Collapsible laundry hamper assembly with latching feature
First Claim
1. A collapsible and portable hamper assembly having a frame and a mating bag for storing and transporting articles, said bag having a first open position and a second closed position, said assembly comprising:
- a first substantially rectangular frame section;
a second substantially rectangular frame section crossing said first section at spaced points to form said frame into a substantially X-shape;
coupling means for pivotally coupling said first and second frame sections together at their crossing points; and
a bag positioned inside said frame, said bag having at least two side panels, two end panels, a bottom panel and a stretch panel, said stretch panel affixed to the lower edges of said side panels adjacent said bottom panel, said stretch panel extending under said frame and said frame slidably cooperating with said stretch panel, said stretch panel having a length relative to the height of said frame sections so as to provide a latching function to assist in maintaining the hamper assembly in said first open position or said second closed position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hamper assembly is provided having a tubular support frame and a mating bag. The frame comprises crossed first and second substantially rectangular sections that are coupled at the crossing points of the sections by elastomeric rings permitting pivotal movement, as well as lateral and longitudinal flexibility. A mating hamper bag is supported by the tubular frame and has two fabric side panels and a continuous U-shaped panel of mesh material that forms the two ends and bottom of the bag. The side panels are attached to loops along their upper edges that receive the top tubes of the hamper frame. A U-shaped stretch panel is attached along the lower edge of each side panel and extends around and under each bottom tube of the frame. With the hamper fully open, the stretch panel stretches the bottom panel to maximize the capacity of the bag. As the hamper is opened and closed, the bottom tubes slide on the stretch panel. As the two frame sections approach the over-center position, the stretch panel resists further movement in that direction, to provide a latching function that assists the bag in remaining open/closed during handling.
67 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A collapsible and portable hamper assembly having a frame and a mating bag for storing and transporting articles, said bag having a first open position and a second closed position, said assembly comprising:
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a first substantially rectangular frame section; a second substantially rectangular frame section crossing said first section at spaced points to form said frame into a substantially X-shape; coupling means for pivotally coupling said first and second frame sections together at their crossing points; and a bag positioned inside said frame, said bag having at least two side panels, two end panels, a bottom panel and a stretch panel, said stretch panel affixed to the lower edges of said side panels adjacent said bottom panel, said stretch panel extending under said frame and said frame slidably cooperating with said stretch panel, said stretch panel having a length relative to the height of said frame sections so as to provide a latching function to assist in maintaining the hamper assembly in said first open position or said second closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A collapsible hamper bag for holding articles and for use with a collapsible frame, comprising:
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two flexible side panels; two flexible end panels; a flexible bottom panel; a flexible stretch panel affixed to the lower edges of said side panels; and a plurality of seams interconnecting said panels, said panels forming a substantially rectangular bag with an open top and said stretch panel stretching when slidably cooperating with said frame, the length of said stretch panel being sized relative to the height of said frame so as to maximize the capacity of said bag, whereby upon mounting on said frame said stretch panel extends under said frame and said frame slidably cooperates with said stretch panel, said stretch panel having a length relative to the height of said frame so as to provide a latching function to assist in maintaining the hamper bag in a first open position or in a second closed position.
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Specification