Patent Application
20150030261
This disclosure generally relates to portable storage and transport containers, and specifically to laundry bags comprising an attachment mechanism.
Loading and unloading laundry items from a washer/dryer at a laundry facility can be a hassle. For instance, when the dryer is stacked above another unit, the dryer opening is well above the floor requiring a person to hold a the laundry bag (hamper) up to the level of the dryer opening in order to efficiently retrieve the laundry items. Typically, the individual would hold the bag up to the dryer opening with one hand, while grabbing and loading the clothing items into the bag with the other hand. This is problematic for several reasons. First, the individual's arm and shoulder fatigue during this potentially lengthy process, particularly as the bag is weighed down with each additional item. Second, the non-rigid opening into a laundry bag closes onto itself (usually as items are loaded therein) making it difficult to load additional items with one hand, since the other hand is holding up the bag and cannot adjust the bag opening at the same time. Hence the top of a non-rigid laundry bag cannot by itself stay open, or be adjusted without interrupting the unloading process. Third, with only one free hand, the clothing items cannot be loaded as fast as if two hands were free.
In one embodiment a laundry bag assembly comprises a body comprising at least one telescoping arm member, and a bag attached to the body. The at least one telescoping arm member is received in an opening defined by a portion of the body. Alternatively, at least one arm member may be stationary and at least one telescoping.
In another embodiment, a laundry bag assembly comprises a body comprising at least one hingeably movable arm member and a bag attached to the body. In a specific embodiment two arm members fold toward and away form the central portion of the body. In an alternate embodiment, at least one arm member is fixed and at least one arm member capable of folding toward and away from the central portion of the body.
In yet another embodiment, a laundry bag assembly comprises, a bag and an attachment means for attaching said bag to the opening of a washer or a dryer. The attachment means can comprise a body which comprises (1) at least one telescoping arm member, (2) at least one hingeably movable arm member, (3) at least one arm member comprising a hook portion or (4) at least one flexible arm member
In still another embodiment, a method of making a laundry bag assembly comprises providing a bag attached to a body, where the body comprises at least one arm member. The at least one arm member may be telescoping and received in an opening defined by a portion of the body. Alternatively, the at least one arm member may be a hingeably movable arm member capable of folding toward or away form the central portion of the body. As yet another alternative, the at least one arm member comprises a hook portion.
In still another embodiment, a method of making a laundry bag assembly comprises providing a bag connected to an attachment means, where the attachment means comprises a body which comprises (1) at least one telescoping arm member, (2) at least one hingeably movable arm member, (3) at least one arm member comprising a hook portion, or (4) at least one flexible arm member
a depicts another laundry bag assembly embodiment with hingeably movable arm members in a folded-out position.
b depicts laundry bag assembly embodiment of
The present embodiments describe laundry bags that address the aforementioned issues with loading and unloading laundry items from washers and dryers. Generally, the present embodiments solve these problems via attaching (e.g. anchoring) mechanisms, freeing both hands to load a laundry bag (hamper). In one aspect, the embodiments involve a mechanism for attaching a laundry bag a to a dryer opening, and supporting a certain laundry weight load in the bag while attached. In another aspect, the embodiments involve a mechanism for anchoring a laundry bag to the opening or interior of a dryer so that loading and unloading of laundry items can be made easier, performed more effectively and efficiently. In yet another aspect, the laundry bag of the present embodiments allow for maintaining a sufficient bag opening while loading clothing items into said bag. Although the laundry bag assembly of the present embodiments will be described in the context of dryers, they are equally applicable to front-loading washers.
In one embodiment, the laundry bag assembly comprises a body comprising at least one telescoping arm member and a bag attached to the body, wherein the arm member(s) are received in an opening defined by a portion of said body. Accordingly, the body of the assembly can be positioned at or inside a dryer opening and the one or more telescoping arm members extended inside the dryer to anchor to the interior wall of the dryer at or near the dryer opening. In a specific embodiment, the assembly has one stationary arm and one telescoping arm. In another specific embodiment, the assembly has two telescoping arm members.
In another embodiment, laundry bag assembly comprises a body comprising at least two hingeably movable arms and a bag attached to the body. The arm members may be hingeably connected to each other or connected to a central body portion. In this embodiment, the body of the assembly can be positioned at a dryer opening or inside the dryer and the one or more hingeably movable arm members extended out inside the dryer.
In yet another embodiment, a laundry bag assembly comprises, a bag and an attachment means for attaching said bag to the opening of a washer or a dryer. In one embodiment, the attachment means comprises at least two telescoping arm members. In other embodiments the attachment comprises arm members, where at least one arm member is hingeably movable. In yet other embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one hook. In yet other embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one flexible arm member.
In still another embodiment, a method of making a laundry bag assembly comprises the steps of providing a bag attached to a body comprising at least one arm member. The at least one arm member may be telescoping and received in an opening defined by a portion of the body. Alternatively, the at least one arm member may be a hingeably movable arm member may capable of folding toward or away from the central portion of the body. As yet another alternative, the at least one arm member may comprise a hook portion.
In still another embodiment, a method of making a laundry bag assembly comprises providing a bag connected to an attachment means, where the attachment means comprises a body which comprises (1) at least one telescoping arm member, (2) at least one hingeably movable arm member, (3) at least one arm member comprising a hook portion, or (4) at least one flexible arm member
In certain embodiments, the arm member(s) may be manually extended and retracted. In other embodiments, one or more arm members are actuated by a button or lever. Additionally, the arm members may comprise a rubber tip portion so as to prevent damage to the dryer/washer surface, while anchored.
In the embodiments where the arm member comprises a hook portion, the hook(s) may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a metal, rubber or plastic, so long as it has the proper dimension to anchor to a dryer opening and can withstand the load resulting from the items loaded in the bag.
The present embodiments also provide mobility advantages. For instance, the assembly is easily carried over the shoulder or on the floor. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a shoulder strap. In a particular embodiment, the assembly comprises two shoulder straps such that the assembly may be worn as a backpack.
In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises wheels for mobility. For instance, the bottom of the assembly (e.g. the bag portion) may have one or more wheels attached thereto. The wheels are preferably attached to a solid plate at the bottom of the bag. Preferably, the plate is large enough to contain the sag (due to the items loaded) from reaching the floor during normal transport.
In some embodiments, the bag formed from a material suitable for transporting apparel or clothing items. Preferably the bag is formed using a fabric that is flexible and durable. In one embodiment, suitable bag materials are selected from polyester, cotton, natural canvas, plastic or any combination thereof. Specific non-limiting examples include bags made from 100% polyester, 100% cotton, natural canvas, or plastic. Polyester bags can have different forms such as mesh, non-mesh, and/or micromesh.
The bag may contain reinforcing wires or bars to maintain a certain shape. Therefore, in some embodiments, the “bag” additionally refers to a container with fixed dimensions, such as but not limited to, cubical, cylindrical, spheroidal or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the bag may be collapsible. For example the collapsible bag can be attached to a rigid section (e.g. the bag opening). Alternatively, the bag may be collapsible using a steel spring. In some embodiments the collapsible bag may comprise a rigid material at the base attached to wheels.
In the preferred embodiments, the bag opening (or opening lip) comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material for reinforcement to maintain the dimensions of bag opening during use. For example, a circular or oval ring may be incorporated into the lip of the bag's opening (through which items such as clothes are loaded). The circular or oval ring can flex inward, or be rigid. In another embodiment, the ring can consist of spring steel structural material and/or zinc coated steel wire. As a non-limiting example, the rigid or semi rigid material may be plastic. In alternate embodiments, the bag opening comprises rigid reinforcement to create a half-circular opening. In such case, the flat side of the half circle preferably sits flush against the washer/dryer when attached. In one embodiment only a portion of the bag opening comprises a rigid material. As a non-limiting example, the portion of the bag opening nearest to the person loading/unloading the clothing items can comprise a rigid or semi-rigid curved wiring such that the unreinforced side faces the washer/dryer, and a semi-circular opening is maintained during use.
The bag opening diameter may be substantially larger than the diameter of the dryer. In such a case, if the bag opening is reinforced, the reinforcement should comprise a flexible material such that the opening can partially bend into the dryer opening, if needed. Although, the bag opening may bend, it should not significantly affect the attaching mechanism of the assembly.
The opening of a typical dryer can vary (as a non-limiting example, some commercial dryer openings are about twenty three (23) inches in diameter). Therefore, in the applicable embodiments, the distance between the ends of two arm members in the extended position is longer than the dryer opening diameter.
The dimensions of the bag can widely vary depending functional and aesthetic requirements. Essentially, all bag shapes known in the art are contemplated herein, such as, but not limited to cubical, cylindrical, spheroidal, or a combination thereof. In a specific non-limiting example, the cubical bag dimension is 24 inches in height, 18-36 inches deep and 21 inches wide. In some instances, the bag may be produced with compartments to facilitate laundry organization. In some cases the bag may contain a draw cord to at least partially close the opening, and a barrel lock closure to hold the draw cord.
The present embodiments are further described with reference to the accompanying figures, without any intent to limit the embodiments.
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While the foregoing written description of the embodiments enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above descriptions, methods, and examples, but by all methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
