Patent Publication Number: US-9420910-B2

Title: Snap-on twist-off tag for a hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a National Stage Application, claiming priority to PCT/IB2011/002206 filed 21 Jun. 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/356,970, filed on Jun. 21, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments described and claimed herein relate generally to tags for hangers used for hanging garments or other objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Today, many garment retailers use sizers to assist in identifying a garment hanging on a hanger. Typically, a sizer has descriptive information on it (e.g., a number or indicia such as the latter(s) S, M, L, XL, among others) that relates to the garment attached to the hanger. Sizers help manufacturers, retailers and purchasers by allowing garments of a particular size to be organized, displayed and easily seen. 
     Sizers currently available in the market are typically made to attach to the hanger so that once a sizer is attached, it does not fall off the hanger while in transit or as customers peruse a particular garment selection. In this regard, these sizers are designed so that they are not easily removable and cannot be removed unless a tool is used to remove them from the hanger. Attempting to remove such sizers by hand typically damages either the sizer or the hanger, rendering either one or both unusable for future use. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a push-on-twist-off tag (tag) for a hanger is provided, wherein the tag includes a top end, a bottom end, and a body portion connecting the top end and the bottom end. The top end has at least one inwardly directed tab and at least one primary locking edge adapted to lock the tag to a corresponding locking surface on a neck portion of the hanger. Further, the top end includes an opening adjacent to the at least one inwardly directed tab adapted to receive the neck portion of the hanger, the opening having a lateral opening width and a diagonal opening dimension. The body is resiliently expandable in a direction of the lateral opening width to unlock the tag, such that the lateral opening width increases to a temporarily increased lateral opening dimension equal to at least the diagonal opening dimension upon rotation of the tag about the neck portion of the hanger to unlock the tag. 
     In another embodiment, a hanger and snap-on-twist-off tag (hereinafter referred to as tag) combination is disclosed. In this embodiment, the hanger includes a body, a boss, and a hook. The tag, in turn, includes a top end, a bottom end, and a body portion connecting the top end and the bottom end. The top end has at least one inwardly directed tab and at least one locking edge adapted to lock the tag to the boss of the hanger. The top end also has an opening adjacent to the locking edge adapted to receive the boss, wherein the opening has a lateral opening width that corresponds to a width of the boss and a diagonal opening dimension that corresponds to a diagonal dimension of the boss, wherein the body portion of the tag is resiliently expandable in a direction of the lateral opening width, such that the lateral opening width increases to a temporarily increased lateral opening dimension equal to at least the diagonal opening dimension upon rotation of the tag about the boss to unlock the tag 
     In yet another embodiment, a hanger and snap-on-twist-off tag (hereinafter referred to as tag) combination is disclosed. In this embodiment, the hanger includes a body, a boss, and a hook. The tag includes a top end, a bottom end, a body portion connecting the top end and the bottom end, and an opening adjacent to the top end, wherein the body is resiliently expandable. In this embodiment the tag has a locked position, wherein the tag is longitudinally aligned with the body of the hanger, wherein the tag is locked to the top portion of the hanger and cannot be moved freely in any direction, and wherein the boss of the hanger extends through the opening of the tag. The tag also has an unlocked position of the tag, wherein the tag is perpendicularly aligned with the body of the hanger, wherein the boss of the hanger extends through the opening of the of the tag, and wherein the tag is movable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, objects, and advantages of the embodiments described and claimed herein will become better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the snap-on-twist-off tag (referred to as tag); 
         FIG. 1B  is a top elevational view of same; 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear elevational view of same; 
         FIG. 1D  is a side elevational view of same; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a hanger; 
         FIG. 2B  is an elevational view of a neck portion of a hanger; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate the steps for attaching the snap-on-twist-off tag to the neck portion of a hanger; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate the steps for removing the snap-on-twist-off tag from the neck portion of the hanger; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tag according to an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a tag according to an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a top elevational view of a tag according to an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6C  is a rear elevational view of a tag according to an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a tag according to an alternative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view snap-on-twist-off tag and hanger combination. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments described and claimed herein or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the inventions described herein are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated. Indeed, it is expected that persons of ordinary skill in the art may devise a number of alternative configurations that are similar and equivalent to the embodiments shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. 
     Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from figure to figure in the following detailed description of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1A , an exemplary snap-on-twist-off tag  100  (hereinafter referred to as a “tag  100 ” or “sizer  100 ”) is shown in perspective view. The tag  100  includes a top end  102 , a bottom end  104 , and a body portion  106 . The top end  102 , among other features, includes an opening  114 , a first and second primary locking edges  130  and  132 , a first secondary locking edge  134 , and a first inwardly directed tab  118 . The opening  114  has a lateral opening width  144  and a diagonal opening dimension  146 . The body portion, in turn, has inclined sidewalls  108 , parallel sidewalls  110 , and beveled sidewalls  112 . 
     Before describing the features of tag  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D  more fully, the components typically associated with and used in connection with the tag  100  should be noted. The tag  100  is typically used in connection with a hanger and the body portion  106  generally includes identification information of the item that is to be hanged from the hanger.  FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hanger  150 . The hanger  150  includes a base  151 , a frame  152 , a neck portion  154  (also referred to as a boss  154 ), and a hole  156  for receiving a hook (not shown in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 2B  is an elevational view of the neck portion  154 . The neck portion  154  includes at least one corresponding locking surface. The least one corresponding locking surface is at a right angle to the neck portion  154 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the at least one corresponding locking surface is a protrusion that protrudes from the neck portion  154 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the neck portion  154  includes a first and second corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 , both of which are at right angles to the neck portion  154 . 
     In one embodiment, the hanger  150  is a garment hanger for hanging different types of garments. In this embodiment, the body portion  106  includes a description relating to the garment. For instance, the body portion  106  may include a size description (e.g., S, M, L, XL) of the garment that is to be hanged. In another embodiment, the hanger  150  is a hanger for hanging different tools, such as a screw driver or a wrench. In this embodiment, the tag  100  includes a size description or other identification information relating to the tool that is to be hanged. It should be noted that as a general matter that that tag  100  is not just limited to being used in the embodiments disclosed. 
     It should be understood that the neck portion  154  or the hanger  150  may include other features and is not limited to the design shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . For instance,  FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of a neck portion of a hanger. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a neck portion includes an indentation, which forms a corresponding locking surface, wherein the corresponding locking surface is at a right angle to the neck portion. In alternative embodiment, the neck portion  154  includes flanges that protrude out of the neck portion  154 . 
     Regardless of what the tag  100  is used for, the tag  100  has at least three different positions relative to the hanger  150 : an unlocked position, a locked position, and a removed or unlatched position. 
     In the locked position, the tag  100  is longitudinally aligned with the body of the hanger  150  and the tag  100  is locked or snapped-on to the neck portion  154 . In this position, the tag  100  is pushed fully downwards so that a part of the neck portion  154  and the first and second corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  of the neck portion  154  are positioned above the opening  114 . The first corresponding locking surface  158  engages with the first primary locking edge  130  of the tag  100  and the second corresponding locking surface  159  engages with the second primary locking edge  132  of the tag  100  to lock the tag  100  to the locked position. The first and second corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  prevent the tag  100  from moving from side to side or upwards. In the locked position, the tag  100  is locked to the neck portion  154  and cannot be moved freely in any direction. 
     Once the tag  100  is in the locked position (i.e., referred to as the locked tag  100 ), the locked tag  100  cannot be removed from the hanger  150  by hand by pulling it from the neck portion  154  without damaging the tag  100  or the neck portion  154  (or both). In this regard, when the locked tag  100  is pulled by hand to remove it from the neck portion  154 , the first primary locking edge  130 , the second primary locking edge  132 , the first and second corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 , and/or other features of the tag  100  or hanger  150  are damaged, rendering either the tag  100  or hanger  150  (or both) unusable for future use. Any of these features may break or crack when the tag  100  is pulled away from the neck portion  154  by hand. 
     In addition, once the tag  100  is in the locked or snapped into the hanger, squeezing or pinching the body portion  106  (e.g. pinching either the parallel side walls  110  or the inclined side walls  108 ) to remove tag  100  does not assist in removing the tag  100  from the neck portion  154 . In fact, squeezing or pinching the body portion  106  makes it more difficult to remove the tag  100  from the neck portion  154 . When the parallel sidewalls  110  of the body portion  106  are squeezed or pinched towards each other, the first primary locking edge  130  is forced towards the first corresponding locking surface  158  and the second primary locking edge  132  is forced towards the corresponding locking surface  159 . In effect, each of the first and second primary locking edges engage with the first and second corresponding locking surfaces even more, resulting in a tighter engagement between the first corresponding locking surface  158  and the first primary locking edge  130  and the second corresponding locking surface  159  and the second primary locking edge  132 , making it more difficult for the tag  100  to be removed from the neck portion  154 . 
