US20090184141A1

US20090184141A1 - Garment drying device

Info

Publication number: US20090184141A1
Application number: US12/018,687
Authority: US
Inventors: Dave Marino; Tara Marino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-23
Filing date: 2008-01-23
Publication date: 2009-07-23

Abstract

A garment drying device configured to care for drying garments, comprising: a pocket and a sachet disposed within the pocket. A loop securing member is coupled to a top portion of the device, wherein the loop securing member extends outwardly from the top portion of the device. The device includes a loop hanging member, wherein the loop hanging member extends upwardly from the top portion of the device. The loop hanging member may be coupled at opposite ends of the top portion of the device. The loop members may be made of a flexible textile material. The pockets are substantially air-permeable. The device also includes a plurality of loop securing members and a plurality of pockets disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the device. A loop length of the loop securing member is substantially identical to a depth of the pocket, and vice versa.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §120, U.S. Design Application No.: 29/282,519, entitled Garment Drying Device, by Marino, filed on Jul. 23, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drying device, specifically garment drying devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Delicate garments are hand washed and air-dried. The prior art is replete with various configurations of laundry hangers and drying racks, which dry clothing naturally in the air or under the sun. Garment support frames for drying, stretching, or shaping are well known. While it is common practice at home or when traveling to wash garments and hang them up to dry on plastic hangers, shower curtain rods, towel bars, and the like, such expedients are often ineffective to the extent that the garments dry slowly and may not be fully dry when they are needed for wear. Problems of slow drying could also arise with some of the devices disclosed in the patents below; however, since those devices are not primarily intended for use by travelers, the dilemma presented to a traveler when clothing is urgently needed for wearing or packing but is too damp for either purpose is not fully considered. Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below, and the supported teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No.: 2,998,903, issued to Day, discloses a garment drying hanger and more particularly to such a device which shall hold the garment in the general shape as when worn whereby the garment does not wrinkle while drying and free circulation of air is provided adjacent the inner surface of the garment as well as adjacent the outer surface thereof.
U.S. Pat. No.: 3,739,492, issued to Brooks, discloses a portable dryer for clothes or the like having an inflatable bag made from a material which is impervious to air and moisture, in which are placed the clothes or other articles to be dried, and a motor-driven fan within the bag for inflating the bag and blowing a current of air downwardly over the clothes to dry the same rapidly, thus maintaining the bag in the fully inflated state, out of contact with the articles being dried, without any supporting framework.
U.S. Pat. No.: 4,033,538, issued to Levy, discloses a support of the suspended type in a form specifically designed for use in drying drip dry apparel, wet clothing, and the like. It may be used to advantage in the bathroom, when it is suspended above the shower doors on the square beam of the shower enclosure, and it is made adjustable to fit all shower door beams which are of different widths. No installation is required and it is put on and taken off the shower door beam with ease, and does not interfere with the opening and closing of the shower doors, therefore it may be left on permanently. In changing from one shower door beam to another of different width the device is simply adjusted. It is completely collapsible as it comes all apart and breaks down to fit into a very minimum of luggage space when traveling. The device can be made of sheet metal wire, plastic, and other materials.
U.S. Pat. No.: 4,728,016, issued to McPhee, discloses a hanger especially adapted for supporting washed garments for rapid drying. The hanger includes a garment-supporting hoop having a central hub with a suspension hook capable of being detached and/or folded for storage and travel.
U.S. Pat. No.: 4,815,219, issued to Binger, discloses attachments for portable hair dryers for drying other than hair, and specifically to a flexible, inflatable attachment into which can be placed delicate items of apparel, which can then be attached to a portable hair dryer for directing heated air through and around these apparel items for the purpose of drying them in a short time.
U.S. Pat. No.: 5,152,077, issued to Liang, discloses a clothes drying machine comprising a housing having a drying chamber at the top thereof for drying the clothes hung therein, and an installation chamber at the bottom into which two air fans and a compressor-operated heat exchanger circulation coil are installed to produce heated convection currents circulating through said drying chamber and said installation chamber to an exhaust wherein moisture is carried out of the housing of the machine and thereby permitting dry, hot air currents to be continuously delivered into said drying chamber to dry clothes hung therein.
U.S. Pat. No.: 5,555,640, issued to Ou, discloses a multipurpose household drying center which can provide versatile drying functions for a wide variety of clothing, fabric articles and other household goods. A blower and a heating chamber are disposed on the top portion of a cabinet to generate forced and heated air downward into a drying chamber in the cabinet below the heating chamber. There are horizontally disposed heat diffusion plates under the heating chamber and vertically disposed air ducts on the side walls of the cabinet to enable heated air to be evenly distributed and filled in the drying chamber for uniform drying of the goods held therein. A support stand having a horizontal and rectangular frame secured on the top ends of a pair of spaced and vertical telescopically structured tubes is disposed within the drying chamber. The rectangular frame is spaced from the top, bottom and side walls of the drying chamber. The support stand can support a device for hanging clothes, can allow large size or bulky goods be draped there over, and can support a wire basket for holding delicate or odd shape goods for drying. There are side rods on the side walls for hanging articles. A base grid is provided above the bottom wall to hold heavy or odd shape goods for drying. The clothes and goods are dried without tumbling, thus avoiding fraying or wrinkles.
