US3893607A

US3893607A - Laundry supply tote device

Info

Publication number: US3893607A
Application number: US434610A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-01-18
Filing date: 1974-01-18
Publication date: 1975-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-08

Abstract

The disclosed invention is an improved device for a person to conveniently carry or tote supplies for use in processing the household laundry either at a laundromat or in the home, or for carrying other items as suitable, and consists of a specially designed open top container for accommodating said supplies having a handle and/or shoulder strap.

Description

United States Patent 1 Jones 1 July 8, 1975 15 LAUNDRY SUPPLY TOTE DEVICE 3,259,285 7/1966 Bush 224/46 R 3,312,366 4/1967 Poris 220/23 176] Rural ROW: BOX 3,433,383 3/1969 Phibbs 220/8 542, Hartford City, 1nd. 47348 22 Pl J 18 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 1 s53 1/1901 Canada 220/23 [21] Appl. No.: 434,610 127,630 5/1948 Australia.............................. 220/23 52 us. Cl. 224/45 R; 220/23 Primary F" 51 im. Cl. A45c 71/00 48mm and [58] Field of Search 224/45 R, 46, 47, 45.6,

224/458, 45.15; 220/8, 17, 23, D10. 14; [57] ABSTRACT 206/203 The disclosed invention is an improved device for a person to conveniently carry or tote supplies for use in [56] Reerences cued processing the household laundry either at a laundro- UNITED STATES PATENTS mat or in the home, or for carrying other items as suit- 2,82l,327 1/1958 G1azer...... 206/203 able, and consists of a specially designed open top 2,921,707 1/1960 Sloan 220/23 container for accommodating said supplies having a Thomas handle and/ r houlder trap 3,035,746 5/1962 Hayes 224/1 A 3,178,052 4/1965 Bromiley 206/203 1 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures 3,220,625 11/1965 Protheroi 224/45 N PATENTEDJUL 8 1975 $893,607

SHEET 10F 2 LAUNDRY SUPPLY TOTE DEVICE This invention disclosed herein is an improved device for containing and aiding a person to carry or tote supplies commonly used in processing the household laundry. However, the device may be used for carrying or containing any other thing as the user may find same adaptable and suitable. The device is a specially designed open top container primarily suited to carry soaps, detergents, bleach, fabric softeners or other things commonly used in processing household laundry either in the home or at laundromats.

In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide the person who processes the home laundry with a simple, convenient, inexpensive means to carry the various requisite laundry supplies to and from the place where the laundry is done or from the market place or grocery where such supplies are commonly purchased. Heretofore, no known device has existed to carry such supplies and it has been necessary to carry them separately, which is inconvenient, cumbersome and inefficient, or to carry them in some make-shift container or sack not especially designed for the convenience of carrying such materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for merchandising and marketing laundry supplies at the local grocery, which provides a convenient and appealing means for the shopper to purchase and carry home such supplies. Heretofore, laundry supply items are generally purchased in separate containers or boxes at various separate locations in the store, which causes the shopping for same to be inconvenient and inefficient.

A further object of this invention is to provide a carrying or tote device for laundry supplies so that the same will be conserved during their use. Heretofore, with the supplies carried in their individual separate containers, it is not unusual to have spillage or the accidently dropping and rupturing of such containers when the person has no unitized, convenient means of carrying the many separate articles of supplies.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unique and novel box that is carried in the subject laundry supply tote device for containing the soap or detergent which has a special pouring spout and has a measuring device in its top. Heretfore, a separate measuring cup or other device was needed to measure the amount of soap or detergent to be put in the wash, which was just another object to be carried or not available when needed. Also, the specially designed pouring spout eliminates or reduces spillage of soap or detergent to a minimum and, therefore, results in saving such supplies.

Of course, it is readily apparent that this invention can be variously adaptable for the merchandising and carrying of many other items besides laundry supplies as the users ingenuity might conceive.

These and other objects, advantages and uses will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description.

The drawings presented showing the subject invention is briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overall view of the subject laundry tote device.

FIG. 2 is a view generally showing a person using the shoulder strap to carry the subject device.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing panels cut out of or slots in the sides and ends of the subject device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view AA of FIG. 7 showing the button used on the ends of the subject device to accommodate and hold the shoulder strap.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the subject device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view 3-3 of FIG. 7 of the end of the device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the subject device.

FIG. 8 shows an overall perspective view of the box with top which is used in the subject device to contain soap or detergent.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view the FIG. 8 box without its top.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional box of common laundry detergent.

FIG. I 1 is a cross-section view CC of the FIG. 8 detergent supply box and its top.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view DD of FIG. 13 showing the FIG. 8 detergent supply box top measuring portion.

