Patent Abstract:
A washing device for plus size bras includes a shell which consists of upper and lower shell portions. The upper and shell portions are curved inwardly and may have flat upper and lower surfaces, respectively, such that the height of the shell is less than the lateral dimension of the shell between opposite sides. A hinge permits opening of the upper shell portion with respect to the lower shell portion to insert a bra into the washing device, and a releasable latch mechanism securely holds the upper shell portion and a lower shell portion together during a washing cycle. Preferably, the height of the washing device is about one-half, or less, of the lateral dimension of the washing device, thereby permitting easy insertion into the washing machine.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for washing brassieres, and, more particularly, to devices for washing plus size brassieres and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Brassieres (also commonly called “bras”) are commonly made with two cups, two shoulder straps, two back straps, a latching mechanism (hooks and eyelets), optional padding (soft foam, air, water, gel, or silicone), and, optionally, two under-wires. Padding can come as removable inserts or as an integral part of the bra. Some bras comprise extremely delicate fabric, such as lace, satin, silk, mesh, high-tech micro-fiber, stretch, and sheer fabric. 
     The under-wires, when used in the cups, often become misshapen during washing and drying. Over time, the under-wires can also tear through the bra&#39;s fabric. This can result in injury to the breast or bra, and can also damage other clothing and the washing machine drum. 
     The latching mechanism, located either on the two back straps or on the front in between the cups at the inter-cup bridge, typically has a couple to several hooks and eyelets or a plastic snap closure. In the washing machine and/or dryer the hooks frequently snag onto the bra itself, zippers, buttonholes, sweaters, and delicate fabrics, as well as becoming misshapen. A bra can also easily become tangled with other clothing and in crevices within the washer and dryer, causing further deformities to the cups, padding, under-wires, fabric, and straps. Repeated machine washing and drying can also substantially diminish the elasticity of bras. The padding, especially if made of thick and soft foam, often becomes indented and bunched. If made of air, water, gel, or silicone, it can become punctured and leak. Such deformities are visible, even through a T-shirt, and are especially noticeable when tight fitting garments are worn. These problems are well understood by women who wear padded or non-padded bras. 
     Another way to wash bras is to place it within a mesh washing bag, which is then placed in a washing machine. However, because of its soft material construction, the bag still does not adequately prevent the bra from being damaged—such as losing its original shape, collapsing inward and against the cups&#39; curved shape, and becoming tangled with other bras or clothing within the same bag. In addition, padded bras (especially those using air, water, gel, or silicone) can be easily punctured, thus causing leakage to the bra cups. The time and money needed to replace a damaged bra can also be substantial. 
     Given all these inconveniences, many women have chosen to wash their bras by hand. However, hand-washing is very time-consuming and impractical. It can also induce back, hand, and wrist pain. Most bras that are hand-washed have to be air-dried, which causes water deposits where they are hung and thus slippery surfaces and more unnecessary cleanup. 
     The present inventor has previously been issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,683 (the &#39;683 patent) on Jun. 1, 2004, which is entitled “Washing, Drying, and Storage Device for Brassieres and Bikini Tops”. The device disclosed in this patent is generally spherical in shape. It is entirely adequate for laundering of petite, small, regular and large size bras. For example, petite size bras are commonly marketed in the United States as size 32, small size bras as size 34, regular size bras as size 36 and large size bras as size 38. Other countries may use corresponding metric sizes. Depending upon the size and shape of the cups of the bra, the device disclosed in &#39;683 patent may also be suitable for laundering of bras of larger size than size 38. 
     As used herein, “plus size” with respect to bras will generally mean size 40 or larger, such as size 42, size 44, size 46, size 48, and so forth. Such plus size bras typically do not fit into the washing device of the &#39;683 patent, especially those bras over size 40 or 42. 
     Furthermore, making a larger generally spherical washing device to accommodate the plus size bras is possible, but not practical since it will not fit into most top-loading washing machines. That is, the spacing between the top of the agitator and the top edge of the drum of the washing machine is not large enough to accommodate a larger generally spherical washing device similar to that shown in the &#39;683 patent. Thus, such a larger laundry device cannot be properly inserted into the washing machine. 
