Device and method for softening, freshening, preventing static, and de-wrinkling clothes

Abstract

A device and process for softening, freshening, preventing static and de-wrinkling clothes in a timely and non-labor-intensive manner. The device includes a generally spherical holder with an exterior support with an exterior support surface, generally bounding the interior of the holder. Absorbent material is in the interior of the holder. The exterior support surface has one or more retainers to secure a fabric softener sheet on the outside of the holder. The absorbent material may also include a chamber to hold a nested stack or roll of fabric softener sheets. The fabric softener sheets are dispensed through an opening in the chamber and then through an opening in the exterior support. A user moistens the holder with water, dispenses a fabric softener sheet and secures the sheet to the outside of the holder using the at least one retainer. He then places the holder in the laundry dryer with wrinkled, stale or staticky clothes and operates the laundry dryer. The heat from the laundry dryer causes moisture to be released from the absorbent material to relax wrinkles and fabric softener to release from the sheet to soften, freshen and prevent static.

1 . A fabric softener sheet holder, comprising:
 a 3-dimensional support structure having an exterior support,
 the exterior support having an exterior support surface; 
   an absorbent material inside the 3-dimensional support structure, the absorbent material configured to hold moisture; and   at least one retainer configured to hold a fabric softener sheet against the exterior support surface of the 3-dimensional form.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material has a chamber to contain fabric softener sheets. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the exterior support has an opening for the fabric softener sheets to emerge from the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the exterior support has an opening for the fabric softener sheets to emerge from the chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support is fluid permeable. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior support is a fabric material. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the form is spherical. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the form is ovoid. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture is water. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is a strap. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is a tie. 
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is a clip. 
     
     
         14 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retainer is an elastic loop. 
     
     
         15 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric softener sheet is secured to the exterior support surface by being secured by the at least one retainer. 
     
     
         16 . A method of softening, freshening, preventing static, and de-wrinkling clothes using the holder of  claim 1 , comprising:
 moistening the holder, such that the absorbent material is damp;   securing a fabric softener sheet to the outside of the holder with the at least one retainer;   inserting the holder and dry clothes into a laundry dryer; and   operating the laundry dryer, thereby causing moisture to release from the absorbent and fabric softener material to release from the sheet to soften, freshen, prevent static, and de-wrinkle clothes.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the moisture released is water vapor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the moisture released is steam. 
     
     
         19 . A method of softening, freshening, preventing static, and de-wrinkling clothes using the holder of  claim 1 , comprising:
 moistening the holder, such that the absorbent material is damp;   dispensing a fabric softener sheet from the internal sheet chamber through the dispenser opening;   securing the fabric softener sheet to the outside of the holder with the at least one retainer;   inserting the holder and clothes into a laundry dryer; and   operating the laundry dryer, thereby causing moisture to release from the absorbent and fabric softener material to release from the sheet to soften, freshen, prevent static, and de-wrinkle clothes.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the moisture released is water vapor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the moisture released is steam.