TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for accumulating and moving dirty laundry. This application is continuation-in-part of Serial No. 08/418,310, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

One of the unsightly realities of even the most privileged life is dirty laundry. Every day each of us generates a great deal of dirty laundry which, of necessity, accumulates day by day, sock by sock, and sheet by sheet until the end of the week, when most of us catch up with our accumulations and get them washed, in our own homes, if we are fortunate enough to have a washing machine and dryer, or at the local laundromat.

Typically, laundry is accumulated in hampers or laundry bags. Hampers usually take the form of a rigid receptacle, often of rectangular configuration and having a hinged cover, which allows the cover to be opened to receive dirty laundry. After receiving the dirty laundry, the cover can be closed and thus presents a pleasant appearance. However, such hampers are relatively expensive to manufacture and bulky. Less expensive versions consist of a bulky plastic shell which must be shipped in its full assembled configuration and is found by retailers to not be a cost effective use of shelf or other selling space. Such shipping is relatively expensive and adds to the manufacturing costs to increase the overall cost to the

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consumer. As a result, such hampers are not in widespread use.

Still yet another problem with such hampers is the fact that they are not portable and thus one must bend over and dig in deep to get the dirty laundry out of them and move it to a place to be cleaned. Of course, this assumes that the laundry is being accumulated in a place convenient to where it is being generated. In most situations this will be the bedroom. Here both sheets and clothing are changed. Other laundry is generated in the bathroom, where towels, shower curtains, bathroom mats and the like gradually become soiled. A relatively minor amount of laundry is also generated in the kitchen and dining room where such items as hot authors, kitchen towels, table linens and the like may become soiled.

In view of the stationary nature of conventional rigid hampers, it is necessary, in addition to removing laundry and transporting it to a place to be cleaned, to transport laundry to the hamper itself. From a common sense standpoint, location of the hamper hear the point of generation of most of the dirty laundry is most convenient from the standpoint of accumulation. Typically, as discussed above, this point is somewhere near the bedroom, which typically is also close to the bathroom.

However, plastic hampers are quite unsightly and their location in the bedroom is not a preferred situation. One approach to solving the problems of the unsightly hamper is to improve the looks of the hamper. Accordingly, hampers have been designed which are made of wicker, painted white or stained with a desired color. However, such hampers are relatively expensive even compared to plastic hampers, and have thus not seen any widespread use.

As an alternative, many people use plastic baskets such as

those marketed by the Rubbermaid Corporation. While these baskets are relatively cheap, they are particularly unattractive. However they do have the advantage of serving both as receptacles for receiving dirty laundry and as totable containers for transporting the dirty laundry to a location for cleaning.

As can be seen from the above discussion, in the case of stationary hampers, it is necessary that the dirty laundry be loaded twice. The first time it must be loaded into the hamper, and the second time it must be loaded into a travel receptacle such as a laundry bag. As an alternative, dirty laundry may be loaded directly into a laundry bag and then transported without reloading to the place where the washing machine is, whether it be a laundry room or a laundromat.

In an attempt to address the above problems, I conceived the idea of a bag which would function both as a hamper and as a laundry bag, by being attractive and portable. My design took the form of a cylinder shaped bag with side and top zippered openings to provide flexibility in filling and discharging. While the shape of my hamper was attractive, when it was filled up, when it was less than filled, its appearance was floppy and ill defined. My ornamental design for a clothing hamper is illustrated in my United States Design Patent Number D 307,811.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as claimed, is intended to provide a remedy. It solves the problem of how to provide a hamper which is of attractive configuration, while at the same time having mechanical features which provide for ease of use for the accumulation of dirty laundry and easy portability. The same is achieved by providing a hamper comprising a base, a sidewall and a top. The base is such as to allow the bag to rest in stable fashion on the floor. The top of the bag

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is provided with a zippered opening which allows for the convenient deposit of dirty laundry. A zipper is also provided on the side of the bag to allow for convenient removal of the contents of the bag. This allows easy transfer of laundry into a washing machine. Transportation of the bag is provided for by an adjustable strap attached to the main body of the bag or other removable transportation means. The bag is maintained in the shape of a hamper by a plurality of support members which are maintained in contact with the sidewall and extend from the base to the top of the bag.

