Patent Application
20220380968
[NA]
The present invention is in the field of packaging apparatus and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for storing and drying boxing gloves.
In the art of sports equipment, items that are worn often get wet from sweat of a user and bacteria growth may be a problem. Items including shoes, helmets, pads and gloves of various types, needs to be stored in a manner that allows the items to dry. Specifically, in contact martial arts, combatants often wear protective apparel or gear including padded gloves such as those used in the art of boxing. Boxing gloves are typically worn by the combatants throughout a match. Boxing gloves may be rated in the art of boxing by the level or amount of padding the glove has. The padding, typically horsehair or latex/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may regulate the size of a pair of boxing gloves from 10-ounce gloves to up to 20-ounce gloves dependent on how much padding is provided to a glove.
A challenge in the art of boxing and other martial arts that employ padded gloves is that the padding material absorbs moisture and takes a long period to dry. Constantly damp boxing gloves can become moldy and can become a hot bed for breeding bacterium lending to foul odors and possible allergic or other skin reactions. Padded gloves should not be washed or immersed in water because of the padding and time it would take to dry the gloves. For those who use gloves continuously, replacement of the gloves frequently because of moldy or bacterium laden padding is an economic drawback.
Therefore, what is clearly needed is a storage apparatus or enclosure and an airflow generation system and method that will keep padded gloves dry.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an enclosure for drying gloves is provided and includes a hollow case body having an internal volume, a case top closing one end, and a case bottom closing the other end of the hollow body, a main mold form having perimeter dimensions conforming to the internal perimeter of the hollow case body fitted or otherwise installed therein, the mold form including a pair of oblong pocket forms having sufficient internal volume to nest a pair of gloves, a pair of airflow devices electronically equipped to generate directional air circulation into and out through a tubular architecture, one airflow device strategically mounted within one pocket form wherein gloves are placed over the airflow devices and urged to nest within the pocket forms in the main mold form, and wherein a switch connected to a battery and to the hollow case body or to the main mold form is manipulated by a user to power on the airflow devices to circulate air through the internal volume of the gloves.
In one embodiment, the gloves are boxing gloves or gloves used in martial arts. In one embodiment, the case top and case bottom are pivot mounted to one side of the hollow case body and may be opened or closed. In another embodiment, the case top and case bottom are attachable to close off the hollow case body, and removable to open the hollow case body. In one embodiment, the oblong pocket forms are contiguous with the main mold form and arranged linearly and oriented vertically within the enclosure. In another embodiment, the oblong pocket forms are contiguous with the main mold form and arranged adjacently and oriented horizontally. In this embodiment, the oblong pocket forms retain the general shape of a boxing glove.
In a preferred embodiment, the airflow devices are manifolds electrically equipped to generate directional air circulation by a pair resident electric fans installed one each in the manifolds, the fans having electrical connection to the battery and the switch, the battery having a further electrical connection to a charging port mounted on the hollow case body or on the main mold form within the hollow case body. In a variation of this embodiment, the manifolds are rigidly attached to or are materially contiguous with the oblong pocket forms the manifolds and pocket forms oriented vertically within the enclosure, the manifolds each hosting a glove placed thereon, the glove nesting within the oblong pocket form. In another variant of the embodiment, the manifolds are separate components pivot-mounted to the oblong pocket forms, the manifolds urged to vertical position to accept the gloves and pivoted to horizontal to nest within the oblong pocket forms.
In one embodiment, the main mold form includes one or more strategically placed airflow slot patterns or patterns of openings enabling airflow through the main mold form and into the airflow devices. In an embodiment where the airflow devices are pivot mounted manifolds, the manifolds include a pair of opposing vent caps disposed at either side of the manifold body and oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal center of the manifold. In an embodiment where the airflow devices are manifolds, the manifolds include removable end caps threaded onto or pressed onto the free ends thereof.
