Patent Publication Number: US-2018038043-A1

Title: Shower mat of connected modular laundry bags

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to shower mats and more specifically concerns a shower mat comprised of a laundry bag or bags. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Permeable mesh laundry bags have long been used as containers for washing soiled clothing. U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,616 teaches a multi-compartment washing unit that can be enclosed from the sides with a variety of different fasteners. U.S. pending Patent Application 20050084182 teaches a compartmentalized bag with a radial separation pattern. A washing and sorting bag is known which is subdivided into compartments that are closed by joints and slide fasteners which are arranged in a longitudinal side of the bag. Gelman Patent 2009/DE102009010386 teaches a compartmentalized bag that opens and closes with slide fasteners. European Patent 2631358 teaches a compartmentalized bag with a means of opening each compartment individually. 
     None of these arrangements, however, can be used as a shower mat for cleaning clothes. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention includes a laundering shower mat, comprising: at least one fabric bag defining an interior volume for clothing to be laundered, including a porous upper fabric member permitting water to flow into the volume area around the clothing therein and a non-skid lower member for contact with a shower floor, wherein compression by a user on the fabric bag during showering results in washing of the clothing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a shower mat with multiple laundry bags. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of a single bag. 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevation view of an empty single bag. 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevation view of a filled single bag. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 . 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a hanger strap portion of a bag looped over a shower rod. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an empty single bag coiled and strapped into a compact roll. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective end view of three filled bags configured as a pillow. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The preferred form of the device  10  ( FIG. 1 ) consists of four rectangular bag units  11  ( FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 ), connected in series, with top panels made of woven mesh fabric  12  and lower or under panels made of coated antiskid mesh fabric  13 . The top panels  12  are two inches longer and wider than the under panels  11 , and their corners are pleated at  14 , so that the units appear flat when empty ( FIG. 3 ) and expand into semi-cylindrical compartments when filled with laundry  15  ( FIG. 4 ). This shape allows the under panels  13  to lie relatively flat against the shower or bath floor and fulfill their antiskid function. The individual units ( FIG. 2 ) in the embodiment shown are 18 inches long, 6 inches wide and two inches deep at the midline of their filled compartments  15 , although these dimensions could be changed. 
     Hook-and-loop touch fasteners are located along their lateral margins, including a full length strip of the loop component sewn facing upward onto each right lateral margin  16 , and five equally spaced strips of the hook component sewn facing downward onto each left lateral margin  17 . Connection of these fasteners forms a flexible junction between each unit  11 , allowing for easy separation when the fasteners are lifted or pulled apart. The width and laundering capacity of the mat can be adjusted by adding or removing individual units. Thus, three connected units comprise a mat  10  that measures 18×18 inches, and four units comprise a mat that measures 18×24 inches ( FIG. 1 ). Each compartment  15  has a volume of two quarts ( FIG. 4 ); hence, a four-unit mat can contain up to two gallons of laundry when loosely filled. During the shower or bath, the filled mat  10  provides a comfortable standing or sitting platform, and footsteps or body movement on the loosely filled compartments  15  ( FIG. 4 ) compress and flush water through the contained laundry bags. 
     Each bag is reinforced with biased hems around its margins  19 , and each has a zippered portal  20  located along the right side of its top panel, for loading and unloading the laundry. The ends of the zippers are reinforced with stitched ribbon patches  21  and  22 , and the upper patch  22  is configured as a covered pocket to cushion the slide when the zipper is closed. Each unit has an 8-inch hanger strap  23  stitched to the one end  23 A of the under panel  13 . The strap is comprised of the loop component of a hook-and-loop fastener strip, and has a patch or portion of the hook component  24  stitched to its proximal end, so that the strap can be fastened as a closed loop  25  over a shower rod  26  for draining and drip-drying the bag unit ( FIG. 6 ). Each strap  23  also has a section  28  at its distal end that is doubled over and stitched, exposing the loop fastener surface on both sides  27 , thus enabling the strap to function in reverse, so that the empty units can be coiled and strapped for storage ( FIG. 7 ). 
     A variety of alternative fabrics and fasteners could be used to make this device. Open-end separating zippers could be used to attach the units together. However, the preferred embodiment incorporates hook-and-loop touch fasteners  16 ,  17 , because they are easy to attach and more comfortable underfoot. The preferred fabric for the top panels  12  is a non-coated cloth mesh of woven synthetic fiber, as is commonly used in most currently marketed laundry bags. The preferred fabric for the under panels  13  is an antiskid mesh of synthetic fiber that is coated with a heat-bonded plastic foam and has a gripping surface similar to natural rubber. The preferred portal fastener is a narrow closed-bottom zipper  20 , approximately nine inches long, that opens downward and is positioned 1½ inches to the right of the unit midline  28  for easy loading. 
     The primary advantage/utility of this device ( FIG. 1 ) is to cleanse soiled clothing while the user takes a shower or bath. Small laundry articles, such as hosiery, t-shirts and undergarments, are loaded loosely into each bag unit in even distribution ( FIG. 4 ). The filled units are fastened together in series at their hook and loop edges  16 ,  17  and the assembled mat ( FIG. 1 ) is placed at the edge of the drain on the standing zone of the shower floor. The mat is soaked and a stripe of liquid soap or detergent is applied over each unit. As the shower progresses, the soapy water permeates the compartments  15  and each compression cleanses and subsequently rinses the laundry. 
     A second advantage/utility is for the individual units to function as permeable and compressible envelopes ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) for wringing excess water out of the washed and rinsed laundry. 
     A third advantage/utility is for the filled units ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) to function as permeable envelopes for hanging and initially drip drying the laundry ( FIG. 6 ). Each unit can be hung from a shower rod  26  or clothesline by suspending it with its hanger strap  23 , and can be used to conceal personal garments from public display during the initial drying process. Progressive wringing of excess water that collects in the dependent portion of the bag hastens the drying process, and individual garments can then be removed for final drying as needed. 
     A fourth advantage/utility is for the units ( FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 ) to function as convenient dry storage bags ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) for packing and organizing travel apparel. 
     A fifth advantage/utility of the connected device is to function as a travel pillow. A series of three or more filled units can be rolled into a cylindrical shape and fastened at their exposed edges with their compartments  15  facing outward, thus forming a comfortable head cushion ( FIG. 8 ). 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow.