Abstract:
A reusable device, and alternative methods of manufacture, for fast, efficient, fingernail preserving, and unfragmented removal of accumulated lint from clothes dryer filters. Each embodiment comprises a mitt and an attached storage pouch having upper and lower ends that can be independently manipulated for the addition and removal of lint. It also comprises magnetic means for attachment of the pouch to a dryer so that it remains conveniently accessible for use. The mitt preferably has two thumbs for interchangeable right-handed and left-handed use. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use by homeowners and cleaning services to facilitate the repetitive task of removing accumulated lint from clothes dryer lint filters needed to promote safe use of clothes dryers in homes, school dormitories, apartment complexes, and other residence facilities, as well as in laundromats, other commercial cleaning establishments, hotel laundries, hospital laundries, and the laundry facilities of uniform rental services.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    This is a continuation-in-part patent application of Ser. No. 09/780,801 filed Feb. 9, 2001 by the same inventor. This invention relates to methods and devices used for removing accumulated lint from clothes dryer lint filters, specifically to reusable devices and methods for their manufacture, wherein such devices comprise a mitt made of soft lint-attracting fabric and optionally having a ridge-like bound seam to aid in lint collection, in combination with a storage pouch that has easily opening upper and lower ends, each of which can be independently opened and closed for the prompt addition or removal of clothes dryer lint from the pouch. Also, the mitt is preferably attached to the pouch through a side opening in the pouch material near to its upper end, so that when the upper end is opened, a hand can be inserted into the mitt to temporarily extend the mitt beyond the upper end of the pouch for use of an optional protruding, bound, ridge-like seam on the mitt extending at a minimum over the fingers containing, as well as the soft lint-attracting mitt fabric itself, to neatly and efficiently retrieve accumulated lint from a clothes dryer lint filter with minimal lint fragment dispersal, and also to securely hold onto the removed lint during its transport to the pouch and subsequent transfer of the collected lint into the pouch with minimal mess. Without the mitt, fingernails and fingertips of the person removing the lint are typically used to separate accumulated lint from a clothes dryer lint filter, which often causes direct fingernail contact with the lint filter and fingernail damage, as well as for small fragments of the accumulated lint to be left behind on the filter, to collect under the fingernails used for lint filter cleaning, or to break away from the main body of retrieved lint and become dispersed into the room within which the dryer is located. Since accumulated lint is easily gathered into a compact mass by the protruding bound seam of the mitt, when it is used, and lint fragments are attracted to its soft fabric, the present invention helps to quickly separate the accumulated lint from a clothes dryer filter, remove more lint in less time than an uncovered hand attempting to perform the same task, and remove the lint with less damage to fingernails and chipping of fingernail polish that would otherwise occur when fingertips alone are used as the main tool for separating the accumulated lint from a clothes dryer filter. At any time after lint collection, the pouch of the present invention can be easily emptied of lint by placing the pouch over a convenient waste container, opening the pouch&#39;s lower end, and letting gravity assist in the downward movement of lint into the waste container. Between uses, magnets are employed to attach the pouch to the outside surface of the clothes dryer housing, so that it remains conveniently accessible to those having the responsibility to remove and dispose of accumulated lint resulting from the clothes dryer operation. Also, the mitt preferably has two opposed thumbs so that it is available for immediate right-handed and left-handed use without accommodation. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use by residents, as well as professional cleaning service personnel, to facilitate the repetitive task of removing accumulated lint from clothes dryer lint filters that is necessary to promote safe use of clothes dryers in homes, school dormitories, assisted living facilities, apartment complexes, and other residence facilities. The device could also have commercial applications, such as but not limited to, use in public laundromats, other commercial cleaning establishments, and the laundries of hotels, motels, nursing homes, and hospitals, as well as the laundry facilities of companies providing uniform rentals.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    Routine use and laundering of woven and knit fabrics, particularly cotton fabrics in clothing and linens, creates lint. As a result of the rubbing of one part of a fabric against another during use, as well as other forms of fabric contact with various objects encountered during use, threads employed to knit and weave fabrics can become broken. Subsequently when the fabrics are machine laundered and dried, broken fiber fragments are separated from the fabric and thereafter become accumulated in the form of lint on the respective lint filters of washers and dryers. Additional surface debris clinging to the fabrics prior to laundering, such as carpet fibers and pet hair, will also become separated from the fabrics during the cleaning process and deposited on the washer or dryer lint filters as part of the accumulated lint. To allow for efficient, sanitary, and safe operation of the washers and dryers used, accumulated lint needs to be periodically removed from the respective filters. Much of the coarse lint generated during a mechanized cleaning process is removed during the washing phase, as long as the washing machine tub is not overloaded and the items in the tub can be adequately rinsed. This coarse lint is usually damp and generally poses little fire hazard threat. However, as clothes dryer lint is dry and generally comprised of smaller dimensioned particulate matter, if it is not frequently removed from clothes dryer lint filters, it will create a fire hazard risk. Further, since laundering merely sanitizes fabrics and does not remove all microbes from them, accumulated lint also will contain microbes, with more microbes being present when washers are so overloaded that clothes are not properly allowed to circulate during wash and rinse cycles. Therefore, complete and thorough removal of lint from washer and dryer lint filters, also helps to promote a more sanitary laundering result.  
           [0005]    When fingertips alone are used, lint removal from clothes dryer lint filters is an untidy process. Fragments of lint tend to cling to the filter even after multiple attempts are made to remove it, with other fragments sticking to the hand attempting to remove it or becoming readily dispersed as a fine dust into the area immediately surrounding the dryer. Several passes of the fingertips across a clothes dryer lint filter are also usually required to remove the bulk of the accumulated lint attached to it, unless a thick mat of accumulated lint has been allowed to amass in the filter. Although a thicker mat is often more readily removed without fragmentation and lint dispersal, it is undesirable to allow lint to accumulate into a thick mat as doing so tends to pose a greater fire hazard risk. Other disadvantages of fingertip lint removal are that fragments of lint can cling to the hand employed to retrieve it and also collect under fingernails, requiring additional time to clean them. Lint removal with unprotected fingers also leads to fingernail breakage and fingernail polish chipped through direct contact of the fingernails with the lint filter. The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by offering an alternative lint removal process that is faster, more efficient, neater, safer, and promotes a more sanitary operation, with less lint remaining attached to the filter and less fragmented lint particles being dispersed into the air in the immediate vicinity of the dryer, as well as a less damaging result for the fingernails and/or fingernail polish of the person removing the lint. No device is known that has all of the advantages of the present invention.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0006]    The primary object of this invention is to provide alternative methods for the manufacture of reusable devices that will efficiently remove and temporarily store accumulated dryer lint from clothes dryer lint filters. It is a further object of this invention to provide methods for manufacturing reusable lint-removing devices that allow for rapid and thorough cleaning of clothes dryer lint collection filters. It is also an object of this invention to provide methods for manufacturing reusable clothes dryer lint-removal devices that are durable and easy to use. It is a further object of this invention to provide methods for manufacturing reusable lint-removal devices that can be rapidly and easily emptied of accumulated lint. A further object of this invention is to provide methods for manufacturing reusable clothes dryer lint-removal devices that can be stored between uses in the immediate vicinity of the dryer so as to be made easily accessible to a person needing to perform the lint removal task. It is also an object of this invention to provide methods for manufacturing reusable lint-removal devices that minimize the risk of damage to fingernails and fingernail polish during clothes dryer lint filter cleaning. It is a further object of this invention to provide methods for manufacturing reusable lint-removal devices that can be cost effectively manufactured for widespread distribution and use.  
