Garment hanger with releasable information tab

Abstract

Garment hangers having information tab mounts are described. An exemplary information tab mount includes a recessed portion for receiving an information tab, a rib member that extends upwardly to inhibit removal of the information tab from the holder, and a channel to facilitate deliberate removal of the information tab. The information tab may be releasably secured to the information tab mount with a latch.

1 . A garment hanger, comprising: 
 a body; and    an information tab mount forming a portion of the body, the information tab mount comprising: 
 a recessed portion for receiving an information tab, the recessed portion defining; 
 a coupling surface;  
 first and second guide sides extending along opposing ends of the coupling surface;  
 an end tab side; and  
 a receiving side, wherein the end tab side and the receiving side are defined at opposing ends of the coupling surface;  
 
 a rib member extending from the coupling surface, the rib member and coupling surface cooperating to be substantially T-shaped in profile wherein the rib member is disposed in between the end tab side and the receiving side, and a first end of the rib member and the first guide side define a gap; and  
 a channel formed in a portion of the coupling surface corresponding to the gap.  
   
   
   
       2 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein a second end of the rib member and the second guide side define a second gap, the garment hanger further comprising a second channel formed in a portion of the coupling surface corresponding to the second gap.  
   
   
       3 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rib member is substantially perpendicular to the channel.  
   
   
       4 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rib member forms an angle with the channel, the angle being not a right angle.  
   
   
       5 . A garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the rib member is substantially perpendicular to the second channel.  
   
   
       6 . A garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the rib member forms an angle with the second channel, the angle being not a right angle.  
   
   
       7 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed to have substantially uniform depth.  
   
   
       8 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed to have varying depth.  
   
   
       9 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel begins proximate the rib member and extends beyond the end tab side.  
   
   
       10 . A garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel begins proximate the receiving side and extends beyond the end tab side.  
   
   
       11 . A garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the second channel begins proximate the rib member and extends beyond the end tab side.  
   
   
       12 . A garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the second channel begins proximate the receiving side and extends beyond the end tab side.  
   
   
       13 . A garment hanger, comprising: 
 a body; and    an information tab mount forming a portion of the body, the information tab mount comprising: 
 a recessed portion for receiving an information tab, the recessed portion defining 
 a coupling surface; and  
 an end tab side;  
 a receiving side, wherein the end tab side and the receiving side are defined at opposing ends of the coupling surface;  
 
 a rib member extending from the coupling surface, the rib member and coupling surface cooperating to be substantially T-shaped in profile, wherein the rib member is disposed in between the end tab side and the receiving side; and  
 a channel formed in the coupling surface, the channel beginning proximate the rib member and extending beyond the end tab side.  
   
   
   
       14 . A garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the recessed portion further defines a first guide side and a second guide side, and wherein the rib member extends from the first guide side to the second guide side.  
   
   
       15 . A garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the recessed portion further defines a first guide side and a second guide side, and wherein the rib member and the first guide side define a first gap and the rib member and the second guide side define a second gap.  
   
   
       16 . A garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the recessed portion further defines a first guide side and a second guide side, the first and second guide sides being substantially parallel to one another.  
   
   
       17 . A garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the channel is formed to have substantially uniform depth.  
   
   
       18 . A garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the channel is formed to have varying depth.  
   
   
       19 . A method for removably providing an information tab on a garment hanger, comprising: 
 providing a garment hanger having an information tab mount, the information tab mount having a recessed portion defining a receiving side and an end tab side, and the information tab mount further having a rib member extending from the recessed portion, the rib member and coupling surface cooperating to be substantially T-shaped in profile, wherein the rib member is disposed in between the end tab side and the receiving side;    providing an information tab having a base, a pair of elongated sides extending from the base and a pair of latches forming terminal ends of the elongated sides;    positioning the latches over the receiving side; and    exerting a force on the information tab toward the end tab side to mount the information tab on the hanger, whereby at least one of the latches is positioned between the rib member and the end tab side.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the recessed portion includes a channel defined therein, the method further comprising inserting a tool into the channel to engage the at least one latch over the rib member, thereby disengaging the information tab from the information tab mount.