Collapsible Hamper

Abstract

A collapsible hamper is provided that includes a base, a self-supporting shell formed of a lightweight flexible, but somewhat rigid material and a releasable securing mechanism for releasably connecting the base and the shell to one another. The securing mechanism enables the shell to be secured to the base in a manner that provides an upright hamper for receiving clothes therein, but also can separate the shell and the base to place the shell and base in a flat storage configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a container for holding items of clothing therein, and more specifically to collapsible containers for holding clothes therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

to the past, to facilitate the collection of clothing that needed to be washed, various types of containers, bins or clothes hampers have been utilized to receive the dirty clothing and retain it until the hamper was full. The clothing could then be removed from the hamper in order to clean it, or the hamper itself could be moved to the location where the clothes are Co be cleaned.

Hampers designed for this purpose have a variety of different shapes and are formed of a variety of different materials. In many prior art versions, the hampers are formed with rigid structures, such as a wood, to enable the hampers to be readily free-standing and able to hold the weight of the clothes within the hampers without collapsing under the weight.

However, with the hampers of this type, the materials used to make these types of hamper free-standing make the hamper heavy and difficult to move. Therefore, alternative versions of hampers have been constructed of lighter materials, rendering the hampers lighter and more easily moveable. Nevertheless, the size of the hampers necessary to hold the clothes makes these prior art hampers unwieldy when it is required to move the hampers from one location to another, especially when empty.

Therefore, there have been developed hampers that are formed from lightweight materials that also can be collapsed into a storage configuration when the hamper is not in use, thereby addressing the problem of the size of the hamper when not in use. These prior art constructions involve a container formed of a fabric outer shell secured to a fabric base. The shell includes a spring member disposed within the shell that extends in a helical configuration upwardly along the interior of the shell. The spring member can be compressed into a coil-like shape to position the shell in a generally flat configuration, and can be allowed to expand outwardly into the helical shape to extend the shell into the deployed configuration. The construction of the upper and lower ends of the hamper constrain the spring member to limit the extension of the spring member that can occur and to enable the spring to maintain a constant upward pressure on the upper end in order to keep the hamper in an extended, open position.

However, when it is desired to collapse the hamper, a force can be exerted against the spring member to urge the upper and lower ends of the hamper towards one another. When in the fully collapsed position, the opposed ends of the hamper can be secured to one another to maintain the hamper in this position. When it is desired to place the hamper in the open, and erect position, the connection between the ends can be detached or otherwise removed, and the spring member causes the ends to move away from one another into the extended position. Additionally, the fabric used to form the base and the shell significantly reduces the weight of the hamper, making the hamper easier to move in either the collapsed/storage or extended/use positions and does not affect the ability of the spring member to act on the ends of the hamper as a result of the lightweight an flexible nature of the fabric.

Nevertheless, these prior art hampers formed of the fabric shell including the spring member have a number of shortcomings, In particular, the fabric shell often times does not have sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the clothes held within the shell, such that the clothes positioned within the hamper cause the hamper to tip over. Also, the spring member disposed within the shell is formed of a metal which after a number of uses can wear through and create a hole in the shell through which the end of the spring member then extends. When this occurs, the spring member no longer is able to reliably hold the shell in the extended position, significantly limiting the effectiveness of the hamper, as well as creating a hazard when the hamper is in use as a result of the metal end of the spring member extending outwardly from the shell.

As a result, it is desirable to develop a collapsible hamper that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art hampers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the collapsible hamper includes a shell formed of a panel of a semi-rigid, self-supporting material. The panel is secured to a base and optionally a top formed of a similar or different material by a releasable securing mechanism. The mechanism can be used to separate the shell from the base in order to collapse the shell/panel and base into a collapsed or storage configuration, and to engage the base and panel with one another to position the hamper in an erect use position. The nature of the material forming the panel for the shell enables the panel to function as the stabilizing member of the hamper in the erect, use position without the need for any additional stabilizing members or structures on the hamper. The use of the releasable securing mechanism positions the panel and its constituent parts relative to one another to hold the hamper in the erect position until such time as the securing mechanism is disengaged, allowing the panel and other members of the hamper to be folded into the collapsed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the panel can be formed in various configurations to enable the panel to form a shell for the hamper having different cross-sectional shapes and configurations. The panel can also include various additional features, including handles, to facilitate the use of the hamper.

Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be made apparent from the following detailed description together with the drawings figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a hamper constructed according to the present disclosure in an erected configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the hamper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the hamper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the hamper of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a hamper constructed according to the present disclosure in an erected configuration;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the hamper of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the hamper of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the hamper of FIG. 5 in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the hamper of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the hamper of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the hamper of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the hamper of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of the hamper of the present invention in an erect or assembled configuration;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the hamper of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the hamper of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the hamper of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the hamper of FIG. 13 with the top partially removed; and

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the hamper of FIG. 13 in a collapsed or disassembled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, one embodiment of a collapsible hamper constructed according to the present disclosure is illustrated generally at 100 in FIG. 1.

The hamper 100 is formed of a base 102 connected to a shell 104. The base 102 is formed from a suitable material that is lightweight, while providing an amount of weight and rigidity to the overall structure of the hamper 100 to assist in maintaining the hamper 100 in an upright position when erected. The material used to for the base 102 can additionally be selected to be flexible in nature. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the base 102 is formed to be generally circular in shape, though other shapes are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The shell 104 is formed of a material that can be the same as, or different than the material forming the base 102, and in the illustrated embodiment is a material that is both flexible and lightweight, The shell 104 can be formed of any suitable type of material, such as a foam material, including but not limited to a sheet of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. The foam can be used by itself or can be formed into a laminated panel or sheet 124 by securing a sheet of polyethylene (PE) to the EVA foam by a suitable adhesive mechanism, securing mechanism or molding mechanism, such as by placing a polypropylene (PP) sheet between the EVA and the PE and then heating the EVA, PP and PF to fuse the PP to the EVA and PE, thereby forming the EVA foam sheet 124. This EVA foam sheet 124 can then be formed into the desired configuration and shape by any suitable process, such as by die-cutting, cold forming and/or stitching, among others. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell. 104 can have a number of apertures 106 formed therein that function as handles to facilitate the grasping and moving of the hamper 100. Further, the shell 104 can be formed of more than one sheet of the desired material that are secured to one another in any suitable fashion to form a shell 104 having the desired size and shape when erected into the hamper 100.

The formed sheet 124 can then optionally be covered by a suitable protective and decorative sheath, such as a fabric of natural or synthetic fibers, that can be engaged around the sheet 124 in any suitable manner, such as by stitching. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the shell 104 is formed exclusively of the sheet 124, and optionally the sheath, and does not have any other structural features form on or within the shell 104. This greatly increases the ease of construction of the shell 104 and the hamper 100, as well as facilitating the conversion of the hamper 100 between the upright and collapsed positions.

To form the hamper 100, the base 102 and the shell 104 are secured to one another utilizing a suitable releasable securing mechanism 108 that enables the base 102 and the shell 104 to be quickly and reliably engaged and disengaged from one another. The mechanism 108 can enable the base 102 and the shell 104 to be completely separated from one another, but in the illustrated embodiment, the base 102 and the shell 104 remain attached to one another in the collapsed configuration, as best shown in FIG. 4, in which the base 102 and the shell are co-planar. In this embodiment, the mechanism 108 takes the form of a zipper 110 including a first set of teeth 112 disposed around the periphery of the base 102, and a second set of teeth 114 disposed along the lower edge 116 and side edges 118 of the shell 104, with a closure member 120 operably connected to the sets of teeth 112 and 114.

To erect the hamper 100 from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 4, the closure member 120 is moved along the periphery of the base 102 to engage the teeth 112 on the base 102 with the corresponding teeth 114 on the lower edge 116 of the shell 104. Once the closure member 120 has been moved entirely around the base 102, the closure member 120 then engages the teeth 114 disposed on opposite side edges 118 of the shell 104. Upon reaching the top edge 122 of the shell 104, the closure member 120 has engaged the base 102 and the shell 104 into the erected configuration shown in FIG. 1.

The material forming the shell 104 has enough flexibility to conform to the shape of the base 102 when the closure member 120 engages the shell 104 with the base 102, but also has enough rigidity to maintain the hamper 100 in an upright position. Further, the rigidity of the material forming the shell 104 is sufficient to prevent the bowing of the shell 104 under the pressure or force of the clothing positioned within the hamper 100, such that the hamper 100 will not tip over due to an uneven weight distribution within the hamper 100. Further, the securing mechanism 108 is the only mechanism utilized to hold the base 102 and the shell 104 in the erect or upright position, such that no other structures or devices are required for the proper construction or operation of the hamper 100. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the hamper 100 does not include any spring members or braces attached to or disposed within the hamper 100, as in prior art hampers.

In an alternative embodiment for the hamper 100′ shown in FIGS. 5-8, the base 102′ is formed similarly to the previous embodiment, but the shell 104′ is formed by cutting a rectangular sheet 124′into two triangular sections 126′ and securing the short edges 128′ to one another to for a rhomboidal panel 130′ for the shell 104′, as shown in FIG. 8. The teeth 112′ of the mechanism 108′ are disposed around the base 102′, while the teeth 114′ are located along the lower edge 116′ and the side edges 118′ of the shell 104′. The closure member 120′ then can engage the base 102′ with the shell 104′ similarly to the previous embodiment, with the member 120′ engaging the teeth 114′ on opposed side edges 118′ in a helical manner around the outside of the shell 104′ until reaching the top edge 122′ of the shell 124′.

Other embodiments for the hamper 100 are also shown in FIGS. 9-12, where the hamper 300 can be formed with different cross-sectional shapes, such as triangular and hexagonal, among others, as in FIGS. 9 and 10, which may also include a different number of sheets 324 forming the shell 304 and joined by the mechanism 308, as shown in FIG. 11. Also, the hamper 400 can be formed to have an integral cover 430 connected to the shell 404, as shown in FIG. 12, to form a completely enclosed hamper 400. The cover 430 may also include a top (not shown) that can be selectively closed over the opening defined by the cover 430.