     The locked tag  100  is designed to be removed without using a removal tool by first twisting or rotating the tag  100  by 90 degrees about the neck portion  152 , and then lifting it upward. The resulting position of the tag  100  after rotating it or twisting it by 90 degrees is known as the unlocked position. The tag  100  can be forced upwardly from the locked position, but only with difficulty (such as prying with a sharp tool). This is especially true because gripping the tag on the two large flat and parallel sidewalls  110  of the body portion  106  tends to make it more difficult to slide the tag upward, because compressing the body potion in a direction perpendicular to the parallel sidewalls of the body portion  106  will tend to increase the engagement of the locking edges  130  and  132  with the locking surfaces  158  and  159 . It should also be noted that the inclined sidewalls  108  are not effective surfaces to grip in order to remove the tag  100 , because the sloping and smooth nature of surfaces of inclined sidewalls  108  makes it difficult to apply any significant upward force to the tag  100 . 
     In the unlocked position, the tag  100  is perpendicularly aligned with the frame  152  and tag  100  is movable. In this position, the first and second corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  are positioned above the opening  114 . The corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 , however, are not engaged with their respective primary locking edges  130  and  132 . Because the corresponding locking surfaces do not engage the primary locking edges, the tag  100  is movable in the upward direction. 
     While the tag  100  is movable in the unlocked position, it cannot be freely moved in this position. In the unlocked position, the tag  100  is frictionally latched to the neck portion  154  by way of at least one secondary locking edge  134 . The first secondary locking edge  134  prevents the tag  100  from being moved freely. In one embodiment, upward force is applied at the bottom end  104  of the tag  100  to overcome the frictional force that latches the tag  100  to the neck portion  154 . In an alternative embodiment, the tag  100  is pulled from the top end  102  to overcome the friction force that latches the tag  100  to the neck portion  154  in the unlocked position. In this regard, the tag  100  can be pulled by hand to remove the tag  100  in the unlocked position but not in the locked position. 
     In the unlatched or removed position, the tag  100  is not affixed to the neck portion  154 . In one embodiment, the tag  100  is completely removed from the hanger  150 . In another embodiment, the tag  100  rests above the neck portion  154  after a hook is passed through the opening  114  of the tag  100 . In this regard, the removed position is the position in which the tag  100  can be moved freely in any direction relative to frame  152  of the hanger  150 . 
     Before describing the other features of tag  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D  more fully, it should be noted as a general matter that the tag  100  (top end  102 , bottom end  104 , and the body portion  106 ) is made of a flexible material that is resiliently expandable. Resiliently expandable means that when the tag  100  is able to expand from an original dimension to an expanded dimension without breaking under the stress of expansion, and returns to substantially its original dimension. The material of the tag  100  can be made of any common injection moldable plastic, and need only have sufficient resilience to allow the tag  100  to be expanded repeatedly and return to substantially its original shape repeatedly. To explain by way of an example, in one embodiment as the tag  100  is attached to a neck portion of a hanger, the opening  114  expands such that the lateral opening width  144  increases to a first temporarily increased lateral opening dimension. After the neck portion  154  of the hanger  150  is pushed through the opening  114 , the opening  114  immediately returns to its original dimensions such that the first temporarily increased lateral opening dimension decreases to the lateral opening width  144 . 
     To explain by way of another example, after the tag  100  is attached and locked to the neck portion of a hanger, when the tag  100  is rotated or twisted about the neck portion  154  of the hanger  150 , the lateral opening width  144  increases to a second temporarily increased lateral opening dimension as the tag  100  is rotated about the neck portion  154 . In one embodiment, the second temporarily increased lateral opening dimension is equal to the diagonal opening dimension  146  of the tag  100 . After the tag  100  is rotated by 90 degrees, the opening  114  immediately returns to its original dimensions such that the second temporarily increased lateral opening dimension decreases to the lateral opening width  144 . 