           [0007]    As described herein, properly manufactured and used, the present invention would enable rapid, thorough, and neat removal of lint from clothes dryer filters. Since the mitt of the present invention is attached to a lint storage pouch, dryer lint removed by the mitt can be immediately transferred to the pouch after collection, while the mitt is still near to the clothes dryer filter, thereby eliminating the need for uncovered transport of fragmented lint particles to a remote waste container that otherwise tends to result in the dispersal of at least a portion of those fragments into the area immediately surrounding a clothes dryer. Further, although not critical, the embodiment of the present invention mitt preferred for high volume use in a home or use by a group of people living in a dormitory or apartment complex, would be manufactured with a protruding bound seam that helps to roll the lint into a compact mass as the mitt is drawn across a clothes dryer filter, instead of buckling and/or fractionating portions of the accumulated lint into easily dispersed fragments, as tends to happen when exposed fingertips and fingernails are used to separate the lint from a filter. The bound seam is also helpful for filters having lint collection surfaces with a deeper basket-like configuration. For less frequent household use or with lint filters having a flatter configuration, the bound seam can be omitted, or made smaller in size, leaving the soft mitt material as the primary means of avoiding lint fragmentation during lint collection process. Also, particularly when protected by a protruding bound seam, the fingernails of the person removing the lint would not be placed at risk for damage, as they would not come in direct contact with the lint filter. In addition, any lint fragments dislodged from the clothes dryer filter while the bulk of the lint is being rolled into a compact mass, would tend to be immediately attracted to the soft material of the mitt and cling to it, minimizing the amount of lint becoming dispersed as a fine dust into the air immediately surrounding the dryer. When a clothes dryer lint filter is regularly cleaned, the present invention mitt tends to remove nearly all of the accumulated lint thereon in one pass of the mitt across the filter, multiple passes of the mitt being only anticipated for an unusually heavy deposit of lint, such as that expected during the laundering of new towels or blankets. The multiple-part magnetic closure in the upper end of the pouch of the present invention makes it easy to open, for rapid mitt extension beyond the upper perimeter of the pouch and prompt gathering of lint from clothes dryer filters. Once the mitt is placed back inside the pouch, the magnetic closure can be quickly used to seal the pouch and prevent lint dispersal while the pouch is being transported back to its storage position on the outer surface of a clothes dryer housing, where it would remain conveniently situated for subsequent uses. If the size of the magnets used for upper end closure is adequate, those magnets can also provide a means for attachment of the pouch to the dryer housing. Should smaller closure magnets be used for the upper end, or a larger and heavier pouch be desired for commercial or large resident facility use, one or more additional magnets can be connected to the back of the pouch and used for dryer housing attachment. The lint holding capacity of the pouch would be made to accommodate multiple lint filter cleanings in the contemplated application, before emptying is required, preferably containing the lint from at least eight to ten routine dryer cycles. Then, to dispose of the accumulated lint which has been transported in the pouch to a location remote from the dryer, the lint would be emptied into an appropriate waste container by simply opening the lower end of the pouch over the open upper end of the waste container and letting gravity do most of the work in causing the downward release of lint directly into the waste container. Slight shaking of the pouch might be required to release all of the collected lint, even though pouch material having a smooth inner surface would typically be used. In this way the placement of collected lint into an open container adjacent to the dryer is avoided, a practice that only allows for more of the finer lint fragments to become dispersed into the air surrounding the dryer each time a new quantity of lint or other discarded objects are added to the waste container. The lower end of the pouch can be manufactured for closure by any easily-opened closure means, to include but not be limited to buttons, buttonholes, large snaps, hook and pile types of fasteners, magnets, zippers, spring-biased two-part handbag frame closures, crocheted frogs, and any combination thereof. The pouch preferably would be made from a lightweight durable material, such as nylon, so that it, the attached mitt, and a maximum contemplated quantity of accumulated lint can easily be supported by magnetic means against the outer surface of a dryer housing. It is also preferred that the pouch be manufactured from a material to which the accumulated lint does not readily adhere. Further, although not critical, it is preferred that the pouch, the mitt, and the bottom and top pouch closures, all be manufactured from washable materials. It is considered within the scope of the present invention for the pouch to have a lining when a pouch fabric is chosen for its surface decoration instead of its functional advantages, even though for weight considerations a lining is generally not preferred. Since the present invention has few parts to assemble, and different bottom closures are contemplated to accommodate user preference and price point considerations, the present invention could be cost effectively manufactured for widespread use. Different methods of manufacture may also include different orders of assembling the various components used.  
