A laundry treating appliance includes a first basket assembly including a first basket defining a first treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in a first wash environment. A balance ring forms an upper periphery of the first basket assembly and is operably coupled to the first basket. A second basket is selectively receivable within at least a portion of the first treating chamber. The second basket defines a second treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in a second wash environment.

A cart assembly system for handling laundry in a facility, the system including first and second support structures each having arms extending outwardly therefrom. The arms support drive wheels, which in turn support a tow line extending between the first and second support structures. The system may include a drop cord extending downwardly from the tow line and engaging a slot on a tow cart to attach the tow cart to the tow line. The system may also include a mast extending from the cart to the tow line, the mast supporting a clamp assembly for coupling the cart to the tow line. A controller drives one or both of drive wheels to move the tow line and the cart along the line pathway, where the cart transports laundry throughout the facility.

A cart assembly system for handling laundry in a facility, the system including first and second support structures each having arms extending outwardly therefrom. The arms support drive wheels, which in turn support a tow line extending between the first and second support structures. The system may include a drop cord extending downwardly from the tow line and engaging a slot on a tow cart to attach the tow cart to the tow line. The system may also include a mast extending from the cart to the tow line, the mast supporting a clamp assembly for coupling the cart to the tow line. A controller drives one or both of drive wheels to move the tow line and the cart along the line pathway, where the cart transports laundry throughout the facility.

The automated dry-cleaning pickup is a kiosk. The automated dry-cleaning pickup is configured for use with a dry cleaning building. The automated dry-cleaning pickup distributes one or more dry cleaned apparel items to a client of the dry cleaning building. The automated dry-cleaning pickup comprises an antechamber, a door, and an access control system. The antechamber contains the one or more dry cleaned apparel items for delivery. The door controls the access of the client into the antechamber. The access control system: a) identifies the one or more dry cleaned apparel items requested by the client; b) locates and transports the identified one or more dry cleaned apparel items from a storage location to the antechamber; and, c) unlocks the door such that the client has access to the one or more dry cleaned apparel items in the antechamber.

The automated dry-cleaning pickup is a kiosk. The automated dry-cleaning pickup is configured for use with a dry cleaning building. The automated dry-cleaning pickup distributes one or more dry cleaned apparel items to a client of the dry cleaning building. The automated dry-cleaning pickup comprises an antechamber, a door, and an access control system. The antechamber contains the one or more dry cleaned apparel items for delivery. The door controls the access of the client into the antechamber. The access control system: a) identifies the one or more dry cleaned apparel items requested by the client; b) locates and transports the identified one or more dry cleaned apparel items from a storage location to the antechamber; and, c) unlocks the door such that the client has access to the one or more dry cleaned apparel items in the antechamber.

A laundry transport apparatus and method includes a container defining an interior area configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry carts, the container having a door movable between closed and open configurations to selectively allow access to said interior area. The apparatus includes a ventilation network to pass air to and from the interior area, the ventilation network including a pathogen identification and containment apparatus to detect, isolate and treat potentially harmful material within the soiled laundry. The laundry transport apparatus includes a self-cleaning assembly operable to spray cleaning solution upon the laundry carts if a pathogen detected. The laundry transport apparatus includes a solar module to power electrical systems and a conveyor assembly for convenient movement of a plurality of laundry carts. The laundry transport apparatus includes personal protective equipment that has been decontaminated using dry heat.

A laundry transport apparatus and method includes a container defining an interior area configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry carts, the container having a door movable between closed and open configurations to selectively allow access to said interior area. The apparatus includes a ventilation network to pass air to and from the interior area, the ventilation network including a pathogen identification and containment apparatus to detect, isolate and treat potentially harmful material within the soiled laundry. The laundry transport apparatus includes a self-cleaning assembly operable to spray cleaning solution upon the laundry carts if a pathogen detected. The laundry transport apparatus includes a solar module to power electrical systems and a conveyor assembly for convenient movement of a plurality of laundry carts. The laundry transport apparatus includes personal protective equipment that has been decontaminated using dry heat.

A laundry clip for holding socks together while being washed includes a clipping arrangement and may also have a hooking arrangement. The clipping arrangement may be moved between an open condition and a closed condition. A sock holder comprising a plurality of laundry clips is also described in conjunction with a bag to hold socks therein.

A foldable container includes a foldable supporting frame, at least one operation switch arranged on the foldable supporting frame, and a container body supported on the foldable supporting frame. The operation switch is actuated through a pulling operation to move the foldable supporting frame between an unfolded mode and a folded mode. The container has an edge and an opening formed within the edge. At the unfolded mode, the opening is opened. At the folded mode, the opening is closed. The container body is automatically folded as the foldable supporting frame is moved from the unfolded mode to the folded mode. Via a folding method, the foldable supporting frame is folded to reduce an overall size for occupying less storage space when it is not in use.

A robotic system includes a movable platform disposed at a bottom of a work volume, the movable platform being configured to transit outside the work volume, at least three lifters disposed about a perimeter of the work volume, two or more sensors disposed at fixed locations about the work volume, and a memory including a neural network. A controller is in operative communication with the memory, the two or more sensors, and the lifters. The controller is configured to receive output signals from the two or more sensors, determine, based processing on the received signals with the neural network, whether the deformable laundry article suspended by two lifters is repositioned, and instruct, based on a determination of the deformable laundry article being repositioned, the lifters to lower the repositioned deformable laundry article onto the movable platform.