     Now returning to  FIGS. 1A-1D , the tag  100  is shown in a removed or unlatched position. The tag  100 , as noted above, includes a top end  102 , a bottom end  104 , and a body portion  106 . The body portion  106  connects the top end  102  to the bottom end  104  and that the top end  102  and bottom end  104  are at least partially open: the top end  102  includes an opening  114  and the bottom end  104  includes an opening  116  (shown in  FIG. 1C ). 
     In one embodiment, the body portion  106  includes a plurality of inclined side walls  108 , a plurality of parallel side walls  110 , and a plurality of beveled walls  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the body portion  106  includes two inclined sidewalls  108 , two parallel side walls  110 , and four beveled walls  112 . The two inclined side walls  108  slope upwards from the bottom end  104  to the top end  102  such the length of the parallel sidewalls  110  at the bottom end  104  is greater than the length of the parallel sidewall  110  at the top end  102 . Each inclined side wall  108  is connected to the parallel sidewall  108  by way of a beveled wall  112 . The opening  116  that contours the general shape of the sidewalls  108 ,  110 , and beveled walls  112 . 
     The resulting configuration of the tag  100  is that of a hollow trapezoidal shaped prism that has no protrusions on the inside walls of the tag  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the tag  100  has an internal cavity with no protrusions within the internal cavity. 
     It should be understood that the body portion  106  need not be in the shape of a trapezoidal shaped prism and that body portion may have other shapes. For instance, in one embodiment, the beveled walls  112  are curved so there are no straight edges on the body portion  106 . In another embodiment, the body portion  106  is in the shape of a hollow rectangular shaped prism. In yet another embodiment, the inclined sidewalls  108  may be connected directly to one of the parallel sidewalls  110  without first connecting to the beveled walls  112 . 
     The top end  102  includes a plurality of inwardly directed tabs (hereinafter referred to as tabs) and at least one primary locking edge. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the top end  102  includes four tabs:  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124 . In one embodiment, the inwardly directed tabs include a planar surface, wherein the inwardly directed tabs define a portion of the opening  114 . The top end  102  also includes two connecting tabs: a first connecting tab  126  and a second connecting tab  128 . The top end  102  includes at least two primary locking edges: a first primary locking edge  130 , a second primary locking edge  132 . The top end  102  also includes at least four secondary locking edges: a first secondary locking edge  134 , a second secondary locking edge  136 , a third secondary locking edge  148 , and a fourth secondary locking edge  140 . The top end  102  also includes a plurality of expansion edges  142  and two expansion slots  149 . 
     The first and second primary locking edges  130  and  132  engage with corresponding locking surfaces on a neck portion of a hanger. In the locked position, the first and second primary locking edges  130  and  132  extend below the corresponding locking surfaces such that the corresponding locking surfaces extend over and above the first and second primary locking edges  130  and  132 . The configuration prevents the tag  100  from being moved in the locked position. 
     In contrast to the primary locking edges  130  and  132 , the secondary locking edges  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  do not engage with the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  on the neck portion  154 . Rather, the secondary locking edges  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  frictionally latch the tag  100  in the unlocked position. 
     Unlike the primary locking edges  130  and  132  and the secondary locking edges  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  of the tag  100 , the plurality expansion edges  142  do not come in contact with a standard neck portion  154  during attachment and removal of the tag  100 . However, the cut-out defined by the edges  142  may engage an alternative neck with which the tag  100  may be used. Further, the expansion slots  149  are openings on both sides of the top end  102  which allows the tag  100  to expand without breaking or cracking as the tag  100  is locked to the neck portion  154  or unlocked from the neck portion  154 . The slots  149  provide the tag  100  with an opening in the top of the tag that allows the tag to flex (beyond what the material alone provides) without cracking at the top of the inclined side walls  108 , when the vertical sidewalls  110  separate during twisting of the tag. 
     In one embodiment, tabs  118  and  120  are located on an upper half of the tag  100  and tabs  122  and  124  are located on a lower half of the tag  100 . In this embodiment, tabs on the upper half of the tag  100  (tabs  122  and  124 ) are connected to each other by the first connecting tab  126 . The first connecting tab  126  includes the first primary locking edge  130 . Similarly, tabs on the lower half of the tag  100  (tabs  122  and  124 ) are connecting to each other by the second connecting tab  128 . The second connecting tab  128  includes the second primary locking edge  132 . 
