Towel, holder and method for hanging towels for drying

Abstract

A towel comprising an absorbent fabric body including a connection array for connecting the towel to a holder, the connection array including a plurality of connection portions arranged in a line extending across the body, the connection portions being attached to the towel body such that successive connection portions of the connection array in the line are flexible relative to one another to allow folding and tensioning of the fabric;

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to towels, holders for towels and methods for hanging towels to dry. [Background technology]

[0002] Towels are commonly known and are typically formed by a piece of absorbent fabric, especially water-absorbent fabric, which can be used for wiping or drying wet items. Towels are usually used to dry hands, face, or body after washing or bathing, or to dry dishes or kitchen counters after washing dishes. Towels can be used in commercial or professional environments, such as hotels, spas, or offices, or in non-commercial or personal environments, such as sports clubs or homes. Towels are typically generally rectangular and come in a variety of sizes and made from a variety of materials. Bath towels are typically larger and made, for example, from Egyptian cotton, while dish towels are typically smaller and made, for example, from linen blends or synthetic microfiber materials.

[0003] After use, towels are typically hung to dry, allowing moisture absorbed by the towel, typically water, to evaporate. Hanging towels to dry after use is typically done without the use of auxiliary tools such as clothespins. Used towels are typically folded in half and hung on a holder, such as a radiator, rack, tube, or wire, or hung from the corner of a holder, such as a hook or clothespin. While this provides a method of hanging towels to dry without the use of clothespins or similar auxiliary tools, it is not satisfactory. In particular, hanging folded towels in an aesthetically pleasing and neat manner can be time-consuming, and towels hung from a corner are often perceived as untidy, messy, and unattractive. Furthermore, such traditional drying after use negatively impacts the freshness of the towels. In particular, mold and mildew can grow on towels, causing unpleasant odors, which necessitate washing the towels before they become soiled by use. However, washing towels is labor-intensive and requires significant resources, such as clean water, detergent, and energy. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to counteract the above drawbacks, preferably while retaining the benefits and minimizing the impact on the functionality of the towel.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a convenient and aesthetically pleasing method for hanging and drying towels after use, particularly without the use of auxiliary tools such as clothespins, and to provide a method for hanging and drying towels after use that will maintain the freshness of the towels for longer and may reduce or eliminate the need to launder towels before they become soiled from use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention therefore provides a towel, in particular a towel as claimed in claim 1, comprising a body of absorbent fabric, in particular water-absorbing fabric, the body including a connecting arrangement for connecting the towel to a holder, the connecting arrangement including a plurality of connecting portions arranged in a line extending across the body, the connecting portions being attached to the body of the towel such that successive connecting portions of the connecting arrangement in the line are flexible relative to one another to allow folding and tensioning of the fabric.

[0007] By including a connecting array having a plurality of connecting portions arranged in a line extending across the towel body, the connecting portions can be connected to the holder along that line, allowing the towel to be conveniently and easily connected to the holder without the need for auxiliary tools. Such a non-folding connection is neat and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, non-folding drying has been found to significantly contribute to towel freshness retention by optimizing the availability of surface for drying. Typically, unfolded towels can dry two to three times faster than folded towels. This reduces the time available for bacterial and fungal growth and significantly reduces odor generation. Attaching the connecting portions to the towel body so that successive connecting portions of the linear connecting array are relatively flexible to each other allows for folding and tensioning of the fabric, minimizing impact on the functionality of the towel and allowing the towel to be relatively easily unfolded.

