IP Library Granted Patent US 7,658,016
Granted Patent B2
US 7,658,016 · App. 11/555,867 · Granted Feb 9, 2010

Apparatus for hang-drying wet garments

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,658,016
App. No.
11/555,867
Granted
Feb 9, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus for facilitating drying of a garment on a garment hanger are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for drying a garment on a garment hanger includes an elongated body comprised of a water resistant material. The body has a major axis extending between a first end and a second end. The body is configured to be repeatably changed between a substantially flat and a substantially tubular orientation. An elongated aperture formed in the first end of the elongated body to allow passage of the hook of the garment hanger through the body.

Claims (33)

1. An apparatus for drying a garment on a garment hanger, comprising:

a pair of elongated bodies comprised of water resistant sheets, each the body having a major axis extending between a first end and a second end, and each body having an elongated aperture formed in the first end configured to allow a hook of the garment hanger to pass therethrough with the second end extending beyond the garment hanger, wherein the first end has a slot formed opposite the elongated aperture when the elongated body is held in a tubular orientation, the slot having sufficient length to allow the elongated body to pass over an end of the garment hanger while the elongated body is held in the tubular orientation and the hook is extended through the elongated aperture, each body having a length along the major axis greater than about 30 inches.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each body further comprises a plurality of apertures extending along major axis body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each body is comprised of a polymer material that may be changed between a substantially flat first orientation and a substantially tubular second orientation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

a plurality of securing means configured to selectively retain the bodies in the second orientation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the securing means further comprises:

at least two straps, each strap secured at a first end to the body and a second end adapted to selectively secure the body in the second orientation.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the securing means further comprises:

at least one of a band, a snap, a latch, a hook, tape, a magnet, hook and loop fastener mating features disposed on opposite edges of the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the body further comprises:

tabs extending from opposite edges, the tabs overlapping when the body is secured in the second orientation; and

a slot defined between the opposite edges, an end of the slot farthest from the first end bounded by the tabs.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each body is tapered towards the second end.

9. An apparatus for drying a garment on a garment hanger, comprising:

a pair of elongated bodies comprised of water resistant polymer sheets, each the body having length defined a major axis extending between a first end and a second end greater than about 24 inches, and each body having an aperture formed in the first end configured to allow a hook of the garment hanger to pass therethrough, wherein each body reconfigurable between a substantially flat first orientation and a substantially tubular second orientation, wherein each of the elongated bodies form a slot in the first end opposite the aperture when in the substantially tubular second orientation; and

a plurality of securing means configured to selectively retain the bodies in the substantially tubular second orientation, wherein the securing means is at least one of a strap, a band, a snap, a latch, a hook, tape, a magnet, hook and loop fastener mating features disposed on opposite edges of the body.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each body tapers from the first end to the second end.

11. An apparatus for drying a garment on a garment hanger comprising a hook, two upper members and a cross member, comprising:

an elongated body comprised of a water resistant material, the body having a major axis extending between a first end and a second end, the body repeatably changeable between a substantially flat first orientation and a substantially tubular second orientation, the substantially tubular second orientation aligned with the major axis, the elongated body having opposite edges, each edge having a first portion proximate the first end, the first portions of the opposite sides defining a space therebetween when the elongated body is in the substantially tubular second orientation, the body having a length along the major axis greater than about 30 inches; and

an elongated first aperture formed in the first end of the elongated body, the elongated first aperture aligned with the major axis and configured to receive the hook of the garment hanger while the body rests on one of the upper members of the garment hanger, wherein the elongated first aperture is unobstructed by the body along an imaginary line defined through the aperture and normal to a centerline of the elongated body in the substantially tubular second orientation, the imaginary line passing between the first portion of the opposite edges.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the water resistant material further comprises a polymer.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises a plurality of apertures extending along major axis body.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a plurality of securing means configured to selectively retain the body in the second orientation.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the securing means further comprises:

at least two straps, each strap secured at a first end to the body and a second end adapted to selectively secure the body in the second orientation.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the securing means further comprises:

at least one of a band, a snap, a latch, a hook, tape, a magnet, hook and loop fastener mating features disposed on opposite edges of the body.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the body tapers from the first end to the second end.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises:

tabs extending from opposite edges, the tabs overlapping when the body is secured in the second orientation; and

a slot defined between the opposite edges, an end of the slot farthest from the first end bounded by the tabs.

Assignments (1)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST (SENIOR SECURED FACILITY) Recorded Jan 16, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032074/0105 →