Collapsible laundry hamper assembly with latching feature

Abstract

A hamper assembly is provided having a tubular support frame and a mating bag. The frame comprises crossed first and second substantially rectangular sections that are coupled at the crossing points of the sections by elastomeric rings permitting pivotal movement, as well as lateral and longitudinal flexibility. A mating hamper bag is supported by the tubular frame and has two fabric side panels and a continuous U-shaped panel of mesh material that forms the two ends and bottom of the bag. The side panels are attached to loops along their upper edges that receive the top tubes of the hamper frame. A U-shaped stretch panel is attached along the lower edge of each side panel and extends around and under each bottom tube of the frame. With the hamper fully open, the stretch panel stretches the bottom panel to maximize the capacity of the bag. As the hamper is opened and closed, the bottom tubes slide on the stretch panel. As the two frame sections approach the over-center position, the stretch panel resists further movement in that direction, to provide a latching function that assists the bag in remaining open/closed during handling.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.