Merchandise display apparatus and method

Abstract

A merchandise display system including a hanger having retention elements configured to operatively connect to paired merchandise items. The retention elements may include tabs configured to retain the merchandise items in a desired position. The hanger will typically include a number of holes to facilitate placement in a retail display area. Various elements may be utilized in conjunction with the hanger to maintain desired orientation and position of the paired merchandise items, including securing devices and fasteners. The merchandise display system advantageously permits the wearing of paired merchandise items while maintaining security and pair integrity.

1 . A merchandise hanger, comprising: 
 a support member;    a pair of retention members operatively connected to distal ends of the support member; and    a pair of tabs, operatively connected to the distal ends of the pair of retention members.    
   
   
       2 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening disposed in the support member.  
   
   
       3 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of each of the pair of retention members is lower than a lower surface of the support member.  
   
   
       4 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising an indent formed in an outer surface of each of the pair of retention members.  
   
   
       5 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of tabs has a configuration selected from an L-shape, a J-shape, and a U-shape.  
   
   
       6 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the operative connection of the pair of tabs comprises at least one selected from an ultrasonic weld, paired mating surfaces, and a set of mating elements.  
   
   
       7 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of tabs comprise an increased surface area.  
   
   
       8 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein at least one operative connection selected from the operative connection of the pair of retention members to the distal ends of the support member, and the operative connection of the pair of tabs to the retention members, comprises an integrally-formed unit.  
   
   
       9 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip disposed in an upper portion of the support member, such lip having an increased thickness relative to an adjoining portion of the support member.  
   
   
       10 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 8 , wherein the lip is configured to operatively connect to a predetermined configuration of a clip.  
   
   
       11 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a texturing disposed on the surface an upper portion of the support member.  
   
   
       12 . The merchandise hanger of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the pair of tabs differs from the longitudinal axis of the pair of retention members by at least 10 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The merchandise hanger system of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the pair of tabs is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pair of retention members.  
   
   
       14 . A merchandise hanger system kit, comprising: 
 a merchandise hanger, comprising a support member having a first distal end and a second distal end, the first distal end operatively connected to a first retention member, and the second distal end operatively connected to a second retention member;    paired merchandise items, wherein a first individual item of the paired merchandise items comprises a suspension element configured to operatively connect to the first retention member; and a second individual item of the paired merchandise items comprises a suspension element configured to operatively connect to the second retention member; and    at least one selected from (a) a fastener operatively connecting the paired merchandise items, and (b) tabs operatively connected to distal ends of the retention members.    
   
   
       15 . The merchandise hanger system kit of  claim 14 , wherein the paired merchandise items are each configured to operatively connect the fastener.  
   
   
       16 . The merchandise hanger system kit of  claim 14 , further comprising indents disposed on an outer surface of each of the tabs.  
   
   
       17 . The merchandise hanger system kit of  claim 14 , further comprising securing devices operatively connected to the tabs such that a gap is formed between the securing devices and the retention members, such gap of sufficient size to accommodate a predetermined size of suspension element.  
   
   
       18 . The merchandise hanger system kit of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener has a predetermined length sufficient to maintain a predetermined distance between the paired merchandise items when the paired merchandise items are operatively connected to the merchandise hanger.  
   
   
       19 . A method for preparing paired merchandise for display, comprising: 
 providing a hanger system having a support member operatively connected to at least one pair of retention members;    passing each of the retention members through a suspension element operatively connected to a merchandise item; and    securing the merchandise item to the hanger system.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of securing the merchandise item to the hanger system comprises at least one selected from: 
 (a) passing the merchandise item over a tab,    (b) operatively connecting a securing device to the retention member, and    (c) using a fastener to operative connecting the merchandise item to a second merchandise item which is operatively connected to the hanger system, such that the pair of merchandise items will maintain a predetermined distance from each other, such distance sufficiently small to prevent reversal of the operative connection between each merchandise item and the hanger system.