U.S. patent application number 12/221976 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for self-contained clothes hamper.
Invention is credited to John Arthur Schatz.
Application Number | 20100032431 12/221976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41651940 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100032431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schatz; John Arthur |
February 11, 2010 |
Self-contained clothes hamper
Abstract
A clothes hamper assembly consisting of an outer case (60), an
inner basket (70), a lid (80), and a divider (90). Inner basket
(70) is suspended inside outer case (60) by upper rim (38). Lid
(80) is pivotally attached to outer case (60) and covers the top of
the hamper assembly when in the closed position. Ventilation holes
(40) throughout inner basket (70) allow for air to circulate within
the hamper assembly. Outer case (60) and lid (80) prevent odors
from escaping into the surrounding air. Divider (90) is used to
divide the inner basket as the owner sees fit. The use of an
air-freshening device along with a moisture-absorbing product
inside the hamper assembly further reduces the odor buildup inside
the hamper.
Inventors: |
Schatz; John Arthur;
(Puyallup, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF DAVID L. TINGEY
15 SOUTH GRADY WAY, SUITE 336
RENTON
WA
98057
US
|
Family ID: |
41651940 |
Appl. No.: |
12/221976 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.87 ;
220/23.91; 220/745; 220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 95/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.87 ;
220/23.91; 220/810; 220/745 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02; B65D 51/04 20060101 B65D051/04; B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A clothes hamper comprising: an outer case without holes
therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed
side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor,
and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; an inner
basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized to
leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and the
outer case; a lid without holes therethrough opening and closing
the top portion; an absorbent container within the outer case
adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material therein.
2-7. (canceled)
8. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the inner basket is
rigid.
9. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the inner basket is within
the outer case closed by the lid.
10. The clothes hamper of claim 8 wherein the inner basket includes
front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of
which extend upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner
basket that is open at its top.
11. The clothes hamper of claim 10 wherein the inner basket is
supported within the outer case such that the inner basket floor is
vertically spaced apart from the outer case floor.
12. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the absorbent container
is on the outer case floor below the inner basket.
13. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the absorbent container
is open, adapted such that air within the outer case and the inner
basket can pass into the absorbent container.
14. The clothes hamper of claim 1 further comprising a deodorizer
compartment within the outer case adapted to receive a
deodorizer.
15. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein the deodorizer
compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the
deodorizer.
16. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein said deodorizer
compartment includes an opening in a side of the deodorizer
compartment adapted to receive said deodorizer.
17. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein the deodorizer container
is attached to the underside of the lid.
18. The clothes hamper of claim 17 wherein the deodorizer
compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the
deodorizer and is adapted to receive said deodorizer.
19. The clothes hamper of claim 1 further comprising a vertical
divider dividing the inner basket into side by side inner basket
sections.
20. A clothes hamper comprising: a rigid outer case without holes
therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed
side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor,
and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; a rigid
inner basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized
to leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and
the outer case, wherein the inner basket includes front and rear
walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend
upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner basket that is
open at its top and wherein the inner basket is supported within
the outer case such that the inner basket floor is vertically
spaced apart from the outer case floor; a lid without holes
therethrough opening and closing the top portion; an absorbent
container within the outer case on the outer case floor below the
inner basket and adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material
therein wherein the absorbent container is open, adapted such that
air within the outer case and the inner basket can pass into the
absorbent container.
21. The clothes hamper of claim 20 further comprising a vertical
divider dividing the inner basket into side by side inner basket
sections.
22. The clothes hamper of claim 20 further comprising a deodorizer
compartment within the outer case adapted to receive a
deodorizer.
23. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein the deodorizer
compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the
deodorizer.
24. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein said deodorizer
compartment includes an opening in a side of the deodorizer
compartment sized and adapted to receive said deodorizer.
25. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein the deodorizer container
is attached to the underside of the lid.
