Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F95/00—Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries 

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical sector of accessories for cleaning and maintaining footwear.
• the present invention relates to a device able to allow the washing of footwear inside common washing machines.
• the washing machine is usually used that, even if specific for washing garments, can also adapt to washing footwear.
• many drawbacks and technical problems can occur, as the washing machine is not specifically designed for washing footwear. Among them, poorly efficient washing and anomalous and undesired wear and tear of the footwear.
• a further drawback is directly linked to the drying spin cycle.
• the shoes remain pressed against the wall in random positions that do not guarantee a uniform drying thereof.
• the shoes even partially overlapping each other, cannot dry in a uniform manner, as the water cannot flow out properly through their different components (for example inner sole, upper, outsole, closing devices such as Velcro fasteners).
• the soles of the shoes are generally impermeable to insulate feet against water penetration, for example rain, during use.
• the sole because of the material whereof it is made and its high thickness, prevents water from flowing toward the outside via centrifugal force. In this case the shoe cannot therefore dry in a uniform manner, and remains wet in various parts even after a strong and long spin cycle.
• US 6 067 729 A describes a device that holds two shoes in opposite positions against the drum of a washing machine by means of a flexible rod inserted in the shoes until it reaches the inner area of toes.
• the rod with a diameter greater than the drum, pushes from the inside the outer toes of the shoes against the cylindrical wall of the drum. But, obviously, the rod allows the shoes to rotate around their toe during the rotation of the drum.
• the device is provided with an extensible tube with T- shaped ends suitable to be fit in two shoes pushed with the soles in opposite positions into contact with the cylindrical lateral walls of the drum.
• the T-shaped ends do not hinder movement of the wet upper toward the sole; during the washing cycle continuous stresses and bending of the fabric/upper therefore occur, dangerous for both seams and heat welds or glued seams of the upper, for which the shoe is not designed.
• the shoe takes such a position that the sole, which is impermeable, and the perimeter part of upper near the sole, which is often impermeable too, prevent the water, during rotation of the drum, especially during the spin phases necessary for an effective washing, from flowing out from the shoe, thus causing stagnation of possibly dirty water, and the dirt can remain inside the shoe until washing is finished, thus resulting in a poorly satisfactory or pejorative washing.
• the sole mostly faces toward the cylindrical lateral walls of the drum, the drum with the inner concavity of the shoe (i.e. the foot housing shoe zone) facing the axis of rotation of the drum itself.
• the devices discharge locally in two more or less limited and opposite areas of the cylindrical lateral walls of the drum, and this may result in drum deformation, as the devices are fixed through pressure on the cylindrical walls of the drum, that sometimes is not designed for these concentrated actions.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device to allow the washing of footwear in a washing machine, which overcomes all the above mentioned drawbacks.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a device to allow effective and uniform washing of footwear in washing machine, and which allows, at the same time, to obtain a subsequent uniform and effective drying of the shoe.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a device to allow the washing of footwear in washing machine, which preserves them from deformations and wear caused by both the impacts against the drum and by anomalous pressures or tractions, caused by the spin cycle, that can damage the shoes that do not bear these stresses as they are not designed for it.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a device to allow the washing of footwear in washing machine that, at the same time, preserves the integrity of the drum, of the seal gaskets between the case containing the drum and the door, and of the same door.
• the present device for allowing the washing in washing machine of footwear in general, particularly sport footwear, characterized by comprising means (1; 201; 301; 401) designed to allow to hang up at least one shoe in the drum of the washing machine in such a way that said shoe can be washed maintaining substantially the position corresponding to where it hangs.
• the above mentioned means (1; 201; 301) comprise a hanging unit (7) designed to be inserted inside the shoe to be washed (i.e. the hanging unit is designed to wear the shoe). This unit (7) is associated to the drum so as to rotate rigidly with it.