     A general object of the present invention is to therefore provide a washing device which will accommodate plus size bras and still be of a size or configuration which permits the washing device to be easily inserted into a washing machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing device for plus size bras which is of sturdy construction to withstand the agitation typically encountered in a washing machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a washing device for washing plus size bras. In accordance with one embodiment, the washing device includes a shell with an interior, the shell consisting of an upper shell portion and a lower shell portion, the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion are curved inwardly toward an internal center of the washing device. For example, the upper and lower shell portions may have relatively flat upper and lower surfaces, respectively, such that the height of the shell is less than the lateral dimension of the shell between opposite sides, a hinge disposed along one side of the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion, the hinge permitting opening of the upper shell portion with respect to the lower shell portion to insert a bra into the interior of the washing device, and a releasable latch mechanism to securely hold the upper shell portion and a lower shell portion together during a washing cycle. The height of the washing device is preferably about one-half, or less, of the lateral dimension of the washing device, such that the washing device may be easily inserted into the washing machine. The shell may include a generally flat rear surface and generally curved side and front surfaces. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the washing device preferably includes an insert which is kept in a substantially fixed relationship to the shell when inserted therein. The insert may couple to the shell in a tab and slot arrangement. The insert may have a rounded portion to generally conform to the shape of a bra cup. Alternatively, at least a portion of the insert is substantially flat. A plurality of arms extends between the tabs and the rounded portion or the flat portion of the insert. The insert may have a pocket configured to receive at least one bra strap, and it may be configured to divide the interior of the shell into two spatial regions, and a passage connects the two spatial regions. 
     In accordance with a still further embodiment, the latch mechanism preferably includes a tongue and a loop on one portion of the shell, and a receptacle on the other portion of the shell, the receptacle configured to receive the tongue and the loop. The receptacle may further include a rail configured to contact the loop, and contact between the loop and rail preferably inhibit the latch mechanism from opening accidentally during washing. For example, the latch mechanism may include a resilient member on one shell portion, with the resilient member disposed between a pair of slots, and the slots do not overlap with the other shell portion when the latch mechanism is closed. The latch mechanism may be operated by simultaneously applying a force in an inward direction and a force in an upward direction. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment, preferably, at least one of the shell portions includes a rim, and at least one of the shell portions includes a channel, such that a lip on one of the shell portions couples in the channel in the other shell portion when the shell is closed for improved durability of the washing device while being subjected to the agitation of a washing cycle in a washing machine. 
     The shell of the washing device preferably includes a plurality of openings, the openings being sized to inhibit a bra strap from extending out of the shell through the openings. The insert may also include a plurality of openings, and at least some of the openings in the insert are larger than the openings in the shell. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear and side elevational view of a washing device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the washing device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the washing device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the washing device of  FIGS. 1-3  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the washing device taken from the opposite side to that shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the engaging rims and channels of the upper and lower shells of the washing device shown in  FIGS. 1-5  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of a removable insert which is contained within the washing device shown in  FIGS. 1-5  during washing of a garment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of an alternate removable insert which is contained within the washing device shown in  FIGS. 1-5  during washing of a garment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism for the washing device shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged elevational view of the latching mechanism for the washing device shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with the present invention; 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details presented herein. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a washing device, generally designated  100 , according to one embodiment. Washing device  100  includes shell  102  and an insert  104 . Shell  102  includes upper shell portion  106  and lower shell portion  108 . Upper shell portion  106  and lower shell portion  108  may be pivotally connected at a hinge  109 . Shell  102  may be opened by swinging upper shell portion  106  away from lower shell portion  108 . Insert  104  may be removed from shell  102  when shell  102  is open. Shell  102  includes a latch mechanism  110  ( FIG. 2 ). Latch mechanism  110  may hold shell  102  in a closed position and it may be opened to place a bra or other garment therein, or to add or remove the insert  104 . 
