unit 10 is a necktie or a handkerchief; however, a single flap can be used to secure both a necktie or a handkerchief, if desired.
Preferably, the flaps have notches 303, 305, 307, 309, as illustrated, which affix opposing flaps 320, 340 and 369, 380 together. Instead of notches, the flaps can be affixed with other securements such as a crimp, glue, tape, or other arrangements of fingers and slots than as illustrated.
Each of these flaps 320, 340, 360, 380 preferably can fold or pivot generally parallel to the axis A at 302, 304, 306, 308. Such movement of the panels better accommodates the thickness of the fabric fashion accessory (e.g., the tie and/or handkerchief).
The display unit 10 also comprises a hole 200 in the union of the first and second panels to be used by the hanger 400, described below. Preferably, the hole 200 is aligned with the fold 202 so that the hanger 400 projects directly from a top margin of the display unit 10, when folded at 202 (see FIG. 5).
Referring again to FIG. 1 the first panel 100 includes first flaps 120, 140 extending from opposing sides of the first panel 100 on either side of the axis A. Preferably, each flap 120, 140 is pivotal about folds 102, 104 in a direction generally parallel to the axis A so as to move from a first position disposed away from the axis A (as shown in FIG. 5) to a second position that abuts or overlies the first panel (as shown in FIG. 6). As illustrated (in FIG. 5), flap 120 has a securement 122 usable to secure the first and second panels in the folded position shown in FIG. 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hanger 400 comprises a hook 401 and a neck 430 extending downwardly toward an engagement surface which can be larger than the hole 200 in at least one dimension in order to secure the hanger to the substrate 90. The neck 430 extends the hook 401 above the fold line 202 to facilitate hanging the display unit 10. In an alternative arrangement, the engagement surface comprises a separate component which can be mounted to the neck after having disposed the neck through the hole 200, as described below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement surface can comprise first and second shoulders 402, 404. The shoulders each have top and bottom surfaces with a slot 410, 420 therebetween. The slot extends toward each other to a depth, leaving a base 442 that connects the shoulder portions to the neck 430. An internal cavity 412 is in communication with and is sized to permit engagement of the hook in the hole so that the top and bottom portions can be seated on opposing sides of the substrate 90.
A variation of the engagement surface 440 is shown in FIG. 3 and has a hook 501 and a bulbous end 502 at the bottom of the hanger 500 sized to be urged through the hole 200 in the display unit 10 in at least one dimension and stay seated therein while overcoming the weight of the tie, handkerchief and display unit 10. In other words, the hole 200 is somewhat smaller than the center of the bulbous end 502 in at least one dimension.
Another variation of the engagement surface 440 is shown in FIG. 4 and has a hook 601 and a pointed end 602 at the bottom of the hanger 600 sized to be urged through the hole 200 in the display unit 10 in at least one dimension and stay seated therein while overcoming the weight of the tie, handkerchief and display unit 10. In other words, the hole 200 is somewhat smaller than a portion of the pointed end 602 in at least one dimension.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, the first panel 100 has holes 106, 108 which are optionally provided in order to seat a pair of cufflinks. As can be appreciated, fewer or additional holes can be provided, as appropriate to seat a particular jewelry item. The holes are in the first panel 100 but not the second panel 300 so that the jewelry can be mounted to the display unit 10 with its clasp or closure mechanism disposed between the first and second panels when the panels are connected to one another. In this way, the jewelry is secured to the display unit so as to impede separation of the jewelry from the display unit.
FIG. 1 further illustrates a reinforcement member 150 which can be disposed within the display unit. The reinforcement member 150 includes at least holes 156, 158 which are in register with the holes 106, 108. The clasp or stem of the jewelry to be mounted on the display unit 10 (e.g., the stem of a cufflink) is passed through the holes 106, 108 of the panel 100 and through the holes 156, 158 of the reinforcement member 150 while in an unengaged position and then moved to an engaged position in which the jewelry is secured to the display unit. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of cufflinks, for example, has its adorned surface projecting from the panel 100 and its stem passing through the panel for engagement on the inner surface of the panel shown in FIG. 1. The reinforcement member 150, if provided, makes it more difficult for a person to dislodge the jewelry from the display unit 10.
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative to the reinforcement member 150 of FIG. 1. A reinforcement member 450 has holes 456, 458 that are in register with holes 106, 108 of the first panel 100. In addition, the reinforcement member 450 can serve as an engagement surface 460 to engage the substrate 90 when the hanger 600 is inserted into the hole 200. This is appropriate, for example, when the pointed end 602 at the bottom of the hanger 600 is sized relative to the hole 200 (e.g., smaller than the hole) such that a further component is needed to support the weight of the articles being contained in the display unit 10. The reinforcement member 450 has a catch 470 which securely receives and retains the pointed end 602 of the hanger 600. The catch 470 preferably comprises a pair of resilient fingers 472 at least one of which has a chamfered edge 474 that resistively flexes in response to advancement of the wide portion of the pointed end 602 into a cavity 476, yet resiliently restores to a rest position after a trailing edge 604 of the pointed end 602 has been urged passed the chamfered edges 474 (as shown). In use, the reinforcement member 450 is disposed on the inner surface of the substrate 90 shown in FIG. 1, the pointed end 602 (or bulbous end 502 of FIG. 3) is inserted through the hole 200 from the opposite side of the substrate, and the pointed (or bulbous) end is seated within the cavity 476.
A method for combining a necktie and handkerchief into a display unit 10 can comprise the following steps. The handkerchief is first disposed onto the substrate 90 with the panels 320-380 in the first position (as shown in FIG. 1). The flaps 360, 380 are folded on top of the handkerchief into the second position and secured together (see FIG. 7). Preferably, the top portion of the handkerchief is then folded over the flaps 360, 380. A necktie is then disposed on top of the handkerchief and the flaps 360, 380 also onto the substrate 90. The flaps 320, 340 are then folded on top of the necktie into the second position and secured together (as shown in FIG. 7). The second panel 300 is then folded along the fold 202 as to overlie the first panel 100 with the handkerchief and necktie disposed therebetween. The first flaps 120, 140 are then folded over the now connected first panel 100 and second panel 300 and secured using the securement 122 (as shown in FIG. 6).
At one point in the process, the engagement surface of the hanger 400 is brought into contact with the substrate to complete the display unit.
Cufflinks or other jewelry are preferably mounted to the display unit before the panels of the display unit are connected to one another. As noted above, cufflinks or other articles of jewelry can be mounted to the display unit with a variety of fabric fashion accessories, including neckties, handkerchiefs, scarves, and combinations of various fabric fashion accessories. The jewelry is in an “unengaged” position when it is configured to be attached to an article of clothing and is in an “engaged” position when its clasp or stem have been oriented to secure the jewelry to the article of clothing.
While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments thereof, the invention is capable of being practiced in other forms and using other materials and structures. Accordingly, the invention is defined without limitation by the recitations in the claims appended hereto and equivalents thereof.