U.S. Pat. No.: 5,592,750, issued to Eichten, discloses a drier for articles of clothing including a suitcase-like container having a storage section and an equipment section divided by a base plate. A plurality of conduit members are initially stored in the storage section, and can be removed and selectively assembled into various rack configurations on which articles of clothing may be hung or drying. The conduit members are assembled into one or more racks that are mounted on the base plate in communication with an equal number of conduit openings. A blower and heater disposed within the equipment section draw air through an air inlet, heat that air, and force it through the conduit openings and upwardly through the conduit members. The heated air is expelled through a multiplicity of air outlet apertures disposed within the articles of clothing being dried. A fragrance dispenser operating in conjunction with the blower can uniformly dispense a deodorizer or preferred scent throughout the articles of clothing.
U.S. Pat. No.: 5,666,743, issued to Dawson, discloses an apparel conditioner system of this invention includes an apparel conditioning device that can be used to dry and deodorize apparel. The apparel conditioning device can be supported inside an outer enclosure to comprise an apparel conditioner system used to improve the deodorizing of apparel along with drying the apparel. The apparel conditioning device includes a fan to force ambient air through an air passage defined within a housing of the apparel conditioning device. An adjustable apparel rack is positioned within the air flow passage using an adjustable rack mount. The position of the apparel rack is selected for supporting and holding the apparel such that a flow of ambient air can circulate to the inside surfaces of apparel having an inside surfaces and envelop the outside surfaces of the apparel at the same time. The fan has a speed adjustment to obtain a velocity of the flow of the ambient air to improve the circulation in and envelopment around the apparel. Apparel includes not only any article of clothing but also sporting gear.
U.S. Pat. No.: 7,036,670, issued to Lam, discloses a garment drying apparatus (200) is provided having a frame (201), a porous net (204), an adjustable width garment hanger (202) and a hook (203) to support said adjustable width garment hanger; slip proof pads (205, 206) are provided to support said frame to rest at an acute angle from the floor.
U.S. Pat. No.: 7,178,265, issued to Ford, discloses an ambient air clothes dryer is an automated device providing axial flow of unheated ambient air through the dryer drum. The dryer may include different drum drive systems, timer and/or humidity detector controls, and a configuration utilizing a separate, portable fan for temporary, removable installation with the dryer housing to provide airflow through the drum. The ambient air dryer greatly reduces energy requirements for drying laundry when compared to conventional heated air dryers, and is quite effective in warm and/or dry climates. The ambient air dryer is portable and may be used indoors or outdoors. The device may be configured to use twelve-volt power from a motor vehicle for use in camping. When used indoors, the device may be placed with a heat source (heat register, etc.) to draw warm air through the drum while humidifying the air as it passes through damp laundry in the drum.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2002/0025749, by Shimizu et al., discloses a moisture absorptive and dischargeable cloth comprising a hydrophobic synthetic fiber in a proportion of not less than 60 wt %, and moisture highly absorptive and dischargeable organic fine particles comprising an acrylic polymer having a cross linking structure and a carboxyl group in a salt form, wherein the organic fine particles are bonded to the surface of the fiber by graft polymerization. The moisture absorptive and dischargeable cloth of the present invention shows extremely high moisture absorption as compared to an unprocessed cloth, and shows superior moisture absorption-heat generation-temperature rise property and moisture absorption-heat generation/moisture discharge-cooling property. When the cloth of the present invention is used for clothing, it quickly absorbs moisture and heat in the clothing and discharges them into the air, thus controlling the weather within clothing, as a result of which sweatiness and stickiness are reduced and a smooth touch is afforded. In addition, since it is superior in resistance to washing and resistance to friction, the moisture absorption and discharge property can be maintained for a long time.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2005/0166419, by Regelski, discloses a clothes-drying apparatus includes a cabinet and a plurality of shelves associated with the cabinet. The shelves being movable between a first position wherein they are disposed substantially entirely within the cabinet and a second position wherein they extend at least partially from within the cabinet. The shelves define a plurality of small-diameter holes therethrough. At least one fan is disposed in association with the cabinet and creates a flow of air within and/or through the cabinet.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include being limited in application, being limited in versatility, being expensive, being cumbersome to use, being awkward in use, and being impractical.
What is needed is a garment drying device that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available garment drying device. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a simple and effective device to dry garments.
