Personal and portable laundry system

Abstract

A personal and portable laundry system includes at least one rigid, ventilated container having a sliding lid. The container is sized and shaped to fit a wheeled transporter having a storage compartment and height adjustable handle. A variant of the invention includes semi-rigid containers that are removably attached to a wheeled transporter. The containers have openable lids and carrying handles. A third variation of the invention has a rigid container divided into pie-shaped segments. Each of the segments is sized and shaped to accommodate a laundry duffle that hangs inside the rigid container. The duffels have drawstring closures and may be of different colors.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention pertains to systems for transporting laundry and supplies for an individual. More particularly, the invention relates to compact carriers for sorting, organizing and transporting laundry using various means of conveyance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transportation of laundry for individuals has always been something of a problem. While not terribly heavy per unit of volume, laundry is bulky and awkward to carry. Further, laundry must be kept dry and free from dirt and contamination. This is a particular problem for child and infant laundry. It is desirable that any device used to transport laundry should provide a means to sort the laundry by color, type, clean or dirty, etc. A number of inventions have been developed to answer these requirements.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,879, issued to Alvarez, is directed to a laundry cart system that has an adjustable frame and a hanger system. The laundry cart has a plurality of wheels. The frame can support a plurality of laundry bags that are held in an open position while coupled to the frame. A plurality of lid members is hingedly coupled to the frame assembly so as to selectively close each of the associated laundry bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,476, issued to Hamdan, discloses a presort and organization laundry apparatus that can be hung from a doorknob or from a laundry cart at the laundromat. The laundry apparatus is a bag with a separation panel on the inside forming two compartments. The front wall has several pockets. Some of the pockets have a pouch attached. The side surfaces each have a pocket as well. The pockets can be used for sorting the garments for holding laundry detergent, stain remover, and the like, as well as beverages, snacks, magazines, shoes, and the like. The hanging enclosure apparatus has an aperture that can receive a hook member for hanging on a doorknob or a laundry cart.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,647, issued to Wilson, is directed to a utility cart having a pair of rear wheels and a front caster and adapted to support a canvas receptacle. A receptacle of bag form made of canvas is self-suspended from the top ring of the cart. The forward apron is provided with vertical pockets and the rear apron with similar pockets for the purpose of holding various canned and bottled cleaning fluids, soaps, polishes, waxes, cleaning rags, or other tools and implements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,218, issued to Kostic, discloses four complementary receptacles for recycling that are mounted on a rotatable base unit. The receptacles each have a cross-section of a 90° sector of a circle so that the four cans together form a circular structure when mounting on the rotatable platform. Each of the receptacles has a pair of wheels so they may be tilted and lifted off the platform and wheeled individually.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,217, issued to Friday, is directed to a movable compartmentalized laundry storage unit. The laundry storage unit has a body member that can be provided with one or more divider members for providing separate compartments within storage area. The storage unit has a handle member that has a positioning means allowing the handle to be in a retracted or extended position. A pair of wheel members is provided.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0178800, filed by Fite, discloses a laundry hamper assembly. The hamper has a handle and a pair of wheels so that it can be easily transported by tilting. At the main opening of the hamper at the top portion are provided a plurality of containers that are suspended in the top and are provided for storing laundry supplies.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,517, issued to Shagoury, is directed to a two wheeled cart designed to receive a elasticized cloth laundry bag which in turn is used to receive linen among other things. The wheeled vehicle is collapsible for storage and has flip-top cover.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to conveniently transport laundry and laundry supplies. It is a further objective to provide a means to sort and organize laundry while protecting it from dirt, contamination and moisture. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a means to transport laundry and supplies on public conveyances. It is yet a further objective to provide a laundry transport, sorting and storage system that is light weight, durable and easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior personal and portable laundry system inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) A personal and portable laundry system providing the desired features comprises a transporter that has a multiplicity of substantially rigid laundry storage containers, wherein the storage containers are removably affixed to the transporter.

(2) In a variant of the invention, the transporter is supported by at least two wheels. The at least two wheels facilitate rolling the transporter along a horizontal support surface such as a floor.

(3) In another variant, the storage containers have a closed bottom and an open top end.

(4) In still another variant, the storage containers include removable sliding lids.

(5) In yet another variant, at least one of the storage containers includes at least one removable sliding side panel in one or more sides of the container.

