U.S. patent application number 11/724886 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for laundry bag.
Invention is credited to Azad Sabounjian, William G. Smith.
Application Number | 20080226204 11/724886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39762776 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080226204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sabounjian; Azad ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
Laundry bag
Abstract
Soiled garments are placed in a mesh laundry bag. Two holes in
the bag are connected by a spindle sleeve and placed over a spindle
of a washing machine so the spindle passes through the center of
the bag to center the bag during washing. The bag allows delicate
garments to be washed and held separate from other garments in the
washing machine. The bag is releasably fastened to connectors on
the washing machine's tub which contains the spindle. Releasable
closures around the holes prevent garments from slipping out of the
bag during washing. An internal stand can be placed in the spindle
sleeve to hold the bag in position to receive laundry when the bag
is outside the tub. An external frame can do the same.
Inventors: |
Sabounjian; Azad; (Irvine,
CA) ; Smith; William G.; (Rancho Palos Verdes,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
39762776 |
Appl. No.: |
11/724886 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/74 ; 248/97;
383/117; 68/12.01; 8/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 95/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/74 ; 248/97;
383/117; 68/12.01; 8/137 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/28 20060101
B65D033/28; A63B 55/06 20060101 A63B055/06; D06F 21/00 20060101
D06F021/00; D06F 35/00 20060101 D06F035/00; B65D 30/06 20060101
B65D030/06 |
Claims
1. An assembly using a laundry bag for washing laundry in a washing
machine having a rotating tub containing a spindle with a base and
a shaft perpendicular to the base, the shaft having a diameter,
comprising: a bag made of a porous material, the bag having at
least one spindle passage therein extending through the bag, the
spindle passage having an opening sized to allow the shaft to pass
through the opening during use of the bag in washing; an access
opening sized to allow laundry to be inserted into and removed from
the bag; a releasable closure around at least a portion of the
access opening; and means on the bag for releasably connecting the
bag to a connector fastened to the tub.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the spindle passage comprises a
generally cylindrical sleeve and the means comprises a plurality of
loops attached to the bag at reinforced locations or a plurality of
holes at reinforced locations.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the spindle passage comprises a
generally cylindrical sleeve having opposing ends fastened to
opposing sides of the bag.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein one end of the sleeve is
closed.
5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the means comprises a plurality
of loops of material fastened to the bag.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the means comprises a
drawstring.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one
connector for fastening to a hole in the tub, and means on the bag
for releasably connecting to the at least one connector.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one connector
comprises a bracket fastened to at least two holes in the tub.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stand cooperating
with the exterior periphery of the bag to support the bag in a
position for insertion of laundry through the access opening.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stand cooperating
with the spindle passage to support the bag in a position for
insertion of laundry through the access opening.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the stand comprises a
funnel-shaped structure.
12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the stand comprises a
funnel-shaped tube having a removable top which is fastened to the
bag and sized to fit over the spindle during washing.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag has an annular shape
with the annular shape defining the spindle passage.
14. A assembly for washing clothes in a washing machine having a
spindle inside a rotating tub and at least one connector fastened
to the tub, comprising: a mesh bag having spindle means for fitting
around the spindle to position the bag relative to the spindle
during washing, the bag having a closable access opening for
accessing the inside of the bag; and means on the bag for
releasably fastening to the connector on the tub during use.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the connector means comprises
a plurality of holes in the bag at reinforced locations or a
plurality of loops fastened to the bag.
16. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising removable indicia
on the bag associated to allow the laundry in the bag to be
correlated with the person who provided that laundry.
17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising stand means for
supporting the bag outside the washing machine in a position to
receive laundry.
18. A method of washing clothing in a washing machine having a
rotating spindle inside a rotating tub and having at least one
connector on the tub, comprising: placing laundry to be washed in a
porous bag, the bag having a spindle sleeve connected to at least
one surface of the bag; placing the bag inside the tube and placing
the spindle sleeve over the spindle; connecting the bag to the at
least one connector on the tub; washing the bag and the laundry
within the bag by rotating the spindle; and removing the bag from
the spindle, connector and tub.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the laundry
from the bag.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing the washed
bag into a heated dryer with at least some of the washed laundry
still inside the bag.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising releasably
connecting the laundry bag to the connector during washing using at
least one loop fastened to the bag engaging the at leas one
connector or at least one hole in the bag engaging the at least one
connector.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising closing one end of
the spindle sleeve and suspending the bag from the spindle by
engaging the spindle with the closed end during washing.
23. The method of claim 18, further comprising fastening opposing
ends of the spindle sleeve to opposing ends of the bag to form an
annular bag with the spindle extending through the spindle hole in
the annular bag during washing.
24. The method of claim 18, further comprising removably fastening
the bag to the tub by use of a connector releasably fastened to at
least one hole in the tub.
25. The method of claim 18, further comprising removably fastening
the bag to the tub by using a drawstring around an opening on the
bag to fasten to a connector fastened to a hole in the tub.
26. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing more than
one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during
washing.
27. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing more than
one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during washing
and placing indicia on each such bag that is associated with a
person whose laundry is in the bag.
28. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing a stand in
the spindle sleeve and supporting the bag in a position to receive
laundry when the bag is outside the washing machine.
29. The method of claim 18, further comprising connecting a
periphery of the bag to an external frame and supporting the bag in
a position to receive laundry when the bag is outside the washing
machine.
30. A washing machine having a spindle inside a tub, comprising: a
rotating tub in the washing machine, the tub having at least one
hole in a side wall of the tub; and a connector having a fastener
extending through the at least one hole in the tub to fasten the
connector to the tub, the connector having an engaging device
facing the spindle for releasably engaging a laundry bag in the
tub.
31. The washing machine of claim 30, further comprising a laundry
bag in the tub, releasably connected to the engaging device.
32. The washing machine of claim 30, wherein the connector
comprises a bracket with the engaging device on one side of the
bracket and the fastener extending from the other side of the
bracket.
33. The washing machine of claim 31, wherein the bracket has more
than one fastener, each extending through a different hole in the
side wall of the tub.
34. The washing machine of claim 30, wherein the bracket has more
than one fastener aligned along an axis generally parallel to a
rotational axis of the spindle, each fastener extending through a
different hole in the side wall of the tub.
35. The washing machine of claim 30, further comprising more than
one connector each fastened to the tub and arranged generally
symmetrically about the spindle.
36. The washing machine of claim 35, wherein a bag is releasably
engaged with more than one of the connectors.
37. The washing machine of claim 35, wherein there are at least two
bags, each of which is releasably engaged with only one of the
connectors.
38. The washing machine of claim 30, wherein the fastener includes
a threaded connection and the engaging device comprises the head of
the fastener.
39. The washing machine of claim 30, wherein the bag has a spindle
sleeve extending through the bag with the sleeve inserted over the
spindle.
40. The washing machine of claim 30, wherein the connector includes
a magnet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to laundry bags and apparatus for
holding laundry bags, including laundry bags used for accumulating
soiled laundry as well as for holding laundry during washing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Laundry bags are used to hold soiled clothing and other
items and transport them to the Laundromat for washing. But when
the laundry is removed from the laundry bag it sometimes falls on
the floor of the Laundromat and acquires undesirable matter which
further contaminates laundry being washed. There is thus a need for
an improved way to transport soiled laundry to a washer while
minimizing the soiling of the laundry contained in the laundry
bag.
[0003] After being washed and/or dried, the cleaned laundry is
often placed back in to the same laundry bags in which the soiled
laundry was previously transported. The laundry bag may accumulate
dirt from the soiled laundry and redeposit it on the freshly
cleaned laundry. There is thus a need for a laundry bag that is as
clean as the clothes contained therein, or cleaner.
[0004] Small containers are sold so that delicate items which are
more easily damaged, such as nylon stockings, can be placed in the
containers for washing, with the small container protecting the
delicate item from damage during washing. These containers are
placed in the washer with the other clothing. But the small
containers can become entwined with larger items such as sheets,
and be inadequately washed or be damaged. There is a need for an
improved way to wash such delicate items, and to wash other
items.
