DEVICE FOR HANDLING GARMENTS

Abstract

A garment handling device is disclosed, comprising at least one elongate garment receiving recess extending between two neighboring elongate members made of rigid material and articulated to one another at one end. The garment handling device is configured with a garment opening at the respective opposite end of the neighboring elongated members.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A garment handling device, comprising: at least one elongate garment receiving recess extending between two neighboring elongate members made of rigid material and articulated to one another at one end, and configured with a garment opening at a respective opposite end thereof.

27. The garment handling device of claim 26, further comprising a closure mechanism for closing the garment opening, said garment handling device configured between an open position in which said garment opening is open, and a closed position which said garment opening is closed.

28. The garment handling device of claim 27, wherein at the open position, the garment opening is open, thus facilitating introducing and/or removing one or more garments into and/or from the at least one elongate garment receiving recess, whilst at the closed position the garment opening is closed.

29. The garment handling device of claim 27, wherein closing the closure mechanism results in the respective open end of the two neighboring elongate members to deform so as to decrease the garment receiving recess, thereby clamping therebetween one or more garments introduced therein.

30. The garment handling device of claim 27, wherein the closure mechanism includes a clamping band extending over the two neighboring elongate members and tending to decrease a space of the at least one elongate garment receiving recess.

31. The garment handling device of claim 27, wherein the two neighboring elongate members are uniformly and integrally formed with one another and with the closure mechanism.

32. The garment handling device of claim 30, wherein the clamping band of the closure mechanism is fixedly or removably attached to either one of the two neighboring elongate members.

33. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the garment handling device is U-like shaped and is configured with a single garment receiving recess extending between a first elongate member and a second elongate member.

34. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the garment handling device has an S-like shape configured with two garment receiving recesses, having a garment opening opposite ends.

35. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the garment handling device has a W-like shape and is accordingly configured with two or three garment receiving recesses, two of which having a garment opening facing in a same direction and one at an opposite direction.

36. The garment handling device of claim 26, made of durable material resistant to laundering agents.

37. The garment handling device of claim 26, made of or coated with at least a layer of UV repelling material.

38. The garment handling device of claim 26, made of a heat resistant material, durable to withstand at least 70 C.

39. The garment handling device of claim 26, made of molded plastic material.

40. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the two neighboring elongate members are rod-like elements.

41. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the two neighboring elongate members are flat members configured with one or more through going openings, for improving air flow and liquid access to garments received within the garment receiving recess.

42. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the garment handling device is configured for hanging at least at the open position.

43. The garment handling device of claim 26, being a solid, uniform unit, wherein the two neighboring elongate members are continuous with one another.

44. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the two neighboring elongate members are integrally articulated to one another through a living hinge, and wherein the two neighboring elongate members are pivotable about said living hinge to allow complete access to the garment receiving recesses.

45. The garment handling device of claim 26, wherein the garment receiving recesses is configured with a garment retention arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a garment handling device according to an example of the disclosure, the device illustrated suspended at an open position;

[0056] FIG. 1B is a side view of FIG. 1A;

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 at a closed position;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a modification of a retention arrangement applied to a garment handling device of the disclosure;

[0059] FIGS. 4A to 4C are different embodiments of a garment handling device according to the present disclosure;

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates how two garment handling devices of the disclosure can be articulated to one another;

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates how a garment handling device is applied over a laundry drying line;

[0062] FIG. 7 illustrates a garment handling device configured with a different closure mechanism;

[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a garment handling device, wherein the elongate members are uniformly and integrally formed with one another and with the closure mechanism; and

[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates a suspended garment handling device according to the disclosure, accommodating a plurality of garments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0065] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, illustrating a garment handling device according to an example of the present disclosure, generally designated 10. The device 10 is made of a uniform, rigid plastic material, and generally has an open W-like shape.

[0066] The device comprises a first elongate garment receiving recess 14 extending between a first external elongate member 16 and a neighboring first inside elongate member 18, and a second elongate garment receiving recess 24 extending between a second external elongate member 26 and a neighboring second inside elongate member 28, wherein the first external elongate member 16 and the neighboring first inside elongate member 18 continuously extend at their respective bottom end 30 and are configured with a first garment opening 34 at their respective opposite end. Likewise, the second external elongate member 26 and the second inside elongate member 28 continuously extend at their respective bottom end 40 and are configured with a second garment opening 44 at their respective opposite end.

[0067] The first inside elongate member 18 and the second inside elongate member 28 continuously extend at their respective common top end 46 (extending above the free end 17 of the first external elongate member 16 and the free end 27 of the second external elongate member 26), giving rise to an optional elongate garment receiving recess 48 configured with a bottom facing garment opening 50.

