US20050189360A1 - Laundry basket with hip hugging feature - Google Patents
Laundry basket with hip hugging feature Download PDFInfo
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- US20050189360A1 US20050189360A1 US11/009,722 US972204A US2005189360A1 US 20050189360 A1 US20050189360 A1 US 20050189360A1 US 972204 A US972204 A US 972204A US 2005189360 A1 US2005189360 A1 US 2005189360A1
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- Prior art keywords
- side wall
- basket
- rim
- curved
- bottom panel
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- 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
- D06F95/002—Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor
Definitions
- the present disclosure is generally directed to laundry baskets, and more particularly to a laundry basket with a hip hugging feature.
- Laundry baskets are well known as aids for doing laundry, and particularly for carrying and transporting either dirty laundry items or already laundered items.
- a typical laundry basket is somewhat rectangular and has a contiguous side wall with two elongate walls and two shorter end walls. The basket also has a bottom panel coupled to the contiguous side wall, an op en top, and a basket interior.
- Laundry baskets are also known to have shapes that are not rectangular, such as round or cylindrical laundry baskets.
- a relatively recent improvement in laundry baskets is to provide the basket in a kidney-shape, wherein one of the elongate sides is slightly concavely curved inward toward the basket interior and the opposite elongate side is outwardly or convexly curved away from the basket interior.
- U.S. Design Pat. No. D416,116 (issued to Sofy) discloses an example of a laundry basket that is a hybrid of a non-rectangular basket shape and one that has an inwardly curved side.
- the inwardly curved side of such a laundry basket is typically used as an ergonomic tool to assist a user in carrying the basket, especially when it is loaded with laundry items.
- a user can rest the inwardly curved side of the basket against their hip, so that the basket rests on their pelvic bone or against their skin above the pelvic bone.
- the user can use their arm to grasp the opposite side of the basket to support and hold the basket with only one hand.
- the user has one hand free to open and close doors or to perform other needed tasks while carrying a load of laundry.
- Laundry baskets are typically made from a relatively smooth, shiny, and, thus, relatively slippery plastic material.
- a typical laundry basket has an outwardly rolled rim at the top end of the contiguous side wall. The exposed edge of the rolled rim typically is the portion of the basket that bears against the user's side, digging into the flesh of the user causing the discomfort.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a laundry basket with a hip hugging feature constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a top view of the laundry basket shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a handle of the laundry basket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the hip hugging feature illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a laundry basket with multiple hip hugging features constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- the present invention is generally directed to improving upon laundry baskets with a hip hugging feature.
- the problems discussed above that relate to hip hugger type laundry baskets are addressed herein by incorporating a cushion or padded element to the laundry basket at each location on the laundry basket that is curved for contact with a user's hip.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a laundry basket 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- the basket 10 includes a bottom panel 12 having a perimeter 14 and a contiguous side wall 16 that extends generally upward from the bottom panel perimeter.
- the bottom panel 12 and contiguous side wall 16 generally define a basket interior above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall.
- the bottom panel 12 can include ribs, ridges, and other suitable formations in the panel to provide structural rigidity, resting pads for the basket, and/or other features desired for a particular laundry basket. Additionally, it is well known in the art to form the bottom panel 12 and side wall 16 as an integral one-piece plastic molded structure. Any number of materials are suitable for forming such a laundry basket. These include, but are certainly not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or the like. The present invention is not intended to be limited to a particular material for the laundry basket 10 . Instead, hardness and surface characteristics of the basket material in comparison to other parts of the laundry basket come into play as discussed below. The material of the bottom panel and side wall are hereinafter referred to as the primary basket material.
- the side wall 16 can include a plurality of perforations or openings 20 passing through the wall to the interior 18 .
- the plural perforations 20 can be patterned, shaped, arranged, and configured as desired.
- the perforations permit air to reach laundry items held in the basket interior.
- the perforations 20 also aid in reducing the weight and the amount of material necessary to form the laundry basket 10 .
- the particular shape and placement of such perforations can be designed to provide a particular aesthetic appearance while retaining its necessary degree of structural rigidity.
- a lower end of the side wall 16 transitions into the perimeter of the bottom panel and the side wall terminates at an upper end 22 .
- a laundry basket such as the basket 10 to include an inverted rim 24 extending upward and outward from the upper end 22 of the side wall 16 .
- the rim 24 adds strength and rigidity to the overall structure of the basket 10 and also provides a smooth, blunt surface at the wall upper end 22 .
- the rim 24 is an arch with a concavely curved recessed underside.
- Higher end laundry baskets can include a plurality of ribs traversing across the underside of the rim structure for additional support and rigidity, though such ribs are not shown herein.
- the arched rim 24 includes a curved rim wall 26 that extends upward from the upper end 22 of the side wall 16 and gradually curves outwardly from the side wall and back down in the general direction of the bottom panel.
- a terminal edge of the rim wall 26 can include an enlarged thickness, integral plastic bead 30 , which can be rounded to reduce the sharpness of the exposed edge.
- the bead 30 can also add limited structural rigidity to the rim 24 and, hence to the basket 10 .
- the laundry basket 10 can also include one or more handles 32 provided at strategic locations on the side wall 16 near the upper end 22 .
- the structure of the handles 32 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
- the handles 32 are formed by providing a grip opening 34 through the side wall 16 near the upper end 22 but below the rim 24 at each desired location for a handle.
- a user can firmly grip the basket by wrapping their hands around the rim 24 at one or two handle locations and by passing their fingers and/or thumb through the grip opening 34 .
- handles need not be provided on a given laundry basket 10 .
- a user could simply grip the rim to carry such a basket.
- handles can be provided simply by adding surface contours, depressions, and/or the like to the rim 24 at desired handle locations. Such contours can be provided to identify handle locations to the user and to provide a comfortable grip on the rim 24 without actually providing grip openings 34 through the side wall of the basket.
- one or more of the handles 32 can be formed herein having a padded handle cover. This option is described in greater detail below.
- the side wall 16 in the disclosed example has a plurality of interconnected side wall sections.
- a pair of elongate side walls sections 40 and 42 are positioned opposite one another across the basket interior 18 and a pair of shorter end wall sections 44 and 46 are positioned opposite one another across the basket interior.
- the elongate side walls sections 40 and 42 are longer than the end wall sections 44 and 46 , thus, giving the laundry basket 10 an overall generally rectangular shape.
- the side wall sections are slightly curved as are the end wall sections providing a more or less kidney-shaped basket.
- the side wall section 40 is concavely curved inward into the basket interior 18 to provide a hip hugging feature.
- the side wall section 42 is convexly curved outward away from the basket interior.
- the side wall sections 40 and 42 generally follow the same contour, although this is also not necessary.
- the contour of the curvature or non-curvature of the side walls can be different between the two sections 40 and 42 , if desired.
- the end wall sections 44 and 46 each are convexly curved slightly outward away from the basket interior 18 giving the basket 10 rounded ends.
- the corners of the basket 10 where side wall sections 40 and 42 transition to end wall sections 44 and 46 are rounded in this example as well.
- the contiguous side wall 16 could take on any number of different configurations and constructions and need not have a kidney shape or a rectangular shape.
- the side wall 16 must have at least one side wall section or region that is inwardly curved like the side wall 40 to provide a hip hugging feature.
- a portion of the rim wall 26 of the rim 24 that corresponds the position of the inwardly curved side wall section 40 includes what is described herein as a cushion pad 50 .
- the cushion pad 50 is formed from a secondary material that is different from the primary material used to manufacture bottom panel 12 , side wall 16 , and the rim 24 of the laundry basket 10 .
- the secondary material of the cushion pad 50 is softer than the primary material and, thus, provides a cushioned area on the curved hip contacting portion of the basket 10 .
- the cushion pad 50 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) or other such relatively soft, resilient, and durable material.
- the cushion pad 50 can also be formed from a durable open cell foam with or without a skin layer, or can be formed from a closed cell foam material if desired.
- the secondary material of the cushion pad 50 has a lower Shore hardness, and thus is a less hard material as compared to the primary plastic material of the basket.
- the Shore hardness can be measured using any suitable Durometer apparatus and under either a Shore A or Shore D scale, for example.
- the thickness of the cushion pad 50 can also vary as desired for a particular basket application. As shown in FIG. 4 , however, the cushion pad 50 preferably covers a good portion of the rim wall 26 in the hip hugging region of the wall section 40 . In this example, the cushion pad 50 has a lower edge 52 that extends downward to cover at least most of the terminal end, which is the bead 30 in this example, of the rim 24 .
- the pad 50 has an upper edge 53 that extends upward along the rim wall 26 far enough to at least completely cover the outer facing side of the rim wall 26 .
- the cushion pad 50 will be the only material part that contacts a users hip during use.
- the wall section 40 in this example only the material of the cushion pad 50 is exposed and can contact the user's hip.
