HANGER AND ASSEMBLY OF SUCH A HANGER, AN ARTICLE CONTAINED IN A PACKAGE AND A FURTHER ARTICLE CONTAINED IN A RE-OPENABLE RECEIVING SPACE

Abstract

 A hanger (1) provided with a hook element (3) for suspending the hanger and a carrier element (5) that extends substantially equally far on both sides of the hook element, which carrier element is configured to carry an article contained in a package, wherein the hook element (3) is provided with a re-openable receiving space (15) for containing a further article in the form of a sample of the article. An assembly of a hanger (1) according to the present invention, an article contained in a package and a further article contained in the re-openable receiving space, which further article is formed by a sample of the article, wherein the package is connected to the carrier element (5).

Description

[0001] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a hanger provided with a hook element for suspending the hanger and a carrier element that extends substantially equally far on both sides of the hook element, which carrier element is configured to carry an article contained in a package.

[0002] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to an assembly of the hanger according to the first aspect and an article contained in a package.

[0003] Known hangers are provided with a hook element for suspending the hanger and a carrier element provided on the hook element. An article contained in a package, for example a bag formed by a foil, can be suspended from the carrier element. The package protects the article inter alia against external influences, such as water and dirt. A drawback of these known hangers is that it is not really possible for a consumer to inspect the article by touch whilst keeping the protection by the package intact.

[0004] Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a hanger wherein a consumer is able to inspect an article present inside the package by touch whilst keeping the protection by the package intact.

[0005] This object is achieved in that the hook element is provided with a re-openable receiving space for containing a further article in the form of a sample of the article. By providing a re-openable receiving space, the further article can be inspected by touch whilst the package remains closed. Because the further article is a sample of the article, a consumer can form an image of the article present inside the package by touch.

[0006] It is advantageous if the hook element is made up of a first element part and a second element part which can be detachably connected together, wherein the first element part and the second element part at least partly surround the re-openable receiving space in the connected condition, wherein the further article can be inspected by touch. By detachably connecting the first and the second element part together, a re-openable receiving space is realised in an advantageous manner.

[0007] It is advantageous in that regard if the first element part and/or the second element part is/are provided with a recess on a side facing the re-openable receiving space for at least partly accommodating the further article therein. As a result of the provision of a recess, the re-openable receiving space extends between the first element part and the second element part, so that a further article present in the receiving space can be secured in an advantageous manner.

[0008] It is advantageous in that regard if a connecting element is provided in the recess for connecting the further article thereto.

[0009] In a practical embodiment it is advantageous in that regard if the connecting element is configured for detachably connecting the first element part and the second element part together.

[0010] It is advantageous if the first element part and the carrier element are integral with each other. An integral assembly is advantageous with a view to realising a relatively cost-efficient embodiment of a hanger.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the hook element is provided with a suspension hook on the side of the re-openable receiving space remote from the carrier element.

[0012] It is advantageous in that regard if the suspension hook is formed by the first element part and the second element part.

[0013] It is advantageous if a re-openable receiving element is provided in the re-openable receiving space for screening the receiving space from the environment, wherein the re-openable receiving element can be detachably connected to the hook element.

[0014] It is advantageous if the hanger is formed by means of an injection-moulding process.

[0015] According to the second aspect, the present invention relates to an assembly of a hanger according to the first aspect of the present invention, an article contained in a package and a further article contained in the re-openable receiving space, which further article is formed by a sample of the article, wherein the package is connected to the carrier element. The advantages of the assembly are analogous to the advantages of the hanger according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0016] The present invention will now be explained in more detail by means of a description of a preferred embodiment of a hanger according to the present invention, in which reference is made to the following schematic figures, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a hanger according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the hanger shown in figure 1.

[0017] The hanger 1 is provided with a hook element 3 for suspending the hanger 1. A carrier element 5 is provided at the bottom side of the hook element 3. The carrier element 5 extends substantially equally far on both sides of the hook element 3. The length of the carrier element 5, seen in a longitudinal direction L, ranges from 15 - 30 cm. A suspension hook 7 is provided on the side of the hook element 3 remote from the carrier element 5. The suspension hook 7 extends in a direction identical to the longitudinal direction L of the carrier element 5, along a length ranging from 5 - 15 cm. Because the carrier element 5 extends substantially equally far on either side, the carrier element 5 will tend to conform to a horizontal or align itself therewith when the hanger 1 is suspended by the suspension hook 7. The hanger 1 is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene and configured to carry a weight in the range of 0.5 - 2 kg.

[0018] The hook element 3 is formed by a first element part 9 and a second element part 11. The first element part 9 is integral with the carrier element 5. The first element part 9 and the second element part 11 can be detachably connected together by means of connecting elements 13. The connecting elements 13 are formed by snap connections between male parts provided on the first element part 9 and female parts (not shown) provided on the second element part 11. Incidentally, it is conceivable that the connecting elements are formed by hook-loop connections or an elastic spring element. Both the first element part 9 and the second element part 11 at least in part surround a re-openable receiving space 15. The receiving space 15 has dimensions ranging from 5 - 15 cm both in the longitudinal direction L and in a direction H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. On the side facing the re-openable receiving space 15, the first element part 9 and the second element part 11 are provided with a recess 17. The recess is configured for at least partly accommodating a further article formed by a sample of an article present in a package connected to the carrier element 5.

[0019] In use of the hanger 1, a package (not shown) containing an article is connected to the carrier element 5. The package may for example be connected to the carrier element 5 by melting, glueing or mechanically clamping the package and the carrier element 5 together.

Claims

1. A hanger provided with a hook element for suspending the hanger and a carrier element that extends substantially equally far on both sides of the hook element, which carrier element is configured to carry an article contained in a package, characterised in that the hook element is provided with a re-openable receiving space for containing a further article in the form of a sample of the article.

2. A hanger according to claim 1, wherein the hook element is made up of a first element part and a second element part which can be detachably connected together, wherein the first element part and the second element part at least partly surround the re-openable receiving space in the connected condition, wherein the further article can be inspected by touch.

3. A hanger according to claim 2, wherein the first element part and/or the second element part is/are provided with a recess on a side facing the re-openable receiving space for at least partly accommodating the further article therein.

4. A hanger according to claim 3, wherein a connecting element is provided in the recess for connecting the further article thereto.

5. A hanger according to claim 4, wherein the connecting element is configured for detachably connecting the first element part and the second element part together.

6. A hanger according to claim 2 or a claim dependent thereon, wherein the first element part and the carrier element are integral with each other.

7. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hook element is provided with a suspension hook on the side of the re-openable receiving space remote from the carrier element.

8. A hanger according to claim 7, wherein the suspension hook is formed by the first element part and the second element part.

9. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a re-openable receiving element is provided in the re-openable receiving space for screening the receiving space from the environment, wherein the re-openable receiving element can be detachably connected to the hook element.

10. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger is formed by means of an injection moulding process.

11. An assembly of a hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, an article contained in a package and a further article contained in the re-openable receiving space, which further article is formed by a sample of the article, wherein the package is connected to the carrier element.

Drawing