This invention relates generally to organizing and retention apparatus for bras, and more particularly an apparatus which is easily and quickly usable, and enables washing or cleaning of bras, which protects bra shapes and positioning as during storage and cleaning.
There is need for improvement in compact, multiple use and simple functioning and handling of bra storage and organizer equipment. In particular there is need for the improvements in construction, operation and results as are disclosed herein.
It is a major object of the invention to provide improved apparatus meeting the needs as referred to. Basically, the bra organizing and retention apparatus, comprising in combination:
a) an elongated flexible holder having multiple pockets interconnected to position the pockets in vertical sequence,
b) means to open and close each pocket, for bra reception and removal,
c) the pockets including flexible and perforated panel material to pass washing fluid during holder and bra tumbling, and bra cleaning as in a washing machine,
d) stiffeners integrated with said holder, to resist collapse of at least certain of the pockets, as during said holder and bra tumbling.
Another object is to provide for bra organization in the pockets, as by location of dividers or vertical struts in the pockets retaining bra cups in separated position, and also by providing push together closures in the pockets cooperating with said struts and their purposes, as will be seen.
Another object is to provide zipper closures for pockets, above the dividers and struts, for ease of opening and closing the pockets and for aiding bra positioning upon insertion, and relative to the struts; and by also providing stiffeners which extend generally parallel to the zippers to prevent bunching and disfiguring zipper tracks, as may result from washing.
Yet another object includes locating the zippers and tracks to extend laterally, above the pockets, a first track carried by a pocket front wall, and a second track carried by that pocket rear wall.
A further object includes placing the apparatus in a washing machine receptacle that has a rotor that rotates, and locating the apparatus to extend about the rotor, and then operating the machine to agitate the apparatus with the zippers extending generally parallel to the rotor axis.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:
The front wall 15 of a typical pocket has a lower horizontal edge 15a attached to a narrow horizontal divider or binding strip 20 that extends laterally between vertically elongated binding strip portions 21 and 22 of vertical bands 11a and 12a. Wall 15 also has left and right vertically extending upright edge portions 20b and 20c attached to vertical binding strips 21 and 22. The horizontal top edge portion 20d of the pocket carries a band 23 attached to front panel or wall 15. Band 23 carries lower zipper track 24, to be opened and closed relative to an upper zipper track 25, as by a zipper 26, these elements 23-26 typically consisting of plastic material. Upper track 25 is carried by a band 27 of material attached to the rear panel or wall 16, as seen in
Bra protection and organization is furthered by provision of upright struts 32 in centered position in the pockets, and by releasable push-together closures 33, above the struts. Note in
It will be noted that provision is made for holding the device in position for upright and open hanging, despite device flexibility. See stiffeners such as rods 60 insertible lengthwise in laterally extending passages 61 located between successive pockets. A top stiffener 60a may be attached to the rear side of the device as by binding 62, extending about the stiffener and into the top band 27. Also, such lateral parallel stiffeners allow loop-wrapping of the device as about a lateral axis 80, representing an impeller in a washing machine, for locating the apparatus in wrapped or partially wrapped position during washing, which in turn separates and organizes the bras in the pockets, during washing, i.e. prevents entangling. Further the rods are located in close relation to the flexible zippers and tracks to hold the zipper tracks in laterally extending, non-bent position, facilitating opening and closing of the pockets.