Method and container for storing shoelaces

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for storing shoelaces, comprising steps 1, 2, and 3, as referenced below. Step 1 is obtaining a shoelace container having (1a) a base and a cover that engage with each other to provide a housing, (1b) a loading opening that forms part of the housing, and (1c) a hub that also forms part of the housing. Step 2 is feeding an end of a shoelace through the opening, and step 3 is rotating at least the base or the cover relative to each other so that the shoelace gradually winds into the housing, wrapping the shoelace around the hub until the shoelace is completely or substantially within the housing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for storing shoelaces in a container and to a container for storing shoelaces. [Background technology]

[0002] Shoelaces are often considered both a fashion item and a function in helping secure footwear to a human user's foot. However, they can be difficult or inconvenient to store neatly and tend to become tangled. It is the purpose of preferred forms of the present invention to address this issue. While this applies to preferred embodiments, the purpose of the present invention itself is simply to provide a useful option.

[0003] definition When used herein in relation to a feature or combination of features, the words "comprising" or "comprise" do not exclude the possibility or option of additional unrecited features being present, and therefore these terms are to be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner.

[0004] References in this document to "shoelace" mean laces for fastening an item of footwear, even if the item is not a shoe. For example, the item of footwear may be a boot. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for storing shoelaces, comprising: A shoelace container, a base and a cover that engage with each other to provide a housing; a loading opening forming part of the housing; obtaining a shoelace container comprising a hub forming part of a housing; feeding the end of the shoelace through the opening; and rotating at least the base or the cover relative to one another so as to gradually wind the lace into the housing, causing the lace to wrap around the hub until the lace is completely or substantially inside the housing.

[0006] Optionally, the hub comprises a series of posts (optionally four posts), and the act of rotating the base or cover causes the laces to wrap together around the posts.

[0007] Optionally, the housing includes notches that serve to receive the ends of the lace as they are fed through the opening and position the ends so that the lace is fastened when the base or cover is rotated.

[0008] Optionally, a second lace is fed into the opening at the same time as the first lace mentioned, and is caused to wrap around the hub in the same manner and at the same time.

[0009] Optionally, there is a boss and the notch forms part of the boss.

[0010] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a container for shoelaces, comprising: a base and a cover that engage with each other to provide a housing; the housing having a loading opening and a hub; At least one of the base or the cover is rotatable relative to the other; The housing is a container for the shoelace such that when the end of the shoelace is fed into the opening and at least one of the base or the cover is rotated relative to the other, the end of the shoelace is fastened against a hub inside the housing, and the shoelace gradually winds into the housing and around the hub in proportion to the degree of rotation.

[0011] Optionally, the hub comprises a series of posts (optionally four posts), and the housing is such that rotation of the base or cover causes the laces to wrap together around the posts.

[0012] Optionally, the housing includes a notch adapted to receive an end of the lace as it is fed through the opening and to position the end to be fastened when the base or cover is rotated.

[0013] Optionally, the notch forms part of the boss.

[0014] Optionally, the container is loaded with one, two, or more shoelaces wrapped around the hub. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying images.

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the container when loaded with two shoelaces. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the container when it is only partially filled. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the container when partially disassembled, without any shoelaces. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view showing further details of the container. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a connector forming part of the container. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a base forming part of a container; [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cover forming part of the container; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container when assembled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 1 contains a pair of shoelaces 2. As shown, the loose ends 3 of the shoelaces extend a short distance from the container through a loading opening 4. The main portion of each shoelace is wrapped around the inside of the container. The shoelaces can be removed from the container by pulling on their loose ends 3, causing one half of the container to rotate relative to the other and unwind.

[0018] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate some of the main components of the container. The container comprises a dish-shaped base 5 and a dish-shaped cover 6, which are complimentary and can be snap-fit ​​together to provide a housing. This arrangement is such that at least one of the base and cover can rotate relative to the other. This serves to wind the lace within the housing of the container. As illustrated, the cover has an opening 6a that provides a window for inspecting the lace, allowing easy inspection of the color and style of the lace.

[0019] 2 and 3, when the base 5 and cover 6 are engaged (in accordance with FIG. 1), the container can be loaded by simultaneously feeding the lace tips into the loading opening 4 until the lace tips are fully seated within the notches 7 that form part of the central boss 8. As shown, the notches 7 and boss 8 form part of the base 5.

[0020] Additionally, the cover 6 has a hub with four equally spaced posts 9. In other embodiments, the hub may consist of fewer posts, e.g., two or three, or more than four. This arrangement is such that when the cover 6 is rotated by hand relative to the base 5, the posts rotate collectively around the boss, winding the lace within the housing and around the posts 9. The initial stage of this rotation causes the tips 10 of the lace to bend around the first of the posts 9 they encounter in the tight turn, fastening them (see FIG. 2).

[0021] 2 and 3, the boss 8 of the base incorporates a central pillar 11 adapted to connect to a central pillar 12 of the cover. These pillars 11, 12 provide the axis about which the cover 6 rotates when the lace is manually wound into the housing and when the lace is unwound and released from within the housing.

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates further details of the container, including bearings 13 and connectors 14 that help allow rotational movement between the base 5 and cover 6 .

[0023] Figure 5 illustrates connector 14 in more detail. Connector 14 has a lower male split stem 15 that snap-fits into a complementary recess in pillar 11 of the base. Connector 14 also has an upper female split stem 16 that is complimentary to and receives pillar 12 of the cover in a snap-fit ​​relationship. The profile of pillar 11 of the base is illustrated in more detail in Figure 6, and the profile of pillar 12 of the cover is illustrated in more detail in Figure 7. The manner in which these components engage with one another is illustrated in Figure 8.

[0024] Preferably, the container is molded from a suitable plastic. The container may be used to house only one shoelace or more than two shoelaces, but since shoelaces are usually used in pairs, it is preferably used to house one pair.

[0025] Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example, it will be understood that modifications and improvements may occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0026] In view of the disclosure, this document contemplates any combination of one or more features referred to herein, including repeats of the same feature, even if such combination is not recited in the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for storing shoelaces, comprising: A shoelace container, a base and a cover that engage with each other to provide a housing; a loading opening forming part of said housing; obtaining a shoelace container comprising a hub forming part of the housing; - feeding the end of the shoelace through said opening; - rotating at least the base or cover relative to one another so as to gradually wind the lace into the housing, causing the lace to wrap around the hub until the lace is completely or substantially within the housing.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the hub comprises a series of posts (optionally, four posts), and the act of rotating the base or cover causes the laces to wrap together around the posts.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a notch that receives the end of the lace as the lace is fed through the opening and serves to position the end so that the lace is fastened when the base or cover is rotated.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a second lace is fed into the opening at the same time as the first lace and is caused to wrap around the hub in the same manner and at the same time.

5. 5. The method of claim 3, or claim 4 when claim 3 is applied, comprising a boss, and the notch forms part of the boss.

6. 10. A container loaded with one, two or more shoelaces according to the method of any one of the preceding claims.

7. 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the hub comprises a series of posts (optionally, four posts), and the housing is such that the rotation of the base or cover causes the laces to wrap together around the posts.

8. 9. The container of claim 7 or 8, wherein the housing comprises a notch adapted to receive the end of the lace as the lace is fed through the opening and to position the end to fasten when the base or cover is rotated.

9. 9. The container of claim 8, comprising a boss, the notch forming part of the boss.

10. 10. A container according to any one of claims 6 to 9 when loaded with one, two or more shoelaces wound around the hub.

11. 10. A container for shoelaces substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying images.

Images