In still another embodiment of the hamper 200 shown in Figs, 13-18, the hamper 200 can be formed with a base 202, a side panel or shell 204 and a top or cover 206. The base 202, side panel 204 and the cover 206 are each formed from similar materials to those described in prior embodiments, such that the components of the hamper 200 are able to provide the desired flexibility and rigidity to the components of the hamper 200.

Looking now at FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, the base 202 is formed with a generally flat lower surface 208 that provides a supporting surface for the hamper 200. The base 202 also includes a curved outer rim 210 that curves outwardly from the periphery of the lower surface 208 to the side panel 204.

The base 202 is connected to the side panel 204 along its periphery opposite the lower surface by a suitable and releasable connecting means or releasable securing member 212, such as a zipper 214. The connecting means 212 engages the base 202 with the side panel 204 to form a continuous surface for the hamper 200 in order to adequately function to hold selected items (not shown) within the interior of the hamper 200. In one embodiment where the connecting means 212 is the zipper 214, the hamper 200 is formed such that the base 202 and the side panel 204 are movably, but permanently connected to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting means 212 extends around the entire periphery of the side panel 214.

As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, the side panel 204 is connected to the base 202 by the connecting means 21.2 such that the side panel 204 forms a generally tubular shape extending upwardly from the base 202. Though the side panel 204 can be shaped as desired, in the illustrated embodiment the side panel 204 is generally rectangular in shape. When fully erected on the base 202, the connecting means 212 extends upwardly from the base 202 to engage the opposed ends 216 (FIG. 18) of the side panel 204 in a vertical direction, or other suitable configuration.

Above the side panel 204 is disposed the cover 206. Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, the cover 206 is formed similarly to the base 202 with a curved outer rim 218. However, instead of a flat upper surface, the cover 206 defines an opening 220 within the rim 218 to enable access to the interior 222 of the hamper 200.

Looking now at FIGS. 13, 14 and 17, the cover is connected to the side panel 204 by the connecting means 212 similarly to the base 202, though a different means 212 can be used to connect the cover 206, if desired. The means 212 extends from the side panel 204 opposite the base 202 into engagement with the periphery of the rim 218. The means 212 extends around the rim 218 to secure the cover 206 to the periphery of the side panel 204.

The hamper 200, when disassembled as shown in FIG. 18, can be easily stored in a relatively flat configuration with the connecting means 212 holding the base 202, side panel 204 and the cover 206 in connection with each other. Further, the hamper 200 can be formed without the cover 206. Also, when in the use configuration, the hamper 200 includes a pair of handles 224, which can be formed of a flexible material or a semi-rigid material as desired, on opposed sides of the side panel 204 in order to enable the hamper 200 to be moved relatively easily.

Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Various other embodiments of the present invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the filed claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible hamper comprising: a) a base;b) a self-supporting shell formed of a lightweight flexible material; andc) a releasable securing mechanism for releasably connecting the base and the shell to one another.

2. The collapsible hamper of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism retains the base and the shell connected to one another in a collapsed configuration.

3. The collapsible hamper of claim 1, wherein the base and the shell are co-planar in the collapsed position.

4. The collapsible hamper of claim 1, wherein the shell is formed of at least one sheet of a self-supporting material.

5. The collapsible hamper of claim 4, wherein the at least one sheet is formed of a foam material.

6. The collapsible hamper of claim 4 wherein the shell is formed of a number of sheets joined to one another to form the shell.

7. The collapsible hamper of claim. 4 wherein the at least one sheet of self-supporting material is formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.

8. The collapsible hamper of claim 4 wherein the at least one sheet of self-supporting material is formed of a laminate material.

9. The collapsible hamper of claim 8 wherein the laminate material comprises: a) a layer of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam; andb) at least one additional layer.

10. The collapsible hamper of claim 9 wherein the at least one additional layer comprises a sheet of polyethylene (PE) secured to the to the EVA foam layer.

11. The collapsible hamper of claim 10 wherein the Ni is secured to the EVA foam layer by a sheet of polypropylene (PP).

12. The collapsible hamper of claim 1 wherein the shell is formed exclusively of at least one sheet of self-supporting material and an optional sheath.

13. The collapsible hamper of claim 1 wherein the hamper does not include a spring member.

14. The collapsible hamper of claim 1 wherein the releasable securing mechanism includes a zipper.

15. The collapsible hamper of claim 14 wherein the releasable securing mechanism further comprises: a) a first set of teeth disposed around the periphery of the base; andb) a second set of teeth disposed at least partially around the periphery of the shell.

16. The collapsible hamper of claim 15 wherein the second set of teeth is disposed around the entire periphery of the shell.

17. The collapsible hamper of claim 1 further comprising a cover secured to the shell opposite the base.

18. A method of assembling a hamper comprising the steps of: a) providing the hamper of claims 1; andb) engaging the securing mechanism between the base and the shell to move the hamper from a collapsed position to an erected position.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of disengaging the securing mechanism to move the hamper from the erected position to the collapsed position.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of disengaging the securing mechanism comprises maintaining the base and the shell in engagement with one another.