The automatic sorting of laundry items requires a knowledge of all sorting criteria. One strives to read these out from data storage media attached to the laundry items. The problem is when laundry items lack data storage media, or they are not readable because they have been damaged, for example. The invention calls for deriving sorting criteria which cannot be otherwise obtained from at least one imaging recording of an imaging device, such as a 3D-camera. Such sorting criteria, which cannot be derived from the picture or recording of the 3D-camera, are derived from supplemental information which can be obtained in different ways. Thus, it is also possible to sort laundry items without data storage medium or with damaged data storage media in a fully automatic or at least largely automatic manner.

Disclosed are a tag for managing laundry and a method of classifying and transferring laundry using the same. The tag for managing laundry includes a tag portion, a box number portion, a laundry number portion, and a barcode part. The tag portion includes another tag portion and is attached to each piece of laundry classified by customer. The box number portion for distinguishing between the laundry shops is formed by printing a unique number on one surface of each of the tag portions. The laundry number portion for checking the number of pieces of laundry left by customers is formed by printing the number of pieces of laundry left by the customers on one surface of the tag portion. The barcode part for facilitating transfer of laundered laundry from the laundry plant to the laundry shops is formed by printing a barcode including information of the box number portion and the laundry number portion on one surface of the tag portion.

The method of classifying and transferring laundry includes a step of collecting at least one piece of laundry left by customers at the laundry shops; a step of respectively attaching the tag portion to laundry left by the customers; a step of transferring the tag portion-attached laundry to a laundry plant; a step of scanning the barcode part of the tag portion respectively attached to the laundry by means of a barcode scanner when washing of the laundry transferred to the laundry plant is completed; and a step of classifying the laundry by laundry shop according to scanned information and transferring the classified laundry to the laundry shops.

A system and method for tracking, treating, and laundering stains on a fabric item is disclosed. The system and method uses a stain tracking app to store and transmit data about the stain to a piece of laundry equipment. The system and method optionally uses an RFID tag to mark the stain or stains on a fabric item and uses a transponder or smartphone to locate the RFID tag and the stained fabric item. The user is then able to precisely locate both the stained fabric item and the precise location of the stain or stains on the fabric item for an optional chemical pretreatment prior to laundering. The stain tracking application transmits information about the stain to the piece of laundry equipment which can then be used to determine optimal pre-treatment and cleaning parameters to optimize removal of the stain or stains.

A laundry hamper is adapted to contain articles of clothing in transit. The laundry hamper includes a basin with a bottom and four sides connected to a rounded upper lip. A first handle connection point is attached to the rounded upper lip proximate the first side. A second handle connection point is attached to the upper lip proximate the third side. A handle includes a first handle rotation attachment point is rotationally attached to the first handle connection point. A first handle riser portion is joined to the first handle rotation attachment point and a first handle rounded portion. A handle crossing portion is joined to the first and second handle rounded portions. A second handle riser portion is joined to the handle crossing portion and a second handle rotation attachment point. The second handle rotation attachment point is rotationally coupled to the second handle rotation attachment point.

The automatic sorting of laundry items requires a knowledge of all sorting criteria. One strives to read these out from data storage media attached to the laundry items. The problem is when laundry items lack data storage media, or they are not readable because they have been damaged, for example. The invention calls for deriving sorting criteria which cannot be otherwise obtained from at least one imaging recording of an imaging device, such as a 3D-camera. Such sorting criteria, which cannot be derived from the picture or recording of the 3D-camera, are derived from supplemental information which can be obtained in different ways. Thus, it is also possible to sort laundry items without data storage medium or with damaged data storage media in a fully automatic or at least largely automatic manner.

The automatic sorting of laundry items requires a knowledge of all sorting criteria. One strives to read these out from data storage media attached to the laundry items. The problem is when laundry items lack data storage media, or they are not readable because they have been damaged, for example. The invention calls for deriving sorting criteria which cannot be otherwise obtained from at least one imaging recording of an imaging device, such as a 3D-camera. Such sorting criteria, which cannot be derived from the picture or recording of the 3D-camera, are derived from supplemental information which can be obtained in different ways. Thus, it is also possible to sort laundry items without data storage medium or with damaged data storage media in a fully automatic or at least largely automatic manner.

Methods, system and apparatus for the scheduling the retrieval, delivery and laundering of customer loads of laundry. The system may receive laundry service orders from customer, schedule couriers or delivery services for the transportation of bags of laundry from the customer to a washer located at a laundry facility. The washer may be located at a residential laundry facility or a commercial laundry facility. The system may provide the washer with instruction for performing the laundering tasks and track the progress of each load of laundry through the process by having the washer scan unique identifiers attached to the laundry bags, washing machines and dryers.

A method for matching pairs of socks includes engaging a first sock with a channel defined within a sock engaging assembly. The sock engaging assembly is defined about a basket. The method including inserting a second sock into the first sock and pushing the matched pair of socks through the channel into the basket.

A method for matching pairs of socks includes engaging a first sock with a channel defined within a sock engaging assembly. The sock engaging assembly is defined about a basket. The method including inserting a second sock into the first sock and pushing the matched pair of socks through the channel into the basket.

A system and method for marking, tracking, and locating stains on a fabric item for application of a stain treatment prior to laundering is disclosed. The system and method uses an RFID tag to mark the stain or stains on a fabric item and uses a transponder to locate the RFID tag and the stained fabric item. The user is then able to precisely locate both the stained fabric item and the precise location of the stain or stains on the fabric item for a chemical pretreatment prior to laundering. Once the stained fabric item is located, the RFID tag is removed and once all RFID tags are removed, the transponder is placed in a standby or power saving mode.