• the part of hanging unit inserted in the shoe is not into contact with the drum and is spaced from it so as to allow the interposition of the thickness of the shoe between hanging unit and drum.
• Blocking the shoe by means of an abutment (most of the unit 7) inside the shoe itself the contact between the most of the hanging unit 7 and the inner surface of the shoe is uniformly distributed and not limited to specific inner areas of the shoe, thus avoiding localized deformations of the shoe during washing, that can generate permanent deformations of the shoe; moreover, in this way the contact points of the outer surface of the shoe with the hanging means are reduced or canceled, with consequent reduction in the wear and tear of the shoe at these points.
• blocking of the shoe is also more stable, whilst, as already mentioned, the shoe deformation, if any, is extremely reduced.
• the hanging unit (7) adequately comprises a part defining a surface facing toward the inner face of the sole or inner sole, coming into contact preferably with it, when the unit is inserted inside the shoe.
• the above mentioned surface of the hanging unit (7) faces the axis of rotation of the drum, thus allowing during rotation, particularly in the spin phase, water outflow from the sole of the shoe toward the upper.
• the above mentioned surface of the unit facing the axis of the drum divides the drum into two parts, one first of which contains the axis of rotation thereof, while the second of which is designed to contain the part of shoe relating to the upper, i.e.
• this part is conveniently peripheral relative to the axis of rotation, so as to have geometrically such an axis of rotation as to generate during the spin phase, an effective centrifugal force in the water contained in the shoe, or with which the shoe is impregnated.
• the shoe fitted on the hanging unit (7) is oriented with the sole facing the axis of rotation of the drum and with the inner part of the upper facing toward the cylindrical lateral surface of the drum, i.e. the outside of the drum.
• the hanging unit (7) comprises a shoetree or a foot or shoe shape 19, designed to be inserted inside the shoe. In this way the shoe is "filled" with an undeformable volume and is not subject to deformations.
• a first group of embodiments comprises:
• At least one supporting element (5; 205; 305) comprising fixing means (3; 203; 303) to fix, in use, the supporting element on the drum outline so that it is firmly put into rotation when the drum (2) rotates;
• the fixing means (3; 203; 303) therefore allow to engage said supporting element relative to the walls of the washing machine drum, thus allowing the drum to put the supporting element into rotation in a rigid and integral manner.
• This blocking is conveniently obtained at the lateral wall of the drum, i.e. the lateral wall of the cylinder forming the drum preferably and advantageously in the positions of the calendered sheets.
• the means (7, 17) therefore serve to hang up physically the shoe to the drum through the use of said elements.
• the shoe, through the supporting means is put into rotation by the rotating drum, but is forced to maintain the constraining position given by the means (7, 17), where it physically hangs.
• this solution during washing the shoe cannot therefore crash in a random manner against the walls of the drum or mutually against the other shoes.
• This solution furthermore avoids shoe being pressed, during the spin cycle, against the lateral wall of the drum, occupying positions unsuitable for a uniform drying.
• the means (7, 17) comprise in combination at least one seat (17) obtained in correspondence of the supporting element (5; 205; 305) and said hanging unit (7) for the shoes destined to be coupled, in use, to said seat (17) in a releasable manner.
• the unit (7) advantageously comprises a snap pin (18) or the like, connected to a shoetree (19) designed to be inserted inside the shoe, and means (20, 21) to allow to secure said shoe to the shoetree.
• the pin 18 is inserted, in use, in the seat 17, thus hanging the outline to the support, having previously put the shoe on the outline.
• the shoe is secured to the unit through the above mentioned means (20, 21), which can be constituted, for example, by Velcro or, similarly, button systems, snaps, belts and the like, all well known.
• the shoe can be secured for washing also through the simple closing of its laces on the shoetree, rather than through said means (20, 21).
• the element is firmly connected to a frame (3; 203).
• the frame (3; 203) comprises three rods (8; 208) firmly connected to three supporting elements (5; 205) through three cradles (4; 204).
