Washer friendly laundry ball

Abstract

A laundry ball can be used to accommodate detergent free washing of clothes and other laundry items. To provide a more efficient and more washer friendly laundry ball, the structure is fabricated to have a flexible outer surface. In one embodiment the walls of the laundry ball have only a single layer of flexible material, while another embodiment includes walls having multiple layers with the outer layer being more flexible. The material making up this flexible outer surface is resilient and causes less damage to the interior of the washing machine. Added friction also causes more movement and agitation of the laundry ball when used, thus enhancing its operation.

1 . A laundry ball for providing detergent free cleaning in an automated laundry machine, comprising:
 a first housing having a substantially spherical shaped housing wall, an outer surface of the first housing wall further having a plurality of flexible extensions projecting outwardly and a plurality of openings extending there through, wherein the first housing portion housing wall includes a flexible outer layer causing interaction with the laundry being cleaned; and   a second housing portion having a substantially spherical shape housing wall and plurality of flexible extensions projecting outwardly from an outer surface thereof, wherein the second housing portion housing wall includes a flexible outer layer, also causing interaction with the laundry being cleaned, the first housing portion and the second housing portion joined with one another to create an enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The laundry ball of  claim 1  wherein the flexible outer layer is formed of a rubber-like material. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry ball of  claim 1  wherein the walls of the first housing portion and the second housing portion are both formed of an inner layer positioned adjacent the flexible outer layer, wherein the inner layer is more rigid than the outer layer and the inner layer is an injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry ball of  claim 1  wherein the housing wall of the second housing portion further includes openings extending there through.