           [0008]    The description herein provides the preferred embodiments of the present invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the methods used for manufacturing different alternative embodiments of the present invention that remove accumulated lint from clothes dryer lint collection filters. For example, variations in the length and width of the lint containing pouch; the number of magnets attached to the pouch; the size, configuration, and location of the side opening in the pouch to which the mitt is attached; the type of stitching used to make a bound seam in the mitt; the length and width dimensions of the mitt; the number of thumbs made in the mitt; the means of closure used for the lower end of the pouch; and the perimeter and thickness dimensions, as well as the configuration, of the magnets used for closure of the upper end of the pouch; other than those shown and described herein may be incorporated into the present invention. Thus the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples given. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of a fully manufactured first preferred embodiment of the present invention having a lint storage pouch with upper and lower closures, and a mitt attached to a side opening in the lint storage pouch so that the opening allows for insertion of a hand into the mitt for use, the mitt being shown in broken lines to indicate its typical downwardly extending stored position within the pouch.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a back view of a fully manufactured first preferred embodiment having a lint storage pouch with upper and lower closures, a mitt positioned within the lint storage pouch, and a horizontally extending magnetic strip attached to the back of the pouch for use in attachment of the lint storage pouch to the side wall or door of a clothes dryer housing.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled mitt used in the first preferred embodiment, the mitt having two thumb members for immediate left-handed and right-handed use without accommodation and a protruding bound perimeter seam connecting the front and back halves of the mitt together, with a lower opening available for use in the insertion of a hand.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one possible configuration of the magnetic closure means used in the first preferred embodiment to close the top opening in the lint storage pouch, as well as a possible configuration for the magnetic attachment means for the lint storage pouch to the outer surface of a clothes dryer housing.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a two-part handbag frame style closure means for sealing and securing the bottom end of the lint storage pouch of the first preferred embodiment.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mitt of the first preferred embodiment inserted within an opening in the front panel of the lint storage pouch and ready for stitched attachment to the front panel.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a back view of the front panel of the first preferred embodiment prior to folding and stitching of the top and bottom ends, or side seams, of the front panel with unnumbered top and bottom arrows showing the direction of folding.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mitt of the first preferred embodiment fully manufactured and extending beyond the top edges of the lint storage pouch in a position of lint collection use.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a front view of the fully manufactured first preferred embodiment showing transfer of collected lint from the mitt into the bottom of the lint storage pouch.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a front view showing collected lint being emptied from the lint storage pouch of the fully manufactured first preferred embodiment into an independent waste container having a wide top opening.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a person using the fully manufactured first preferred embodiment to collect accumulated lint from a clothes dryer lint filter.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fully manufactured first preferred embodiment attached to the door of a clothes dryer housing with the mitt being shown in broken lines within the pouch in its typical stored position.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fully manufactured first preferred embodiment attached to the outside surface of a clothes dryer in a position that is easily accessible for use.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention with the bottom closure of the lint storage pouch consisting of identical numbers of buttons and frogs, the enlarged loop of each frog engaging a different one of the buttons, and the top end closure means for the lint storage pouch consisting of several small magnets each isolated in a separate pocket-like compartment and positioned for engagement with an opposing closure magnet.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 15 is an enlargement of one possible configuration of a frog used in the second preferred embodiment and having an enlarged stretchable loop adapted to fit securely around a selected size of button.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 16 is a front view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention having a bottom end closure consisting of several spaced-apart buttons and buttonholes that are in opposing positions for engagement with one another.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 17 is a front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention having a bottom closure consisting of several spaced-apart two-part snaps.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 18 is a front view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention having a hook-and-pile type of bottom end closure means.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 19 is a front view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention having a bottom end zipper closure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fully manufactured first preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention having a front pouch panel  4   a , a back pouch panel  4   b , a substantially horizontally extending connective opening  6  laterally centered through front pouch panel  4   a , no similar opening  6  through back pouch panel  4   b , and a mitt  14  connected to front pouch panel  4   a  in such a way as to seal opening  6  and make the interior of mitt  14  accessible through opening  6 . In addition, FIG. 1 shows front pouch panel  4   a  in first preferred embodiment 2 having an upper end with a front top edge  8   a , a lower end with a front bottom edge  10   a , two substantially horizontally extending rows of stitching  12  between front top edge  8   a  and front bottom edge  10   a , an elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  adjacent to front top edge  8   a , an elongated handbag frame front member  18   a  connected on its opposing ends to hinges  20  and positioned adjacent to bottom front edge  10   a , and mitt  14  having two opposed thumb members, identified by the number  22  in FIG. 3. FIG. 1 also shows one row of stitching  12  being positioned above mitt  14  and adjacent to, although below, elongated front magnetic strip  16   a , as well as a second row of stitching  12  being positioned below mitt  14  and adjacent to, although above, handbag frame elongated front member  18   a . FIG. 2 further shows back pouch panel  4   b  in first preferred embodiment 2 having an upper end with a top back edge  8   b , a lower end with a back bottom edge  10   b , two horizontally extending rows of stitching  12  between top back edge  8   b  and back bottom edge  10   b , an elongated back magnetic strip  16   b  positioned adjacent to top back edge  8   b , and an elongated handbag frame back member  18   b  connected on its opposing ends to hinges  20 , as well as an additional elongated back magnetic strip  16   c  attached to back pouch panel  4   b  between elongated back magnetic strip  18   b  and mitt  14 , and in a horizontally extending orientation that is substantially parallel to top back edge  8   b . FIG. 2 also shows one row of stitching  12  being positioned above mitt  14  and adjacent to the lower edge of elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , and a second row of stitching  12  being positioned below mitt  14  and adjacent to the upper edge of handbag frame back member  18   b . Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pouch being made from two pouch components, front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , it is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention for the pouch to be made from one larger piece of fabric having the approximate combined dimension of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , with only one stitched longitudinal seam, such as seam  28  shown in FIG. 7, instead of two seams  28 , or for the present invention to have a pouch made from tubular material requiring no longitudinal seams  28 .  