• the three rods (208) are configured in the frame (203) according to a star arrangement. hi this way the three rods, in use, extend radially towards the lateral surface of the drum, bringing the above mentioned three supporting elements, to which they are firmly connected through the cradles, to grip against the surface, hi this way the device remains stably fixed to the drum, and is dragged by it into rotation firmly.
• the rods (8) are configured in the frame according to a triangular arrangement, hi this case the vertexes of the triangle, in use, bring the elements 5 into contact against the walls of the drum.
• At least one of the above mentioned rods (8; 208) advantageously comprises a first (9; 209) and a second (10; 210;) portion assembled in a reciprocally movable manner.
• the first (9) and the second (10) portion are respectively hinged so as to be reciprocally foldable, said second portion (10) comprising a threaded collar (12), integral with it, on which a sleeve (11) can be screwed, mounted slidable on said first portion (9) so as to close the hinge and put the rod (8), in use, in extended position.
• the device remains fixed to the walls.
• it is possible to free the hinge by acting in an opposite direction to what previously said, and close the two portions one over the other. In this way it is possible to fold the rod closing the device to extract it.
• first (209) and the second (210) portion of the rod are arranged in a telescopic manner
• a further embodiment of the present invention provides for a supporting element (305) comprising magnetic elements (303) to engage it, in use, to the outline of the drum.
• a supporting element (305) comprising magnetic elements (303) to engage it, in use, to the outline of the drum.
• the means (401) comprise a unit (407) designed to be coupled directly to the drum of the washing machine.
• the unit (407) comprises a bayonet joint (418) or the like and at least one shoetree (19) suitable to be inserted inside the shoe to be washed.
• This solution is particularly convenient to be embodied as it requires a simple unit (407) and a pre-arranged drum.
• a drum for washing machine is furthermore described and foreseen hereafter, characterized by being designed so that a unit (407) can connect to it through a bayonet joint (418) or the like.
• FIG. 1 and figure 2 show an overall view of the present invention according to a first possible configuration of embodiment;
• - figure 3 shows a side view of the invention, while figure 4 shows a detail of movable joining between two rods forming the frame of the device;
• - figure 5 shows a configuration, wherein the present device is closed to allow its insertion in the drum of the washing machine or its extraction at the end of use;
• - figure 6 and figure 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 9 and figure 10 show a fourth embodiment of the invention together with a detail of the unit 407 allowing to hang the shoes to the supporting element 405;
• - figure 11 shows a detail of the unit 7, which allows to hang the shoes to the supporting elements;
• -figures 12 and 13 show a side view of the two first preferred embodiments, with the shoes hung and inserted inside the drum of the washing machine.
• a traditional drum 2 of washing machine has inside itself a device to allow washing of footwear in general, in particular sport footwear or footwear made of fabric and/or rubber.
• the device in its most essential aspects, provides for means (1; 201; 301; 401) designed to allow to hang up at least one shoe in the drum of the washing machine so that the shoe can be washed, rinsed, and spun maintaining substantially the position corresponding to where it hangs.
• at least one supporting element (5; 205; 305) is provided comprising fixing means (3; 203; 303) so as to engage the supporting element, in use, to the outline of the drum. In this way, when the drum rotates the above mentioned element is firmly put into rotation.
• figure 1 and figure 2 specifically show a possible first preferred embodiment of the invention.
• three supporting element 5 are obtained in the form of a plate and are substantially V-shaped, so as to replicate the three respective classical calendered portions 6 of the drum of the washing machine.
• the application at the calendered sheets from the inside of the drum assures a better grip and therefore a better dragging of the above mentioned elements by the drum.
• the fixing means 3 to engage in use the supporting elements 5 on the outline of the drum comprise a frame 3.
• the frame is constituted by three cradles 4 having an inner profile suitable to surround the respective three supporting elements 5 and hence approximately V-shaped, hi particular, the cradles are firmly connected to the supporting elements 5 thus obtaining a compact structure in one single piece.
