Abstract:
A dispensing vessel for introducing moisture to a clothes drying environment includes a core and a cover substantially surrounding the core. The core is comprised of a sponge-like material for retaining a moistening substance within the core, and the cover has at least one opening extending through to the core for permitting the release of moisture to the clothes drying environment.

Description:
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
       [0001]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a vessel for dispensing steam or moisture into a clothes drying environment, and particularly to a vessel for dispensing steam or moisture to a batch of clothes that has been left in a clothes dryer for a period of time following termination of the drying cycle. 
         [0003]    For many families and individuals, the task of washing and drying clothing, towels, and other articles is ongoing. Quite often, as one batch of clothing articles is completed, another is ready to begin. Even with the aid of advanced washing machines and clothes dryers, washing and drying clothing articles can become an obligation that quickly fills an entire day. Washing and drying cycles for conventional washing machines and clothes dryers can have varied lengths, depending on the size of the batch of clothing articles to be washed and dried. Inevitably, busy families and individuals can lose track of the status of a batch of clothing articles during one of these cycles. As a result, it is not at all uncommon for a batch of clothing articles to sit unattended in a washing machine or clothes dryer following termination of the corresponding cycle. 
         [0004]    In particular, with respect to the drying component of the overall process, a batch of clothing articles that is left unattended following termination of the drying cycle can become wrinkled, matted, or clumped together if left for a prolonged period of time. When this occurs, individual clothing articles may be virtually unusable without being refreshed. In order to refresh the batch of clothing articles following termination of the drying cycle, individuals may consider restarting the drying cycle so as to “fluff” the batch of clothing articles before removal from the clothes dryer. However, such attempts to refresh often do not assist with the removal of wrinkles from individual articles because the batch of clothing articles is already dry. As such, a need exists for a device or method that is capable of refreshing a batch of clothing articles that has been left in a clothes dryer for a period of time following termination of the drying cycle. 
         [0005]    Conventional drying aids, such as dryer sheets and dryer balls, are intended for use in connection with a batch of clothing articles at the beginning of the drying cycle when the clothing articles are still wet from the washing cycle. Dryer sheets typically assist with softening the underlying fabric of the clothing articles and may reduce static between individual clothing articles during the drying cycle. Dryer balls typically facilitate greater air flow between clothing articles during the drying cycle, thereby enhancing the drying process by increasing air circulation in the clothes dryer. However, these conventional drying aids are unable to assist in refreshing or removing wrinkles from a batch of clothing articles that is already dry. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists for improvement in the field of drying aids for conventional clothes dryers, and particularly in connection with refreshing a batch of clothing articles that has been left in a clothes dryer for a period of time following termination of the drying cycle. This, and other needs, is addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of dispensing vessels for clothes dryers, the present invention is not limited to use only in connection with dispensing vessels for clothes dryers, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a dispensing vessel for introducing moisture to a clothes drying environment. An exemplary such dispensing vessel includes a core and a cover substantially surrounding the core. In this aspect of the invention, the core is comprised of a sponge-like material for at least temporarily retaining a moistening substance within the core. Additionally, the cover has at least one opening extending through to the core for permitting the release of moisture to the clothes drying environment. As used herein, the term “moisture” may refer to liquids, gases, or combinations thereof. 
         [0009]    In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the dispensing vessel may further include one or more protuberances. Furthermore, each of the one or more protuberances may have a flattened tip. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of using a dispensing vessel for introducing moisture to a clothes drying environment, wherein the dispensing vessel includes a core and a cover substantially surrounding the core. An exemplary such method includes introducing a moistening substance to the core of the dispensing vessel, placing the dispensing vessel in a clothes dryer with a batch of clothing articles, and configuring the clothes dryer to operate at a heat setting. Moisture is released from the core of the dispensing vessel to the clothes drying environment via at least one opening in the cover of the dispensing vessel. As used herein, the phrase “clothing articles” may refer to clothing, towels, accessory garments, or related articles. 
         [0011]    In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations of such aspects and features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein, 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective representation of an embodiment of a dispensing vessel in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2-7  are perspective representations of another embodiment of a dispensing vessel in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
         [0017]    Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein. 
         [0018]    Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
         [0020]    When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
         [0021]    As used herein, the specific term “moisture” may refer to liquids, gases, or combinations thereof. Additionally, as used herein, the specific phrase “clothing articles” may refer to clothing, towels, accessory garments, or related articles. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a dispensing vessel  10  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention is shown. The dispensing vessel  10  includes a core  12  and a cover  14 . The core  12  is preferably composed of a sponge-like material that is capable of absorbing and at least temporarily retaining a moistening substance. The cover  14  substantially surrounds the core  12  and includes at least one opening  16  that extends through to the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  10 . As will be explained in greater detail below, when the dispensing vessel  10  is in use in a clothes drying environment, moisture is permitted to pass from the core  12  to the clothes drying environment via the at least one opening  16 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover  14  of the dispensing vessel  10  may have a generally spherical shape, thereby providing the dispensing vessel  10  itself with a generally spherical shape. Although a spherical shape is shown, other shapes are also contemplated, such as an oblong shape or a cube shape. The cover  14  of the dispensing vessel  10  may be composed of any material that might be preferred. Advantageously, the cover  14  may be composed of a durable material that is capable of withstanding the high heat typically associated with conventional clothes dryers, such as a durable plastic or rubber material. The cover  14  may also be configured to have a rigid or semi-rigid character. The core  12  may be composed of any material that provides the ability to retain a moistening substance at least temporarily, such as a sponge or sponge-like material. 
         [0025]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the dispensing vessel  10  may include a fill opening  22  to provide an entry portal through which a moistening substance may be added to the core  12 . The fill opening  22  may be any particular size as might be preferred. Advantageously, the fill opening  22  is sufficiently large so as to permit the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  10  to be removed or replaced. Removal or replacement of the core  12  may become necessary following repeated usage of the dispensing vessel or if the material comprising the core  12  becomes soiled or worn. A cap or lid (not shown) may also be included so as to provide a means of selectively sealing the fill opening  22  after the moistening substance is added to the core  12 . The moistening substance may be any particular substance that can be added to the core  12  in order to provide moisture. Preferably, the moistening substance is a liquid that may be poured into the dispensing vessel  10  through the fill opening  22  to the core  12 . As the dispensing vessel  10  is filled, the sponge-like material of the core  12  absorbs and at least temporarily retains the moistening substance. Additives may be included in the moistening substance to convey desired properties thereto as might be preferred. For instance, a scented substance may be added to the moisturizing substance so as to add a desired scent. 
         [0026]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one opening  16  may be arranged on the cover  14 , that extends through to the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  10 . While any number of openings  16  may be incorporated in the dispensing vessel  10 ,  FIG. 1  depicts a plurality of openings  16  spaced along the cover  14  at relatively even intervals. The size of the at least one opening  16  may vary. Preferably, the size of the at least one opening  16  is not so large as to permit immediate spillage of the moistening substance from the core  12 . Advantageously, it is also within the scope of the present invention not to include openings  16  opposite of the fill opening  22 . In this regard, the moistening substance added to the core  12  through the fill opening  22  is less likely to seep out of the dispensing vessel  10  prior to use. 
         [0027]    In a method of use of the dispensing vessel  10 , a moistening substance may be introduced to the core  12  through the fill opening  22 . If a cap or lid is present, the cap or lid may be affixed to the cover  14  so as to seal the fill opening  22 , thereby helping to prevent spillage of the moistening substance. The moistening substance is absorbed and at least temporarily retained by the sponge-like material of the core  12 . Optionally, an additive may be included in the moistening substance or added to the core  12  separately in order to provide the moistening substance with a desired property, such as a specific scent. The filled dispensing vessel  10  may then be placed in a clothes dryer with a batch of clothing articles. In a preferred aspect of the method, the batch of clothing articles has previously completed a drying cycle in the clothes dryer and has been left in the clothes dryer for a period of time following termination of the drying cycle, after which time the batch of clothing articles may have become wrinkled, matted, or clumped together. 
         [0028]    Following placement of the filled dispensing vessel  10  in the clothes dryer, the clothes dryer is configured to a drying cycle with a heat setting. During the drying cycle, moisture is released from the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  10  to the clothes drying environment through the at least one opening  16  in the cover  14  of the dispensing vessel  10 . Moisture from the dispensing vessel  10  thereby assists with the removal of wrinkles from individual articles in the batch of clothing articles. Additionally, if a scented additive is included with the moistening substance, the dispensing vessel may simultaneously impart the desired scent to the batch of clothing articles in the clothes dryer, which may further refresh the batch of clothing articles. In a preferred aspect of the method, a high level of heat from the drying cycle of the clothes dryer may facilitate moisture being released from the dispensing vessel  10  as steam, which may enhance the removal of wrinkles. Additionally, a plurality of dispensing vessels  10  may be used simultaneously in connection with a large batch of clothing articles. 