- the cushion pad 50 is also formed from a material that has a friction enhancing surface 54 .
- the friction enhancing surface preferably provides a higher coefficient of friction than the primary material of the laundry basket adjacent the cushion pad 50 .
- the friction enhancing surface can help to inhibit the laundry basket from sliding down the hip of a user while carrying a loaded basket 10 .
- the friction enhancing surface 54 can be formed on the pad in any suitable manner.
- the surface can be inherently formed as a part of the cushion pad 50 by utilizing a elastomer, rubber, or other suitable material that has an inherently tacky surface.
- the surface of the cushion pad 50 can be treated during its formation to provide the friction enhancing characteristic.
- a surface treatment can be added to or performed on the surface of the pad 50 to increase its tackiness.
- an additional layer (not shown) can be added to define the surface 54 of the cushion pad in order to render the surface more tacky. It is intended only that the friction enhancing surface 54 , if present, increase the coefficient of friction of the cushion pad 50 , as compared to the remaining exposed primary material of the laundry basket 10 .
- a recess or pocket 60 can effectively be formed, depending upon the manufacturing process utilized, in a hip hugging region 62 of the rim 24 on the basket 10 .
- the basket 10 including the recess 60 can be formed from the primary material in a basket mold by a suitable process, such as by injection molding.
- a separate process can be undertaken to form the cushion pad 50 from the secondary material to have a shape such that it can fit in and seat within the recess 60 .
- the pad 50 can subsequently be adhered within the recess 60 .
- the cushion pad 50 can be adhered using an adhesive, heat welding, molecular bonding, or other like means.
- the cushion pad 50 can be formed from the secondary material during an initial molding, extrusion, or other suitable process.
- the preformed pad 50 can then be placed as an insert into and held within a larger mold cavity configured to mold the laundry basket 10 .
- the laundry basket primary material can then be shot into the mold cavity to subsequently form the basket 10 around the pad 50 insert.
- the primary material of the laundry basket 10 would flow around the pad, form the shape of the recess 60 , and encompass the pad material other than the surfaces borne against the basket mold cavity.
- a recess 60 would be effectively formed in this example as well.
- the resulting basket and pad structure would be essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 4 and described in the first example.
- the molding processes, bulk materials, and material temperatures can be manipulated such that, during an insert or in-molding process, the secondary material of the cushion pad 50 and the primary material of the basket 10 become bonded with one another.
- an active adhesive layer can be added to the appropriate surfaces of the cushion pad 50 prior to being inserted into the basket mold cavity. The basket can then be molded around the pad 50 . The adhesive layer will activate to bond the cushion pad 50 to the primary material of the basket 10 .
- a basket can be formed having a uniform rim surface on the rim 24 with no recess 60 .
- An add-on cushion pad or cushion layer can simply be secured, adhered, molded onto, or otherwise attached to the uniform surface of the rim 24 . The effect would be the same in that a cushion pad would still be positioned in the hip hugging region 62 of the concavely curved side wall section 40 .
- a second hip hugging region can be added to another section of the basket side wall.
- a basket 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and has a first elongate inwardly curved side wall section 102 providing a first hip hugging rim region 104 .
- the basket 100 also has an inwardly curved end wall section 106 defining a second hip hugging rim region 108 .
- a user can hold the basket 100 with either the elongate side wall section 102 or the shorter end wall section 106 born against their hip as desired.
- each handle can also have a grip pad 110 that is constructed and formed in the same manner as the cushion pad 50 .
- the grip pad 110 can, if desired, also interact with a recess 112 effectively formed in the rim 24 of the basket 10 .
- each handle 32 can provide a comfortable grip that eliminates any sharp edges of the handle or rim at a handle location.
- the grip pad 110 can be formed from the same secondary material as the cushion pad, or some other material that is softer than the primary material of the basket.
Abstract
A laundry basket has a bottom panel with a perimeter. A contiguous side wall extends generally upward from the perimeter of the bottom panel and terminates at an upper end. A basket interior is defined above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall. A curved wall section of the side wall is curved concavely inward toward the basket interior. The bottom panel and the contiguous side wall, including the curved wall section, are formed of a primary material. A cushion pad is positioned generally at the upper end of the curved wall section and is formed from a secondary material that is softer than the primary material of the curved wall portion.
Description
- This patent is related to, claims priority from, and incorporates herein by reference co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/445,278, which was filed on Feb. 5, 2003.