The bag may be varied in shape and size depending on the user or designer's preference. The shape of the bag may of elliptical, cylindrical, triangular or rectangular prism geometry. The geometry may also be regular, irregular, or amorphous as dictated by the aesthetic considerations of the designer. The size of the bag may also be varied in accordance with the designer's preference. As there is no need to bend down to retrieve the soiled clothes is no longer a problem (in accordance with the invention the laundry is simply dumped into the washing machine) , the hamper may be as tall as is convenient for the owner. For children however, smaller sizes work better, and can be enhanced with shapes and artwork pleasing to children.

The support rods can be made of wood, plastic or composite materials. They may be solid, hollow, or plastic and inflatable. Additional compartments with supports will add to the stability of the structure. As the supports would preferably be removable, the additional supports will not detract from the portability or flexibility of the collapsible structure. The compartments may be spaced equally or unequally around the perimeter of the shape. Batting in the shell of the device may be of natural or synthetic fiber, foam or other filler material. The batting may be machine washable. Loft or filler may vary

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to achieve crisp or padded appearance or in-between.

Lining may be made of natural or synthetic fiber or a blend of fibers. The lining may be knit, woven or non-woven structure and may be machine washable.

The look of the hamper may he enhanced with quilting patterns such as diamond, onion or channel and stitched in any of these or other patterns of any dimension. The outside fabric itself may be made of natural or synthetic fibers. The material would preferably be machine washable so that the bag itself may be thrown into washing machine for keeping the bag clean from accumulated dirt.

The detachable strap should be constructed of material with appropriate strength. A detachable pad may be provided for added comfort. The strap may also be adjustable in length to be comfortable to all users. Similarly, handles may be added to the side for transportation ease of the hamper within the house. The strap and/or handles may be made of the same color as the outside fabric or contrasting, complimentary fabric.

The bag may also include a divider placed inside the bag to create multiple compartments to separate out laundry into, for example, lights and darks. Each compartment could have its own sidewall zipper to provide separate access for the user to empty the receptacle. The divider would preferably be removable to provide flexibility in use.

Another problem associated with hampers and laundry, in general, is what do with delicate items such as lingerie and hosiery. Although, in the past, people have simply handwashed these items, with the innovations in delicates cycles of today's washing machines, and the lack of time to always handwash these items, it is preferable to have these items washed by the washing machine. A detachable mesh bag with a snap that attaches to another end to firm a loop to

hang on doors and attaches to a complimentary piece in the compartment is provided for this purpose.

Top, side or circumferential zippers may be provided for the purpose of inserting and unloading laundry or for closure of any pockets or compartments within the bag. With a circumferential sidewall zipper, the bag can initially be used as a package. The larger opening will allow for larger objects to be placed inside the bag, allowing for more flexibility in the use of the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Several ways of carrying out the invention are described in detail below with reference to drawings which illustrate only specific embodiments of the invention and in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view along lines 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the inventive device; Figure 4 is a view in cross-section along lines 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view in cross-section along lines 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a view in cross-section along lines 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view along lines 7-7 of Figure 3; Figure 8 is an illustration in perspective showing the removal of a support rod from the inventive device; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 illustrating an alternative construction. Figure 11 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device;

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Figure 12 is a rear view of the inventive device shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a top view along lines x-x of the inventive device shown in Figure 11; Figure 14 is a view of the laundry bag inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 11; Figure 15a is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 15b is a side view the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in Firgure 15a; Figure 16 is a rear view of the inventive device shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 18 is a right side view of the inventive device shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a left side view of the inventive device shown in Figure 17; Figure 20 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 21 is a rear side view of the inventive device in Figure 20; Figure 22 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of the inventive device in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a cross sectional view of an alternative construction of the inventive device in Figure 22; Figure 25 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 26 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 27 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 28 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed using the devices shown in Figures 26 and 27; Figure 29 is a frontal view of an alternative construction of the inventive device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As illustrated in Figure 1-7, the inventive bag 10 has a generally cylindrical configuration. Bag 10 comprises a sidewall 12 made of a conventional quilted material. Bag 10 is supported on a base 14 and is closed by a top 16. Top 16 and base 14 are both made of conventional quilted material of the type which comprises, for example, planar fibrous polyester sheeting with both sides covered by a woven fabric such as cotton.

