Abstract:
A removable hanging laundry storage container such as a bag or hamper including a pair of substantially C-shaped handles extending upwards from opposites sides of the top of the hamper or bag. The C-shaped handles define interior regions for receiving a horizontal support to hang the hamper or bag thereon. The handles are sized and shaped to provide for a grasping surface on the opposite side of the handle end to allow the handle to be readily grasped when the storage container is hanging from a horizontal support to facilitate the lifting of the handle and hamper off the horizontal support. The hamper or bag may have cut-away sections matching the interior of the handles to provide an open area to facilitate placement and removal of the hampers on the horizontal support.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates, in general, to garment storage and, more particularly, to portable laundry storage containers and sorters for storing and pre-sorting of garments prior to laundering them. 
         [0003]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Laundry hampers or bags providing a compartment or interior for receiving soiled or used garments have been known for some time. It has also been known to use multiple removable or portable laundry bags or hampers to facilitate pre-sorting of garments by type prior to washing, such as separating white, light color, and dark color fabrics, so that each pre-sorted group of garments may be loaded directly into a washing machine. The use of removable laundry bags permits individual loads of pre-sorted laundry to be separately transported for placement within a washing machine. 
         [0005]    Prior art laundry sorters having removable laundry bags, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0157358 A1, are commonly top loading in construction, meaning that removal and replacement of each supported laundry bag requires that the bag must be vertically lifted above the frame, in order to clear, among other structures, a top front horizontal bar or similar structure of the frame. Particularly during removal of the laundry bags, when they may be relatively heavily loaded with garments, vertically raising the bag above the frame may be cumbersome or difficult, particularly if the user is not physically strong, is relatively short in height, or is suffering from lower back pain or other physical ailment. 
         [0006]    Other prior art hanging laundry bags, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,350 B2, include separate handles or areas for grasping the laundry bag for removal of the bag from its hanging position and transporting during the washing process. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides laundry storage containers such as bag or hampers and sorters for the laundry storage containers that overcome many of the shortcomings of certain prior art laundry bags and sorters. In particular, hanging laundry storage containers are disclosed that include handles that are designed and shaped to both support the laundry storage containers on a horizontal support and permit a user to remove and transport the laundry storage containers without the need for separate handles or grasping surfaces. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the present invention, removable laundry bags include a pair of substantially C-shaped handles extending upwards from opposites sides of the top of the bag. The C-shaped handles define interior regions for receiving a horizontal support to hang the bag thereon. The curved end of the handles prevent the hampers from sliding off the horizontal support. A grasping surface located on the opposite side of the handle end allows the handle to be grasped when the bag is positioned on the horizontal support to facilitate the lifting of the handle and bag off the support. As a result, the requirement of a separate component for removing and transporting the hamper is eliminated. The bag may have cut-away sections corresponding to the interior of the handles to provide an open area to facilitate the bag&#39;s placement on and removal from the support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevated, front perspective view of an embodiment of a laundry sorter including a plurality of hanging laundry bags of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevated, front perspective view of the frame portion of the laundry sorter of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an elevated front view of the top of one of the laundry bags of  FIG. 1  illustrating one embodiment of the handles of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of one of the handles of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an elevated front view of the top of a laundry bag showing a second embodiment of the handles of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of one of the handles of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a laundry sorter including a pair of hanging laundry bags vertically positioned relative to one another on a frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of a laundry sorter  10  having a plurality of hanging laundry storage containers  200  of the present invention. The sorter  10  comprises a frame  20  supporting a plurality of substantially adjacent removable hanging laundry storage containers in the form of bags  200 . Frame  20  may be constructed primarily of tubular steel or aluminum components and comprises a pair of two parallel horizontal bottom tubes  22  connecting a pair of side members  24  and a horizontal top tube  26  extending between the side members  24  to form a horizontal support such as a bar or rod. Clips or other elements  42  may protrude upwards from the horizontal support  26  to help retain the bags  200  on the horizontal support  26  when in use. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one of the bottom tubes  22  and the top tube  26  may have curved ends that matingly connect or attach to the ends of the side members  24  through a press fit, detents, bolts or other known means. The bottom  30  of each of the side members  24  may have a pair of spaced apart holes or openings  32  to attach a pair of casters  36  to the frame  20 . In particular, bolts from the casters may extend therethrough and be secured in place through nuts or other fasteners  34 . Alternatively, feet or other friction members may be attached to the bottom of the frame  20  to inhibit inadvertent movement of the frame  20 . Side frames  24  may also include reinforcing members  38  extending between the bottom members  30  and the vertically rising member  40  to provide strength and rigidity to the frame  20 . 
         [0019]    While the figures show a frame having side members in the shape similar to an inverted question mark, it is appreciated that the frame may take any number of shapes and sizes and not depart from the scope of the present invention. Among other things, the side members may take the shape of an inverted “Y”, an “A” frame, or an inverted “U” with a horizontal bar at the bottom. 
         [0020]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , laundry sorter  10  includes three removable laundry bags  200 , each comprising a fabric body  210  for receiving soiled laundry. While three bags are shown, it is appreciated that a different number of bags, hampers or other laundry storage containers may be used and not depart from the scope of the present invention. The fabric body includes a bottom  212  and at least one wall  214  extending from the bottom  212  to an upper edge  216  at the top  218  that defines an opening for receiving the laundry. Referring to  FIG. 1 , fabric body  210  may be generally cylindrically shaped with a substantially rectangular cross section, and may include internal stiffeners such as, but not limited to, flat wires, about its vertical, top and bottom edges to inhibit folding or collapsing of the fabric, such that laundry bag  200  substantially retains its general configuration. It is appreciated that collapsible/foldable metals or other materials may be used along the seams to allow the walls to fold into one another and then snap back into place to form the laundry bag. The front side of the upper edge  216  of the laundry bag may be curved downwardly to facilitate placement of garments into the laundry bag  200 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the sides of the top  218  of the laundry bag  200  may include curved cut away section or recess  220  therein. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a pair of handles  250  for use with the laundry storage bag  200 . The handles  250  are substantially circular in shape with an opening sized to permit the handles  250  to be placed over and removed from the horizontal support  26 . Each of the handles includes an upper curved portion  252  and a lower curved portion  254  for directly or indirectly attaching the handle to the bag  200 . In one embodiment, the curvature of handle  250  extends about  320  degrees, wherein the interior of the handle  250  defines a receiving area for placement of the handles  250  and laundry bag  200  on a horizontal support  26 . The upper curved member preferably has a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the horizontal support, which allows each of the handles to engage the top of the horizontal support. The curvature of the upper portion  252  of the handle  250  allows part of the handle  250  to project outwardly away from the plane defined by the horizontal support  26  and provides for an area  274  on the handle  250  that may be grasped by a user to lift the handle  250  off of the horizontal support  26  and maneuver the horizontal support  26  through the opening to remove the bag  200  from engagement with the horizontal support  26 , thereby allowing the bag to be transported (e.g., to the laundry room or washing machine). 
         [0022]    A pair of spaced apart seams  222 ,  224  may be used with a piece of fabric  226  to form a channel  280  extending through the top of each side of the laundry bag  200  for receiving the lower portion  254  of handles  250 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the channels may extend underneath the recess  220  in the top  218  of the laundry bag  200 . In one embodiment, the opening in the C-shaped handle&#39;s lower portion corresponds to the shape and size of the recess  220  to provide a large opening in the bag  200  to facilitate its removal from the horizontal support  26 . Each handle  250  may be constructed of a relatively rigid material such as steel or aluminum. The end  270  of handle  250  may include a hook or curved end  256  that extends back over the channel thereon or be folded back toward itself to help secure handle  250  relative to the laundry bag  200 . A slot  262  may be used proximate to the upper or lower seam  222 ,  224  to receive part of the end of the hook  256 . 
         [0023]    A sleeve or coating  272  may be placed over the upper portion  252  of the handle  250  to provide a slip-resistant surface for grasping the handle  250  and for interacting with the horizontal support  26 . The surface may be cushioned for comfort. Examples of materials for the sleeve or coating may include, but are not limited to foam, thermoplastic elastomers, synthetics or polymers. The sleeve  272  may be attached or applied to the handle  250  in any known way, including, but not limited to, over-molding the sleeve onto the handle, or fastened using adhesives, welding or screws or other fasteners. By providing a cushioned material on the handle, a user can more easily grasp the area  274  of the handle on the side opposite the end  276  to facilitate placement and removal of the laundry bag  200  on the horizontal support  26 . Accordingly, each laundry bag does not need a separate handle or grasping area to place or remove the laundry bag on or from the horizontal support. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a second embodiment of a handle of the present invention is disclosed. Each of the pair of handles  350  for a laundry bag  200   a  is substantially D-shaped with a curved upper portion  352  and a lower straight portion  354 . Straight portion  354  is sized to fit within channel  380  formed at the top  218   a  of the sides of the laundry bag  200   a  by a piece of material attached along its length by a pair of seams  364 ,  366 . The end  370  of the straight portion  354  may include a hook or curved end  356  that extends back over the channel  380  when the straight portion  354  is positioned within the channel  380  to help retain the handle  350  in place. A slot may be used proximate to the upper or lower seam  364 ,  366  to receive part of the end of the hook  356 . 
         [0025]    The upper portion of the handle may be curved in the shape of a partial circle. Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the curvature of upper portion extends about  140  degrees, wherein the interior of the handle defines a receiving area for placement of the handles and laundry bag on a horizontal support. 
         [0026]    A sleeve or coating  372  may be placed over the upper portion  352  of the handle  350  to provide a slip-resistant surface for grasping the handle  350  and for interacting with the horizontal support  26 . The surface may be cushioned for comfort. Examples of materials for the sleeve or coating may include, but are not limited to foam, thermoplastic elastomers, synthetics or polymers. The sleeve  372  may be attached or applied to the handle  350  in any known way, including, but not limited to, over-molding the sleeve onto the handle, or fastened using adhesives, welding or screws or other fasteners. By providing a cushioned material on the handle, a user can more easily grasp the area  374  of the handle on the side opposite the end  376  to facilitate placement and removal of the laundry bag  200   a  on the horizontal support  26 . Accordingly, each laundry bag does not need a separate handle or grasping area to place or remove the laundry bag on or from the horizontal support. 
         [0027]    Although the previously described embodiment discloses a laundry sorter consisting of three laundry bags  200 , different sized laundry sorts having different numbers of supported bags are also contemplated by the present invention. For example, referring to  FIG. 7 , the frame may include a pair of horizontal supports  26 ,  26   a  extending between elongated side members  24   a  to allow a pair of laundry bags  200   b  to be placed in a vertically spaced position relative to one another. It is appreciated that any of the laundry bags disclosed or taught herein may be used in connection with the sorters. 
         [0028]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of performing the various steps of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not limit the invention.