Nestable hamper with multi-segmented lid

Abstract

A nestable hamper has a multi-segmented lid. The body of the hamper includes a wire frame with a fabric material stretched across the frame to form the bottom and side surfaces of the hamper. The hamper has a narrower base and a wider top, thereby allowing multiple instances of the hamper to be vertically stacked, with each hamper being nested within the similarly-constructed hamper immediately below. A flexible periphery of the lid permits the lid to be insertable through a top opening of the hamper that is smaller in dimension that that of the lid, enabling the lid to rest adjacent a back interior surface of the hamper, thereby permitting multiple instances of the hamper to be stacked and nested compactly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62 / 304,171, filed Mar. 5, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates, in general, to garment storage and, more particularly, to laundry hampers for storing and transporting garments prior to laundering them.[0004]2. General Background of the Invention[0005]Laundry and garment hampers have been in use for some time. It is often desirable for laundry hampers to include some form of cover, in order to conceal soiled garments contained therein as they await laundering, to largely contain any concomitant odors within the hamper's interior, and to retain the garments within the hamper during transport. A prior art laundry hamper with an attached cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D279,038 to Thompson, Jr.[0006]Laundry hampers can be relatively large in si...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a nested hamper with a multi-segmented lid that can be stacked vertically. The lid is made of two segments with a fabric material between them, creating a hinged region that allows the lid to bend and center itself over the front top opening of the hamper. The size, shape, and construction of the lid enable it to be repositioned inwardly and vertically downwards, through the top opening of the hamper and adjacent the inner back panel of the hamper's interior. This flexible periphery of the lid enables the lid to be disposed inwardly, adjacent the inner back panel of the hamper, to enable multiple instances of the hamper to be stacked in a nested configuration. The technical effects of this invention include improved merchandising, reduced shipping costs, and improved stacking capabilities.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art laundry hampers with attached lids generally do not lend themselves to stacking and nesting multiple instances of the hampers compactly, as their associated lids are generally too large, or not properly configured, to be disposed within the interior of the hamper when not in use, and thus interfere with efficient nesting of the hampers.

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