Abstract:
A tag comprising: a hang tab body; a hang tab; a ratchet; a cutting channel; a guide channel; and, a tail, the tail comprising teeth and at least one knob. The tail may be fed through the guide channel and the cutting channel into the ratchet, thereby allowing the ratchet to engage the teeth, which in turn prevents the tail from being disengaged from the ratchet, thereby securing the tag to a product. The product may be easily released by severing the portion of the tag in the cutting channel. The cutting channel can also provide a guide which helps to prevent damaging the product as the tag is remove.

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/941,970, filed Jun. 5, 2007. 
    
    
     This application includes material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant disclosure relates to the field of display tags, and in particular to display tags for eyewear. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior to purchasing sun glasses, reading glasses, or other eyewear, a customer will typically browse a store&#39;s selection, trying on different pairs. A variety of eyewear displays are available, with different displays being advantageous for different eyewear styles. For example, some eyewear displays include a tray which supports the frame under the lenses and/or via the nose bridge, and such displays also include a portion for receiving the eyewear arms. Thus, the eyewear is presented in an open manner, and the purchaser can readily observe the eyewear from many angles. While such displays are advantageous in certain settings or with certain eyewear styles, these displays tend to require significant floor space and do not permit a large number of eyewear to be presented to the user in a compact space. To facilitate the presentation of a larger number of eyewear, some displays utilize hang tags from which the eyewear hang. The hang tags allow the eyewear to be displayed with the arms closed, thereby allowing, more eyewear to be displayed in the same retail space as the open-arm displays described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     What is needed is a hang tag that facilitates easy removal by a purchaser without damaging the eyewear or other product being displayed, while providing a means through which the product can be attractively displayed to the purchaser prior to the purchase, and which allows the purchaser to try on the product without unnecessary obstructions. Accordingly, the instant disclosure is directed to a hang tag that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     Additional features and advantages of the double bridged tag will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from this disclosure, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in this written description, including any claims contained herein and the appended drawings. 
     At least one embodiment comprises a double bridged tag which can present eyewear in a substantially horizontal orientation, similar to the orientation the eye wear maintains when worn by a purchaser. Such an orientation allows the purchaser to more easily appreciate the style of the eyewear and envision how the eyewear will look on the purchaser. In at least one such embodiment, at least a portion of the tag may comprise flexible knobs that grip the product being displayed and allow it to maintain a relatively constant orientation regardless of the shape of the product being displayed. 
     At least one embodiment comprises a double bridged tag which can present the eyewear in a substantially vertical orientation by wrapping around or otherwise engaging an arm of the eyewear. 
     At least one embodiment can be used with a variety of product designs having varying thicknesses, thereby reducing the manufacturing and tooling costs associated with having multiple, product-specific tags. By way of example, without limitation, at least one embodiment can be used with a variety of eyewear designs having a variety of bridge thicknesses, thereby obviating the need for individual tags for each different bridge thicknesses. At least some embodiments may also be easy to assemble, thereby allowing significant reductions in production time and tooling costs. 
     In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a double bridged tag comprising: a hang tab body; a hang tab; a guide channel; a ratchet channel, wherein the ratchet channel comprises a ratchet; a cutting channel; and, a tail, wherein the tail comprises teeth and at least one knob. The tail may be fed through the guide channel and over and/or through the cutting channel into the ratchet channel, thereby permitting the ratchet contained therein to engage the teeth. Such engagement can prevent the tail from being disengaged from the ratchet while also permitting the tag to accommodate a variety of product thicknesses. Some embodiments may further comprise a sensor slot, wherein the sensor slot facilitates the placement of an RFID tag or other such security measure proximate to the hang tag. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed double bridged tag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosed double bridged tag and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of at least one embodiment of the disclosed double bridged tag. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear plan view illustrating a double bridged tag according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a right-hand elevation view illustrating a double bridged tag according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustrating a double bridged tag engaged to eyewear, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are rear plan views illustrating a double bridged tag, according to an embodiment of the invention engaging eyewear having a thin bridge and eyewear having a thick bridge, respectively. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a left-hand perspective view illustrating a double bridged tag with the tail in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a left-hand perspective view illustrating a double bridged tag in which the tail has been cut after being engaged, thereby releasing the eyewear. 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side elevation, in section, of the tag according to an embodiment of the invention, taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4   b . 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation of the tag according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary side elevation, in section, of a tag, according to the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7 , wrapped around the bridge of a pair of spectacles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed double bridged tag, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and described in detail herein, one embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. Any numerical values or indicia provided in the illustrations are provided by way of example, and the invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. 
       FIG. 1  is a rear plan view illustrating a double bridged tag  100  according to an embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 2  is a right-hand elevation view thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the double bridged tag  100  comprises, a hang tag body  190  and at least one hang tab  110  to allow double bridged tag  100  to be used with the wide variety of hang tag displays that are commercially available. Although hang tab  110  as shown in  FIG. 1  incorporates a slot hole  115 , other shapes may be used, e.g., a round hole or a 3-hook, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     In various embodiments, double bridged tag  100  may further comprise a sensor slot  120  to accommodate a security article  121  (shown exploded from the tag  100  in  FIG. 1 ) such as an electronic article surveillance sensor, RFID tag, or other security measure which can, for example, assist in reducing shoplifting. 
     As  FIGS. 1 and 2  further illustrate, double bridged tag  100  may comprise a tail  180 , tail  180  having at least one flexible region comprising at least one knob  160 , and teeth  170 . In some embodiments, the entirety of tail  180  is made from the same material as hang tag body  190 . Exemplary materials for hang tag body  190  include, without limitation, polyethylene polyester, or the like. In some embodiments, the portion of tail  180  comprising the at least one knob  160  may further comprise a softer, more flexible material such as, without limitation, silicone. Such material may be a coating over the underlying material of tail  180 , or the region comprising the at least one knob  160  may be made of the material. In some embodiments, tail  180  may be made of a material dissimilar to that of tag body  190 . 