• three rods 8 connect the cradles respectively to each other, thus giving the device 1 as a whole a substantially triangular shape.
• Each rod 8 (see to this end figure 3, figure 4, and figure 5) is produced in two portions 9 and 10 respectively hinged, so as to be reciprocally movable, in particular foldable.
• the portions 9 and 10 of the rods 8 are rigidly maintained reciprocally in-line through the use of a sleeve 11, or similar, slidable on said portions, hi particular, with reference, for the sake of simplicity of the description, to a portion of only one rod 8 highlighted hi figure 4, the end 10 provides for a threaded collar 12 , rigidly connected to it, on which the sleeve can be screwed. In this way the sleeve can pass from a first condition, wherein it is unscrewed from the collar and is free to slide on the portion 9 as shown in figure 5, to a condition, wherein it is screwed on it, closing the hinge as shown in figure 3.
• a second preferred embodiment of the invention provides for a star-shaped frame 203.
• a central joint 213 couples the rods 208 according to the star arrangement, wherein the rods extend radially toward the walls of the drum, so that the supporting elements 205 connected to the cradles 204 can grip against the inside of the calendered portions 6 of the drum, exactly as described for the first configuration.
• a third rod is of the telescopic type.
• This latter can therefore comprise a simple release device 211, for example a push button, which allows to release/block to each other the two portions 209 and 210.
• the portion 210 is therefore obtained slidable inside the cylindrical seat of the portion 209, so that it can move back inside it or extend toward the outside. Going in construction details of the release device, this comprises an elastic pin arranged at the portion 210.
• the pin (not represented for the sake of simplicity of the description) extends externally from a point of the cylindrical surface of the portion 210 and, thanks to an elastic action exerted for example by a spring, is maintained adhering against the inner cylindrical surface of the portion 209 during the sliding thereof.
• the portion 209 is furthermore provided with corresponding hole so that, once achieved the preset height for the extraction, the pin of the portion 210 meets the hole obtained on the portion 209 coming out due to elastic action, hi this way the portion 210 is blocked relative to the portion 209. Then, simply by pressing the pin with a finger, it is possible to retract it inside the hole and retract the portion 210 inside the portion 209.
• the central joint 213, as represented in figure 6 and 7, can connect to the rods 208 in a rotatable manner.
• figure 7 better highlights the hinged connection of the rods 208 with the central joint 213 so that it is furthermore possible to close the rods in a fan manner at the end of use.
• This solution is advantageous in terms of bulk. In this way it is possible, in a simple and fast manner, to release the element 205 from the calendered sheet of the washing machine to remove the entire device integrally from the drum or to insert the entire device into, and connect it, to the drum.
• the extraction entails the rotation of the rods 208 around the joint.
• a third preferred embodiment of the present invention can instead provide for one or more supporting elements 305 devoid of the frame with support function for adherent positioning to the drum.
• the fixing means can be constituted, alternatively, by magnets 303 arranged on the supporting element and realizing directly the adhering connection of the elements to the drum.
• Figure 8 shows, for the sake of clarity, the section of the supporting element 305 according to this configuration with a simple schematization of the magnets 303.
• this support is in the V-shape completely equivalent to the corresponding elements 5 and 205 described above.
• the magnets it is also possible to use simple screw devices or the like, which allow a simple removable connection to the drum.
• the supporting elements with screws for a fast coupling.
• a cover in soft material arranged on the surface destined to face, in use, the calendered portion of the drum, so as to preserve this surface of the drum from scratches and to make a contact that eliminates any clearance between devices and calendered portions and so that there are not noisy contacts during the rotation of the drum.
• figure 11 describes the means (7, 17) to hang up at least one shoe to the above mentioned supporting elements (5; 205; 305) described above with reference to the first three configurations.
• the shoe hangs from the drum, i.e. it is suspended in the drum without being into contact with it.
