Prior Art From GB 2 363 979 a hanger for garments is previously known, said hanger being formed from a blank of a sheet shaped material that is equipped with scores, tongues and openings.

In order to transfer the blank to a hanger it is necessary that the blank is folded along two scores, that portions of the blank are brought to overlap each other and that tongues are entered into openings. Therefore, the manufacturing of a hanger from the blank is an operation that demands several sub-operations, some of which seems to require a high degree of precision. The entering of the tongues into the openings should especially be mentioned in this case.

From US-A-2,349, 200 a hanger for garments is previously known, said hanger also being formed from a blank of a sheet shaped material. The blank has tongues and notches that are intended to cooperate with each other. However, the tongues have not such a shape that mutual locking is provided by frictional cooperation between the edges of the tongues and the notches.

Objects and Features of the Invention A primary object of the present invention is to present a hanger of the type defined above, said hanger may be manufactured from a sheet shaped blank in an extremely simple and user friendly way.

A further object of the invention is that trousers that are hung on the hanger should safely stay on the hanger.

Still an object of the present invention is to provide an environmental friendly hanger, i. e. it is produced from materials that may be recycled.

At least the primary object of the present invention is realised by means of a hanger that has been given the features of the appending independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the appending dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings Below embodiments of the hanger according to the present invention will be described together with the blank that the hanger is manufactured from. Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 shows a top view of a stamped sheet shaped blank, from which a first embodiment of a hanger according to the present invention may be manufactured; Figure 2 shows a side view of a hanger according to the present invention, said hanger being manufactured from the blank according to figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a section along A-A in figure 2; Figure 4 shows a section along B-B in figure 2 ; Figure 5 shows a top view of a stamped sheet shaped blank, from which a second embodiment of a hanger according to the present invention may be manufactured; Figure 6 shows a top view of a hanger according to the present invention, said hanger being manufactured from the blank according to figure 5 ; Figure 7 shows a side view of the hanger according to figure 6; and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the hanger according to figures 6 and 7.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of a Blank for a Hanger and a Hanger Produced from the Blank In figure 1 the blank of a hanger according to the present invention is shown, said blank being sheet shaped and the material in said blank preferably being board or

cardboard. In top view the blank is in the shape of two triangular portions la and 1b that are mutually connected by a connecting portion 3 that is rectangular in the disclosed embodiment. The connecting portion 3 is equipped with a centrally located hole 4 that is intended to receive a hook.

This will be described more in detail below. First scores 5 are provided in the transition between the connecting portion 3 and the triangular portions la, lb, said first scores 5 suitably having an extension parallel to each other. The scores 5 are marked by dash dotted lines in figure 1.

The first triangular portion la and the second triangular portion lb have a number of common features that will be described below.

The triangular potions la and 1b are each equipped with an opening 7a and 7b respectively, said opening 7a of the first triangular portion la being called a first opening 7a while the opening 7b of the second triangular portion 1b is called a second opening 7b. Generally, the size of the openings 7a and 7b is such that a pair of trousers easily may be entered through said openings. This will be explained more in detail below.

Each of the triangular portions la, 1b has two side edges 9a and 9b respectively, said side edges being opposite in pairs, i. e. the side edge 9a of the first triangular portion la is opposite to the side edge 9b of the second triangular portion lb. All four side edges 9a and 9b are corrugated, the aim of the corrugations being to provide a proper friction between the parts of the garments that contact the side edges 9a and 9b. The side edges 9a and 9b are corrugated along a major part of their length. Where the corrugations cease the side edges 9a and 9b are equipped with a recess l0a and 10b respectively. The aim of these recesses 10a, 10b is to receive for instance shoulder straps of frocks when they are hung on the hanger according to the present invention.

In the foldout position of the blank according to figure 1 the opposite side edges 9a and 9 define between themselves an acute angle a, i. e. the angle being smaller than 90°.

Preferably be angle a is in the magnitude of 60°.

Between the side edges 9a and the opening 7a respectively between the side edges 9b and the opening 7b two side elements lla and llb respectively are defined, said side elements lla and llb respectively may be considered to constitute the sides in the triangle that each one of the portions la and 1b generally defines.

Each one of the triangular portions la and 1b also comprises a base edge 12a and 12b respectively and between the base edges 12a, 12b and the adherent opening 7a, 7b a base element 13a and 13b respectively is defined, said base element 13a, 13b extending between the ends of the adherent side elements 10a and 10b that faces away from the connecting portion 3. The base element 13a, 13b thus constitutes the base in the"triangle". The transition between the base element 13a and 13b respectively and the adherent side elements lla and llb respectively is gently rounded.

