FLEXIBLE BALL FOR TRANSPORTING LAUNDRY

Abstract

A laundry moving system includes a flexible ball for transporting laundry from one area to another. When laundry is placed into the flexible laundry ball and the flexible laundry ball is closed, the ball can easily be rolled down a hallway or even bounced or rolled down a staircase with little effort. The flexible laundry ball can be used by people of different ages and abilities in transporting laundry safely. The flexible laundry ball can be formed from two half-spherical shapes connected together with a hinge on one side thereof and with a latch on an opposite side thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to laundry containers and, more particularly, to a flexible ball for transporting laundry and similar materials from one area to another.

[0002] For people with a disability of mobility issues, transporting laundry from a hamper to a laundry room for washing can be difficult, especially when stairs or hallways are involved. For example, if a person is carrying a laundry basket and needs to hold a handrail to get down stairs, this can be extremely difficult and hazardous.

[0003] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved laundry basket that can be easily and safely used to transport laundry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a laundry container comprises a first caged portion; a second caged portion fitting against the first caged portion to form an open space therewithin; a hinge interconnecting the first caged portion to the second caged portion; and a closure disposed opposite the hinge, the closure operable to connect the first caged portion to the second caged portion, preventing items from escaping from the open space formed therebetween.

[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a laundry container comprises a first spherical caged portion; a second spherical caged portion fitting against the first spherical caged portion to form an open space therewithin, the first spherical caged portion and the second spherical caged portion formed from a flexible material; a flexible hinge interconnecting the first caged portion to the second spherical caged portion; and a flexible closure disposed opposite the hinge, the closure operable to connect the first spherical caged portion to the second spherical caged portion, preventing items from escaping from the open space formed therebetween.

[0006] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for transporting laundry comprises placing laundry into an open spaced defined between a first caged portion and a second caged portion fitting against the first caged portion; closing the first caged portion onto the second caged portion by pivoting about a hinge; and preventing the first caged portion from separating from the second caged portion by connecting a closure disposed opposite the hinge.

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laundry ball, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laundry ball of FIG. 1 showing a latching side thereof;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the laundry ball showing a hinge side thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible ball for transporting laundry from one area to another. When laundry is placed into the flexible laundry ball and the flexible laundry ball is closed, the ball can easily be rolled down a hallway or even bounced or rolled down a staircase with little effort. The flexible laundry ball can be used by people of different ages and abilities in transporting laundry safely. The flexible laundry ball can be formed from two half-spherical shapes connected together with a hinge on one side thereof and with a latch on an opposite side thereof.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a laundry ball can include caged half spheres 10 adapted to come together to form a hollow sphere. The laundry ball can be used to contain laundry 12 therein, as shown in FIG. 1. The caged half spheres 10 can include openings to allow a user to pick up the laundry ball therefrom. The caged half spheres 10 can be made of a flexible material, such as a silicone rubber, plastic, rubber, foam, or the like. The caged half spheres 10, while being flexible, can also be resilient so that they return to their original, spherical shape, after being compressed.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a latching loop 14 can be attached to one of the two caged half spheres 10 and a latching tee 16 can be attached to the other of the two caged half spheres 10. The latching loop 14 may removably connect with the latching tee 16 to interconnect the caged half spheres 10 together. The latching loop 14 and the latching tee 16 can be made from a flexible material, such as a silicone material, for example, to allow a user to easily maneuver the latching loop 14 and the latching tee 16 to interconnect them together. The latching loop 14 and the latching tee 16 can be designed to secure the caged half spheres 10 together without allowing them to separate, especially when rolling the laundry ball or bouncing the laundry ball down a set of stairs, for example.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 4, a hinge can be used to allow the caged half spheres 10 to open without disconnecting the caged half spheres 10 from each other. The hinge 14 can be, for example, soft, flexible loops looped through adjacent openings of each of the two caged half spheres 10. The hinge 14 can be made from, for example, plastic, silicone, rubber, or the like.

[0017] A user can simply place laundry into the laundry ball and move the ball by, for example, rolling it down a hallway or bouncing it down stairs. In some embodiments, the laundry ball could be kept open and used an a dirty laundry hamper for collecting laundry prior to the need to move it.

[0018] While the drawings show specific design examples for the latch and hinge mechanisms, it should be understood that other styles and designs for the latch and hinge mechanisms can be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, a living hinge can be formed from adjacent material from the two caged half spheres 10.

[0019] While the drawings show a round laundry ball, other shapes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the laundry ball could be made oval. Such a design may be used to provide a longer hinged portion, for example. In other embodiments, the laundry ball could be made in a polyhedron shape. For example, a 20-sided polyhedron would still retain the ability to easily "roll", while also providing a small flat surface onto which the laundry ball can remain stationary.

[0020] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A laundry container comprising: a first caged portion; a second caged portion fitting against the first caged portion to form an open space therewithin; a hinge interconnecting the first caged portion to the second caged portion; and a closure disposed opposite the hinge, the closure operable to connect the first caged portion to the second caged portion, preventing items from escaping from the open space formed therebetween.

2. The laundry container of claim 1, wherein the first caged portion and the second caged portion are spherical shaped.

3. The laundry container of claim 1, wherein the first caged portion and the second caged portion are formed from a flexible material.

4. The laundry container of claim 3, wherein the hinge and the closure are formed from a flexible material.

5. The laundry container of claim 1, wherein the hinge is formed from at least two rings interconnecting the first caged portion to the second caged portion.

6. The laundry container of claim 1, wherein the closure includes a latching loop connected to the first caged portion and a latching tee connected to the second caged portion.

7. A laundry container comprising: a first spherical caged portion; a second spherical caged portion fitting against the first spherical caged portion to form an open space therewithin, the first spherical caged portion and the second spherical caged portion formed from a flexible material; a flexible hinge interconnecting the first caged portion to the second spherical caged portion; and a flexible closure disposed opposite the hinge, the closure operable to connect the first spherical caged portion to the second spherical caged portion, preventing items from escaping from the open space formed therebetween.

8. The laundry container of claim 7, wherein the hinge is formed from at least two rings interconnecting the first spherical caged portion to the second spherical caged portion.

9. The laundry container of claim 7, wherein the closure includes a latching loop connected to the first spherical caged portion and a latching tee connected to the second spherical caged portion.

10. A method for transporting laundry comprising: placing laundry into an open spaced defined between a first caged portion and a second caged portion fitting against the first caged portion; closing the first caged portion onto the second caged portion by pivoting about a hinge; and preventing the first caged portion from separating from the second caged portion by connecting a closure disposed opposite the hinge.

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