A garment drying device configured to care for drying garments, may comprise of a pocket. The device includes a sachet disposed within the pocket, wherein the sachet may be scented. A loop securing member may be coupled to the device, wherein the loop securing member may be extending outwardly from a top portion of the garment drying device. A loop hanging member may also be coupled to the device, wherein the loop hanging member may be extending upwardly from the top portion of the garment drying device. The loop hanging member may be coupled at opposite ends of the top portion of the garment drying device. The loop securing and hanging members may be made of a flexible textile material. The pocket of the device may be substantially air-permeable.
The device may also include a plurality of loop securing members disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the garment drying device. The device may further include a plurality of pockets disposed in a downward an array configuration from the top portion of the garment drying device. The loop securing member may include a loop length which may be substantially identical to a depth of the pocket. The depth of the pocket may be substantially identical to the loop length of the loop securing member. The loop length configuration of the garment drying device, may dispose the garment about the pocket, wherein the sachet disposed within the pocket may scent the garment during the drying process. The device may be made of a textile, or a combination of textiles.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of a garment drying device, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.
Each statement of an embodiment or example is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
Looking to the figures, there is shown a garment drying device 10 configured to care for drying garments comprises a pocket 12, wherein the pocket 12 includes a sachet 14 disposed within the pocket 12. The sachet 14 includes a scented material, wherein the sachet 14 imparts a pleasant scent. The device 10 includes a loop securing member 16, wherein the loop securing member 16 extends outwardly from a top portion 18 of the garment drying device 10. The device 10 also includes a loop hanging member 20, wherein the loop hanging member 20 extends upwardly from the top portion 18 of the garment drying device 10. The loop securing member 16 and the loop hanging member 20 comprises a flexible textile material. The loop hanging member 20 is coupled at opposite ends of the top portion 18 of the garment drying device 10. The pocket 12 of the garment drying device 10 is substantially air-permeable. The substantially air-permeable pocket 12 enables the sachet 14 to impart the pleasant scent.
The device 10 further includes a plurality of loop securing members 16, 22, 24 disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion 18 of the garment drying device 10. The device 10 also includes a plurality of pockets 12, 26, 28 disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion 18 of the garment drying device 10. The loop securing members 16, 22, 24 include a loop length 32 which is substantially identical to a depth 30 of the pockets 12, 26, 28. The depth 30 of the pockets 12, 26, 28 is substantially identical to the loop length 32 of the loop securing members 16, 22, 24. The device 10 is made of a textile, or a combination of textiles.
Furthermore, the loop securing members 16, 22, 24 are configured to couple to a garment, wherein the garment is disposed about the pocket 12 of the garment drying device 10. Thereby, during the drying process the garment will be scented by the sachet 14 disposed within the pocket 12. In another embodiment of the garment drying device 10, the sachet 14 includes a loosely woven textile, wherein the loosely woven textile is substantially air permeable such that it enables the scented material to scent the area around the pocket 12 during typical usage.
In operation of one embodiment of the garment drying device 10, a user, after washing a garment, couples the garment to a loop securing member 16, 22, 24 of the device. The user disposes the garment about the middle of the loop securing member 16, 22, 24 and couples the loop end of the loop securing member to a button. The sachet 14 disposed in the pocket 12 of the device 10 imparts a pleasant scent to the garment while in the drying process. The loop hanging member 20 may be coupled to but not limited to: a door knob, a hook, a cabinet knob, a towel rack, a clothing rack, an ironing board, etc., wherein the device 10 is supported during the drying process. The garment drying device 10 may be permanently disposed in a room of a home; one example of a room in a home may be but not limited to a laundry room.
In operation of one embodiment of the garment drying device 10, a user, after washing a garment, couples the garment to a loop securing member 16, 22, 24 of the device. The user disposes the garment about the middle of the loop securing member 16, 22, 24 and couples the loop end of the loop securing member to a button. The sachet 14 disposed in the pocket 12 of the device 10 imparts a pleasant scent to the garment while in the drying process. In addition, the device 10 may be used to transport garments during travel. The configuration of the device 10 enables the user to store and transport garments in an organized manner, wherein the garments do not tangle or become damaged during transporting.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the figures illustrate a plurality of pockets and a plurality of loop securing members configured in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the device, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the configuration may be horizontal, diagonal, and substantially horizontal and still perform its intended function.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate a plurality of pockets and a plurality of loop securing members, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the pockets and loop securing members may vary in size, shape, configuration, design, length, depth, width, color, material, number, and still perform its intended function.
It is also envisioned that one skilled in the art would appreciate that the loop hanging member may vary in size, shape, configuration, design, length, depth, width, color, material, and still perform its intended function.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the loop hanging member may be coupled to, but not limited to, a door knob, a shower rod, a towel rack, a closet handle, and still perform its intended function.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, textiles or a combination of textiles.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.