- 1. Field of the Disclosure
- The present disclosure is generally directed to laundry baskets, and more particularly to a laundry basket with a hip hugging feature.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Laundry baskets are well known as aids for doing laundry, and particularly for carrying and transporting either dirty laundry items or already laundered items. A typical laundry basket is somewhat rectangular and has a contiguous side wall with two elongate walls and two shorter end walls. The basket also has a bottom panel coupled to the contiguous side wall, an op en top, and a basket interior. Laundry baskets are also known to have shapes that are not rectangular, such as round or cylindrical laundry baskets.
- A relatively recent improvement in laundry baskets is to provide the basket in a kidney-shape, wherein one of the elongate sides is slightly concavely curved inward toward the basket interior and the opposite elongate side is outwardly or convexly curved away from the basket interior. U.S. Design Pat. No. D416,116 (issued to Sofy) discloses an example of a laundry basket that is a hybrid of a non-rectangular basket shape and one that has an inwardly curved side.
- The inwardly curved side of such a laundry basket is typically used as an ergonomic tool to assist a user in carrying the basket, especially when it is loaded with laundry items. A user can rest the inwardly curved side of the basket against their hip, so that the basket rests on their pelvic bone or against their skin above the pelvic bone. The user can use their arm to grasp the opposite side of the basket to support and hold the basket with only one hand. Thus, the user has one hand free to open and close doors or to perform other needed tasks while carrying a load of laundry.
- One problem with this type of laundry basket is that the inwardly curved edge of the basket can dig into a user's hip which can cause discomfort. Another problem is that the basket can slip from their hip relatively easily while it is being carried. Laundry baskets are typically made from a relatively smooth, shiny, and, thus, relatively slippery plastic material. Further, a typical laundry basket has an outwardly rolled rim at the top end of the contiguous side wall. The exposed edge of the rolled rim typically is the portion of the basket that bears against the user's side, digging into the flesh of the user causing the discomfort.
- Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a laundry basket with a hip hugging feature constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the laundry basket shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a handle of the laundry basket shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and taken along line III-III inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the hip hugging feature illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 and taken along line IV-IV ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a laundry basket with multiple hip hugging features constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. - The present invention is generally directed to improving upon laundry baskets with a hip hugging feature. The problems discussed above that relate to hip hugger type laundry baskets are addressed herein by incorporating a cushion or padded element to the laundry basket at each location on the laundry basket that is curved for contact with a user's hip.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate alaundry basket 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Thebasket 10 includes abottom panel 12 having aperimeter 14 and acontiguous side wall 16 that extends generally upward from the bottom panel perimeter. Thebottom panel 12 andcontiguous side wall 16 generally define a basket interior above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall. - As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art, the
bottom panel 12 can include ribs, ridges, and other suitable formations in the panel to provide structural rigidity, resting pads for the basket, and/or other features desired for a particular laundry basket. Additionally, it is well known in the art to form thebottom panel 12 andside wall 16 as an integral one-piece plastic molded structure. Any number of materials are suitable for forming such a laundry basket. These include, but are certainly not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or the like. The present invention is not intended to be limited to a particular material for thelaundry basket 10. Instead, hardness and surface characteristics of the basket material in comparison to other parts of the laundry basket come into play as discussed below. The material of the bottom panel and side wall are hereinafter referred to as the primary basket material. - Also as is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art, the
side wall 16 can include a plurality of perforations oropenings 20 passing through the wall to theinterior 18. Theplural perforations 20 can be patterned, shaped, arranged, and configured as desired. Typically, the perforations permit air to reach laundry items held in the basket interior. Theperforations 20 also aid in reducing the weight and the amount of material necessary to form thelaundry basket 10. However, the particular shape and placement of such perforations can be designed to provide a particular aesthetic appearance while retaining its necessary degree of structural rigidity. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , a lower end of theside wall 16 transitions into the perimeter of the bottom panel and the side wall terminates at anupper end 22. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 , it is common for a laundry basket such as thebasket 10 to include an invertedrim 24 extending upward and outward from theupper end 22 of theside wall 16. Therim 24 adds strength and rigidity to the overall structure of thebasket 10 and also provides a smooth, blunt surface at the wallupper end 22. In this example, therim 24 is an arch with a concavely curved recessed underside. Higher end laundry baskets can include a plurality of ribs traversing across the underside of the rim structure for additional support and rigidity, though such ribs are not shown herein. - In this disclosed example, the
