Abstract
The present invention relates to a laundry device including: i) a flexible waterproof housing for housing a textile item, water and cleaning material; ii) an opening in the housing for inserting or removing the textile item; and iii) a seal for sealing the opening; wherein an inner surface of the housing includes a frictional washing surface against which the textile item is rubbed to effect cleaning by gripping or pressing on an outer surface of the housing to press and rub the textile item against the frictional washing surface.
Claims
1. A laundry device including: i) a flexible waterproof housing for housing a textile item, water and cleaning material; ii) an opening in the housing for inserting or removing the textile item; and iii) a seal for sealing the opening; iv) a flexible base secured to the housing, wherein the base covers an aperture in the housing, and the base having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the housing; v) a frictional washing surface incorporated on the base forming a portion of an inner surface of the housing; and wherein a textile item is pressed and rubbed against the frictional washing surface to effect cleaning by gripping or pressing on an outer surface of the housing.
2. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the frictional washing surface makes up less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the total inner surface of the housing.
3. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the frictional washing surface includes projections and/or depressions provided on the base which is attached to the housing.
4. The laundry device of claim 3, wherein the base includes one or more flex lines to increase the flexibility of the frictional washing surface.
5. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a waterproof zipper, a fold-over seal, a roll down seal, a zip-lock or a clamping seal.
6. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a valve for releasing air.
7. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a gripping surface on the outer surface of the housing backing at least part of the base to restrict movement of the frictional washing surface relative to a surface the laundry device is placed on.
8. The laundry device of claim 7, wherein the gripping surface includes an elastomeric polymer layer, an elastomeric polymer coat, or elastomeric polymer projections.
9. The laundry device of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a gripping portion backing the base and a non-gripping portion on the outer surface of the housing opposite the frictional washing surface, wherein the gripping portion has a coefficient of friction greater than a coefficient of friction of the non-gripping portion.
10. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the waterproof housing includes an outlet for removing fluid from the waterproof housing while retaining textiles in the waterproof housing.
11. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the waterproof housing is invertible.
12. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the waterproof housing has a volume between 2 L and 40 L.
13. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the waterproof housing includes an optimal water level marking, which indicates a level between 10% and 65% of the capacity of the housing when sealed.
14. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the waterproof housing includes a transparent or translucent portion to allow visualisation of the contents of the laundry device.
15. A method of producing the laundry device of claim 1, the method comprising attaching or applying the frictional washing surface to the inner surface of the flexible waterproof housing during production of the housing or after production of the housing or by attaching the frictional washing surface to cover the aperture in the flexible waterproof housing.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further includes attaching or applying a gripping surface to the outer surface of the housing that backs the frictional washing surface.
17. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a fabric with microdenier fibres or fibres, filaments, threads or yarns with a denier between 0.5 and 600, the fabric, fibres, filaments, threads or yarns coated or impregnated with a polymer.
18. The laundry device of claim 17, wherein the fibre, filament, thread or yarn has a denier between 1 and 300, or between 25 and 220.
19. The laundry device of claim 17, wherein the fibres, filament, thread or yarn include nylon fibres, polyester fibres, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibres, liquid crystal polymer fibres, aramid fibres, carbon fibres, phenol-formaldehydes, polyvinyl alcohol fibres (PVA), polyvinyl chloride fibres, polyolefin fibres, PBO Zylon fibres, PEN fibers, poly-urethane fibres, rayon fibres, cotton fibres, silk fibres, wool fibres, linen fibres, hemp fibres, coir fibres, or jute fibres.
20. The laundry device of claim 17, wherein the polymer includes a urethane, a silicone, a PVC, a PVC substitute, a vinyl, an acrylic, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polyester, a polyamide, a polyimide, a para-aramid, a flouroplymer, a DWR or a latex coating.
21. The laundry device of claim 17, wherein the fabric is a ripstop fabric, a Cordura fabric, a Kodra fabric, an Oxford weave fabric, a Taffeta fabric, a CTF.sup.3 fabric or a Cuban fabric.
22. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the base includes the frictional washing surface on a top surface and a gripping surface on a bottom surface and the base attached to the housing to cover the aperture in the housing thereby allowing the frictional washing surface to be on the inside of the device and the gripping surface to be on the outside of the housing and backing the frictional washing surface.
23. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a tubular shape and the frictional washing surface is provided on a side wall of the tubular housing with a gripping surface backing the frictional washing surface.
24. The laundry device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an outlet with a surface area less than 10 cm.sup.2 for releasing air, the outlet including a valve or a cap to control airflow through the outlet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show perspective views of laundry devices according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1D shows examples of cross-sections of projections and/or depressions that may be used in laundry devices according to embodiments of the present invention.
(2) FIG. 2 shows drawings of the laundry device according to an embodiment of the present invention being used to wash clothing items.
(3) FIG. 3 shows drawings of the laundry device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the laundry device according to an embodiment of the present invention with an absorbent material on the outside of the housing. FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the laundry device from FIG. 4A, wherein the housing has been inverted. FIG. 4C shows a cross-sectional view of the laundry device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a second frictional washing surface on an outside surface of the housing. FIG. 4D shows a cross-sectional view of the laundry device from FIG. 4C, wherein the housing has been inverted.
(5) As shown in FIG. 1A, laundry device 10 includes waterproof housing 12. Parts or all of housing 12 may be transparent (as illustrated), translucent or opaque. Housing 12 includes opening 14 through which clothing items, water and/or cleaning material (e.g. soap, detergent, etc.) are introduced. Housing 12 also includes seal 16 for sealing opening 14. Seal 16 is shown as a zip-lock style fastener. An inner surface of housing 12 includes frictional washing surface 18. Washing surface 18 includes a plurality of ridges 20. Housing 12 is substantially flexible and opposable wall 22 is capable of touching washing surface 18, when housing 12 is sealed and not full.
(6) Housing 12 (or at least parts that are not transparent) is composed of a 80 denier 190 thread count plain weave nylon or a 30 denier nylon thread in a diamond grip-stop weave. The nylon is coated on one or both sides with a polyurethane or PVC coating and/or impregnated with silicone to improve the tear strength and/or waterproof nature of housing 12. Housing 12 is composed of multiple pieces that are single or multi stitched together (e.g. a felled seam with two rows of stitching) with a high stitch count and taped seams.
(7) Once clothing, water and cleaning material has been introduced into housing 12, opening 14 is sealed by seal 16. Prior to sealing opening 14, air may be removed from housing 12, for example, by gently compressing housing 12. Once opening 14 has been sealed, clothing in housing 12 may be washed by gripping or pressing on housing 12 (e.g. on wall 22) to press and rub the clothing against ridges 20 in directions generally indicated by arrow a.
(8) FIG. 1B illustrates laundry device 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Waterproof housing 12 again includes frictional washing surface 18, opening 14 and seal 16. Housing 12 also includes outlet 23. Outlet 23 may be used to drain housing 12 once the clothing (not illustrated) has been cleaned. Alternatively, outlet 23 may be used to remove excess air from housing 12 before washing commences. Outlet 23 is a sealable outlet, which is preferably small enough that clothing (not illustrated) is retained in housing 12 as it is being drained. Alternatively, outlet 23 or housing 12 may include a mesh barrier or press studs to prevent clothing from passing through or coming near outlet 23 (not illustrated). Positioning outlet 23 opposite opening 14 can be advantageous in that it can allow effective rinsing of clothing. For example, laundry device 10 may be oriented such that opening 14 is at the top and water may be introduced though opening 12, which can pass though clothing and out of outlet 23, which is now at the bottom of waterproof housing. This may be performed in a continuous manner (i.e. with outlet 23 opened) or a batch manner (with outlet 23 periodically opened and closed). Washing surface 18 includes ridges 20 which are angled towards outlet 23. Washing surface 18 also includes unridged portions 26 that effectively provide channels to promote water drainage along washing surface 18 to outlet 23.
(9) FIG. 1C illustrates laundry device 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Waterproof housing 12 again includes opening 14, seal 16, outlet 23 and frictional washing surface 18, which is shown including a plurality of knobs 24. Knobs 24 and thus washing surface 18 may take up part or the entire bottom surface of housing 12. Knobs 24 may have a regular shape, thereby allowing clothing to be cleaned by rubbing them in any direction against knobs 24. Alternatively, knobs 24 may be irregularly shaped and may allow cleaning only in some directions or differential cleaning in different directions.
(10) Housing 12 also includes valve 28 which can allow air to be removed from housing 12 after opening 14 is sealed with seal 16. To do so, laundry device 10 is oriented such that valve 28 is located at the top. Valve 28 is then opened and pressure is applied to housing 12. Once substantially all the air has been removed from housing 12, valve 28 may be closed. Valve 28 can allow for simpler use of laundry device 10 as a user can simply seal opening 14 without having to expel air through opening 14. There is also less likelihood of spillage of water by expelling air though valve 28.
(11) As can be appreciated, the waterproof housing may be produced in any suitable shape. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, housing 12 has more of a rectangular shape with a larger wall 22 opposing washing surface 18. Washing surface 18 includes base 17 on which knobs 24 are provided. Base 17 also includes flex lines 19 which increase the flexibility of base 17 and allow greater flexing of the base 17 to assist in inverting housing 12 through opening 14 and/or wringing of water out of the clothing.
(12) As can also be appreciated, washing surface 18 may include any arrangement of ridges 20 and/or knobs 24. Ridges 20 and/or knobs 24 may be sized and shaped appropriately. For example, FIG. 1D illustrates cross-sections of some shapes of ridges 20 and/or knobs 24 that may be used for frictional washing surface 18. As illustrated, many of the cross-sections include projections with a tapered profile or include projections with parts thereof that have a tapered profile. The tapered profile can increase friction and/or reduce the weight or volume of the ridges or knobs. Knobs 24 may have identical cross-sections when cross-sections are taken from another plane (i.e. the knobs 24 may have radial symmetry around a vertical axis).
(13) FIG. 2 illustrates how laundry device 10 may be used to clean clothing. Laundry device 10 includes tubular shaped waterproof housing 12 (70 denier polyurethane coated nylon), frictional washing surface 18 (with ridges 20 that have heights of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm), opening 14, seal 16, beach ball-style valve 28 and outlet 23. Housing 12 has an unsealed capacity of 13 L and sealed capacity of 10 L (due to the roll-down seal). Housing 12 also includes gripping surface 36 on the outside, which backs washing surface 18. As shown in FIG. 2A, clothing 30, water 32 and cleaning material (shown in solution with water 32) are introduced into housing 12 through opening 14 to bring the volume in the bag to optimal fill marker 15. In this regard, housing 12 is not substantially filled (e.g. clothing and water makes up between 35% and 50% of the sealed capacity of housing 12). Larger volumes of water may be used, although in some embodiments, a user may have difficulty gripping or pressing clothing 30 through housing 12 and rubbing it against washing surface 18. In this case, housing 12 may be shaken to contact clothing 30 against washing surface 18 although larger ridges 20 may be required to compensate for the reduction in friction between clothing 30 and washing surface 18.
(14) As shown in FIG. 2B, opening 14 is then sealed with seal 16 illustrated as roll-down type fastener 40. Fastener 40 includes clips 46 and straps 44. Straps 44 are brought together then rolled down housing 12 at least twice (preferably at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 times). Straps 44 are then bent to allow engagement of clips 46 (25 mm duraplex buckle), which clip together to prevent straps 44 from unrolling. One of the straps 44 is lightweight polypropylene stiffener and the other is a non-wicking chlorosulfonated polyethylene strap. Valve 28 is opened during or after fastening and pressure is applied to housing 12, for example, as indicated by arrows a. As housing 12 is compressed, air 34 is expelled though valve 28, as indicated by arrows b. Once substantially all air 34 has been expelled from housing 12, valve 28 is closed (FIG. 2C).
(15) To wash clothing 30, laundry device 10 is placed on a flat, curved or undulating surface 21 with gripping surface 36 contacting the surface the laundry device 10 is placed on. Gripping surface includes a bumpy or flat PVC, silicone or urethane surface attached to the housing directly or via a sewn polyester fabric. As washing surface 18 is flexible it is able to substantially conform to the surface it is placed on. If a 30 denier silnylon housing is used, a thin coat of a tacified silicone may be applied to form the gripping surface.
(16) To wash clothing 30, a user grips or presses on clothing 30 through housing 12 with their hand 38 (FIG. 2D) on wall 22. Alternatively, the user may grip or press on clothing 30 through housing 12 with their hand 38 on the end wall of the housing 12 which includes outlet 23. Downward pressure is applied to bring clothing 30 into hard contact with washing surface 18. The user may then rub clothing 30 against ridges 20 of frictional washing surface 18 in a back and forth or circular motion, depending on the arrangement of ridges 20. By repeatedly contacting ridges 20 in the presence of water and a cleaning material, dirt, oil, stains, etc may be dislodge or removed from clothing 30. In some embodiments, housing 12 may include transparent or translucent portions that allow the user to assess whether clothing 30 is clean enough. Gripping surface 36 grips with the surface it is placed on to restrict movement of frictional washing surface 18. Without gripping surface 36, housing 12 and washing surface 18 are likely to move as the user pushes clothing 30, thereby reducing the effective contact between ridges 20 and clothing 30. A user may also grip laundry device 10 with their other hand for stability. Rubbing clothing 30 against washing surface 18 may be repeated as required and the process may also include soaking of clothing 30 in housing 12 for a desired period of time.