Claims

1. A garment drying device configured to care for drying garments, comprising:

a) a pocket;

b) a sachet disposed within the pocket;

c) a loop securing member, extending outwardly from a top portion of the pocket; and

d) a loop hanging member, extending upwardly from the top portion of the pocket.

2. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the loop hanging member is coupled at opposite ends of the top portion of the garment drying device.

3. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the loop members are flexible textile material.

4. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the pocket is substantially air-permeable.

5. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a plurality of loop securing members disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the garment drying device.

6. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a plurality of pockets disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the garment drying device.

7. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein a loop length of the loop securing member is substantially identical to a depth of the pocket.

8. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises textile material.

9. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the sachet is scented.

10. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the loop securing member is positioned near a vertical center of the pocket.

11. A garment drying device of claim 1, wherein the loop securing member is configured to dispose a garment about the pocket of the garment drying device.

12. A garment drying device configured to care for drying garments, comprising:

a) plurality of pockets disposed in a downward array;

b) a sachet disposed within one of the plurality of pockets;

c) a loop securing member, extending outwardly from a top portion of the plurality of pockets; and

d) a loop hanging member, extending upwardly from the top portion of the plurality of pockets.

13. A garment drying device of claim 12, wherein the loop hanging member is coupled at opposite ends of the top portion of the garment drying device.

14. A garment drying device of claim 13, wherein the loop members are flexible.

15. A garment drying device of claim 14, wherein one of the plurality pockets is substantially air-permeable.

16. A garment drying device of claim 15, wherein the device includes a plurality of loop securing members disposed in a downward array configuration from the top portion of the garment drying device.

17. A garment drying device of claim 16, wherein a loop length of the loop securing member is substantially identical to a depth of the pocket.

18. A garment drying device of claim 17, wherein the loop securing member is positioned near a vertical center of the pocket.

19. A garment drying device of claim 18, wherein the loop securing member is configured to dispose a garment about the pocket of the garment drying device.

20. A garment drying device configured to care for drying garments, comprising:

a) plurality of air-permeable pockets disposed in a downward array;

b) a sachet disposed within one of the plurality of pockets;

c) a plurality of flexible loop securing members, extending outwardly from a top portion of the plurality of pockets and disposed in a downwardly extending array, wherein a loop length of each loop securing member is substantially identical to a depth of each pocket and wherein each loop securing member is positioned near a vertical center of each corresponding pocket; and