Self supporting fabric carrier-hamper

Abstract

A fabric carrier-hamper has an interior space for carrying items, and is capable of being self-supporting in an upright position. The carrier-hamper includes a first end panel having a first perimetral edge, a fabric second end panel having a second perimetral edge, and a fabric side panel extending between the first and second end panels. A first rigid perimetral member extends around the first perimetral edge for maintaining a first fixed dimensional area for the first end panel. A second rigid perimetral member extends around the second perimetral edge for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel. An elongated support member is removably attached to the side panel and extends substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a pre-determined spatial relation for permitting the fabric carrier-hamper to be placed on the second end panel, and stand upright with the first end panel remaining at the pre-determined spacial relation to the second end panel.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Donald J. Stager, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/553,694, filed 16 Mar. 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carrier, and more particularly, to a carrier-hamper that is capable of being self-supporting in an upright position. The present invention has particular utility as a combination laundry carrier and hamper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the difficulties that people face with dealing with dirty clothes is transporting their dirty clothes from the place at which the dirty clothes collect, such as a bedroom, to a laundry facility where the dirty clothes are cleaned. In single family residences, it is often not a significant problem as one can purchase a laundry basket or hamper for placement in one's bedroom, and then carry either the hamper (if it is light enough), or the laundry basket (which are typically light enough) from the bedroom where the clothes are collected, through the residence to the laundry area containing the washer and dryer. Although the laundry area may be in a different part of the house, it is rarely very distant from the bedroom or bathroom.

Even though laundry bags and hampers serve their intended functions well, they suffer the draw back of being difficult to carry easily from a bedroom collection area to a laundry facility and then back from the laundry facility to the bedroom when full of clothes, especially if that distance is a long distance. In a college dorm situation, it is not unusual for the laundry facility to be quite distant from many of the dorm rooms.

Laundry facilities are often placed in the basement level of multi-level dormitories. To launder their clothes, the dorm residents first have to carry their dirty clothes down into the basement laundry facility area where the washers and dryers are housed. They then wash and dry their clothes, fold them while in the laundry facility and then carry them back up to their dorm room.

Additionally, people who live in apartments often need to transport their clothing over greater distances from their apartment to a Laundromat that may be located in a shopping center several miles distant from the apartment.

One of the difficulties faced in both college dorms and apartments is that the distance between “home” and the laundry facility is too great to make multiple trips back and forth therebetween efficient. One wishes to gather all one's dirty laundry, take it all in one big laundry carrying device to the laundry facility, and then wash it, fold it and bring it back to the dorm or apartment in only one return trip.

Another difficulty that one encounters is that clothing items should be folded shortly after being removed from the dryer to minimize wrinkling. If newly-dried laundry is placed into a bag unfolded, then brought back to the apartment or dorm for folding, the clothing will cool down in the intervening time, thereby becoming wrinkled. Once wrinkled, the clothing will usually stay that way until re-washed or ironed.

Therefore, it is advantageous to have a carrying device that both permits the user to: (1) easily carry his laundry from the collection point, such as a dorm room or apartment, to the laundry facility; (2) wash and dry the laundry at the laundry facility; (3) fold the laundry and place it back into the container immediately after drying; and (4) carry it back to one's house or apartment.

In theory, a typical gym or duffle bag could serve this purpose. However, one difficulty with a traditional gym bag or duffle bag is that they are usually made from a flexible cloth or nylon material, without any rigidifying structures. This construction makes the gym or duffle bags quite flexible and unable often to hold a defined shape. Because of their flexible nature, fabric gym or duffle bags, when lifted, tend to lose their shape, thus causing the clothing to become moved and bunched up within the bag. This induces wrinkles in the clothes.

Another problem with the use of duffle bags, such as those described above, is that they do not serve well as hampers. One feature that people look for in hampers is the ability of the hamper to stand upright to provide a trash basket-like configuration, so that one can easily place one's clothes in the top opening of the hamper. Unfortunately, the flexible nature of most duffle and gym bags does not permit them to stand upright in a trash basket like configuration.

Rather, a typical duffle or gum bag with a top opening zipper would crumple to the floor if placed on its end. In order to place dirty clothes within the duffle bag, one would need to grab the handles of the bag, split the top opening apart and stuff the clothes in it. This procedure would not be nearly as convenient as using a hamper having a wastebasket configuration with an open top of a fixed dimensional area that permits one to place clothes into the hamper similar to the way in which one places trash in a trash basket.

At first blush, this problem would appear to be solved by employing a rigid structure, such as a traditional hamper, which is similar in construction to a tall kitchen trash can. These rigid type hampers would seem to overcome the disadvantages of the duffle bag, as they would also have the rigidity to prevent the crunching of folded laundry carried therein. However, these rigid structures also have difficulties.

