Self supporting fabric carrier-hamper

Abstract

A fabric carrier-hamper has an interior space for carrying items, and is capable of being self-supporting in an upright position. The carrier-hamper includes a first end panel having a first perimetral edge, a fabric second end panel having a second perimetral edge, and a fabric side panel extending between the first and second end panels. A first rigid perimetral member extends around the first perimetral edge for maintaining a first fixed dimensional area for the first end panel. A second rigid perimetral member extends around the second perimetral edge for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel. An elongated support member is removably attached to the side panel and extends substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a pre-determined spatial relation for permitting the fabric carrier-hamper to be placed on the second end panel, and stand upright with the first end panel remaining at the pre-determined spacial relation to the second end panel.

1 . A fabric carrier-hamper having an interior space for carrying items and being capable of being self-supporting in an upright position comprising, 
 a fabric first end panel having a first perimetral edge,    a fabric second end panel having a second perimetral edge,    a fabric side panel extending between the first and second end panels.    a first rigid perimetral member extending around the first perimetral edge for maintaining a first fixed dimensional area for the first end panel,    a second rigid perimetral member extending around the second perimetral edge for maintaining a second fixed dimensional area for the second end panel, and    an elongated support member removably attached to the side panel and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spatial relation, for permitting the fabric carrier-hamper to be placed on the second end panel, and stand upright with the first end panel remaining at the predetermined spatial relation.    
   
   
       2 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 1  wherein the first end panel includes a stationary portion; and a flap portion movable between a closed and an open position, and 
 a selectively engagable fastener for fastening the flap portion in the closed position    
   
   
       3 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 2  wherein the flap portion includes an edge portion extending generally parallel to the first perimetral edge over a portion of the first perimetral edge, 
 wherein the flap portion, when in the open position can be disposed in a plane generally parallel with the side panel.    
   
   
       4 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 3  wherein the fastener comprises a zipper, and the first perimetral edge includes at least three segments, wherein the edge of the flap portion extends substantially along at least two of the at least three segments of the first perimetral edge.  
   
   
       5 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 3  wherein the fabric side panel includes a mesh portion for allowing air from outside the carrier-hamper to circulate through the interior, the mesh portion extending substantially between the first and second end panels.  
   
   
       6 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 5  wherein the side panel has a quadrilateral shaped cross section including a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, a third side panel portion and a fourth side panel portion, the first side panel portion including a side panel stationary portion; and a side panel flap portion moveable between an open and a closed position, the side panel flap portion, when in the open position defining a side panel opening through which items can be inserted into, and removed from the interior or the carrier-hamper.  
   
   
       7 . The carrier-hamper of  claim 6  wherein the mesh portion includes a first mesh portion which comprises a portion of one of the first, second, third and fourth side panel portions, and a second mesh portion which comprises a portion of another one of first, second, third and fourth side panel portions.  
   
   
       8 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 6  wherein the first and third side panel portions are disposed in an opposed relation, and the second and fourth side panel portions are disposed in an opposed relation, and 
 wherein the mesh portion includes a first mesh portion which comprises a portion of the second side panel portion, and a second mesh portion which comprises a portion of the fourth side panel portion, each of the first and second mesh portions extending substantially between the first and second end panel portions.    
   
   
       9 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 6  wherein the side panel flap portion includes first and second panel side edges, which extend substantially between the first and second end panels, and which are spatially separated by at least about three inches, to form a side panel opening having a width of at least three inches when the side panel flap portion is in the open position.  
   
   
       10 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 2  wherein the elongated support member comprises at least a first and second support rod, each of the first and second support rods being removably attached to the side panel and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spatial relation.  
   
   
       11 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 10  where the side panel has a quadrilateral-shaped cross section and includes a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, a third side panel portion and a fourth side panel portion, which define first, second, third and fourth corners extending substantially from the first end panel to the second end panel, and 
 wherein the at least two support rods include a first support rod disposed in the first corner, a second support rod disposed in the second corner, a third support rod disposed in the third corner and a fourth support rod disposed in the fourth corner.    
   
   
       12 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 10  further comprising a selectively engagable support rod retainer engagable with the first and second support rods, for retaining the support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel, while permitting the support rods to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel portion.  
   
   
       13 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 12  wherein the support rod retainer includes a first support rod retainer for retaining the first support rod and a second support rod retainer for retaining the second support rod.  
   
   
       14 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 12  wherein the support rods each include a first end portion, and a second end portion, and the support rod retainer includes a pocket member disposed adjacent to the second end panel for receiving the second end portion of the support rod to maintain the second end portion of the support rod in a fixed axial position, and a sleeve member disposed adjacent to the first end portion, and through which the support rod can pass, for maintaining the support rod adjacent to the side panel portion.  
   
   
       15 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 15  wherein the support rod retainer further includes a support rod cover member covering the first end portion of the support rod for maintaining the first end portion of the support rod in a fixed axial position, 
 the sleeve member includes a first fastener, and the support rod cover member includes a second fastener capable of being coupled to the first fastener for retaining    
   
   
       16 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 12  wherein the first rigid perimetral member comprises a rigid hoop member enclosed within a fabric casing, the casing being coupled to at least one of the first end panel and side panel.  
   
   
       17 . The fabric carrier-hamper casing of  claim 16  rigid hoop member and fabric casing have a thickness of between about 4.0 mm and 10.0 mm.  
   
   
       18 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 1  wherein the elongated support member includes at least a first and second support rod, each of the first and second support rods being removably attached to the side panel, and extending substantially between the first and second end panels to maintain the first and second end panels in a predetermined spaced relation. 
 further comprising a support rod retainer for retaining the first and second support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel while permitting the support rods to be disengaged from the support rod retainer and moved away from the side panel portion.    
   
   
       19 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 18  wherein the first support rod includes a first end portion and second end portion, and 
 the support rod retainer includes a pocket member disposed adjacent to the second end panel for receiving the second end portion of the first support rod to maintain the second end portion in a fixed axial position, and a sleeve member disposed adjacent to the first end panel, and through which the support rod can pass, for maintaining the support rod adjacent to the side panel.    
   
   
       20 . The fastener carrier-hamper of  claim 19  wherein the sleeve member includes a first fastener; and 
 the support rod container further includes a cover for covering the first end portion of the support rod for maintaining the first end portion in a fixed axial position, the cover member includes a second fastener selectively connectable with the first fastener for securing the cover in a position covering the first end portion of the support rod.    
   
   
       21 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 1  wherein the first rigid perimetral member comprises a wire-like member formed to have a geometric shape generally similar to a cross sectional shape of the side panel member, the first rigid perimetral member having sufficient resistance to bending to maintain its form under normal loads imposed on the first rigid perimetral member when the carrier-hamper is being used both as a carrier and as a hamper.  
   
   
       22 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 23  wherein the second rigid perimetral member comprises a wire-like member formed to have a geometric shape generally identical to the first rigid perimetral member, and having sufficient resistance to bending to maintain its form under normal loads imposed on the second rigid perimetral member when the carrier-hamper is being used as a carrier and as a hamper.  
   
   
       23 . The fabric carrier-hamper of  claim 1  wherein the elongated support member comprises at least a first support rod and a second support rod 
 further comprising a support rod retainer engagable with the first and second support rods for retaining the support rods in a supporting position adjacent to the side panel to maintain the first and second end panel portions in a fixed, spatial parallel planar relation when the support rods are engaged with the support rod retainer, and to permit the first and second end panel portions to be moved into a variable non-parallel relation when the support rods are not engaged with the support rod retainer.