(17) Once the cleaning process has concluded, laundry device 10 may be oriented such that outlet 23 is at the bottom and outlet 23 may be opened to allow water 32 to be drained from waterproof housing 12 (FIG. 2E). As laundry device 10 is flexible, it may be rolled, twisted, compressed or otherwise manipulated to wring water 32 from housing 12 and clothing 30. Alternatively, or in addition, laundry device 10 may be gripped by a portion opposite to outlet 23 (e.g. by seal 16) and swung around to expel water from waterproof housing 12 and clothing 30 using centrifugal forces.
(18) Optionally, clothing 30 may be rinsed in housing 12. Rinsing water may be introduced via opening 23 or opening 14 (once seal 16 has been unsealed). Once rinsing water has been introduced, housing 12 and may optionally sealed again, with housing 12 shaken or clothing 30 again rubbed against washing surface 18 to rinse clothing 30 (i.e. clothing 30 may be rinsed in a batch fashion). Alternatively, rinsing water may be introduced though opening 14 while outlet 23 is open, thereby allowing rinsing water to flow over clothing 30 and remove residual cleaning material and/or dirt, oil, etc (i.e. clothing 30 may be rinsed in a continuous flow process). As shown in FIG. 2F, once the cleaning process has concluded, seal 16 is unsealed and clothing 30 is removed from housing 12. Housing 12 may be inverted through opening 14 to accelerate drying of the inside of housing 12.
(19) FIG. 3A illustrates laundry device 10 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Waterproof housing 12 again includes opening 14, seal 16 and frictional washing surface 18, which is shown including a plurality of ridges 20. Laundry device 10 also includes tab 50, which may optionally include aperture 51 and fastener 59.
(20) FIG. 3B illustrates laundry device 10 from FIG. 3A in use. The laundry device 10 is sealed and contains clothes 30, water and cleaning material (not illustrated) in housing 12. When used to wash clothing 30, a user may place their foot 53 or an object on tab 50 or through aperture 51 to restrain laundry device 10 and washing surface 18, thereby allowing clothing 30 to be effectively rubbed against washing surface 18. The user may grip the opposite end of the housing to tab 50 to further restrict movement of the housing. Conveniently, tab 50 may attach to housing 12 by means of fasteners (e.g. Velcro strap 59) when not in use. In this regard, tab 50 may be used to support end wall 55 when attached to Velcro strap 59. Tab 50 and/or fastener 59 may also be used as an attachment member to hang laundry device 10 from an object to allow water to drain from housing 12 through opening 14, thereby assisting drying of housing 12.
(21) In some embodiments, housing 12 may be inverted (i.e. turned inside out). As discussed above, housing 12 may be inverted to assist in drying of the housing 12. However, inverting waterproof housing 12 may confer other advantages. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, housing 12 may include absorbent fabric 52 (e.g. a chamois or ShamWow) attached to the outside surface (e.g. via sewing or Velcro). Laundry device 10 may be used as described above with clothing 30 rubbed against frictional washing surface 18. Once washing has been completed and clothing 30 has been rinsed, housing 12 may be inverted and clothing 30 placed in the inverted housing 12 (FIG. 4B). As absorbent fabric 52 is now on the inside of housing 12, it may draw water from clothing 30. To assist in this process, housing 12 may be rolled, shaken or compressed to bring clothing 30 into contact with absorbent fabric 52. Clothing 30 may then be removed and hung up to complete drying. Housing 12 may be reinverted and absorbent fabric 52 left to dry. Alternatively, absorbent fabric 52 may be wrung out while attached, partially attached or removed from housing 12. Thus, absorbent fabric 52 may be used to accelerate drying of clothing 30.
(22) As shown in FIG. 4C, housing 12 may include frictional washing surface 18 on an inner surface thereof and frictional washing surface 18 on an outer surface thereof. Washing surface 18 includes larger ridges 20, while washing surface 18 includes smaller ridges 20. When laundry device 10 is used as shown in FIG. 4C, durable clothing may be washed against washing surface 18. To wash delicate clothing, waterproof housing 12 is inverted and delicate clothing is washed against washing surface 18. As such, the same laundry device 10 may be used to clean different types of clothing (FIG. 4D).
(23) Any of the illustrated laundry devices may be part of a kit, which may also include a clothesline, and/or a cleaning material, and/or a waterproofing liquid, and/or an absorptive material; a puncture repair kit; and/or instructions. Where a clothesline or absorptive material is included in the kit, the clothesline and/or absorptive material may be attached or attachable to the waterproof housing.
