Collapsible Hamper

Abstract

A collapsible hamper is provided that includes a base, a self-supporting shell formed of a lightweight flexible, but somewhat rigid material and a releasable securing mechanism for releasably connecting the base and the shell to one another. The securing mechanism enables the shell to be secured to the base in a manner that provides an upright hamper for receiving clothes therein, but also can separate the shell and the base to place the shell and base in a flat storage configuration.

1 . A collapsible hamper comprising:
 a) a base;   b) a self-supporting shell formed of a lightweight flexible material; and   c) a releasable securing mechanism for releasably connecting the base and the shell to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism retains the base and the shell connected to one another in a collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the shell are co-planar in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is formed of at least one sheet of a self-supporting material. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sheet is formed of a foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 4  wherein the shell is formed of a number of sheets joined to one another to form the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible hamper of claim.  4  wherein the at least one sheet of self-supporting material is formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 4  wherein the at least one sheet of self-supporting material is formed of a laminate material. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 8  wherein the laminate material comprises:
 a) a layer of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam; and 
 b) at least one additional layer. 
 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 9  wherein the at least one additional layer comprises a sheet of polyethylene (PE) secured to the to the EVA foam layer. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 10  wherein the Ni is secured to the EVA foam layer by a sheet of polypropylene (PP). 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1  wherein the shell is formed exclusively of at least one sheet of self-supporting material and an optional sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1  wherein the hamper does not include a spring member. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1  wherein the releasable securing mechanism includes a zipper. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 14  wherein the releasable securing mechanism further comprises:
 a) a first set of teeth disposed around the periphery of the base; and 
 b) a second set of teeth disposed at least partially around the periphery of the shell. 
 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 15  wherein the second set of teeth is disposed around the entire periphery of the shell. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible hamper of  claim 1  further comprising a cover secured to the shell opposite the base. 
     
     
         18 . A method of assembling a hamper comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the hamper of  claims 1 ; and   b) engaging the securing mechanism between the base and the shell to move the hamper from a collapsed position to an erected position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of disengaging the securing mechanism to move the hamper from the erected position to the collapsed position. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of disengaging the securing mechanism comprises maintaining the base and the shell in engagement with one another.