     The general dimensions of the tag  100  and the neck portion  154  should be noted. The opening  114  of tag  100  that has a lateral opening width  144 , a diagonal opening dimension  146 , and a height dimension  148 . The opening  114  defined by the at least one inwardly directed tab, at least one of the primary and secondary locking edges, at least one of the expansion edges  142 , at least one of the expansion slots  149 . The lateral opening width  144  is the distance between the primary locking edges  130  and  132  when the tag  100  is in the removed position. The diagonal opening dimension  146  is the distance between two oppositely facing secondary locking edges (e.g., the distance between secondary locking edges  134  and  136 ). The height dimension  148  is the height of the tag from the top end  102  to the bottom end  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the neck portion  154  of hanger  150  has a neck diagonal dimension  160 , a neck width dimension  162 , and a locking surface height dimension  164 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the neck diagonal dimension  160  is the diagonal width of the neck portion  154 . The neck width dimension  162  is the width of the neck portion  154  from the top of each corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 , and locking surface height dimension  164  is the distance from a base of the neck portion  154  to the locking surfaces  158  and  159 . In one embodiment, the locking surface height dimension  164  is within the range of 15.1 mm to 15.2 mm and the neck width dimension  162  is within the range of 7.95 mm to 8.05 mm, and the height dimension  148  of tag  100  is within the range of 14.82 mm-14.92 mm. 
     Comparing dimensions of the tag  100  with the neck portion  154 , the lateral opening width  144  is smaller than the neck width dimension  161  in all three positions (locked, unlocked, and removed). Because the neck width dimension  162  is greater than the lateral opening width dimension  144 , the opening  114  expands to allow the corresponding locking surface through the opening  114  when locking the tag  100  to the neck portion  154  and once in the locked position, the corresponding locking surfaces extend over the primary locking edges of the tag  100 . 
     Further, the locking surface height dimension  164  is slightly greater than the height dimension of the tag  100 . The difference in height allows the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  to extend pass the opening  114  of the tag  100  and allows the tag  100  to fit snugly between the base  151  and the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 . 
     In addition, the diagonal opening dimension  146  of the tag  100  is at least equal to the diagonal dimension  160  of the neck portion  154  for all three positions, which allows the neck portion  154  to fit snugly within the opening  114  when being attached and in the locked position. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the steps for snapping-on or attaching the exemplary tag  100  to a neck portion  152  are shown.  FIGS. 3A-3C  use the same reference numerals used to describe the tag  100  in connection with  FIGS. 1A-1D  and the hanger  150  and neck portion  154  in  FIGS. 2A-2B . In  FIG. 3A , the tag is in a removed or unlatched position. In this position, the tag  100  is not affixed to the neck portion  154 . In this position, the opening  114  has a lateral opening width  144  and a diagonal opening dimension  146 . The tag  100  is positioned above the neck portion  154 . The body portion  106  is aligned so that it is in parallel with the frame  152  of the hanger  150 . 
     In  FIG. 3B , the tag  100  is pushed downwards towards to the base  151  of the hanger  150 . As the tag is pushed downwards, the opening  114  expands such that the lateral opening width  144  increases to a first temporarily increased lateral opening dimension  166 . When the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  are pushed through the opening  114 , the temporarily increased lateral opening dimension  166  equals at least the neck width dimension  162  of the neck portion  154 , thereby allowing the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  to be pushed through the opening  114 . 
     In  FIG. 3C , the tag  100  is in the locked position as the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  are fully engaged with the first and second primary locking edges  130  and  132 . In this position, the opening  114  has a lateral opening width  110 . In this regard, by the time tag  100  is pushed all the way down to the base  151  so that it is locked to the neck portion  154  (i.e., from the position in  FIG. 3B  to the position in  FIG. 3C ), the opening  114  decreases from the first temporarily increased lateral opening dimension  166  to the lateral opening width  144 . In one embodiment, the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C  occur in one smooth motion such that the tag  100  snaps on to the neck portion  154  of the hanger  150 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate the steps for removing the tag  100  from the neck portion  154 .  FIGS. 4A-4C  use the same reference numerals used to describe the tag  100  in connection with  FIGS. 1A-1D  and the hanger  150  and neck portion  154  in  FIGS. 2A-2B . In  FIG. 4A , the tag  100  is rotated about the neck portion  154 . As the tag  100  is rotated, the opening  114  expands such that the lateral opening width  144  increases to a second temporarily increased lateral opening width dimension  168 . In one embodiment the second temporarily lateral opening width dimension  168  is equal to at least the diagonal opening dimension  146 . As noted above, the diagonal opening dimension  146  is equal to at least the neck diagonal dimension  160  of the neck portion  164 . 