[0008] The connecting portions can be arranged in a straight line, but can also be arranged, for example, in a curve. A continuous connecting portion can be part of a connecting array, for example, a continuous band, strip, wire, or chain. A continuous connecting portion can be spaced apart, for example, a row of spaced apart connecting portions. A plurality of connecting portions can be two, preferably three, and more preferably at least four connecting portions. The connecting portions can be interconnected, for example, to form a chain, for example, spaced apart. The connecting portions can be directly connected or indirectly connected via a connector or carrier. A connecting array can include, for example, 10-50 connecting portions. The lower limit of this range can be lower, for example, 5, and the upper limit of the range can be higher, for example, 100, 250, or 1000. This can depend, for example, on the size and spacing of the connecting portions. The connecting portions can extend continuously but can be spaced apart by regular or varying distances, for example, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, or 500 mm or more. The dimensions of the spaced connecting portions may be in the range of a few millimeters, e.g., 1 x 1 x 0.5 mm, and may typically be smaller than 20 x 20 x 20 mm. The connecting portions are typically formed as beads interconnected by connectors, such as a metal chain of hollow steel beads of the type often used in roller blinds or military dog ​​tags. The connecting portions may also be formed as elements clamped to a string as a connector, or as flexible wires, such as thin metal strips or flat braided metal wire. Such wires may be woven into the fabric of the towel, for example, as weft wires. The connecting portions may be mounted together on a common carrier connected to the towel, or may be individually connected to the towel. Fixedly attaching the connecting portions to the towel allows the connecting portions to maintain a fixed position on the towel, thereby facilitating and enhancing the orderly placement of the towels on the holder. Such fixed attachment may include direct or indirect attachment. The connecting portions may be individually spaced apart, for example, on a line extending along the short side of the towel, may be placed directly on the towel and connected thereto with adhesive, or may be placed on the adhesive surface of an abrasion-resistant protective band that is placed on the towel.Additionally or alternatively, the connecting portions may be individually provided on a line or a common carrier without using adhesive or the adhesive surface of the abrasion-resistant protective band. Instead, the connecting portions may be secured to the towel via structural features of the towel's fabric, such as pile or loops present in the fabric, or by friction generated between the connecting portions and the towel's fabric. The edges of the towel are then folded over and sewn closed so that the connecting portions extend along the edges of the towel. The connecting portions may be relatively stiff, while the towel and / or carrier may provide a relatively flexible connection between the connecting portions. The connecting portions and their spacing may be selected to be small, for example, a few millimeters, so that the connecting array forms a flexible line extending continuously along the edge of the towel. Elegantly, such connecting arrays may be embedded in the towel and located along the edges of the towel.

[0009] In this context, the phrase "relatively flexible" should be understood as meaning that successive connecting portions can translate and / or rotate relative to each other along with the fabric. Preferably, the flexible arrangement of the connecting portions attached to the towel allows the fabric to be folded about a fold line extending transversely to the line along which the connecting portions are arranged and / or allows the towel to be pulled along the line along which the connecting portions are arranged. Preferably, the flexible arrangement of the connecting portions attached to the towel allows the connecting portions to have three degrees of freedom of movement relative to each other, such as movement along or rotation about the X and Y axes in the plane of the towel body and the Z axis transverse to the plane of the towel body. The movement can be a combination of rotation and translation. The connecting portions 6 can be attached to the towel with degrees of freedom. The degrees of freedom of movement can be limited. The degrees of freedom of movement about or along the respective axes of the connecting portions can be limited by their connection, e.g., their interconnection via the fabric or connecting structure.

[0010] The fabric may be woven or nonwoven, fibrous or non-fibrous, especially a household fabric, and may comprise or be synthetic or natural, preferably organic material such as cotton. The fabric may have or be provided with antibacterial and / or antifungal properties.

[0011] The connecting portions may be arranged for magnetic coupling with the holder, which may facilitate coupling and removal from the holder. At least some, preferably all, of the connecting portions may be arranged for magnetic coupling with the holder. The connecting portions may be magnetic and may include magnetic material. The connecting portions may include strong or weak magnets, or a mixture thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting portions may provide a non-magnetic coupling and may include, for example, openings or loops that cooperate with pegs or hooks of the holder, or Velcro, to form a lock. The connecting portions may be contoured to match the contour of the holder, for example, a contour having a T-, V-, or U-shaped profile in a direction transverse to the plane of the towel body.

[0012] The connecting parts may be magnetizable. At least some, preferably all, of the connecting parts may comprise or be made of a magnetizable material, preferably a non-magnetic magnetizable material, to prevent attraction to washing machines or interference with medical devices such as pacemakers. Such a material is stainless steel, preferably martensitic stainless steel.

[0013] The connecting portion may include a contact area for cooperating with the holder. The connecting portion may directly or indirectly contact the corresponding contact area of ​​the holder. The connecting portion may indirectly cooperate with the holder, for example, by being covered by a towel fabric and / or a fabric material, such as a fabric material of an enveloping material surrounding the connecting portion. Such towel fabric or fabric material may actually be interposed between the connecting portion, particularly its contact area, and the holder. The contact area may be planar. Such a planar contact area may increase the contact area of ​​the connecting portion with the holder and is particularly useful for increasing the strength of the magnetic connection. The planar contact area may be disposed within or extending parallel to the towel body and may be provided, for example, as a flat surface. The planar contact area may be embodied, for example, as a flat surface of beads or planar links forming a chain of connecting portions. At least some of the connecting portions may include planar contact areas, and preferably all of the connecting portions include planar contact areas.