One difficulty is that most such rigid structures are difficult, awkward, and cumbersome to carry. If the device were large enough, to have sufficient internal volume to hold a large quantity of clothing, the resultant large size of the structure would tend to make it awkward to carry.

Additionally, rigid devices are usually not as easy to carry over long distances as are more pliable devices, such as fabric bags. Another difficulty with rigid devices is that they would likely be more expensive to produce and ship than cloth-like, non-rigid devices. Additionally, the inability of rigid devices to collapse often results in a rigid device requiring more storage space. In summary, although a box or trash can like structure might overcome the laundry crunching problems of a soft structure, it would induce carrying and transportation problems of its own.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a structure that can have the transportability of a soft-structure such as a duffle or gym bag, but that can also serve as an upright hamper-like structure, and which maintains sufficient rigidity to be capable of enabling clean clothes to be folded and placed within the device, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent the clothes from becoming crunched within the device, to thereby facilitate the folded clothes being transported from the laundry facility back to the user's house without becoming wrinkled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a fabric carrier-hamper has an interior space for carrying items, and is capable of being self-supporting in an upright position. The carrier-hamper comprises a fabric first end panel having a first perimetral edge, and a fabric second end panel having a second perimetral edge. A fabric side panel is provided that extends between the first and second end panels. A first rigid perimetral member extends around the first perimetral edge for maintaining a first fixed dimensional area for the first end panel. A second rigid perimetral member extends around the second perimetral edge for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel. An elongated support member is removably attached to the side panel and extends substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spacial relationship, for permitting the fabric carrier-hamper to be placed on the second end panel, and stand upright with the first end panel portion remaining at the predetermined relation.

Preferably, the first end panel includes a stationary portion and a flat portion that is moveable between a closed and an opened position. A selectively engagable fastener is provided for fastening the flap portion in the closed position. Preferably, the fastener comprises a zipper, and the flap portion includes an edge portion that extends generally parallel to the first perimetral edge over a portion of the first perimetral edge.

A screen-like mesh portion can be provided that includes a first mesh portion that comprises a portion of the edge of the side panel, and that extends substantially between the first and second end panels.

Additionally, the elongated support member preferably includes at least a first and second support rod. Each of the first and second support rods are removably attached to the side panel portion, and extend substantially between the first and second end panel portions, to maintain the first and second end panels in a pre-determined spatial relation. A support rod retainer is provided for retaining the first and second support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel portion while permitting the support rods to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel portion.

The support rod retainer preferably includes a pocket member disposed adjacent to the second end panel portion for receiving the second end portion of the first support rod to maintain the second end portion in a fixed axial position. The support rod retainer also includes a sleeve member disposed adjacent to the first end panel. The support rod can pass through the sleeve member for maintaining the support rod adjacent to the side panel portion. The support rod retainer preferably also includes a cover for covering the first end portion of the support rod for maintaining the first end portion in a fixed axial position. The cover member includes a second fastener that is selectively connectable with a first fastener disposed on the sleeve for securing the cover in a position covering the first end portion of the support rod.

One feature of the present invention is that the device is made of fabric, and includes first and second rigid perimetral members that extend, respectively, around the first and second perimetral edges of the first and second end panels, for maintaining fixed dimensional areas of the first and second end panels. This feature has the advantage of maintaining a fixed dimensional area for the end panel.

The normal tendency of a fabric panel is to collapse under the influence of gravity, into a crumpled state. For example, if one placed a fabric panel on its edge, the normal tendency of the fabric end panel would be to crumple. Through the use of the rigid perimetral members, the fabric end panels are maintained in their taut position, wherein their area is maximized and maintained. By so maximizing the area of the end panels, the end panel can better function as a base, or an open end of the carrier-hamper.

While also in the hamper position, the first end panel, with its flap portion in an open position, can serve as an opening for the hamper, to permit the user to place items into the hamper. By maintaining the first end panel in a fixed dimensional area, the first end panel of the hamper will serve much like the open end of a rigid container, such as a trash can, that provides an always-open opening, into which items can be placed.

Another feature of the present invention is that it includes an elongated support member that is removably attached to the side panel, and that extends substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a pre-determined spatial relation. This feature has several advantages. By allowing the support rods to be removably attached to the side panels, the device can be converted between a relatively rigid orientation and a flaccid orientation. In the rigid orientation, the rigidity imparted to the device by the support rods enables the device to stand on its end panel, and serve as a hamper. When the support rods are removed, the relative positions of the first and second end panels are no longer fixed, thus enabling the end panels to be folded relative to the side panel, to collapse the carrier-hamper, so that it requires less volume and can thereby be stored or shipped more easily.

A second advantage of the support members is that they can be coupled to the side panels in a manner wherein the positions of the first and second end panels are fixed with the respect to each other. This feature has the advantage of enabling the device, that is made from a generally flexible fabric to have enough rigidity to enable the device to stand up, and thereby serve as a convenient hamper.