         [0029]    In FIG. 1, stitching  12  is shown in two places on front pouch panel  4   a , to assist in sealing hidden elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  within a hemmed enclosure or pocket adjacent to front top edge  8   a  and hidden handbag frame front member  18   a  within an independent hemmed enclosure or pocket adjacent to bottom front edge  10   a , and unless otherwise restricted by stitching or other means, elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and handbag frame front member  18   a  would be able to slide freely within its respective hemmed enclosure or pocket. Should a smaller front magnetic strip  16   a  than is shown in FIG. 1 be used for weight or cost considerations, then it would be expected for additional vertically extending rows of stitching  12  to be placed at a spaced-apart distance from the side edges of front pouch panel  4   a  and adjacent to the opposite ends of front magnetic strip  16   a  to restrict its lateral movement for optimal engagement with opposing back magnetic strip  16   b , which would also be restricted in lateral movement by similar stitching  12 . In addition, in FIG. 2, stitching  12  is shown in two places on back pouch panel  4   b , to assist in sealing hidden elongated back magnetic strip  16   b  within a hemmed enclosure or pocket adjacent to top back edge  8   b , and to seal hidden handbag frame back member  18   b  within a hemmed enclosure or pocket adjacent to bottom back edge  10   b , and unless otherwise restricted by additional stitching (not shown), elongated back magnetic strip  16   b  and handbag frame back member  18   b  would be able to slide freely within its respective hemmed enclosure/pocket. Depending upon the order of the construction steps used during manufacture of first preferred embodiment 2 and whether stitching  12  is applied prior to or following the joining of longitudinal seams  28  shown in FIG. 7, the stitching  12  employed adjacent to front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b  could comprise a continuous filament of thread, or be independently applied prior to the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b . Similarly, the stitching  12  employed adjacent to bottom front edge  10   a  and bottom back edge  10   b  could comprise a continuous filament of thread, or be independently applied prior to the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b . Although not shown, additional stitching  12  could be optionally applied as top stitching, adjacent to front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b , as well as bottom front edge  10   a  and bottom back edge  10   b , to further restrict movement of elongated front magnetic strip  16   a , elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , handbag frame front member  18   a , and handbag frame back member  1   8   b  within their respective hemmed enclosures, or for use as decorative accent. Also, although not shown, stitching  12  would be preferably used to laterally join front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  at seam line  28  as shown in FIG. 7. Additional stitching  12  used in a top-stitched position can optionally be employed on or adjacent to the longitudinal seam line  28  shown in FIG. 7 to add strength to the seams  28  joining front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  in first preferred embodiment 2. Depending upon whether the manufacturing step of using stitching  12  to form the hemmed enclosures or pockets in the opposing ends of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  is performed prior to that of joining front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  at their respective lateral edges, apertures can be left in the hemmed enclosures or pockets, on the inside of the pouch, between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  for the insertion of elongated front magnetic strip  16   a , elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , handbag frame front member  18   a , and handbag frame back member  18   b , as well as the end-to-end connection of handbag frame front member  18   a  to handbag frame back member  18   b  with hinges  20  on each of their respective ends. Also, although not shown, once the respective closure structures are in place, stitching  12  can be optionally used to seal such apertures, if desired. Otherwise, apertures (not shown) can remain so that the closure structures of elongated front magnetic strip  16   a , elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , handbag frame front member  18   a , and handbag frame back member  18   b  can be readily removed for desired laundering of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . Although handbag frame front member  18   a  and handbag frame back member  18   b  are used to close the lower end of the pouch  4  formed by lateral connection of front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b , other types of easily opening lower end closure are also considered within the scope of the present invention, such as but not limited to the buttons  62  and frogs at  64  shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the buttons  62  and buttonholes  66  shown in FIG. 16, the two-part snaps  68   a  and  68   b  shown in FIG. 17, the hook-and-pile types of fasteners with hook members  70   a  and pile members  70   b  shown in FIG. 18, the zipper  72  shown in FIG. 19, or opposing magnets, such as elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or several pairs of smaller magnets  60 , as shown in FIG. 14. A greater or lesser number of end closures than is shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  14 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18  can be used to secure bottom front edge  10   a  to bottom back edge  10   b , as long as a sufficient number are present for successful collected lint  46  containment, and the number used does not involve unneeded expense. Combinations of different end closures can be optionally used for securing the upper or lower ends of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  to one another for aesthetic/design purposes, as long as the combination used retains the ability for being readily opened and closed.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 1 and 2 also show mitt  14  having two opposed thumb members, identified by the number  22  in FIG. 3. Although two opposed thumb members  22  are preferred for immediate left-handed and right-handed use without accommodation, it is also considered within the scope of the present invention for mitt  14  to have only one thumb member  22 , or no thumb members  22 . Further when one or two opposed thumb members  22  are used, the person employing it for removal of accumulated lint, such as lint  46  in FIGS. 9 and 10, as shown in FIG. 8, can place a thumb on hand  44  in one thumb member  22 , with the remaining fingers on hand  44  all being positioned together within the finger containing member of mitt  14 , shown by the number  24  in FIG. 3, or in the alternative the smallest finger may be positioned within the remaining thumb member  22  (not shown). Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also contemplated for the open end of mitt  14 , shown in FIG. 3 by the number  32 , to be attached to front pouch panel  4   a  by a threaded connection similar to stitching  12  in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the combined cut edges of mitt  14  and opening  6  being positioned within the interior of the pouch formed by the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  when mitt  14  is in a ready-to-use configuration. Although opening  6  is shown having an elongated configuration with rounded ends, such a configuration is not critical to first embodiment 2, and it is also contemplated for the configuration of opening  6  to have other configurations, such as but not limited to that of an ellipse, rectangle, or circle. Manufacturing considerations as to the labor cost in cutting opening  6  through front pouch panel  4   a  and stitching mitt  14  to opening  6  would affect the choice of configuration used for opening  6 . FIG. 1 also shows opening  6  positioned longitudinally approximately one-half the distance between the center of front pouch panel  4   a  and the stitching  12  adjacent to front top edge  8   a . Also, although such longitudinal positioning of opening  6  on front pouch panel  4   a  is preferred, it is not critical to the present invention and opening  6  might be differently positioned for embodiments having a longer front pouch panel  4   a , as well as those having a larger lint-holding capacity. For example, an embodiment with a longer front pouch panel  4   a  could have a longitudinally centered opening  6 , elongated front magnetic strips  16   a  and elongated back magnetic strips  16   b  securing both the upper and lower ends of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  to one another, and a mitt  14  with a single thumb secured to opening  6  whereby front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  can be stored in an upright or inverted position for use, depending upon whether the person employing the present invention for lint removal would prefer right-handed or left-handed use. FIGS. 1 and 2 shows front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  each having a substantially rectangular configuration. Although not limited thereto, a rectangular configuration is preferred so that the inside surfaces of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  do not impede the downward movement of lint  46  toward lower front end  10   a  and lower front end  10   b . A rectangular configuration, instead of a tapering configuration, also facilitates employment of the present invention in upright or inverted positions for equally effective right-handed and left-handed use. Further, FIGS. 1 and 2 shows front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  having substantially the same length and width dimensions. However, it is also contemplated for back pouch panel  4   b  to be longer in length dimension than front pouch panel  4   a , depending on bottom closure means used, such as those illustrated in FIGS.  14 - 18 . Although both front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , as well as mitt  14 , could be made from many types of material or fabric, and have linings (not shown) if needed, in first preferred embodiment 2 it is preferred that front pouch panel  4   a , back pouch panel  4   b , and mitt  14  be made from washable materials or fabrics. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, mitt  14  would be made from a soft, stretchable, knitted, lint-adhering cotton fabric, and front pouch panel  4   a , and back pouch panel  4   b  would each be made from a fabric with a slick, non-adhering surface, such as nylon, to which lint  46  would not easily become affixed.  