arched rim 24 includes acurved rim wall 26 that extends upward from theupper end 22 of theside wall 16 and gradually curves outwardly from the side wall and back down in the general direction of the bottom panel. A terminal edge of therim wall 26 can include an enlarged thickness, integral plastic bead 30, which can be rounded to reduce the sharpness of the exposed edge. The bead 30 can also add limited structural rigidity to therim 24 and, hence to thebasket 10. - As depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 3 , thelaundry basket 10 can also include one ormore handles 32 provided at strategic locations on theside wall 16 near theupper end 22. The structure of thehandles 32 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the disclosed example, thehandles 32 are formed by providing a grip opening 34 through theside wall 16 near theupper end 22 but below therim 24 at each desired location for a handle. Thus, a user can firmly grip the basket by wrapping their hands around therim 24 at one or two handle locations and by passing their fingers and/or thumb through the grip opening 34. - As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, handles need not be provided on a given
laundry basket 10. A user could simply grip the rim to carry such a basket. Alternatively, handles can be provided simply by adding surface contours, depressions, and/or the like to therim 24 at desired handle locations. Such contours can be provided to identify handle locations to the user and to provide a comfortable grip on therim 24 without actually providinggrip openings 34 through the side wall of the basket. - As an option, one or more of the
handles 32 can be formed herein having a padded handle cover. This option is described in greater detail below. - Returning again to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theside wall 16 in the disclosed example has a plurality of interconnected side wall sections. A pair of elongateside walls sections end wall sections side walls sections end wall sections laundry basket 10 an overall generally rectangular shape. However, the side wall sections are slightly curved as are the end wall sections providing a more or less kidney-shaped basket. - Specifically, the
side wall section 40 is concavely curved inward into the basket interior 18 to provide a hip hugging feature. Though not necessary, theside wall section 42 is convexly curved outward away from the basket interior. In this example, theside wall sections sections - In this example, the
end wall sections basket 10 rounded ends. The corners of thebasket 10 whereside wall sections wall sections contiguous side wall 16 could take on any number of different configurations and constructions and need not have a kidney shape or a rectangular shape. However, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, theside wall 16 must have at least one side wall section or region that is inwardly curved like theside wall 40 to provide a hip hugging feature. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4 , a portion of therim wall 26 of therim 24 that corresponds the position of the inwardly curvedside wall section 40 includes what is described herein as acushion pad 50. In the disclosed example, as best illustrated inFIG. 4 , thecushion pad 50 is formed from a secondary material that is different from the primary material used to manufacturebottom panel 12,side wall 16, and therim 24 of thelaundry basket 10. The secondary material of thecushion pad 50 is softer than the primary material and, thus, provides a cushioned area on the curved hip contacting portion of thebasket 10. In one example, thecushion pad 50 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) or other such relatively soft, resilient, and durable material. In another example, thecushion pad 50 can also be formed from a durable open cell foam with or without a skin layer, or can be formed from a closed cell foam material if desired. - Preferably, the secondary material of the
cushion pad 50 has a lower Shore hardness, and thus is a less hard material as compared to the primary plastic material of the basket. The Shore hardness can be measured using any suitable Durometer apparatus and under either a Shore A or Shore D scale, for example. The thickness of thecushion pad 50 can also vary as desired for a particular basket application. As shown inFIG. 4 , however, thecushion pad 50 preferably covers a good portion of therim wall 26 in the hip hugging region of thewall section 40. In this example, thecushion pad 50 has alower edge 52 that extends downward to cover at least most of the terminal end, which is the bead 30 in this example, of therim 24. Also in this example, thepad 50 has anupper edge 53 that extends upward along therim wall 26 far enough to at least completely cover the outer facing side of therim wall 26. In this manner, thecushion pad 50 will be the only material part that contacts a users hip during use. For thewall section 40 in this example, only the material of thecushion pad 50 is exposed and can contact the user's hip. - In one example, the
cushion pad 50 is also formed from a material that has afriction enhancing surface 54. The friction enhancing surface preferably provides a higher coefficient of friction than the primary material of the laundry basket adjacent thecushion pad 50. The friction enhancing surface can help to inhibit the laundry basket from sliding down the hip of a user while carrying a loadedbasket 10. - The
friction enhancing surface 54 can be formed on the pad in any suitable manner. For example, the surface can be inherently formed as a part of thecushion pad 50 by utilizing a elastomer, rubber, or other suitable material that has an inherently tacky surface. In one alternative, the surface of thecushion pad 50 can be treated during its formation to provide the friction enhancing characteristic. In another alternative, a surface treatment can be added to or performed on the surface of thepad 50 to increase its tackiness. As a further alternative, an additional layer (not shown) can be added to define thesurface 54 of the cushion pad in order to render the surface more tacky. It is intended only that thefriction enhancing surface 54, if present, increase the coefficient of friction of thecushion pad 50, as compared to the remaining exposed primary material of thelaundry basket 10. - A number of methods and constructions can be employed to provide or create the
cushion pad 50 on the inwardly curved elongateside wall section 40 of thelaundry basket 10 disclosed herein. As represented inFIG. 4 , a recess orpocket 60 can effectively be formed, depending upon the manufacturing process utilized, in ahip hugging region 62 of therim 24 on thebasket 10. In one example, thebasket 10 including therecess 60 can be formed from the primary material in a basket mold by a suitable process, such as by injection molding. A separate process can be undertaken to form thecushion pad 50 from the secondary material to have a shape such that it can fit in and seat within therecess 60. Thepad 50 can subsequently be adhered within therecess 60. In such a process, thecushion pad 50 can be adhered using an adhesive, heat welding, molecular bonding, or other like means. - In another alternative example, the
cushion pad 50 can be formed from the secondary material during an initial molding, extrusion, or other suitable process. The preformedpad 50 can then be placed as an insert into and held within a larger mold cavity configured to mold thelaundry basket 10. The laundry basket primary material can then be shot into the mold cavity to subsequently form thebasket 10 around thepad 50 insert. The primary material of thelaundry basket 10 would flow around the pad, form the shape of therecess 60, and encompass the pad material other than the surfaces borne against the basket mold cavity. Arecess 60 would be effectively formed in this example as well. The resulting basket and pad structure would be essentially the same as that shown inFIG. 4 and described in the first example. - The molding processes, bulk materials, and material temperatures can be manipulated such that, during an insert or in-molding process, the secondary material of the
cushion pad 50 and the primary material of thebasket 10 become bonded with one another. Alternatively, an active adhesive layer can be added to the appropriate surfaces of thecushion pad 50 prior to being inserted into the basket mold cavity. The basket can then be molded around thepad 50. The adhesive layer will activate to bond thecushion pad 50 to the primary material of thebasket 10. - In another alternative, though not shown, a basket can be formed having a uniform rim surface on the
rim 24 with norecess 60. An add-on cushion pad or cushion layer can simply be secured, adhered, molded onto, or otherwise attached to the uniform surface of therim 24. The effect would be the same in that a cushion pad would still be positioned in thehip hugging region 62 of the concavely curvedside wall section 40. - In an alternative embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5 , a second hip hugging region can be added to another section of the basket side wall. Abasket 100 is illustrated inFIG. 5 and has a first elongate inwardly curvedside wall section 102 providing a first hip huggingrim region 104. Thebasket 100 also has an inwardly curvedend wall section 106 defining a second hip huggingrim region 108. A user can hold thebasket 100 with either the elongateside wall section 102 or the shorterend wall section 106 born against their hip as desired. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , each handle can also have agrip pad 110 that is constructed and formed in the same manner as thecushion pad 50. Thegrip pad 110 can, if desired, also interact with arecess 112 effectively formed in therim 24 of thebasket 10. Thus, each handle 32 can provide a comfortable grip that eliminates any sharp edges of the handle or rim at a handle location. Thegrip pad 110 can be formed from the same secondary material as the cushion pad, or some other material that is softer than the primary material of the basket. - Although certain laundry basket examples have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
Claims (11)
1. A laundry basket comprising:
a bottom panel having a perimeter;
a contiguous side wall extending generally upward from the perimeter of the bottom panel and terminating at an upper end;
a basket interior defined above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall;
a curved wall section of the side wall that is curved concavely inward toward the basket interior, the bottom panel and contiguous side wall including the curved wall section being formed of a primary material; and
a cushion pad positioned generally at the upper end of the curved wall section, the cushion pad being formed from a secondary material that is softer than the primary material of the curved wall portion.
2. A laundry basket according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a rim provided along and extending outward from the upper end of the side wall, the cushion pad being positioned on and covering outwardly facing surfaces of a rim section that positionally coincide with the curved wall section.
3. A laundry basket according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary material of the cushion pad has an exposed surface that has a higher coefficient of friction that the primary material of the basket.
4. A laundry basket according to claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one handle provided near the upper end of the side wall and positioned opposite the curved wall section.