It is also a feature of the present invention that the side panel includes a mesh portion, which extends substantially between the first and second end panels. Preferably, a pair of mesh panels are provided. These mesh panels are used in conjunction with the remaining, non-mesh material employed for the remainder of the side panel. The use of non-mesh panels has the advantage of strengthening the carrier-hamper. The use of the mesh panels has the advantage of enabling air to circulate between the interior and exterior of the carrier-hamper. This ability to circulate air helps to dry out any wet or moist articles (such as clothing) that may be placed within the carrier-hamper, to thereby reduce the odor generated by such articles.

These and other features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the Detailed Description and Drawings presented below that set forth the best mode of practicing the invention perceived presently by the Applicant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a carrier-hamper of the present invention in its carrier-hamper or “laid down” orientation, showing a shoulder carrying strap;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier-hamper of the present invention, in its upright orientation, showing an end flap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier-hamper shown in its carrier position with its side flap open;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the carrier-hamper of the present invention showing the first end panel and flap portion;

FIG. 5 is an end view, showing the second end panel containing no flap portion;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a support rod;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an interior view, partly in phantom, showing the support rod receiving pocket of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an interior view partly in phantom, showing a support rod retainer of the present invention, with its cover member in the closed position;

FIG. 12 is a view, similar to FIG. 11 showing the cover member in the open position;

FIG. 13 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a seam of the present invention illustrating a rigid perimetral member;

FIG. 14A is a top view of a hoop-shaped form member used in the rigid perimetral member; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of the device, showing the device in the collapsed position well suited for shipment and storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fabric carrier-hamper 10 of the present invention is shown in the Figures. The fabric carrier-hamper 10 is comprised almost entirely (except for the rigid members and the zipper) from a fabric material. Although a natural fabric such as cotton can be used, the fabric chosen for the carrier-hamper 10, is preferably comprised of a man-made fabric, such as nylon, polyester or polyvinyl. The fabric material from which the carrier-hamper 10 is made should be chosen to be either water proof, or water resistant, and generally opaque. Similar to most fabrics, the fabric material from which the fabric carrier-hamper 10 is made, is a thin, flexible material that when presented as a sheet, can be folded or crumpled, and that is generally not rigid enough to be self-supporting.

In a preferred embodiment of the fabric carrier-hamper 10 of the present invention, the carrier is made from a polyester fabric to which is applied a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating or backing on the interior surface. The purpose of the PVC coating is to help prevent moisture in wet clothing from soaking through the polyester fabric. This helps to make the carrier-hamper 10 more resistant to odor formation.

The fabric carrier-hamper 10 includes a first fabric end panel 12 that, in the embodiment shown, is generally rectangular in configuration, and includes a first perimetral edge 14. The carrier-hamper 10 also includes a fabric second end panel 18, that is also generally rectangular in configuration, and includes a second perimetral edge 20. The first and second end panels 12, 18 are disposed at opposite ends of the carrier-hamper 10. A fabric side panel 22 extends between the first and second fabric end panels 12, 18. Due to the generally rectangular configuration of the first and second end panels 12, 18, the fabric side panel 22 has a quadrilateral (here square) shaped cross section comprised of a first (or top) side panel portion 24, a second side panel portion 26, a third (or bottom) side panel portion 28, and a fourth side panel portion 30.

Although the fabric carrier-hamper 10 shown in the embodiments has rectangular shaped end panels 12, 18, and a rectangular cross sectioned side panel 24, it will be appreciated that other shapes can be employed.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is important to note that the fabric carrier-hamper 10 can be used in a “laid down” orientation, wherein the fabric carrier-hamper 10 rests on its bottom, or third side panel portion 28, so that the first side panel portion 24 is at its top, with the first and second end panels 12, 18 being disposed on the sides of the carrier-hamper 10. In FIG. 2, the device is shown in its upright configuration, wherein second end panel 18 serves as its base, and the first end panel 12 serves as the top of the carrier-hamper 10. When in the laid down orientation, the fabric carrier-hamper 10 serves well as a carrier for enabling the user to carry materials therein, and is the preferred orientation for the user to employ when placing articles into the carrier-hamper, such as laundry, after the laundry has been washed.

By contrast, the upright configuration (FIG. 2) gives the carrier-hamper 10 a somewhat “hamper” or “trash can”-like utility, as it permits the user to stand the carrier-hamper 10 up on its second end panel 18 to receive items therein through an opening in the first end panel 12. The upright orientation shown in FIG. 2 functions especially well when the carrier-hamper is being used as a hamper, as it enables the user to stand the carrier-hamper 10 on its second end panel 18, and deposit clothes through the opening in the end panel 12 in much the same way that a user would employ a traditional rigid-sided hamper.

A first rigid perimetral member 36 extends along the first perimetral edge 14 for maintaining a fixed dimensional area for the first end panel 12. A second rigid perimetral member 62 extends around the second perimetral edge 20 for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel 18.

First and second rigid perimetral members 36, 42 maintain the respective first and second end panels 12, 18 in a fixed, taut shape, and in a fixed dimensional area, thus overcoming the natural tendency of fabric, such as the fabric from which the end panels 12, 18 are made, to become folded or crumpled.

An elongated support member is removably attached to the fabric side panel 22, and extends substantially between the first 12 and second 18 end panels to maintain the first and second end panels 12, 18 in a predetermined spatial relation. The elongated support member permits the fabric carrier-hamper 10 to be placed on the second end panel 18, and stand upright (as shown in FIG. 2), with the first end panel 12 remaining at the predetermined spatial relation.

The elongated support member includes, in the embodiment shown, a first support rod 46, a second support rod 48, a third support rod 50, and a fourth support rod 52. The support rods 46-52 are received within the interior 56 (FIG. 7) of the carrier-hamper 10 and are disposed adjacent to the side panel 22, and more particularly, are disposed adjacent to the corners of the side panel. Four support rods 46, 48, 50 and 52 are employed with the carrier-hamper 10 embodiment shown in the drawings, because of its four sided nature of the carrier-hamper 10. However, it will also be appreciated that a fewer or greater number of support rods could be employed for devices having different shapes.

The first end panel 12 is comprised primarily of a fabric sheet, having a horse shoe-shaped stationary portion 64 that terminates at the first perimetral edge 14, and is fixedly coupled to the first perimetral rigid member 36, as best shown in FIGS. 14 and 14a. The first rigid perimetral member 36 preferably comprises an endless, generally rectangular rigid hoop core 68 having four rounded corners 70 that is encased in a fabric or plastic coating, such as a steel cored PVC piping. The hoop 68 is preferably comprised of either a metal or plastic member that is normally resistant to deformation under the loads typically experienced by a carrier or hamper. For example, a steel cored pvc piping member having a thickness of between about 4.0 mm and 110.0 mm, has been found by the Applicant to have sufficient rigidity to generally maintain its predetermined shape.

The hoop 68 is surrounded by a fabric casing 22 that includes a tail portion 76 comprised of the ends of the fabric casing 72. The tail portion 76 is aligned in stacked-planar relationship with the edge 80 of the first panel 12, and the edge 82 of side panel 26, so that the tail portion 76 and edges 80, 82 can be sewn together to fixedly couple the fabric casing 72 and hence the metal hoop 68 to the first end panel 12 and side panel 26, to fix the relative positions of the three elements, 12, 26 and 36.

Along with the stationary portion 64, the first end panel 12 also includes a flap portion 88 that is moveable between a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and an opened position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. When in the opened position, the end panel provides an opening to give the user access to the interior 56, and through which articles, such as clothing, can be inserted into and removed from the interior 56. The flap portion 88 includes a first edge portion 90, that extends generally parallel to a first edge segment 91 of the perimetral edge 14; a second edge portion 92 that extends generally parallel to the second edge segment 102 of the perimetral edge 14, and a third edge portion 98 that extends generally parallel to a third edge segment 100 of the perimetral edge 14. No edge of the flap portion 88 extends parallel to the fourth edge segment 94 (FIG. 3) of the perimetral surface 14.

In the device shown in the drawings, the three edges 90, 92, 96 create a tombstone-shaped flap portion, that, when in the closed position, is generally disposed co-planarly with the stationary portion 64. When in the opened position, the flap portion 88 can be folded back to be disposed in a plane generally parallel with the fourth side panel portion 30 of the fabric side panel 22, as is shown in FIG. 2.

A fastener member, such as a zipper, can extend between the edges 90, 92, 96 of the flap portion 88, and the corresponding edges of the stationary portion 64. The zipper includes a zipper pull member 108 and a pair of opposed rows of inter-engagable tracked teeth 110, that extend along the three edges 90, 92, 96.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the second end panel 18 generally comprises a unitary sheet 116 of fabric material that extends between, and is fixedly coupled to the second perimetral or rigid perimetral member 42. Preferably, the second end panel 18 has the same dimensional area as the first end panel 12. As also with first end panel 12, the desired dimensional area of the second end panel 18 is maintained by a rigid perimetral member, here, the second perimetral member 42.

The first side panel portion 24 of the side panel 22 includes a side panel stationary portion 124, and a square-topped tombstone-shaped side panel flap portion 126. The flap portion 126 is moveable between a closed position, wherein it is generally disposed co-planar with the side panel stationary portion 124; and an open position wherein the side panel portion can be placed so that a portion of it is disposed in a plane parallel to the first end panel 12. The flap portion 126 includes a first flap portion edge, that extends generally between the first and second end panels 12, 14, and extends along the line generally perpendicular to the planes of the first and second end panels 12, 14 when the device is in its rigid position, as shown in FIG. 2. By contrast, the planar relationship between the first flap portion edge 128 and the end panels 12, 14 will usually not exist when the device is in its collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 15.

The side panel flap portion 126 also includes a second flap portion edge 130, and a third flap portion edge 132. The first and second flap portion edges 126, 130 extend generally parallel to each other, and are separated by a distance of preferably between about 3 and 8 inches. The third flap panel edge 132 extends generally perpendicularly to the first and second flap portion edges 128, 130, and extends between the first and second flap portion edges 128, 130.

The side panel stationary portion 124 also includes three edges, including the first stationary portion inner edge 138, the second stationary portion inner edge 140, and the third stationary portion inner edge 142, that are disposed in an opposed relationship to, and correspond generally in position to the respective first 128, second 130 and third 132 flap edge portions. A reinforcing portion 144 can be formed at the distal end of the side panel flap portion 126 to provide additional strength, and help to resist tearing of the fabric of the side panel flap portion 126, when the flap portion 126 is open. This reinforcing portion 144 can comprise something as simple as the end of the fabric being folded over upon itself two or three times and then sewn; or can be more extensive, such as sewing a nylon web material, such as is used for the hand and shoulder strap to the distal end of the side panel flap portion.

The first flap panel edge 124 and the first stationary panel inner edge 130 each include inter-engagable zipper teeth, and form a part of a first zipper 148. A second zipper 152 is provided for engaging the inter-engagable zipper teeth that are placed on the second edge 130 of the flap portion, and the second inner edge 140 of the stationary portion above first side panel portion 124. Zippers 148, 152 move along parallel paths, that are generally separated from each other by a distance of between about 3 and 5 inches, so that, as shown in FIG. 3, when the flap portion 126 is in its open position, an opening is created having a width “G”, that is preferably between about 3 and 5 inches. This wide opening enables users to place clothing within the interior 56 of the carrier-hamper 10 without forcing the user to grab a part the opposing edges. This “wide hole” opening makes placing folded clothes in the carrier-hamper 10 more easy and more reliable.

A first shackle receiving eye 164 is coupled to the first side panel portion 24, adjacent to the first end panel 12, and a second shackle receiving eye 166 is coupled to the first side panel portion 24 adjacent to the second end panel 18. The shackle receiving eyes 164, 166, as shown in FIG. 1, are provided for receiving first 178 and second 180 pivotal shackles 178, 180 that are attached to the first and second ends of a shoulder strap 170. Shoulder strap 170 is provided for enabling the user to carry the carrier-hamper 10, by connecting the shoulder strap 120, via shackles 178, 180 and shackle receiving eyes 164, 166. The shoulder strap 170 enables the user to place the shoulder strap 170 over his shoulder, to better carry the carrier-hamper 10. The shoulder strap 170 includes a strap portion 174 that is preferably made from a webbed material, such as nylon webbing, and a molded shoulder engaging member 182 having a series of apertures through which the strap portion 174 can pass for anchoring the shoulder engaging member 182 to the strap 174. A strap length adjusting buckle 184 is provided for enabling the user to adjust the length of the strap so that the carrier-hamper 10 fits properly on the user's shoulder, given the user's body size and personal preferences.

Each of the second 26 and fourth side panel 30 portions include a reinforcing strip 192 that extends generally along the entire length of the respective second and fourth side panel portions, 26, 30. The reinforcing strip 192 is preferably made from a nylon webbing material.

A first mesh portion 194 extends substantially along the entire length of the second side panel 26; and a second mesh portion 196 extends substantially along the fourth side panel portion 30. The first and second mesh portions 194, 196 are screen-like, as, in a micro-view, each of the mesh portions 194, 196 comprises a series of cross-hatched wire-like members that define a plurality of holes therebetween. The mesh portions 194, 196 are provided to permit air to circulate between the interior 56 and exterior of the carrier-hamper 10. By allowing air to circulate, moisture, such as from wet clothes and the like does not get trapped within the interior of the carrier-hamper 10, thereby allowing wet or damp clothes within the interior 56 of the carrier-hamper 10 to air dry. This helps to prevent the growth of mold, mildew or other organic, smell producing life forms that induce a significantly unpleasant odor to the clothes.

A first U-shaped handle 198 is coupled to the reinforcing strip 192 of the first side panel portion 26, and a second U-shaped handle 200 is coupled to the reinforcing strip (not shown) on the fourth side panel portion 30. Each of the first and second handles 198, 200 are preferably made from a nylon webbing material, similar to the material from which the reinforcing strip 192 is made. A handle binder 206 that employs a Velcro® brand fastener, can be coupled to the first U-shaped handle 198, is capable of surrounding and securely coupling the first and second U-shaped handles 198, 200. The purpose of the handle binders 206 is to bring the two handles together to make grabbing them easier, along with providing a padded surface for the user to grab.

The third or bottom side surface 28 is generally unadorned with any features and just comprises a sheet of the fabric from which the carrier-hamper 10 is made.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the support rods 36, 48, 50 and 52 are provided for lending structural rigidity to the fabric carrier-hamper 10. The support rods 46-52 are engagable with the side panel 22 of the carrier-hamper 10. When attached to the support retainer, the support rods 46-52 are capable of maintaining the first and second end panels 12, 18 in a fixed spatial relation, wherein the distance between the end panels 12, 18 is fixed, and also the orientation of the major planes of the end panels 12, 18 is fixed, with the planes of the first and second end panels 12, 18 being disposed in a generally parallel relation to each other.

As best shown in FIG. 5, each of the support rods 46-52 is disposed in a particular “corner” of the side panel 22. The first support rod 46 is disposed in the corner formed by the intersection of the first 24 and fourth 30 side panels; the second support rod 48 is disposed in the corner formed by the intersection of the first 24 and second 26 side panels; the third support rod 50 is disposed in the corner formed by the third 28 and fourth 30 side panel portions; and the fourth support rod 52 is disposed in the corner formed by the intersection of the second 26 and third 28 side panel portions.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the support rods 36, 48, 50 and 52 comprises an elongated, solid cylinder, having a length of generally only slightly smaller than the distance between the end panels 12, 18 of the carrier-hamper 10. Each support rod 36, 48, 50 or 52 includes a first end portion 210 that terminates at a first end 212; and a second end portion 216 that terminates at a second end 218. A middle portion 220 extends between the first end portion 210 and the second end portion 218.

A support rod retainer provided for supporting the support rods 46, 48, 50 and 52, and retaining them in positions adjacent to the side panel 22. The support rod retainers fix the axial positions of the support rods 36, 48, 50 and 52. The support rod retainers permit the support rods 46-52 to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel 22, so that the carrier-hamper 10 can be moved from its fixed or rigid position, such as is shown in FIG. 1, to its collapsed position (FIG. 15) wherein the carrier-hamper 10 can be folded for either shipment or storage.

In the present invention, four support rod retainers are employed, one for each of the four support rods 46, 48, 50, 52. Each of the support rod retainers includes a pocket member that is disposed adjacent to the second end panel 18 for receiving a second end portion 216 of one of the support rod 36, 48, 50, 52 to maintain the second end portion 216 in a fixed axial position. The support rod retainer also includes a sleeve member that is disposed adjacent to the first end panel 12, and through which the support rod can pass for maintaining the support rod 46, 48, 50, 52 adjacent to the side panel 22.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, support rod retainers include a first pocket member 231, a second pocket member 232, a third pocket member 233, and a fourth pocket member 234, for respectively engaging the second end portions 216 of the respective first 26, second 48, third 50 and fourth 52 support rods. As shown in FIG. 10, each pocket member such as pocket member 231 includes an open first end 236 for receiving the second end 218 and second end portion 216 of the support rod 46, and that permits the second end 218 to be inserted into the pocket 231. A closed second end 238 of the pocket member 231 is provided for limiting the axial movement of the second end 216 of the support rod 46.

Each support rod retainer also includes a sleeve cover member including a first sleeve-cover member 240, a second sleeve-cover member 242, a third sleeve-cover member 244 and a fourth sleeve-cover member 246, for respectively engaging the first end portion 210 of the support rod 46, 48, 50, 52, respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each sleeve-cover member, such as first sleeve-cover member 240 includes a sleeve portion 248, containing passageway 249 formed between an interior surface of the sleeve portion 248 and an interior surface of the fabric panel 22; and a cover flap 54. In FIG. 11, the cover flap 254 is shown in its closed position, and in FIG. 12, the cover flap 254 is shown in its open position.

The sleeve portion 248 includes an exterior surface 250, upon which is placed a hook and eye fastener first element, such as the “hook” element of a Velcro® fastening member. The cover flap 254 includes an interior surface 246 and an exterior surface 257. A hook and eye fastener second element 258 (e.g. the “eye” element of Velcro®) is disposed on the interior surface 256 of the cover flap 254 for engaging with its corresponding hook and eye fastener first element 252 disposed on the exterior surface 250 of the sleeve portion 248.

To insert the rod 46 into the sleeve portion 248, the rod is passed through the passageway 249, until the second end 218 abuts the bottom of the pocket member 231. The cover flap 254 is placed over the first end 212 of the rod 46, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, with the fastener 258 with the fastener 252 of the sleeve member 248. When support rod member 46 is so engaged in the pocket 231 and the sleeve/cover 240, with the cover flap 254 placed over the first end 212 of the support rod 46, the axial position of the support rod 46 becomes fixed, thus preventing support rod 46, for example, from sliding out of the pocket 231, or sliding axially through the passageway 249 formed by the sleeve 248. When so engaged, the axial movement of the support rod fixes the axial distance between the first end panel 12, and second end panel 18.