[0014] The connecting arrangement can be water-resistant, particularly corrosion-resistant. At least some, preferably all, of the connecting portions and / or interconnecting structures are made of a water-resistant and corrosion-resistant material. Additionally or alternatively, the connecting portions and / or interconnecting structures are covered or coated with one or more layers of a water-resistant and corrosion-resistant protective material, such as a bioplastic. The connecting arrangement and / or connecting portions can be covered with a cover, enclosure, covering, or casing of an aesthetic, smooth, abrasion-resistant, and / or shielding material, such as PU or Kevlar. Covering the connecting arrangement with an abrasion-resistant material reduces abrasion of the towel body material, e.g., abrasion of the relatively hard magnet against the relatively soft fabric of the towel body due to frictional movement during the wash cycle.

[0015] The connecting portions can be embedded in the body of the towel. At least some, preferably all, of the connecting portions can be covered with fabric. Preferably, the connecting portions are connected to the body of the towel via permanent connections. Alternatively, the connecting portions can be releasably connected, for example via a zipper or within a pocket of the towel, so that, for example, the towel can be washed with the connecting arrangement removed while the connecting arrangement is used for a new towel.

[0016] The connecting portion can be included in the seams of the towel. For example, the connecting portion can be sewn to form a border or binding on the towel. In this case, the connecting arrangement itself can be invisible or inconspicuous. The binding or binding can be decorative or distinctive. The towel can have indicia at the location of the connecting portion or the connecting arrangement to indicate to the user the location of the connecting portion or the connecting arrangement. Such indicia can be visual and / or tactile, and can include, for example, areas of the body with a contrasting texture, material, and / or color. The connecting arrangement can be included in the seams of the towel. The fabric of the towel can have a reduced thickness at the location of the contact area of ​​the connecting portion to facilitate magnetic coupling with the holder. Such a reduced thickness can be achieved by locally scraping loops from a cotton terry towel. Alternatively, the towel can have a locally thinner material at the connecting portion. The thickness of the towel can vary. A towel may be provided with a soft, relatively thick band, for example, at the top of the towel, for application to the face, and a relatively thin band, for example, at the bottom of the towel, for facilitating drying between the toes and fingers. The thick band at the top of such a towel may have a height selected from the range of 2-20 cm, preferably 5-15 cm, measured from the top edge of the towel, and the thin band at the bottom of such a towel may have a height selected from the range of 1-10 cm, preferably 2-5 cm, measured from the bottom edge of the towel. Generally, for example, the upper 1 / 3 or 1 / 2 of the longitudinal sides of the main body of a towel having long pile warp threads (loops) may be thicker than the lower 2 / 3 or 1 / 2 of the longitudinal sides of a towel having or not having short pile warp threads (loops). A towel having a main body provided with such a band(s) may also be advantageously provided in a conventional towel, i.e., a towel not having the connecting arrangement described herein.

[0017] A connecting arrangement can be included on the edge of the towel. This allows the towel to hang freely downward from the connected edge, facilitating drying. The connecting arrangement can extend along the edge of the towel. The connecting portion can extend to the corner of the edge of the towel, ensuring that the edge of the towel is neatly connected to the holder. The connecting arrangement can extend along all edges of the towel, for example, preferably along the shorter sides of the towel's substantially rectangular body. In this way, the towel can be attached to the holder in a very neat manner. The edge can be straight, and the connecting portion along the edge can be provided in the middle of the edge, particularly between the corners, to prevent sagging. The edge can also be beveled or contoured to match the slope or contour of the holder, for example, to facilitate connection or to improve the appearance of a towel edge that forms a straight, horizontal line. Alternatively, the contouring of the towel can be used to hide sagging, for example, by having an edge that forms a convex, concave, V-shaped, or slanted line.