In one embodiment including manifolds electrically adapted to circulate air, one or more airflow filters formed of a moisture absorbing material are provided in the path of air circulation. In a variation of this embodiment, the enclosure further includes a pair of heating elements disposed one per to the manifolds just above or below the electric fans. In another variation of the embodiment, the enclosure further includes a timer function connected to the switch.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for staging and drying a pair of gloves within an enclosure is provided, the enclosure including a hollow case body having a case top and a case bottom hosting a main mold form having perimeter dimensions conforming to the internal perimeter of the hollow case body, the mold form including a pair of oblong pocket forms each hosting an airflow device electronically equipped to generate air circulation, the method including steps (a) opening the case top to gain access to the main mold form, (b) place one glove over one airflow device nested within a host pocket form, (c) place the remaining glove over the remaining airflow device nested within the remaining pocket form, (d) engaging a switch to power on the airflow devices, and (e) optionally closing the case top.
In one aspect of the method, the airflow devices are manifolds equipped with electrical fans for circulating air. In a variant aspect of the method, a step is added after step (a) and before step (b) for urging horizontally positioned manifolds into a vertical position to accept the gloves placement there over, and wherein a step is added after (c) and before (d) for urging the manifolds hosting gloves back down into a horizontal position within the pocket forms. In this aspect of the method, the step added after (c) and before (d) is optional wherein if not implemented, step (e) cannot be implemented.
In various embodiments described in enabling detail herein, the inventor provides a unique system for storing and drying padded gloves used in martial arts. It is a goal of the present invention to provide an enclosure within which sport items worn by a user are stored that may actively dry the insides of the items using a created airflow. In the embodiments, produced below, boxing gloves are used as the item being protected, but should not be viewed as limiting the invention. The case would work to protect and dry shoes, head gear, body pads, etc.
It is a further goal of the present invention to provide a drying method that may inhibit mold and bacterium from establishing within the padding of the boxing gloves, the drying method executed during a time between use of the boxing gloves. The present invention is described using the following examples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the invention.
In this embodiment, airflow glove case 100 includes a case top 101 that may be opened and closed and a case bottom 105 that may also be opened and closed. Airflow boxing glove case 100 includes a main body 102 having a sufficient internal volume to store a pair of boxing gloves in an upright (vertical) position. Referring to
Airflow boxing glove case 100 may be molded from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastic or rubber composites. In one embodiment, case 100 is resilient and holds a rigid to semi-rigid form, however that should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. In one embodiment, airflow boxing glove case 100 may be fabricated from a more pliable synthetic material such as a material used to fabricate a stiff bag or purse without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, a further airflow internal apparatus in the form of airflow devices or manifolds 107 (broken boundaries) is provided to direct airflow from the outside of the case structure or at least from the outside of the internal molded form into each stationed boxing glove within the case structure. In this vertically oriented embodiment, an internal molded form including the pair of oblong pocket forms 106 may be provided wherein the pair of airflow devices, typically manifolds 107 may be stationed vertically within each pocket form (one manifold per pocket form) the manifolds extending into the boxing gloves and keeping the gloves centered in a vertical position within each pocket form.
Although not illustrated in this view, a pair of small electronic fans may be provided at the base of each manifold 107 at the lower portions of the molded pocket forms 106 to force airflow directly into the gloves through openings placed through the manifold's wall. Such components might be powered by a rechargeable battery and might be switched on and off by an electric switch operated by a user. A charge port may be provided for charging the pair of fans within airflow boxing glove case 100. In a preferred embodiment, pocket forms 106 are open at the top and the tops of the boxing gloves may extend into the rounded case top 101 having sufficient internal volume to close over the top ends of the boxing gloves.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, an internal molded plastic form 202 is provided and may be fitted to the inside of case main body 102. Referring now to
Manifolds 107 may in one embodiment, include strategically placed slots or openings through the manifold wall to enable airflow to be directed from inside the manifold and to the internal space of the boxing glove from the glove opening to the closed end at top of the airflow case. In a preferred embodiment, airflow is directed to the manifolds and upward into the glove and back out through the glove providing a constant movement of air around all parts of the inside space of the glove aiding in drying the glove by picking up moisture and carrying it out of the glove.