The triangular portions la and 1b also have a number of individual features that will be described below.

Thus, the first triangular portion la is equipped with two first tabs 15 that partly are stamped from the base element 13a in the area of the transition to the side elements lla. As is evident from figure 1 two generally parallel side edges 16a of the first tabs 15a are stamped from the base element 13a. Each one of the side edges 15a is connected to the blank via a second score 18a that is marked by dash dotted lines in figure 1.

The second triangular portion 1b is equipped with two recesses 20b that are arranged in the base element 13b, in the area of the transition to the side elements llb. As is evident from figure 1 the recesses have parallel side edges 21b that extend from the open end of the recesses 20b and a certain distance inwards. Then the recesses 20b widen stepwise and in each recess an inner portion 22b is formed, said inner portion 22b having a larger width than the rest of the recess 20b.

The second triangular portion 1b also has a second tab 25b that extends along the edge of the second opening 7b that defines the second base element 13b. The second tab 25b is integral with the second base element 13b and a third score

26b extends between the second tab 25b and the second base element 13b. The third score 26b is marked by a dash dotted line in figure 1.

Before the blank shown in figure 1 is transferred to a hanger a hook 30 is mounted, see figures 2 and 4, in the hole 4. The hook 30 is equipped with a shank 31 that abuts one side of the connecting portion 3, see figure 2, when the hook 30 is mounted.

Transferring of the blank according to figure 1 to the hanger according to figures 2-4 is effected in the following way. Folding of the blank is effected via the first scores 5, the first and second portions la and 1b assuming a mutual position where they are essentially parallel to each other.

Now each one of the first tabs 15a is folded around its adherent second score 18a and is brought to pass into the recesses 20b. It is of course realised that the first tabs 15a and the recesses 20b are positioned mutually in such a way that each one of the first tabs 15a is located opposite to the adherent recess 20b. Continued folding of the first tabs 15a, around the second score 18a, will cause the first tabs 15a to be displaced further into respective recess 20b, the first tabs 15a assuming their final positions when they are received in the inner portion 22b that has a larger width than the rest of the recess 20b. When the first tabs 15a have assumed their final positions in the respective inner portion 22b the barbs 17a of the first tabs 15a will contact the second base element 13b of the second triangular portion lb, see figure 2.

Thereby, it is guaranteed that the triangular portions la and 1b are mutually positioned in the way that is shown in figures 2-4.

The width of the first tabs 15a corresponds in principle to the width of the inner portions 22b. This means that the rest of the recesses 20b have a somewhat smaller width than the first tabs 15a. When the first tabs 15a are entered into the recesses 20b they will be somewhat deformed, i. e. they are squeezed in the width direction. However, the first tabs 15a expand again when they reach the inner portions 22b, i. e. when the first tabs 15a have assumed their final positions. In the last operation to finish the hanger according to the present

invention the second tab 25b is folded around the third score 26b and the second tab 25b is transferred from a position where it is located essentially in the same plane as the second triangular portion 1b to a position where said second tab 25b has an extension transverse the plane of the triangular portions la and lb. This operative position of the second 25b is most evident from figure 4. The function of the second tab 25b is to constitute a"trouser-brake", i. e. friction is generated between the free end of the second tab 25b and the cloth of the trousers that is hanging over the second tab 25b.

As regards the user friendliness of the hanger according to the present invention the following should be pointed out.

From the description above it is evident how a blank according to the present invention is transferred to a hanger according to the present invention. This transferring is effected solely by folding of a number of portions la, lb/tabs 15a, 26b around the adherent scores 5,18a, 26b. Thus, it is not the question of entering tongues/tabs through slot shaped openings. This extremely accentuated user friendliness of course brings about that the blank according to the present invention may be transferred to a hanger according to the present invention in a very quick and simple way.

By studying figures 2 and 4 it is realised that the hook 30 may be pushed into the space that is present between the triangular portions la and lb. Thereby, the hanger requires less space if it for instance is part of a luggage.

In figure 5 the blank according to the alternative embodiment is shown, said blank, likewise the first embodiment, in top view having the shape of two generally triangular portions 101a and 101b that are mutually connected by means of a connecting portion 103 that in the shown embodiment is rectangular and equipped with a centrally located hole 4 that is intended to receive a hook. The blank according to figure 5 in principle differs from the blank according to figure 1 by two flap portions 127 that are opposite to each other on both sides of the connecting portion 103. Each flap portion 127 comprises a free end 128. Two longitudinal edges 130 extend from the free end 128, said

longitudinal edges 130 having a somewhat inwardly curved shape. In connection with their attachment to the triangular portions 101a and 101b each flap portion 127 is defined by means of fourth scores 131a and 131b. The flap portions 127 generally has a tapering shape in the area of their attachment to the triangular portions 101a and 101b.