     In  FIG. 4B , the tag  100  is in the unlocked position after it has been rotated or twisted by 90 degrees from the locked position (i.e., the position of tag  100  in  FIG. 4C ). In the unlocked position, the opening  114  has a lateral opening width  144 . In this regard, when the tag  100  is rotated 90 degrees from the position in  FIG. 4C  (i.e, the locked position) to the position in  FIG. 4B  (i.e, unlocked position), the opening  114  first increases from the lateral opening width  144  to a second temporarily lateral opening width dimension  168 , which then returns or decreases to the lateral opening width  114 . In  FIG. 4B , the tag  100  is frictionally latched to the neck portion  164  by way of secondary locking edges  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140 . In this position, the tag  100  can be pulled upwards from the top end  102  or pushed upwards from the bottom end  104  to remove the tag  100  from the neck portion  154 . In  FIG. 4C , the tag is removed from the neck portion  164 . In  FIG. 4C , the opening  114  does not change dimensions. 
     The tag  100  may include other features as well not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D . As an example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a snap-on-twist-off tag  100   a  (referred to as tag  100   a ) that includes a tool-hole  170  in one of the inclined sidewalls  108 . Tool-hole  170  allows a removal tool to be inserted to remove the tag  100  from the locked position without twisting or rotating the tag  100 . It should noted that apart from tool-hole  170 , tag  100   a  has all of the same features as tag  100  in  FIGS. 1A-1D  and therefore these features are not explained. For purposes of illustration, a few of the structures of tag  100   a  have reference numerals associated with it. These reference numerals in  FIG. 5  correspond to the same reference numerals of tag  100  in  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     Further, it should be understood that tag  100  is not limited to the design and shape illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate other exemplary embodiments of the snap-on-twist-off tag. In describing the other exemplary embodiments, three-digit reference numerals are used. Where structures similar to the embodiment described in connection with  FIGS. 1A-1D  are present in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the tens digit and units digit of the reference numerals are chosen to correspond to the tens digit and units digit reference numerals used to describe the embodiment of tag  100  in  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary snap-on-twist-off tag  200  (hereinafter referred to as a “tag  200 ” or “sizer  200 ”) is shown in perspective view. The tag  200  includes a top end  202 , a bottom end  204 , and a body portion  206 . The body portion  206  connects the top end  202  to the bottom end  204  and that the top end  202  and bottom end  204  are at least partially open: the top end  202  includes an opening  214  and the bottom end  204  includes an opening  216  (shown in  FIG. 2C ). 
     In one embodiment, the body portion  206  includes a plurality of inclined side walls  208 , a plurality of parallel sidewalls  210 , and a plurality of beveled walls  212 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the body portion  206  includes two inclined sidewalls  208 , two parallel side walls  210 , and four beveled walls  212 . The two inclined side walls  208  slope upwards from the bottom end  204  to the top end  202  such the length of the parallel sidewalls  210  at the bottom end  204  is greater than the length of the parallel sidewall  210  at the top end  102 . Each inclined side wall  208  is connected to the parallel sidewall  208  by way of a beveled wall  212 . The opening  216  that contours the general shape of the sidewalls  208 ,  210 , and beveled walls  212 . 
     The resulting configuration of the tag  200  is that of a hollow trapezoidal shaped prism that has no protrusions on the inside walls of the tag  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the tag  200  has an internal cavity with no protrusions within the internal cavity. 
     The top end  202  includes a plurality of inwardly directed tabs (hereinafter referred to as tabs) and at least one primary locking edge. As shown in  FIG. 6B , the top end  202  includes four tabs:  218 ,  220 ,  222 , and  224 . The top end  202  includes at least two primary locking edges: a first primary locking edge  230 , a second primary locking edge  232 . The top end  202  also includes at least four secondary locking edges: a first secondary locking edge  234 , a second secondary locking edge  236 , a third secondary locking edge  248 , and a fourth secondary locking edge  240 . The top end  202  also includes a plurality of expansion edges  142  and two expansion slots  249 . 
     In contrast to the tag  100 , tag  200  does not include any connecting tabs (shown in  FIG. 1B ). Rather, a portion of the top end  202  of the body portion  206  comprises the first and second primary locking edges  230  and  232 . In this regard, the first and second primary locking edges  230  and  232  engage with corresponding locking surfaces on a neck portion of a hanger. In the locked position, the first and second primary locking edges  230  and  232  extend below the corresponding locking surfaces such that the corresponding locking surfaces extend over and above the first and second primary locking edges  230  and  232 . The configuration prevents the tag  200  from being moved in the locked position. 
     The secondary locking edges  234 ,  236 ,  238 , and  240  do not engage with the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  on the neck portion  154 . Rather, the secondary locking edges  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  frictionally latch the tag  200  in the unlocked position. 
     Unlike the primary locking edges  230  and  232  and the secondary locking edges  234 ,  236 ,  238 , and  240  of the tag  200 , the plurality expansion edges  242  do not come in contact with the neck portion  254  during attachment and removal of the tag  200 . However, the cut-out defined by the edges  242  may engage an alternative neck with which the tag  200  may be used. Further, the expansion slots  249  are openings on both sides of the top end  202  which allows the tag  200  to expand without breaking or cracking as the tag  200  is locked to the neck portion  154  or unlocked from the neck portion  154 . The slots  249  provide the tag  200  with an opening in the top of the tag that allows the tag to flex (beyond what the material alone provides) without cracking at the top of the inclined side walls  208 , when the vertical sidewalls  210  separate during twisting of the tag. 
     In one embodiment, tabs  218  and  220  are located on an upper half of the tag  200  and tabs  222  and  224  are located on a lower half of the tag  200 . Unlike tag  100  in  FIGS. 1A-1D , tabs in the upper half are not connected to each other by way of a connecting tab and the tabs in the lower half are not connected to each other by way of a connecting tabs. 
     The general dimensions of the tag  200  and the neck portion  154  should be noted. The opening  214  of tag  200  that has a lateral opening width  244 , and a diagonal opening dimension  146 . The lateral opening width  244  is the distance between the primary locking edges  230  and  232  when the tag  200  is in the removed position. The diagonal opening dimension  246  is the distance between two oppositely facing secondary locking edges (e.g., the distance between secondary locking edges  234  and  236 ). 
     Comparing dimensions of the tag  200  with the neck portion  154 , the lateral opening width  244  is smaller than the neck width dimension  261  in all three positions (locked, unlocked, and removed). Because the neck width dimension  262  is greater than the lateral opening width dimension  244 , the opening  214  expands to allow the corresponding locking surface through the opening  214  when locking the tag  200  to the neck portion  254  and once in the locked position, the corresponding locking surfaces extend over the primary locking edges of the tag  200 . 
     Further, the locking surface height dimension  264  is slightly greater than the height dimension of the tag  200 . The difference in height allows the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159  to extend pass the opening  214  of the tag  100  and allows the tag  200  to fit snugly between the base  151  and the corresponding locking surfaces  158  and  159 . 
     In addition, the diagonal opening dimension  246  of the tag  200  is at least equal to the diagonal dimension  160  of the neck portion  154  for all three positions, which allows the neck portion  154  to fit snugly within the opening  214  when being attached and in the locked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary snap-on-twist-off tag  300  (hereinafter referred to as a “tag  300 ” or “sizer  300 ”) is shown in perspective view. The tag  300  includes a top end  302 , a bottom end  304 , and a body portion  306 . 
     The body portion  306  connects the top end  302  to the bottom end  304  and that the top end  302  and bottom end  304  are at least partially open: the top end  302  includes an opening  314  and the bottom end  304  includes an opening at the bottom end (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The body portion  306  includes a plurality of inclined side walls  308 , a plurality of parallel sidewalls  310 , and a plurality of beveled walls  312 . The resulting configuration of the tag  300  is that of a hollow trapezoidal shaped prism that has no protrusions on the inside walls of the tag  300 . The  300  has an internal cavity with no protrusions within the internal cavity. (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     The top end  302  includes a plurality of inwardly directed tabs (hereinafter referred to as tabs) and at least one primary locking edge. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the top end  302  includes four tabs:  318 ,  320 ,  322 , and  324 . The top end  302  includes at least two primary locking edges: a first primary locking edge  330 , a second primary locking edge  332 . The top end  302  also includes two connecting tabs: a first connecting tab  326  and a second connecting tab  328 . The top end  302  also includes at least four secondary locking edges: a first secondary locking edge  334 , a second secondary locking edge  336 , a third secondary locking edge  348 , and a fourth secondary locking edge  340 . The top end  302  includes two expansion slots  349  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
     The first and second primary locking edges  330  and  332  engage with corresponding locking surfaces on a neck portion of a hanger. In the locked position, the first and second primary locking edges  330  and  332  extend below the corresponding locking surfaces such that the corresponding locking surfaces extend over and above the first and second primary locking edges  330  and  332 . The configuration prevents the tag  300  from being moved in the locked position. 
     In contrast to the primary locking edges  330  and  332 , the secondary locking edges  334 ,  336 ,  338 , and  340  do not engage with the corresponding locking surfaces on the neck portion  154 . Rather, the secondary locking edges  334 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140  frictionally latch the tag  100  in the unlocked position. The expansion slots  349  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) are openings on both sides of the top end  302  which allows the tag  300  to expand without breaking or cracking as the tag  300  is locked to the neck portion  154  or unlocked from the neck portion  154 . The slots  349  provide the tag  300  with an opening in the top of the tag that allows the tag to flex (beyond what the material alone provides) without cracking at the top of the inclined side walls  308 , when the vertical sidewalls  310  separate during twisting of the tag. 
     In one embodiment, tabs  318  and  320  are located on an upper half of the tag  300  and tabs  322  and  324  are located on a lower half of the tag  300 . In this embodiment, tabs on the upper half of the tag  300  (tabs  322  and  324 ) are connected to each other by the first connecting tab  326 . The first connecting tab  326  includes the first primary locking edge  330 . Similarly, tabs on the lower half of the tag  300  (tabs  322  and  324 ) are connecting to each other by the second connecting tab  328 . The second connecting tab  328  includes the second primary locking edge  332 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a tag and hanger combination in which the tag  300  (of  FIG. 7 ) attaches a to a neck portion  354 . As noted above when describing  FIG. 7 , the tag  300  includes a first and second primary locking edges  330  and  332  and tag  300  includes four secondary locking edges  336 ,  338 ,  340 , and  342 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the neck portion  354  of a hanger includes at least corresponding locking surface  358  to lock a tag to the neck portion  354 . The neck portion  354  also includes at least one guiding surface  384 . In the unlocked position, the guiding surface  354  guides a tag as it is moved upwards to remove it form the neck portion  354 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the neck portion  354  has an indentation which forms the corresponding locking  358  that is at right angles to the surface of the neck portion  354 . In one embodiment, the neck portion  354  includes at least two corresponding locking surfaces: a first corresponding locking surface  358  and a secondary corresponding locking surface (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) that is opposite and directly across from the first corresponding locking surface  358 . In the same or different embodiment, the neck portion  354  includes at least two guiding surfaces: a first guiding surface  384  and second guiding surface (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) that is opposite and directly across from the first guiding edge  384 . 
     In the locked position, as shown by line  392 , the first primary locking surface  330  engages with the first corresponding locking surface  358  and second primary locking edge  332  engages a second corresponding locking surface (not shown) of neck portion  354 . In this locked position, the corresponding locking surfaces of the neck portion  354  extend over the first and second primary locking edges  330  and  332 . This prevents the tag  300  from being moved upwards. In the unlocked position, the tag  300  is rotated by 90 degrees from the locked position. As the tag  300  is rotated, the opening  314  expands such that the lateral opening width  344  increases to a temporarily increased lateral opening width. In one embodiment, the temporarily increased lateral opening width is at least equal to the diagonal opening dimension  346 . By the time the tag is rotated 90 degrees (i.e., is in the unlocked position), the opening  314  decreases from the temporarily increased lateral opening width to the lateral opening width  344 . In the unlocked position, as shown by line  390 , the first primary locking edge  330  engages with the guiding surface  384  of the neck portion  354 . The guiding surface  384  allows the tag  300  to be moved upwards to remove it from the neck portion  354 . 
     Note the corresponding locking surfaces on a neck portion of a hanger need not be protrusions as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , an indentation in the neck portion  354  forms a corresponding locking surface  358  that is at right angles to the surface of the neck portion  354 . 
     Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described and claimed herein can be practiced by other than those embodiments, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.