     In an embodiment, to engage eyewear comprising thin eyewear bridges within the double bridged tag  100 , the bridge of the eyewear can be placed in contact with the portion of tail  180  comprising the at least one knob  160 . Tail  180  is then fed through guide channel  150  and across and/or through cutting channel  140  into ratchet channel  130 . As a result, a ratchet within ratchet channel  130  can engage teeth  170 , thereby limiting the movement of tail  180  to a direction which further engages tail  180 . In an embodiment, tail  180  can be fed into ratchet channel  130  until tail  180  has firmly engaged the eyewear. Once the eyewear is firmly engaged, the one way motion of ratchet channel  130  prevents the eyewear from being unintentionally disengaged from the double bridged tag  100 , thereby reducing shoplifting. 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustrating a double bridged tag  100  in which the tail  180  has firmly engaged the eyewear. The double bridged tag  100  may now be displayed on a hang tag display. As  FIG. 3  illustrates, the at least one knob  160  provides an enhanced gripping surface for eyewear comprising thin eyewear bridges when the double bridged tag  100  is engaged. As illustrated in the figures, teeth  170  may be recessed into the tag. However, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, teeth  170  need not be recessed and may be provided by alternate means without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 4   a  is a rear plan view illustrating a double bridged tag  100  in which tail  180  has firmly engaged eyewear having a thin bridge.  FIG. 4   b  is a rear plan view illustrating a double bridged tag  100  in which tail  180  has firmly engaged eyewear having a thick bridge. As  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate, tail  180 , at least one knob  160 , teeth  170 , and ratchet  130  allow double bridged tag  100  to be used with eyewear having varying bridge thicknesses. Further, tail  180 , at least one knob  160 , teeth  170 , and ratchet  130  allow the double bridged tag  100  to display a wide variety of products including, but not limited to belts and watches. 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are left-hand perspective views illustrating a cutting channel arrangement according to an embodiment. Cutting channel  140  permits a purchaser to disengage the eyewear from the double bridged tag  100  after purchasing the eyewear. As illustrated in  FIG. 5   b , a cutting instrument, such as, without limitation, a pair of scissors may be inserted into cutting channel  140  to sever the portion of tail  180  located between ratchet channel  130  and guide channel  150 . Cutting channel  140  can help eliminate the risk of damaging the eyewear during disengagement that is associated with hang tab designs in the prior art. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  but additionally to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is an enlarge fragmentary sectional of the structure of ratchet or locking channel  130  and guide channel  150 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4   b . Guide channel  150  may be defined by guide arch  155 , which may be molded as part of, or otherwise position on, tag body  190 . The guide arch  155  upstands from a guide base  157   a  with the upstanding guide arch  155  to form the guide channel  150 . The guide base  157   a  has a top surface  157   b  supported by sidewalls  157   c  extending down to the tag body  190 . The guide arch  155  sits on the top surface  157   b  of the guide base  157   a  and includes a top or distal wall  157   d  supported by two sidewalls  157   e  extending up from the guide base  157   a . Ratchet channel  130  may be defined by ratchet or locking arch  135 , which may be molded as part of, or otherwise positioned on, tag body  190 . The ratchet arch  135  upstands from a ratchet base  137   a  with the upstanding ratchet arch  135  to form the ratchet channel  130 . The ratchet base  137   a  has a top surface  137   b  supported by sidewalls  137   c  extending down to the tag body  190 . The ratchet arch  135  sits on the top surface  137   b  of the ratchet base  137   a  and includes a top or distal wall  137   d  supported by two sidewalls  137   e  extending up from the ratchet base  137   a . By being set apart, the ratchet base  137   a  and the guide base  157   a  form a lower recessed portion of the cutting channel  140  therebetween and relatively below the channels  130 ,  150 . Arch  135  may include, as part of the ratchet mechanism, pawl  145 , which may be wedge-shaped, as illustrated, or which may have any other suitable shape (e.g., a rectangular cross-section) effective to serve as a ratchet mechanism in cooperation with teeth  170 . Teeth  170  may be triangular ramp-like structures, as shown in  FIG. 6 , or other cross-sectional configurations may be employed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , when tail  180  is wrapped around a portion of an article, such as bridge  300  of spectacles  310 , knobs  160  will bear against a portion of the outer surface of bridge  300 , and teeth  170  may deform. 
     In embodiments of the invention, teeth  170  are disposed on opposing sides of tail  180 , and extend substantially along the: entire length of tail  180 . In particular, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5   b , teeth  170  disposed on the side of tail  180  which is facing away from the observer of  FIG. 1 , extend substantially from the free end of tail  180  all the way to a position opposite knobs  160 , as reflected in  FIG. 6 . In some applications, however, e.g., when tag  100  is tasked to hold eyeglasses having narrow bridges, it may be desirable to provide more material for the thickness of tail  180  in the vicinity of knobs  160 , for enhanced strength and resistance to cracking or splitting of the material. Accordingly, in alternative embodiments of the invention, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 7 , teeth  170 ′ of tag  100 ′ do not extend the entire length of tail  180 ′, on the side of tail  180 ′ which is opposite that from which knobs  160 ′ emanate, but instead teeth  170 ′ stop short of the position of knobs  160 ′.  FIG. 8  illustrates, in a fragmentary side sectional elevation, a tag according to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , with tail  180 ′ wrapped around bridge  300 ′, and knobs  160 ′ gripping bridge  300 ′. 
     While detailed and specific embodiments of the double bridged tag have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the double bridged tag. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover these modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of any appended claims and/or their equivalents.