In the area of the connection of each of the flap portions 127 to the triangular portions 101a and 101b two sub triangles 132a and 132b are provided, i. e. the blank has totally four sub triangles 132a and 132b. Each sub triangle 132a, 132b is defined by the fourth score 131a, 131b, a cut 133a, 133b and a fifth score 134a, 134b.

Each flap portion 127 has also two sixth scores 135a, 135b that extend in the longitudinal direction of the flap portions 127.

On the side elements llla and lllb of the triangular portions 101a and 101b a nose 136a and 136b is provided with an adherent first notch 110a and 110b.

In a corresponding way as for the embodiment according to figure 1 the upper triangular portion 101a of the blank according to figure 5 has two first tabs 115a and the lower triangular portion 101b has two recesses 120b that are intended to cooperate with the first tabs 115a. In principle the cooperation between the first tabs 115a and the recesses 120b functions in the corresponding way as for the embodiment described above, i. e. the first tabs 115a may be pivoted around an adherent folding line 118a. However, it should be pointed out that the tabs 115a have an increasing width towards their free ends and that the recesses 120b have an increasing width in direction towards their open end.

In a corresponding way as for the embodiment according to figure 1 the blank according to figure 5 is equipped with a second tab 125a that in active position is intended to constitute"trouser brake".

The transferring of the blank according to figure 5 to a hanger according to figures 6 and 7 is effected in principle in the corresponding way as for the blank according to figure 1. In connection therewith it should however be emphasised that the shape of the first tabs 115a and the recesses 120

brings about that the tabs 115a are held in the recesses 120b by means of friction between the edges of the tabs 115a and the recesses 120b.

When the triangular portions 101a and 101b are transferred to a position where these portions are parallel to each other the flap portions 127 will assume the positions shown in figures 6-8, i. e. the flap portions 127 will have an extension along the upper edges of the side elements llla and lllb. In connection therewith, the sub triangles 132a and 132b have been folded out from the plane of the triangular portions 101a and 101b by pivoting around the fifth scores 134a, 134b simultaneously as the sub triangles 132a, 132b have assumed a transverse position relative to the flap portions 127. This has been effected by pivoting of the sub triangles 132a, 132b relative to the flap portions 127, said pivoting being effected around the fourth score 131a, 131b. When the flap portions 127 have been brought to their final operative positions the first notches 110a and 110b will cooperate with a free end 128 of the flap portions 127. When the flap portions 127 are in an operative position they will offer wider abutment surfaces for the shoulder portions of e. g. jackets, blouses and coats that are hung on the hanger according to figures 6-8.

Feasible Modifications of the Invention In the embodiments described above the blank/hanger is equipped with two first tabs 15a ; 115a and consequently two recesses 20b; 120b. However, within the scope of the invention it is also feasible that the blank/hanger has three or more first tabs and a corresponding number of recesses.

In the embodiments described above the second tab 25b; 125a constitutes an integral part of the second, triangular portion 1b ; 101b. However, within the scope of the present invention it is of course also feasible that the second tab 25b ; 125a constitutes an integral part of the first triangular portion la ; 101a.

In the embodiment described above according to figures 1-4 the side edges 9a and 9b are corrugated. However, within the scope of the present invention it is feasible to make all

stamped edges of the blank corrugated, said edges in such a case having a corrugation with essentially smaller wave height than the side edges 9a and 9b. In practice, this additional corrugation is hardly visible to the eye. The reason for this design is that it has shown beneficial to have corrugated edges when reducing the risk for the user to cut himself/herself on the stamped edges.

In the description above it the stated that the material in the blank according to the present invention preferably constitutes board or cardboard. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that the blank constitutes a sheet shaped plastic material that preferably may be recycled.

In the embodiments described above the triangular portions la, 1b ; 101a, 101b are mutually connected by means of two scores 5 ; 105 and an intermediate connecting portion 3; 103. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that only one score connects the triangular portions la, 1b ; 101a, 101b, i. e. the connecting portion 3 ; 103 in principle being eliminated.

In the embodiments described above the folding lines being in the shape of scores. However, within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible to have different types of folding lines/folding notches. Perforations may be mentioned in exemplifying and non-restricting purpose.

In the embodiment described above according to figures 1-4 the first tabs 15a are equipped with barbs 17a. However, within the scope of the present invention it is feasible that the barbs 17a are eliminated and necessary cooperation between the first tabs 15a and the recesses 20b is effected by means of friction when the first tabs 15a have assumed their final positions in the inner portions 22b of the recesses 20b.