FIG. 13 is a perspective underside view of the FIG. 8 box top showing the measuring device for soap or detergent.

The invention and the various adaptions thereof will be better understood from the following description:

The invention as shown in FIG. I basically consists of a means 1 to carry or tote home laundry supplies such as the soap or detergent box 2, the fabric softener 3 and fabric bleach 4. The device may be conveniently carried by the hand handle means 5 or shoulder strap carrying means 6, whichever is convenient to or selected by the user.

The shoulder strap carrying means 6 is attached to the

ends

7 and 8 of the subject by the user selecting and inserting a slot 9 over a convenient button type attachment means 10 located generally at the top center of each

end

7 and 8.

The device 1 in FIG. 2 is shown in use and being carried by the shoulder strap 6 by the user 14.

The device may be fabricated or moulded having either unitized solid ends 7-8, sides I142, handle 5 and bottom 13 or it may be fabricated or moulded with various panels, holes or designs cut out of said side or ends or handle or bottom, as one such instance is shown in FIG. 3 having slots or panels 15 in the ends and sides. It is readily apparent that many designs, slots or holes can be fabricated or moulded in or cut out of the various parts of the device for material savings, design or merchandising reasons.

FIG. 5 shows a general top view of the device 1 showing the unitized fabricated or moulded body consisting of handle 5, ends 7-8, sides 11-12, shoulder strap holding buttons 10 and bottom 12. The device can be fabricated or moulded from any suitable plastic, metal, paper or other material as is deemed best by the maker or user. In general, the inventor recommends and envisions that the device I and box 2 be moulded from any conventional, suitable, inexpensive plastic material.

The shoulder strap 6 is attached to each

end

7 and 8 of the device by slipping a slit 9 in each end of the strap over a button holding means 10 fabricated and moulded as a part of or attachment to generally the top center each end as may be convenient and stable for carrying the device by the said shoulder strap. The shoulder strap can have numerous slits 9 in each end which can be selected by the user to shorten the shoulder strap attached length as desired and convenient. The shoulder strap may be made of any conventionally suitable material but preferably plastic or leather. FIG. 4 generally shows one of the button holding means 10 moulded together with end 7. It can be readily seen, however, that the subject button holding means or other conventionally suitable shoulder strap attachment means may be attached via any number of common means to each said end for the desired carrying purpose.

A side view of device I is generally shown in FIG. 7 without shoulder strap carrying means 6 attached to the button holding means 10 shown on each

end

7 and 8. This view shows the handle means having a slot 16 therein positioned for convenience of the user to hand carry the device if desires.

As invisioned by inventor, all edges and corners 17 would be suitably rounded, for obvious safety and other reasons. However, the same could have any configuration as may be deemed desirable by the designer.

The handle means 5 integral part of and attachment to the

ends

7 and 8 and bottom 13 is more clearly depicted in the FIG. 6 cross-section view B-B of FIG. 7.

The improved laundry soap or detergent supply box 2 is generally shown in FIG. 8 with its cover 18 shown in place. This box is generally rectangular, but may be of any suitable design or shape, having ends 19, sides 20, bottom 21 and a top 22. The top 22 has a pour spout 23, which envisioned by the inventor to be semicircular with its diameter nearest the end 19 and generally centered in one end of the said top. However, it can be readily seen that any suitable configuration or design or location for the purpose of a pour spout can be used.

As further envisioned by the inventor, the opposite end of said top 22 from the spout 23 has a hole 24 of any suitable shape but preferably rectangular for use in inserting soap or detergent into the box 2 and for accommodating the insertation of the measuring means 26.

In contrast, a common box of laundry detergent is depicted in FIG. as 25.

FIG. 13 shows an underside perspective view of the cover 18 that goes over and generally seals the top 22 of box 2. Depicted is its ends 27, sides 29, and top 30. The inventor envisions same to be generally rectangular and designed to fit over said top of and onto the box 2; however, it can be of any suitable shape so as to match up and fit onto and seal the top of box 2.

The cover 18 contains an integrally moulded measuring means 26, the purpose of which is to provide an always present, convenient means for the person doing the laundry to measure the quantity of soap or detergent or fabric softener or bleach desired. The inventor envisions same to be of moulded plastic and leakproof so as to be adaptable to the multipurpose use of measuring both dry solids and liquids.

The said measuring means 26 has integrally moulded inside ribs 28, as shown in FIGS. II, 12 and 13 which are appropriately spaced therein to indicate to the user 5 f2, and l cup increments. The ends 27 and sides 29 of the cover are designed to fit closely over the top of box 2 to generally seal top 22 thereof so that the contents will not spill, yet having sufficient and appropriate space 31, as shown in FIG. 12, between the inside of said ends and sides and the measuring means 26 to per' mit said measuring means portion to snuggly fit down inside of box 2 through opening 24 and thus assist to snuggly hold the said cover 18 onto the top of box 2.

