Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FABRIC ROLLING DEVICE AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present specification relates generally to devices for configuring
pliable articles and
more specifically to a device for rolling fabric articles for storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As the average size of houses and condominiums continues to decrease,
so does the
storage space available to homeowners within their homes. Some of the many
items which
homeowners are now struggling to find space for are clothing, linens, and
other fabric articles.
Often these items are stacked in large piles or squeezed into dresser drawers
and wardrobes. Due
to the very pliant nature of fabric, and the frequency with which these items
are accessed, these
items often become disorganized, unfolded, and disheveled. When they do,
homeowners are
burdened with the task of refolding, reorganizing, and often re-pressing these
items.
[0003] To store more items within a small space, a homeowner may,
alternatively, utilize a
vacuum storage bag. These bags enable a user to compress their contents by
removing air from the
bags with the help of a vacuum. While these bags have the capacity to
substantially reduce the
spatial footprint of the items within them, they have their disadvantages.
Once the air is removed
from the bags, it becomes difficult to identify their contents and, if an item
is ever removed from
a bag, the bag must be resealed, and the air vacuumed out anew. Thus, vacuum
storage bags are
best suited for long-term storage, and do not solve the challenges associated
with storing fabric
articles which are in regular use.
[0004] The need to store a large number of items within a small space is also
encountered when
packing baggage. As a result of substantial fees being charged by airlines for
checked baggage and
for excess baggage, travellers are motivated to travel with as little baggage
as is practicable. Again,
vacuum storage bags are often relied on to fit more fabric articles in a
single piece of baggage.
Vacuum storage bags, however, may crease the fabric articles packed within
them. Further, these
storage bags must be resealed, and the air vacuumed out, each time the user
needs to repack their
baggage. This can be onerous when travellers are regularly moving from city to
city or country to
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country and repacking their baggage every few days. Further, travellers may
not have access to a
vacuum or vacuum cleaner at each of their destinations to vacuum the air out
of the storage bag.
[0005] Additionally, the repetitive motion involved in manually folding or
rolling large
quantities of fabric articles may lead to repetitive stress injuries. These
injuries may be more
common in certain industries and workplaces, for example in hospitals,
restaurants, hotels, banquet
halls, cruise ships, gyms, spas and waterparks where a substantial number of
towels, linens or other
fabric articles is regularly rolled or folded. The repetitive motion
associated with this task may
place significant physical strain on workers and result in injury. Further,
many of these settings
require folded/rolled fabric articles to all have substantially the shape and
be of substantially the
same size, which can be difficult and time-consuming to achieve manually.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fabric
rolling device,
comprising: a housing; a pair of substantially parallel rods each having a
first end, the pair of
substantially parallel rods connected to each other at the first ends and
extending horizontally
therefrom through the housing; a rotational mechanism in communication with
the connected first
ends of the pair of substantially parallel rods; and at least one supporting
mechanism, disposed
within the housing proximate one of a free end of each of the pair of
substantially parallel rods and
the connected first ends of the pair of substantially parallel rods.
[0008] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of rolling
fabric
comprising: positioning the fabric between a pair of substantially parallel
rods each having a first
end, the pair of substantially parallel rods connected to each other at the
first ends; and using a
rotational mechanism to rotate the pair of substantially parallel rods to roll
the fabric.
[0009] Other aspects and features according to the present application will
become apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference
to the
accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary
embodiment, or
embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention,
and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fabric rolling device, according to
an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the fabric rolling device of
FIG. 1 with a fabric
article positioned within it, in an open configuration;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a front elevational view of the fabric rolling device of
FIG. 1 with a fabric
article positioned within it, in a closed, unlatched configuration;
[0014] FIG. 2C is a right-side elevational view of the fabric rolling device
of FIG. 1 with a fabric
article positioned within it, in a closed, latched configuration;
[0015] FIG. 2D is a right-side elevational view of the fabric rolling device
of FIG. 1 with a fabric
article positioned within it, in an open configuration;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of substantially parallel rods
in communication with
a rotational mechanism, namely, a motor, according to an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a right-side elevational view of the fabric rolling device
of FIG. 1 in a closed
and unlatched configuration;
[0018] FIG. 4B is a right-side elevational view of the fabric rolling device
of FIG. 1 in a closed
and latched configuration;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of the first supporting
mechanism, a portion
of the second supporting mechanism, the tensioner bar, and the support bar of
FIG. 2A;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a right-side elevational view of the fabric rolling device of
FIG. 1, with a rolled
fabric article positioned within it, in a closed configuration, the first
supporting mechanism, the
handle, and a side panel of the lid are not shown;
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[0021] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the pair of substantially
parallel rods of FIG. 3 in
communication with a rotational mechanism, namely, a motor;
[0022] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a pair of substantially parallel rods
in communication
with a rotational mechanism, namely, a motor, with a fabric article wrapped
therearound,
according to an embodiment; and
[0023] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a pair of substantially parallel rods
in communication
with a rotational mechanism, namely, a motor, with a fabric article wrapped
therearound,
according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein,
are provided by
way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of
the principles of the
present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of
explanation, and not of
limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like
parts are marked
throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective
reference numerals. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may
have been
exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention.
