A SOCK DRYING DEVICE

Description

- - 1 Description accompanying the patent application for industrial invention entitled: A SOCK DRYING DEVICE On behalf of: Salvatore Zucchelli, represented by Eng. Mario Emmi of the Studio Brevetti Turini srl, Viale Matteotti n. 25 CAP 50121 Florence (FI), registered in the Register of Patent Consultants with the n. 1298 B. Designated Inventor: Salvatore Zucchelli Scope of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field relating to drying devices.

[002] In particular, the invention relates to a simple device for drying clothes tubular conformation, especially socks or stockings kind of any form and type, and with the said particularly simple, economical, ecological device and functional. Brief notes on the prior art

[003] The operation of drying socks or in any case of tubular garments requires, after washing, a operation that involves hanging them on the classic clothes horse cloths. However, the sock is a garment that following after washing it remains quite wrinkled and closed on itself same due to its shape and its high degree of elasticity such that, even when stretched well, it often Drying is not quick and effective. In fact, being - - 2 a generally elastic tubular body, in rest position and after washing the tubular forming the sock is quite squashed with the walls in close contact with each other. It follows that the passage of air between the fibers to perform a quick and correct drying cannot take place.

[004] It is therefore not rare to find cases of socks that are smelly despite washing, precisely because that do not dry well, remaining for too long of stagnant water.

[005] Furthermore, in emergency situations, for example during a walk or a tracking, it can happen that getting your socks wet and needing to wear them dry quickly. The drying operation would require having to hang the wet sock on a support (e.g. a tree, branch or support in kind) but for the reasons stated above the drying it would be slow and ineffective especially in the absence of wind and / or sun.

[006] The same problem applies to tubular garments such as "sleeves" and "leg warmers", for example sports use. Summary of the invention

[007] It is therefore an object of the present invention that of providing a device that solves at least in apart from the above mentioned technical inconveniences.

[008] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that facilitates the operation for drying socks or tubular garments in general, with a device that is constructively simple, easily transportable, light and economical.

[009] It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a device that allows you to dry a - - 3 sock or a tubular garment in general in a way effective, ecological and in a short time.

[0010] These and other purposes are achieved with the device according to claim 1.

[0011] This drying device comprises a sheet perforated.

[0012] The sheet is perforated as it has a plurality of holes 6 scattered in its internal area and passing through the entire thickness of the sheet.

[0013] Advantageously, the sheet is also foldable form a tubular element which, obviously will consequently be perforated.

[0014] Advantageously, therefore, from a flat sheet you easily obtains a tubular body dotted with holes passersby.

[0015] The perforated sheet is then folded to form the tubular, which tubular can be inserted into the sock or in the tubular garment to dry.

[0016] The tubular therefore simulates a foot that is inserted in a sock.

[0017] In this way the stocking (or tubular garment in (genre) is applied to the tubular exactly as when worn by a user.

[0018] In other words, the tubular takes the place of the part of the body intended to wear the garment in question.

[0019] In this way, the sock expands while maintaining the its expansion as it wraps around the perforated tubular and resulting in it being prevented from crushing on itself thanks to right to the perforated tubular.

[0020] In this simple and effective way, the stocking It dries very easily as it is easily removed crossed by air as it is well dilated in shape tubular and also with an air passage that is favored thanks to the through holes with which it is equipped - - 4 tubular on which the sock is applied.

[0021] This results in effective, fast and effective drying. a simple, economical and ecological device.

[0022] Advantageously, furthermore, the device, being in the form of a foldable sheet, it is very light and easily transportable, as well as being a device eco-friendly as it works without any source energetic.

[0023] Advantageously the said sheet may comprise means of connection to allow the sheet, when folded to form the said tubular, to maintain said tubular configuration.

[0024] This way the use is comfortable as the sheet The plan can be sold in stacks, thus taking up little space space. Even the transport of the flat sheet, when purchased, it is easy as the sheet has dimensions contents comparable to, for example, an A4 sheet. It can so it can easily fit into a backpack.

[0025] To use it, simply fold it into a tube. making sure that it maintains this configuration thanks to the means of connection.

[0026] Thanks to the connection means the sheet maintains the tubular shape and this allows for easier application of the sock as the user must just worry about sliding the sock onto the tube format, without the need to maintain said conformation tubular with the help of your hands.

[0027] Advantageously, said connecting means they can be of the releasable type.

[0028] In this sense, therefore, the tubular can be reported at the end of use in the form of a flat sheet for its easy storage by simply unhooking between their said means of connection.

[0029] More specifically, in this way, - - 5 advantageously, the means of connection can be disengaged from each other to bring the tubular back into sheet conformation or vice versa can re-engage to give the tubular shape again in case of need to be used multiple times.

[0030] The device can therefore be used for multiple times.

[0031] Advantageously, in one possible solution, said connecting means (3, 4) may comprise first connecting means (4) present on one side (10, 20) of the sheet and second complementary connection means (3) present on the opposite side, so that they can be to engage / disengage between them in a releasable manner.

