Extendable Hamper and Method for Utilizing Thereof

Abstract

The present application discloses an extendable hamper comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall and a bottom base. Each of the first wall, the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall comprise an extension wall and a bottom. The extension walls are folded and the bottom base is supported by the extension wall during a smaller hamper mode. The bottoms are folded and the bottom base is supported by the bottoms during a larger hamper mode. A method for utilizing the aforementioned extendable hamper is also disclosed, comprising: extending the extension walls; folding the bottoms: and disposing the bottom base to be supported by the bottoms for the larger hamper mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application generally relates to hampers, and more particularly, to an extendable hamper and method for utilizing the extendable hamper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different hampers in the market such as plastic hamper, bamboo hamper or wood hamper etc. However, the size of the above-mentioned hampers is fixed, making the logistics and transportation to be inconvenient. In addition, it is hard to place the hamper for those people who has fixed storage space. For example, if the user only has a narrow upper and lower space, the hamper with longer size may not be available for the space.

Except the size, the capacity of those hampers is also unchangeable. If the user has great amount of clothing, the above-mentioned hampers may not be enough for storage.

Therefore, a need remains for an extendable hamper and method for utilizing the extendable hamper to provide the logistics companies and the users a hamper with more convenient shipping and storage size, and also allow the used to customize its capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses an extendable hamper and method for utilizing the extendable hamper to provide the logistics companies and the users a hamper with more convenient shipping and storage size, and also allow the user to customize its capacity.

The extendable hamper comprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall and a bottom base. The first wall comprises a first side wall, a first extension wall, a first bottom and a first folding line. The second wall comprises a second side wall, a second extension wall, a second bottom and a second folding line. The third wall is coupled between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the third wall comprises a third side wall and a third extension wall. The fourth wall is coupled between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the fourth wall comprises a fourth side wall and a fourth extension wall. The first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall during a smaller hamper mode. The first bottom and the second bottom are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first bottom and the second bottom during a larger hamper mode. The first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall are folded, the first wall is folded along with the first folding line and the second wall is folded along with the second folding line during a folded mode.

In various exemplary embodiments, the third wall further comprises a third bottom, wherein the fourth wall further comprises a fourth bottom, the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom during the larger hamper mode.

In various exemplary embodiments, the extendable hamper further comprises a separator, wherein the first wall further comprises a first separator connector and the second wall further comprises a second separator connector, wherein the separator is coupled to the first wall via the first separator connector and coupled to the second wall via the second separator connector. The separator is coupled to the first wall and the second wall via Velcro.

In various exemplary embodiments, the extendable hamper further comprises a separator and a storage bag. The first wall further comprises a first separator connector and the second wall further comprises a second separator connector, wherein the separator is coupled to the first wall via the first separator connector and coupled to the second wall via the second separator connector. The storage bag comprises a plurality of storage bag fixer, the storage bag is coupled to the separator and the fourth wall via the plurality of storage bag fixer. The fourth wall further comprises at least one fourth wall fixer and the separator further comprises at least one separator fixer, the storage bag is coupled to the fourth wall via coupling the storage bag fixer to the at least one fourth wall fixer and coupling the storage bag fixer to the at least one separator fixer. The storage bag is coupled to the fourth wall and the separator via Velcro.

In various exemplary embodiments, the extendable hamper further comprises a lid, wherein the first wall further comprises a first lid connector and the second wall further comprises a second lid connector, wherein the lid is coupled to the first wall via the first lid connector and coupled to the second wall via the second lid connector. The lid is coupled to the first wall via Velcro and is coupled to the second wall via magnets.

In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the third wall further comprises a third wall handle and the fourth wall further comprises a fourth wall handle.

In various exemplary embodiments, wherein the bottom base comprises a bottom base folding line.

A method for utilizing the aforementioned extendable hamper is also disclosed. The method comprises: extending the first folding line and the second folding line; extending the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall; folding the first bottom and the second bottom; and disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode.

In various exemplary embodiments, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises: removing the bottom base; extending the first bottom and the second bottom; folding the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall; and disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall for changing from the larger hamper mode to the smaller hamper mode.

In various exemplary embodiments, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises coupling a separator to the first wall and the second wall; coupling a first storage bag to the fourth wall and the separator; and coupling a second storage bag to the third wall and the separator.

In various exemplary embodiments, where after extending the first folding line and the second folding line, the method further comprises coupling a lid to the first wall and the second wall.

In various exemplary embodiments, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises: removing the bottom base; folding the bottom base along a bottom base folding line; extending the first bottom and the second bottom; folding the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall; and folding the first folding line and the second folding line for the folded mode.