26. A clothes hamper comprising: a rigid outer case without holes
therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed
side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor,
and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; a rigid
inner basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized
to leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and
the outer case, wherein the inner basket includes front and rear
walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend
upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner basket that is
open at its top and wherein the inner basket is supported within
the outer case such that the inner basket bottom is vertically
spaced apart from the outer case bottom; a lid without holes
therethrough opening and closing the top portion; an absorbent
container within the outer case on the outer case floor below the
inner basket and adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material
therein wherein the absorbent container is open, adapted such that
air within the outer case and the inner basket can pass into the
absorbent container, a vertical divider dividing the inner basket
into side by side inner basket sections, a deodorizer compartment
attached to the underside of the lid and adapted to receive a
deodorizer, herein the deodorizer compartment has a plurality of
holes for dispersal of the deodorizer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to a clothes hamper
assembly, and more specifically to a hamper designed for the
collection of soiled or wet athletic clothing.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Clothes hampers are generally known in the art, being
intended for the collection and storage of soiled laundry.
Typically hampers are either a single compartment design in which
all of the clothing is stored together, or the hamper is divided
into multiple compartments to allow for clothing to be separated as
the owner sees fit. Another common aspect of hamper design is the
ventilation of odors from within the hamper to the outside air.
However, regardless of the number of compartments or the presence
of ventilation holes, the buildup of odors from within clothes
hampers has continued to be a problem, especially with the addition
of wet or sweat-soaked athletic clothing.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,715 to Capelli (1976) discloses a
partitioned ventilated hamper for the separation of dry and damp
articles of clothing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,416 to Smillie (2000)
incorporates ventilation holes in the inner compartments and outer
walls of the hamper and provides for air freshening means for
assisting in the elimination of odors. While these and other
ventilated designs are an improvement over no ventilation at all,
they merely allow the excess odor from within the hamper to
permeate the surrounding air in the room where the hamper is
located. With the addition of wet or sweat-soaked clothing,
increased levels of bacteria, mold, mildew, and their odors can
reach such high levels within the hamper, that normal laundry or
fine washables sharing the hamper can be ruined. In addition, the
ventilation of these odors can quickly foul the air of the room in
which the hamper is stored.
[0006] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this
invention are: [0007] (a) to provide a clothes hamper specifically
designed for the storage of wet or sweat-soaked athletic clothing;
[0008] (b) to eliminate odors from being ventilated into the
surrounding air outside the hamper without the buildup of odors
inside the hamper; [0009] (c) to reduce humidity within the hamper;
[0010] (d) to provide a clothes hamper to store wet or sweat-soaked
athletic clothing apart from other laundry; [0011] (e) to divide up
the interior compartment of the hamper as the owner sees fit;
[0012] (f) to provide for an air-freshening device.
[0013] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY
[0014] These objects are obtained in a clothes hamper assembly that
includes a removable, ventilated laundry basket suspended inside an
unventilated outer case, which is covered by a lid on the top. A
container of calcium chloride or other moisture-absorbing product
placed at the bottom of the outer case reduces moisture in the air
within the outer case. An air-freshening device is placed in a
receptacle located on the underside of the lid helps to control
odors within the outer case. Wet or sweat-soaked clothing can be
stored inside the ventilated laundry basket without worry of
bacteria, mold, mildew, or odors building to unacceptable levels
within the hamper. This reduces the need for frequent, small wash
loads, which in turn conserves resources.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outer case.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner basket.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the
lid.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire hamper
assembly.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the divider.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of the container anchor.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
TABLE-US-00001 [0022] 10 Outer case floor 12 Container anchor 14
Outer case front 16 Outer case back 18 Outer case left side 20
Outer case right side 22 Left side handle 24 Right side handle 26
Lid receptacle 28 Inner basket floor 30 Inner basket front 32 Inner
basket back 34 Inner basket left side 36 Inner basket right side 37
Divider tabs 38 Upper rim 39 Divider ventilation holes 40
Ventilation holes 42 Lid top 44 Left skirt 46 Right skirt 48 Front
skirt 50 Lid handle 52 Lid left pivot point knob 54 Lid right pivot
point knob 56 Deodorizer compartment 58 Deodorizer compartment
opening 59 Small ventilation holes 60 Outer case 70 Inner basket 80
Lid 90 Divider
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The hamper assembly of the present invention is generally
comprised of outer case 60, inner basket 70, lid 80, and divider
90. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hamper fully assembled with
the lid in the closed position.