[0032] Advantageously, in one possible solution, said connecting means may comprise at least one tooth emerging from one side of the sheet and at least one buttonhole present on the opposite side and of such a size as to allow the tooth to be inserted into the slot in a detachable manner.

[0033] More specifically, for example, the first means of connection may include the said at least one tooth while the second complementary means of connection they can include at least one buttonhole or vice versa.

[0034] In all the above cases, therefore, when the sheet it is closed like a tube, in accordance with this solution it happens that the tooth meets the slot and can be inserted, or more generally to engage, in the buttonhole generating a releasable block.

[0035] Alternatively, advantageously, said means connection types can be of the Velcro type.

[0036] A hybrid solution that combines Velcro and tooth with buttonhole would be possible.

[0037] Advantageously the said sheet can be in plastic material.

[0038] Alternatively it can be made of eco-friendly materials - - 6 compatible, for example innovative materials of the type biodegradable and / or compostable, as long as they are flexible fold from flat sheet to tubular.

[0039] In any case, advantageously, the said sheet it can have a very low thickness, for example also less than 1 mm (millimeter), for example even under the half a millimeter (for example, on the order of a tenth of a millimeter) or of the order of half a millimeter. It could even be of the order of a few tenths of millimeter, for example one or two tenths of a millimeter.

[0040] In this way, advantageously, it turns out particularly flexible, and therefore easily foldable to form the tubular, as well as very light.

[0041] In this way a large number of sheets are stackable, for example in sales centres, with weights for transportation is truly negligible.

[0042] Advantageously the said sheet may comprise a hook to allow the tubular to be hung a support.

[0043] In this way, in use, the device can be hang to facilitate drying.

[0044] The hook may emerge from one side of the sheet and be integral to the sheet, that is, the sheet is cut and worked in such a way as to form on one side this protuberance forms the hook.

[0045] Advantageously, the said sheet can be obtained by die cutting.

[0046] The die cuts the sheets according to the shape desired by obtaining in a simple process the generation of the final perforated sheet, equipped with a hook and the means of connection in case these are slot type – tooth.

[0047] The present invention also includes the use - - 7 of the said device according to one or more of the previous features, to dry a garment tubular such as a sock through the formation of the tubular and the subsequent insertion of the tubular formed in the tubular garment to be dried.

[0048] In this way, the tubular on which the stocking (or tubular garment in general) can be hung on any support for drying, resulting in the device in an accessory that can be used for multiple purposes situations, such as for domestic use at home but also for hikers, sportsmen, etc. Brief description of the drawings

[0049] Additional features and benefits of this device, according to the invention, will be more clearly with the following description of some forms realizations, made by way of example and not limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 shows the flat sheet scattered with a plurality of holes 6 passing through the entire thickness of the sheet, the figure shows the hook 5 and the emerging teeth 4 on one side 10 and which are engaged, in use, in the buttonholes 3 of side 20 opposite side 10 from which the said teeth 4;

[0051] Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the sheet folded to form the tube;

[0052] Figure 4 shows the tubular with a 100 sock applied to the tubular to perform drying. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0053] The present invention relates to a device for drying tubular garments, especially socks in general of any nature (socks, socks) both for for men, women or children. - - 8

[0054] In accordance with the invention, such drying device 1 for a sock 100 comprising or consisting of, or made up of, a sheet 2 perforated through the presence of a plurality of holes 6 passing through the entire thickness of the sheet.

[0055] The holes, as evident in figure 1, are scattered in the sheet area (see also other figures).

[0056] The sheet is also flexible, that is, it is foldable to form a perforated tubular element.

[0057] In this way, as shown in figure 4, the product tubular to dry, for example the 100 sock as that is, it can be applied to the obtained tubular (i.e. the tubular is inserted into the sock simulating a foot which is inserted into the sock). In this way it happens that the stocking stretches as if worn, maintaining the its enlarged configuration and thus favoring the air passage for drying.

[0058] Figure 1 shows, therefore, the sheet laid out in floor.

[0059] It can have any shape, including preferably quadrangular or rectangular shapes or similar.

[0060] In a non-limiting manner Figure 1 shows in fact a conformation that is close to that of a rectangle in which the flat sheet has a right side 20 and a left side 10 parallel to each other.

[0061] The two upper transverse sides are then provided 30 and under 40 which may present a slight curvature. The curvature can aid the penetration of the tubular in the sock allowing it to reach even the end part of the sock (the tip of the sock).

[0062] The upper transverse side 30 may conform to a hook element 5.

[0063] The right side and the left side are those - - 9 equipped with the means of connection that connect with each other engage in a releasable manner so as to allow to the sheet to maintain its tubular shape when it is folded to form this tube.

[0064] In a preferred solution, as shown in figure 1, one of the two sides, for example the left side 10, can include one or more teeth 4 that can be inserted into as many as one or more buttonholes 3 arranged on side 20 opposed to the correct position corresponding to that of the engagement tooth.