5. A laundry basket according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a handle grip formed on the handle from a material that is softer than the primary material of the basket.
6. A laundry basket according to claim 2 , further comprising:
at least one handle provided on the rim of the side wall and positioned on the rim opposite the curved wall section; and
a handle grip formed covering a section of the rim that corresponds with the position of the handle, the handle grip being formed from a material that is softer than that primary material of the basket.
7. A laundry basket according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary material is thermoplastic elastomer.
8. A laundry basket comprising:
a bottom panel having a perimeter;
a contiguous side wall extending generally upward from the perimeter of the bottom panel, the side wall terminating at an upper end;
a rim formed extending around and generally outwardly from the upper end of the side wall;
a basket interior defined above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall;
a curved wall section of the side wall that is curved concavely inward toward the basket interior, the bottom panel and contiguous side wall including the curved wall section being formed of a primary material;
a recess formed in the rim and positioned to coincide with the curved wall section;
at least one handle provided on the side wall near the upper end and positioned opposite the curved wall section; and
a cushion pad positioned in the recess, the cushion pad being formed from a secondary material that is softer than the primary material of the curved wall portion.
9. A laundry basket according to claim 8 , wherein the side wall has a pair of opposed elongate side sections and a pair of opposed shorter end sections, wherein the curved wall section is one of the pair of side sections, and wherein the at least one handle is provided on the other of the pair of side sections.
10. A laundry basket according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a second inwardly curved wall section formed on one of the pair of end sections.
11. A laundry basket according to claim 10 , further comprising:
at least a second handle provided on the other of the pair of end sections.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/009,722 US20050189360A1 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-12-10 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US44527803P | 2003-02-05 | 2003-02-05 | |
US10/773,389 US7677408B2 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-02-05 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
US11/009,722 US20050189360A1 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-12-10 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/773,389 Continuation US7677408B2 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-02-05 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050189360A1 true US20050189360A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
Family
ID=34890326
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/773,389 Expired - Fee Related US7677408B2 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-02-05 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
US11/009,722 Abandoned US20050189360A1 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-12-10 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/773,389 Expired - Fee Related US7677408B2 (en) | 2003-02-05 | 2004-02-05 | Laundry basket with hip hugging feature |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US7677408B2 (en) |
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US20070210126A1 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2007-09-13 | Textron Inc. | Sweater basket |
US20080164640A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-07-10 | Target Brands, Inc. | Method of molding a shopping cart |
US20090014971A1 (en) * | 2005-09-19 | 2009-01-15 | Target Brands, Inc. | Shopping cart base |
US20090084803A1 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Seb S.A. | Cookware Handle With a Hollow Structure |
US20090083944A1 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Seb S.A. | Cookware Handle with Compressible Grip |
US20090152280A1 (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2009-06-18 | Frano Luburic | Container apparatus and related methods |
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US20100044982A1 (en) * | 2008-08-25 | 2010-02-25 | Vered Meiri | Shopping Cart With Modular Reusable Containers |
US7780036B2 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2010-08-24 | Target Brands, Inc. | Handbasket |
USD623374S1 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2010-09-07 | Target Brands, Inc. | Shopping cart base |
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USD738624S1 (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2015-09-15 | Bemis Manufacturing Company | Handbasket |
US20160113372A1 (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2016-04-28 | Frank Perlik | Receptacle having locking handles |
FR3031733A1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-22 | Laguelle | PORTABLE CONTAINER SUCH AS A CUPETTE, A BASIN OR A LAUNDRY BASKET, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A CONTAINER |
US9481960B2 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2016-11-01 | Hms Mfg. Co. | Body engaging concave container |
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USD775435S1 (en) * | 2013-04-29 | 2016-12-27 | Valco Companies, Inc. | Feeder |