In this embodiment, case 100 includes no vents that are visible. The airflow vents 201 are strategically placed in the main mold form 202 fitted into case 100. However, in certain embodiments, one or more airflow vents may also be placed through the outer case body or through the case bottom or case top without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the airflow case may include airflow passages provided there through the main case body 102, in the case top 101 or in the case bottom 105, or in all or a combination thereof while the main mold form 202 does not contain airflow passages other than at the base of the manifolds 107.
In one embodiment, a pair of small electric fans (not illustrated) may be installed one fan at the base of each manifold 107. In this case, the fans are provided to force movement of air in an upward direction through each manifold. A battery and switch may be provided in the mold form 202 or on the main body 102 of airflow case 100 to power and control the electric fans. A charging port may also be provided in the side of case 100 that may accept charge from an outlet or from a universal serial bus (USB) connection. Referring now to
In a preferred embodiment, a user may take off the boxing gloves after a bout or during a training break and open case top 101 of airflow case 100 and insert each glove into respective pocket forms 106 over manifolds 107 (staged vertically) and may close case top 101. The user may then switch the fan system on manually operating a switch on the case provided for the purpose. While on, airflow is created within airflow case 100 by the fans drawing air up and into the manifolds embedded within each glove, respectively.
The air constantly moves into the boxing gloves and back out of the boxing gloves helping to dry the boxing gloves out by removing moisture from the gloves. In one embodiment, a timer function may be added to the on off switch to enable the user to switch the fans on for a selected period of time to allow for drying the gloves. In a preferred embodiment, airflow boxing glove case 100 is modular and may be operated by battery power in places where no outlet or charging source is available.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pair of electric heating elements insulated from the rest of the case components may be provided just below the electric fans for the purpose of heating the air drawn into the boxing gloves through the manifolds. Also in one embodiment, a super absorbent material like bamboo fiber may be provided and may be situated strategically over vents or around the base regions of the manifolds to absorb some of the moisture carried in the circulating air.
In one embodiment, internal molded form 202 may be removed from main case body 102 for cleaning purposes. Case bottom 105 may be opened to allow access to a battery compartment and to enable access to the bottom portion of the internal molded form 202 for cleaning while it is still installed within main case body 102. In one embodiment, case top 101 and case bottom 105 may be completely removed from main case body 102 and reinstalled.
Referring now to
Airflow boxing glove case 300 includes a pair of airflow manifolds 303 depicted in a vertical position ready to accept a pair of boxing gloves. Manifolds 303 may be similar to manifolds 107 relative to tubular architecture and overall length. In this embodiment, a modification is made to the manifold components whereby the base portions of each manifold may be axle mounted to the base ends of lateral oblong pocket forms (not visible) molded into the main mold form installed within the case main body 302.
Referring now to
The width dimension of case 300 is sufficiently large to accommodate the width of two boxing gloves stationed adjacently plus a separation buffer distance. Airflow case 300 is sufficiently long to comfortably enclose the length of a stationed boxing glove. Case 300 is sufficiently deep enough to comfortably contain the width of a boxing glove. In this embodiment, and in the embodiment described further above, the airflow boxing glove case may be provided in overall size dimensions appropriate with dimensional differences correlating to dimensional differences of different sized boxing gloves.
Pocket forms 307 have a wider berth along the length thereof to provide more volume for the wider padded end of the boxing glove. Pocket forms 307 are strategically oriented in mold form 308 in order to utilize the footprint of the mold form more efficiently 308. Manifolds 303 are positioned at the base ends of the pocket forms 307 and may be separate components pivot-mounted to the wall of the pocket forms. In this embodiment, an airflow vent, or vents 306 may be provided through the wall of the pocket forms 307.