[0068] As can further be seen in the drawings, the first garment receiving recess 14 and the second garment receiving recess 24 are each configured with several garment retention projections, in the form of bulges 52 extending from a face of the inside elongate members 18, 28 and projecting into the garment receiving recess 14, 24. The central garment receiving recess 48 illustrated in the drawings is free of retention projections, though these can be configured within said central garment receiving recess 48 as well. The garment retention projections increase grab of any garments received within the garment receiving recess 14, 24, so as to retain them and prevent them from displacing when the device 10 is at the open position.

[0069] The elongate members 16, 18, 26 and 28 are flat, and are each configured with several openings 54, provided for increasing air flow and improving drying of any garments accommodated within the garment receiving recesses, and likewise improve penetration of washing liquids. It is appreciated that other forms and shapes of openings can be configured, and can be differently distributed over the elongate members (not shown).

[0070] A closure mechanism is provided, in the form of an elastic band 60 (e.g. made of silicone rubber) secured within the looped eye 29 of the free end 27, configured for elastically stretch and engage with a respective arresting loop 19 of the free end 17, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It is appreciated, as can be seen in FIG. 2, that stretching the elastic band 60 into the closed position results in slight deformation of the elongate members, in particular the first external elongate member 16 and the second external elongate member 26, so as to increase clamping of any garments received within the respective first and second elongate garment receiving recess 14, 24. Once the closure member, namely band 60, is displaced into the closed position, it simultaneously closes both the first and second garment opening 34, 44.

[0071] In the position of FIGS. 1A and 1B the device 10 is at its open position, suspended by closure band 60 over a hanging member 66. It should be appreciated that hanging member 66 can be many different elements such that the garment handling device 10 can be used at different locations and modes. For example, it can be suspended at its open position over any sort of hook, e.g. a door hook 66 as in the example (where it suspends from a top edge of a cupboard door; not shown), or a wall hook, or a suction cup hook, etc., rendering the device readily available for introducing garments into the garment receiving recess 14, 24, wherein the garments can be sorted (e.g. paired by size, color, belonging, etc.), wherein after the device can be closed by the closure band 60 (FIGS. 2 and 8) and directly introduced into a laundry machine. Likewise, the device can be used for storing the garments after a laundering cycle, wherein the garments can be directly collected for use from the suspended device 10.

[0072] It is appreciated that other forms of retention projections can be configured, e.g. ribs 58 illustrated in the garment handling device 70 seen in FIG. 3, cooperating with bulges 52 extending from an opposite facing elongate member.

[0073] The idea is that the device according to the disclosure can be used throughout a laundering cycle, i.e. garments can be sorted/paired and placed in the device for washing (e.g. socks can be removed after wearing and directly be placed in the device), whilst the device is suspended at the open position. Once ready for laundry, the device is closed, using the closure mechanism, and the device with the garments accommodated therein is introduced into a washing machine, after which it can be introduced into a dryer (e.g. tumble drier) or be hung for drying, without having to remove the garments. The device with the clean garments can then be placed in any storage unit, e.g. drawer, or be suspended.

[0074] The device is made of material/s that are durable and resistant to detergents and UV, so as to withstand a plurality of laundering cycles.

[0075] FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate examples of modifications of garment handling devices according to the disclosure. Operation and use of the garment handling devices illustrated herein after is similar to that as with the device 10, as discussed herein above. In the illustrated examples, the respective elongate members are flat, and are each configured with several openings, provided for increasing air flow and improving drying of any garments accommodated within the garment receiving recesses, and likewise improve penetration of washing liquids. It is appreciated that other forms and shapes of openings can be configured, and can be differently distributed over the elongate members (not shown).

[0076] In FIG. 4A there is a garment handling device generally designated 78, also made of a uniform, rigid plastic material, and generally having a closed W-like shape, i.e. comprising a first elongate garment receiving recess 84 extending between a first external elongate member 86 and a first face 85 of neighboring inside elongate member 88, and a second elongate garment receiving recess 94 extending between a second external elongate member 96 and a second face 89 of said inside elongate member 88, wherein the first external elongate member 86 and the inside elongate member 88 continuously extend at their respective bottom end 92, and are configured with a first garment opening 98 at their respective opposite top end. Likewise, the second external elongate member 96 and the inside elongate member 88 continuously extend at their respective bottom end 100 and are configured with a second garment opening 91 at their respective opposite top end.

[0077] Similar to the previous example, there is provided a closure mechanism is provided, in the form of an elastic band 104 secured within the looped eye 106 at the free top end of the second external elongate member 96 and is configured for engaging with a respective arresting loop 108 at the top free end of the first external elongate member 86, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The device 78 is further configured with several garment retention projections, in the form of bulges 110 extending from an inside face of the inside elongate member 88, and projecting into the garment receiving recess 84, 94.

[0078] In FIG. 4B there is illustrated yet another example of a garment handling device according to the disclosure, generally designated 120. The device is also made of a uniform, rigid plastic material, and generally has an U-like shape. The device comprises a single elongate garment receiving recess 134 extending between a first elongate member 126 and a second elongate member 128, continuously extending at their respective bottom end 130 and configured with a garment opening 134 at the respective opposite top end.

[0079] Here too, there is provided a closure mechanism is provided, in the form of an elastic band 104, shown in solid line at its closed position and in dashed lines at its open, suspended position. The elastic band 104 is secured within a looped eye 136 at the free top end of the first elongate member 124 and is configured for elastically stretching and engaging with a respective arresting loop 138 at the top free end of the second elongate member 128. Several garment retention projections, in the form of bulges 140 extending from an inside face of the elongate members 124, 128, and projecting into the garment receiving recess 134.

[0080] Turning now to FIG. 4C, the garment handling device 150 has a generally S-like shape made of a uniform, rigid plastic material. The device 150 comprises a first elongate garment receiving recess 164 extending between a first external elongate member 166 and a common inside elongate member 168, and a second elongate garment receiving recess 174 extending between a second external elongate member 176 and said inside elongate member 168, wherein the first external elongate member 166 and the inside elongate member 168 continuously extend at their respective top end 182 and are configured with a first garment opening 184 at their respective opposite bottom end. Likewise, the second external elongate member 176 and the common inside elongate member 168 continuously extend at their respective bottom end 186 and are configured with a second garment opening 188 at their respective opposite top end.

[0081] The first garment receiving recess 164 and the second garment receiving recess 174 are each configured with several garment retention projections, in the form of bulges 192 extending from a face of the inside elongate members 168 and projecting into the garment receiving recess 164, 174.

[0082] Two closure elastic bands are provided, one configured for closing the first garment opening 184, and the other configured for closing the second garment opening 188. Each of the bands 196 and 198 is secured at a respective looped eye 200, 202, and is configured for elastically stretching and engaging with a respective arresting loop 206, 208, said bands operate similar as discussed in connection with previous examples, i.e. operate so as to increase clamping of any garments received within the respective elongate garment receiving recesses 164, 174, and optionally for hanging the device with at least one of the garment receiving recesses 164, 174 at its respective open position.

[0083] Turning now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a garment handling assembly generally designated 230 comprising two garment handling devices 10A and 10B of the type discussed hereinabove in connection with the first example of FIGS. 1 and 2. The two garment handling devices 10A and 10B are same devices disposed at upside down orientation, and articulated to one another by a pair of coupling members 234 configured for snap engagement within the respective mating openings 54A and 54B. This arrangement provides multiplied garment accommodating space whilst the assembled device 230 can be used as a whole throughout a laundering cycle, or the two garment handling devices 10A and 10B can be separated at any desired time. Additional garment handling devices can be articulated to one another, as desired, wherein the devices not necessarily have to be identical, but rather be configured with corresponding openings.

[0084] FIG. 6 illustrates the garment handling device 10, according to the example discussed herein above, mounted over a drying line 250 and secured in place by means of the closure mechanism, namely the elastic band 60, which prevents the device 10 from detaching and simultaneously secures the garments in place (garments not shown).

[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates a garment handling device 260 similar to device 10 discussed herein before, however further configured with a closure mechanism 262 designed as a rectangular clamping brace member, configured with a clamping closure 266. The garment handling device 260 is further provided with a hanging loop 270.

[0086] In FIG. 8 there is illustrated a garment handling device 280 similar to device 10, however wherein a closure mechanism 282 is integrally formed with one of the external elongate member 284 and extends from its top end. According to this arrangement, the device is a tow component molding, wherein the elongate members are made of rigid material, and the closure mechanism 282 is a resilient, elastic material, e.g. silicone rubber. Likewise, other portions of the device can be made of, and/or coated with said resilient material, thus imparting edges of the device with a cushioning.

[0087] Turning to FIG. 9 there is illustrated the garment handling device 10, according to the first example of the disclosure, accommodating a plurality of garments (collectively designated 302), the device 10 being at its so-called open position, i.e. with the closure band 60 suspended form a hook 66.