GB2427620A - Apparatus for laundering footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus 10 includes an elongate portion 11 which spans the internal diameter of a washing or tumble drying machine drum 30. At each end of the elongate portion is an end portion 14, 15 which contact or engage the drum and also receive an item of footwear. The elongate portion may have two separate inter-engaging portions 11a, 11b fastened together via a sprung button and aperture or a wing nut and collar. One end portion e.g. 14 may be positioned over a lifter 31 of the drum.

Description

Improvements in and relating to laundering footwear The present invention

relates to apparatus for allowing washable footwear, such as training/running shoes, or football boots, to be washed in a domestic washing machine.

Shoes such as training or running shoes, which are routinely worn when performing an athletic activity, or even if just worn on a day-to-day basis, can quickly develop an unpleasant odour. This is largely due to the increased production of perspiration when performing a sporting activity, combined with such shoes generally being manufactured from synthetic non-breathable materials. The perspiration is broken down by bacteria, and it is this process that produces the odour.

Several different methods of addressing or alleviating this problem are known. One way of aiming to prevent the unpleasant odours arising in the first place is through the use of insoles that contain substances such as activated carbon, which can act to absorb and thus neutralise the odours before they become a problem.

However, once the odours have arisen, the only truly effective way to remove them is to wash the affected footwear, which kills off the bacteria that cause the unpleasant smell.

However, since items of footwear are quite heavy and solid, compared to the kind of items normally washed in a domestic washing machine, they are not particularly suitable for washing in this way. Attempts to do so can be rather noisy and may even cause damage to the footwear, the washing machine or both.

An aim of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a means of facilitating simple and reliable washing of footwear in a way that minimises, or at least reduces, the risk of damage to either the machine or the footwear.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus as set forth in the appended claims. Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

Embodiments of the invention can be used in a washing machine to wash footwear and/or in a drying machine such as a tumble dryer. Use of the term laundry machine' is intended to encompass both washing and drying machines.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure la shows a view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, positioned for use in a washing machine and viewed from the door of the washing machine; Figure lb shows a side cross-sectional view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, positioned in a washing machine; Figure 2a shows a first means of connecting two portions of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b shows a second means of connecting two portions of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2c shows a third means of connecting two portions of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of end portions associated with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of end portions associated with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of end portions associated with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of end portions associated with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 shows an end portion according to an embodiment of the invention with a shoe attached thereto.

Figure la shows a view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention located for use in the drum of a typical front-loading domestic washing machine.

The device 10 comprises an elongate portion 11, which spans an internal diameter of the washing machine drum 30.

At each end of the elongate portion 11, is an end portion 14, 15 which contacts or engages the drum. The means by which the end points operate will be described later.

The entry hole 32 of the drum 30 has a smaller diameter than the internal diameter, which necessitates a mechanism to enable the elongate portion 11 to be introduced into the drum 30 in a configuration having a reduced length such that it can be reconfigured to have the required length to span the internal diameter for use.

One way of achieving this is to provide the device 10 in two separate, but inter-engaging, portions ha, hib. In this configuration, the interengaging portions can be aligned inside the drum and connected. A simple snap-fit or screw-fit arrangement can be used. Other forms of interengaging or inter-connecting members may be utilised, including, but not limited to sliding arrangements and folding arrangements.

A first means of connecting the two portions ila, llb is via a sprung protruding button 12 provided on one portion ila, which engages with a corresponding hole 13 on the other portion llb. This is shown in Figure 2a. At least an end section of lla is constructed to have a diameter such that said end section can fit inside the corresponding end section of portion llb. In this way, when the two portions are engaged correctly, the sprung button is able to penetrate the hole and lock the two portions together.

Portion ha is able to be inserted inside portion llb for a sufficient length, such that the elongate portion 11 thus created can be positioned across the diameter of the drum 30. If portion lla is fully inserted into portion hib, until the reduced diameter portion is fully inserted, the elongate portion 11 will not span the diameter. In order to lock the elongate portion 11 in position, portion ha is then withdrawn slightly from portion lib. Once the correct length is reached, the button 12 will snap into hole 13 and lock the elongate portion into position.