[0005] Many laundry bags are made of flexible material such that
the laundry bag collapses under its own weight. This requires
lifting the laundry bag to enlarge an opening into the bag so that
items can be placed into the bag. There is a need for a way to more
quickly load such laundry bags.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] Soiled laundry is placed in a bag. The bag is fastened to
the spindle of a washing machine so that the location of the bag is
restrained relative to the spindle. The spindle can be inserted
through the laundry bag by locating two openings on opposite walls
of the bag, preferably so the spindle passes through the center of
the bag, and through or close to the center of gravity of the
laundry in the bag.
[0007] The spinning causes these openings to enlarge, and it is
advantageous, but optional, to restrain them from enlarging enough
so that clothing can slip out of the bag between the opening and
the spindle. Releasable closures can be used to restrict the
openings from enlarging. A drawstring in a hem around the opening
is believed suitable, as is an elastic member around one or more of
the openings. Releasable locks or knots can be used to restrain
drawstrings from opening.
[0008] Access to the inside of the laundry bag can be through the
same openings which allow passage of the spindle. Alternatively, a
separate access opening could be provided to insert and remove
laundry.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the laundry bag has an annular
shape, like a donut, with the central opening fitting around the
spindle. In this, and the other configurations, more than one
laundry bag can be fastened to the spindle at the same time, and
other clothing can be placed loosely in the tub of the washing
machine along with the laundry bags.
[0010] In a still further embodiment, the laundry bag has an
annular shape having an inner and outer wall, and is placed in a
frame which supports the inner wall in an upward orientation.
Clothes or other items can be placed into the laundry bag through
an aperture that is advantageously held open or held in an
accessible orientation by the frame. When the bag and clothes in
the bag are removed from the frame the inner wall is held in an
upward orientation by the clothes inside the bag. The spindle of a
washing machine can slip into the upwardly supported inner wall
following the same path as the frame, to support the bag around the
spindle. The frame supporting the inner wall of the laundry bag
thus helps align the inner wall with the spindle and makes it
easier to place the filled laundry bag onto the spindle. When the
laundry bag and its contents are washed, the bag and contents can
be placed in a machine dryer, or some or all of the contents can be
removed from the bag for air drying or machine drying.
[0011] This laundry bag and its method of use allow delicate
garments to be washed safely. By placing garments from separate
persons in separate laundry bags, it also allows the laundry of
several persons to be simultaneous washed, while still keeping the
laundry separate during washing, and making for easier
identification after washing.
[0012] Thus, one embodiment includes a laundry bag for washing
laundry in a washing machine having a spindle with a base and a
shaft perpendicular to the base, the shaft having a diameter. The
bag is made of a porous material and has at least one spindle
opening forming a spindle passage that extends through opposing
walls of the bag. The spindle opening is sized to allow the shaft
to pass through the opening during use of the bag in washing. The
bag has an access opening sized to allow laundry to be inserted
into and removed from the bag. The bag has a releasable closure
around at least a portion of the access opening to vary the size of
the access opening.
[0013] Preferably, but optionally, the bag has two spindle openings
on opposing sides of the bag with the spindle openings being sized
about the same diameter as the shaft adjacent the material of the
bag defining the openings when the bag is mounted on the shaft.
Preferably, but optionally, at least one of the spindle openings
has a releasable closure around it. Preferably, but optionally, a
strengthening member extends around the at least one spindle
opening. Preferably, but optionally, each of the spindle openings
has a releasable closure around it, and at least one of the spindle
openings has a lock to restrain the size of that at lest one
spindle opening. Preferably, but optionally, the bag has an annular
shape with the annular shape defining the spindle opening and
spindle passage.
[0014] In a further embodiment, a laundry bag is provided for
washing clothes in a washing machine having a spindle. The bag is a
mesh bag having at least one spindle opening defining the location
of a spindle passageway through the bag at about the center of the
bag. The spindle opening is about the same size as the spindle
which is immediately adjacent the portions of the bag defining the
at least one spindle opening during washing when the bag is placed
on the spindle for washing. The bag preferably, but optionally has
an access opening in the bag, preferably with a releasable closure
to restrict the size of the access opening during washing. In one
embodiment the passageway is defined by an inner wall of an
annulus. In another embodiment, the passageway is defined by two
opposing spindle openings formed in walls of the bag. In a
variation of this embodiment, one of the two spindle openings is
weighted to better hold the adjacent portion of the bag against the
spindle during washing. A strengthening member is preferably placed
around at least one of the spindle openings.
[0015] In a further embodiment a laundry bag is provided formed of
a mesh bag having spindle opening means for allowing passage of a
spindle through the bag. The bag also has means for releasably
closing the spindle opening means. The bag can optionally have lock
means for releasably locking the size of the spindle opening means.
The bag also optionally has means for strengthening the spindle
opening means. The bag can further optionally have access means for
placing laundry into and removing laundry from the bag.
[0016] There is also advantageously provided a method of washing
clothing in water in a washing machine having a rotating spindle.
The method includes placing laundry to be washed in a bag made of
mesh material with sufficient porosity to allow the water to freely
pass through the mesh during washing. The bag is placed over the
spindle by passing the spindle through one or more openings in the
bag. The bag and the laundry within the bag are washed by rotating
the spindle. After washing the bag is removed from the spindle.
[0017] The method further optionally includes removing the laundry
from the bag and drying the laundry out of the bag (or in the bag).
The method also optionally includes restraining enlargement of the
at least one opening during rotation of the spindle by placing a
strengthening member around the opening. Restraining enlargement of
the opening can include attaching opposing sides of the bag with an
annular wall, or placing a strengthening member around two opposing
openings which surround the spindle to restrain the size of the two
openings during rotation, or placing an elastic member around the
at least one opening to restrain the size of the opening during
rotation, or placing a drawstring around the at least one opening,
tightening the drawstring and locking the drawstring to define the
size of the opening at least one opening during rotation. In a
further embodiment, the method can also optionally include placing
more than one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle
during washing. In a still further embodiment the method can
include placing more than one such bag containing laundry on the
same spindle during washing and placing indicia on each such bag
that is associated with a person whose laundry is in the bag.
[0018] The method further optionally includes placing the bag on a
frame having an upward support which supports an inner wall of a
bag having an annular portion, with the annular portion sized to
fit over a spindle of a washing machine. The upward support helps
align the inner wall of the bag with the anticipated orientation of
the spindle, and as clothes are placed into the bag the orientation
remains as the clothes help hold the inner wall in the appropriate
orientation even when the bag is removed from the frame. The method
also advantageously, but optionally, includes holding the laundry
bag and especially includes holding an aperture of the laundry bag
open or in alignment for easy insertion of clothes into the laundry
bag.
[0019] In one embodiment a laundry bag is provided for washing
laundry in a washing machine having a rotating tub containing a
spindle with a base and a shaft perpendicular to the base. A bag
made of a porous material is provided with at least one spindle
passage therein extending through the bag. The spindle passage has
an opening sized to allow the shaft to pass through the opening
during use of the bag in washing. An access opening is provided in
the bag and is sized to allow laundry to be inserted into and
removed from the bag. A releasable closure is provided around at
least a portion of the access opening.
[0020] The spindle passage preferably has a generally cylindrical
sleeve, but the shape can vary. Preferably, the opposing ends of
the generally cylindrical sleeve are fastened to opposing sides of
the bag. Both ends of the sleeve can be open, or one can be closed.
In a further embodiment, means are provided on the bag for
releasably connecting the bag to a connector fastened to the tub.
The means include loops, snaps, drawstrings, buttons, toggles and
other releasable fasteners. A bag with an annular shape, where the
annular shape defines the spindle passage, is believed
suitable.
[0021] In a further embodiment, Preferably, at least one connector
is provided having a fastener extending through a hole in the tub,
and the connector releasably engages the bag. The connector
advantageously, but optionally, includes a bracket fastened to at
least two holes in the tub, where the holes are preferably aligned
with the rotational axis of the spindle, but could be oriented
otherwise.