In this embodiment, manifolds 303 may be void of, or may have fewer openings through the wall thereof and may direct airflow along the length of the manifold to an egress opening at the free ends of the manifolds. In other embodiments, manifolds 303 may have a plurality of slots and or openings allowing air to flow out of the interior of the manifold at those locations. Manifolds may be designed differently relative to airflow properties without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment, an absorbent filter material may be inserted into the interior part of manifold 303 to help absorb moisture directing it into the absorbent material from the circulating air that contacts the material by circulating through the material. A user may operate case 300 differently than case 100. A user may open case 300 and may urge each manifold along a pivot to a vertical position. The user may place a boxing glove over each manifold the glove orientated according to the nesting pocket form 307. The user may then urge each glove down into the respective pocket forms and then may close case lid 301. The user may then flip a switch to power on a pair of electric fans situated at the base ends of the manifolds 303 oriented to draw air into the manifolds. In this embodiment, the fans are part of the manifolds and pivot with the manifolds.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In this embodiment, manifold 400 includes a pattern of through slots 403 strategically placed through the tube wall along the length of and around the circumference of tube structure 401. Slots 403 provide airflow passages through the wall of the manifold into the interior of a boxing glove during operation, the direction of airflow noted herein by the arrows depicted in broken boundary lines. Slots or openings are also provided through the wall of end cap piece 402 taking a more triangular shape. Holes, slots, and other opening shapes and sizes including combinations of the aggregate might be provided in a manifold to help direct airflow into the boxing glove without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a small electric fan 404 is provided at the bottom end of the tube structure 401 forming the main body of manifold 400. An electric wire 405 may supply electricity to the fan motor in fan component 404 and may be routed to a user-operable switch and battery located in the main case wall of the airflow boxing glove case or in the internal mold form inside the case.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, manifold 600 is curved inward beginning at the interface between tube 601 and end cap 602 relative to the curvature of the top end of a boxing glove. In this embodiment manifold 600 is shaped to conform with the shape of the interior of the boxing glove. The curve may be an arc from zero degrees horizontal to about ninety degrees vertical. The curvature helps to direct airflow off to one direction representing the first form at the closed end of the boxing glove.
Manifold 600 may include a pair of vent caps 605 that attach linearly on opposite sides of tube structure 601 some distance above base end cap 609. In one embodiment, vent caps 605 form the pivotal mount apparatus attaching the manifold to the pocket form that it is designed to nest within. Vent caps 605 may be slotted according to a pattern of slots 606. A small electric fan 607 is provided and installed on the lower portion of tube structure 601 above the vertical plane of the vent caps 605.
Vent caps 605 share a longitudinal center line orthogonal to the center line of tube structure 601. Power line 608 may be routed to a switch and battery located on the case body or on the molded main form within the case body. Electric fan 607 is adapted to draw air into the tube structure and into the boxing glove creating a circulating airflow draw into and back out of the boxing glove. In this embodiment, manifold 600 nests in a laterally oriented pocket form that is shaped like the boxing glove profile has sufficient volume to station the glove laterally. In one embodiment, manifolds 600 may be left vertical relative to the pocket forms with the case top open wherein boxing gloves may be dried while stationed over the manifolds but not nested in a pocket form.
In this embodiment tube structure 601 includes a slot pattern of elongate slots 603. Slots 603 may continue as curved slots 604 on end cap 602. In one embodiment the airflow pattern for the manifold may include shorter or longer slots, wider or thinner slots, openings that are annular, or openings of a geometric shape other than round or rectangular without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vent caps may be opened, and moisture absorbent air filter material may be inserted therein at both ends to aid in absorbing moisture from the air being drawn into fan 607. In one embodiment, such filters may also be treated with one or more chemicals that reduce microbes, fungus, and mold. In one embodiment of the present invention, the main molded forms inside of the case bodies may be coated with a moisture repelling material similar to hatbox felt material, beaver hair, or another natural moisture repellant material.
It will be apparent with skill in the art that the airflow boxing glove case of the present invention may be provided using some or all the elements described herein. The arrangement of elements and functionality thereof relative to the invention is described in different embodiments each of which is an implementation of the present invention. While the uses and methods are described in enabling detail herein, it is to be noted that many alterations could be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The present invention is limited only by the breadth of the claims below.