[0025] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1, 2A ¨ 2D, 4A, 4B and 6,
a fabric
rolling device 100 is provided to facilitate the rolling of fabric articles.
Accordingly, fabric rolling
device 100 may enable the storage of a greater number of fabric articles
within a given space while
maintaining the accessibility of each individual article. Consequently, fabric
rolling device 100
may obviate or reduce a homeowner's need for additional storage space external
to their home.
Similarly, fabric rolling device 100 may obviate or reduce a homeowner's need
to reduce or limit
the number of fabric or other articles they own to compensate for a lack of
storage space. Further,
fabric rolling device 100 may increase consistency in the size and shape of
rolled fabric articles
and reduce the likelihood and/or number of repetitive strain injuries
associated with the repeated
folding or rolling motions involved in the manual folding or rolling of fabric
articles. Further,
fabric rolling device 100 may eliminate the need, associated with the storage
of fabric articles in
flat stacks in lieu of rolls, to repeatedly re-press and refold stored fabric
articles. Fabric rolling
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device 100 may also reduce the number of checked baggage items required by
travellers, thereby
saving travellers the cost and inconvenience associated with travelling with
multiple checked bags.
Similarly, fabric rolling device 100 may facilitate the neat storage of fabric
articles within baggage,
thereby reducing the need to regularly re-press and re-fold these articles.
[0026] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2A ¨ 2D, 4A, 4B and 6, fabric rolling device 100
comprises a
housing 110. Housing 110 may vary in shape and/or size. Housing 110 supports
and contains other
components of fabric rolling device 100. Housing 110 may be constructed of
aluminum, stainless
steel, thermoplastics, or a combination of suitable materials. Manufacturing
costs, weight, lifespan,
transparency and mechanical strength may be considerations informing the
choice of materials,
construction technique and design choices of housing 110. According to an
embodiment, housing
110 comprises a base 120 and a lid. The lid may be pivotally connected to
housing 110. The lid,
in a closed configuration, may provide compression to a fabric article loaded
into fabric rolling
device 100. In this manner, the lid may improve the functioning of fabric
rolling device 100 and
improve a shape and reduce a size of a fabric article rolled by fabric rolling
device 100. The
compression provided by the lid may result in the fabric article being rolled
tighter than would
have been possible in the absence of the lid.
[0027] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, and 7 ¨ 8B,
fabric rolling
device 100 comprises a pair of substantially parallel rods 130 each having a
first end 140, the pair
of substantially parallel rods 130 connected to each other at the first ends
140 and extending
horizontally through housing 110. According to an embodiment, the pair of
substantially parallel
rods 130 are flexible. According to a further embodiment, the pair of
substantially parallel rods
130 are cylindrical, as shown in FIGs. 1 ¨ 4B, 6, and 7. The pair of
substantially parallel rods 130
may be U-channel shaped. According to an embodiment, the pair of substantially
parallel rods 130
are C-channel shaped. Alternatively, the pair of substantially parallel rods
130 may be flat.