• these means comprise in combination at least one seat 17 obtained in correspondence of the supporting element and destined, in use, to house a hanging unit 7 for the shoes in a releasable manner.
• this seat 17 is shown in all the figures related to the various preferred configurations of the present invention.
• the unit 7 provides a part to be inserted inside the shoe, i.e. the shoe to be washed must be wear on said part.
• This part presents a surface 19 A that comes into contact with, or faces, the inner sole of the shoe.
• this part is a shoetree or, equivalently, a shape imitating a human foot or a shoe outline, indicated as a whole with number 19.
• the above mentioned surface 19 A of the hanging unit 7 that comes into contact with, or faces, the inner sole of the shoe is practically the part of shoetree or shape corresponding to the sole of the human foot.
• this surface 19 A of the unit 7 faces toward the axis of rotation of the drum.
• this surface may not correspond to the sole of the human foot.
• a unit 7 can provide for a part, to be inserted inside the shoe, formed only from a toe and a heel connected by a rod which can be adjustable in length to adapt to the size of the shoe (for example through a screw/nut screw system, or an elastic rod which can be compressed from a maximum size to a minimum size, similarly to the shoetrees used to help the shoes keep their shape when not used); in a case of this type the surface of the unit facing the sole of the shoe and the axis of rotation of the drum can be the part of rod between the toe and the heel.
• the unit 7 comprises a snap pin 18 connected to the shoetree 19 and means (20, 21) to allow to secure the shoe to the shoetree.
• These means (20, 21) can comprise a ribbon 20 connected to the shoetree and provided at the ends with Velcro-type closure 21.
• the closure can be obtained with a button/buttonhole system, snap button or the like.
• each supporting element (5; 205; 305) preferably provides for two seats 17.
• a fourth preferred configuration of the invention provides that the above mentioned means 401 comprise substantially a hanging unit 407 for the footwear that is substantially identical to the previous unit 7 described above.
• the unit comprises a bayonet joint 418 or the like, arranged to be inserted in an adequate seat 417 obtain directly or already pre-arranged in the drum of the washing machine.
• the drum can provide, on the calendered portion or in a different area, simple couplers designed to receive the joint 418.
• the drum is therefore already prearranged to be connected to this unit 407.
• the drum in order to strengthen the connection, can comprise or be directly produced with a supporting element 405 prearranged from the outside inside the calendered portion 6.
• the connection of the element 405 can occur for example through common screws or by closing the calendered portion from the outside through the same sheet of the drum which defines the cylindrical shape thereof.
• the triangular shape is particularly convenient, suitable to adapt to the shape of the external seat of the calendered portion. According to this solution the seat 417 is therefore obtained in the joint 405 so as to engage in use with the unit 407.
• the shoetree 19 is produced in a plastic material or in metal light alloys, or anyway in an adequately non-absorbent material, and provided with a plurality of through holes 19B.
• a particularly advantageous embodiment comprises the production of the shoetree so that it is hollow (cavity signed with a broken line only in figure 11 and indicated with 19C) inside and of adequate thickness, hi this way water flows through the holes inside the cavity, and exits from it at high speed, hi this way the shoetree has also an additional function of efficient rinse, in addition to guaranteeing an optimum outflow of the liquid, thus avoiding water stagnation due to the presence of the shoetree.
• the water outflow speed is significantly greater than the water speed due to rotation, and this has a further beneficial washing effect.
• the position of the shoetree 19, on which the shoe is worn is such that the "sole" of the shoetree faces toward the axis of the drum, as consequently the sole of the shoe is equally oriented.
• the water, during rotation of the spin cycle, moving in radial direction toward the cylindrical lateral surface of the drum is not hindered hi its outflow from the impermeable sole of the shoe or from the impermeable perimeter of the upper near it.