It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous variations and adaptations may be made in the invention without departing from the object or spirit of the invention; therefore it is not intended that the invention depicted, described or claimed herein be limited to that illustrated, described or disclosed herein. It is further obvious that the subject device as is or as can be obviously modified can be used or adapted to carry or tote numerous items other than laundry supplies, and thus, it is not intended to limit the invention to only a means to carry or tote laundry supplies.

What I claim is the following:

1. A means to tote commonly used laundry supplies consisting of the following:

A. A container having:

1. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel first sides,

2. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel first ends attached to said first sides having a similar height as and less width than each said first side and a button holding means located outwardly and generally centered near the top of each said first end for use in attaching and securing a shoulder strap carrying means if desired,

3. A bottom attached to said first sides and first ends,

4. A center divider handle means the substantially same width as, having a greater height than, and suitably spaced between and parallel to said first sides attached to each said first end having an elongated slot therein generally laterally parallel to said bottom with a portion thereof extending above said first sides sufficient to accommodate the insertion of a users hand for gripping and carrying purposes,

5. An open space at the top between said center divider handle means and each said first side and first ends and B. A removable hollow laundry supply box inserted between said center divider handle means and a said side having 1. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel second sides having a height less than said center divider handle means but greater than the said first side next to said box and a length substantially similar to but less than the said first side next to said box,

2. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel second ends having a height equal and attached to said second sides and a width substantially similar to but less than the space between said center divider handle means and said first side between which said box is inserted,

3. A second bottom attached to said second sides and second ends which when said box is inserted rests generally upon that uppermost portion of the first bottom between said center divider handle means and said first side, and

4. A second top attached to said second sides and second ends having a suitable small first opening therein centered near one end thereof for use in pouring the laundry supply out of said box and a second larger opening therein nearer the other end thereof to accommodate an inserted portion of the following described box top cover means and C. A removable box top cover means having 1. A closed upper portion the underside of which fits down upon and against the upper portion of 4. A measuring means, which fits down into the said second opening in said second top when said box top cover means is placed atop said box, having the top of same open and the bottom thereof consisting of a portion of the underside of said box top cover means said upper portion when said box top cover means is removed from the said box and turned over and four parallel spaced apart sides which are attached to and extend sufficiently away from the underside of said box top cover means said upper portion which have internal ribs or markings around the inside of said four sides to show the quantity of content thereof, preferrably in parts of a cup volume measure, as the user fills same with a laundry supply for measuring purposes.

Claims

1. A closed upper portion the underside of which fits down upon and against the upper portion of the said box second top when positioned atop said box,

1. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel second sides having a height less than said center divider handle means but greater than the said first side next to said box and a length substantially similar to but less than the said first side next to said box,

1. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel first sides,

1. A means to tote commonly used laundry supplies consisting of the following: A. A container having:

2. Two similar spaced apart opposite parallel third sides attached to said upper portion which extends down and over a portion of the said second sides of said box when said box top cover means is placed atop said box,

3. Two similar spaced apart opposite parallel third ends attached to said upper portion and said third sides which extend down and over a portion of the said second ends of said box when said box top cover means is placed atop said box, and

3. A bottom attached to said first sides and first ends,

4. A center divider handle means the substantially same width as, having a greater height than, and suitably spaced between and parallel to said first sides attached to each said first end having an elongated slot therein generally laterally parallel to said bottom with a portion thereof extending above said first sides sufficient to accommodate the insertion of a user''s hand for gripping and carrying purposes,

4. A second top attached to said second sides and second ends having a suitable small first opening therein centered near one end thereof for use in pouring the laundry supply out of said box and a second larger opening therein nearer the other end thereof to accommodate an inserted portion of the following described box top cover means and C. A removable box top cover means having

4. A measuring means, which fits down into the said second opening in said second top when said box top cover means is placed atop said box, having the top of same open and the bottom thereof consisting of a portion of the underside of said box top cover means said upper portion when said box top cover means is removed from the said box and turned over and four parallel spaced apart sides which are attached to and extend sufficiently away from the underside of said box top cover means said upper portion which have internal ribs or markings around the inside of said four sides to show the quantity of content thereof, preferrably in parts of a cup volume measure, as the user fills same with a laundry supply for measuring purposes.

5. An open space at the top between said center divider handle means and each said first side and first ends and B. A removable hollow laundry supply box inserted between said center divider handle means and a said side having