According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 8A and 8B, the pair of
substantially parallel rods
130 may be connected to at least one fin 250. At least one fin 250 may be
permanently connected
to the pair of substantially parallel rods 130. Alternatively, at least one
fin 250 may be removably
connected to the pair of substantially parallel rods 130, enabling a user to
easily configure fabric
rolling device 100 and the pair of substantially parallel rods 130 to yield a
particular end-shape of
a fabric article rolled by fabric rolling device 100. The shape of each of
pair of substantially
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-31
parallel rods 130 may be determined based on an intended use of fabric rolling
device 100. The
shape of each of pair of substantially parallel rods 130 may vary depending on
a type of fabric
article intended to be rolled by fabric rolling device 100 and/or a desired
size or shape for the fabric
article after rolling. By way of example, the pair of substantially parallel
rods 130 may be flat and
fin-like where a flatter, shorter end shape of the fabric article is desired,
whereas the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130 may be cylindrical where a rounder, taller end
shape of the fabric
article is desired. Each of the pair of substantially parallel rods 130 may
have a different shape, as
shown in FIG. 8B.
[0028] Each of the pair of substantially parallel rods 130 may vary in length
and diameter.
According to an embodiment, each of the pair of substantially parallel rods
130 have a same length
and diameter. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, each of the pair
of substantially
parallel rods 130 have a different length and diameter.
[0029] The pair of substantially parallel rods 130 may be manufactured from or
encased in a
material with a high friction co-efficient to improve the pair of
substantially parallel rods' 130
capacity to grip a fabric article loaded into fabric rolling device 100. The
pair of substantially
parallel rods 130 may be removeable and exchangeable for a pair of
substantially parallel rods 130
of a different shape or a different material. Exchanging the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130
may increase the number of distinct fabric articles which may be efficiently
rolled by a single
embodiment of fabric rolling device 100 and may facilitate maintenance of
fabric rolling device
100.
[0030] According to an embodiment, the pair of substantially parallel rods 130
may include at
least one cap affixed to a free end 150 of one of the pair of substantially
parallel rods 130, the free
end 150 being opposite the first end 140. The at least one cap may be
constructed of silicone,
thermoplastic or one or more other suitable materials known to the person
skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment, the at least one cap is affixed to a free end 150
of one of the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130 via a snap-fit mechanism. Alternatively, the
at least one cap may be
screwed onto a thread on free end 150 of one of the pair of substantially
parallel rods 130. The at
least one cap may prevent a fabric article loaded into fabric rolling device
100 from shifting during
the operation of fabric rolling device 100 and thereby improve a shape and
size of a fabric article
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rolled by fabric rolling device 100 and reduce a likelihood of fabric rolling
device 100
malfunctioning. The at least one cap may vary in size and shape. The at least
one cap may be
removably affixed to free end 150 of one of the pair of substantially parallel
rods 130.
Alternatively, the at least one cap may be permanently affixed to free end 150
of one of the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130.
[0031] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2A ¨3, and 7¨ 8B, fabric rolling device 100
comprises a rotational
mechanism 160 in communication with connected first ends 140 of the pair of
substantially parallel
rods 130. Rotational mechanism 160 may be manually or automatically operated.
According to an
embodiment, rotational mechanism 160 comprises a motor, as shown in FIGs. 1,
2A ¨ 3, and 7 ¨
8B. According to another embodiment, rotational mechanism 160 comprises a hand
crank.
Rotational mechanism 160 serves to rotate the pair of substantially parallel
rods 130 and a fabric
article loaded into fabric rolling device 100 between the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130
when fabric rolling device 100 is operating.
[0032] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2C, 2D, 4A and 4B, fabric rolling device 100
comprises at least
one supporting mechanism 170, disposed within housing 110 proximate one of
free end 150 of
each of the pair of substantially parallel rods 130 and connected first ends
140 of the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130. At least one supporting mechanism 170 may, in
an engaged
position, exclusively support a bottom of the pair of substantially parallel
rods 130 or may encircle
and thereby clamp the pair of substantially parallel rods 130, as shown in
FIGs. 2C and 4B.
According to an embodiment, at least one supporting mechanism 170 comprises a
first supporting
mechanism 180 and a second supporting mechanism 190, as shown in FIG. 1.
According to an
embodiment, first supporting mechanism 180, in an engaged position, at least
partially surrounds
free end 150 of each of the pair of substantially parallel rods 130, as shown
in FIGs. 2C and 4B.
As shown in FIGs. 1, 2C, 2D, 4A and 4B, first supporting mechanism 180 may
comprise an
extendable first arm 230 disposed above and perpendicular to the pair of
substantially parallel rods
130 and pivotally connected to a handle 200 and to housing 110, such that the
depression of handle
200 extends the first arm 230 to a position below the pair of substantially
parallel rods 130.