As illustrated in Figure 2, a zipper 18 is provided on the side of bag 10. Zipper 18 is a conceptual design and may be a brass zipper or one of the more modern types of

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closures, such as a Teflon zipper or a hook and eye closure such as that marketed by the Velcro Corporation.

Zipper 18 comprises mating teeth 20 and 22. Zipper 18 is operated by a pull 24. Zipper 18 extends the full length of bag 10 and thus provides for easy unloading of the contents of bag 10.

As can be seen most clearly in Figure 1, the sides of the bag 10 are provided with a plurality of pockets for receiving support members. These pockets are defined by fabric ribbons 26. There are four fabric ribbons 26, as is illustrated most clearly in Figure 3. Each of these fabric ribbons 26 extends the length of bag 10. These fabric ribbons 26 are positioned at equal distances with respect to each other. This allows for even support of the entire bag 10, allowing it to take the form of a hamper, even when there is nothing inside of it. Naturally, however, this only works well when the bag is resting on its base 14.

As can be seen most clearly with reference to Figure 2, support is provided by a plurality of plastic rods made of Delrin brand plastic or any similar plastic. In the alternative plastic tubes may be used. Inflatable plastic tubing of somewhat larger dimension may also be used. For example, an inflatable support 29 as illustrated in phantom lines in Figure 7, one half a meter in height and two centimeters in diameter would provide adequate support. The inflatable supports may be pneumatically connected to allow for a single inflation operation. This is illustrated in phantom lines because the same are hidden by ribbons 26.

Easy filing of the bag is provided by a second zipper 30 which includes a pull 32 and facing sets of teeth 34 and 36. As can be seen in Figure 30, zipper 30 extends the full length of the top 16 of bag 10.

A handle 38 provides for the transport of bag 10. Handle 38 comprises a strap 40 looped around a brass ring 42 and secured to a brass slider 44 to provide an adjustable length in a conventional manner. One side of handle 38 is secured to sidewall 12 by stitches 46. Brass ring 42 is secured to sidewall 12 by a loop of strapping material 48 which is secured by stitches 50 to sidewall 12.

Referring to Figure 4, the construction of the inventive bag 10 may be more clearly understood. In particular, sidewall 12 comprises batting material made of polyester fibers 52 surrounded by an outer skin 54 made of cotton and an 56 inner skin 56 which may also be made of woven fabric. As illustrated in Figure 5, rods 28 are contained in pockets 58, which are defined by ribbons 26 which are made of cotton and are secured by stitching 60 to sidewall 12. Alternatively, rods or tubes 28 may be positioned on the inside of bag 10, as illustrated in phantom lines in Figure 5.

As illustrated in Figure 1, welting 62 is provided on bag 10 for both support and appearance. Turning to Figure 6 welting 62 comprises a central fibrous bead 64 held within a ribbon 66. Ribbon 66 is secured at the interface of top 16 and sidewall 12 by stitching 68.

Turning to Figure 7, the formation of pockets 58 may be understood. In particular, the pockets are formed by ribbons 26 and sidewall 12. In order that the rods 28 may be removed, a slit 70 is provided in sidewall 12 for each of the four rods 28.

During use, bag 10 sits in the position illustrated in

Figure 1, but with its zipper 30 fully open and its zipper 18 fully closed. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention it is expected that the bag 10

will be made of fabric which matches the sheets and other linens in the bedroom or bathroom. Accordingly, the bag 10 may be placed in the bedroom or bathroom without being unsightly. As laundry is generated, the same may simply be thrown into the inventive bag 10 and will fall of its own weight through the opening provided by zipper 30.

