GB2263690A

GB2263690A - Storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2263690A
Application number: GB9301773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Alvin Levine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-31
Filing date: 1993-01-29
Publication date: 1993-08-04
Also published as: GB9202116D0; GB9301773D0

Abstract

A storage device for small items of clothing or the like comprises a member 4 having a plurality of recesses or apertures 10 therein for the receipt and retention of clean articles, and a container 14. e.g. a mesh bag, housed within said member 4 for holding soiled or dirty articles. A lid B may incorporate a deodorising element. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE DEVICE This invention relates to a storage device, particularly but not exclusively, for holding small articles of clothing and the like such as socks, handkerchiefs and so on.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage device for small articles of clothing or the like comprising a member having a plurality of recesses or apertures therein extending into the interior of the member for the receipt and retention of clean articles.

The device will preferably include a container for soiled or dirty articles, and the member will preferably have a removable lid or cover. The receesses or apertures will preferably be 'blind' The container will preferably be in the form of an openmesh bag which will preferably attach to the top of the member.

The cover will be removable from said member and may incorporate a deodorising device.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation of a storage device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of a container forming part of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of a modified device in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Figure 1, the storage device indicated generally by reference numeral 2 comprises a generally spherical-shaped member 4 having a base 6 and removable cover or lid 8. The member 4 and cover or lid 8 will be composed of synthetic plastics material of any desirable colour and will be formed by moulding. The member 4 may be formed in two or more sections, but preferably the member will be formed as a single-piece member.

As will be seen, the member 4 incorporates a plurality of tapered recesses or apertures 10 which are 'blind' and which extend into the interior of the member 4. Each recess or aperture 10 has, at its open end, a flap or flaps 12 which are intended to grip articles placed into said recesses or apertures as will be hereinafter explained. The recesses or apertures may be moulded integrally with said member or they may be formed as seperate items and suitably secured to said member, in which case the member 4 will be modified accordingly.

The cover 8 will preferably be a sealed component incorporating a deodorising element - such as for example that sold under the trade name 'Odour Eater'. However, it will be appreciated that other deodorising elements or means may be used.

An open-mesh bag 14 - best seen in Figure 2 but also shown in outline in Figure 1 - is suspendable from the top of the member by means on the bag 14 and is intended to receive soiled or dirty items such as socks or handkerchiefs. Upon removal from the member 4, the bag containing the soiled or dirty items - may be closed by means of a draw-string 14A and may be put directly into a washing machine if desired; or the articles may be removed from the bag prior to washing.

In use, clean items, such as socks, handkerchiefs or other small articles, will be pushed into or placed in the recesses or apertures 10 where they will be gripped by the flaps 12 and prevented from inadvertently falling from said recesses or apertures. Soiled or dirty items may be placed in the open-mesh bag 14.

Referrring now to Figure 3, the storage device indicated generally by reference numeral 20 again comprises a generally spherical-shaped member 22 having a flared base 24 and a removable lid or cover 26 incorporating a handle 28. The member 22 and lid or cover 26 are composed of plastics material and will be formed by a suitable moulding process. A deodoriser, as described with reference to the Figure 1 embodiment may be housed in the lid or cover 26.

The member 22 has a plurality of shallow 'blind' recesses or apertures 30 which extend into the interior of the member 22 and which are each adapted to receive clean, small articles of clothing such as socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, and so on. Unlike the embodiment of the invention described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the recesses or apertures are not provided with the flap or flaps to grip the article(s) placed in the recesses or apertures Although not shown in Figure 3, the member 22 is provided with an open-mesh bag - as in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 - which will act in the same manner and serve the same function as previously described.

It will be appreciated that the shape or form of the members 4 and 22 may be other than generally sphericalshaped.

Whilst the invention has been described as relating to a storage device for small articles of clothing or the like, it will be appreciated that the device is usable for other purposes. For example, the device may be used as a plant 'organiser', the recesses or apertures being used to house and accommodate small plants and the interior of the member being used to house a larger plant or shrub or a number of plants. Of course, in these circumstances, the recesses or apertures and the interior of the member will or may house soil or compost for the plants or shrubs, and the bottoms of the recesses or apertures and the base 24 will be provided with drainage holes through which water may pass.

In addition, by removing the bottoms of the recesses or apertures such that the recesses or apertures are in full communication with the interior of the member, the device may be adapted to act as a strawberry or other planter.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A storage device for small articles of clothing or the like comprising a member having a plurality of recesses or apertures therein extending into the interior of the member for the receipt and retention of clean articles.

2. A storage device according to Claim 1, wherein the member houses a container for soiled or dirty articles.

3. A storage device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said member has a removable lid to afford access to the interior of the member.

4. A storage device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said recesses or apertures are 'blind'.

5. A storage device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said recesses or apertures each carry a flap or flaps for gripping articles placed in said recesses or apertures.

6. A storage device according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherin said container is an open-mesh bag attached to the lid or cover.

7. A storage device according to any of Claims 3 to 6, wherin said lid or cover includes a deodorising device.

8. A storage device according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein bottom portions of the recesses or apertures are removable to adapt the device for use as a plant organiser.

9. A storage device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.