[0018] The contact area of ​​the connecting portion can face outward from the body of the towel, and preferably the plane intersecting the contact area extends transversely to the plane of the body. Thus, when connected to the holder, the contact portion of the towel can be positioned so that the body of the towel has its edge adjacent to the holder. Thus, the towel hangs freely, extending downward from the contact area to allow optimal drying, with only a thin layer of fabric or abrasion-resistant material between the connecting arrangement and the holder, for example.

[0019] The present invention further provides a holder for towels, particularly a holder for towels as described above, comprising a base for mounting on a support surface, such as a wall, door, cabinet, or ceiling, and a connector including one or more cantilevered connecting portions arranged in a line. The support surface may preferably be an upright surface. Such cantilevers encourage the body of the towel to move away from the support surface, allowing air to pass more easily along the surface of the body and facilitating drying. The towel can dry faster if it hangs freely and the body of the towel does not contact a surface except where the connecting arrangement is provided. The base may include a continuous surface. The base may include one or more spaced feet. Such spacing between the feet can further facilitate the passage of air. Furthermore, such feet can aid in the free hanging of the towel when it is suspended from the holder.

[0020] The holder may include a single connecting portion for each towel to be connected, but may also include multiple connecting portions. The connecting portion of the holder may include a permanent magnetic material. More specifically, the connecting portion of the holder may include one or more permanent magnets. The connecting portion of the holder may include multiple permanent magnets, which may be spaced apart, for example. In the context of this disclosure, the term "permanent magnet" is meant to refer to a magnet designed to be a continuous source of magnetic flux without external power, as opposed to, for example, an electromagnet or iron. Such a permanent magnet may be made, for example, of a material that is magnetic or made to be permanently magnetic.

[0021] Alternatively, the connecting portion of the holder can include, for example, a motion-controlled electromagnet that can use residual magnetic force to hold the towel in place after power to the electromagnet is turned off following the coupling operation. Furthermore, the connecting portion of the holder can include magnetic flux conductors, such as small magnetically conductive plates on opposite sides of the magnet. Such plates can be made of, for example, steel or magnetically conductive RVS. Such magnetic flux conductors can be used to concentrate the magnetic flux, facilitating connection of the towel with the holder. In particular, the magnetic flux conductors can focus the magnetic flux on a beam, for example, a beam extending from the holder in a connection plane corresponding to the plane on which the towel is hung. The connecting portion of the holder can be embodied as a single magnetic bar, for example, 70 x 2 x 2 cm, sandwiched between successive metal plates as the magnetic flux conductor, and the holder can be embodied as a cantilevered bar with two spaced arms, for example, simply for wall mounting.

[0022] The strength of the magnetic flux can vary along the holder. For example, the magnetic flux at the edge and / or center of the holder's connecting portion can be concentrated to forcefully engage the connecting portion at the edge and / or center of the towel, which can be manually approximated relatively precisely for primary local engagement of the towel's connecting line, while the magnetic flux at intermediately located connecting portions can be less concentrated so that the intermediate portions can achieve automatic secondary engagement along the remainder of the connecting line. Such a change in strength can be achieved by using stronger magnets, but can also be achieved by using magnetic flux conductors. In particular, a magnet sandwiched between metal plates as a magnetic flux conductor can have increased magnetic strength at its free end due to the concentration of magnetic flux.

[0023] The connector may include a bar on which the connecting portions are housed and a surface of the bar that provides a contact area for cooperation with the contact portions of the connecting arrangement of the towel. The connecting portions of the connector may be aligned along the continuous contact area to cooperate with the contact arrangement extending along the edge of the towel. The bar itself may be cantilevered, but may form a cantilever itself, with one surface of the bar forming the base. A further surface, for example, the bottom or front, may form the contact surface. The edge of the towel with the connecting arrangement may, for example, abut the bottom surface of the bar so that the towel hangs from the edge.

[0024] The connector may be provided with a groove extending along the connecting portion. Such a groove may visually and / or physically assist the user in aligning the towel with the holder and may help secure the towel in place in the holder. The groove may be formed to correspond to the edge of the towel along which the connecting arrangement of the towel extends. The length of the groove may be selected, for example, to be slightly longer than the edge of the towel to be connected, with a depth and / or width of, for example, 0.1-10 mm, preferably about 1 mm. The groove may be recessed, for example, relative to the face of the connector, and may be embodied as an open channel or slot that facilitates engagement of the towel with the holder. The groove may be formed between continuous metal plates sandwiching a magnetic flux conductor, for example, one or more magnetic bars. In such a case, the magnetic flux conductor may be used to guide the connecting arrangement of the towel within the groove to engage with the holder. Elegantly, a connection arrangement located at the edge of the towel, for example extending as a flexible continuous line along the short edge of the towel, may be held or accommodated in a groove between the magnetic flux conductors so that the towel can be suspended downwardly from the holder in a connection plane in which the magnetic flux conductors extend from the holder concentrating the magnetic flux.