[0024] The outer case 60 (FIG. 1) is a one piece design, generally
in the shape of a rectangular box, open at the top and supported by
outer case floor 10, shown in FIG. 7. The outer case floor 10 joins
the bottom of outer case front 14, the bottom of outer case back
16, the bottom of outer case left side 18, and the bottom of outer
case right side 20, forming the outer case which is open at the
top. Located on top of the outer case back 16 is lid receptacle 26.
Toward the top half of the outer case left side 18 is left side
handle 22. Toward the top half of the outer case right side 20 is
right side handle 24. On the top and center of the outer case floor
10 is container anchor 12, shown in FIG. 7. The outer case 60 is
constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an
anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent that will help to minimize
or prevent odor within the outer case.
[0025] Located at the top edge of the outer case back 16 is lid
receptacle 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Lid receptacle 26 is a plastic
tube-shaped piece molded to the top edge of outer case back 16.
Each end is open and deep enough to receive left or right pivot
point knobs 52. This allows the lid to be securely fastened to the
outer case and to open and close over the top of the outer case.
The lid receptacle location allows for the inner basket to be
removed while the lid 80 is in the open position. The lid 80 is a
one piece design and shaped generally rectangular which allows it
to cover the opening of the outer case 60 and inner basket 70 while
in a closed position. The lid 80 is constructed of plastic and may
also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial
agent that will help to minimize or prevent odor within the outer
case.
[0026] Located at the left and right rear corners of lid top 42 are
pivot point knobs 52 and 54. (FIG. 4) Each knob is of a shape and
size which will fit into its respective end of the lid receptacle.
This design allows for the lid to open and close and to not
obstruct the removal of the inner basket while the lid is in the
open position.
[0027] Lid handle 50 is located at the center edge of front skirt
48. The design allows for simple operation of the lid while still
allowing the front skirt and side skirts 44 and 46 to prevent odors
from escaping the hamper.
[0028] Located in the center and on the underside of the lid top is
deodorizer compartment 56. The deodorizer compartment 56 is a small
box that is used to hold an air-freshening device (deodorizer) (not
shown) of the owners choosing. All sides of the deodorizer
compartment feature small ventilation holes 59 to allow for
dispersal of the air freshener, which helps to fight odors within
the hamper. On the front upper center portion of the deodorizer
compartment is deodorizer compartment opening 58. The opening
allows for an air-freshening device to be inserted or removed from
the deodorizer compartment. The location of the opening also allows
for the lid to be placed in the open or closed position without
causing the air-freshening device to fall out of the
compartment.
[0029] Located at the bottom of the outer case 60 is container
anchor-12 (FIG. 7). The purpose of the container anchor 12 is to
hold steady a container of calcium chloride (not shown) or other
moisture-absorbing product that reduces moisture from the air
inside the hamper. The container anchor-12 is fixed to outer case
floor 10, and is generally the same shape and diameter of the
moisture-absorbing product's container. This allows the product
container to sit securely in the container anchor-12, which in turn
minimizes product spillage if the hamper is moved.
[0030] The outer case 60 has two recessed handles, 22 and 24, which
are used to aid with moving the hamper. Each handle 22, 24 is
molded into its respective side of the outer case 60.
[0031] The lid 80 has a top 42, a left skirt 44, a right skirt 46,
and a front skirt 48. Located at the front center edge of the front
skirt is lid handle 50.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of inner basket 70. The
inner basket 70 consists of a floor 28 which joins the bottom of
inner basket front 30, the bottom of inner basket back 32, the
bottom of inner basket left side 34, and the bottom of inner basket
right side 36, forming the inner basket which is open at the top.
Located on top of both inner basket sides 34, 36 and the inner
basket front is upper rim 38. Throughout all inner basket surfaces
are multiple ventilation holes 40. (Not all ventilation holes are
illustrated.)
[0033] The inner basket 70 is a one piece design, generally in the
shape of a rectangular box, open at the top. It should be of a
shape and size that will allow it to fit inside the outer case 60,
leaving enough room for air to circulate between the inner basket
70 and the outer case 60. The inner basket 70 is typically
constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an
anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent that will help to minimize
or prevent odor within the outer case 60. Located throughout all
inner basket surfaces are ventilation holes 40, which allow air to
circulate within the inner basket 70 and the outer case 60. The
inner basket 70 attaches to the outer case 60 at upper rim 38. The
upper rim 38 is a downwardly curving piece which is molded onto the
top of the inner basket sides 34, 36 and the inner basket front.
The inner basket 70 is suspended inside the outer case 60 by
fitting the upper rim 38 over the top edge of the outer case sides
34, 36 and the outer case front 14.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of divider 90. Located near
each corner of the divider 90 is a divider tab 37. The divider 90
is perforated with multiple divider ventilation holes 39. The
divider 90 is a one piece design that allows the inner basket 60 to
be divided as the owner sees fit. The divider 90 is constructed of
plastic and may also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial
or anti-microbial agent, which will help to minimize or prevent
odor within the inner basket. The divider 90 should be of a shape
and size that closely matches the height and depth of the inner
basket 70. Four divider tabs 37, one located near each corner of
the divider 70, fit through an adjacent ventilation hole of the
inner basket 70 and hold the divider 90 in place. Located
throughout the divider are numerous divider ventilation holes 39
which allow air to circulate between the divided sections of the
inner basket 60.
[0035] Fully assembled, this hamper prevents odors from escaping
into the surrounding air while simultaneously reducing the buildup
of odors within the hamper. Thus, soiled athletic clothing can be
stored for several days without excessive levels of bacteria, mold,
mildew, or their odors building within the hamper or escaping into
the surrounding air.
[0036] While the above description contains many specifics, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but as example embodiments of the general teaching of
the entire disclosure. Many other variations are possible within
the teachings of the invention, all of which are deemed included in
the specific embodiments disclosed. For example, outer case 60 may
be round, triangular, or any other shape. It may be constructed of
wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material. The outer case
60 may be constructed without a container anchor-12 or may be used
without the addition of any moisture-absorbing product. Handles 22
and 24 may be constructed of any material or formed in any shape.
The handles 22, 24 may be attached to the outer case 60 by any
means, or be missing altogether. Lid receptacle 26 may be changed
to any other hinge-like design which will allow the lid 80 to open
and close. Inner basket 70 may be constructed in any shape that
will allow it to fit inside the outer case 60. The inner basket 70
may be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable
material. Ventilation holes 40 may be of any size, shape or number,
or may be omitted entirely. An alternative to upper rim 38 could be
the introduction of a ledge inside the outer case 60 that would
prevent the inner basket 60 from slipping to the bottom of the
outer case 60. The inner basket 70 could also be constructed with
legs that would allow it to stand inside the outer case 60. Lid 80
may be of any size or shape that will allow it to close over the
outer case 60. It may also be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or
any other suitable material. Pivot point knobs 52 and 54 may be
substituted by any other hinge-like design, or may be omitted. The
lid may also be designed to simply sit atop the hamper assembly
unattached. Deodorizer compartment 56 may be of any shape or size
that will fit on the underside of the lid 80, or may even be
located on one of the outer case walls or attached to the inner
basket 70. The deodorizer compartment design may be changed to
allow for an air freshener to be externally attached or may be
omitted altogether. Divider 90 may be of any shape or size which
will fit into the inner basket 70. The divider 90 may be
constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material,
or may be omitted entirely. Divider ventilation holes 39 may be of
any size, shape or number, or may be omitted entirely.
* * * * *