         [0031]    Use of first preferred embodiment 2 for rapid, thorough, efficient, and neat removal of lint  46  from a clothes dryer filter  50 , would involve placement of a hand, such as hand  44  in FIG. 8, through opening  6  and into mitt  14 . Typically, all of the fingers of hand  44  would be placed into finger containing member  24  and the thumb of hand  44  would be placed into one of the thumb members  22  of mitt  14 . If first preferred embodiment 2 is attached to the housing of a clothes dryer, such as dryer  52  in FIG. 12 or  13 , back pouch panel  4   b  could be removed from dryer  52  prior to insertion of hand  44  into mitt  14 , or after insertion of hand  44  into mitt  14  at the user&#39;s preference. Once hand  44  is positioned within mitt  14 , front top edge  8   a  is separated from top back edge  8   b  to place the upper end of first preferred embodiment 2 in an opened position so that mitt  14  can be extended beyond front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b  for collection of lint  46 , as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two-part magnetic closure means  16 , comprised of elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , in the upper end of first preferred embodiment 2 allows for easy opening of the upper end, rapid mitt  14  extension, and uninhibited prompt gathering of lint  46 . The fingers of hand  44 , when inside mitt  14 , would stretch a mitt  14  made from stretchable fabric as hand  44  is bent to gather lint  46  to remove it from lint filter  50 , further assisting the protruding ridge-like bound seam  26  in the gathering of lint  46  without fragmentation. Once mitt  14  is withdrawn back between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , the magnetic closure means  16  can be quickly used to seal the pouch made from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , and prevent dispersal of lint  46  while the pouch is being transported back to its storage position against the outer surface of a clothes dryer housing  52 , where it can remain conveniently situated for subsequent uses. If the size of the magnets  16   a  and  16   b  used for upper end closure is adequate to uphold the weight of front pouch panel  4   a , back pouch panel  4   b , mitt  14 , and lint  46 , magnets  16   a  and  16   b  can also provide the means for attachment of the pouch to dryer  52 . Should smaller closure magnets, such as small magnets  60  in FIG. 14, be desired for closure of the upper end, or a larger pouch be desired for commercial or large resident facility use, one or more additional magnets  16   c  can be added to back pouch panel  4   b , as shown in FIG. 2. The lint holding capacity of the pouch would be adequate for multiple lint filter  50  cleanings in the contemplated application, before emptying is required. Assuming three to five loads of laundry are washed and dried every day in a household laundry room or small apartment laundry facility, it is contemplated that the lint holding capacity of first preferred embodiment 2 would be sufficiently large for the accumulated lint  46  typically left behind in a dryer filter, such as dryer filter  50  in FIG. 11, over a minimum period of two to three days. For busier laundry facilities, lint holding capacity may be sufficient for pouch emptying only once or twice in a day. To empty the pouch formed from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  and dispose of accumulated lint  46 , with its upper and lower ends in closed positions the present invention would be transported to an appropriate waste container  48  in a location remote from dryer  52 . Once positioned immediately above the wide upper opening of a waste container  48 , the lower end of the pouch would simply be opened to let gravity do most of the work in causing the downward release of lint  46  into waste container  48 . Should any lint  46  remain in the pouch after initial opening of the lower end, the pouch can be gently shaken to separate any residual lint  46  from the pouch. In this way the placement of lint  46  into an open waste container (not shown) adjacent to dryer  52  is avoided, a practice that only allows for more of the finer fragments of lint  46  to become dispersed into the air surrounding dryer  52  each time a new quantity of lint  46  or other discarded objects (not shown) are added to the container, promoting the risk of fire hazard in and around dryer  52  instead of reducing it. Once the desired amount of lint  46  is removed from the pouch, the lower end of the pouch can again be placed into its closed position and transported back to dryer  52  whereby the pouch can then be reattached to the housing of dryer  52  in an orientation easily accessible for future use. A variety of easily-opened closure means are contemplated for the lower end of the pouch formed from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , such as but not limited to buttons  62  as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, large snaps  68  as shown in FIG. 17, hook and pile types of fasteners  70  as shown in FIG. 18, magnets  16  or  60  similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 14 respectively, a zipper  72  as shown in FIG. 19, a spring-biased two-part handbag frame style of closure  78  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, crocheted frogs  64  as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and any combination thereof. Some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention require that back pouch panel  4   b  be slightly longer than front pouch panel  4   a , so that back pouch panel  4   b  folds up over the bottom portion of front pouch panel  4   a  during closure for successful lint containment. It is preferred that front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  be manufactured from a lightweight durable material, such as nylon, so that the pouch formed therefrom, as well as attached mitt  14  and a maximum contemplated quantity of accumulated lint  46 , can easily be supported by magnets  16  or  60  against the outer surface of a dryer housing  52 . It is also preferred that the pouch made from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  be constructed from a material with a slick surface to which accumulated lint  46  does not readily adhere. Further, although not critical, it is preferred that the pouch and mitt  14  be made from washable materials, and that mitt  14  be manufactured from soft, lint-adhering, stretchable, knit material. Although not shown, it is considered within the scope of the present invention for the pouch made from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  to have a lining when a pouch fabric is chosen for its surface decoration instead of its functional advantages. However, a lining is generally not preferred where the added weight of a lining would increase the cost of magnetic support. Since the preferred embodiments of the present invention have few parts to assemble, and different bottom closures are contemplated to accommodate user preference and price point considerations, the present invention can be cost effectively manufactured for different targeted markets and widespread use.  
         [0032]    Although the dimensions of components in the present invention could vary and should not be limited hereto, the following dimensions are provided as an example of some of the dimensions more commonly used in the most preferred embodiment. It is contemplated for front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  in present invention  2  to each have a stitched length dimension of approximately sixteen inches, and a stitched width dimension of approximately eleven inches. The side seams  28  between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  would typically have a width dimension between one-half inch and three-fourths of an inch. In the alternative, when one large piece of fabric having the combined dimension of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  is used to form the needed pouch, a single longitudinal seam  28  would be used instead of opposing side seams  28 . The horizontally extending stitching  12  adjacent to front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b  would be at spaced-apart distances therefrom of approximately one inch. Also, the front handbag closure frame  18   a  and the back handbag closure frame  18   b  that are respectively placed in the enclosed pockets between front bottom edge  10   a  and stitching  12 , and back bottom edge  10   b  and stitching  12 , would have a maximum width dimension of approximately one-half inch. The horizontally extending stitching  12  adjacent to front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b  would be at spaced-apart distances therefrom of approximately one-and-one-half inches. Also, the elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and the elongated back magnetic strip  16   b  that are respectively placed in the enclosed pockets between front top edge  8   a  and stitching  12 , and top back edge  8   b  and stitching  12 , would have a maximum width dimension of approximately one inch. In place of elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , the closure means for securing front top edge  8   a  to top back edge  8   b  could comprise six disk-shaped magnets, such as those shown in FIG. 14 by the number  60 , each having the cross-sectional configuration of a circle with an approximate diameter dimension between three-fourths of an inch and one inch, as well as a thickness dimension of approximately one-fourth of an inch. Two opposing sets of the disk-shaped magnets  60  would be placed approximately one-and-one-fourth inches to one-and-one-half inches from the side seams connecting front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b , with the third set of disk-shaped magnets  60  being approximately centered between the side seams  28  connecting front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b . Although not shown, magnets having other cross-sectional configurations could also be used. Further, opening  6  would be approximately five inches in length, with approximately three inches of front pouch panel  4   a  present on both sides of opening  6 . Also, in the most preferred embodiment, opening  6  would be positioned between approximately one inch and three inches from the horizontally extending stitching  12  adjacent to front top edge  8   a . In addition, for most purposes mitt  14  would have a maximum length dimension of approximately eight inches to nine inches, with thumb members  22  extending to an approximate maximum distance of five inches from opening  6 . Also in the most preferred embodiment finger-containing member  24  would have a non-stretched width dimension of approximately four-and-one-half inches.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows mitt  14  of first preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention having two opposed thumb members  22  and a central finger containing member  24  therebetween for use in covering the three middle fingers of the hand  44  shown in FIG. 8, or all four fingers of the person using it to remove lint  46  from a dryer lint filter  50 , such as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. Although FIG. 3 shows two thumb members  22 , it is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention for mitt  14  to have only one thumb member  22 , or no thumb members  22  and only a large finger containing member  24  for the entire hand  44  shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 3 also shows mitt  14  having a bottom opening  32 , an inside surface  30 , seam lines  28 , and a ridge-like bound seam  26  on its entire perimeter edge except for that surrounding bottom opening  32 . It is through seam line  28  that mitt  14  becomes attached to opening  6  during manufacture of the present invention. Although such construction is not critical, bound seam  26  in first preferred embodiment 2 would contain the cut edges of two opposing pieces of soft, stretchable, lint-attracting knit fabric, such as cotton, overcast or bound with thread, the detail of which is not shown in FIG. 3. Although not limited thereto and not shown, and provided herein as only one example of use, a buttonhole stitch could be used to secure the cut edges of bound seam  26  so that it is sufficiently bulky and upstanding to form a ridge and be effective, as well as efficient, in gathering accumulated lint  46  from the lint filter  50  of a clothes dryer  52  and rolling it into an accumulated mass with little or no fragmentation. During such gathering of lint  46 , it is expected that hand  44  inserted into mitt  14 , as shown in FIG. 8, would stretch mitt  14  as the fingers on hand  44  fold around lint  46  to help contain it during transport. Further, and although not limited thereto, it is contemplated for protruding ridge-like bound seam  26  to have a preferred minimum width dimension of approximately one-eight of an inch, and a preferred maximum width dimension of approximately one-fourth of an inch. Opposed thumb members  22  allow for immediate left-handed and right-handed use without accommodation, although immediate left-handed and right-handed use can also be achieved with a longer rectangular pouch, mitt  14  with one or no thumb members  22 , and a longitudinally centered opening  6  that in combination allow for equally convenient upright and inverted positioning of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , allowing its user the choice of preferred orientation. Since mitt  14  is directly attached to opening  6 , the removed dryer lint  46  can be immediately transferred to the pouch formed from back pouch panel  4   b  and front pouch panel  4   a  after its collection, while mitt  14  is closely positioned to the clothes dryer filter  50 . Thus, there would be no uncovered transport of fragmented particles of lint  46  to a remote waste container, such as waste container  48  shown in FIG. 11, that otherwise tends to result in the dispersal of at least a portion of dry, wispy, lightweight lint  46  into the area immediately surrounding a clothes dryer  52 . Further, although not critical, when mitt  14  is manufactured from soft, lint-adhering material, the ridge-like bound seam  26  of mitt  14  tends to roll lint  46  into a compact mass as mitt  14  is drawn across a clothes dryer filter  50 , instead of buckling and/or fractionating portions of the accumulated lint  46  into easily dispersed fragments, as tends to happen when uncovered fingernails and fingertips are used to separate lint  46  from filter  50 . Also, since the fingernails of the person removing lint  46  are covered by mitt  14  when preferred embodiment 2 is used, fingernails do not come in direct contact with filter  50  and are not placed at risk for damage. In addition, any fragments of lint  46  dislodged from filter  50  while the bulk of lint  46  is being rolled into a compact mass, would tend to be immediately attracted to the soft material of mitt  14  and cling to it, minimizing the amount of lint  46  becoming dispersed as a fine dust into the air immediately surrounding dryer  52 . When a clothes dryer lint filter  50  is regularly cleaned, the present invention mitt  14  tends to remove nearly all of the accumulated lint  46  thereon in one pass of mitt  14  across filter  50 . Multiple passes of mitt  14  are only anticipated for an unusually heavy deposit of lint  46 , such as that expected during the laundering of new towels or blankets (not shown).  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 shows one possible configuration of the magnetic strips  16   a  and  16   b , as well as additional magnetic strips  16   c , used in first preferred embodiment 2. Magnetic strips  16  similar to that shown in FIG. 4 can be used to close front top edge  8   a  against top back edge  8   b , as shown by  16   a  and  16   b  in FIGS. 1 and 2. A magnetic strip  16  similar to that shown in FIG. 4 can also be attached to the outside surface of back pouch panel  4   b , as shown in FIG. 2 by the number  16   c , to help attach first preferred embodiment 2 to the outside surface of a dryer  52 , as shown in FIG. 11, or to the door  54  of a dryer  52 , as shown in FIG. 12. The length, width, and thickness dimensions of magnetic strip  16  is not critical, and would vary according to the weight of the material used for front pouch panel  4   a , back pouch panel  4   b , and mitt  14 , as well and the lint-holding capacity of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  when joined together and sealed at upper and lower ends with easily opening closures, such as handbag frame front member  18   a  and handbag frame back member  18   b . However, as the size of magnetic strip  16  employed during manufacture is increased, it must be taken into consideration that the manufacturing cost is also increased. Although not limited thereto, magnetic strips  16  made from ferromagnetic materials are preferred, due to their inexpensive cost and widespread availability.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 shows the two-part handbag frame style closure  78  used in first preferred embodiment 2 for closing back bottom edge  10   b  against front bottom edge  10   a . In the alternative, lower end closures can include but are not limited to those shown in FIGS.  14 - 19 , or magnetic closures such as the smaller disk-like magnets  60  shown in FIG. 14 for upper end closure, or the magnetic strips  16   a  and  16   b  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as upper end closures. FIG. 5 shows two-part handbag frame style closure  78  having an elongated handbag frame back member  18   b , an elongated handbag frame front member  18   a , two hinges  20  with a different hinge  20  connecting handbag frame back member  18   b  to handbag frame front member  18   a  on each of their respective ends, and several inner support members  76  used to prevent inadvertent crimping or creasing of the flexible material from which handbag frame back member  18   b  and handbag frame front member  18   a  are manufactured, and any resulting interference from such crimping or creasing that might otherwise prevent their proper operation. When handbag frame back member  18   b  is connected to handbag frame front member  18   a  with hinges  20 , handbag frame back member  18   b  and handbag frame front member  18   a  are each movable relative to the other between at least one openable position and a fully closed position, each being normally biased into the closed position. However, when handbag frame front member  18   a  is forced away from handbag frame back member  18   b , both can remain separated from the other until an outside closing force is applied to handbag frame front member  18   a , handbag frame back member  18   b , or both. At least one intermediate opened position is also possible between handbag frame front member  18   a  and handbag frame back member  18 , although not considered critical. When handbag frame front member  18   a  and handbag frame back member  18   b  are inserted within the lower pockets formed in front pouch member  4   a  and back pouch member  4   b , respectively, it is contemplated that apertures (not shown) can remain in the lower pockets after manufacture, adjacent to hinges  20 , so that hinges  20  can be disassembled for the removal of handbag frame front member  18   a  and handbag frame back member  18   b  from front pouch member  4   a , back pouch member  4   b , and mitt  14 , prior to laundering.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 6 and 7 show the positioning of mitt  14  immediately prior to attachment of mitt  14  to the opening  6  in front pouch panel  4   a . If the cut edges of the material from which mitt  14  is manufactured are subject to easy unraveling or fray, mitt  14  can be turned inside-out so that bound seam  26  is located in a reversed position where it will remain between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  during use. For ease of manufacture, it is contemplated for mitt  14  to be connected to front pouch panel  4   a , prior to front pouch panel  4   a  being attached to back pouch panel  4   b  at side seams  28 . However, it is optional whether side seam lines  28  in front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  would be connected prior to, or after, the forming of end pockets via the folding and stitching of top cut edge  36  and bottom cut edge  38  against adjacent portions of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . FIG. 6 provides an enlarged view of opening  6  and the open end  32  of mitt  14 , with opposing protruding bound seams  26  facing one another. Both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show opening  6  having a more circular perimeter dimension than previously shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of opening  6  being a function, labor cost, or design consideration, or combination of several such considerations. FIGS. 6 and 7 also both show seam lines  28  around opening  6  and on mitt  14  adjacent to its open end  32 , being aligned for later connection with stitching, such as stitching  12  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 7 further shows the front pouch panel  4   a  of first embodiment 2 prior to folding and stitching. As shown by the uppermost unnumbered arrow, top cut edge  36  can be folded at fold line  34 , then folded again at front top edge  8   a  prior to being secured in place with stitching  12  (not shown in FIG. 7, but shown in FIG. 1) to form a hemmed enclosure or pocket for elongated front magnetic strip  16   a . Stitching  12  can be attached with either the front surface or the back surface of front pouch panel  4   a  facing in an upward position. Similarly, and as shown by an opposing unnumbered lower arrow, bottom cut edge  38  can be folded at fold line  34 , then folded again at front bottom edge  10   a  prior to being secured in place with stitching  12  (not shown in FIG. 7, but shown in FIG. 1) to form a hemmed enclosure or pocket for elongated back magnetic strip  16   b . If the type of stitching  12  used is configured to encase top cut edge  36  and bottom cut edge  38  to prevent fraying thereof, the step of folding at top and bottom fold lines  34  can be omitted during the formation of hemmed enclosures or pockets for elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  and elongated back magnetic strip  16   b , thus saving some material expense. FIG. 7 further shows the side cut edges  40  of front pouch panel  4   a , as well as the side seam lines  28  used for connecting front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b . Once front pouch panel  4   a  is connected to back pouch panel  4   b  at side seam lines  28 , the cut edges  40  of fabric adjacent to seam lines  28  in either or both front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  can be bound to prevent unraveling or fray, or if subject to fray the type of stitching  12  used to connect seam lines  28  in FIG. 7 can be selected so that side cut edges  40  become overcast by stitching  12  as stitching  12  is applied. The number  30  in both FIGS. 6 and 7 identifies the lines indicating the back fabric surfaces of both mitt  14  and front pouch panel  4   a . Thus, as, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when hand  44  is placed within mitt  14 , hand  44  would come into contact with the back fabric surface of mitt  14 , while the front fabric surface of mitt  14  would be used to collect lint  46 , and protruding bound seam  26  if present would be formed into the front surface of mitt  14 . It is also contemplated for the reverse to be within the scope of the present invention, so that when the back fabric surface  30  of the material used to make mitt  14  is more lint-adhering and suitable for collection of lint  46 , mitt  14  can be attached to front pouch panel  4   a  so that the back fabric surface  30  of mitt  14  is used for lint collection and the front fabric surface of the material used to make mitt  14  would be the fabric surface in direct contact with hand  44 . FIG. 7 shows the protruding bound seam  26  of mitt  14  positioned inside mitt  14  during the connection of mitt  14  to front pouch panel  4   a . However, reverse positioning of mitt  14  is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Once attachment of mitt  14  to front pouch panel  4   a  is complete, mitt  14  would be pushed through opening  6  against the back fabric surface  30  of front pouch panel  4   a  for use, wherein the lint-gathering bound seam  26  of mitt  14 , if present for use as an additional lint gathering means, would be in an exposed position ready for service.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 8, 9 and  10  show mitt  14  in first preferred embodiment 2, respectively, in a position extending beyond front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b  for the collection of dryer lint  46 , in a position drawn back below front top edge  8   a  for release of lint  46  into the pouch formed from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , and in a downwardly facing non-active position while front bottom edge  10   a  is separated from back bottom edge  10   b  to allow transfer of lint  46  to a separate waste disposal container  48  remote from dryer  52 . FIG. 8 shows a human arm  42  inserted through opening  6 , with the hand  44  connected thereto positioned within mitt  14 . Although all four fingers on hand  44  are positioned within the central finger containing member of mitt  14 , identified by the number  24  in FIG. 3, and the thumb on hand  44  is placed within one of the thumb members  22  of mitt  14 , identified by the number  22  in FIG. 3, mitt  14  could also be used with the thumb on hand  44  positioned within finger containing member  24  with the fingers on hand  44 , or with at least one of the fingers on hand  44  placed into the thumb member  22  shown unused in FIG. 8. The use of second thumb member  22  would therefore remain a choice of the user, and probably would be preferred only by those having larger hands. Horizontally extending stitching  12  adjacent to front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8 , as well as adjacent to front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b , helps to keep the potentially unraveling top and bottom cut edges  36  and  38  of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  from interfering with the extension and withdrawal of mitt  14 , or interfering with the downward movement of lint  46  once front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b  are separated from one another, during repeated use of first preferred embodiment 2. Although not critical, during the extension of mitt  14  beyond front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8 , as well as during use of mitt  14  to collect lint  46 , it is contemplated that front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b  would remain secured tightly against one another. FIG. 9 shows mitt  14  after lint collection, and when mitt  14  is already withdrawn below front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8   b , in a downwardly hanging position between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . Arm  42  is still inserted through opening  6 , with mitt  14  having a substantially open and planar configuration that allows collected lint  46  to fall into the bottom of the pouch created by the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . When hand  44  is still within mitt  14  and lint  46  is being transferred from mitt  14  to the interior space between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , it is contemplated for front top edge  8   a  to be in either an opened position, or a closed position against top back edge  8   b  and secured thereto by elongated front magnetic strip  16   a  being firmly positioned against elongated back magnetic strip  16   b  (not shown in FIG. 9). However, front bottom edge  10   a  would necessarily be in a closed position against back bottom edge  10   b  to keep collected lint  46  between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . To empty lint  46  from first preferred embodiment 2, FIG. 10 shows first preferred embodiment 2 positioned above a waste container  48  having a wide top opening, with handbag frame front member  18   a  separated from handbag frame back member  18   b  so as to maintain front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b  in positions separated from one another. Although front top edge  8   a  would usually be in a closed position against top back edge  8   b , secured together by elongated front magnetic member  16   a  and elongated back magnetic member  16   b  (not shown in FIG. 10), such closure is not critical. If magnetic closures  16  were used to secure the bottom edges of front pouch panel  4   a  and bottom pouch panel  4   b  to one another in place of handbag frame front member  18   a  separated from handbag frame back member  18   b , the person removing lint  46  would probably hold front pouch panel  4   a  and bottom pouch panel  4   b  adjacent to front bottom edge  10   a  and back bottom edge  10   b  to maintain handbag frame front member  18   a  in a separated position from handbag frame back member  18   b  until the gravity-assisted lint emptying process was complete. FIG. 10 shows the horizontally extending stitching  12  that helps to form the enclosures or pockets within front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  for handbag frame front member  18   a , handbag frame back member  18   b , elongated front magnetic member  16   a  and elongated back magnetic member  16   b  (not shown in FIG. 10). After all collected and temporarily stored lint  46  is emptied from first preferred embodiment 2 into waste container  48 , front bottom edge  10   a  can be again placed in a closed position against back bottom edge  10   b , and first preferred embodiment 2 attached to the housing of a clothes dryer, such as clothes dryer  52  shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , so that it can remain readily accessible for subsequent uses.