US20100243686A1

US20100243686A1 - Brassiere Washing Kit

Info

Publication number: US20100243686A1
Application number: US12/698,268
Authority: US
Inventors: Zhifan Zhang
Original assignee: UNI GRACE CORP
Current assignee: UNI GRACE CORP
Priority date: 2009-03-28
Filing date: 2010-02-02
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: CN201381442Y

Abstract

The invention relates in general to a kit for washing brassieres, bikini tops and the like. The brassiere washing kit comprises a shell comprising two hemispheres with a multiplicity of apertures, and a means to lock the hemispheres when closed. Each hemisphere accommodates a cup of the brassiere to form a cavity when the shell is closed, allowing the placement of an agitator in between said cups of the brassiere before the shell is closed. The agitator possesses a multiplicity of nodules to rub the encased garment without damaging the fabric. The number and size of the apertures of the shell are sized to prevent any part of the garment from extending through the shell, and facilitate submergence in the wash water.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to a kit for washing brassieres, bikini tops and the like in an automatic washing machine. The kit comprises a shell having two halves with a multiplicity of apertures therein, and an agitator deployed within the shell along the garment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The prior art consists of a multiplicity of designs using rigid and semi-rigid shells in which to wash brassieres, bikini tops and the like. While the prior art serves to protect the delicate garments within the rigid and semi-rigid shells during washing. However, the prior art fails to incorporate a means to agitate the garment within the protective shell to loosen and remove dirt particles from the fabric. Thus, the need arises for an apparatus which protects the garment as well as cleans brassieres, bikini tops and the like using a means to rub the garment during the wash without harming the fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Brassieres and bikini tops are commonly made with two cups, two shoulder straps, a back strap and a latching mechanism (generally a hook and loop) integrated into the back strap or between the cups. Brassieres and bikini tops can also incorporate additional padding or underwire for support of the cup. The fabric utilized in brassieres and bikini tops may be lace, silk or other fine fabric making the garment very easily damaged thereby necessitating hand washing in lieu of machine washing if the claimed invention is not utilized.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a kit which allows for both protection and cleaning of brassieres, bikini tops and like garments by rubbing the fabric during machine washing despite being encased in a protective shell.
A second object of the invention is to provide a kit which is easy to use, and store when not in use.
A third object of the invention is to provide a kit which is durable and reusable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the kit may be obtained when the following detailed description of the embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the kit with the agitator located within the shell.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the kit with the agitator outside the shell.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the kit with the agitator inside the shell with the shell is in the closed and lock position thereby obscuring the agitator from plain view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the brassiere washing kit according to one embodiment. The kit 100 includes a shell 5 comprising a first hemisphere 10 and a second hemisphere 15 with a multiplicity of apertures 20. The hemispheres may be fabricated from any rigid or semi-rigid material taken from the group comprising thermoset plastics and thermoplastics (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)). It is preferred that that the hemispheres are formed from polypropylene.
The apertures 20 may be in any design or shape so long as it prevents the contents from extending outward. The number of apertures 20 will be dependent upon the buoyancy of the kit to facilitate the submergence of the kit in the wash water. The hemispheres 10, 15 are joined by a hinge 25 which allows the hemispheres to rotate to a closed position to form shell 5. To maintain a closed position, a locking or latch mechanism 30, which are generally known in the industry, is integrated into the hemispheres 10, 15. The latch mechanism is preferably located directly opposite hinge as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Or, in the alternative, the latch or locking mechanism may be located any where on the shell to secure the two hemispheres in a closed position.
The locking mechanism as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 represents a redundant lock which may be used separately or in combination to secure the two hemispheres of the shell when in the closed position. A first lock mechanism is a pair of male-female locks created between the two hemispheres comprising flanges 31 which mate with aligned apertures 32 in the opposite hemisphere. To open the pair of male-female locks, the male flanges 31 are manipulated inward toward each other from their normal position to disengage from the apertures 32. A second, alternative, lock mechanism is a latch mechanism comprising a tongue 33 engaging a nub 34.
The hemispheres 10, 15 each accommodate a cup of the brassiere. The hemispheres 10, 15 when closed, with or without the brassiere therein, forms a cavity.
To better align the first hemisphere 10 with the second hemisphere 15 when shell 5 is in the closed position, a number of positioning columns 35 protruding from one or both hemispheres mate with corresponding positioning apertures 40 in the opposite hemisphere. In addition to or in lieu of the positioning columns and corresponding apertures, the hemispheres may incorporate interlocking lips 45 for maintaining alignment of the hemispheres when are closed.
In addition to the shell 5, the kit includes an agitator 50. Agitator 50 comprises a ball with a multiplicity of nodules 55 extending outward. It is preferred that the agitator is fabricated either from natural rubber or synthetic rubber.
To effectively wash the brassiere, bikini top or like garment, one cup of the garment is placed into each hemisphere. The agitator 50 placed on top of one of the cups in the hemisphere. The hemispheres are then closed to form the complete shell with the agitator located in the cavity formed from the closure of the hemispheres. During the wash cycle, the agitator gently rubs the delicate fabric of the garment to loosen and remove any dirt or debris therein.

Claims

1. A kit for washing a brassiere with two conjoined cups comprising:

A shell comprising two hemispheres with a multiplicity of apertures, said hemispheres each accommodate a cup of the brassiere to form a cavity when the shell is closed; and

An agitator placed in between said cups of the brassiere before the hemispheres of the shell are closed to loosen and remove any dirt or debris in the fabric of the brassiere when placed in a machine washer.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein said agitator comprises a sphere with a multiplicity of nodules extending outward from the sphere.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the two hemispheres of the shell are pivotally coupled to each other.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein at least one latch mechanism is incorporated to hold the two hemispheres closed.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein the agitator is formed from the group consisting of natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

6. The kit of claim 1 wherein the shell is formed from the group consisting of polyethylene or polypropylene.

7. A brassiere washing kit comprising:

A shell comprising two hemispheres with a multiplicity of apertures in the shell of a sufficient size and number to achieve submergence in water and prevent the brassiere from extending out therefrom;

Said hemispheres each accommodate a cup of the brassiere to form a cavity when the shell is closed; and

An agitator placed between the hemispheres before the shell is closed to form the cavity.

8. The kit of claim 7 wherein said agitator comprises a sphere with a multiplicity of nodules extending outward from the sphere to massage the brassiere and release any dirt or debris in the brassiere fabric.

9. The kit of claim 7 wherein the two hemispheres of the shell are pivotally coupled to each other.

10. The kit of claim 7 wherein a latch mechanism is incorporated to hold the two hemispheres closed.

11. The kit of claim 7 wherein the agitator is formed from the group consisting of natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

12. The kit of claim 7 wherein the shell is formed from the group consisting of polyethylene or polypropylene.

13. A brassiere washing kit comprising:

A shell comprising two fixed shaped hemispheres with a multiplicity of apertures of a sufficient size and number to achieve a desired buoyancy and retain the brassiere within the shell without any portion of said brassiere escaping through the apertures;

14. The kit of claim 13 wherein said agitator comprises a sphere with a multiplicity of nodules extending outward from the sphere to massage the brassiere and release any dirt or debris in the brassiere fabric.

15. The kit of claim 13 wherein the two hemispheres of the shell are pivotally coupled to each other.

16. The kit of claim 13 wherein a latch mechanism is incorporated to hold the two hemispheres closed.

17. The kit of claim 13 wherein the agitator is formed from the group consisting of natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

18. The kit of claim 13 wherein the shell is formed from the group consisting of polyethylene or polypropylene.