(6) In a further variant, at least one of the wheels includes a wheel lock.

(7) In still a further variant, the open top ends of the storage containers include tracks disposed along a length of two parallel sides of each such container.

(8) In yet a further variant, a resilient lid is removably fitted onto the track.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

(10) In yet another variant, the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

(11) In still another variant, at least one of the laundry storage containers has a projection on which to place the lid when the lid is removed from the top end of the container.

(12) In a further variant, the removable sliding side panel has at least one vent.

(13) In still a further variant, the transporter has a tow handle thereon for towing the transporter.

(14) In yet a further variant, the tow handle is height adjustable.

(15) In still a further variant a carry handle is provided for lifting the transporter.

(16) In another variant, at least one of the storage containers includes at least one handle located on it.

(17) In still another variant, the lid has a fastener located to engage the projection on the storage container.

(18) In yet another variant, the transporter has a recess at its front end sized and shaped to receive the tow handle when the handle is not is used to tow the transporter.

(19) In a further variant, the recess has cavities located on it positioned and shaped to receive deformable protrusions on the tow handle.

(20) In still a further variant, the recess has cavities located on it positioned and shaped to receive extendable protrusions on the tow handle.

(21) In yet a further variant, the recess has cavities located on it positioned and shaped to receive spring-loaded protrusions on the tow handle.

(22) In another variant of the invention, at least one planar panel sized and shaped to engage the transporter and separate the storage containers located on it is provided.

(23) In still another variant, each of the multiplicity of laundry storage containers is of a different color.

(24) In yet another variant, the transporter has at least one storage compartment located on it.

(25) In still another variant, the transporter is shaped like a substantially right rectangular rhomboid.

(26) In a further variant, the transporter is adapted to be able to stand on either of the two shorter sides of the substantially right rectangular rhomboid.

(27) In yet a further variant of the invention, a laundry cart system includes a transporter that has a frame. At least one deformable laundry storage container is provided. The laundry storage container has at least two compartments and is removably affixed to the transporter.

(28) In still a further variant, the two compartments are of equal size and shape.

(29) In another variant, the two compartments are arranged in tandem relative to each other.

(30) In yet another variant, each compartment has its own opening.

(31) In still another variant, a lid is located over each opening.

(32) In a further variant, the transporter has a pivotally attached shelf at a front end of the frame for supporting the laundry storage container, the shelf is located horizontally when transporting laundry and folded up to a vertical position for storage.

(33) In yet a further variant, the transporter has a tow handle thereon for towing the transporter.

(34) In still a further variant, the tow handle has a handle grip.

(35) In yet a further variant, the transporter is supported by at least two wheels. The at least two wheels facilitate rolling the transporter along a horizontal support surface such as a floor.

(36) In still a further variant, at least one of the at least two wheels includes a wheel lock.

(37) In another variant of the invention, the at least one compartmentalized deformable laundry storage container is affixed to the transporter at at least one attachment point.

(38) In still another variant, each compartment lid of the at least one deformable laundry storage container is of a different color.

(39) In yet another variant, the at least one deformable laundry storage container has at least one handle disposed on it.

(40) In a further variant, the at least one deformable laundry storage container includes front, back, top, and bottom surfaces.

(41) In yet a further variant, the back and bottom surfaces of the at least one deformable laundry storage container are reinforced relative to the top and front surfaces of the containers.

(42) In still a further variant, the two compartments of at least one dual compartmented deformable laundry storage container are each of a different color.

(43) In another variant, the lid is removable.

(44) In still another variant, the transporter has at least one storage compartment located in it.

(45) In yet another variant of the invention, a personal and portable laundry system includes a wheeled transporter with a substantially rigid cylindrically shaped laundry storage container affixed to it. A partition is located in the container. The partition divides the container into three substantially pie shaped compartments of substantially equal angles and volumes. Deformable bags conformed to removably fit into the pie shaped compartments are provided.

(46) In a further variant, the deformable bags have reinforced bottoms.

(47) In still a further variant, the deformable bags have a drawstring disposed at a top end of each bag.

(48) In yet a further variant, the deformable bags have at least one handle located on them.

(49) In another variant, the deformable bags have at least one eyelet sized and shaped to engage a projection on an interior surface of the storage container.

(50) In still another variant, the compartments each have lids sized and shaped to cover the compartments.

(51) In yet another variant, the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

(52) In a further variant, the lid has a fastener positioned to engage a projection on the storage container onto which to place the lid when it is removed from a top of the container.

(53) In yet a further variant, a tow handle for towing the transporter is provided.

(54) In still a further variant, the handle is height adjustable.

(55) In still another variant, the tow handle is attached to the transporter at a point above the wheels of the transporter.

(56) In yet another variant, a carry handle positioned on the transporter for lifting the transporter is provided.

(57) In still another variant, each compartment is of a different color.

(58) In a further variant, each of the deformable bags is of a different color.

(59) In a final variant of the invention, the transporter has at least one storage compartment located in it.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention illustrating a ventilated front and lid;

Figure is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the sliding lid;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a transporter for the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the transporter for the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention illustrating openable lids and lifting handles;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a transporter for the FIG. 5 embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of a transporter for the FIG. 5 embodiment;

FIG. 8 a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention illustrating triangular-shaped compartments;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 8 embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 8 embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a duffle for use in the triangular-shaped compartments of the FIG. 8 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a personal and portable laundry system 10 providing the desired features. The system includes a transporter 15 that has a multiplicity of substantially rigid laundry storage containers 20, wherein the storage containers 20 are removably affixed to the transporter 15.

(2) In a variant of the invention, the transporter 15 is supported by at least two wheels 25. The at least two wheels 25 facilitate rolling the transporter 15 along a horizontal support surface such as a floor 30.

(3) In another variant, the storage containers 20 have a closed bottom 35 and an open top end 40.

(4) In still another variant, the storage containers 20 include removable sliding lids 45.

(5) In yet another variant, at least one of the storage containers 20 includes at least one removable sliding side panel 50. FIG. 1 illustrates one panel 50 in one side of the container 20. It will be clear that additional panels can be included in other sides of the container 20 in like manner.

(6) In a further variant, at least one of the wheels 25 includes a wheel lock 55.

(7) In still a further variant, the open top ends 40 of the storage containers 20 include tracks 60 disposed along a length 65 of two parallel sides 70 of each such container 20.

(8) In yet a further variant, a resilient lid 75 is removably fitted onto the track 60.

(9) In another variant of the invention, the lid 75 has a handle 80 and at least one vent 85.

(10) In yet another variant, the lid 45 has a handle 90 and at least one vent 95.

(11) In still another variant, at least one of the laundry storage containers 20 has a projection 100 on which to place the lid 45 when the lid 45 is removed from the top end 40 of the container 20.

(12) In a further variant, the removable sliding side panel 50 has at least one vent 105.

(13) In still a further variant, the transporter 15 has a tow handle 110 thereon for towing the transporter 15.

(14) In yet a further variant, the tow handle 110 is height adjustable.

(15) In still a further variant a carry handle 115 is provided for lifting the transporter 20.

(16) In another variant, at least one of the storage containers 20 includes at least one handle 120 located on it.

(17) In still another variant, the lid 45 has a fastener 125 located to engage the projection 100 on the storage container 20.

(18) In yet another variant, the transporter 15 has a recess 130 at a front end 135 sized and shaped to receive the tow handle 110 when the handle 110 is not is used to tow the transporter 15.

(19) In a further variant, the recess 130 has cavities 140 located on it positioned and shaped to receive deformable protrusions 145 on the tow handle 110.

(20) In still a further variant, the recess 130 has cavities 150 located on it positioned and shaped to receive extendable protrusions 155 on the tow handle 110.

(21) In yet a further variant, the recess 130 has cavities 160 located on it positioned and shaped to receive spring-loaded protrusions 165 on the tow handle 110.

(22) In another variant of the invention, at least one planar panel 170 sized and shaped to engage the transporter 15 and separate the storage containers 20 located on it is provided.

(23) In still another variant, each of the multiplicity of laundry storage containers 20 is of a different color.

(24) In yet another variant, the transporter 15 has at least one storage compartment 175 located on it.

(25) In still another variant, the transporter 15 is shaped like a substantially right rectangular rhomboid 180.

(26) In a further variant, the transporter 15 is adapted to be able to stand on either of the two shorter sides 185 of the substantially right rectangular rhomboid 180.

(27) In yet a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a personal and portable laundry system 190 includes a transporter 195 that has a frame 200. At least one deformable laundry storage container 205 is provided. The laundry storage container 205 has at least two compartments 210 and is removably affixed to the transporter 195.

(28) In still a further variant, the two compartments 210 are of equal size and shape.

(29) In another variant, the two compartments 210 are arranged in tandem relative to each other.

(30) In yet another variant, each compartment 210 has its own opening 215.

(31) In still another variant, a lid 220 is located over each opening 215.

(32) In a further variant, the transporter 195 has a pivotally attached shelf 225 at a front end 230 of the frame 200 for supporting the laundry storage container 205, the shelf 225 is located horizontally when transporting laundry (not shown) and folded up to a vertical position (not shown) for storage.

(33) In yet a further variant, the transporter 195 has a tow handle 245 thereon for towing the transporter 195.

(34) In still a further variant, the tow handle 245 has a handle grip 250.

(35) In yet a further variant, the transporter 195 is supported by at least two wheels 255. The at least two wheels 255 facilitate rolling the transporter 195 along a horizontal support surface such as a floor 260.

(36) In still a further variant, at least one of the at least two wheels 255 includes a wheel lock 265.

(37) In another variant of the invention, the at least one compartmentalized deformable laundry storage container 205 is affixed to the transporter 195 at at least one attachment point 270.

(38) In still another variant, each compartment lid 220 of the at least one deformable laundry storage container 205 is of a different color.

(39) In yet another variant, the at least one deformable laundry storage container 205 has at least one handle 273 disposed on it.

(40) In a further variant, the at least one deformable laundry storage container 205 includes front 275, back 280, top 285, and bottom 290 surfaces.

(41) In yet a further variant, the back 280 and bottom 290 surfaces of the at least one deformable laundry storage container 205 are reinforced relative to the top 275 and front 285 surfaces of the containers 205.

(42) In still a further variant, the two compartments 210 of at least one dual compartmented deformable laundry storage container 205 are each of a different color.

(43) In another variant, the lid 220 is removable.

(44) In still another variant, the transporter 195 has at least one storage compartment 295 located in it.

(45) In yet another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, a personal and portable laundry system 300 includes a wheeled transporter 305 with a substantially rigid cylindrically shaped laundry storage container 310 affixed to it. A partition 315 is located in the container 310. The partition 315 divides the container 310 into three substantially pie shaped compartments 320 of substantially equal angles and volumes. Deformable bags 325 conformed to removably fit into the pie shaped compartments 320 are provided.

(46) In a further variant, the deformable bags 325 have reinforced bottoms 330.

(47) In still a further variant, the deformable bags 330 have a drawstring 335 disposed at a top end 340 of each bag 330.

(48) In yet a further variant, the deformable bags 330 have at least one handle 345 located on them.

(49) In another variant, the deformable bags 330 have at least one eyelet 350 sized and shaped to engage a projection 355 on an interior surface of the storage container 310.

(50) In still another variant, the compartments 320 each have lids 365 sized and shaped to cover the compartments 320.

(51) In yet another variant, the lid 365 has a handle 370 and at least one vent 375.

(52) In a further variant, the lid 365 has a fastener 380 positioned to engage a projection 385 on the storage container 310 onto which to place the lid 365 when it is removed from a top 385 of the container 310.

(53) In yet a further-variant, a tow handle 390 for towing the transporter 305 is provided.

(54) In still a further variant, the handle 390 is height adjustable.

(55) In still another variant, the tow handle 390 is attached to the transporter 305 at a point 395 above the wheels 400 of the transporter 305.

(56) In yet another variant, a carry handle 405 positioned on the transporter 305 for lifting the transporter 305 is provided.

(57) In still another variant, each compartment 320 is of a different color.

(58) In a further variant, each of the deformable bags 330 is of a different color.

(59) In a final variant of the invention, the transporter 305 has at least one storage compartment 410 located in it.

The personal and portable laundry system 10, 190, 300 has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A laundry cart system comprising a transporter having a multiplicity of substantially rigid laundry storage containers, wherein said storage containers are removably affixed to said transporter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said transporter is supported by at least two wheels, said at least two wheels facilitating rolling said transporter along a horizontal support surface such as a floor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage containers have a closed bottom and an open top end.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage containers include removable sliding lids.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the storage containers includes at least one removable sliding side panel.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said wheels includes a wheel lock.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the open top ends of the storage containers include tracks disposed along a length of two parallel sides of each such container.

8. The system of claim 7, with a resilient lid removably fitting onto said track.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the laundry storage containers has a projection on which to place the lid when the lid is removed from the top end of said container.

12. The system of claim 5, wherein the removable sliding side panel has at least one vent.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the transporter has a tow handle thereon for towing the transporter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the tow handle is height adjustable.

15. The system of claim 1 having a carry handle thereon for lifting the transporter.

16. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the storage containers includes at least one handle disposed thereon.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the lid has a fastener disposed to engage the projection on the storage container.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the transporter has a recess at its front end sized and shaped to receive said tow handle when the handle is not being used to tow the transporter.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the recess has cavities disposed thereon positioned and shaped to receive deformable protrusions on the tow handle.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the recess has cavities disposed thereon positioned and shaped to receive extendable protrusions on the tow handle.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the recess has cavities disposed thereon positioned and shaped to receive spring loaded protrusions on the tow handle.

22. The system of claim 1, further having at least one planar panel sized and shaped to engage the transporter and separate the storage containers disposed thereon.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the multiplicity of laundry storage containers is of a different color.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the transporter has at least one storage compartment disposed therein.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the transporter is shaped like a substantially right rectangular rhomboid.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the transporter is adapted to be able to stand on either of the two shorter sides of the substantially right rectangular rhomboid.

27. A laundry cart system comprising:

a transporter, said transporter having a frame;

at least one deformable laundry storage container, said laundry storage container having at least two compartments and being removably affixed to said transporter.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the two compartments are of equal size and shape.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the two compartments are arranged in tandem relative to each other.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein each said compartment has its own opening.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein a lid is disposed over each opening.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the transporter has a pivotally attached shelf at a front end of the frame for supporting the laundry storage container, said shelf being disposed horizontally when transporting laundry and folded up to a vertical position for storage.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the transporter has a tow handle thereon for towing the transporter.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the tow handle has a handle grip.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein said transporter is supported by at least two wheels, said at least two wheels facilitating rolling said transporter along a horizontal support surface such as a floor.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein at least one of said at least two wheels includes a wheel lock.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one compartmentalized deformable laundry storage container is affixed to the transporter at at least one attachment point.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein each compartment lid of the at least one deformable laundry storage containers is of a different color.

39. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one deformable laundry storage container has at least one handle disposed thereon.

40. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one deformable laundry storage container comprises front, back, top, and bottom surfaces.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the back and bottom surfaces of the at least one deformable laundry storage container are reinforced relative to the top and front surfaces of said containers.

42. The system of claim 27, wherein the two compartments of at least one dual compartmented deformable laundry storage container are each of a different color.

43. The system of claim 31, wherein the lid is removable.

44. The system of claim 27, wherein the transporter has at least one storage compartment disposed therein.

45. A laundry cart system comprising:

a wheeled transporter with a substantially rigid cylindrically shaped laundry storage container affixed thereto;

a partition disposed in said container, said partition dividing the container into three substantially pie shaped compartments of substantially equal angles and volumes; and

deformable bags conformed to removably fit into said pie shaped compartments.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the deformable bags have reinforced bottoms.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the deformable bags have a drawstring disposed at a top end of each said bag.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the deformable bags have at least one handle disposed thereon.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the deformable bags have at least one eyelet sized and shaped to engage a projection on an interior surface of the storage container.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein the compartments each have lids sized and shaped to cover said compartments.

51. The lid of claim 50, wherein the lid has a handle and at least one vent.

52. The lid of claim 50, wherein the lid has a fastener positioned to engage a projection on the storage container onto which to place the lid when it is removed from a top of the container.

53. The system of claim 45, having a tow handle for towing the transporter.

54. The handle of claim 53, wherein the handle is height adjustable.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the tow handle is attached to the transporter at a point above the wheels of the transporter.

56. The system of claim 45, having a carry handle positioned on the transporter for lifting the transporter.

57. The laundry cart system of claim 45, wherein each compartment is of a different color.

58. The laundry cart system of claim 45, wherein each of the deformable bags is of a different color.

59. The system of claim 45, wherein the transporter has at least one storage compartment disposed therein.