[0025] Additionally, the present invention provides a system including at least one towel as described above and at least one holder as described above.

[0026] The present invention further provides, particularly according to claim 17, a method for hanging towels for drying, particularly the towel and / or holder described above. In this method, multiple connection portions of the towel's connection array are arranged on a line extending across the towel's body, and are connected to corresponding cantilevered connection portions of the holder arranged on the line, so that the towel's body is pulled along the line. The towel is then hung so that the towel extends freely downward from the connection portions. This results in a towel that hangs freely, unfolded, for example, on a flat vertical surface with free space on both sides, allowing it to dry faster and thereby reducing the development of odors, fungi, and / or mold. This allows the towel to stay fresher for longer and extend the period of use between washings. As mentioned above, the connection array can extend along the edge of the towel, and the towel's body can extend downward from the unfolded edge.

[0027] In this method, the connecting portion of the connecting array of the towel can be magnetically coupled to the holder, preferably with only a thin layer of fabric between the connecting array and the holder. This can be accomplished, for example, by pulling the edge of the towel bearing the connecting array to form a straight line between the thumb and index finger of each hand, and then moving the connecting portion toward the holder to magnetically couple the connecting portion to the holder. The contact portions are pulled together by the magnetic coupling.

[0028] Further advantageous aspects of the invention are described in the specification and the appended claims.

[0029] The technical features described in the above paragraphs and sentences may be separated out of context, and technical features separated from different paragraphs and sentences may be combined, and such combinations are hereby specifically disclosed herein.

[0030] The invention will be further clarified on the basis of exemplary embodiments represented in the drawings, which are given for the purpose of a non-limiting explanation of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a towel and holder. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a towel and holder. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a wall-mounted holder with a towel attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a wall-mounted holder and two towels connected to the holder. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 shows a detail of a front view of an embodiment of a towel attached to a holder. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an isometric bottom view of an embodiment of a towel semi-attached to a holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations given by way of non-limiting example, in which identical or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0033] 1A and 1B, a towel 1 is depicted having a main body 2 of absorbent fabric including a connecting array 3. The connecting array 3 is for connecting the towel 1 to a holder 7. The connecting array 3 includes a plurality of connecting portions 4 arranged on a line 5 extending across the main body 2. In the illustrated example, the connecting portions 4 extend continuously in a straight line from one side of the main body 2 of the towel 1 to the other side of the main body 2 of the towel 1. The connecting portions 4 are embodied here as metal beads clamped at intervals to a thin, flexible wire. The connecting portions 4 are connected to each other on the wire, but are spaced apart sufficiently so as not to significantly affect the flexibility of the main body 2 of the towel 1. More specifically, not significantly affecting the flexibility may result in no noticeable difference between the towel 1 of the present invention and a conventional towel during use, for example, drying, folding, or laundering. The connecting portions 4 may be surrounded by a waterproof plastic sheet (not shown) to protect the towel 1 from wear. The connection portions 4 are attached to the body 2 of the towel 1 such that successive connection portions 4 of the connection array 3 on the line 5 are flexible relative to one another to allow folding and tensioning of the fabric 2. The connection portions 4 are arranged for magnetic coupling with the holder 7. More specifically, the connection portions 4 are magnetizable. To facilitate better magnetic coupling with the holder 7, the connection portions 4 may include a planar contact area 8 for cooperation with the holder 7 (not shown). As shown, the contact area of ​​the connection portions 4 faces outward from the body 2 of the towel, and the plane passing through the contact area of ​​the connection portions 4 extends transversely to the plane of the body 2. The connection portions 4 of the towel 1 are arranged such that, when connected to the holder, the body 2 of the towel 1 abuts an edge 10 of the body of the towel 1 formed by its short side relative to the holder.