     Washing device  100  may protect a garment from damage caused by the washer, dryer, or other clothing articles. Device  100  may also protect bra under-wires from becoming bent or protruding from the bra and thus piercing its fabric. In one embodiment, shell  102  and insert  104  are made out of polypropylene that is heat graded to protect it from heat damage. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , shell upper portion  106  includes channel  115  between outer rim  111  and inner rim  112 . Shell lower portion  108  includes channel  114  between inner rim  128  and outer rim  126 . Inner rim  112  of upper shell portion  106  may nestle in channel  114  of lower shell portion  108  when shell  102  is closed. Outer rim  126  of lower shell portion  108  may nestle in channel  116  of upper shell portion  106  when shell  102  is closed. Engagement of inner rim  112  in channel  114  and/or rim  126  in channel  115  preferably inhibits lateral movement of upper shell portion  106  relative to lower shell portion  108 . Engagement of inner rim  112  in channel  114  and/or outer rim  126  in channel  115  may also inhibit deformation of the shell halves (e.g., flexure, buckling) near the junction of the upper shell portion and the lower shell portion. Inhibiting deformation may keep upper shell portion  106  and lower shell portion  108  from separating when external loads are encountered during washing and/or handling of device  100 . Engagement of inner rim  112  in channel  114  and/or outer rim  126  in channel  115  may also alleviate stress on latch mechanism  110  and hinge  109 . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a top surface  107  of the upper shell portion  106  and the bottom surface  105  of the lower shell portion  108  are are curved inwardly toward an internal center of the washing device. For example, the top surface  107  of the upper shell portion  106  and the bottom surface  105  of the lower shell portion  108  may be approximately flat. Thus, the washing device  100  is reduced in height, as compared to a sphere of approximately the same diameter. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a back or rear surface  113 , which accommodates hinge  109  is relatively flat. A left side surface  115 , a right side surface  116  and a front surface  117  are generally curved or semicircular in configuration. For example, a washing device  100  suitable for washing plus size bras may have the following approximate dimensions: height (bottom surface  105  to top surface  107 )=4.25 inches (10.8 cm.), lateral (right side surface  116  to left side surface  117 )=8.75 inches (22.2 cm.), and front to back (front surface  115  to back surface  113 )=7 inches (17.8 cm.). Thus, even though washing device  100  accommodates plus size bras, with the height of about 4.25 inches, washing device  100  can easily be inserted into a top loading washing machine between the top of the agitator and the top edge of the drum. Thus, the washing device  100  is reduced in height, as compared to a sphere of approximately 8.75 inches diameter, by approximately 4.5 inches (11.4 cm.). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , insert  104  includes tabs  120 . Lower shell portion  108  includes slots  122  disposed in the bottom of channel  114  ( FIG. 6 ). Insert  104  may be coupled with lower shell portion  108  by inserting each of tabs  120  on insert  104  into a corresponding slot  122  on lower shell portion  108 . Tabs  120  of insert  104  and slots  122  of lower shell portion  108  may be distributed at various points along the circumference of lower shell portion  108 . At least one tab on an insert may be partially or fully opposed to one or more other tabs on the insert. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate insert  104  when separated from shell  102 . Insert  104  includes a plurality of arms  124 . Each arm  124  preferably includes tab  120  at its unattached end. Tab  120  may be inserted into slot  122  on lower shell portion  108 . When shell  102  is closed, inner rim  112  of upper shell portion  106  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) may hold one end of arm  124  in place on lower shell portion  106 . Thus, closure of shell  102  keeps insert  104  in a relatively fixed position relative to shell  102 . 
     Arms  124  of insert  104  may be integrally connected to a contoured surface, such as to a dome or rounded portion  146  suitable for holding a cup of a bra. Rounded portion  146  may have a contour similar to the inner sides of the breast cup sides they are to be used with, which helps preserve the curvature of under-wires and bra cups during a washing cycle. Arms  124  may have a curved portion  148  (e.g., concave) where the arms attach to the rounded portion  146  to allow for space to accommodate the padding of a padded bra cup. 
     When installed in shell  102 , insert  104  may serve to divide internal volume of shell  102  into two portions, which generally includes the volume above the rounded portion  146  and the volume below or underneath the rounded portion  146 . The volume underneath the rounded portion  146  may be referred to as a pocket  160 . Pocket  160  includes an access or opening  162 . Pocket  160  may house one or more bra straps (e.g., when a bra cup of the bra is placed on the rounded portion  146 ). Pocket  160  can also house delicate accessories, such as removable bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties, and scarves. 
