Display package for gloves in compressed state

Abstract

Display packaging comprising a support or backing member ( 5 ) upon which at least one item can be located; at least one compression member ( 6, 8 ) movably connected or attached to the support member, said compression member being moveable to a position to compress the item located on the support member, and a cover member ( 30 ) such as a sleeve, bag, envelope or shrink wrap film is capable of being located around the compression member and item when located on the support member. The package is a blank made from cardboard and has holdings tabs ( 7, 11 ) that engage with slots ( 20, 22 ). Compressing the item inside the package removes trapped air thereby reducing the size of the item and/or package. The package can be used for gloves ( 50 ) or socks in which the items are compressed to occupy a smaller space or volume as compared to a rest or unrestrained size of the items.

1 . A package for at least one item, comprising: a support member upon which the item can be located; 
 at least one compression member moveably connected or attached to the support member, said compression member being located over the item and being moveable so as to be capable of compressing the item when located substantially on the support or support member; and    a shrinkable cover member substantially enveloping the arrangement of the compression member, item and supporting member, wherein the cover member is shrunk in size thereby moving the compression member towards the support member so as to compress the item inside the package thereby forming a package in which the size of the item and/or package containing the item is reduced.    
   
   
       2 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the cover member is a flexible cover made from a shrinkable film, sheet, membrane or other flexible planar element which can shrink from a first size to a second size.  
   
   
       3 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the cover member is a shrink wrap film, sheet or covering.  
   
   
       4 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 3 , in which the shrink wrap film, sheet or covering is shrunk through the application of heat.  
   
   
       5 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the support member is a blank having a planar central portion or panel for supporting the item.  
   
   
       6 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which each compression member is attached to part of a lateral side of the support member.  
   
   
       7 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which each compression member is hingedly connected to the support member.  
   
   
       8 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the support member and compression members are provide with complementary fastening elements which are releasably securable with one another.  
   
   
       9 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 8 , in which the complementary fastening elements comprise a tab which can be releasably secured within a slot.  
   
   
       10 . A package for at least one item  claim 1 , in which the cover completely envelops the arrangement of the item, supporting member and compression member forming a sealed package.  
   
   
       11 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the cover member is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       12 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the item is provided with cavities, pockets, folds or similar in which air can accumulate or be trapped to resist compression of the item during packaging.  
   
   
       13 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the item are made from flexible material.  
   
   
       14 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the item are gloves.  
   
   
       15 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the front or rear sides or faces or both faces or sides of the support member are provided with printing.  
   
   
       16 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the support member also has an attachment means for attaching the package to a hook or display means.  
   
   
       17 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the support or support member is provided with a display portion over which the compression member is not folded or superposed allowing the item within the package to be visible at the point of sale when the cover member is in place.  
   
   
       18 . A package for at least one item according to  claim 1 , in which the support member of the present invention is made from cardboard or similar paper or cardboard products.  
   
   
       19 . A method of packaging at least one item, comprising the steps of: 
 placing at least one of the items between a supporting or support member and at least one compression member, the compression member being moveably connected or attached to the support member;    substantially enveloping the arrangement of the item, supporting member and compression member with a shrinkable cover member; and    causing the cover member to shrink in size so as to move the compression member towards the support member so as to compress the item inside the package, thereby forming a package in which the cover member compresses the item between the compression member and the support member thereby reducing the size of the item and/or package containing the item.    
   
   
       20 . A method of packaging at least one item according to  claim 19 , using a package for at least one item, comprising: 
 a support member upon which the item can be located;    at least one compression member moveably connected or attached to the support member, said compression member being located over the item and being moveable so as to be capable of compressing the item when located substantially on the support or support member; and    a shrinkable cover member substantially enveloping the arrangement of the compression member, item and supporting member, wherein the cover member is shrunk in size thereby moving the compression member towards the support member so as to compress the item inside the package thereby forming a package in which the size of the item and/or package containing the item is reduced.