## Claims

1. A display unit for securing jewelry together with a fabric fashion accessory, comprising:
a substrate having a first panel and a second panel arranged along an axis and being integral and continuous with the first panel,
a pair of first flaps, each flap being attached to the first panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis and being pivotal in a first direction that is generally parallel to the axis;
a pair of second flaps, each flap being attached to opposite side edges of the second panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis being pivotal in the first direction;
a pair of third flaps, each flap being attached to the opposing side edges of the second panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis being pivotal in the first direction;
a first hole through the substrate;
a fold defined at the union of the first and second panels; wherein the pairs of second and third flaps are located on the same side of the fold when the substrate is flat prior to being folded into an assembled position;
a hanger having a hook and a neck depending downwardly from the hook, the hook extending through the first hole;
a securement holding the pair of first and second panels to one another; and
a pair of second holes through only one of the first and second panels and sized to receive a stem of the jewelry, wherein in an assembled position, the first panel overlies the fabric fashion accessory that is disposed between the folded first and second panels, the jewelry overlying the fabric fashion accessory, wherein the pair of first flaps has dimensions greater than dimensions of the pairs of second and third flaps such that when in the assembled position. the first flaps are folded on top of one another and on top of both the second and third flaps when the second and third flaps are folded and secured to one another resulting in the first flaps at least partially covering the pairs of second and third flaps.

2. The display unit of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement having a pair of third holes disposed in register with the pair of second holes so as to receive the stem of the jewelry, the reinforcement being disposed along a rear surface of the first panel.

3. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the neck extends the hook above the fold line to facilitate hanging the display unit.

4. The display unit of claim 1, further comprising an engagement surface having first and second shoulders each having a top portion and a bottom portion and a respective slot separating the top and bottom portions, the slot of each shoulder extending toward the other shoulder to a depth.

5. The display unit of claim 4, wherein the slots extend toward one another.

6. The display unit of claim 4, further comprising an internal cavity within the first shoulder, wherein the slot of the first shoulder communicates with the internal cavity.

7. The display unit of claim 6, wherein the internal cavity is disposed below the slot of the first shoulder and disposed inwardly of the depth of the first shoulder slot.

8. The display unit of claim 7, wherein the internal cavity extends toward the second shoulder yet remains out of communication with the slot of the second shoulder.

9. The display unit of claim 4, wherein the slots of the first and second shoulders engage the substrate when the hanger is disposed within the first hole.

10. The display unit of claim 1, further comprising an engagement surface having first and second shoulders, wherein the first hole has a first dimension in the first direction and a second dimension in a second direction that is generally transverse to the axis, wherein the first and second shoulders extend away from one another so as to have a combined length which is longer than the second dimension.

11. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the first hole is aligned with the axis.

12. The display unit of claim 1, wherein at least one flap in the pair of first flaps and at least one flap in the pair of second flaps has a first position disposed away from the axis and is moveable to a second position that overlies the axis.

13. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are movable about the fold so as to abut one another on opposite sides of the fold and secure the jewelry and fabric fashion accessory together.

14. A retail display comprising:
a substrate having a first panel and a second panel arranged along an axis,
a pair of first flaps, each flap being attached to the first panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis being pivotal in a first direction that is generally parallel to the axis;
a pair of second flaps, the flaps being attached to opposing side edges of the second panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis being pivotal in the first direction;
a first hole through the substrate;
a fold defined at the union of the first and second panels;
a hanger seated in the hole, the hanger comprising a hook, a neck depending downwardly from the hook, and an engagement surface connected to the neck which surface is larger than the hole;
a securement holding the pair of first and second panels to one another;
a handkerchief that is disposed onto the substrate, the pair of second flaps being folded and secured to one another to secure the handkerchief along the second panel;
a tie disposed over the handkerchief and over the folded, secured pair of second flaps;
wherein in an assembled position, the substrate is folded about the fold resulting in the first and second panels to overlie one another with the handkerchief and tie disposed between the first and second panels;
a pair of second holes formed only through the first panel and sized to receive a stem of jewelry, with the second panel being free of any corresponding holes such that in the assembled, a closure of the jewelry is disposed between the folded first panel and the second panel; and
a pair of third flaps, the third flaps being attached to the opposing side edges of the second panel of the substrate on an opposing side of the axis being pivotal in the first direction, the pair of third flaps being folded over the necktie and secured to one another, wherein the pairs of second and third flaps are located on the same side of the fold when the substrate is flat prior to being folded into an assembled position, the second panel being integral and continuous with the first panel, wherein in the assembled position, the jewelry and portions of the tie and the handkerchief are displayed in a layered manner.

15. The retail display of claim 14, wherein the tie is folded prior to being over the handkerchief and the folded pair of second flaps.

16. The retail display of claim 14, wherein in the assembled position, a portion of the handkerchief and the tie is visible below the overlying first and second panels.