[0034] To prevent corrosion of the connection arrangement 3 due to a humid environment and / or the wet body of the towel, the connection arrangement 3 is water-resistant, in particular corrosion-resistant. This can be done by providing the connection arrangement 3 with a water-resistant coating or by constructing the connection arrangement 3 from a water-resistant and / or corrosion-resistant material.

[0035] The connection portions 4 of the connection array 3 are embedded in the body 2 of the towel 1. In the illustrated example, the connection portions 4 are included in seams 9 of the towel 1, more specifically in seams 9 located on the upper longitudinal sides of the towel 1 that form border 10. In the figures, for clarity, the seams are shown as open at the side edges. In practice, the seams may be closed at the side edges. FIG. 1A shows an example in which the towel 1 is magnetically coupled to the holder 7, while FIG. 1B shows the same towel 1 without being magnetically coupled to the holder 7.

[0036] 1A and 1B, in an exemplary embodiment, holder 7 is formed as a bar including a single connecting portion 4' for cooperating with connecting portion 4 of the towel to connect the towel to holder 7. Connecting portion 4' of the holder is embodied as a single magnetic bar 15 sandwiched between continuous metal plates 16 as magnetic flux conductors. Grooves 17 are formed between the metal plates that correspond to edges 10 of towel 1 through which connecting array 4 of towel extends. Grooves 17 are embodied as open channels that facilitate engagement of towel 1 with holder 7. The magnetic flux conductors extend along grooves 17 and are stronger at the ends of magnetic bar 15, providing a concentrated magnetic field that can be used to induce connecting portion 4 of towel 1 to magnetically engage holder 7 with connecting portion 4'.

[0037] 2 and 3, a holder 7 for the towel 1 described above is depicted. The holder 7 includes a base 11 for mounting the holder 7 to an upright support surface 12, such as a wall, door, or cabinet. In the depicted example, the base 11 has two legs connected to a plate. The plate is attached to the upright support surface 12, which in the depicted example is a wall. Mounting can be achieved using conventional mounting methods, such as screws, nails, or adhesives. The two legs extending from the plate allow airflow around the back as well as the front of the towel, thereby improving the drying speed of the towel. The holder 7 further includes a connector 13 including multiple cantilevered connecting portions 4 arranged on a line 6. The connector 13 includes a holder connecting portion 4'. The connector 13 includes a bar 14 on which the holder connecting portion 4 is housed. The holder connecting portion 4' includes an array of spaced permanent magnets for forming a magnetic coupling with the magnetizable material of the towel 1 connecting portion 4. The surface of the bar 14 provides a contact area for cooperation with the contact portion of the connecting array of towels 1. The surface of the magnet of the holder 7 is flush with the bottom surface of the bar 14 and is provided with a protective coating or layer. The magnet is positioned so that its magnetic flux extends substantially vertically, i.e., the NZ axis is substantially vertical. Figure 3 shows an example of a holder 7 positioned to form a magnetic coupling with two towels 1. An additional bar 14 with connectors 13 is provided and spaced apart from the first bar 14. More specifically, the spacing is provided by two spaced-apart legs connecting the additional bar 14 to the first bar 14. This allows multiple towels 1 to be hung from the holder 7, allowing for spacing between each towel 1 and improving drying speed. In another embodiment (not shown), consecutive bars 14 of the holder can be vertically offset. In this way, towels connected to a more front bar of the holder remain clearly visible for towels connected to a more rear bar of the holder. In such an embodiment, the holders may form a stepped arrangement, for example, from front to back.Alternatively or additionally, the bars closer to the front may have a smaller width than the bars further back, allowing the holders to hold towels of different widths, with wider towels hanging further back for easier access.

[0038] As described above, the multiple connection portions 4 of the connection array 3 of the towel 1 are arranged on a line 5 extending across the main body 2 of the towel 1 and are connected to corresponding cantilevered connection portions 4' of the holder 7, which are arranged on the line 5, so that the main body 2 of the towel 1 is pulled along the line 5. The main body 2 of the towel 1 is suspended so that it extends freely downward from its connection portions 4. This results in an unfolded, freely hanging towel 1. For example, the towel 1 can be first pulled and connected to the holder 7 via the connection array 3 by its corners. Due to the magnetic force between the connection array 3 and the holder 7, the unconnected connection portions 4 of the towel that lie on the line between the corners of the towel 1 are connected to the holder 7. To facilitate engagement, the central portion of the connection array, corresponding to the center of the towel's edge, can be first connected, for example, using a relatively strong magnet in the center of the holder.