• the term “facing" and “faces toward” the axis of the drum relating to the surface of the unit 7 refers to a surface of a body which lies mainly on a plane and does not pass through the axis of the drum. From a geometric viewpoint, it is possible practically to say that the surface of the unit facing the axis of the drum divides the drum into two parts, of which one first contains the axis of rotation thereof, while the second is suitable to contain the part of shoe relating to the upper, i.e. outside the sole;
• Figure 12 and figure 13 show respectively the first and the second preferred configuration mounted in use inside the drum of the washing machine.
• the third configuration and the fourth configuration has a completely similar function, that is not represented only for the sake of simplicity.
• the device is inserted inside the drum so as to be fixed to the walls through the frame (as regards first and second configuration) or through magnets or the like as described for the third configuration.
• the shoe is then put on the shoetree 19 and fixed to the shoetree 19 through the ribbon 20 or through the shoe laces. At this point the shoe is hung on the respective seat 17 by coupling the snap pin 18 inside the seat 17.
• the bayonet joint 418 is inserted in the already pre-arranged seat of (or in) the drum. This operation is repeated for the desired number of shoes, until to achieve for example the case represented in figure 12 and 13, wherein the device supports six shoes (three on the front and three on the back - see also seats 17 in figure 1).
• the present device can house, in fact, up to three pairs of shoes. At this point it is possible to wash the shoes that, being constrained to the device, are hindered from bumping and moving randomly inside the drum, remaining fixed in the position in which they have been hung.
• the whole unit 7 with the hung shoe is removed from the drum, or the bayonet joint 418 is removed in the case of unit 407 as regards the means 401.
• the device is removed by folding the rods (8; 208) of the frame in the case of the first two configurations or removing directly the elements 305 of the third configuration.
• the water with which the shoes are impregnated will be subjected to the centrifugal force and flow toward the outside of the shoe in the area for the entrance of the foot or through the parts of the upper which are water permeable, or it lap the inner or outer surface of the upper.
• the spin action will be homogeneous for each shoe and very effective; in fact the soles of sport shoes or technical shoes in general, which are usually impermeable, will be (they are fixed to the device) with the inner concavity facing the cylindrical lateral walls of the drum, and therefore, during the spin action, with the use of the invented device, the water can flow from the shoe toward said walls of the drum without being hindered by the impermeable sole.
• the sole of the shoe will be therefore mainly subject to a uniform pressure on the sole of the same type of that generated during walking, i.e. to stresses for which the shoe is expressly designed.
• the perforated shoetree 19 on one hand allows flowing in all the inner areas of the shoe increasing the efficiency of the washing thanks to the greater speed of water flowing from the jets, on the other hand it maintains during washing the shoe in shape and prevents it from pressing or deforming even if washing cycles with hot water are provided.
• the device according to the present invention is able to block more stably the shoes to be washed, avoiding impacts or abrasions on the shoes, as well as their deformations, and furthermore allows to avoid water stagnation on the areas inside the shoes related to the soles and the perimeter areas adjacent to them. Lastly, it allows to obtain a surely more effective washing effect, as at the end of each rinse cycle, after the spin phase the water remaining in the shoe is minimum due to the effect of non-stagnation and therefore each load of clean water contributes to an effective washing ending with the last spin cycle. At this point, it is clearly apparent that all the objects of the present invention have been achieved.

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• 2009
  • 2009-04-20 IT IT000043A patent/ITPI20090043A1/it unknown
• 2010
  • 2010-04-19 BR BRPI1014999A patent/BRPI1014999A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-04-19 US US13/265,212 patent/US20120031152A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-04-19 JP JP2012506592A patent/JP2012523937A/ja active Pending
  • 2010-04-19 EP EP10724571.4A patent/EP2422011B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2010-04-19 WO PCT/IB2010/000875 patent/WO2010122397A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-04-19 RU RU2011147135/12A patent/RU2529389C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-04-19 CN CN201080024263.6A patent/CN102459745B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

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