[0022] In a still further embodiment, a stand is provided which
cooperates with the exterior periphery of the bag to support the
bag in a position for insertion of laundry through the access
opening. Advantageously the stand cooperates with the spindle
passage to support the bag in a position for insertion of laundry
through the access opening. A funnel shaped stand with a larger
base on the floor and a narrower top engaging a closed end of the
spindle sleeve can be used as an internal support. If the
funnel-shaped tube has a removable top which is fastened to the bag
and sized to fit over the spindle during washing, then the top can
be placed over the spindle during washing and help avoid abrasion
of the sleeve at that location.
[0023] In a further embodiment a laundry bag is provided that
includes a mesh bag having spindle means for fitting around the
spindle to position the bag relative to the spindle during washing.
The bag has a closable access opening for accessing the inside of
the bag. Connector means fastened to the tub releasably engage the
bag during washing. In a further variation, a plurality of bags are
placed in the tub, and removable indicia are placed on each bag to
allow the laundry in the bag to be correlated with the person who
provided that laundry. Names, tracking numbers, tracking symbols,
bar code, etc. can be used.
[0024] There is also provided a method of washing clothing in a
washing machine having a rotating spindle inside a rotating tub.
The method includes placing laundry to be washed in a porous bag,
where the bag having a spindle sleeve connected to at least one
surface of the bag. The bag is placed inside the tube and the
spindle sleeve is placed over the spindle. The bag is washed with
the laundry within the bag by rotating the spindle as the bag
surrounds the spindle. The bag is removed from the spindle and some
or all of the laundry removed and dried, or the bag with laundry
still inside it can be placed in a machine dryer.
[0025] Preferably, but optionally, the bag is releasably connected
to the tub during washing. Preferably, but optionally, one end of
the spindle sleeve is closed and the bag is suspended from the
spindle by engaging the spindle with the closed end during washing.
Preferably, but optionally, the bag is formed by fastening opposing
ends of the spindle sleeve to opposing ends of the bag to form an
annular bag with the spindle extending through the spindle hole in
the annular bag during washing.
[0026] Still further, the bag can be removably fastened to the tub
by use of a connector releasably fastened to at least one hole in
the tub. A drawstring around an opening on the bag can be used to
fasten to a connector fastened to a hole in the tub. More than one
such bag containing laundry can be placed on the same spindle
during washing. Placing indicia on each such bag that is associated
with a person whose laundry is in the bag allows associating the
laundry with the correct person, while simultaneously washing the
laundry of multiple persons.
[0027] The method further comprising placing a stand in the spindle
sleeve and supporting the bag in a position to receive laundry when
the bag is outside the washing machine. Further, the method
includes connecting a periphery of the bag to an external frame and
supporting the bag in a position to receive laundry when the bag is
outside the washing machine. The external frame can be used with or
without the internal stand.
[0028] In a further embodiment, an improved washing machine is
provided. The washing machine has a spindle inside a rotating tub
having at least one hole in a side wall of the tub. A connector is
provided having a fastener extending through the at least one hole
in the tub to fasten the connector to the tub. The connector has an
engaging device facing the spindle for releasably engaging a
laundry bag in the tub. This embodiment optionally can also include
a laundry bag in the tub, releasably connected to the engaging
device.
[0029] The connector can include a bracket with the engaging device
on one side of the bracket and the fastener extending from the
other side of the bracket. The bracket can have more than one
fastener, each extending through a different hole in the side wall
of the tub. The bracket can optionally have more than one fastener
aligned along an axis generally parallel to a rotational axis of
the spindle, each fastener extending through a different hole in
the side wall of the tub. More than one connector can be used, each
fastened to the tub and arranged generally symmetrically about the
spindle. Advantageously, the bag is releasably engaged with more
than one of the connectors.
[0030] In a further embodiment there are least two bags, each of
which is releasably engaged with only one of the connectors. The
bags can be separate bags with no spindle sleeve, or each can have
a spindle sleeve extending through the bag with the sleeve inserted
over the spindle. The fastener can include a threaded connection
and the engaging device comprises the head of the fastener. But
other fasteners and engaging devices can be used.
[0031] These and other objects and features will become apparent
from consideration of the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like
parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
laundry bag;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a washing machine partially
cut away to show the spindle and laundry bag of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a sectional view as in FIG. 3, showing a further
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
laundry bag on a spindle;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
laundry bag on a spindle;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along 7-7 of FIG. 8, but
showing a spindle;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
laundry bag of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a stand taken along section
9-9 of FIG. 10;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a top view of a stand;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the stand of FIG. 9 in a
frame taken along section 11-11 of FIG. 12;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a top view of a stand in a frame;
[0044] FIG. 13a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a
laundry bag take along section 13a-13a of FIG. 13b;
[0045] FIG. 13b is a top view of a further embodiment of a laundry
bag;
[0046] FIG. 14a is sectional view of a further embodiment of a
laundry bag with dividers, taken along section 14a-14a of FIG.
14b;
[0047] FIG. 14b is a top view of a further embodiment of a laundry
bag having dividers;
[0048] FIG. 15a is a sectional view of a laundry bag on a spindle
of a washing machine taken along section 15a-15a of FIG. 15b;
[0049] FIG. 15b is a top view of a laundry bag on a spindle of a
washing machine;
[0050] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
stand and frame;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a connector for
connecting a laundry bag to the wall of the tub in a washing
machine;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a perspective view, partially sectioned, showing
a laundry bag held in a tub by connectors;
[0053] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
connector and fasteners used to hold a laundry bag to a tub of a
washing machine;
[0054] FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a
connector holding a laundry bag to the tub of a washing
machine;
[0055] FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a
connector used to hold a laundry bag to the tub of a washing
machine;
[0056] FIG. 22a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a
connector used to hold a laundry bag to the tub of a washing
machine;
[0057] FIG. 22b is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a
connector used to hold a laundry bag to the tub of a washing
machine;
[0058] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a laundry bag
being fastened to a connector to hold the bag to the tub of a
washing machine;
[0059] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
connector;
[0060] FIG. 25 is a side view of a connector used to hold a laundry
bag to the tub of a washing machine;
[0061] FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the connector of FIG.
25; and
[0062] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
laundry bag for use with the connectors described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a laundry bag 10 is provided. The
bag is preferably, but optionally made of a flexible material. The
material is preferably a mesh material through which water or other
cleaning fluids can freely flow to wash the items in the bag 10.
The term mesh includes spaced-apart strands defining openings
between the strands that are larger than the size of the strand,
perforated materials, and cloth woven to form openings between
adjacent strands which form the cloth. By making the mesh smaller
or finer, water still flows freely through the bag during washing
but at a slower rate with less agitation of the items 30 in the bag
10, so that more delicate items can be washed more gently. A bag 10
has a body 12 made of flexible fabric mesh or nylon mesh is
believed suitable. A knitted mesh with a density of about 50
g/m.sup.2 is believed suitable, while a 100% poly heavy duty mesh
with a density of about 120 g/m.sup.2 is believed preferable. The
mesh is advantageously small enough to prevent the items contained
in the bag 10 from falling out and from protruding outside the bag
10 where the items could be snagged or damaged. A mesh with open
spaces of about 0.1 inches or smaller between the strands forming
the openings is believed preferable for clothing, but larger and
smaller open spaces could be used. An elastic or stretchable
material such as Lycra could be used for the bag 10. The laundry
bag 10 can vary in size and shape. A bag about 24-36 inches high
with a bottom 14 and a first spindle opening 16 opposite the bottom
14 is believed suitable. Soiled laundry and other items 30 can be
placed into the bag 10 through the spindle opening 16, in which
case the opening 16 also functions as an access opening.
[0064] A first releasable closure device 18 such as a drawstring,
zipper, snaps, toggles, zip-locks, elastic member or other
releasable closures are preferably provided around the spindle
opening 16. The closure device 18 allows the size of the opening 16
to vary, but does not completely close the opening as a washing
machine spindle extends through the opening as described later.
FIG. 1 shows the closure device as comprising a drawstring 18. The
spindle opening 16 is advantageously, but optionally, strengthened
by a strengthening member 20 such as a hem or collar to which the
material forming the bag 10 is fastened. In the illustrated
embodiment the drawstring is also placed within a hem which
comprises the strengthening member 20.