[0039] 4, a detail of a corner portion of towel 1 and holder 7 is shown. In the example shown, connecting portion 4 is embedded in seam 9 of towel 1. Connecting portion 4 is provided on wire 6 and connected to bar 14 via connector 13.

[0040] 5, an isometric bottom view of towel 1 and holder 7 is shown as towel 1 is being removed from holder 7. As shown, towel 1 is only partially connected to bar 14 via connector 13. In this view, the bottom side of bar 14 is shown to include connection portion 4' provided on line 6. Additionally, connection portion 4' is provided in a recess in bar 14.

[0041] Many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the connecting portions at the corners of the towel may be larger to facilitate pulling on the towel's edges and facilitate a stronger magnetic coupling at the corners of the towel. Similarly, the connecting portions of the holder may be stronger and / or more concentrated, for example, at the edges and / or in the center, using magnets that exhibit a stronger magnetic flux compared to other magnets in the holder's connecting array. Furthermore, the holder may be configured to cooperate with towels of different styles or shapes. Also, the edges of the towel may be concave, the connecting portions may extend in a curved shape, and the holder's connector may be correspondingly convex. The holder may be configured, for example, as a smile. The holder's connector may be convex, particularly in the contact area for cooperation with the contact portions of the towel's connecting array, preferably to accommodate the towel's concave edges.

[0042] The holder may also be embodied as a strip of magnetic tape that can be attached, for example, to the outside of the bottom of a cabinet or to the door handle of a kitchen appliance such as an oven or microwave. Furthermore, the towel may be attached to a non-dedicated holder, for example, to a horizontally running pipe in a bathroom. Such variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0043] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) A towel (1) comprising an absorbent fabric body (2) including a connection array (3) for connecting the towel (1) to a holder (7), the connection array (3) including a plurality of connection portions (4) arranged on a line (5) extending across the body (2), the connection portions (4) being attached to the body (2) of the towel (1) such that successive connection portions (4) of the connection array (3) on the line (5) are relatively flexible to each other to allow folding and tensioning of the fabric (2).

[0044] (Appendix 2) 2. The towel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (4) is arranged for magnetic coupling with the holder (7).

[0045] (Appendix 3) The towel (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (4) is magnetizable.

[0046] (Appendix 4) 4. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the connecting portion (4) comprises a contact area (8), in particular a planar contact area, for cooperating with the holder (7).

[0047] (Appendix 5) 5. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) is water-resistant, in particular corrosion-resistant.

[0048] (Appendix 6) The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the connecting portion (4) is embedded in the main body (2) of the towel (1).

[0049] (Appendix 7) The towel (1) according to any one of Appendices 1-6, wherein the connecting portion (4) is included in a seam (9) of the towel (1).

[0050] (Appendix 8) 8. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) is included in the edge (10) of the towel (1).

[0051] (Appendix 9) A towel (1) according to any one of appendices 1-8, wherein the contact area of ​​the connecting portion (4) faces outward from the main body (2) of the towel, and preferably a plane passing through the contact area of ​​the connecting portion (4) extends transversely to the plane of the main body (2).

[0052] (Appendix 10) 10. The towel (1) of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the edges of the towel are beveled or contoured, and the connecting portion extends in a correspondingly beveled or contoured line along the edges.

[0053] (Appendix 11) A holder (7) for a towel (1), in particular a towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, comprising a base (11) for attachment to a surface (12), such as a wall, door, cabinet or ceiling, and a connector (13) including one or more cantilevered connecting portions (4') arranged on a line (6).

[0054] (Appendix 12) 12. The holder (7) according to claim 11, wherein the connecting portion (4') comprises a permanent magnetic material.

[0055] (Appendix 13) 13. The holder (7) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the connector (13) comprises a bar (14) in which the connection portion (4') is housed, the surface of the bar (14) providing a contact area for cooperating with a contact portion of a connection arrangement of the towel (1).

[0056] (Appendix 14) 14. A holder (7) according to any one of appendices 11-13, wherein the connection portion (4) comprises a magnetic conductive plate extending along one or more sides of the connection portion, the magnetic flux conductor being preferably embodied as a permanent magnet.