The device will now be described, with reference to the figures, in its operational mode as a laundry carrier-hamper.

Turning first to FIG. 15, when the carrier-hamper 10 is manufactured and prepared for shipment, it is placed in its collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the support rods 46-52 are not coupled to the pocket 231 and sleeve members 248, thereby permitting the first and second end panels 12, 18 to not be constrained by a fixed axial distance, in a relationship wherein the first and second end panels are disposed in parallel planes. Rather, the first and second end panels 12, 18 can be disposed to be co-planar, being both disposed of the plane that is generally parallel to the plane in which the side panel portion is disposed.

In order to place the carrier-hamper 10 in its rigid position, first and second panels 12, 18 are rotated so that they are disposed in planes generally parallel to each other and spaced from each other, such as is shown in FIG. 1. The four support rods 46-52 can then be passed through their respective sleeves 240-246 until their second ends 218 are engaged within their respective pocket members 231-234. When the support rods 46-52 are fully inserted, the cover flaps 54 of the four sleeve-cover members 240-246 are folded over the first ends 312 of the respective support rods 46-52. When the support rods 46-52 are so engaged with the side panel 24, the carrier-hamper 10 will assume its fixed, rectangular cuboid orientation, such as is shown in, inter-alia FIGS. 1-7.

The carrier-hamper 10 can be used in a hamper mode by using the second end panel 218 as a base, such as is shown in FIG. 2 to stand the device up, so that the first end 12 becomes the functional “top” of the carrier-hamper 10. First flap portion 88 is removed from its closed position (shown in FIG. 1) and placed in its opened position (shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that a hoop-like opening exists having a generally fixed shape that serves well as a receptacle for clothes, and permits the user to place clothes in the interior 56 of the carrier-hamper 10.

When the user desires to carry his hamper to a laundry facility, the end panel flap 88 is closed. The user can then employ the shoulder strap 170 or the handles 200, 206 to carry the carrier-hamper 10 to the laundry facility. At the laundry facility, the carrier-hamper can be emptied by opening the end flap portion 88, or the side panel flap 126 and removing the clothes therein, and placing them into the washing machine, and then the dryer. After the clothes are dry, the user is best advised to place the carrier-hamper 10 in its laid down orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, and to open the panel flap portion 126, until the flap portion is away from the opening, such as is shown in FIG. 6.

The wide gap between the first and second side edges of the side panel flap 126 then permits the user to easily place his clothes into the carrier-hamper 10 folded. The size of the gap enables the user to place or to insert his clothes through the gap while maintaining the clothes in the folded position. It also enables the user to place the clothes onto the bottom surface, adjacent to side panel flap portion 28 in neat stacks, to thus preserve the folded status of the clothes.

After the clothes are folded, washed and dried and re-loaded back into the carrier-hamper 10, the side panel flap 126 is closed, and the shoulder strap and/or handle is employed to carry the carrier-hamper 10 back to the user's room. The side panel flap 126 can then be re-opened to enable the user to remove the folded clothes from the interior of the carrier-hamper 10. Once again, the large gap provided by the parallel, dual zipper portions of side panel flap 126, permits the user to remove the folded clothes easily from the interior of the carrier-hamper without disturbing the folded nature of the clothes. The carrier-hamper 10 can then be converted back to its hamper orientation for the collection and storage of additional clothes.

Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a sheet showing six photographs of the device to better aid in the appreciation of the device.

Having described the invention in significant detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A fabric carrier-hamper having an interior space for carrying items and being capable of being self-supporting in an upright position comprising,

a fabric first end panel having a first perimetral edge,

a fabric second end panel having a second perimetral edge,

a fabric side panel extending between the first and second end panels.

a first rigid perimetral member extending around the first perimetral edge for maintaining a first fixed dimensional area for the first end panel,

a second rigid perimetral member extending around the second perimetral edge for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel, and

an elongated support member removably attached to the side panel and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spatial relation, for permitting the fabric carrier-hamper to be placed on the second end panel, and stand upright with the first end panel remaining at the predetermined spatial relation.

2. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 1 wherein the first end panel includes a stationary portion; and a flap portion movable between a closed and an open position, and

a selectively engagable fastener for fastening the flap portion in the closed position

3. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 2 wherein the flap portion includes an edge portion extending generally parallel to the first perimetral edge over a portion of the first perimetral edge,

wherein the flap portion, when in the open position can be disposed in a plane generally parallel with the side panel.

4. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 3 wherein the fastener comprises a zipper, and the first perimetral edge includes at least three segments, wherein the edge of the flap portion extends substantially along at least two of the at least three segments of the first perimetral edge.

5. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 3 wherein the fabric side panel includes a mesh portion for allowing air from outside the carrier-hamper to circulate through the interior, the mesh portion extending substantially between the first and second end panels.

6. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 5 wherein the side panel has a quadrilateral shaped cross section including a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, a third side panel portion and a fourth side panel portion, the first side panel portion including a side panel stationary portion; and a side panel flap portion moveable between an open and a closed position, the side panel flap portion, when in the open position defining a side panel opening through which items can be inserted into, and removed from the interior or the carrier-hamper.

7. The carrier-hamper of claim 6 wherein the mesh portion includes a first mesh portion which comprises a portion of one of the first, second, third and fourth side panel portions, and a second mesh portion which comprises a portion of another one of first, second, third and fourth side panel portions.

8. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 6 wherein the first and third side panel portions are disposed in an opposed relation, and the second and fourth side panel portions are disposed in an opposed relation, and

wherein the mesh portion includes a first mesh portion which comprises a portion of the second side panel portion, and a second mesh portion which comprises a portion of the fourth side panel portion, each of the first and second mesh portions extending substantially between the first and second end panel portions.

9. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 6 wherein the side panel flap portion includes first and second panel side edges, which extend substantially between the first and second end panels, and which are spatially separated by at least about three inches, to form a side panel opening having a width of at least three inches when the side panel flap portion is in the open position.

10. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 2 wherein the elongated support member comprises at least a first and second support rod, each of the first and second support rods being removably attached to the side panel and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spatial relation.

11. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 10 where the side panel has a quadrilateral-shaped cross section and includes a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, a third side panel portion and a fourth side panel portion, which define first, second, third and fourth corners extending substantially from the first end panel to the second end panel, and

wherein the at least two support rods include a first support rod disposed in the first corner, a second support rod disposed in the second corner, a third support rod disposed in the third corner and a fourth support rod disposed in the fourth corner.

12. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 10 further comprising a selectively engagable support rod retainer engagable with the first and second support rods, for retaining the support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel, while permitting the support rods to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel portion.

13. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 12 wherein the support rod retainer includes a first support rod retainer for retaining the first support rod and a second support rod retainer for retaining the second support rod.

14. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 12 wherein the support rods each include a first end portion, and a second end portion, and the support rod retainer includes a pocket member disposed adjacent to the second end panel for receiving the second end portion of the support rod to maintain the second end portion of the support rod in a fixed axial position, and a sleeve member disposed adjacent to the first end portion, and through which the support rod can pass, for maintaining the support rod adjacent to the side panel portion.

15. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 15 wherein the support rod retainer further includes a support rod cover member covering the first end portion of the support rod for maintaining the first end portion of the support rod in a fixed axial position,

the sleeve member includes a first fastener, and the support rod cover member includes a second fastener capable of being coupled to the first fastener for retaining

16. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 12 wherein the first rigid perimetral member comprises a rigid hoop member enclosed within a fabric casing, the casing being coupled to at least one of the first end panel and side panel.

17. The fabric carrier-hamper casing of claim 16 rigid hoop member and fabric casing have a thickness of between about 4.0 mm and 10.0 mm.

18. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 1 wherein the elongated support member includes at least a first and second support rod, each of the first and second support rods being removably attached to the side panel, and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spaced relation.

further comprising a support rod retainer for retaining the first and second support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel while permitting the support rods to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel portion.

19. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 18 wherein the first support rod includes a first end portion and second end portion, and

the support rod retainer includes a pocket member disposed adjacent to the second end panel for receiving the second end portion of the first support rod to maintain the second end portion in a fixed axial position, and a sleeve member disposed adjacent to the first end panel, and through which the support rod can pass, for maintaining the support rod adjacent to the side panel.

20. The fastener carrier-hamper of claim 19 wherein the sleeve member includes a first fastener; and

the support rod container further includes a cover for covering the first end portion of the support rod for maintaining the first end portion in a fixed axial position, the cover member includes a second fastener selectively connectable with the first fastener for securing the cover in a position covering the first end portion of the support rod.

21. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 1 wherein the first rigid perimetral member comprises a wire-like member formed to have a geometric shape generally similar to a cross sectional shape of the side panel member, the first rigid perimetral member having sufficient resistance to bending to maintain its form under normal loads imposed on the first rigid perimetral member when the carrier-hamper is being used both as a carrier and as a hamper.

22. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 23 wherein the second rigid perimetral member comprises a wire-like member formed to have a geometric shape generally identical to the first rigid perimetral member, and having sufficient resistance to bending to maintain its form under normal loads imposed on the second rigid perimetral member when the carrier-hamper is being used as a carrier and as a hamper.

23. The fabric carrier-hamper of claim 1 wherein the elongated support member comprises at least a first support rod and a second support rod

further comprising a support rod retainer engagable with the first and second support rods for retaining the support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel to maintain the first and second end panel portions in a fixed, spatial parallel planar relation when the support rods are engaged with the support rod retainer, and to permit the first and second end panel portions to be moved into a variable non-parallel relation when the support rods are not engaged with the support rod retainer.