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11 shows a person  56  using mitt  14  to clean a clothes dryer filter  50 , while FIGS. 12 and 13 show first preferred embodiment 2 being conveniently stored in a position attached to the outer surface of clothes dryer  52 . Although not limited thereto, first preferred embodiment 2 would be attached to clothes dryer  52  so that opening  6  faces away from clothes dryer  52 , making it easy for person  56  shown in FIG. 11 to rapidly insert hand  44  into mitt  14  even before preferred embodiment 2 is separated from clothes dryer  52  for use. FIG. 11 shows person  56  having one arm  42  inserted through opening  6  in front pouch panel  4   a , and mitt  14  extended beyond one end of front pouch panel  4   a . While bending over to access lint filter  50 , with filter  50  remaining in its usable position within clothes dryer  52 , person  56  employs mitt  14  to easily and quickly gather the lint  46  (not shown in FIG. 11) that has collected upon filter  50  during use of clothes dryer  52 . In some instances the collecting surface of lint filter  50  is only accessible by removing filter  50  from clothes dryer  52 . However, when lint  46  can be removed with lint filter  50  remaining in its usable position, it would be the choice of the person  56  attempting to remove lint  46  as to whether to separate lint filter  50  from clothes dryer  52  prior to the lint filter  50  cleaning process. Typically, one pass of mitt  14  over the lint collecting surface of filter  50  is sufficient for removal of lint  46  from filter  50 , due to the soft material used to make mitt  14  which causes fragments of lint  46  to be attracted to mitt  14  and adhere to it during the lint removal process, as well as the effectiveness of ridge-like bound seam  26  (shown in FIG. 3) on mitt  14  being able to roll lint  46  into a compact mass when a bound seam  26  is used. FIG. 12 shows first preferred embodiment 2 being attached to a dryer door  54 , and FIG. 13 shows first preferred embodiment 2 being attached to the right side of a clothes dryer housing  52 , both in positions readily accessible for convenient use by person  56 . Although not shown, first preferred embodiment 2 could also be attached to the left side of dryer housing  52 , or placed upon the top of dryer housing  52 . Thus, when person  56  approaches clothes dryer  52  with the intent of removing lint  46  from filter  50 , person  56  can optionally grip first preferred embodiment 2 with one or two hands, separate first preferred embodiment 2 from clothes dryer  52 , and then insert one arm  42  through opening  6 , followed by separation of the top edges  8   a  and  8   b  of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  from one another, and extension of mitt  14  beyond front top edge  8   a  and top back edge  8  to prepare mitt  14  for lint collection use. In the alternative, and in a more efficiently flowing motion, it is also contemplated for person  56  to use the attachment of first preferred embodiment 2 to clothes dryer  52  as an anchoring point to steady first preferred embodiment 2 while arm  42  is inserted through opening  6 , after which first preferred embodiment 2 would be separated from clothes dryer  52 , separation of the top edges  8   a  and  8   b  of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  from one another, and mitt  14  being extended into an exposed position for use.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  14 - 19  show examples of some of the various alternative closures also contemplated for use in securing front bottom edge  10   a  to back bottom edge  10   b . However, the means used to secure front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  are not limited to that shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 ,  4 - 5 , and  9 - 19 , and can include any number of easily opened, secure multiple-part fasteners or combination thereof. FIG. 14 shows a second preferred embodiment 58 of the present invention having a bottom closure consisting of several buttons  62  and several crocheted frogs  64 . Also, the top closure of second preferred embodiment 58 consists of several small magnets  60 , instead of opposing elongated magnetic strips  16 . In many of the embodiments shown in FIG. 14- 19 , back pouch panel  4   b  is slightly longer than front pouch panel  4   a , to allow back pouch panel  4   b  to fold over the bottom portion of front pouch panel  4   a  to provide bottom pouch closure. Although not shown in FIGS.  16 - 18 , one or more additional rows of horizontally extending stitching  12  could be placed adjacent to the juxtaposed bottom edges of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  to further secure them after the present invention is turned inside-out following the application of stitching  12  to side seam lines  28 . FIG. 15 shows an enlargement of one possible configuration of frog  64  having an enlarged upper loop  74  adapted to fit around the perimeter edge of the buttons  62  selected for use. Since frogs  64  are typically crocheted, upper loop  74  would be expected to exhibit some stretching capability. FIG. 16 shows a first alternative bottom closure contemplated for first preferred embodiment 2 and second preferred embodiment 58, consisting of several buttons  62  and buttonholes  66 . FIG. 17 shows a second alternative bottom closure contemplated for first preferred embodiment 2 and second preferred embodiment 58, consisting of several two-part snaps, comprising snap members  68   a  and  68   b . FIG. 18 shows a third alternative bottom closure contemplated for first preferred embodiment 2 and second preferred embodiment 58, consisting of several two-part rectangular-shaped fasteners each comprising a hook member  70   a  and a pile member  70   b . The number, size and perimeter configuration of hook members  70   a  and pile members  70   b  is not critical as long as they provide for secure closure of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . However, in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, hook members  70   a  would be attached to front pouch panel  4   a  and pile members  70   b  attached to back pouch panel  4   b  where they would not be in direct contact with lint  46 , as downwardly moving lint  46  being emptied from front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  would have a greater likelihood of becoming attached to hook members  70   a  than pile members  70   b . FIG. 19 shows a fourth alternative bottom closure contemplated for first preferred embodiment 2 and second preferred embodiment 58, consisting of a zipper  72  extending substantially the full width of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b . Although in FIG. 19 the bottom end of back pouch panel  4   b  may appear to be longer than front pouch panel  4   a , both have the same approximate length dimension and the curvature shown is for illustrative purposes only so that zipper  72  is not hidden from view. Although for maximum efficiency in emptying the pouch of collected lint  46 , zipper  72  should extend substantially across front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b , such extension is not critical. Further, although not critical, for ease of installation it is generally preferred for zipper  72  to be attached between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  prior to the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  to back pouch panel  4   b  at side seams  28 .  
         [0040]    Manufacture of the present invention is not limited to the joining of front pouch panel  4   a  to an equally dimensioned back panel  4   b . In the alternative a single piece of material approximately twice the width of front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  can be utilized, with one longitudinally extending seam being formed, either as a side seam  28  or a back seam (not shown). For color contrast and other decorative interest, front pouch panel  4   a  could also be significantly narrower than back pouch panel  4   b , with back pouch panel  4   b  wrapping around to create lateral portions of the present invention&#39;s front surface, whereby the two longitudinally extending seam lines  28  would be visible on either side of opening  6 . Thus, a narrow front pouch panel  4   a  could be made from a fabric having a solid color, while back pouch panel  4   b  is made from a fabric having a flowered or other decorative pattern to give the front surface of the present invention a three-panel look. In the alternative, the solid color/decorative design contrast between front pouch panel  4   a  and back pouch panel  4   b  could also be reversed to present a three-panel look with a central panel having a flowered or other decorative design. Labor cost would be taken into consideration and compared to the marketing advantages of such designs. As a further alternative, it is also contemplated for the pouch of the present invention to be made from a tubular material requiring no longitudinally extending seams  28 . If only one longitudinally extending seam is required, it would generally be preferred for the step of folding over and otherwise protecting the top cut edge  36  and the bottom cut edge  38  from unraveling or fraying to follow the step of creating the longitudinally extending seam  28 .