[0057] (Appendix 15) A holder (7) according to any one of appendices 11-14, wherein the connector of the holder is convex, particularly in the contact area for cooperating with the contact portion of the connecting arrangement of the towel, preferably to correspond to the concave edge of the towel.

[0058] (Appendix 16) A system comprising at least one towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-10 and at least one holder (7) according to any one of claims 11-15.

[0059] (Appendix 17) A method for hanging a towel (1) for drying, in particular a towel (1) according to any one of Appendices 1-10 and / or a holder (7) according to any one of Appendices 11-15, wherein a plurality of connection portions (4) of a connection array (3) of the towel (1) arranged on a line (5) extending across the body (2) of the towel (1) are connected to corresponding cantilevered connection portions (4) of the holder (7) arranged on a line (6) so that the body (2) of the towel (1) is pulled along the line (5), and the body (2) of the towel (1) is hung extending freely downward from the connection portions (4).

[0060] (Appendix 18) 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) extends along the edge (10) of the towel (1) and the main body (2) extends downward from the edge (10) without being folded.

[0061] (Appendix 19) 19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the connecting portion (4) of the connecting arrangement of the towel (1) is magnetically coupled to the holder (7), preferably with a thin layer of material, in particular a cloth (2), between the connecting arrangement (3) and the holder (7).

Claims

1. A towel (1) comprising an absorbent fabric body (2) including a connection array (3) for connecting the towel (1) to a holder (7), the connection array (3) including a plurality of connection portions (4) arranged on a line (5) extending across the body (2), the connection portions (4) being attached to the body (2) of the towel (1) such that successive connection portions (4) of the connection array (3) on the line (5) are relatively flexible to each other to allow folding and tensioning of the fabric (2).

2. The towel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (4) is arranged for magnetic coupling with the holder (7).

3. The towel (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (4) is magnetizable.

4. Towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said connecting portion (4) comprises a contact area (8), in particular a planar contact area, for cooperating with said holder (7).

5. Towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) is water-resistant, in particular corrosion-resistant.

6. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting portion (4) is embedded in the body (2) of the towel (1).

7. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting portion (4) is included in a seam (9) of the towel (1).

8. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) is included in the edge (10) of the towel (1).

9. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the contact area of ​​the connecting portion (4) faces outward from the main body (2) of the towel, and preferably a plane passing through the contact area of ​​the connecting portion (4) extends transversely to the plane of the main body (2).

10. The towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the edge of the towel is beveled or contoured, and the connecting portion extends in a correspondingly beveled or contoured line along the edge.

11. A holder (7) for a towel (1), in particular a towel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a base (11) for attachment to a surface (12), for example a wall, door, cabinet or ceiling, and a connector (13) comprising one or more cantilevered connecting portions (4') arranged on a line (6).

12. A holder (7) according to claim 11, wherein the connecting portion (4') comprises a permanent magnetic material.

13. A holder (7) as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the connector (13) comprises a bar (14) in which the connection portion (4') is housed, the surface of the bar (14) providing a contact area for cooperating with a contact portion of a connection arrangement of the towel (1).

14. A holder (7) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the connecting portion (4) comprises one or more magnetically conductive plates embodied as magnetic flux conductors, preferably permanent magnets, extending along the sides of the connecting portion.

15. A holder (7) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the connector of the holder is convex, particularly in the contact area for cooperating with the contact portion of the connecting arrangement of the towel, preferably to correspond to the concave edge of the towel.

16. A system comprising at least one towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-10 and at least one holder (7) according to any one of claims 11-15.

17. A method for hanging a towel (1) for drying, in particular a towel (1) according to any one of claims 1-10 and / or a holder (7) according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein a plurality of connection portions (4) of a connection array (3) of the towel (1) arranged on a line (5) extending across the body (2) of the towel (1) are connected to corresponding cantilevered connection portions (4) of the holder (7) arranged on a line (6) so that the body (2) of the towel (1) is pulled along the line (5), and the body (2) of the towel (1) is hung extending freely downward from the connection portions (4).

18. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the connecting arrangement (3) extends along an edge (10) of the towel (1) and the body (2) extends downwardly from the edge (10) without being folded.

19. 19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the connection part (4) of the connection arrangement of the towel (1) is magnetically coupled to the holder (7), preferably with a thin layer of material, in particular a cloth (2), between the connection arrangement (3) and the holder (7).

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