US3583748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laundry hopper
Assignee: Slings Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-09
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A partially collapsible laundry hopper having top and bottom frames defining the inlet and outlet thereof respectively, and a flexible chute and a plurality of extensible supports extending longitudinally between said top and bottom frames, said supports being of a length less than said chute. The hopper also has a pair of downwardly and outwardly opening doors adapted to be sequentially closed across said hopper outlet and latch means for releasably securing said doors in their closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jason S Arndt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:26
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F95/00; D06F95/002; D06F95/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A laundry hopper comprising a top frame defining the inlet to said hopper; a bottom frame defining the outlet thereof; a flexible chute extending longitudinally between and secured to said top and bottom frames; downwardly opening door means hingedly mounted on said bottom frame for closing said hopper outlet; latch means for releasably retaining said door means in its closed position; and a plurality of extensible supports, of a length less than the length of said chute, extending between said top and bottom frames, whereby said laundry hopper is partially collapsed when empty while being extendable to its full length when filled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A laundry hopper comprising a top frame defining the inlet to said hopper; a bottom frame defining the outlet thereof; a flexible chute extending longitudinally between and secured to said top and bottom frames; downwardly opening door means hingedly mounted on said bottom frame for closing said hopper outlet; latch means for releasably retaining said door means in its closed position; and a plurality of extensible supports, of a length less than the length of said chute, extending between said top and bottom frames, whereby said laundry hopper is partially collapsed when empty while being extendable to its full length when filled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 1, including suspension means secured to said top frame, whereby said hopper may be suspended from a conveyor belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of said chute is constricted to facilitate the partial collapse of said chute and hopper when empty.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 1, wherein said door means includes first and second downwardly and outwardly opening doors, said first door having a portion extending beneath and supporting said second door when said doors are closed, said latch means retaining said first door in its closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 4, including means for sequentially closing first said second door and then said first door.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 5, wherein said closing means includes first pulley means rotatably mounted on said first door, second pulley means rotatably mounted on said second door, third and fourth pulley means rotatably mounted on said bottom frame and a drawstring secured at one end to said bottom frame and extending along its length about first said first pulley means, then said third pulley means, then said second pulley means, and lastly said fourth pulley means, said closing means being operative by pulling on the end of said drawstring extending from said fourth pulley means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 5, wherein said latch means automatically retains said first door when said first door is brought into engagement therewith by said closing means, and includes a release lever operative, when displaced, to release said first door, said hopper including a second drawstring operatively secured to said release lever for remote operation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laundry hopper comprising a top frame defining the inlet to said hopper; a bottom frame defining the outlet thereof; a chute extending longitudinally between and secured to said top and bottom frames; first and second downwardly and outwardly opening doors hingedly mounted on said bottom frame for closing said hopper outlet, said first door extending beneath and supporting said second door when said doors are closed; latch means adapted to releasably secure said first door in its closed position; and closing means for sequentially closing first said second door and then said first door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laundry hopper comprising a top frame defining the inlet to said hopper; a bottom frame defining the outlet thereof; a chute extending longitudinally between and secured to said top and bottom frames; first and second downwardly and outwardly opening doors hingedly mounted on said bottom frame for closing said hopper outlet, said first door extending beneath and supporting said second door when said doors are closed; latch means adapted to releasably secure said first door in its closed position; and closing means for sequentially closing first said second door and then said first door.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 8, wherein said closing means includes first pulley means rotatably mounted on said first door, second pulley means rotatably mounted on said second door, third and fourth pulley means rotatably mounted on said bottom frame and a drawstring secured at one end to said bottom frame and extending along its length about first said first pulley means, then said third pulley means, then said second pulley means, and lastly said fourth pulley means, said closing means being operative by pulling on the end of said drawstring extending from said fourth pulley means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A laundry hopper as recited in claim 8, wherein said latch means automatically retains said first door when said first door is brought into engagement therewith by said closing means, and includes a release lever, operative when displaced, to release said first door.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |