Apparatus And Method For Sorting, Holding And Laundering Articles

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for sorting and holding laundry having a sorting bag including a first opening for inserting and removing laundry from therein. The sorting bag is adapted to be suspended from a frame. The apparatus also includes a compartmentalizing mechanism selectively separating hollow portions of the inside of the sorting bag thereby preventing laundry inserted into a first portion of the sorting bag from moving into a second portion of the sorting bag.

1 . An apparatus for sorting and holding laundry comprising:
 a sorting bag including a first opening for inserting and removing laundry from therein, the sorting bag adapted to be suspended from a frame;   a compartmentalizing mechanism selectively separating hollow portions of the inside of the sorting bag thereby preventing laundry inserted into a first portion of the sorting bag from moving into a second portion of the sorting bag.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compartmentalizing mechanism includes a cord woven into at least a portion of the sorting bag. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the compartmentalizing mechanism further includes a clamp engaged with the cord. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compartmentalizing mechanism selectively further constricts the sorting bag thereby preventing laundry inserted into a third portion of the sorting bag from moving into either the first or second portions of the sorting bag. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further wherein the sorting bag further includes a second opening. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sorting bag includes at least a portion that allows fluids to communicate between the outside of the sorting bag and at least one hollow portion therein. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container including a frame for holding at least a portion of the sorting bag therein.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for holding laundry comprising:
 a container including a first opening communicating with a first inner compartment and a second opening communicating with a second inner compartment, the first and second compartments separated by a barrier within the container;   a sorting bag removeably inserted in at least a portion of the first inner compartment through the first opening of the container, the sorting bag including a second opening for inserting and removing laundry therein.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sorting bag includes at least one separator for partitioning an inner portion of the sorting bag. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the container further includes a side opening and at least a portion of the separator passes through the side opening for accessing the separator from the outside of the container. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the container further includes a third opening communicating with a third inner compartment. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second sorting bag removeably inserted in at least a second portion of the container.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first inner compartment is smaller than the second inner compartment. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier is a rigid barrier. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for handling laundry comprising:
 a container including separate first and second inner compartments;   a first laundry bag at least partially suspended within the first compartment; and   a pivotal lid mounted on the container, the lid including a first flap selectively tiltable into at least one of the first and second inner compartments.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second laundry bag and wherein the container further includes a separate third compartment, the second laundry bag being at least partially suspended within the third compartment. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the pivotal lid includes a second flap selectively tiltable into the third compartment. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a compartmentalizing mechanism selectively separating hollow portions of the inside of the sorting bag thereby preventing laundry inserted into a first portion of the sorting bag from moving into a second portion of the sorting bag   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the container includes an opening for accommodating the compartmentalizing mechanism, and the compartmentalizing mechanism extends from a portion of the laundry bag through the opening to the outside of the container. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second inner compartments are not the same size.