[0065] Opposite the spindle opening 16 is a second spindle opening
22, preferably defined by a second strengthening member 24. A
second releasable closure device 26 is preferably, but optionally
located on or around the second spindle opening 22. The second
closure 26 can comprise a drawstring, zipper, snaps, toggles,
zip-locks, elastic member or other releasable closures. FIG. 1
shows the second closure 26 as comprising a drawstring 26. The
drawstrings 18, 26 could be of cord, or of elastic material. Soiled
laundry can be placed into the bag 10 through the spindle opening
22, in which case the opening 22 also functions as an access
opening. Preferably, the opening 22 located on the bottom of the
bag 10 has a diameter that is fixed to correspond to the diameter
of shaft 44 of spindle 32 which is engaged by the opening during
washing. The opening 22 thus preferably, but optionally, has a
maximum size smaller than the opening 16. That makes it easier to
close off the bottom of the bag either by a smaller diameter
opening or by using a smaller closure 26, such as a smaller elastic
member or drawstring, and it makes it easier to prevent items 30
from falling out the bottom opening 22.
[0066] Preferably, but optionally, a locking device 28 is on one or
more of the closures 18, 26. A cord lock device is believed
suitable for the locking device 28 when drawstrings are used for
the closure. When drawstrings are used, the drawstring could be
knotted to form the locking device. Preferably though, a device
that clamps the drawstring to prevent movement of the drawstring
relative to the clamp is preferred, and a variety of such clamping
devices are known and available.
[0067] The spindle openings 16, 22 define a spindle passageway
through the bag 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in use an item 30
to be cleaned, such as soiled laundry, clothing, undergarments,
nylons, silks, knitted sweaters, shirts, pants, towels, fabrics,
etc. are placed in the bag 10 through one or more of the access
openings 16, 22. Preferably the items 30 are placed in the bag
using only one of the openings 16, 22, preferably the spindle
opening 16 in the top of the bag 10. The bag 10 containing the
items 30 is then fitted onto a spindle 32 inside a wash tub 34 of a
washing machine 36. The spindle 32 is rotated by a motor 38. The
spindle openings 16, 22 allow the spindle 32 to pass through the
bag 10 along the spindle passageway, shown by line 39. The spindle
passageway through the bag 10 coincides with the spindle rotational
axis during washing when the bag is place don the spindle 32.
[0068] By moving the bag 10 and items 30 as the spindle 32 is
inserted into the bag, the items 30 will move aside and allow
passage of the spindle through the items contained in the bag. The
washing machine is then activated and the entire bag 10 and its
contents such as items 30 are washed, preferably going through a
rinse, spin, wash, spin, rinse and spin-dry cycle, or combinations
thereof. The bag 10 and its contents may be washed alone, or washed
with other items in the washing machine. When the wash cycle is
completed, the bag 10 and items within the bag are removed by
pulling the bag off the spindle 32. The items in the bag 10 can
then be removed for drying, or the entire bag 10 and some or all of
its contents can be placed in a dryer. To allow such drying, the
material from which the bag 10 is made must be suitable for
repeated placement in a dryer without harming the garments or items
10 inside the bag 10.
[0069] The strengthening members 20, 24 encircle the spindle 32 and
help keep the bag 10 on the spindle 32. Fixing the bag 10 around
the spindle 32 helps prevent the weight in the bag 10 centered
around the spindle, and helps prevent the tub 34 from becoming
off-centered as the spindle rotates during spin cycles. The
strengthening members 20, 24 also preferably help keep the spindle
openings 16, 22 from tearing or breaking during rotation of the
spindle 32. The closure member 18, 26 also preferably, but
optionally helps keep the bag on the spindle 32. Advantageously the
spindle openings 16, 22 are centered on a symmetrical axis of the
bag 10 so the bag 10 and its contained items 30 are centered and
distributed evenly around the spindle 32. But the spindle openings
16, 22 need not be symmetrically located and need not be
diametrically opposite one another. Advantageously the openings 16,
22 in the bag 10 are located so that the spindle passes close
enough to the center of gravity of the bag, and presumably of the
bag when filled with laundry, that the spinning of the spindle does
not create an unbalance sufficient to cause the washing machine to
shut off.
[0070] Advantageously one or more of the closures 18, 24 are
cinched snugly around the spindle 32 and fastened by lock(s) 28.
The spindle openings 16, 22 could be tight around the spindle so as
to cause the edge of the bag defining the openings 16, 22 to move
with the spindle as it oscillates during wash cycles. But
preferably the edges of the openings are slightly away from the
spindle a distance such that items 30 in the bag 10 do not readily
leave the bag through the openings 26, 22 during washing and
rinsing in the washing machine. As the spindle 32 rotates the bag
10 and items 30 within the bag will move away from the spindle
because of centrifugal force, and that will cause the spindle
openings 16, 22 to want to enlarge. If the spindle opening 16
enlarge sufficiently items 30 could leave the bag partially or
entirely or become lodged between the spindle and the bag. All of
these various relative dimensions that prevent damage to the
laundry are best described by describing the openings 16, 22 as
preferably being about the same size as the diameter of the spindle
which is immediately adjacent the portions of the bag 10 defining
the openings during washing.
[0071] Preferably, but optionally, at least one of the closures 18,
26 and the strengthening members 20, 24 helps restrain the size of
the spindle openings 16, 22 from enlarging during the various wash
cycles. Advantageously the spindle openings 16, 22 are restrained
sufficiently so that the items 30 do not pass through the spindle
openings 16, 22 during the wash cycles. Forming the closure members
18, 26 of a drawstring with a lock 28 is one way of restraining
this enlargement of spindle openings 16, 22. Surrounding one or
both spindle openings 16, 22 with an elastic member is also
believed suitable. Making the closure member 18, 22 or the
strengthening member 20, 24 of elastic material is believed
possible as the elastic members will expand as the bag 10 is placed
on the spindle 32.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, it is preferable, but optional to have
a restraint 40 on the spindle 32 in order to help ensure the bag 10
does not come off the spindle during washing while allowing the bag
to be placed on the spindle during loading of the washing machine
36. The spindle 32 typically has a large diameter, disc shaped
bottom or base 42 and a cylindrical shaft 44 extending vertically
from the base. The spindle 32 has a distal end or top 46 opposite
the base. The restraint 40 is preferably placed adjacent the top
46.
[0073] The restraint 32 can take various forms such as a collar on
the spindle 32 or a flange mounted to the distal end 46 of the
spindle. A resilient ring (e.g., an O ring) made of elastomeric
material cold be fit over the distal end 46 of the spindle 32 and
resiliently engage the spindle to form the restraint 32. The
restraint could comprise one or more discrete projections or posts
extending radially outward from the spindle 32 and configured to
engage the edge of the opening 16 or engage the strengthening
member 18 to limit movement of the bag 10 along the spindle 32.
[0074] In order to help restrain movement of the bag 10 along the
spindle 32, the bottom spindle opening 22 could be weighted, as by
using a heavy, resilient material in the bottom strengthening
member 24 to form a weighted ring that would rest against the base
42 of the spindle. Various versions of the restraint 40 could be
used together. These restraints 40 are preferred, but optional. The
restraints 40 are preferably removable from spindle 32, but could
be permanently attached to the spindle.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, further embodiments are shown
having more than two openings. In these further embodiments the bag
10 takes the form of an elongated cylinder (FIG. 5) and a thick
disk or short, fat cylinder (FIG. 6). The first, top spindle
opening 16 is shown along with strengthening member 20, but the
second, bottom spindle opening 22 and its strengthening member 24
are not shown in the illustrated views as they are concealed from
view. The spindle 32 fits through these openings. A third opening
48 is provided in the bag 10, preferably, but optionally on a
radially outward facing side of the bag 10. A closure member 18
surrounds the opening 48 to open and close the opening, and
preferably a lock 28 is provided on the closure member to limit the
size of the opening 48. In these embodiments the strengthening
members 20, 24 are not required, but could be provided if
desired.
[0076] The third opening 48 allows items 30 to be inserted into and
removed from bag 30, while the first and second openings 16, 20
allow the spindle 24 to pass through the bag 10. In these
embodiments the first and second openings 16, 20 are preferably
surrounded by an elastic material so that the openings are
generally closed so that soiled laundry or items 30 do not fall out
of the bag 10 when the bag is not on the spindle 32. The third
opening 48 forms the preferred access opening through which items
30 are place into and removed from the bag 10.