USD785940S1 (en) | 2015-07-17 | 2017-05-09 | Continental Commercial Products, Llc | Tote container |
US10414546B2 (en) * | 2017-08-10 | 2019-09-17 | Home Products International—North America, Inc. | Stackable container |
USD904706S1 (en) * | 2019-01-31 | 2020-12-08 | Plast-Meccanica Societa' per Azioni | Basket |
USD906611S1 (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-12-29 | Sam Tung Tsui | Collapsible laundry basket |
USD964786S1 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2022-09-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | Display fixture |
US20220341088A1 (en) * | 2021-04-24 | 2022-10-27 | Kid Kind LLC | Under Furniture Laundry Receptacle |
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US20130043258A1 (en) * | 2011-08-18 | 2013-02-21 | Joseph F. Cerri, III | Container with integrated dispensing chute |
US20130062357A1 (en) * | 2011-09-01 | 2013-03-14 | Craig Souza | Ergonomic laundry basket |
US8910857B1 (en) | 2013-07-01 | 2014-12-16 | Brian Hegarty | Laundry basket |
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USD416116S (en) * | 1998-08-18 | 1999-11-02 | Hms Mfg. Co. | Laundry basket |
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US20090014971A1 (en) * | 2005-09-19 | 2009-01-15 | Target Brands, Inc. | Shopping cart base |
US7793948B2 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2010-09-14 | Target Brands, Inc. | Method of assembling a shopping cart |
USD623374S1 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2010-09-07 | Target Brands, Inc. | Shopping cart base |
US7780036B2 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2010-08-24 | Target Brands, Inc. | Handbasket |
US7959166B2 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2011-06-14 | Target Brands, Inc. | Shopping cart with a base and a basket |
US20070210126A1 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2007-09-13 | Textron Inc. | Sweater basket |
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US20080164640A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-07-10 | Target Brands, Inc. | Method of molding a shopping cart |
US7780902B2 (en) | 2007-01-05 | 2010-08-24 | Target Brands, Inc. | Method of molding a shopping cart |
US20090084803A1 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Seb S.A. | Cookware Handle With a Hollow Structure |
US20090083944A1 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Seb S.A. | Cookware Handle with Compressible Grip |
US8132689B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2012-03-13 | Seb S.A. | Cookware handle with a hollow structure |
US8046876B2 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2011-11-01 | Seb S.A. | Cookware handle with compressible grip |
WO2009075686A1 (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2009-06-18 | Ropak Corporation | Container apparatus and related methods |
US20090152280A1 (en) * | 2007-12-13 | 2009-06-18 | Frano Luburic | Container apparatus and related methods |
US8256640B2 (en) | 2007-12-13 | 2012-09-04 | Ropak Corporation | Container apparatus and related methods |
US20100044982A1 (en) * | 2008-08-25 | 2010-02-25 | Vered Meiri | Shopping Cart With Modular Reusable Containers |
US20110042250A1 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-02-24 | Christopher J. Cruce | Golf ball picker basket and method |
US8317019B2 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2012-11-27 | Christopher J. Cruce | Golf ball picker basket and method |
USD730588S1 (en) * | 2013-04-29 | 2015-05-26 | Valco Companies, Inc. | Feeder |
USD775435S1 (en) * | 2013-04-29 | 2016-12-27 | Valco Companies, Inc. | Feeder |
USD738624S1 (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2015-09-15 | Bemis Manufacturing Company | Handbasket |
US9481960B2 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2016-11-01 | Hms Mfg. Co. | Body engaging concave container |
US20160113372A1 (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2016-04-28 | Frank Perlik | Receptacle having locking handles |
US10201218B2 (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2019-02-12 | Frank Perlik | Receptacle having locking handles |
FR3031733A1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-22 | Laguelle | PORTABLE CONTAINER SUCH AS A CUPETTE, A BASIN OR A LAUNDRY BASKET, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A CONTAINER |
USD785940S1 (en) | 2015-07-17 | 2017-05-09 | Continental Commercial Products, Llc | Tote container |
USD771339S1 (en) | 2015-09-30 | 2016-11-08 | Bway Corporation | Round pail |
USD782769S1 (en) | 2015-09-30 | 2017-03-28 | Bway Corporation | Round pail |
US10414546B2 (en) * | 2017-08-10 | 2019-09-17 | Home Products International—North America, Inc. | Stackable container |
USD906611S1 (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-12-29 | Sam Tung Tsui | Collapsible laundry basket |
USD964786S1 (en) * | 2018-08-09 | 2022-09-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | Display fixture |
USD904706S1 (en) * | 2019-01-31 | 2020-12-08 | Plast-Meccanica Societa' per Azioni | Basket |
USD1010236S1 (en) * | 2020-12-23 | 2024-01-02 | Katherine Blackshaw | Concave sided animal carrier |
US20220341088A1 (en) * | 2021-04-24 | 2022-10-27 | Kid Kind LLC | Under Furniture Laundry Receptacle |
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US11952709B2 (en) * | 2022-04-04 | 2024-04-09 | Kid Kind LLC | Under furniture laundry receptacle |
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US20080128436A1 (en) | 2008-06-05 |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |