Garment cases

Abstract

A packaging case for folded garments such as shirts and a garment frame for securing garments so that the garment may be stored and/or used in conjunction with a packaging case in a configuration such that the garment sustains minimal creasing. The frame when used for shirts allows the shirt to be attached to the frame at the collar. The frame has a hinge that defines a curved transition between the frame panels to minimize creasing of the shirt when folded in the frame.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A packaging case comprising: 
 an outer bag structure defining an operable storage container having top and bottom walls and an opening with a closure flap thereto;    a reinforcing structure providing transverse rigidity between said walls, said transverse rigidity between said walls extending over a greater height between the walls at one end region of the storage container relative to an opposite end region thereof; and    said opening is provided at said one end region.    
     
     
         2 . The packaging case as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said case comprises a frame having a flat panel which fits within the case over the bottom wall and around which an article can be folded.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging case comprising: 
 an outer bag structure formed from flexible material defining an operable storage container having top and bottom walls thereto,    an integral reinforcing structure providing transverse rigidity between said walls, said transverse rigidity between said walls extending over a greater height between the walls, at one end region of the storage container relative to an opposite end region thereof.    
     
     
         4 . A packaging case for a shirt comprising: 
 an outer bag structure formed from flexible material defining a storage container having top and bottom walls;    an opening in said top wall with a closure flap thereto at one end region of the container;    a reinforcing structure providing transverse rigidity between said top and bottom walls;    said reinforcing structure comprises transverse edge walls which are of greater height at said one end region than at an opposite end region of said container, whereby transverse rigidity between said top and bottom walls extends over a greater height at said one end region relative to said opposite end region;    a frame comprising a flat panel which fits within the container over said bottom wall and around which a shirt can be folded.    
     
     
         5 . The packaging case as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said case comprises a supplementary storage compartment, said compartment being arranged at the said opposite end region of the case.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging case comprising: 
 an outer bag structure defining an operable storage container having top and bottom walls thereto;    a reinforcing structure providing transverse rigidity between said walls, said transverse rigidity between said walls extending over a greater height between the walls, at one end region of the storage container relative to an opposite end region thereof; and    said case includes a supplementary container for small garments arranged to fit within the confines of a shirt collar within the case to support said collar.    
     
     
         7 . The packaging case as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said case comprises a supplementary storage compartment, said storage compartment being arranged at the said opposite end region of the case.  
     
     
         8 . The packaging case as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said supplementary storage compartment is detachably mounted externally on the top wall of the case.  
     
     
         9 . A method of packaging a shirt using a case comprising the steps of: 
 providing an outer bag structure defining an openable storage container having a top wall and a bottom wall;    providing transverse rigidity between said top wall and said bottom wall with a reinforcing structure;    extending said transverse rigidity between said top wall and said bottom wall over a greater height at one end region of the storage container relative to an opposite end region thereof; and    fitting within the case a frame having a flat panel which fits over the bottom wall and around which an article can be folded.    
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  further comprising the step of folding said shirt and inserting said shirt into said case with a collar of said shirt at said one end region and the remainder of said shirt extending towards an opposite end region.  
     
     
         11 . A method of packaging a shirt using a case comprising the steps of: 
 forming an outer bag structure from flexible material defining a storage container having a top wall and a bottom wall;    providing an opening in said top wall having a closure flap at one end region of said container;    providing transverse rigidity between said top wall and said bottom wall with a reinforcing structure which comprises transverse edge walls which are of greater height at said one end region than at an opposite end region of said container;    extending said transverse rigidity between the top wall and the bottom wall over a greater height at said one end region relative to said opposite end region; and    providing a frame which includes a flap panel which fits within said container over said bottom wall and around which a shirt can be folded.    
     
     
         12 . A frame for use in a packaging case comprising first and second flat panels joined by a hinge whereby the panels can be bent or pivoted about said hinge to lie one on top of the other with an article folded around the panels, wherein said hinge is arranged to bend or pivot to form a curved transition between said panels.  
     
     
         13 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said hinge is defined by a strip with multiple side by side lines of weakness.  
     
     
         14 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said panels and said strip are formed integrally in one piece.  
     
     
         15 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said frame is used with a shirt.  
     
     
         16 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said frame comprises an upstanding tab at a top end of a top one of said panels for engagement with said shirt collar.  
     
     
         17 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said frame comprises an upstanding tab engageable with a collar reinforcement.  
     
     
         18 . The frame as recited in  claim 12 , wherein one of said panels is an upper panel having free sides with edges, said edges are transversely connected to the hinge, said hinge being coextensive to the upper panel between the edges.