WO2006041522A2

WO2006041522A2 - Laundry bag

Info

Publication number: WO2006041522A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/011116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Azad Sabounjian; William G. Smith
Original assignee: Pro-Mart Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2005-04-01
Publication date: 2006-04-20
Also published as: WO2006041522A3; US20050129337A1

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.

Description

LAUNDRY BAG

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application serial no. 10/956,828 filed October 1, 2004, the complete content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a laundry bag; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a washing machine partially cut away to show the spindle and laundry bag of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view as in Figure 3, showing a further embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag on a spindle; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag on a spindle;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along 7-7 of Figure 8, but showing a spindle;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a stand taken along section 9-9 of Figure 10; Figure 10 is a top view of a stand;

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the stand of Figure 9 in a frame taken along section 11-11 of Figure 12; Figure 12 is a top view of a stand in a frame;

Figure 13a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a laundry bag take along section 13 a- 13a of Figure 13b;

Figure 13b is a top view of a further embodiment of a laundry bag; Figure 14a is sectional view of a further embodiment of a laundry bag with dividers, taken along section 14a- 14a of Figure 14b;

Figure 14b is a top view of a further embodiment of a laundry bag having dividers; Figure 15a is a sectional view of a laundry bag on a spindle of a washing machine taken along section 15a-15a of Figure 15b;

Figure 15b is a top view of a laundry bag on a spindle of a washing machine;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a stand and frame; Figure 17 is a cross sectional view of a connector for connecting a laundry bag to the wall of the tub in a washing machine;

Figure 18 is a perspective view, partially sectioned, showing a laundry bag held in a tub by connectors;

Figure 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;

Figure 20 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a connector holding a laundry bag to the tub of a washing machine;

Figure 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; Figure 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;

Figure 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;

Figure 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;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a connector;

Figure 25 is a side view of a connector used to hold a laundry bag to the tub of a washing machine;

Figure 26 is a front perspective view of the connector of Figure 25; and Figure 27 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a laundry bag for use with the connectors described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 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/m2 is believed suitable, while a 100% poly heavy duty mesh with a density of about 120 g/m2 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 .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.

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. Figure 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.

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. Figure 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.

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.

The spindle openings 16, 22 define a spindle passageway through the bag 10. Referring to Figures 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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Referring to Figure 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.

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. 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.

Referring to Figures 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. 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.

The embodiment of Figure 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 Figure 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 Figure 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.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 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.

In the annular or disc configurations of Figures 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 heaver 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Referring to Fig. 13 a, 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.

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.

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.

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.

As seen in Figures 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Figures 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. 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.

Referring to Figure 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.

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.

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.

As shown in Figures 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.

A further embodiment using the laundry bag 10 is shown in Figure 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.

Various blind fasteners exist, including those shown and described in U.S. Patent 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. 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. 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. The bracket 93 has one or more re leasable engaging mechanisms 104 thereon to releasably hold the bag 10. Figure 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. 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.

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° apart if three connectors are used. The connectors are preferably located 90° apart if four connectors are used.

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. Figure 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 Figure 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.

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 tO 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. 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. 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.

Referring to Figure 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.

Figure 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.

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 Figure 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 Figure 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.

Referring to Figure 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 resiliency 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. Figure 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.

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.

Another embodiment of a single connector 90 formed of a single fastener 95 is shown in Figure 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.

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.

Referring to Figures 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, Figure 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. Referring to Figures 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.

Figure 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.

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.

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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. 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.

2. The laundry bag of Claim 1, wherein the spindle passage comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve.

3. The laundry bag of Claim 1, wherein the spindle passage comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve having opposing ends fastened to opposing sides of the bag.

4. The laundry bag of Claim 3, wherein one end of the sleeve is closed.

5. The laundry bag of Claim 2, further comprising means on the bag for releasably connecting the bag to a connector fastened to the tub.

6. The laundry bag of Claim 5, wherein the means comprises one of a loop of material or a drawstring.

7. The laundry bag 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 laundry bag of Claim 7, wherein the at least one connector comprises a bracket fastened to at least two holes in the tub.

9. The laundry bag 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 laundry bag 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 laundry bag of Claim 10, wherein the stand comprises a funnel- shaped structure.

12. The laundry bag 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 laundry bag of Claim 1, wherein the bag has an annular shape with the annular shape defining the spindle passage.

14. A laundry bag for washing clothes in a washing machine having a spindle inside a rotating 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.

15. The laundry bag of Claim 14, further comprising connector means fastened to the tub for releasably engaging the bag during washing.

16. The laundry bag 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 laundry bag 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, 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; washing the bag and the laundry within the bag by rotating the spindle; and removing the bag from the spindle.

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 tub during washing.

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.