[0077] The embodiment of FIG. 5 resembles an elongated duffle bag
in shape, with spindle openings 16, 22 located at about the middle
of the bag 10, where the center of gravity would be if items 30
were evenly distributed within the bag 10. The bag of FIG. 5 has
the items 30 distributed along a line along the longitudinal axis
of the elongated bag 10 because of the elongated shape of the bag
10. The embodiment of FIG. 6 has the spindle openings 16, 22 near
the center of the disk shaped bag 10, so that items 30 are
generally evenly dispersed entirely about the rotational axis of
the spindle 32 extending through the spindle openings 16, 22. The
spindle openings 16, 22 are preferably at or near the center of
gravity of the bag 10 when the bag 10 is placed on the spindle and
items 30 evenly dispersed within the bag. Because the spindle 32
rotates during washing, the center of gravity should be centered
about the spindle and thus the first and second spindle openings
16, 22 are located at or near the envisioned center of gravity of
the bag. The location will vary with the shape of the bag 10.
[0078] A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-8 in which the bag
10 comprises an annular body which resembles a short cylinder
having a central opening 54, preferably a cylindrical opening
although other shapes could be used, especially if the opening
conforms to the shape of any blades on the spindle 32. It resembles
a donut. The single opening 54 fits over the spindle 32, preferably
snuggly and is thus sized about the same size as a washing machine
spindle. Such spindles typically have diameters of about 3-5
inches, so the axial hole or opening 54 is similarly sized. The
diameter of the opening 54 may be slightly smaller if the material
used to make the bag 10 is elastic. One or more access openings 48
are provided on one or more sides of the bag 10. The access opening
48 is shown on a radially outward side of the annular bag 10, but
it could be located on the top side of the bag, or elsewhere. The
depicted access opening 48 is not located or configured to engage
the spindle 32, and is only an access opening.
[0079] In the annular or disc configurations of FIGS. 6 and 7-8,
the bags 10 have opposing top and bottom panels 56 that are
generally planar. During the spin portion of the wash cycle the bag
10 rotates about spindle 10 and the top and bottom panels 56 must
restrain the centrifugal force seeking to enlarge the diameter of
the bag 10. Thus, the panels 56 are preferably, but optionally,
strengthened by using a heavier material than the other portions of
the bag 10. An inner, cylindrical wall 58 (FIGS. 7-8) can be
provided to help restrain radially outward movement of the bag 10
by centering the bag on the spindle 32 during rotation. Preferably,
but optionally, the inner wall 58 is of a strong material to resist
enlarging the opening 54 during rotation of the bag 10 during the
spin portions of the washing cycle. The inner wall 58 can be viewed
as the strengthening member 20, whether of stronger material than
the other portions of the bag, because the inner wall 58 defines
the opening 54 and restrains enlargement of that opening. During
use the spindle 32 passes inside the inner wall 58, or rather
between opposing sides of the inner wall 58 so as to form a passage
for the spindle 32. The inner wall 58 thus forms a spindle passage
which may be open at both ends, or closed at one end adjacent the
distal end of the spindle 32 so the bag 10 is suspended from the
spindle.
[0080] The bag 10 thus provides a means for containing items 30 to
be washed within a washing machine 36. The spindle openings 16, 22,
54 provide means for allowing a spindle 32 to pass through some or
all of the bag 10 to mount the bag on the spindle. Means for
restraining the spindle openings 16, 22 are provided by the
strengthening members 20, 24 and inner wall 58. Access opening
means are provided by the first, second and third spindle openings
16, 22 and 48. When the bag 10 has access spindle openings 16, 22
opposite each other, the openings allow easy removal of the items
30 from the bag 10 by opening whichever opening is lowest so
gravity urges the items out of the bag. Otherwise, the bag 10 can
be inverted to place the selected opening downward so items 30 may
be urged by gravity out of the bag, or a person can reach inside
the bag 10 with hands or other grasping instruments to remove the
items from the bag 10.
[0081] The bags 10 may be of various sizes and shapes. Thus, more
than one bag 10 may be placed on a spindle 32 and washed at the
same time. This allows simultaneous washing of several bags 10 of
laundry in the same washing machine 36. That makes it easier to
sort the laundry associated with each person. For example, a son's
garments may be placed in one bag 10, a daughter's laundry placed
in a second bag 10, and a father's laundry placed in yet a third
bag 10, all of which are placed on the same spindle 32 and all of
which are washed simultaneously. The bags can be color coded with a
different color or color pattern or otherwise marked with visible
indicia to help associate the laundry within a particular bag with
the person whose laundry is in each bag 10. Bar codes, numbers,
letters or combinations thereof can be used to track the laundry
and associate it with the person bringing the laundry.
[0082] Moreover, the use of plural bags 10 allows easy separation
of various garments for commercial cleaning. Thus, for example, the
washable items for a single customer or person could be placed in a
separate bag 10 marked or otherwise identified with indicia
associated with the customer whose clothes are in the bag. Bar
codes that are electronically scanable could be placed on the bags
for repeated use and association with a plurality of different
persons on successive uses. The bag and its garments can thus be
separately washed along with other bags of garments, making it
easier to sort the laundry and associate it with appropriate
customer or owner.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 9-14, a stand 60 is described which is
preferably, but optionally used with a laundry bag 10 having an
annular shape such that inner wall 58 fits over the spindle 32 of
the washing machine (FIG. 2). The stand 60 holds the inner wall 58
in a position so that as the bag 10 is filled with clothes, the
inner wall 58 will be roughly aligned with the spindle orientation
when the bag is placed on the spindle 32. The laundry bag 10 for
this embodiment has at 1 east a portion with an annular
configuration defined by an inner wall 58 and outer wall 59 joined
by a lower portion 62. The inner wall 58 is preferably sized to fit
over the spindle 32 of a washing machine 36 (FIGS. 2, 15a) with the
lower portion 62 orientated toward the blades of the spindle 32.
The inner wall 58 thus comprises a spindle wall. The inner wall 58
can be made by forming a cylindrical sleeve having a lower end
fastened by sewing, adhesives, rivets, or other fastening
mechanisms, to the lower portion 62 of the bag 10. The inner wall
58 preferably, but optionally has a closed top 64 so the spindle 32
does not extend through the inner wall 58. If made of expandable or
stretchable material, the spindle wall 58 can be smaller than the
spindle 32, but the wall 58 is preferably larger than the spindle
and is preferably also larger than any blades on the spindle.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 13a, the bag 10 in this embodiment
preferably has inner and outer generally cylindrical walls 58, 59,
joined by a conical shaped bottom 62 having diameters corresponding
to the diameter of the inner and outer walls. Other shapes could be
used.
[0085] The stand 60 fits through opening 54 and within the inner
wall 58, abutting the exterior of the bag 10, and preferably holds
the inner wall 58 in a generally vertical orientation, although the
exact orientation can vary. Preferably the stand 60 has an
elongated portion 66 with an end 68, and a base 70. The elongated
portion 66 is preferably, but optionally, cylindrical. The end 68
is preferably a covered flat portion, a rounded portion, or open so
the elongated portion forms a hollow cylindrical shell. The base 70
preferably curves away from the elongated portion 66 to a larger
diameter sufficient to support the stand 60. In the preferred
embodiment, the stand 60 has a configuration that would just fit
over and track the shape of the spindle 32. The size of the
elongated portion 66 is smaller than the size of the inner wall 58
so the elongated portion 66 can fit between opposing portions of
the inner wall 58. The stand 70 resembles an inverted funnel with a
curved base 70 having a circular periphery.
[0086] The length of the elongated portion 66 can vary. But if the
length of the elongated portion 66 is about the length of the
spindle 32 then portions of the bag 10 can fit between the blades
of the spindle. The elongated portion 66 is shorter than the length
of the spindle if the bottom 62 of the bag 10 is to be held above
the blades of the spindle 32 as shown in FIG. 15. Positioning the
bottom 62 of the bag 10 relative to the blades of the spindle 32
requires the top 64 of the inner wall 58 to be closed sufficiently
so it engages the top 68 of the stand 60 to position the bag
relative to the spindle 32 during washing.
[0087] The top 64 of the inner wall 58 abuts the top 68 of the
stand 60 so the inner wall 58 of the bag 10 is supported on the
stand. The elongated portion 58 slips into the inner wall 58 with
the exterior of the inner wall 58 abutting the exterior of the
elongated portion 58. A user can place garments inside the bag 10
through one or more openings 22, 48, as previously described.
[0088] As seen in FIGS. 14a-14b, the bag 10 preferably, but
optionally, has two or more dividers 72 which form compartments
within the bag 10. An opening 48 with a closure mechanism such as a
drawstring 31 is provided to each compartment so garments can be
inserted into and removed from each compartment. This allows
garments 30 to be held in the bag 10 separate from each other.
[0089] The stand 60 holds the inner wall 58 in an orientation that
allows the spindle 32 to slip into the space between inner walls
58. When the bag 10 is filled sufficiently with clothes, the bag is
lifted off the stand 60 and the weight of the clothes will collapse
the inner wall 58 since it is usually made of fabric or other
flexible material. But it will be aligned along a generally
straight line so that it is easier to fit the spindle 32 between
the collapsed inner walls 58. Without the stand 60, the inner walls
58 could collapse to the side and fold over into one or more
U-shaped folds, so that the spindle 32 cannot be easily inserted
between the collapsed walls 58 as the end of the spindle would jam
in the U-shaped fold. Thus, the stand 60 can align the inner walls
58 and can further support the bag 10 for filling the bag with
laundry. That makes it easy to pick up the full bag 10 of laundry
and lift it off the stand 60, and then slip the bag over the
spindle 32 of the washing machine so the bag is centered on the
spindle which is inserted between the inner walls 58.
[0090] After washing, the bag 10 can be removed from the spindle 32
and placed into a machine dryer. Alternatively, garments or other
items can be removed from the laundry bag 10 for air drying or for
machine drying outside of the bag 10. When the clean laundry is
removed from the bag and the laundry bag 10 is empty, it is easy to
slip the elongated portion 66 of the stand between the inner walls
58 of the stand bag 10.
[0091] Preferably, but alternatively, the elongated portion 66 of
the stand 60 is separable from the base 70. This can be achieved by
making the elongated portion 66 completely separable, or by having
an outer sheath resembling an inverted can, which fits over a
smaller elongated portion and rests loosely thereon, or is
releasably fastened as by screw threads etc.
[0092] This removably attachable elongated portion 66 can be placed
over the spindle 32 of the washing machine. Advantageously, the
removably attachable elongated portion 66 is long enough that it
extends along the length of any blades on the spindle in order to
interpose the portion 66 between the spindle blades and the inner
wall 58 of bag 10. The removably attachable elongated portion 66
helps prevent wear on the inner wall 58. If desired, the removably
attachable portion 66 can be fastened to the bag 10 permanently, or
removably using snaps, buttons, or other fastening mechanisms known
in the art or referred to herein. The removably attachable
elongated portion 66 is preferably made of a suitable plastic or
polymer for use with the temperatures used in washing and drying
clothes.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, a further embodiment is shown in
which a frame 74 surrounds the stand 60. The frame 74 can comprise
various shapes and be made of various materials, but the
illustrated embodiment is made of tubular plastic pipe assembled in
the form of a rectangular fame enclosing the stand 60 and bag 10.
The corner connectors 76 comprise three-way connectors with the
corner edges 78 of the frame comprising straight tubular segments
inserted into the corner connectors 78. For a rectangular frame 74,
there are eight corner connectors 76 joining twelve corner edges
78. Preferably hooks, catches or other fastening mechanisms 80 are
provided on the upper edges 78 or corner connectors 76 to
releasably engage the bag 10 and hold it up, and possibly to also
hold open an opening 22, 26 or 48.
[0094] Further, the top of the bag 10 can be draped over some or
all of the upper members of the frame 74. A drawstring 26 or 31
around an opening into the bag 10 allows the drawstring to engage
one or more of these fastening mechanisms 80 to hold the bag to the
frame 74. Snaps or other releasably engaging mechanisms on both the
laundry bag 10 and portions of the frame 74 could also be used to
releasably fasten the bag in position relative to the frame. If a
bag as generally shown in FIGS. 1-2 is placed on stand 60, then the
edges of the opening 16 and drawstring 18 could be looped around
the mechanisms 80 to hold the opening 16 open for easy placement of
garments or items 30 into the bag 10.
[0095] The stand 60 can be separate from, or fastened to the frame
60. The periphery of the base 70 may fit into slots in the straight
edge members 78, or could be otherwise fastened to the edges 78 of
the frame 74, such as by threaded fasteners, adhesives, or
corresponding interlocking shapes on the base 70, edge members 78
or corners 76. For example, a square base 70 could be used with a
square frame 74 with the parts sized and located so the stand is
held by the frame. Further, the base 70 of the stand can rest on
top of or underneath portions of the frame 74. The base 70 could be
releasably fastened to the frame 74, as by projections 79 (FIGS.
11-12) extending through mating openings or holes in the base 70.
Other releasable connecting mechanisms could be used.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 16, both the stand and frame are shown
being made of tubular members and fittings. Corner connectors 76
join straight tubular members 78. Three, three piece in-plane
connectors 82 join three edges 78 to the three legs 84 which form
the base 70. A four piece connector 86 joins the legs 84 to the
vertical stand 60. The distal end of the stand 60 has a rounded
protector. Fastening mechanisms comprising 80 hooks are connected
to the upper edge members 78 to allow the laundry bag 10 (not
shown) to be releasably fastened to one or more members, as
desired.
[0097] In further variations of this tubular embodiment there could
be four legs 84 fastened to each of the edges 78 with a
appropriately shaped connector 86. The stand 60 could be a single
tubular member as shown, or could be a planar, U-shaped frame, or a
four legged frame. Various constructions are possible.
[0098] The stand 60 can be used with two drawstring openings 16, 22
to support the bag 10 and arrange the clothes in the bag to more
readily allow passage of spindle 32 through the garments, but
preferably the inner walls 58 are attached to the bag 10. The
fabric of the collapsed walls 58 when the bag 10 is removed from
the stand 60, provide a means for guiding the spindle 32 through
the bag 10 and garments inside the bag, and make it easier to fit
the bag and garments onto the spindle 32.
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 11-12 and 16, there is thus provided a
frame 74 for supporting or suspending the bag 10, preferably by
connecting to the outer wall 59 of the bag, while also supporting,
or preventing the complete collapses of, the inner wall 58 through
stand 60. Preferably, the stand 60 is vertical, but the orientation
is relative and the bag 10 could be supported and/or held in
different orientations while still allowing insertion of garments
into the bag and while still positioning the collapsed inner wall
58 for easy insertion onto the spindle 32.
[0100] A further embodiment using the laundry bag 10 is shown in
FIG. 17. In this embodiment a connector 90 releasably fastens the
bag 10 to the tub 34 of the washing machine. The washing machine
tubs 34 have regularly spaced holes 92 in the tubs. The tubs are
typically made of metal coated with a material to inhibit rusting,
so that the edges of the holes 92 are also coated. It is
undesirable to form a hole through the tub because the edges may
rust, but such a hole could be used for the purposes described
herein. The holes 92 are, usually equally spaced vertically and
horizontally for a particular tub 34. The connector 90 in one
embodiment comprises a plate or bracket 93 having at least one, and
preferably several engagement mechanisms to fasten the bracket to
the tub 34. The bracket can be fastened to the tub 34, as by using
threaded fasteners or other forms of blind fasteners. Indeed, the
holes 92 in the tub 34 allow a screw thread slightly larger than
the diameter of the hole 92 to fasten the bracket 93 to the tub,
and for this application the term blind fastener includes threaded
fasteners such as screws which engage the sides of the hole 92
through which the fastener extends.
