Method of orienting shoes in a washing machine and devices for aligning shoes in a washing machine
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsSteven Barrett Rogers, Kathleen Anne Perry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of orienting shoes in a washing machine, and devices for aligning shoes in a washing machine are disclosed. The method of orienting shoes in a washing machine, and devices for aligning shoes in a washing machine reduce the time for drying the shoes after the washing process.
Claims18
A method of cleaning shoes in a vertical axis washing machine, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a washing machine having a vertical axis tub;
- (b) providing at least one shoe having a sole;
- (c) providing a device for orienting said at least one shoe in the tub of said washing machine, which maintains said at least one shoe in a particular orientation throughout the washing process;
- (d) positioning said device in the tub of said washing machine with said at least one shoe therein;
- and
- (e) operating said washing machine through a washing process.
A device for orienting a shoe in the tub of a vertical axis washing machine, said device comprising a flexible bag, the flexible bag including a pocket holder for at least one shoe, adapted to maintain said at least one shoe in the washing machine with its sole facing upward.
A flexible bag adapted to maintain shoes in a desired orientation in a washing machine, said flexible bag comprising:
- at least one web of material that is arranged to have two opposed portions wherein said opposed portions are joined together to form several pockets, said pockets being defined by side walls, a closed bottom, and ends, and said pockets providing at least two openings adapted for inserting shoes;
- and
- at least one component joined to the web and adapted to retain the pockets in a particular relationship and to release the pockets from the relationship.
A flexible bag structure having at least two pockets adapted for holding shoes in a washing machine, wherein at least two of said pockets are joined to each other directly or indirectly and wherein each pocket includes a retaining means within the pocket for retaining a shoe in a desired orientation therein.
A method of cleaning shoes in a vertical axis washing machine, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a washing machine having a vertical axis tub;
- (b) providing at least one shoe having a sole;
- (c) providing a device for orienting said at least one shoe in the tub of said washing machine, which maintains said at least one shoe in a particular orientation throughout the washing process;
- (d) positioning said device in the tub of said washing machine
- (e) placing said at least one shoe in said device;
- and
- (f) operating said washing machine through a washing process,
- wherein the device for orienting said at least one shoe is a flexible containment bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.