Based on the above, the extendable hamper of the present application may be stored in a flat shape during the folded mode since the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall may be folded. As such, the logistics companies may transport the extendable hamper with greater amount compared to the traditional hampers. The user may also customize the overall size of the extendable hamper according to the storage space.

In addition, since the extendable hamper may be changed between the smaller hamper mode and the larger hamper mode, the user may also adjust its capacity based on the amount of clothing.

Also, the separator and the storage bags may also allow the user to sort the clothing. The extendable hamper of the present application utilizes the Velcro as a connector and fixer, providing a more convenient way for coupling the separator and the storage bags.

The present application utilizes the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom to support the bottom base during the larger hamper mode. As such, the bottom base may be supported not only during the smaller hamper mode, which the bottom base is supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall, but during the larger hamper mode.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of disclosed embodiments, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present application will be more readily appreciated upon reference to the following disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, and wherein reference numerals with alphabetic characters are utilized to identify additional types, instantiations or variations of a selected component embodiment in the various views, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an extendable hamper of the present application in a folded mode.

FIGS. 2A-2H show a method for utilizing the extendable hamper of the present application.

FIG. 3 shows the extendable hamper of the present application in a larger hamper mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present representative embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 shows an extendable hamper 10 of the present application in a folded mode. FIGS. 2A-2H show a method for utilizing the extendable hamper 10 of the present application.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2B, the extendable hamper 10 comprises a first wall 100, a second wall 200, a third wall 300 and a fourth wall 400. The extendable hamper 10 of the present application could be made of any kind of fabrics, the present application is not limited thereto.

The first wall 100 comprises a side wall 110, an extension wall 120, a bottom 130, a lid connector 140, a separator connector (not separately illustrated) and a folding line 160.

The second wall 200 comprises a side wall 210, an extension wall 220, a bottom 230, a lid connector (not separately illustrated), a separator connector 250 and a folding line 260.

The third wall 300 comprises a side wall 310, an extension wall 320, a bottom 330, a handle 340 and a plurality of fixers (not separately illustrated)

The fourth wall 400 comprises a side wall 410, an extension wall 420, a bottom 430, a handle 440 and a plurality of fixers 450.

As shown in FIG. 1, during the folded mode, the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420 are fully folded; the first wall 100 is folded along with the folding line 160; and the second wall 200 is folded along with the folding line 260. At this moment, the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430 are extended.

As such, the extendable hamper 10 of the present application may be stored as a flat shape, allowing the logistics companies to transport the extendable hamper 10 with greater amount compared to the traditional hampers. Also, the user may also store the extendable hamper 10 with a flat size.

As shown in FIG. 2A, during a smaller hamper mode, the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420 are folded around 90°; and a bottom base 500 (referring to FIG. 2C) is supported by the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420. The detail about the bottom base 500 will be describe later with FIG. 2C. At this moment, the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430 are extended.

Referring to FIGS. 2B-2C, during a larger hamper mode, the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430 are folded around 90°: and the bottom base 500 is supported by the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430. At this moment, the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420 are extended.

The extendable hamper 10 further comprises a bottom base 500. The bottom base 500 comprises a folding line 510, allowing people to fold the bottom base 500 along with the folding line 510. As such, the storage size of the bottom base 500 may be smaller.

Therefore, since the extendable hamper 10 could be changed between the smaller hamper mode and the larger hamper mode, the user may adjust its capacity based on the amount of clothing.

Referring to FIG. 2D, the extendable hamper 10 of the present application further comprises a separator 600. The separator 600 comprises a folding line 610, folding lines 620, a plurality of fixers 630 and connectors 640. The separator 600 may be folded along with the folding line 610 or be extended according to the smaller hamper mode or the larger hamper mode. The folding lines 620 are correspondingly located near the lateral sides of the separator 600. The details of the fixers 630 will be described later with FIGS. 2F-2G. The connectors 640 are located at the lateral sides of the separator 600. More specifically, the connectors 640 are correspondingly located between each of the folding lines 620 and each of the edges of the lateral sides of the separator 600.

The separator 600 is coupled to the first wall 100 and the second wall 200. Specifically, the separator 600 is folded along with the folding lines 620, allowing the connectors 640 to be coupled to the separator connector (not separately illustrated) of the first wall 100 and the separator connector 250 of the second wall 20. The connectors 640, the separator connector (not separately illustrated) of the first wall 100 and the separator connector 250 of the second wall 200 are Velcro as an example. However, the present application is not limited. For example, the connectors 640, the separator connector (not separately illustrated) of the first wall 100 and the separator connector 250 of the second wall 200 may be magnets, zippers or buttons etc. By disposing the separator 600, the user may sort the clothing more efficiently.

Referring to FIG. 2E, the extendable hamper 10 of the present application further comprises a lid 700. The lid comprises a folding line 710, folding lines 720 and a connector 730 and a connector 740. The folding line 710 allows people to fold the lid 700 along with the folding line 710. As such, the storage size of the lid 700 may be smaller. The folding lines 720 are correspondingly located near the lateral sides of the lid 700. The connectors 730 are located at the lateral sides of the lid 700. More specifically, the connectors 730 are correspondingly located between each of the folding lines 720 and each of the edges of the lateral sides of the lid 700.

The lid 700 is coupled to the first wall 100 and the second wall 200. Specifically, the lid 700 is folded along with the folding lines 720, allowing the connectors 730 to be coupled to the lid connector 140 of the first wall 100 and the lid connector (not separately illustrated) of the second wall 200. The connector 730 and the lid connector 140 of the first wall 100 are Velcro as an example. The connector 740 and the lid connector (not separately illustrated) of the second wall 200 are magnets as an example. However, the present application is not limited. For example, the connectors 730, the connector 740, the lid connector 140 of the first wall 100 and the lid connector (not separately illustrated) of the second wall 200 may be Velcro, magnets, zippers or buttons etc. Referring to FIGS. 2F-2G, the extendable hamper 10 of the present application further comprises a storage bag 800 comprising a plurality of fixers 810. The storage bag 800 of the present application comprises four fixers 810 as an example but is not limited. The fixer 810 are located at four upper corners of the storage bag 800 as an example.

The fourth wall 400 comprises the plurality of fixers 450. Specifically, the fourth wall 400 comprises two fixers 450 located at the upper corners.

The fixers 630 of the separator 600 are located at the upper corner. in the present application, the separator 600 comprises four fixers 630 as an example but is not limited. Two fixers 630 are located at the upper corners of one side of the separator 600 and another two fixers 630 are located at the upper corners of another side of the separator 600.

As such. the storage bag 800 is coupled to the separator 600 and the fourth wall 400 via coupling the fixers 810 of the storage bag 800 to the fixers 630 of the separator 600 and the fixers 450 of the fourth wall 400. In the present application, the fixers 810 of the storage bag 800, the fixers 630 of the separator 600 and the fixers 450 of the fourth wall 400 are Velcro as an example. However, the present application is not limited. For example, the fixers 810 of the storage bag 800, the fixers 630 of the separator 600 and the fixers 450 of the fourth wall 400 may be pins or buttons etc.

As shown in FIG. 211, the extendable hamper 10 of the present application may comprise two storage bags 800. The third wall 300 comprises the plurality of fixers (not separately illustrated). Specifically, the third wall 300 comprises the same structure as the fourth wall 400.

It should be noted that the storage bags 800 are not limited in coupling to the third wall 300 and the fourth wall 400. The storage bags 800 may be coupled to the first wall 100 or the second wall 200 as long as the storage bags 800 may be located inside the extendable hamper 10.

FIG. 3 shows the extendable hamper 10 of the present application in a larger hamper mode.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the first step of changing the extendable hamper 10 from the folded mode as shown in FIG. 1 to the larger hamper mode as shown in FIG. 3 is extending the folding line 160 of the first wall 100 and the folding line 260 of the second wall 200.

Next, extending the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420 as shown in FIG. 2A. After that, folding the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430 to around 90° as shown in FIG. 2B. Then, disposing the bottom base 500 to be supported by the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430 as shown in FIG. 2C.

If the user would like to change the extendable hamper 10 from the larger hamper mode to the smaller hamper mode, the steps shown in FIGS. 2A-2C could be reversed. Specifically, the user may remove the bottom base 500; and extend the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430.

After that, folding the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420 to be around 90°. Then, disposing the bottom base 500 to be supported by the extension wall 120. the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420.

If the user would like to change the extendable hamper 10 from the larger hamper mode to the folded mode. the steps shown in FIGS. 1-2C could be reversed. Specifically, the user may remove the bottom base 500; extend the bottom 130, the bottom 230, the bottom 330 and the bottom 430; fully fold the extension wall 120, the extension wall 220, the extension wall 320 and the extension wall 420; and fold the folding line 160 and the folding line 260. The bottom base 500 may also be folded along with the folding line 510 to make the overall size be smaller.

During the smaller hamper mode or the larger hamper mode, if the user would like to sort the clothing, the separator 600 could be coupled to the first wall 100 and the second wall 200 as shown in FIG. 2D.If the user would like to cover the clothing, the lid 700 may be coupled to the first wall 100 and the second wall 200 as shown in FIG. 2E. if the user would like to organize the clothing more conveniently, the storage bag 800 may be coupled to the fourth wall 400 and the separator 600. Additional storage bag 800 may also be coupled to the third wall 300 and the separator 600.

Based on the above, the extendable hamper of the present application may be stored in a flat shape during the folded mode since the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall may be folded. As such, the logistics companies may transport the extendable hamper with greater amount compared to the traditional hampers. The user may also customize the overall size of the extendable hamper according to the storage space.

In addition, since the extendable hamper may be changed between the smaller hamper mode and the larger hamper mode, the user may also adjust its capacity based on the amount of clothing.

Also, the separator and the storage bags may also allow the user to sort the clothing. The extendable hamper of the present application utilizes the Velcro as a connector and fixer, providing a more convenient way for coupling the separator and the storage bags.

The present application utilizes the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom to support the bottom base during the larger hamper mode. As such, the bottom base may be supported not only during the smaller hamper mode, which the bottom base is supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall, but during the larger hamper mode.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present application without departing from the scope or spirit of the present application. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present application cover modifications and variations of this application provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An extendable hamper, comprising:

a first wall comprising a first side wall, a first extension wall, a first bottom and a first folding line;

a second wall comprising a second side wall, a second extension wall, a second bottom and a second folding line:

a third wall coupled between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the third wall comprises a third side wall and a third extension wall: a fourth wall coupled between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the fourth wall comprises a fourth side wall and a fourth extension wall; and

a bottom base,

wherein the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third, extension wall and the fourth extension wall during a smaller hamper mode, wherein the first bottom and the second bottom are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first bottom and the second bottom during a larger hamper mode,

wherein the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall are folded, the first wall is folded along with the first folding line and the second wall is folded along with the second folding line during a folded mode.

2. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third wall further comprises a third bottom, wherein the fourth wall further comprises a fourth bottom, the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom are folded and the bottom base is supported by the first bottom, the second bottom, the third bottom and the fourth bottom during the larger hamper mode.

3. The extendable hamper as claimed m claim 1, further comprising a separator, wherein the first wall further comprises a first separator connector and the second wall further comprises a second separator connector, wherein the separator is coupled to the first wall via the first separator connector and coupled to the second wall via the second separator connector.

4. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 3, wherein the separator is coupled to the first wall and the second wall via Velcro.

5. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 3, further comprises a storage bag comprising at least one storage bag fixer coupled to the fourth wall.

6. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 5, wherein the storage bag comprises a plurality of storage bag fixer, the storage bag is coupled to the separator and the fourth wall via the plurality of storage bag fixer.

7. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fourth wall further comprises at least one fourth wall fixer and the separator further comprises at least one separator fixer, the storage bag is coupled to the fourth wall via coupling the storage bag fixer to the at least one fourth wall fixer and coupling the storage bag fixer to the at least one separator fixer.

8. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 7, wherein the storage bag is coupled to the fourth wall and, the separator via Velcro.

9. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lid, wherein the first wall further comprises a first lid connector and the second wall further comprises a second lid connector, wherein the lid is coupled to the first wall via the first lid connector and coupled to the second wall via the second lid connector.

10. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lid is coupled to the first wall via Velcro and is coupled to the second wall via magnets.

11. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third further comprises a third wall handle and the fourth wall further comprises a fourth wall handle.

12. The extendable hamper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom base comprises a bottom base folding line.

13. A method for utilizing the extendable hamper of claim 1, comprising:

extending the first folding line and the second folding line;

extending the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall:

folding the first bottom and the second bottom; and

disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode.

14. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 13, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises:

removing the bottom base;

extending the first bottom and the second bottom

folding the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall; and

disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall for changing from the larger hamper mode to the smaller hamper mode.

15. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 13, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises coupling a separator to the first wall and the second wall.

16. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 15, wherein after coupling the separator to the first wall and the second wall, the method further comprises coupling a first storage bag to the fourth wall and the separator.

17. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 16, wherein after coupling the first storage bag to the fourth wall and the separator, the method further comprises coupling a second storage bag to the third wall and the separator.

18. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 13, where after extending the first folding line and the second folding line, the method further comprises coupling a lid to the first wall and the second wall.

19. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 13, wherein after disposing the bottom base to be supported by the first bottom and the second bottom for the larger hamper mode, the method further comprises:

removing the bottom base;

extending the first bottom and the second bottom;

folding the first extension wall, the second extension wall, the third extension wall and the fourth extension wall; and

folding the first folding line and the second folding line for the folded mode.

20. The method for utilizing the extendable hamper as claimed in claim 19, wherein after removing the bottom base, the method further comprises folding the bottom base along a bottom base folding line.