[0101] Various blind fasteners exist, including those shown and
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,448,213, 3,826,207, 6,447,200,
4,662,590, 4,877,363, 4,828,438, 1,643,586, 4,696,610, 4,015,505,
and 2,343,283, the complete contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference. These more traditional blind fasteners have
basic operating principles in that they extend through a fixed
sized hole and then expand beyond the hole to a size that prevents
withdrawal through the hole. The expansion can be permanent, as by
permanently deforming material, often a tube or slotted tube of
material by relative movement of inner and outer members. The
expansion can be releasable, as for example a threaded connection
between an inner shaft and an outer collar which collar has
elements that expand and contract with relative movement of the
shaft and collar. A collar squeezing a resilient plastic or rubber
tube is one example, and similar mechanisms are used to releasably
cork wine bottles after the bottle is opened. The expansion can
occur by rotating a portion of the shaft to a position overlapping
the boundary of the hole through which the fastener passed. An
adhesive with a low flow rate could be used to permanently fasten
the fastener 95 to the back wall 100 of the tub 34, or to at least
prevent easy removal of the fastener. There are a number of blind
wall fasteners that are suitable for use as fasteners 95, and many
such fasteners are of the type used to fasten picture-hangers to
walls. These fasteners can be permanent, or removable. As used
herein, the term blind fastener is intended to encompass these
various types of fasteners.
[0102] Preferably though, a barbed fastener 95 is used having a
shaft 96 with a tapered distal end 94 having a taper inclined to
allow the shaft to enter the hole 92. The shaft 96 is long enough
so that a locking surface 98 such as a barb can pass though the
hole and engage the back side 100 of the tub 34 so the wall of the
tub 34 is trapped between the bracket 93 and the barb 95. The
barbed fasteners 95 resemble a split arrowhead and provide a
snap-lock mechanism to fasten the bracket 93 to the tub 34.
Advantageously, the bracket 93 is magnetic or has a magnet fastened
to it to help hold the bracket against the tub 34 which is
typically made of ferrous metal. It is believed possible that a
magnetic bracket 93 without a fastener 95 could be used, but
preferably the magnetic bracket and a fastener are both used.
[0103] Preferably there are a several fasteners 95, and they are
preferably aligned vertically to engage vertically aligned holes 92
in the tub. The fasteners 95 could be horizontally aligned, but if
so then the bracket 93 is preferably, but optionally, slightly
curved to conform to the curvature of the tub 34. A diagonal
mounting and alignment with the holes 92 is possible, but not
preferred.
[0104] The bracket 93 has one or more releasable engaging
mechanisms 104 thereon to releasably hold the bag 10. FIG. 17 shows
a number of hooks 104a used to comprise the engagement mechanism
104, and the hooks engage one or more loops or holes on the bag 10.
The engaged loops or holes 104 are preferably attached to the bag
10 at a strengthened or reinforced area, typically by fastening a
strengthening piece of material to the bag at the location of the
loop or hole, or by attaching a grommet around the hole. Grooved
cylinders or other surfaces with channel-shaped recesses as shown
by engagement mechanism 104b can be configured to allow drawstrings
to fasten to the grooves. The engaging mechanisms 104 may be all of
the same type and configuration, or of different types and
configurations. The engaging mechanisms 104 releasably engage the
bag 10, and may thus comprise hooks mating with loops or openings
in the bag that are preferably strengthened, or snaps on the
connector 90 and bag 10, or clamps engaging the bag 10, or various
other releasable engaging mechanisms. The engaging mechanisms 104
are preferably configured so that they do not snag and damage
clothes placed in the tub 34 when clothes are washed without any
bag 10 in the tub. Thus, if hooks are used for the engaging
mechanisms 104 the hooks preferably re-curve toward the adjacent
wall of the tub 34 in order to make it difficult for garments to
accidentally engage the hook and be caught during washing when a
bag 10 is not connected to the hook.
[0105] During use, the connector 90 is fastened to the tub 34
inside the washing machine. The bag 10 is fastened to the connector
90 and washed or rinsed. Upon completion of washing and/or rinse
cycle, the bag and its contents are removed for drying as
previously described. The bag 10 can be fastened to one or more
connectors 90, depending on the size and weight of the bag 10. More
than one bag can be placed in the tub 34. If so, then the bags 10
are preferably located symmetrically around the spindle 32 in order
to reduce any unbalance of the load during spinning of the tub 34.
Thus, the connectors 90 are preferably located opposite each other
if two connectors are used. The connectors 90 are preferably
located at 120.degree. apart if three connectors are used. The
connectors are preferably located 90.degree. apart if four
connectors are used.
[0106] If a single bag 10 is used, the bag and its contents are
preferably light enough that the washer is not thrown out of
balance during the rinse cycle by an amount sufficient to shut off
the washing machine. Alternatively, a single bag 10 can be held by
several connectors 90 at various locations around the tub 34 to try
and distribute the weight of the bag and its contents to reduce the
unbalanced load on the washer. FIG. 18 shows several equally spaced
connectors 90 with hooks 104 engaging loops fastened to the bag 10.
The hooks 104 could as easily engage holes in the periphery of the
bag 10. The closed top 64 is omitted in FIG. 18, in part to
illustrate the spindle 32 and in part to illustrate that the top 64
is optional. It may be used in some embodiments to suspend the bag
10 off the top of the spindle 32, and in other embodiments it may
be omitted, allowing the center of the bag 10 to be
un-suspended.
[0107] Advantageously several releasable engaging mechanisms 104
are placed at different vertical locations on the tub 34, that is
they are located parallel to the rotational axis of spindle 32 but
at different heights or depths of the tub. Most washing machines
have differing fill levels, such as low, medium or high. By
locating the connectors 90 at different vertical locations on the
wall of the tub 34, the bag t0 can be releasably held so that it is
in the water. Thus, preferably there are a number of engaging
mechanisms 104 on each bracket 93, spaced vertically apart.
Alternatively, a number of connectors 90 could be placed at
differing vertical locations in the tub 34.
[0108] Two or three fasteners 93 are preferred for each connector
90, but the number will vary depending on the strength of the
connection and the weight to be held in the bag 10 during washing.
The fasteners 95 should be strong enough so they do not break
during repeated wash cycles, and preferably last at least a few
hundred wash cycles. Connectors integrally molded of plastic are
believed suitable. Polymers such as PVC or polyurethane are
believed suitable, but metal can be used if it does not rust or if
it is coated so it does not rust. There is thus provided a means
for fastening a connector 90 to the tub 34, where the means are
connected to and preferably integrally formed with the connector
90.
[0109] Unfortunately, the spacing of the holes 92 differ among
manufacturers and the diameter of the tubs 34 also differ. Thus, it
is difficult to have a single bracket 90 with fasteners 5 spaced to
engage the holes 92 on a large number of tubs, and preferably that
fits a majority of tubs 34.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 19, one solution to this difficulty is to
place one or more separate fasteners 95 in a slot 106 can be
continuous, or a separate slot 106 can be associated with each
fastener 95. The slot allows the position of the fastener 95 to
vary with the location of the holes 92 in the tub 34. The fasteners
95 have an enlarged head 108 that does not pass through the slot
106, with the head being located inside the washing area of the tub
34. The expandable end or barb 94 extends through the hole 92 so
the locking surface such as barb 98 can engage the back side 100 of
the tub to prevent removal of the fastener 95. Alignment portions
110 can extend from the fastener 95 into the slot 106 to engage the
walls of the slot and prevent rotation of the fastener 95 and thus
ensure engagement of the hooks 94 and barb 98 with the wall 100. In
this embodiment, the shaft 96 must be long enough to pass through
the bracket as well as the wall of the tub 34.
[0111] FIG. 19 also shows a threaded fastener extending through one
slot 106 to threadingly engage the edges of the hole 92 (FIG. 17).
Differing fasteners can be used on the same connector 90. Any blind
hole fastener is believed suitable to connect the connector 90 to
the tub 34, but preferably the fastener is selected so that its
head 108 does not snag or damage clothes in the washing machine.
Further, the tub 34 rotates and wobbles during the rinse cycle so
the selected blind hole fastener should also have a sufficiently
small portion on the interior of the tub 34 to prevent damaging the
washing machine during such rotation and wobbling. There is thus
provided a means for removably fastening a connector 90 to the tub
34, where the means are separately removable from the
connector.