     In one embodiment, shell  102  has sufficient space to accommodate, for example, one thickly-padded bra, or two stacked semi-padded bras, or three stacked non-padded bras. When more than one bra is placed inside shell  102 , they may be stacked so that the front sides of the cups of the second bra faces the breast sides of the cups of the first bra, etc. 
     In an embodiment, a system for washing garments includes a shell and one or more inserts. Each insert may be interchangeably installed in the shell. The inserts may have different shapes. Each of the shapes may accommodate a different type or shape of garment. For example, one insert may have a form suitable for washing a padded bra and another insert may have a form suitable for washing unpadded bras. A user of the device may select the appropriate insert or inserts for the garment or garments the user desires to wash, dry, or store. 
     In some embodiments, a washing device  100  may include a form suitable for washing a garment that holds one or prosthetic devices (e.g., a post-mastectomy bra).  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an insert  174  for a washing device  100  which may be used for a bra having a prosthetic device. In this embodiment, insert  174  may include a flat surface  175  rather than a rounded portion  146  of insert  104 . Such a relatively flat surface may accommodate a bra cup which carries a breast prosthesis. Forms for carrying a prosthesis may also be a convex, concave, or other suitable shape. In one embodiment, a form for carrying prosthesis is customized for the garment. When insert  174  is installed within washing device  100 , the volume underneath surface  175  may be referred to as a pocket  180 . Pocket  180  includes an access or opening  182 . Additional garments may be placed in pocket  180  for washing. Washing devices (e.g., device  100  with insert  174 ) can also be used for washing, drying, or storing removable bra straps, demi-pads, pushup pads, shoulder pads, hosiery, panties, scarves and small clothing articles. 
     Alternatively, such items may be washed in shell  102  without any insert. 
     In some embodiments, the opposing sides of an insert may have different shapes For example, an insert may include a rounded surface on one side (e.g., for an unpadded bra cup) and a flat surface on the other side (e.g., for a bra cup with a breast prosthesis). 
     Because inserts  104  and  174  can each be inserted into a same shell (e.g., shell  102 ), a common shell can be used for washing different types of bras and other garments. Although only two inserts are shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , a system may include less than two different inserts or more than two different inserts. Inserts may be provided for garments other than bras. For example, inserts may be provided for items such as hats, gloves, scarves, hosiery, or slippers. 
     In some embodiments, an insert may be attached to a shell without tabs or slots. An insert may include pins, flanges, arms, or beams that connect to one portion or both portions of a shell. For example, an insert may include a pin or pins that plug into holes in one shell portion. In certain embodiments, an insert, form or divider may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to an outer shell. An inner form connected by a hinge to an outer shell is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,683 to Phan. 
     Inserts  104  and  174 , upper shell portion  106  and lower shell portion  108  may be foraminous, e.g., they may have numerous holes. These holes may allow water, detergent, and air to freely penetrate to a bra inside (not shown) for thorough cleaning, drying, and storage. The numerous holes may allow detergent, water, and air to freely and thoroughly penetrate and flow between the bras when a garment or garments (e.g., two semi-padded or three non-padded bras are washed in the device. In one embodiment, the holes are between about 0.5 cm and about 1.0 cm. The holes may be smaller than the brats shoulder straps, which will prevent the straps from falling out through the holes. Small holes may also prevent bra&#39;s back straps and shoulder straps from losing elasticity and the hooks on the bra&#39;s back strap from catching onto other clothing articles, zippers, buttonholes, the washer and dryer&#39;s crevices, as well as the bra itself. In one embodiment, shell  102  has a diameter of about 12 to about 16 cm with each portion having about 60 to 80 holes (depending upon the device&#39;s size, which is determined by the bra&#39;s cup size). Insert  104  may have about 40 to 70 holes. In some embodiments, a flange, web or other portion of an insert connecting a form may also include openings. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  7 A- 7 B and  8 A- 8 B illustrate a washing device  100  and two inserts  104 ,  174  therefor. Upper shell portion  106  and lower shell portion  108  include shell openings  200 . Insert  104  includes insert openings  202 . In some embodiments, shell openings  200  are sized and shaped to inhibit the bra strap or portions thereof from extending outside of the shell. Holes may be large enough for water, detergent, and air to penetrate, but small enough to contain bra shoulder strap, back strap, and hooks, thus preventing them from becoming tangled with other clothing articles and the washer and/or dryer&#39;s crevices. Insert openings  202  may be larger than shell openings  200 . Relatively large insert openings  202  may allow for better flow through the insert, thereby increasing cleaning effectiveness. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate latch mechanism  110  for the washing device  100 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of latch  110  in a latched position, and  FIG. 10  is an enlarged elevational view of the latch  110 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , upper shell portion  106  includes tongue  210  and loop  212 . Tongue  210  includes latch projections  214 . Tongue  210  may resiliently deflect when a load is applied to latch projections  214  toward the interior of upper shell portion  106 . U-shaped slot  216  may extend through the entire thickness of upper shell portion  106 , thereby creating a U-shaped gap between tongue  210  and loop  212 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , lower shell portion  108  includes receptacle  220 . Receptacle  220  includes a catch  228 . Raised front wall surface  226  and catch  228  may shield tongue  210  from normal wear and tear. In addition, having tongue  210  recessed may help keep device  100  from being accidentally opening during washing, drying, and storage. 