To accommodate drums 30 of different diameters, either a number of different holes 13 or sprung buttons 12 can be provided, each corresponding to different drum diameters.

To release the two sections, the sprung button 12 is depressed and this allows the two portions ha and lib to be pulled apart in a reverse of the operation described above.

Figure 2b shows a second arrangement for connecting the two members ha and llb. In this particular embodiment, elongate member lib is arranged to have a diameter smaller than that of elongate member ha such that it fits inside it. Member lib is provided with a collar portion hic, which may be integrally formed or fitted separately. The collar portion lic includes a threaded screw hole on its perimeter, and the screw hole is provided with a complementary threaded wing nut lid or similar fixing device.

In this embodiment, the device 10 may be arranged such that part hib is inserted substantially all the way inside part ha, such that the entire device 10 is short enough to be simply inserted into the drum 30 through entry hole 32. Once positioned inside, one end portion 14 is positioned over a lifter 31 and the two portions ha and hib can be pulled apart until the opposite end 15 contacts the interior of the drum 30. Then, the wing nut lid can be tightened such that the device 10 is locked securely into this configuration.

A third embodiment of the invention uses a different means of securing the portions ha and lib. In the same way as the previous embodiment, portion hlb is sized to fit inside portion ha. Instead of using a wing nut as previously, a collar 21 is provided which fits around the common end of portion ha. Portion lib fits through the collar. A further collar 20, which connects to collar 21 via a thread, surrounds portion hib.

When the two collars 21 and 20 are screwed together, splayed separate portions 21a are compressed, applying pressure to the junction between portions ha and hib, thus causing the relative positions of portions ha and hhb to be maintained. In this way, the device 10 can be securely fitted into the washing machine.

The drums 30 of most front-loading domestic washing machines are configured to have a plurality of regularly- spaced lifters 31 or ribs which protrude from the inner surface of the drum. These lifters 31 are provided so that when the drum spins, the laundry contained therein, is lifted by the lifters and allowed to drop down into the base of the drum. This continual agitation of the laundry in the soapy water provides an efficient washing action.

Similarly, tumble dryers feature similar lifters 31 to agitate the wet laundry contained therein to ensure thorough and even drying.

In most cases, drums are provided with three lifters 31, but some are equipped with four such parts. Devices according to an embodiment of the invention are arranged so that a first end 14 of said device is arranged to fit around one such lifter 31. The other end 15 is arranged to contact a section of the drum, which does not have a lifter, although, in the case of four-lifter machines, end can be positioned over a lifter. The three-lifter configuration is shown in Figure la.

Figure lb shows a side cross-sectional view of the drum 30 with a device 10 in situ. The device 10 clearly fits across a diameter of the drum 30. The drum is mounted on an axel 35, which is arranged to be driven from a motor (not shown) by drive belt 36.

End portion 14 is positioned over a lifter 31, and end portion 15 contacts the interior of the drum directly.

Also shown is the position of a pair of shoes 50, when attached to the end portions 14, 15.

The first end 14 of the device is arranged to straddle a lifter 31 of the drum 30. A first embodiment of a first end is shown in Figure 3. End 14 comprises a substantially planar portion 16, which is positioned at the end of portion ha, transverse to the longitudinal axis of portion ila. Two further angled portions 17 depend from planar portion 16 in such a way that portions 16 and 17 define a form of truncated triangle, the interior of which can accommodate the lifter 31.

The second end 15 of the device is also shown and this is largely similar to the first end 14, but also comprises two further projections 18, each of which protrudes from the portions 17 and are intended to conform closely to the interior surface of the drum 30. Portions 18 are thus curved.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the end portions 14 and 15 can be substantially identical.

Each instance of angled portion 17 comprises two holes 19.

Each pair of holes (on a given angled portion) is provided to attach one shoe. The shoe may be attached using appropriate ties or hook and eye type fasteners (such as Velcro ) may be used. Each shoe is attached so that its sole is in contact with the angled portion 17 and the upper part of the shoe faces outwards and away from the device 10.

Since the drum of the washing machine rotates in alternate directions in use, shoes located on each side of any given end 14, 15 receive equal treatment in the laundering process.

Alternative forms of the end pieces 14, 15 are illustrated in Figures 4-6. Figure 4 shows a variant where the three portions 16 and 17 are replaced with a single portion 16', having a generally curved profile. The portion 16' has a two pairs of holes as described previously, and operates in the same manner exactly as previously described.

Figure 5 shows a further alternative embodiment of the end pieces 14, 15. These are similar to the end pieces shown in Figure A as they comprise a single curved member 16' but rather than having a pair of holes on each side of the end piece, a single semicircular aperture is located on each side.

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 6, where the curved section 16' of the two previous embodiments, is replaced with a curved member 16'' which is curved in a plane that is shifted 90 degrees.

The embodiment 16'' of Figure 6 is shaped to be more hydrodynamic in use and thus allows more efficient operation of the washing machine. Furthermore, the shape of the end portion 16'' is easier to manufacture than certain other embodiments already referred to.

Figure 7 shows a view of the embodiment of Figure 6 with a shoe 50 attached thereto. The shoe is attached using a strap 52, which may be made from an elastic or non-elastic material. If the material is substantially non-elastic, a fastening device 54 may be provided to tighten the strap to hold the shoe securely in position. The fastening device 54 may comprise a buckle, a hook and eye fastener or any other suitable device or arrangement.

Alternatively, rather than attach the shoes directly to the device 10, the shoes may be placed into a bag, which is then arranged to fit onto the device end portions via suitable fastening means, such as press-studs or similar devices. The bag can be manufactured from a netting material which allows water to contact the shoes directly.

The generally semi-circular aperture of the end portion 16'' has an advantage in that smaller shoes, in particular, can be held in place more securely as the treads or grips on the underside of the shoe will engage more positively with the exposed edge of the end portion, which will tend prevent the shoe from slipping out of position during the wash cycle.

The device 10 and its constituent parts may be constructed from any of a variety of materials. In particular, plastics materials are preferred as they are generally impervious to, and unaffected by, water and relatively high temperatures experienced in a washing or drying machine.

In use, the upper parts of the shoes are oriented outwards of the device so that the wash water may more easily penetrate the inner part of the shoe. This ensures a more thorough and effective washing of the footwear occurs.

The device is configured to wash up to two pairs of footwear at any one time (i.e. one shoe positioned on each side of each end portion), and it is considered that the optimal wash performance occurs when no other laundry is placed in the machine at the same time.

Any suitable wash cycle or program may be selected, bearing in mind the materials and construction of the footwear.

In a further advantage of embodiments of the invention, the device 10 can also be used in a laundry drying machine such as a tumble dryer. Indeed, many washing machines now combine a tumble drying function, enabling the footwear to be washed and dried in a single operation.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. /

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus, for co-operation with a laundry machine, for laundering footwear, comprising a generally elongate member, provided at first and second ends respectively with first and second members being adapted to engage with the interior of the laundry machine drum and to receive the footwear.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate member is provided in two sections arranged such that a first section fits inside the second portion for at least a part of its length.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein one of the two sections fits inside the other section for substantially all of its length.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein fastening means are provided to secure the two sections together.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fastening means comprise a sprung button provided on the first section for engagement with a corresponding aperture provided in the second section.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fastening means comprise a wing nut located in a collar, associated with a first of the two sections.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first member is arranged to be placed over, and generally conform to, one of a plurality of lifters provided on an interior surface of the drum.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first and second members each comprise means for securely fastening at least one item of footwear thereto.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means for securely fastening comprises a strap having complementary hook and eye portions to hold the item of footwear in place.

10. An apparatus as herein described and having particular reference to the accompanying drawings.