After a sufficient quantity of laundry has been collected, the zipper 30 may simply be closed and the bag taken by handle 38 and carried to the laundry room or into the car for transport to a laundromat. The zipper on the side of the bag 10, that is zipper 30, may then be opened and the laundry transferred into the washing machine. Because the zipper is not directly underneath the carrying handle 38, it will fall in unobstructed fashioned out of the bag into the washing machine. Likewise, because the zipper is not on the bottom of the bag, the tendency of fabric to catch in the zipper as it is opening and pull the facing teeth apart making opening of the zipper more difficult, does not exist and most easy operation is achieved.

As has been discussed above, it is possible in accordance with the invention to remove the rods 28 for the purpose of laundering the inventive bag. One way of doing this is illustrated in Figure 8. In accordance with the present invention, the user takes his hand 72 and pushes the sidewall 12 out through the opening 74 created by zipper 30 after zipper 30 has been opened. It is then possible to pull rod 28 and remove it. All rods 28 in the inventive bag are then removed, thus allowing the bag to be laundered.

Referring to Figure 9, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention a bag 110 is provided. Bag 110 has most of the same features as bag 10, but is instead provided with diamond shaped quilting

174 of conventional design. This bag has a height of approximately 50 cm and a diameter of about 36 cm. The quilted material of which the bag is made, is of relatively thick dimension, having a thickness on the order of about .5 centimeters. Of course, thicker dimension material may be used and acceptable results can economically be achieved in a range between .25 and .75 cm.

Rigidity and form is provided by welting 162 which has a thickness in the range of about 1 cm. Here again, somewhat smaller welting thickness and certainly larger welting thicknesses will yield acceptable results without increasing costs dramatically. In particular, it is noted that the welting provides a support function much like a horizontal strut in a building serving to keep adjacent vertical support rods 128 separated at a predetermined distance with respect to each other. The integrity of the structure is completed by the rods which fit tightly in the pockets, bearing against the pocket ends adjacent top 116 and bottom 114, not visible in Figure 9.

Generally, in order to maintain the structural integrity of the system, it is necessary that the material of which sidewall 112 is made be stiff enough to function as a support element in combination with welting 162. As can be seen from the above, to a limited extent, a relative reduction in the thickness of the sidewall 112 may be compensated for in by an increase in the thickness of welting 162.

Referring to Figure 10, an alternative construction of a bag 210 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated instead of welting 162, the bag has a bound edge 290 which comprises a pair of adjacent, folded fabric members such as sidewall 212 and top 216. The edges of sidewall 212 and top 216 are folded into hems 292 and 294, respectively and maintained in the

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illustration by stitching 268. The result is a bag which can be manufactured without being inside-out and without the added cost of welting.

Referring to Figures 11-14, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with corresponding parts as numbered with numbers in multiples of 100 higher than the corresponding parts in earlier embodiments. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, inventive bag 310 has most of the same features as bag 10, but instead has an oblong baseshape. Support is provided by wooden dowels 328, which are positioned within pockets 358 in the same fashion as supports 28 in the Figure 1 embodiment. At least one of these pockets 358 is placed at each corner, to keep bag 310 vertically supported. Bag 310 is also provided with an outer pocket

378 for carrying detergent. Side handles 380 allow the bag to be easily grasped.

Bag 310 also has a binding finish 394 for added stability. This bag has a height of approximately 61 cm, a width of approximately 56 cm and a depth of about 35 cm.

A removable divider 382 is provided for dividing bag 310 into a left compartment (for example, for storing dark laundry) and a right compartment (for light laundry in this example) . A side zipper 318 on the wall of the left compartment and a side zipper 319 on the wall of the right compartment provide for easy unloading of the respective dark and light loads. A detachable lingerie laundry bag 384 (Figure 14) is attached to handles 380 and provides yet a third compartment for delicates.

Figure 12 is a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 11 showing a back strap 338 used for transporting the bag. Figure 13 shows more clearly the divider 382 used to divide the bag 310 illustrated in dashed lines into compartments.

