GB2326085A

GB2326085A - Dirty-washing container

Info

Publication number: GB2326085A
Application number: GB9723676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Crawford
Original assignee: FOLDING FURNITURE Co LIMI
Current assignee: FOLDING FURNITURE Co LIMI
Priority date: 1997-06-14
Filing date: 1997-11-07
Publication date: 1998-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-07
Also published as: GB9723676D0; GB9712351D0; GB2326085B

Abstract

A laundry hamper comprises a frame 1 supporting a bag 2 for laundry and a bag divider 6 pivotable between opposite sides of the bag 2 to define two separate compartments 13, 13' therein for different categories of laundry, the frame 1 and the bag 2 being foldable substantially flat for removal or storage. A bag partition 8 may be attached to the bottom of the bag 2 and to the sides of the bag 2 to a height sufficient so as to define two separate compartments and so as to allow sufficient movement to the upper portion of the partition 8 attached to the divider 6 to open one of the compartments and close the other of the compartments, selectively.

Description

Dirtv-Washing Container The present invention relates to a dirty-washing container.

It is known to store dirty washing in rigid containers or baskets, which can be difficult to store and transport; they are also cumbersome to move around in the house.

Normal dirty-washing containers have no provision for separating different categories of dirty washing, eg dark and light items, or woollen and cotton items.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dirty-washing container which is easy to move and store, and also allows for the separation of different categories of washing.

The present invention provides a dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 1.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dirty-washing container in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the unsupported bag of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of a modified dirty-washing container in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 4 is a front view of the modified container of Fig. 3 in a folded position.

In Fig. 1, a dirty-washing container comprises a folding frame 1 and a bag 2 supported on the frame 1.

The frame 1 may be manufactured from any suitable material such as wood, metal or plastics material, and the bag 2 may be formed from any suitable flexible material such as fabric or plastics material.

The frame 1 is formed from two rectangular frame members 3,4 pivotally connected at two horizontal pivot points 5, 51. As can be seen in Fig. 1, a bag divider 6 comprising a sub-frame 7 and a partition 8 is pivotally mounted on the pivot points 5,51 The bag 2 has a front 9, a back 91 and two opposite sides 10, 101. The partition 8 is arranged centrally of the bag 2 between the front 9 and the back 91, and is attached at its bottom 11 to the bottom of the bag and to the sides 10, 101 by stitching 12 extending upwardly from the bottom 11 as shown in Fig. 2. Preferably, the stitching 12 extends sufficiently far up the sides 10, 10' (preferably about halfway) so as to define two separate compartments 13, 131 and to allow sufficient movement of the partition 8 to open one compartment and close the other. If the bag 2 and partition 8 are made of plastics material the stitching 10 may be replaced by adhesive or weld seams.

As can also be seen from Fig. 2, the top edges of the front 9, the back 91 and the partition 8 extend above the top edge of the sides 10, 101 for attachment to the frame members 3,4 and the sub-frame 7, respectively, by any suitable means. Preferably, the bag 2 is removably attached to the frame 1, eg for repair or cleaning. To this end, for example, button and corresponding button holes, or hook and loop fastener strips (eg "VELCRO" - Registered Trade Mark), may be provided along the top edges of the front 9, the back 91 and partition 8.

In Fig. 1, the length of the upright portions ?' 4' and 71 of the Eame members 3, 4 and sub-frame 7, respectively, above the pivot point S, S' is substantially the same. In this way, when the container is folded substantially flat, respective top, parallel, longitudinal members 311,411 and 711 abut each other.

In operation, the bag divider 6 may be approximately mid-way between the front 9 and the bag 91 as shown in Fig. 1. When items are to be inserted in, say, compartment 13, the bag divider 6 is pivoted towards the back 9' to close off compartment 131 and to open compartment 13 flilly. When items are to be inserted into the compartment 13 the bag divider 6 is pivoted towards the front 9.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the length of the portions 31,41 and 71 above the pivot point 5, 51 are slightly different, so that in the folded position (see Fig.

4) the portion 31 lies within the portion 4', which lies within the portion 71, all three portions lying within a single vertical plane. The top, parallel, longitudinal members 11 311,411 and 7 also lie in the same single vertical plane, with the top member 711 of the sub-frame acting as a carrying handle, ie the container folds completely flat. For this to be possible bottom cross members 3111 and 4111 (see Fig. 2) are omitted, eg the frame members 3,4 are made of metal tubing In order to hold the container in the unfolded position, ie to prevent the frame 1 opening too far and distorting the bag 2, the frame 1 may be provided with a limiting strap 14 (see Fig. 3) attached at opposite ends 15, 16 thereof to the portions 31, 41 on one side of the frame members 3, 4. The strap 14 may be of leather, cord, plastics, textile, or any other suitable material. If required there may be two such limiting straps 14, one on either side of the frame 1.

Claims

Claims:

1. A dirty-washing container comprising a frame supporting a bag for dirty washing and a bag divider pivotable between opposite sides of the bag to define two separate compartments therein for different categories of dirty washing, the frame and the bag being foldable substantially flat for removal or storage

2. A dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the frame comprises two frame portions pivoted together with a scissors action and having respective top, parallel, longitudinal members supporting opposite sides of the bag and between which the bag divider pivots.

3. A dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag divider comprises a support pivotably attached to the frame and carrying a partition defining the separate compartments.

4. A dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the support of the bag divider is attached to the frame at the pivotal points thereof.

5. A dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the two frames portions and the support of the bag divider lie within each other in the folded position.

6. A dirty-washing container as claimed in Claim 3,4 or 5, wherein the bag and the partition are formed from the same material.

7. A dirty-washing container as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the partition is attached to the bottom of the bag and to the sides of the bag to a height sufficient so as to define two separate compartments and so as to allow sufficient movement of the portion to open one of the compartments and close the other of the compartments, selectively.