Washing device

Abstract

Washing device consisting of a flat piece of textile that can be folded over at a fold line, wherein the washing device in a first position forms a substantially unfolded piece of textile and in a second position the washing device forms a wash mitt with an insertion opening for the hand, in that the piece of textile is folded over at the fold line and the resulting superimposed layers of the piece of textile are detachably connected to each other on at least one side by a connecting device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a washing device, preferably for cleaning or caring for a person, similar to a wash mitt or washcloth.

[0002] Wash mitts are popular because they have an opening into which the hand is inserted, allowing the wash mitt to be held and guided optimally. The fabric covering the palm of the wash mitt can thus be used optimally for cleansing the skin and does not slip during use.

[0003] The disadvantage of the well-known washing gloves is that they dry very poorly and slowly, especially in the bag-like interior, which is ultimately not conducive to hygiene.

[0004] The invention therefore has for its object to improve this state of the art, in particular to propose a washing device, similar to a wash mitt, which dries better than a conventional wash mitt.

[0005] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a washing device which consists of a flat textile piece which can be folded over along a fold line, wherein the washing device forms a substantially unfolded textile piece in a first position and, in a second position, the washing device forms a washing glove with an insertion opening for the hand in that the textile piece is folded over along the fold line and the layers of the textile piece which are thereby superimposed are detachably connected to one another on at least one side by a connecting device.

[0006] The inventive proposal combines in a simple and very clever way the advantages of a wash mitt with the advantages of a flat, non-folded and thus quick-drying piece of textile.

[0007] A flat textile piece is, for example, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a crochet fabric, a braid, a stitch-bonded fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or felt. It is preferably single-layered, without limiting the invention to this. The basis of the textile piece is artificial or natural fibers and the yarns, etc. formed from them. The flat textile piece is preferably made of terry cloth or other materials commonly used for the production of washcloths, towels, etc.

[0008] When viewed from above, the flat piece of textile is, for example, triangular, rectangular, square, polygonal, round or oval.

[0009] A fold line describes a line with a relatively high curvature perpendicular to the line or a crease that forms when a flat element is folded. The term "fold line" also encompasses a certain area or width where a curvature is already forming.

[0010] According to the invention, the washing device assumes two positions during use. In the first position, the textile is not folded over (i.e., not folded over); it spreads out essentially in a single layer, which is ideal for drying, for example, because this prevents pocket-like interior spaces from forming, in which air circulation is poor and drying is impaired.

[0011] In the second position, the fabric is folded over along the fold line. This causes the layers to overlap. The hand can be inserted between the layers, with one side of the fabric providing the insertion opening. To ensure that the unfolded or unfolded fabric reliably encloses the hand in a glove-like manner, it is advantageous for the overlapping sections to be detachably connected at the edge by a connecting device. The fold line is preferably straight, but it can also be curved.

[0012] A connecting device connects two elements together in a detachable manner if the connection between these two elements can be removed without destroying the connecting device. This group of connecting devices is very broad and differs from, for example, fixed connections such as seams or adhesives, which can only be removed by destroying them. These connecting devices are characterized by their multiple or multi-use nature, whereas fixed connections are generally only usable once.

[0013] Preferably, the superimposed layers of the textile piece are connected at their edge or side by the connecting device. However, the invention is not limited to this lateral end region, but also encompasses a certain width or region spaced from the lateral edge, as long as sufficient space remains between the two layers into which a hand can be inserted.

[0014] The invention already works with a point-like arrangement of a connecting device. Typically, several connecting devices are arranged next to each other, preferably in a line.

[0015] Furthermore, the proposal advantageously provides that at least the edge region of the superimposed layers opposite the fold line is detachably connected to one another by a connecting device. Such a configuration is recommended, for example, if the flat textile piece is rectangular in plan view and, in the second position when folded over, also forms a rectangular plan view. An insertion opening is then preferably formed on each side located at the fold line and the area of ​​the superimposed layers, and the washing device is tubular in this second position.However, the invention is not limited to this; a flat, unfolded piece of textile with a polygonal or curved, round edge can also be equipped with one or more connecting devices on the edge area opposite the fold line in order to detachably connect the superimposed layers of the piece of textile.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the proposal, the superimposed layers are detachably connected to one another by a connecting device in the area opposite the insertion opening. In this variant, the at least one connecting device adjoins the fold line in close proximity to the fold line, forming a pocket-like washing device open on one or more sides in its second position.

[0017] It is clear that the invention naturally also encompasses solutions in which the connecting devices are arranged both on the edge region opposite the fold line and adjacent to it. In this case, the washing device, in its second position, forms an insertion opening at least on one side. This does not necessarily have to be adjacent to the fold line, but can also be spaced apart from it. In a further configuration, one or more connecting devices are also provided laterally next to the insertion opening, in a straight line with the insertion opening, in order to limit or adjust the width of the insertion opening.

[0018] Furthermore, it is envisaged that a button, a row of buttons, a snap fastener, a row of snap fasteners, a magnet, a row of magnets, a hook, a row of hooks, a zipper, or a hook-and-loop fastener is provided as the connecting device. Typically, the connecting device is formed in at least two parts, or the term "connecting device" encompasses the respective connecting means (as specified) and the cooperating counterpart. A part of the connecting device is provided at each layer of the textile piece. These parts can be identical (e.g., two cooperating hooks or the two parts of a zipper) or can be releasably and firmly cooperating with one another and have complementary properties (e.g., a magnet with a magnetizable counterpart, a button with cooperating buttonholes, a strip of barbs with a strip of loops as the counterpart in a hook-and-loop fastener).A complementary, second part is not identical to the first part and is equipped with a fastening method that allows it to interact with the first part in a releasably fixed manner, acting as a connecting device. For example, the complementary part forms a buttonhole or a recess for receiving the head-like counterpart of the snap fastener.

[0019] The inventive proposal also encompasses a one-piece variant. An example of such a one-piece variant is the design of the connecting device as a hook that is hooked into the material of the textile piece of the other layer without requiring any additional precautions.

[0020] Furthermore, it is provided that the connecting device is single-element, for example consisting of a button and a buttonhole interacting therewith, or is multi-element, i.e. the connecting device comprises a series of buttons, each with interacting buttonholes.

[0021] Cleverly, the washing device is designed as a body washing device. Preferably, the washing device is intended for washing or cleaning the human body. This does not preclude the proposed washing device according to the invention from also being used as a wiping cloth or part of a cleaning device, in which case the insertion opening and the adjoining receiving pocket serve to accommodate a part of the cleaning device, for example, a broom, scrubber, or the like. Here, too, the inventive design significantly accelerates the drying process. This application also falls within the scope of the disclosure of this invention.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the connecting device also forms a suspension device, in particular a one-point or a two-point suspension device.

[0023] This design ensures that the connecting device proposed according to the invention has an additional use. The inventive cleverness lies in the fact that it was discovered that the washing device, which dries more easily as an unfolded piece of textile in the first position, can be easily hung on a drying rack or the like for drying with the aid of the connecting device, which also forms a hanging device. For quick and time-saving hanging of the washing device after washing, it is advantageous for the drying rack to be equipped with a fastening part that corresponds to the complementary part of the connecting device.is identical to the connecting means of this connecting device (depending on the design of the connecting device) and thus a quick manual hanging, if not even an automated hanging of the washing device is possible and thus the drying process is as automated as possible.

[0024] According to the invention, several variants exist for suspending the washing devices. The first variant uses a single-point suspension, meaning the washing device is connected to the support frame's holding element at only one point. This can be achieved, for example, using a clamp or similar device. Of course, the connecting element of the connecting device, as described, can also be used for this purpose. In this case, the flat piece of textile hangs downwards and wrinkles, which can hinder the drying process. This can be improved by choosing a two-point suspension instead of a single-point suspension.

[0025] In this case, the washing device is held at two distant points by the support elements (e.g., a rope or similar) of the support frame. This can be achieved, for example, by a clamp or similar device. Of course, the connecting element of the connecting device can also be used for this purpose, as described. In this case, the textile hangs flat and as wrinkle-free as possible.

[0026] Therefore, the invention also encompasses a system for drying a washing device, consisting of a drying rack for suspending the washing device and a washing device as described above, wherein the connecting device arranged on the washing device, or a part or element of the connecting device, forms a suspension device and interacts with a fastening part of the drying rack, and the type of connection of the fastening part interacts with the suspension device in a complementary or identical manner to the connecting device on the washing device in its second position. This inventive proposal also contributes to improving the prior art described above.

[0027] For example, the washing device has a connecting device designed as a hook-and-loop fastener. The first layer, for example, carries a barbed strip, while the second layer carries a looped strip. Now, for example, the fastening part of the support frame is also equipped with either a barbed strip or a looped strip, thus providing the complementary part to the connecting device. This cleverly allows for very quick hanging of the washing device without the aid of additional tools, which is why the invention greatly facilitates washing and drying the washing devices according to the invention, especially in (industrial) laundries, clinics, or even nursing homes, etc.

[0028] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0029] All features and advantages arising from the claims and the description, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations.

Claims

[1] Washing device, consisting of a flat piece of textile which can be folded over along a fold line, wherein the washing device forms a substantially unfolded piece of textile in a first position and, in a second position, the washing device forms a washing glove with an insertion opening for the hand, in that the piece of textile is folded over along the fold line and the layers of the piece of textile which are thereby superimposed are detachably connected to one another on at least one side by a connecting device. [2] Washing device according to claim 1, characterized by that at least the edge region of the superimposed layers opposite the fold line is detachably connected to one another by a connecting device. [3] Washing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the superimposed layers are detachably connected to one another by a connecting device in the area opposite the insertion opening. [4] Washing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting device is a button, a series of buttons, a snap fastener, a series of snap fasteners, a magnet, a series of magnets, a hook, a series of hooks, a zipper or a Velcro fastener. [5] Washing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the washing device is designed as a body washing device. [6] Washing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting device, or a part or element of the connecting device, also forms a suspension device, in particular a one-point or a two-point suspension device. [7] System for drying a washing device, consisting of a drying frame for hanging the washing device and a washing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device arranged on the washing device, or a part or element of the connecting device, forms a suspension device and cooperates with a fastening part of the drying frame, and the type of connection of the fastening part cooperates with the suspension device in a complementary or identical manner to the connecting device on the washing device in its second position.