GB2307399A

GB2307399A - Garment freshener

Info

Publication number: GB2307399A
Application number: GB9523855A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Anthony Rees Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-11-22
Filing date: 1995-11-22
Publication date: 1997-05-28
Also published as: GB9523855D0

Abstract

A device for removing smells from garments comprises a casing in the form of a comparatively rigid upper portion (1) in which are mounted a motor (2) arranged to drive a fan (3) and a container (4) for a replaceable filter element. A flexible tube (12) having a closable opening (13) depends from the upper casing portion (1) and a comparatively rigid lower casing portion (14) is secured to the lower end of the tube (12). A hanger (9) is provided in the upper casing portion (1) from which a garment can be hung on a clothes hanger. When the fan (3) is driven by the motor (2), air is circulated round the casing to remove smells from a garment hanging from the hanger (9).

Description

Title: GARMENT FRESHENER This invention relates to devices for freshening garments.

A problem frequently encountered by wearers is that garments, and in particular tailored garments such as jackets and trousers, pick up smells such as tobacco smoke and pungent foods such as garlic or curries.

The present invention aims to provide a device for eliminating or at least substantially reducing unwanted smells in garments such as jackets and trousers.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for removing smells from garments which comprises a casing adapted to receive and hold a garment and means for directing a flow of air through the casing.

Preferably, a filter is provided to filter the air passing through the casing.

A scented air freshener may also be provided through which the air is passed while in the casing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a motor is provided for driving a fan located within the casing for the purpose of directing air through the casing. The motor is preferably an electric motor and may be powered by batteries and/or by mains electricity.

A hook or similar device is desirably provided in the casing for the purpose of receiving a clothes hanger carrying a garment to be freshened by the device according to the invention.

The casing may be made of pliant or flexible material so that it can be folded up to facilitate storage of the device when not in use.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device according to the invention in which it is in a deployed position ready for use; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1 in a stored or carrying position.

Referring to the drawings, a device for removing smells from garments according to the invention comprises a casing in the form of a comparatively rigid upper portion 1 in which are mounted a motor 2 arranged to drive a fan 3 and a container 4 for a replaceable filter clement. A charging unit 5 is also located in the upper portion 1 of the casing and an on/off switch 6 is mounted on the outside of the casing and is connected to the charging unit. The charging unit 5 preferably contains a number of rechargeable batteries and an electric cable (not shown) leads from the charging unit and terminates in an electrical plug (likewise not shown) by means of which the charging unit can be connected to a source of electrical power such as the mains. A grid 7 may also be provided in the upper portion 1 of the casing and be provided with vanes 8 for directing the flow of air passing therethrough.Depending from the upper portion 1 of the casing is a hanger 9 which is adapted to receive the hook of a clothes hanger.

The upper portion 1 of the casing takes the form of an inverted wU in crosssection. A flexible tube 12 is secured to the end 11 of each arm of the U-shaped portion 1 and, in the deployed position of the device, is arranged to hang downwardly as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A large slit like opening 13 is provided in a wall of the tube 12 by means of which a garment may be put into or taken out of the device. The opening 13 may be closable by a zip fastener or quick release fastener such as "Velcro" (Registered Trade Mark).A further casing portion 14 of similar material to the upper portion 1 is secured to the lower end of the tube 12 and, like the portion 1, is substantially U-shaped in crosssection. Cosperating fastening means 15 and 16 are provided, respectively, on the upper and lower casing portions 1 and 14. By this means, the tube 12 can be folded up into the casing portion 14 and the casing portions 1 and 14 secured together by the fastening means 15 and 16 as shown in Fig. 2 when the device is not required for use.

A carrying handle 17 is provided on the upper portion 1 of the casing as shown in Fig. 2 and this handle may be manipulated into a hanger 18 as shown in Fig.

1 when the device is required for use. The fastening means 15 and 16 can be released to return the tube 12 to the deployed position shown in Fig. 1 ready for use of the device. The opening 13 is then opened and a garment is put into the device. The garment is preferably hung on a clothes hanger so that the hook thereof can be engaged with the hanger 9. The garment will then hang from the hanger, within the tube 12, and the opening 13 can be reclosed. The motor 2 can then be switched on, by means of the switch 6, to drive the fan 3.

Air will be circulated around the casing and will pass through the garment to the filter container 4. After passing through the filter, the filtered air is driven by the fan 3 through the grid 7 when the vanes 8 direct the air downwardly through the garment. It has been found that the circulation of air occurs in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1 and is effective in removing unwanted smells from any garment placed in the device. Preferably, however, the filter element will incorporate a scented or perfumed layer to give garments placed in the device a pleasant odour.

The upper and lower casing portions 1 and 14 are preferably made of pre-formed injection moulded plastics material although other materials may be utilised if desired. The tube 12 may be made of any pliant or flexible material provided that it can be rolled up and accommodated in the lower casing portion 14. The tube should, however, be waterproof and impermeable to air. Its length will be such as to accommodate a standard size jacket although a longer version may be provided for coats or long dresses.

The filter element is desirably made of a carbon composite incorporating at least one chemical crystal layer which not only serves to filter the air but which also changes colour to indicate when replacement is necessary. The container 4 for the element is desirably transparent or is provided with a transparent window to enable the colour change to be observed. An ioniser may be combined with the filter if desired.

The casing and components are readily portable and weigh in the region of 1-2 kilograms. The light weight and compact construction in the stored position enable the device to be packed easily in a suitcase or valise for use on business trips or holidays. The duration of operation to freshen-up garments depends on the fabric and size and tests have indicated average times of between 5 minutes for a shirt to 20 minutes for a suit.

It will be seen that the device according to the invention provides means for easily freshening-up garments by removing unwanted lingering smells such as tobacco smoke, alcohol, fish and chips, curry, car fumes, trains and so on.

The invention is not restricted to the aboveaescribed embodiment but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the charging unit may simply be arranged to contain batteries, which may themselves be rechargeable, and not have any cable for connection to mains electricity. In addition, the casing portions 1 and 14 may be arranged so as to be telescopic in order to provide an even more compact article in the stored position.

Claims

1. A device for removing smells from garments which comprises a casing adapted to receive and hold a garment and means for directing a flow of air through the casing.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein a filter is provided which is arranged to filter air passing through the casing.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the casing is provided with a holder for holding a scented air freshener and with means for directing the flow of air through said holder.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a motor and a fan are provided, the fan being located within the casing and the motor being arranged to drive the fan for directing air through the casing.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the motor comprises an electric motor.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the motor is arranged to be driven by mains electricity.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the motor is arranged to be driven by a battery.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the battery is re-chargeable and wherein a charger unit having means for connection to mains electricity is provided for charging or re-charging the battery.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a hook or like device is provided in the casing and is adapted to receive a clothes hanger.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing is made of pliant or flexible material.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the casing comprises a comparatively rigid upper portion containing means for receiving and holding a garment hanger and a tube of flexible material depending from said upper portion and adapted to surround and contain a garment suspended from a hanger.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the tube is provided with a closable opening.

13. A device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the said upper portion takes the form of an inverted "U" in cross-section.

14. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a grid provided with vanes for directing the flow of air is provided in the said upper portion of the casing.

15. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the casing further comprises a comparatively rigid lower portion which is secured to the end of the tube remote from said upper portion.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said lower portion of the casing is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

17. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said upper and lower portions of the casing are provided with co-operating fastening means whereby said portions can be secured together with the tube in a folded-up condition.

18. A device for removing smells from garments, said device being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

18. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing is further provided with a carrying handle.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the carrying handle is adapted to be moved into a position in which it takes the form of a hanger.

20. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the said upper portion of the casing is provided with a filter holder comprising a container having a transparent window in a wall of the casing whereby a filter element held in the holder can be viewed from outside the casing.

21. A device for removing smells from garments, said device being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLGIMS 1. A device for removing smells from garments which comprises a casing adapted to receive and hold a garment and means for directing a flow of air through the casing, wherein the casing comprises a comparatively rigid upper portion containing means for receiving and holding a garment hanger and a tube of flexible material depending from said upper portion and adapted to surround and contain a garment suspended from a hanger and wherein a motor and a fan are provided in the comparatively rigid upper portion of the casing, the motor being arranged to drive the fan for directing air through the casing 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein a filter is provided which is arranged to filter air passing through the casing.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises an electric motor.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the motor is arranged to be driven by mains electricity.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the motor is arranged to be driven by a battery.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the battery is rechargeable and wherein a charger unit having means for connection to mains electricity is provided for charging or re-charging the battery.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for receiving and holding a garment hanger comprise a hook or like device.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube is provided with a closable opening.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the comparatively rigid upper portion of the casing takes the form of an inverted "U" in cross-section.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a grid provided with vanes for directing the flow of air is provided in the said upper portion of the casing.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing further comprises a comparatively rigid lower portion which is secured to the end of the tube remote from said upper portion.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said lower portion of the casing is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

14. A device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said upper and lower portions of the casing are provided with co-operating fastening means whereby said portions can be secured together with the tube in a folded-up condition.

15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing is further provided with a carrying handle.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the carrying handle is adapted to be moved into a position in which it takes the form of a hanger.

17. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said upper portion of the casing is provided with a filter holder comprising a container having a transparent window in a wall of the casing whereby a filter element held in the holder can be viewed from outside the casing.