The invention disclosed herein is an improved panel arrangement for closing a box. The invention includes two sliding panels and two slotted panels, each slotted panel having a first slot and a second slot for receiving a terminal edge of a sliding panel. In some embodiments of the invention, a flap or flaps are present about a perimeter edge of the slots to allow better access to the slots by the terminal edges of the sliding panels.

Warehouse automation and methods of sorting and sequencing garment items can be used to enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes warehouse automation of systems and methods for efficiently compiling store replenishment orders for garment items. The systems and methods make store replenishment of garment items highly efficient. In some examples, the systems and methods are focused on automation (e.g., using autonomous mobile robots that transport pods containing garment items) and arranging the garment items in store-ready containers that can be wheeled out directly into the retail area for efficient store replenishment.

A direct-to-garment personalization system for personalizing an article includes a direct-to-garment printer configured to print a graphic onto the article and a packaged article. The packaged article has the article to be printed; a hanger having a hanging arm and an upset, the hanging arm disposed the article, wherein the hanger and the article have a rolled configuration; and a retainer disposed around the hanging arm for securing the article in a rolled configuration. The system also includes a storage area containing the packaged article and a transfer system. The transfer system is configured to retrieve the packaged article from the storage area; remove the retainer from the article; move the article to the direct-to-garment printer; and position a printing surface of the article at a distance from 2 mm to 10 mm away from a printing head of the direct-to-garment printer.

A direct-to-garment personalization system for personalizing an article having a direct-to-garment printer configured to print a graphic onto the article and a packaged article. The packaged article including the article to be printed; a hanger having a first arm coupled to a second arm, the first and second arms disposed in the article; and a container for receiving the hanger and the article in a rolled configuration. The system also includes a storage area containing the packaged article and a transfer system. The transfer system is configured to retrieve the packaged article from the storage area; remove the article from the container; and move the article to the direct-to-garment printer.

A direct-to-garment personalization system for personalizing an article includes a direct-to-garment printer configured to print a graphic onto the article, wherein the article is assembled with a packaging to form a packaged article. The packaging has a left joint having a body portion and a neck portion; a right joint having a body portion and a neck portion; and a plurality of expansion joints pivotally connecting the body portion of the left joint to the body portion of the right joint. The plurality of expansion joints are configured to move the left and right joints between a retracted position and an expansion position. When in the expanded position, the frame is configured to keep the article taut for printing. The system also includes a storage area housing the packaged article; and a transfer system configured to retrieve the packaged article from the storage area and move the article to the direct-to-garment printer.

The wardrobe box comprises a lid a bottom and side walls, comprising also a door at one of its side walls, wherein the lid comprises two hinged sectors engageable to each other. The sectors of the lid comprise preferably complementary flaps engageable to each other, and the door comprises a detachable closing element. This permits to use no additional closing element, such as e.g. adhesive tape, to close the lid and to keep the door closed.

The invention disclosed herein is an improved panel arrangement for closing a box. The invention includes two sliding panels and two slotted panels, each slotted panel having a first slot and a second slot for receiving a terminal edge of a sliding panel. In some embodiments of the invention, a flap or flaps are present about a perimeter edge of the slots to allow better access to the slots by the terminal edges of the sliding panels.

Example aspects of a wardrobe box assembly are disclosed. The wardrobe box assembly can comprise a wardrobe box defining an interior cavity, a first box mounting slot, and a second box mounting slot; and a hanger support member mounted on the wardrobe box and extending laterally across the interior cavity, the hanger support member defining a first hanger engagement slot engaging the first box mounting slot and a second hanger engagement slot engaging the second box mounting slot.

A direct-to-garment personalization system for personalizing an article has a direct-to-garment printer configured to print a graphic onto the article and a packaged article. The packaged article includes the article to be printed and a packaging. The packaging has an upper packaging portion having a top wall; a print-access window formed in the top wall sized and shaped to accommodate access for a direct-to-garment printer; and a plurality of sidewalls connected to the top wall. The packaging has a lower packaging portion having a bottom wall; a print-access window formed in the bottom wall sized and shaped to accommodate access for a direct-to-garment printer; and a plurality of sidewalls connect to the bottom wall. The packaging also has a stiffener configured to support the article in the lower packaging portion, wherein the article has a printable area lying flat against a front side of the stiffener and has a portion folded around the stiffener. The packaging further includes a retainer for securing the folded portion of the article on a back side of the stiffener, wherein the retainer and the stiffener keep the printable area taut during printing. The system also includes a storage area containing the packaged article, and a transfer system for retrieving the packaged article from the storage area and for moving the packaged article to the direct-to-garment printer.

An environmentally-friendly alternative to polyethylene garment and other product packages is made of paper, which can be recycled, re-pulped or composted. Each such package includes two parallel coextensive elongated sheets of paper joined together along their respective side edges and along a top edge by heat seal or an adhesive. The two sheets of paper define an expandable volume therebetween. Central portions of the two sheets of paper are separable from each other to increase the volume to accept an article of clothing or other product. Rolls of paper-based product protection material may be manufactured, from which individual packages may be made or cut. Methods and apparatus for manufacturing the product protection material are disclosed.