[0112] Another approach to accommodating the non-uniform spacing of
the holes 92 that occur among different manufacturers is to make a
connector 90 configured to connect to the tub 34 through a single
hole 92. Referring to FIG. 20, a fastener 95 is provided having a
first end with an engaging mechanism 104 such as a hook or a
rounded head with a recessed flange for engaging a drawstring, etc.
on the bag 10. The fastener 95 has an opposing end formed of a
blind hole fastener of the type previously described, or known to
those skilled in the art or developed hereafter. The illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 20 uses a threaded fastener 95 which threadingly
engages the edges of the hole 92 to fasten the connector 90 to the
tub 34. In this illustrated embodiment the engaging mechanism 104
is shown as a curved head with a recessed channel receiving a
drawstring or loop of material fastened to the bag 10. A plastic
connector 90 is believed preferable as the threads can deform to
engage the sides of the hole 92, but other materials, including
metals, can be used as long as they do not rust during use. But
hooks, clamps, buttons, snaps and other releasable restraining
mechanisms can also be used to releasably fasten the bag 10 to the
connector 90. A wrenching surface 112 can be provided on the head
108 or adjacent the tub 34 to provide a shaped surface for a wrench
to tighten the connector 90 to the tub 34.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 21, further details of one connector 90
are shown. The illustrated connector 90 has an enlarged head 108 on
a distal end of the connector, and a blind hold fastener on the
opposing end. Since the tub 34 is made of metal a blind hole
fastener can include a threaded fastener, such as a screw or bolt,
and threads are shown for ease of illustration. The head 108 is
shown as curved and a channel 114 encircles at least a portion of
the periphery of the connector. Preferably the head is circular and
the channel 114 encircles the entire head. Advantageously, a lip
116 extends toward the tub 34 and over a portion of the channel
114, such that a loop of material or drawstring placed in the
channel is urged to remain in the channel by the lip. Preferably,
the lip 116 is resilient and extends toward the tub 34 a distance
sufficient that the space between the distal end of the lip 116 and
the tub 34 is smaller than the size of the drawstring or loop or
other portion of the bag 10 that releasably connects to the lip.
Thus, the loop of material or drawstring can be resiliently placed
in the channel 114 by resiliently deforming the lip 116. The
resilient deformation is preferably sufficient to prevent the loop
of material or drawstring from being removed during washing, but is
small enough that a person can remove the bag from the connector
90.
[0114] FIG. 22a shows a further embodiment of a connector 90
comprising a single fastener 95 made of two parts. A first part
comprises a shaft 120 with a flange 122 to prevent passage entirely
through the hole 92 in the tub 34. The flange 122 can have a
wrenching surface on it or can be large enough so that projections
on the flange engage other holes 92 in order to prevent rotation of
the shaft 120 relative to the tub. The shaft 120 has a tubular end
124 facing the spindle 34 and interior of the washing tub 34. The
opposing end of the shaft 120 has at least one slit 126 across the
shaft, preferably intersecting the central axis of the shaft. The
interior of the tubular portion 124 is preferably, but optionally
threaded.
[0115] A second portion of the fastener 95 has a distal end 128
that is preferably threaded and screwed into the tubular end 124.
As the distal end 128 abuts the end of the hollow portion 124, the
distal end 128 forces the slit 126 open and spreads the slit ends
apart to wedge against the side 100 of the tub 34, preventing
removal of the fastener 95 and tube 124. The distal end 128 may be
inclined to help spread the slit 126. The slit 126 and the length
of the tubular portion 124 are sized according to the thickness of
the tub 34 so make the parts fit and work as described. The
fastener 95 is shown with a rounded head and a recessed area or
channel 114 and lip 116 as previously described to form an engaging
mechanism 104, but different engaging mechanisms 104 could be used.
A wrenching portion 130 could be provided adjacent the channel 114,
or it could be omitted. Advantageously the first and second
portions are made of suitable plastics or polymers, although metal
could be used as described above. The threaded portion on the
distal end 128 and tube 124 could be omitted and the distal end 128
manually pushed through the tube and slit 126.
[0116] Another embodiment of a single connector 90 formed of a
single fastener 95 is shown in FIG. 22b. A first part formed of a
tubular member 124 and a flange 122 has the tube 124 extend through
the hole in the tub 34 with the flange abutting the tub to limit
movement of the first part. A second, locking part has a head 108
which is shown as flat in this embodiment, but which has a
wrenching surface or gripping surface on its radial periphery so it
can be hand inserted and removed. A channel 114 is formed by lips
116 which in this embodiment extend generally parallel to the axis
of the fastener and generally perpendicular to the wall of the tub
34. The shaft 96 extends through the hole in the tub. The distal
end of the shaft 96 has an enlarged portion 132 which is sized to
pass through and be removed from the tube 124 and hole in the tub
34 upon the application of sufficient force on the head 108. When
the enlarged portion 132 is past the back side wall 100 of the tub,
the enlarged portion and tube 124 expand sufficiently that the
first portion of the fastener cannot be removed without applying
sufficient force. The compressibility of the material forming the
tube 124 and enlarged portion 132 may be selected to make this
insertion and removal easier.
[0117] The channel 114 accommodates a drawstring of the laundry bag
10, such as, for example, drawstring 18, 31 or 50, or accommodates
a loop of material otherwise connected to the bag 10. A standoff
134 extends past the flange 122 and abuts the head 108 to help
limit the relative position of the tubes 96, 124. This releasably
fastens the drawstring in the fastener.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 23-24, the use of a single connector is
described. The single connector 90 has its shaft 96 passed through
a selected hole 92 of the tub 34 until an a distal end of the
connector 90 is adjacent or past the back wall 100 of the tub.
Expansion or enlargement of the distal end of connector 90 prevents
removal of the connector during washing. A laundry bag 10 is
connected to the connector 90. This is readily achieved by
fastening a drawstring or other loop of material to the connector
90 and the bag 10. Other fastening mechanisms can be used, and for
example, FIG. 24 shows a drawstring 31 connected to bag 10
extending through a hole in the connector 90. The particular hole
92 can be selected to locate the bag 10 at a desired level, as the
water level may vary. After washing, the bag is disconnected from
the connector 90. The connector 90 may remain connected to the tub
34, or may be removed, depending on the design of the connector.
The connector 90 may be fastened to the bag 10, or separable
therefrom. The connector may fasten a bracket 90 to the tub, with
engaging mechanisms 92 being located on the bracket.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 25-26, a further embodiment of a bracket
93 and engaging mechanism 104 is shown in which the engaging
mechanism comprise S-shaped hooks. The S-shaped hooks have one end
fastened to the bracket 93, and an opposing end adjacent the
bracket. The curved distal end allows easy insertion of a loop or
drawstring connected to the laundry bag 10. The S-shape of the hook
provides a resilient retention mechanism to hold the drawstring or
loop during washing, and is believed to avoid snagging garments
during washing. The bracket 93 has at least one opening 106 therein
through which a fastener 95 can be inserted to fasten the bracket
to the tub 34.
[0120] FIG. 27 shows a further embodiment of the laundry bag 10
having a closed top 64 with an opening 48 having a zippered
closure. One or more loops are connected to the bag 10 in order to
allow the loops to connect the bag to the engaging mechanisms 104.
The loops can be at various locations on the bag 10, but are
preferably on the outer periphery of the upper side of the bag 10
as it rests in the wash tub 34. The number of loops can vary
depending on the shape of the bag 10 and the weight to be held by
the bag.
[0121] There are thus provide a method and apparatus for washing
delicate laundry in a washing machine, while maintaining the
balance of the washing machine, and while separating the delicate
laundry from other items in the washing machine.
[0122] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein. Thus, for example, while the
embodiments are described for washing laundry, the construction is
not so limited and the apparatus and method could be used with
non-laundry items. Further, the engaging mechanisms connecting the
bag 10 to the connector 90 can include various male and female
fasteners having one part on the connector 90 and the mating part
connected to the bag 10. Still further, the various features
disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with
each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific
combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be
limited by the illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *