| Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible containerRelated Patent Categories: Supports, Bag HoldersMethod and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060231692, Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), of application Ser. No. 60/659,519, filed Mar. 8, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning collapsible containers having wire loop frames to hold the containers in an expanded configuration. [0003] Collapsible containers having spring loop frames are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE37,924, 5,964,533 and 6,527,136 are used for laundry and other storage items, while collapsible containers shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,664,596 are used as children's play structures, among other things. Other, larger containers can use spring-loop frames to form tents, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,046 and 5,778,915. [0004] These collapsible containers have fabric sides held taut by spring loop frames. The fabric becomes soiled with use of the container and thus the container must be cleaned or discarded. Cleaning is a problem because the expanded spring loop frame makes the container too bulky to fit in a washing machine. The containers are collapsed by coiling the springs into overlapping loops which are resiliently urged to spring open into the expanded configuration, so it is undesirable to place the collapsed container in a washing machine. While it is not believed such containers have been washed, even if such a container is somehow placed in a washing machine the spring loop frame will rust if made of metal, and if the frame is made of plastic the plastic can degrade and possibly break under the hot washing water and agitation of the washing machine. There is thus a need for a way to clean the fabric of these collapsible containers which use spring loop frames. [0005] One way to clean the fabric is to remove the spring loop frame from the container and clean the fabric separately from the spring loop frame. This is described in Published Patent App. US 2003/0189044 A1, Ser. No. 10/413925. But this patent requires each side of the container to be made of two panels with the spring loop frame placed between the two panels. It is expensive to make containers with two panels on each side to hold the spring loop frames. Further, removing and re-inserting the spring loop frames is difficult and time consuming, and the two layers of material allow debris to become trapped and collect. Moreover, some collapsible containers such as shown in FIGS. 47-51 of U.S. Published Application No US 2001/0020618 A1 have intertwined loops which make it difficult or impossible to remove the loops from the fabric. There is thus a continued need for an improved way to clean the fabric of these collapsible containers which use spring loop frames. SUMMARY [0006] A container is provided with a spring loop frame that does not readily rust or break when placed in a washing machine and washed. The container with the spring loop frame is collapsed by coiling the frames into overlapping circles small enough to fit into the washing machine, and the collapsed container is placed into a water permeable bag or washing pouch. The bag is advantageously fastened to the container, but could be separable from the container. Preferably, but optionally, the bag is releasably fastened close, as by a drawstring, snaps, buttons, a zipper or other releasable fasteners. The bag and collapsed container are then placed in a washing machine and washed. The bag and collapsed container can be placed in a dryer for drying. Alternatively, the collapsed container can be removed from the bag and allowed to air-dry either in the collapsed or the expanded configuration. [0007] There is thus advantageously provided an easy method and apparatus for cleaning the fabric of a collapsible container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] These and other advantages of the washable container will become apparent in view of the following drawings and in view of the disclosure herein, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a collapsible container in an expanded configuration and having a washing pouch fastened to one side; [0010] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the container of FIG. 1 [0011] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the container of FIG. 2, taken along section 3-3, which shows a spring loop frame contained in a pocket of one side panel of the container; [0012] FIG. 4 shows the container of FIG. 1 ready to be collapsed; [0013] FIG. 5 shows the container of FIG. 4 with the sides folded substantially flat on top of each other in a partially collapsed configuration; [0014] FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 5 with the washing pouch outside the folded sides and ready to be coiled; [0015] FIG. 7 shows the flat frames of FIG. 5 being twisted and coiled into overlapping loops or coils; [0016] FIG. 8 shows the coiled and overlapping frames ready to be inserted into the washing pouch; [0017] FIG. 9 shows the coiled and collapsed container inserted into the washing pouch; [0018] FIG. 10 shows the washing pouch and collapsed container being inserted into a washing machine and dryer; [0019] FIG. 11 shows a portion of the washing pouch with releasable fasteners to hold closed an opening of the pouch; [0020] FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a washing pouch with a drawstring; Continue reading about Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus and method for covering and irreversibly tying an object Next Patent Application: Geomatic pole support with telescoping legs and locks Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for cleaning a collapsible container patent info. 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