         [0029]    The dispensing vessel  10  may thus be used to provide moisture to the clothes drying environment. Use of the dispensing vessel  10  may assist with the removal of wrinkles from a batch of clothing articles and otherwise refresh the batch of clothing articles following termination of the drying cycle. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2-7 , another embodiment of a dispensing vessel  110  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention is shown. The dispensing vessel  110  may include one or more protuberances  18 . The one or more protuberances may be formed as an integral component of the cover  14 , as specifically set forth in  FIGS. 2-7 , or the one or more protuberances may be attached to the cover  14  as separate, individual components. As separate components, individual protuberances may be replaced as needed if damage occurs or if differently shaped protuberances are desired. As with the cover  14 , the composition of the protuberances  18  may vary. Advantageously, the one or more protuberances  18  are each composed of a durable material that is capable of withstanding the high heat typically associated with conventional clothes dryers, such as a durable plastic or rubber material. Preferably, the one or more protuberances  18  are composed of the same material as the cover  14 . 
         [0031]    The one or more protuberances  18  may be shaped so as to facilitate air flow between clothing articles in a clothes drying environment, such as a conventional clothes dryer. As shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , the one or more protuberances  18  may be generally evenly spaced on the cover  14  of the dispensing vessel  10 . During use of the dispensing vessel  110  in a clothes dryer, the one or more protuberances  18  help to lift and separate individual clothing articles, thereby assisting with airflow between and among individual clothing articles in the clothes drying environment. Enhancing the airflow in the clothes drying environment permits moisture released from the dispensing vessel to be dispersed more evenly in a batch of clothing articles, which thereby enhances the effectiveness of the dispensing vessel  110  in removing wrinkles from individual clothing articles. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , each of the one or more protuberances  18  may be shaped as a chunky knob that extends outwardly away from the cover  14  with a flattened tip  20  at an end thereof. The chunky shape and the flattened tip  20  of the one or more protuberances  18  may enhance lifting and separating of individual clothing articles in a batch of clothing articles. In particular, the chunky shape and flattened tip  20  may loosen a matted or clumped batch of clothing articles that may have been left in the clothes dryer for a lengthy period of time following termination of an initial drying cycle. During use of the dispensing vessel  110 , the flattened tip  20  of the one or more protuberances  18  impacts and bangs into individual clothing articles to loosen and separate a matted or clumped batch of clothing articles, which thereby provides enhanced airflow to the clothes drying environment. 
         [0033]    Other shapes, quantities, and arrangements of the one or more protuberances  18  are contemplated. For instance, at least some of the one or more protuberances  18  may have a generally conical shape. Selection of the shape, quantity, and arrangement of the one or more protuberances  18  may vary on the basis of the type or quantity of individual clothing articles to be refreshed. It is also within the scope of the present invention for some of the protuberances to a have a different shape than other protuberances of a single dispensing vessel  110 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , which depict the one or more protuberances  18  as being integral with the cover  14 , some of the one or more protuberances  18  may have an opening  17  that extends through to the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  110 . During use of the dispensing vessel  110 , moisture may be released from the core  12  of the dispensing vessel  10  to the clothes drying environment through the openings  16  in the cover  14  and the openings  17  in the one or more protuberances  18 . Moisture from the dispensing vessel  10  thereby assists with the removal of wrinkles from individual articles in the batch of clothing articles. It is further contemplated that the dispensing vessel  110  may have openings  16  in the cover  14  without having openings  17  in the one or more protuberances  18 , and vice versa. Further, as specifically shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , it is also within the scope of the present invention not to include openings  16 ,  17  opposite of the fill opening  22 . In this regard, the moistening substance added to the core  12  through the fill opening  22  is less likely to seep out of the dispensing vessel  10  prior to use. Further still, if the protuberances are attachable to the cover  14  as separate, individual components, some of the protuberances may include an opening that extends through the protuberance. The openings of these protuberances may be aligned with one or more of the openings  16  of the cover  14  so as to establish a channel through which moisture may be released from the core  12  into the clothes drying environment. 
         [0035]    Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.