     During operation of latch mechanism  110 , tongue  210  and loop  212  are received in receptacle  220 . Latch projections  214  slide over catch tab  238 . The distal portion of tongue  210  deflects inwardly as tongue  210  and loop  212  advance into receptacle  220 . When latch projections  214  slide beyond catch tab  238 , tongue  210  may spring back outwardly such that latch projections  214  extend into finger opening  230 . Tongue  210  may snap into a latched position. Contact between latch projections  214  and catch  228  inhibit shell  102  from opening. 
     To open shell  102 , a user may engage the upper edge of outer rim  226  with one or more fingers and depress tongue  210  with the thumb of the same hand. The user may push inwardly on latch projections  214  of tongue  210  through finger opening  230  until tongue  210  bottoms out on back wall  232 . When tongue  210  bottoms out on back wall  232 , a portion of latch projections  214  (e.g., tips  239 ) may come just short of clearing catch tab  238 . The user may exert an upward force on tongue  210  so as to overcome the resistance of latch projections  214  against catch tab  238  and force latch projections  214  upward past catch tab  238 . The inner end of catch tab  238  and/or back wall  232  may deflect at least slightly under the upward force of latch projections  214  so as to allow latch projections  214  to pass catch tab  238 . Thus, a user releases latch mechanism  110  by simultaneously applying force in two directions (e.g., a force inward on tongue  210  against the resilient force of the tongue, and a force upward on tongue  210  against the resistance of catch tab  238 ). A latch mechanism that opens by the application of a force in two directions may be less prone to accidental opening during use in a washing machine. For example, in the embodiment described above, even if latch projections  214  directly strike a pointed surface (e.g., part of the agitator of the washing machine) when the device is agitated within the washing machine (thereby applying an inward force to tongue  210 ), latch mechanism  110  may remain latched because there is no upward force to impel latch projections  214  over catch tab  238 . 
     As noted above with respect to  FIG. 11 , interior portion  224  of receptacle  220  includes rails  236 . Loop  212  on upper shell portion  106  may contact rails  236  when tongue  210  and loop  212  are inserted into receptacle  220 . Contact between loop  212  and rails  236  may inhibit the upper portion of tongue  210  from deflecting inwardly. In some embodiments, contact between loop  212  and rails  236  may inhibit latch mechanism  110  from opening accidentally during washing. 
     In certain embodiments, a tongue may be relatively short such that a relatively large force is required to deflect the end of the tongue. 
     In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that multiple bras can be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored in a single wash cycle. When two semi-padded or three non-padded bras are simultaneously washed in the device, holes may allow detergent, water, and air to freely penetrate and flow between the bras to thoroughly wash and dry as well as safely store each bra, including a middle placed bra when three bras are concurrently washed. 
     As used herein, “shell” includes any element that at least partially encloses, houses, or covers one or more other objects. Examples of such objects include garments, forms, inserts, and accessories. A shell can have one part or more than one part. For example, a shell may have two halves or two portions which are connected by a hinge. A shell may have closed or open surfaces (e.g., surfaces having openings). 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Terms relating to orientation such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, or “right” are used for reference only; the device herein may be used in any orientation. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3