Dimensionally stable hollow body and method for storing at least one item of hosiery

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a dimensionally stable hollow body for storing at least one hosiery item, in particular a pair of pantyhose or a pair of stockings, with an inner cavity for receiving a part of the stocking, with a front side with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body and a back side opposite the front side along the longitudinal axis and with a bottom side with respect to the longitudinal axis and a top side opposite the bottom side perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for storing hosiery with the hollow body. State of the art

[0003] Hosiery, especially stockings and tights, is usually stored rolled up or crumpled in drawers, making it difficult to see the color, pattern and thickness of the stockings.

[0004] German patent application DE 7212081 U discloses a packaging container for hosiery, in particular pantyhose. The packaging container consists of an essentially cylindrical container that is closed at one end and can be covered with a cap at the other end. Pantyhose can be stored in the container in a twisted state, requiring minimal space. German patent application JP 2006 044766 A discloses a dimensionally stable hollow body for storing at least one item of hosiery, with an internal cavity for receiving part of the hosiery, a front surface with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body, a back surface opposite the front surface along the longitudinal axis, a bottom surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.The hollow body is designed to be inserted, with the front facing forward, along the longitudinal axis into a thigh section of the hosiery. The upper surface is convexly curved around the longitudinal axis, at least in part. The back surface includes at least one receiving opening for partially receiving another hollow body according to the invention, oriented in the same direction as the hollow body, into the cavity of the hollow body. Publication JP 2004 043016 A describes a paper template that allows pantyhose to be folded compactly and put on easily without damaging the pantyhose. Document GB 656 367 A discloses a form that imitates a woman's leg for displaying hosiery. Technical task

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a device and a method for space-saving storage of hosiery with improved recognizability of the color, pattern and thickness of the hosiery. Technical solution

[0006] The subject matter of the present invention provides a hollow body according to claim 1, which solves the technical problem. The problem is also solved by a method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Description of the execution types

[0007] The hollow body according to the invention is designed for storing at least one hosiery product, in particular a pair of pantyhose or a pair of stockings, and is designed with an inner cavity for receiving a part of the hosiery product, for example a lower leg section and a foot section of a leg part as well as a hip part and a further leg part of the pantyhose.

[0008] For the purposes of the invention, the leg section and hip section of the hosiery are defined as those parts of the hosiery that lie against the leg or hip of a wearer when the hosiery is worn. Correspondingly, the sections of the leg section that lie against the thigh, knee, lower leg, or foot when the hosiery is worn are referred to as the thigh section, knee section, lower leg section, or foot section, respectively.

[0009] The hollow body is designed with a front side relative to a longitudinal axis of the hollow body and a back side opposite the front side along the longitudinal axis, and with a bottom side relative to the longitudinal axis and a top side opposite the bottom side perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The hollow body is dimensionally stable, meaning its shape remains essentially unchanged during intended use and storage. In particular, its shape can remain unchanged except for minor elastic deformations. A deformation is considered minor if it changes a dimension of the hollow body by less than 25%, and especially by less than 15%.

[0011] The hollow body is designed to be inserted, front side first, along the longitudinal axis into a thigh section of the hosiery, with the top surface being convexly curved around the longitudinal axis, at least in sections, and in particular over the entire length of the hollow body. The curvature of the top surface offers the advantage that the front of the thigh section can be stretched over the top of the hollow body, similar to how it would appear on a human thigh, so that the color, thickness, and pattern of the front surface are easily recognizable as they would appear on the thigh.

[0012] The hollow body tapers along its longitudinal axis from the back to the front, at least in a front section adjacent to the front, preferably along its entire length. This taper, for example conical, makes it easier to insert the hollow body into the thigh section without damaging it. Furthermore, the tapered shape of the hollow body corresponds to the shape of a human thigh, so that the visual impression of the thigh section stretched over the hollow body closely resembles the visual impression of the thigh section on a human thigh.

[0013] The underside and the rear side each comprise at least one flat base for the stable placement of the hollow body on a horizontal surface. Stability is achieved in particular by ensuring that a projection of the hollow body's center of gravity, especially when the hollow body is loaded with hosiery, lies along a surface normal of the base within a contour of the base.

[0014] The base on the underside allows the hollow body to be positioned stably so that the front of the thigh section of the hosiery, stretched over the top of the hollow body, is clearly visible from above. This is particularly useful, for example, when the hollow body containing the hosiery is stored in a drawer, allowing for space-saving storage of the hosiery while keeping the color, pattern, and thickness of the hosiery readily apparent.

[0015] The base on the back allows the hollow body to be positioned stably so that the front of the thigh section of the hosiery, stretched over the top of the hollow body, is clearly visible from the side. This is advantageous, for example, when the hosiery is displayed in a retail space using the hollow body, allowing for a compact presentation that clearly shows the color, pattern, and thickness of the hosiery.

[0016] Both the back and the underside of the hollow body each have a flat base, making the hollow body versatile in its use.

[0017] A standing surface within the meaning of the invention can be closed or comprise one or more openings.

[0018] The rear side comprises at least one receiving opening for the partial receiving of a further hollow body according to the invention and aligned in the same way as the hollow body into the cavity of the hollow body.

[0019] Through the receiving opening, the additional hollow body can be partially inserted into the cavity of the hollow body with its front side leading along the longitudinal axis, so that the hollow body and the additional hollow body, especially with the hosiery they carry, can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0020] To facilitate the insertion of the additional hollow body into the first hollow body and to save material, the receiving opening preferably covers the entire rear side of the hollow body except for a border area, the width of which preferably corresponds to the wall thickness of the hollow body. This border area can, in particular, form the base of the rear side.

[0021] By only partially integrating the additional hollow body, for example to 30% to 90%, and in particular to 50% to 80% of its length along the longitudinal axis, into the hollow body, a portion of the upper side of the additional hollow body advantageously remains visible, so that even when the two hollow bodies are pushed together, the color, pattern and thickness of the hosiery supported by both hollow bodies are visible.

[0022] The front of the hollow body is preferably at least partially, and in particular completely, convexly curved around a transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and along the underside, and / or around a vertical axis perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse axes. The convex curvature of the front advantageously causes it to act as a stop when the hollow body is inserted into the thigh section to a predetermined depth, for example, up to the knee of the hosiery, without the risk of damaging the hosiery.

[0023] The underside of the hollow body preferably comprises at least one receiving opening for at least partial receiving of a further hollow body according to the invention and aligned in the same way as the hollow body into the cavity of the hollow body.

[0024] Through the receiving opening, the additional hollow body can be partially inserted into the cavity of the hollow body with its upper side facing forward, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, so that the hollow body and the additional hollow body, especially with the hosiery they carry, can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0025] To facilitate the insertion of the additional hollow body into the first hollow body and to save material, the receiving opening preferably covers the entire underside of the hollow body except for a border area, the width of which preferably corresponds to the wall thickness of the hollow body. This border area can, in particular, form the base of the underside.

[0026] At least the top surface of the hollow body is preferably smooth so that the hosiery stretched over the top surface is not damaged. Preferably, the front, back, and / or bottom surfaces are also smooth. For the purposes of this invention, a surface with a mean roughness value of 0 µm to 10 µm, and in particular 0 µm to 1 µm, is considered smooth.

[0027] The corners and / or edges of the hollow body, especially at the front of the hollow body, are rounded to prevent damage to the hosiery by the hollow body.

[0028] The hollow body is preferably elastically deformable when inserted into the thigh section, so that the thigh section is stretched by the inserted hollow body. This elastic deformability advantageously ensures that the hollow body can be used to store hosiery of different sizes, with the thigh section of the hosiery always being stretched over the top of the hollow body in such a way that the color, pattern, and thickness of the hosiery are clearly visible without damaging the hosiery or the hollow body.

[0029] Elastic deformability can be achieved, for example, by the hollow body comprising, or in particular consisting of, at least one elastically deformable material. This material can be, for example, a plastic, particularly recycled plastic, especially polyethylene.

[0030] At least the upper surface of the hollow body is preferably luminescent, at least partially, and in particular across its entire surface. If the thigh section is stretched over a luminescent surface, the pattern and thickness of the hosiery are particularly clearly visible when backlit.

[0031] The luminescent surface can be self-illuminating and may comprise, for example, a phosphorescent layer, an electroluminescent film, and / or an OLED film. The luminescent surface can be transparent or translucent and designed to couple light from a light source, such as at least one LED. The light source can be integrated into the hollow body or positioned outside of it.

[0032] At least the upper surface of the hollow body preferably exhibits, at least partially, and in particular across its entire surface, a high color contrast to typical hosiery colors, and is preferably white. This high color contrast makes the color, pattern, and thickness of the hosiery particularly easy to see. Alternatively, the upper surface could also be designed in a skin tone, so that the thigh section on the upper surface creates a similar visual impression to that of a human thigh.

[0033] The upper surface of the hollow body preferably includes a recess for at least partial reception of the front part of the thumb, preferably a thumbnail, when inserting the hollow body into the thigh section of the hosiery. By receiving the thumbnail, the recess advantageously prevents the thumbnail from damaging the hosiery.

[0034] The invention relates to a method for storing at least one hosiery item, in particular a pair of pantyhose or a pair of stockings, with a hollow body according to the invention.

[0035] The procedure includes at least the following steps, in particular in the order mentioned: a) Inserting the hollow body along its longitudinal axis, with the front of the hollow body leading, into a thigh section of a leg part of the hosiery; b) stowing a hip section and another leg part of the hosiery, in particular designed as pantyhose, or stowing another hosiery, in particular designed as stockings, in particular through the receiving opening of the back of the hollow body, in the hollow space of the hollow body; c) stretching a lower leg section of the leg part over the underside of the hollow body, which is in particular closed by the thigh section of the leg part; and d) inserting a foot section of the leg part through the receiving opening of the back of the hollow body into the hollow space of the hollow body.

[0036] The method ensures that the hosiery is held securely and in a space-saving manner on the hollow body, whereby the thigh section of the hosiery is stretched over the top of the hollow body in such a way that the color, pattern and thickness of the hosiery are clearly visible there.

[0037] Depending on the size ratio of the hollow body and the hosiery, part of the foot section, the entire foot section, or the entire foot section and part of the lower leg section can be inserted into the hollow body.

[0038] The hollow body is preferably inserted into the thigh section in such a way that, at the end of the insertion, the upper side of the hollow body rests against the front of the thigh section, at least partially, and in particular over its entire surface. When the upper side of the hollow body rests against the front of the thigh section, the color, pattern, and thickness of this fashionably important area of ​​the hosiery are clearly visible.

[0039] The hollow body is preferably inserted into the thigh section in such a way that, at the end of the insertion, the front of the hollow body rests at least partially against a knee section of the leg part. In this embodiment of the method, the front of the hollow body acts as a stop and thus ensures that the hollow body is inserted into the thigh section to a predefined depth for optimal storage of the hosiery.

[0040] Inserting the foot section into the cavity preferably involves wedging the foot section in the cavity, particularly with the aid of sections or parts of the stocking material already contained in the cavity. This wedging advantageously ensures that the stocking material is securely held against the hollow body in a stretched position. Examples

[0041] The hollow body according to the invention can be used as a pantyhose organizer to store, stow, or organize nylon pantyhose, garter belts, or other similar items made of similar materials. The hollow body makes it easier to sort the pantyhose or garter belts by color and pattern and facilitates the faster determination of the thickness, usually specified in denier (den).

[0042] To make optimal use of storage space, the hollow bodies can be pushed into each other without damaging the tights.

[0043] The hollow forms can be used lying on their underside, for example in a drawer, or standing upright on their back in a wardrobe. Standing upright is a particularly space-saving option for a hosiery retailer, allowing them to present as many pairs of tights as possible to customers in a very small space. Thanks to its attractive and easily understandable shape, the hollow form is ideal for displaying merchandise at trade fairs or in showrooms.

[0044] By replicating the leg shape with an anatomically similar knee rounding, the hollow body in various embodiments allows a user to simultaneously hold several pairs of pantyhose held on the hollow bodies according to the invention to her leg in order to choose the appropriate color, pattern or thickness to match her outfit.

[0045] The method according to the invention particularly includes a special folding technique for pantyhose and garters, which enables gentle storage of the sensitive nylon goods.

[0046] In one embodiment of the method, the hollow body is inserted into a pantyhose leg up to the knee, with the front facing forward, the top facing upward, and the bottom facing downward. Then, the entire upper part (hip section) of the pantyhose and the other pantyhose leg are carefully guided into the designated cavity of the hollow body. Finally, the remaining section (lower leg and foot section) of the pantyhose leg, containing the hollow body, is guided smoothly and tightly along its underside to the receiving opening on the back of the hollow body and also tucked into the cavity. This preferably leaves some space in the cavity to partially insert another hollow body.

[0047] Preferably, when the hollow body is stored horizontally, e.g., in a drawer, the top side faces upwards and the bottom side faces downwards. When the hollow body is stored vertically, e.g., in a sales area, the top side preferably faces customers and the front side faces upwards. In both cases, the cavity, as well as the back and bottom of the hollow body, are preferably not visible to the user or customer. Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Further advantages, objectives, and features of the invention are explained with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary objects according to the invention. Features that are at least substantially identical in their function in the figures may be identified by the same reference numerals, although these features need not be numbered and explained in all figures. Figure 1shows a schematic perspective view of a hollow body according to the invention. Figure 2 shows another schematic perspective view of a hollow body according to the invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of several nested hollow bodies according to the invention. Figure 4 schematically shows a first step of a method according to the invention. Figure 5 schematically shows a second step of a method according to the invention. Figure 6 schematically shows a third step of a method according to the invention. Figure 7 schematically shows a fourth step of a method according to the invention. Fig. 1

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view from an oblique front view of a hollow body 100 according to the invention with an inner cavity (in Figure 1(not visible) for receiving a part of a hosiery product, with a front 110 with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 100 and a back 120 opposite the front 110 along the longitudinal axis L and with a bottom 130 with respect to the longitudinal axis L and a top 140 opposite the bottom 130 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0050] The upper surface 140 is convexly curved around the longitudinal axis L, with the hollow body 100 tapering along the longitudinal axis L from the rear 120 to the front 110 at least in a front section 150 of the hollow body 100 adjacent to the front 110.

[0051] The underside 130 and also the back side 120 each comprise a flat standing surface 131 for the stable placement of the hollow body 100 on a horizontal surface.

[0052] The rear side 120, and preferably also the underside 130, comprises a receiving opening 121 for partially receiving a further hollow body according to the invention, oriented in the same way as the hollow body 100, into the cavity of the hollow body 100. Preferably, the receiving opening 121 occupies the entire rear side 120 or underside 130 except for a border region, the width of which preferably corresponds to the wall thickness of the hollow body 100. The border region can, in particular, form the base 131 of the rear side 120 or underside 130.

[0053] The front side 110 is preferably convex around a vertical axis H oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis L and transversely to the underside 130 and around a vertical axis H perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis Q. Fig. 2

[0054] Figure 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of a hollow body 100 according to the invention, in particular the hollow body made of Figure 1, from a rear angle.

[0055] In this illustration, the rear side 120 of the hollow body 100 with its receiving opening 121 and the inner cavity 101 of the hollow body 100 are particularly clearly visible. Fig. 3

[0056] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of several, for example four, nested hollow bodies 100, 100a, 100b, 100c according to the invention.

[0057] In each of the three hollow bodies 100, 100a, 100b, a similarly oriented further hollow body 100a, 100b, 100c is inserted along the longitudinal axis L with the respective front side 110 leading through the respective receiving opening 121 of the rear side 120 partially into the inner cavity of the respective hollow body 100, 100a, 100b. Fig. 4

[0058] Figure 4schematically shows a first step of a method according to the invention for storing hosiery 200, in particular pantyhose, with a hollow body 100 according to the invention.

[0059] The illustrated step comprises inserting the hollow body 100 along the longitudinal axis L of the hollow body 100 with the front 110 of the hollow body 100 forward into a thigh section 211 of a leg part 210 of the hosiery 200.

[0060] The insertion of the hollow body 100 into the thigh section 211 preferably takes place in such a way that at the end of the insertion the upper surface 140 of the hollow body 100 rests against a front surface of the thigh section 211, and / or the front surface 110 of the hollow body 100 rests against a knee section 214 of the leg part 210.

[0061] The leg section 210 of the hosiery 200 further comprises a lower leg section 212 and a foot section (not shown). The hosiery 200 also comprises a hip section 220 and another leg section 210a. Fig. 5

[0062] Figure 5 schematically shows a second step of a method according to the invention, in particular according to the one described in Figure 4 shown first step.

[0063] The illustrated step involves stowing the hip section 220 and the further leg section 210a of the hosiery 200, in particular through the receiving opening 121 of the back 121 of the hollow body 100, in the cavity 101 of the hollow body 100. In particular, the thigh section 211 of the leg section 210 of the hosiery 200 can be stretched over the top 140 of the hollow body 100. Fig. 6

[0064] Figure 6schematically shows a third step of a method according to the invention, in particular according to the one described in Figure 5 shown second step.

[0065] The illustrated step comprises stretching the lower leg section 212 of the leg part 210 over the underside 130 of the hollow body 100, which is closed by the thigh section 211 of the leg part 210, whereby in particular the thigh section 211 of the leg part 210 can be further stretched over the top 140 of the hollow body 100. Fig. 7

[0066] Figure 7 schematically shows a fourth step of a method according to the invention, in particular according to the one described in Figure 6 shown third step.

[0067] The illustrated step involves inserting the foot section 213 of the leg section 210 through the receiving opening 121 of the rear 120 of the hollow body 100 into the cavity 101 of the hollow body 100.

[0068] Inserting the foot section 213 into the cavity 101 preferably comprises clamping the foot section 213 in the cavity 101, in particular with the help of the parts 220, 210a of the butt material 200 already contained in the cavity 101. List of reference symbols

[0069] 100 Hollow body 200 Hosiery 101 cavity 210 Leg part 110 front 211 thigh section 120 back 212 lower leg section 121 opening 213 Foot section 130 bottom 214 Knee section 131 Floor space 220 hip section 140 Top H Vertical axis 150 Anterior section L Longitudinal axis Q transverse axis

Claims

1. A dimensionally stable hollow body (100) for storing at least one hosiery item (200), particularly tights or a pair of stockings, the hollow body (100) comprising a. an inner cavity (101) for receiving part of the hosiery item (200), b. a front side (110) with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (100), and a rear side (120) opposite of the front side (110) along the longitudinal axis (L), and c. a lower side (130) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), and an upper side (140) opposite of the lower side (130) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), d. wherein the hollow body (100) is designed to be inserted, front side (110) first, along the longitudinal axis, into a thigh portion (211) of the hosiery item (200), e. wherein the upper side (140) is convexly curved about the longitudinal axis (L) at least in sections, f. wherein the hollow body (100) tapers along the longitudinal axis (L) from the rear side (120) to the front side (110) at least in a front section (150) of the hollow body (100) adjacent to the front side (110), g. wherein at least the rear side (120) comprises at least one receiving opening (121) for receiving in the cavity (101) of the hollow body (100) at least part of another hollow body (100a) according to the invention, which is oriented in the same way as the hollow body (100), h. wherein the corners and / or the edges of the hollow body (100) are rounded, and i. wherein the lower side (130) and the rear side (120) respectively comprise at least one planar standing surface (131) for stably mounting the hollow body (100) on a horizontal base.

2. The hollow body (100) according to claim 1, wherein the front side (110) is, at least in portions, convexly curved about a transverse axis (Q) oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) and along the lower side (130) and / or about a vertical axis (H) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) and to the transverse axis (Q).

3. The hollow body (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower side (130) comprises at least one receiving opening (121) for receiving in the cavity (101) of the hollow body (100) at least part of another hollow body (100a) according to the invention, which is oriented in the same way as the hollow body (100).

4. The hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein at least the upper side (140) is smooth.

5. The hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the hollow body (100) is elastically deformable during the insertion into the thigh portion (211) so that the thigh portion (211) is stretched by the inserted hollow body (100).

6. The hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein at least the upper side (140) is luminescent at least in portions.

7. The hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein at least the upper side (140) has at least in portions a high colour contrast to typical hosiery colours, at least the upper side (140) preferably being white.

8. The hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper side (140) comprises a recess for receiving at least part of a front thumb section, preferably a thumb nail, of a user of the hollow body (100) when the hollow body (100) is inserted into the thigh portion (211) of the hosiery item (200).

9. A method for storing at least one hosiery item (200), particularly tights or a pair of stockings, using a hollow body (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: a. inserting the hollow body (100), with the front side (110) of the hollow body (100) first, along the longitudinal axis (L) of the hollow body (100), into a thigh portion (211) of a leg section (210) of the hosiery item (200), b. stowing a hip section (220) and another leg section (210a) of the hosiery item (200) or stowing another hosiery item (200a) in the cavity (101) of the hollow body (100), c. stretching a lower leg portion (212) of the leg section (210) over the lower side (130) of the hollow body (100), and d. inserting a foot portion (213) of the leg section (210) into the cavity (101) of the hollow body (100) through the receiving opening (121) of the rear side (120) of the hollow body (100).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of inserting the hollow body (100) into the thigh portion (211) is performed so that, in the end of the step of inserting, a. the upper side (140) of the hollow body (100) abuts at least in portions on a front side of the thigh portion (211), and / or b. the front side (110) of the hollow body (100) abuts at least in portions on a knee portion (214) of the leg section (210).

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step of inserting the foot portion (213) into the cavity (101) comprises clamping the foot portion (213) in the cavity (101).