According to a further embodiment, second supporting mechanism 190, in an
engaged position, at
least partially surrounds connected first ends 140 of the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130.
Second supporting mechanism 190 may comprise an extendable second arm disposed
above and
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perpendicular to the pair of substantially parallel rods 130 and pivotally
connected to handle 200
and to housing 110, such that the depression of handle 200 extends the second
arm to a position
below the pair of substantially parallel rods 130.
[0033] According to an embodiment, fabric rolling device 100 further comprises
a support rod
210, fixed to housing 110 in front of and parallel to the pair of
substantially parallel rods 130, as
shown in FIG. 1, 2A, 2B, and 4A ¨5. As shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, support rod
210 may support
a fabric article 260 loaded into fabric rolling device 100 while fabric
rolling device 100 is in
operation.
[0034] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1, 2D and 4A ¨ 4B, handle
200
comprises a latch 220 configured to latch onto support rod 210, thereby
retaining at least one
supporting mechanism 170 in a clamped position. Latch 220 may prevent unwanted
opening of
fabric rolling device 100 during its operation. Latch 220 may increase the
compression applied to
a fabric article loaded into fabric rolling device 100 by locking one or more
moveable components
of fabric rolling device 100 in a given position.
[0035] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1, 2A ¨ 2D, and 4 ¨ 6,
fabric rolling
device 100 further comprises a tensioner bar 240 extending between first
supporting mechanism
180 and second supporting mechanism 190 of at least one supporting mechanism
170. Tensioner
bar 240 may apply downward pressure to a fabric article loaded into fabric
rolling device 100.
Together with support rod 210, tensioner bar may hold fabric article 260 in
place within fabric
rolling device 100, as shown in FIGs. 2A, 2B and 5. Consequently, tensioner
bar 240 may help
keep fabric article 260 in position and taut while fabric rolling device 100
is in operation, resulting
in a tighter, more shapely fabric roll.
[0036] Fabric rolling device 100 may be constructed from materials which
provide sufficient
mechanical strength and durability to perform reliably over time and withstand
impact. According
to an embodiment, fabric rolling device 100 may be constructed of aluminum,
stainless steel,
silicone, thermoplastics, or a combination of suitable materials.
Manufacturing costs, weight,
lifespan and mechanical strength may be considerations informing the choice of
materials,
construction technique and design choices of fabric rolling device 100.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-31
[0037] According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of rolling
fabric comprising:
positioning the fabric between a pair of substantially parallel rods each
having a first end, the pair
of substantially parallel rods connected to each other at the first ends; and
using a rotational
mechanism to rotate the pair of substantially parallel rods to roll the
fabric. Rotating the pair of
substantially parallel rods causes the fabric held between them to be pulled
toward and to wind
itself around the pair of substantially parallel rods until all of the fabric
is wound around the pair
of substantially parallel rods in a fabric roll. The fabric roll can then be
slid off of the pair of
substantially parallel rods for storage and the process restarted with
additional fabric.
[0038] According to an embodiment, the method of rolling fabric further
comprises activating a
first supporting mechanism to support or clamp the pair of substantially
parallel rods at a second
end of each of the pair of substantially parallel rods. Supporting or clamping
the pair of
substantially parallel rods may reduce a likelihood of the fabric slipping off
the pair of substantially
parallel rods while it is being rolled and may reduce a size of the fabric
roll produced by the
method. Supporting or clamping the pair of substantially parallel rods may
also reduce the strain
on the pair of substantially parallel rods caused by the weight of the fabric.
The method of rolling
fabric may further comprise activating a second supporting mechanism to
support or clamp the
pair of substantially parallel rods at the connected first ends of the pair of
substantially parallel
rods. According to an embodiment, the method of rolling fabric further
comprises applying
downward pressure to the fabric via a tensioner bar positioned lateral to the
pair of substantially
parallel rods. The downward pressure may further reduce a likelihood of the
fabric slipping off the
pair of substantially parallel rods while it is being rolled and may reduce a
size of the fabric roll
produced by the method.
[0039] Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail.
Since changes in
and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without
departing from the nature,
spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those
details but only by the
appended claims. Section headings herein are provided as organizational cues.
These headings
shall not limit or characterize the invention set out in the appended claims.
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