GB2564842A - A hanger for laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The hanger 1 comprises a main body 2 and at least one hanging means 3, such as a hook 4. The main body of the hanger is provided with a plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions 7. Each slitted region is configured to receive at least a portion of an article of laundry. The slitted regions may comprise at least two sectors 9 and at least one slit 8, wherein adjacent sectors are separated by the at least one slit. Furthermore, each slitted region may comprise a plurality of sectors and a plurality of slits radiating from a common central point 10 of the slitted region. The slitted regions may be arranged in a grid on the main body and may be integral to the main body. The hanger may further comprise a rigid edging member 11, at least one detachable handle and at least one notch 13. In use, the hanger is capable of retaining multiple articles of laundry of various shapes and sizes.

Description

The present invention relates to hangers for laundry, and in particular to hangers which are configured to retain multiple articles of laundry of various shapes and sizes.

Background of the Invention

After articles of laundry have been laundered, it is customary to hang them on a hanger so that they can be stored, for example, in a wardrobe or on a clothes rail.

Although laundry can differ vastly in terms of size, type and style, hangers comparatively show very little variation. Traditional hangers are designed for use with articles of clothing such as shirts and trousers. However, fewer hangers are suitable for use with smaller articles of laundry, such as socks and underwear, or larger articles of laundry, such as bedding and towels. Therefore, users may be unable to store such articles in a wardrobe or on a clothes rail, leading them to require alternative methods of storage.

Generally, hangers are designed to accommodate a single article of laundry of a particular size or shape. Few hangers are designed to accommodate articles of a variety of types and sizes, or to accommodate multiple articles at once. Therefore, users may require a range of hangers, each suitable for only one type of laundry.

While hangers are often used to hang clean laundry, there is also a need for hangers which are suitable for hanging articles of laundry during washing and drying.

Examples of hangers that are capable of accommodating articles of laundry of various types and sizes are described in GB2514342 and GB2512133.

Laundry may be washed and dried using a large range of washing machines and dryers, the majority of which contain rotational components.

-1These washing machines and dryers often require substantial frames and counterbalances to restrict vibration and unwanted movement, and are therefore often particularly heavy appliances. For this reason, washing machines and dryers are typically floor mounted, despite this not necessarily being the most convenient location.

To alleviate this problem, washing machines and dryers which contain no rotational components can be used, such as the domestic washing machine of the type shown in W02006/134364.

It is envisioned that washing machines and dryers of this type may be particularly suitable for users with limited mobility, as the machine may be housed on a surface of any suitable height.

However, the laundry in machines of this type is not agitated by rotational components. Therefore, water and detergent may not sufficiently contact the articles of laundry if the machine is loaded in the usual manner. There is a need for a hanger suitable for retaining various types of laundry so that they may be effectively laundered in non-rotary washing machines and dryers of this type.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a hanger which is capable of retaining multiple articles of laundry of various shapes and sizes, ranging from socks, briefs and shorts through to bed linen and bath towels.

To this end, the present invention provides a laundry hanger as claimed in claim 1.

The hanger of the present invention comprises a main body; at least one hanging means provided on the perimeter of the main body; and a plurality of resiliency deformable slitted regions provided on the main body, wherein each slitted region is configured to receive at least a portion of an article of laundry.

The multiple resiliency deformable slitted regions provide capture points at which laundry can be received by the hanger. It will be appreciated that by providing

-2multiple slitted regions on the main body a user can attach several smaller articles, such as socks, or a single larger article of laundry, such as a bed sheet.

Each resiliency deformable slitted region essentially comprises a gap in the main body of the hanger through which a portion of an article of laundry can be pushed. The resiliency deformable nature of the slitted region ensures that edges of the slits grip any article of laundry that is passed through the slits. It is envisaged that the resiliency deformable slitted region are formed from a resilient material, typically, but not exclusively, plastic of a suitable durability and flexibility.

In some embodiments, where the slitted regions are integral with the main body, the main body would also be formed from the same materials as the resiliency deformable slitted regions.

Preferably, each resiliently deformable slitted region may comprise at least two sectors and at least one slit, wherein adjacent sectors are separated by the at least one slit.

Further preferably, each resiliently deformable slitted region may comprise a plurality of sectors and a plurality of slits radiating from a common central point of the slitted region.

It will be appreciated that the slits mean that sectors are deflectable relative to the rest of the main body of the hanger. Therefore, when a user pushes an article into a resiliently deformable slitted region, a portion of the article is received through the deflection of the sectors. The resilience of the sectors provides a retaining force that secures the article to the hanger.

When an article of laundry is inserted into a resiliently deformable slitted region, the sectors flex in order to accommodate at least a portion of the article. The sectors exert a force on the article as they try to return to their original, unflexed position. Thus, the article is grasped and retained in the resiliently deformable slitted region by the sectors.

Preferably each resiliently deformable slitted region may further comprise a hole at the common centre point of the slitted region, wherein preferably the hole has a greater width than the slits that radiate from the common centre point.

-3It is envisaged that providing the hole at the common centre point makes it easier for a user to push an article of laundry through the slits and past the sectors. Also, rounding off the ends of the sectors smoothens what would otherwise be a collection of sharp points at the centre point of the slitted region. This helps prevent damage to both the laundry and the user’s fingers when laundry is pushed into the slitted regions of the hanger.

It is envisaged that the plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions can be distributed across the main body in any suitable arrangement. Preferably the resiliently deformable slitted regions may be arranged in a grid on the main body.

Alternatively, the hanger may have rows of resiliently deformable slitted regions arranged on the main body, and wherein the slitted regions in each row are offset from the slitted regions in adjacent rows.

It is envisaged that the offset arrangement allows for several smaller articles of laundry (e.g. socks) to be mounted on the hanger without necessarily overlapping one another. This is considered particularly beneficial when the hanger is used to hang laundry while it is being cleaned in a non-rotary washing machine/dryer.

Preferably the main body of the hanger may be formed from a sheet of resiliently deformable material, suitable examples of which include flexible polypropylene.

Preferably the resiliently deformable slitted regions may be integral to the main body of the hanger. Alternatively, the resiliently deformable slitted regions may each be provided as separate members appended to the main body.

The main body may preferably be planar and substantially rectangular in shape, although it is envisioned that the hanger can be formatted in a number of shapes, to suit specific needs or locations.

Preferably, the hanger may comprise at least one rigid edging member provided on the perimeter of the main body.

The rigid edging member may support the main body such that the hanger substantially maintains its shape when used in a non-rotary washing machine or dryer.

-4Preferably the rigid edging member may at least partially surround the perimeter of the main body. In some embodiments the rigid edging member may completely surround the perimeter of the main body.

The rigid edging member may be any suitable shape. For example, the rigid edging member may have a tubular or a ‘C’ shaped cross-section. The form of the shape can be selected for specific purposes, provided it has no sharp edges and is durable within the operating environment.

In use, the hanger is suspended by way of the hanging means, which is provided on the perimeter of the hanger. The hanging means may be formed as one with the main body or the rigid edging member.

Alternatively, the hanging means may be attached to the main body or the rigid edging member using suitable fixing means. It is envisaged that the skilled person will be aware of a variety of suitable methods of fixing the hanging means to the rest of the hanger (e.g. complementary screw threads or durable adhesive).

Preferably the hanging means is provided on the rigid edging member.

The hanging means may comprise a hook which may be used, for example, to hang the hanger from a clothes rail. Alternatively or additionally, the hanging means may be provided with a separate attachment means configured to engage with a nonrotary washing machine or dryer.

Preferably, the hanging means may comprise both a hook and an attachment means for engaging with a non-rotary washing machine or dryer. In this way, the hanger may be used in a washing machine and then moved to a clothes rail for storage without the need to transfer the laundry from one hanger to another.

Preferably, the hanger may comprise at least one handle. Further preferably, the hanger may comprise two handles positioned at opposite sides of the hanger. The handles may be any suitable shape. For example, the handles may be substantially ring shaped or substantially cylindrical.

The handles may be attached to either the main body or the rigid edging member. In a further alternative the rigid edging member may extend beyond at least one edge of the main body so as to form at least one handle.

-5Alternatively, the handles may be detachable from the rigid edging member, or from the main body of the hanger.

It is envisioned that the handles may be used for inserting or removing the hanger from a washing machine. In this way, a user with may load and unload laundry into a non-rotary washer/dryer with reduced strain, even if the user has limited mobility.

The handles also make it easier for the user to align the attachment means of the hanger with the non-rotary washer/dryer.

Preferably, the hanger may further comprise at least one notch provided on the perimeter of the main body or the rigid edging member. This notch may be used, for example, to hang further articles of laundry or additional hanging devices. The notch may be integral to the main body of the hanger. Alternatively, the hanger may be provided with a rigid edging member, wherein said at least one notch is formed on the rigid edging member.

The hanger may further comprise at least one non-slitted aperture in the main body. Preferably, the non-slitted aperture may be provided on an edge of the main body which is furthest from the hanging means. This aperture may be used, for example, to hang further articles of laundry or additional hanging devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the laundry hanger according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the laundry hanger;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the laundry hanger according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the laundry hanger with the handles detached;

-6Figure 5 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the laundry hanger;

and

Figure 6 shows a front view of the second embodiment of the laundry hanger retaining a pair of socks.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a laundry hanger that is configured to retain multiple articles of laundry of various shapes and sizes.

It is appreciated that the hanger of the present invention might be used like a conventional clothes hanger is and be hung in a wardrobe or on a clothes rail.

However, it is also envisioned that the hanger is particularly suitable for use with a non-rotary washer/dryer of the type described in W02006/134364. It is envisioned that a user, who may have limited mobility, would be able to more easily load and unload articles of laundry from the machine through the use of the hanger of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the laundry hanger 1 of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The laundry hanger 1 of the first embodiment comprises a main body 2, upon which a hanging means 3 and a plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions 7 is provided.

Each resiliently deformable slitted region 7 of the hanger 1 comprises six sectors 9, separated by six slits 8 which radiate from a common central point 10. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable number and arrangement of slits 8 and sectors 9 may be used. For example, each one of the resiliently deformable slitted regions 7 may alternatively comprise three slits, four slits, five slits, or indeed, more than six slits. It will be appreciated that the number of sectors will also increase inline with the number of slits.

-7Through the use of the plurality of resiliency deformable slitted regions 7, the hanger 1 can be used to retain at least one article of laundry, wherein each article of laundry is retained by at least one of the resiliency deformable slitted regions 7.

The hanger 1 is depicted with the resiliency deformable slitted regions 7 arranged in a grid arrangement. However, it is appreciated that any suitable arrangement of resiliency deformable slitted regions 7 may be used. For example, the resiliency deformable slitted regions 7 may alternatively be arranged in the offset arrangement shown in Figure 3.

The resiliency deformable slitted regions 7 are integral to the main body 2 of the hanger 1 and the main body 2 is made of a deformable material in the form of a flexible polypropylene, for example. In this way, the resiliency deformable slitted regions 7 may be deformed in order to retain articles of laundry of various shapes and sizes.

As will be appreciated from Figure 2, the main body 2 of the hanger 1 is planar and substantially rectangular in shape. However, it is envisioned that other suitable shapes may be used without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

For example it is envisaged that the ability of the hanger to distribute larger numbers of smaller articles might be improved by replacing the straight lower edge (i.e. the edge furthest from the edge on which the hanging means is provided) with two edges that come together at a point (e.g. like a triangle). This arrangement would increase the number of articles that can hang from the lowest edge of the hanger.

The hanger 1 further comprises a rigid edging member 11 provided on the portion of the perimeter of the main body 2 which is uppermost during use. As will be appreciated from Figure 1, the rigid edging member 11 takes the form of an elongate bar with a constant ‘C’ shaped cross section, which serves to form a channel into which the upper edge of the main body can be received.

The channel may be configured to close towards its opening so that it can effectively pinch the main body and trap it in place. However, it is envisaged that the connection between the rigid edging member and the main body may be further strengthened by the use of addition fixing (e.g. adhesive or mechanical fittings).

-8In use, the hanger is suspended by way of the hanging means 3, which is provided on the rigid edging member 11. In the shown embodiment the hanging means is integrally formed with the rigid edging member. However, it is envisaged that at least a portion of the hanging means may be detachably mounted in some embodiments (e.g. see Figures 3-6).

The hanging means 3 comprises both a hook 4 and a means for engaging with a non-rotary washing machine or dryer 5.

The hanger 1 further comprises a plurality of notches 13 which are formed in the main body 2. These notches 13 may be used, for example, to hang further articles of laundry or additional hanging devices from the main body 2.

The hanger 1 further comprises a plurality of non-slitted apertures 14 in the main body 2. The non-slitted apertures 14 are provided on the edge of the main body 2 which is furthest from the hanging means 3. It is appreciated that these non-slitted apertures 14 may be used, for example, to hang further articles of laundry or additional hanging devices.

A second embodiment of a laundry hanger 101 according to claim 1 is shown in Figures 3 to 6.

The laundry hanger 101 of the second embodiment comprises a main body 102, upon which a hanging means 103 and a plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 are provided. Again, at least a portion of an article of laundry may be received in each one of the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107.

Each resiliently deformable slitted region 107 of the hanger 101 comprises six sectors 109, separated by six slits 108 which radiate from a common central point 110. However, it is appreciated that any suitable number and arrangement of slits 108 and sectors 109 may be used without departing from the general concept of the present invention. For example, each one of the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 may alternatively comprise three slits, four slits, five slits, or more than six slits. Increasing the number of slits will necessarily result in an increase in the number of sectors too.

-9Through the use of a plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions 107, the hanger 101 can be used to retain one or more articles of laundry, wherein each article of laundry is retained by at least one of the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107.

The hanger 101 is depicted with the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 arranged in, preferably horizontal, rows wherein the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 in each row are offset from the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 in the row or rows that are arranged adjacent to it on the main body. However, it is appreciated that any suitable arrangement of resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 may be used. For example, the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 may alternatively be arranged in the grid arrangement shown in Figure 1.

The resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 are integral to the main body 102 of the hanger 101 and the main body 102 is made of a deformable material. In this way, the resiliently deformable slitted regions 107 may be deformed in order to hang articles of laundry of various sizes.

However it is envisaged that the slitted regions may be provided as separate components that are attached to the main body. In this way they can be replaced if, over time, they become damaged or worn out.

As will be appreciated from Figures 5 and 6, the main body 102 of the hanger 101 is planar and substantially rectangular in shape. However, it is envisioned that other suitable shapes may be used.

The hanger 101 further comprises a rigid edging member 111 that surrounds three sides of the main body 102 of the hanger 101.

In use, the hanger 101 is suspended by way of the hanging means 103 (only partially shown), which is provided on the rigid edging member 111.

The hanging means 103 comprises a rod 106 which may be engageable with a detachable hanging means (e.g. hook), or with a non-rotary washing machine or dryer. Although neither the hook or the non-rotary washer/dryer attachment means are not shown in view of the second embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that they would be provided.

-10For example, it is envisaged that the hanging means 103 may have a similar arrangement to the hanging means 3 of the first embodiment.

The hanger 101 further comprises two handles 112 positioned at opposite sides of the rigid edging member 111. As shown in Figure 4, the handles 112 may be 5 detachable from the main body 102 of the hanger 101.

Figure 6 shows the second embodiment of the laundry hanger 101 retaining two articles of laundry 115. A user inserts a portion of each article of laundry 115 into a resiliency deformable slitted region 107, and the article of laundry 115 is retained by the hanger 101, as shown, due to the resilience of the sectors 109.

io It will be appreciated from Figure 6 that the common centre points of each resiliency deformable slitted region each have a hole that is slightly wider that the width of the slits that converge at the centre point. It is envisaged that this hole makes it easier for a user to push an article of laundry into the hanger, whilst also reducing the possibility of the sectors damaging either the laundry or the user’s finger when laundry is inserted or removed.

Claims (20)

1. A hanger for retaining articles of laundry, comprising:

a main body;

at least one hanging means provided on the perimeter of the main body; and a plurality of resiliently deformable slitted regions provided on the main body, wherein each slitted region is configured to receive at least a portion of an article of laundry.

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein each resiliently deformable slitted region comprises at least two sectors and at least one slit, wherein adjacent sectors are separated by the at least one slit.

3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein each resiliently deformable slitted region further comprises a plurality of sectors and a plurality of slits radiating from a common central point of the slitted region.

4. The hanger of claim 3, further comprising a hole at the common centre point of the slitted region, wherein preferably the hole has a greater width than the slits that radiate from the common centre point.

5. The hanger of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resiliently deformable slitted regions are arranged in a grid on the main body.

6. The hanger of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising rows of resiliently deformable slitted regions arranged on the main body, and wherein the slitted regions in each row are offset from the slitted regions in adjacent rows.

7. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body is formed from a sheet of resiliently deformable material.

8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the resiliently deformable slitted regions are integral to the main body.

9. The hanger of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the resiliently deformable slitted regions are provided as separate members appended to the main body.

10. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one rigid edging member provided on the perimeter of the main body.

11. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the rigid edging member at least partially surrounds the perimeter of the main body.

12. The hanger of claim 10 or 11, wherein the hanging means is provided on the rigid edging member.

13. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hanging means comprises a hook and/or means for engaging with a non-rotary washing machine or dryer.

14. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one handle.

15. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the at least one handle is provided on the rigid edging member.

16. The hanger of claim 15, wherein the at least one handle is detachable from the hanger.

17. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one notch provided on the perimeter of the hanger.

18. The hanger of claim 17, wherein the at least one notch is provided on the main body.

19. The hanger of claim 17 when depending from any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the at least one notch is provided on the rigid edging member.

20. The hanger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one non-slitted aperture in the main body.