Hamper apparatus and methods

• US 5,964,533 A
• Filed: 09/16/1996
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SportPet Designs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lamont Limited (Fausel Cos.)
• Inventors: Ziglar, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/714,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 383/43, 383/44, 383/2, 383/104, 383/117, 383/36, 248/97, 248/99, D32/36, D32/37, 141/316, 141/390
• US Class Current: 383/36
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 95/002 Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor

Abstract

A hamper and method for making and using the same: The hamper is for collection, transport, and removal for such contents as laundry. The hamper features can include a funnel or even a reversible funnel for gravity-induced filling and unfilling of the hamper, as well as a retractably collapsible tension member framework structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a frame comprised of a plurality of flexible tension members each oriented in a loop;

a plurality of walls each coupled to one of said plurality of flexible tension members;

a bottom coupled to each of said plurality of walls so that a container is formed by a combination of said plurality of walls and said bottom; and

a top coupled to each of said plurality of walls wherein said top has an opening therein for receiving articles.

2. A hamper comprising:

four translucent flexible panels arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration;

four flexible tension loops;

each of the panels is coupled to and substantially encircled by one of the flexible tension loops;

a rectangularly shaped flexible bottom coupled to each of the panels; and

a first flexible handle coupled to one of the panels and a second flexible handle coupled to another of the panels, so that, the handles are on non-adjacent sides of the substantially rectangular configuration of panels.

3. A hamper of claim 2 where each of the four panels is substantially equal in size and shape and the rectangular configuration of panels is a square configuration.

4. A hamper of claim 3 where the flexible tension loop is a wire.

5. A hamper of claim 4 where the wire is a spring wire.

6. A hamper of claim 5 where the spring wire is a flat spring wire.

7. A hamper of claim 3 where the flexible tension loop is a plastic material which exhibits a memory characteristic.