[0065] In this way, as shown in figure 2 and 3, when the sheet is folded to form a tube it can insert the respective 4 teeth into the respective buttonhole ensuring that the resulting tubular maintains its shape tubular conformation for as long as the teeth are held in their engaged position. Figures 2 and 3 show such a tubular configuration. with teeth 4 engaging in slot 3.

[0066] As an alternative to teeth, you could use Velcro systems.

[0067] The tooth and slot solution is advantageous in how cheap and easy it makes the product to produce.

[0068] In fact, in particular, the device is in fact consisting of a flat sheet, for example of material plastic and perforated.

[0069] Constructively, one can therefore start from a simple plastic sheet which is cut using a die cut to shape, for example, according to the form of figure 1 even obtaining with a single step the final perforated shape. The die can be shaped in fact, precisely to foresee the cuts of the sides, the making the holes, and outlining the sides in such a way to be obtained from the cut out shape of the edge directly teeth 4, hook 5 and eyelets 3. - - 10

[0070] In the case of Velcro, however, it would be necessary an additional operation of gluing the Velcro to the cut sheet of paper.

[0071] The shape of the holes can be any, for example circular, elliptical, rectangular, oval, etc.

[0072] The size of the holes can be any and the expert in the field will be able to evaluate the most suitable solution.

[0073] The holes, as evident from the description, are used to promote the passage and flow of air through the tubular. The more holes there are, the better the passage. of air.

[0074] The sheet has thin thicknesses as it must be highly flexible and folds into a tube easily, for example thicknesses well below millimetres.

[0075] Plastic material is the preferred one but they are not excluding all other materials.

[0076] The expert in the field will be able to find the best compromise, depending on the case, of holes and thickness of the sheet to ensure it is rigid enough to support the pressure of the sock without the tubular getting crushed collapsing on itself.

[0077] Figure 4 shows an example of its use where the device 1 was folded to form the tubular in so that a 100 sock can be “fitted” onto such a tubular. In this way, as evident from figure 4, the stocking remains open exactly as if it were worn by a user. The tube inserted inside the stocking 100, and which keeps the stocking in its enlarged configuration as if it were worn, however, is perforated with said plurality of holes 6 scattered on the its surface.

[0078] In this way, consequently, the passage and natural circulation of air which will favor fast and effective drying. - - 11

[0079] Thanks to hook 5, the device can then be easily hung on any support resulting the device in a very useful accessory both in the field domestic as well as in the fields of sports, hobbies and similar.

[0080] Although the invention is addressed preferably to socks, it is known that there are multiple types of garments similar to socks that can be dried with the said device. For example the so-called called "manicotti" which are nothing more than arm covers used by athletes to protect their arms from cold, or the so-called "leg warmers" which are nothing else that tubular covering the legs and used by the athletes (e.g. cyclists) in cold periods.

[0081] Without prejudice to everything described up to now, a variant could include a tubular as described, obtained from sheet as described, but already with the sheet closed in a tubular way in a permanent way, that is not detachable to return to sheet. In that case it is it would have a larger footprint but with a solution anyway working.

[0082] In this sense, therefore, it is also the subject of invention a drying device (1) for a garment tubular (100), preferably a sock (100), comprising a perforated tubular element.

[0083] What has already been said previously is also valid, that is, tubular can be obtained from a perforated sheet (2) through the presence of a plurality of holes (6) passing through the entire thickness of the sheet and with the sheet folded and locked, permanently, to form the said tubular.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A drying device (1) for a tubular garment (100), preferably a sock (100), comprising a sheet (2) perforated through the presence of a plurality of holes (6) passing through the entire thickness of the sheet and with the sheet foldable to form a perforated tubular element.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said sheet (2) comprises connecting means (3, 4) to allow the sheet, when folded to form said tubular, to maintain said tubular configuration.

3. The device, according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means (3, 4) are of the releasable type, so that they can be disengaged from each other to bring the tubular back into sheet shape or vice versa re-engaged to give it the tubular shape.

4. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein said connecting means (3, 4) comprise first connecting means (4) present on one side (10, 20) of the sheet and second complementary connecting means (3) present on the opposite side, in such a way that they can engage each other in a releasable manner.

5. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means comprise at least one tooth (4) emerging from one side (10) of the sheet (2) and at least one slot (3) present on the opposite side (20) and with the slot of such a size as to allow the separable insertion of the tooth (4) into the slot (3).

6. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said connection means are of the Velcro type.

7. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sheet is made of plastic material.

8. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sheet has a thickness of less than one millimetre.

9. The device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sheet comprises a hook (5) to allow the formed tubular to be hung on a support.

10. The use of said device according to one or more of the preceding claims to dry a tubular garment, preferably a sock (100), by folding the sheet to form the tubular and subsequently inserting the tubular obtained into the tubular garment to be dried.