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Divider 382 may be made of mesh fabric. Divider 382 may be attached using VELCRO attachments 383 at the top and bottom of the inside of bag 310 or other attaching means such as snaps or even permanent stitching. The divider is preferably removable with adjustable position (achieved by using different attachments 383) so as to accommodate for varying/disproportionate amounts of dark or light loads. Figure 14 shows more clearly the lingerie laundry bag 384 used to store delicates and fine washables. Laundry bag 384 is made of mesh to allow for washing of laundry while in bag 384 in a washing machine's delicate cycle. Laundry bag 384 is equipped with a strap 388 which may be closed in a loop using mating snaps 389 for attachment to the bag 310. The loop strap 388 allows the bag 384 to be hung on a doorknob as well as to be secured around loop 380, or, where appearance is important, to be hung inside the bag

310. The same snap will fit on another loop 381 on bag 310 when transporting bag 310 to the washing machine.

Referring to Figures 15a, 15b and 16, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, inventive bag 410 is configured to act as a retail package for another product such as a comforter 492. It has an elliptical base and top. The bag is also provided with a top zipper 430 and a circumferential zipper 492, allowing its cap 489 to be opened (as illustrated in Figure 15b) for easy access to the interior of the bag hence enabling large objects such as comforters to be placed inside.

A back strap 438 provides for easy carrying; yoke 491 allows the top to have a stable structure when zipper 492 is opened and the top in bent back. A binding finish 494 provides support and define the bag's shape. The bag is also provided with six pockets defined by ribbons 426 with dowels 428 inside. This bag has a dimension of about 25 x

50 x 60 cm .

Referring to Figures 17-19, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More particularly, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention a bag 510 is provided. Bag 510 has most of the same features as bag 10, but is instead is provided with a triangular base and top to facilitate placing the hamper against the corner of a wall. There are at least three dowels 528 contained within pockets on the inside of bag 510 and placed at each corner. The bag is also provided with a diagonal side zipper 518. Figure 18 shows the right side view of the bag where the backstrap 538 is attached. Figure 19 shows the left side of the bag where a pocket 578 is located for storing detergent. The dimensions of each side of the bag are approximately 38 centimeters in width and 60 cm in height.

Referring to Figures 20 and 21, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Bag 610 is smaller to serve as a hamper for children. The bag is also provided with three pockets 678 for storage, backpack style carrying straps 638, a top zipper 630 and a back zipper 618 (Figure 21) . The pockets are ideal for holding detergent, fabric softener, and bleach.

Another novel embodiment is shown in Figure 22. Bag 710 is provided with a slit opening 795. This opening is of sufficient length and width to allow for clothes to be dropped in. Slit opening 795 is advantageous in that there will be no need to close the opening and yet there will also be no danger of clothes falling back through the opening when transporting the bag. Furthermore, the clothes will never get caught in zippers or other attachment devices. Although, this type of opening would work best on a bag with a sufficient length or diameter to facilitate the easy insertion of clothes into the bag, the

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opening would be appropriate for bags of all shapes and sizes depending on the user's needs. Figure 23 illustrates slit 795 in detail.

Referring to figure 24, a bag 810 includes an alternative slit opening structure. Here the slit 895 is defined by two overlapping sites 896 and 897 of bag 810. Figure 25 shows yet another alternative big 910 where a single zippered 918 provides for the function of allowing the input of dirty laundry when opened partially as illustrated in figure 25, or when zipper 918 is fully open allows laundry to be dumped into a washing machine. Referring to figures 26 and 27, a pair of complementary half-oblong base bags 1110 and 1210 are illustrated. These bags have side zippers 1118 and 1218 as well as their own respective top zippers 1130 and 1230. Bags 1110 and 1210 can be put together to appear as a single structure as illustrated in figure 28.

Referring to figure 29, an alternative means for providing support to maintain the shape of a bag group 1310 is illustrated. Support is provided by a springy metal or plastic rod for strap 1328. Strap 1328 is maintained in the desired shaped by a pair of clips 1329 or, if it is made of plastic it may be molded in that shape or a suitable plastic cement used. In order to provide for easy removal of laundry into a washing machine during laundering of the laundry, a zipper 1318 is provided and extends between clips 1329, whereby the support does not interfere with this operation.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described above, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited and defined only by the appended claims.

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