Detergent Dispensing Laundry Basket

Abstract

An exemplary approach toward a washable, reusable detergent dispensing laundry basket with fixed reservoir tanks to store cleaning powder or liquid with push flow nozzles that allow detergent to be dispensed from reservoir tank and coin dispensing mechanism allowing users to have free hands while carrying soiled clothes, washing powder/liquid, coins and other similar articles.

Claims

I: The present invention discloses a detergent dispensing basket comprising: an elongated bottom wall having a predetermined length, said bottom wall having a front edge, a rear edge and laterally spaced side edges; reservoir tanks preferably made of plastic and other similar material to store detergents, fabric softeners, bleach and other similar materials; reservoir tanks having push flow nozzles allowing liquid to be dispensed from reservoir tanks and a fixed currency coin dispensing mechanism to hold and dispense coins.

II: The laundry basket with detergent dispensing where: A laundry basket as recited in claim 1 wherein said laundry basket is integrally formed of plastic material; A laundry basket as recited in claim 1 wherein said top wall panel has an aperture in it for receiving and supporting a holder for coins; A laundry basket as recited in claim 1 wherein said laundry basket has a rectangular shape; A laundry basket as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said cup has a push flow nozzle allowing liquid to be dispensed from reservoir tanks and plurality of raised indicia structure on it that functions as measuring marks for reservoir tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 1 discloses the top view of basket and reservoir tank detached from its fixing point as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 discloses another top view showing movement of reservoir tank as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 discloses another view of movement of reservoir tank as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 discloses the reservoir tanks touching the base of basket and will be fixed in its fixing spot later as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 discloses the inner structural view of reservoir tanks in its moving and fixed form as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 discloses internal movement of reservoir tank in laundry basket assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 discloses side view of laundry basket assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 8 discloses coin storing compartment of laundry basket assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 9 discloses coin storing dispensing mechanism of laundry basket assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 10 discloses each part of detergent dispensing laundry basket in its opened form as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0036] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0039] The current invention in its preferred embodiment discloses an advancement in a laundry basket which has separate compartments to hold and dispense detergent and coins for commercial washing and drying machines.

[0040] Presently a large percentage of our population lives in apartments and rental housing and do not have their own washing machines and clothes dryers. These people periodically take a load of dirty laundry to the commercial laundry for self-washing. In doing so they stack their laundry baskets full of dirty laundry, pile their boxes of detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc. on top of the load and then struggle with a hand full of change. More often than desired, the person carrying the mountain of laundry and boxes manages to drop one or more items and while attempting to pick them up additional items manage to fall.

[0041] Applicant's novel improved laundry basket has been designed to solve many problems presently experienced by people who use commercial coin operated laundry facilities when washing their clothes. The basic structure of the laundry basket is preferably rectangular in shape and several of its side walls are formed of a lattice-like structure by intersecting vertical and horizontal strips of plastic material.

[0042] The laundry basket with detergent dispensing system is realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where FIG. 1 discloses the top view of basket and reservoir tank detached from its fixing point as per preferred embodiments of the invention. The FIG. 2 discloses another top view showing movement of reservoir tank within the basket assembly. FIG. 3 discloses another view of movement of reservoir tank to support the refilling process.

[0043] FIG. 4 discloses the reservoir tanks touching the base of basket and will be fixed in its fixing spot later as per preferred embodiments of the invention. FIG. 5 shows the inner structural view of reservoir tanks in its moving and fixed form, so that the liquid doesn't flow out of the reservoir tank. FIG. 6 furthermore shows the internal movement of reservoir tank in laundry basket.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows the side view of laundry basket where laundry basket can be seen with its dual compartments for carrying the detergent or fabric softener. The coin dispenser at the outer side of laundry basket can also be seen. FIG. 8 further shows the coin storing compartment of laundry basket assembly and FIG. 9 discloses coin storing dispensing mechanism of laundry basket assembly as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 10 discloses each part of detergent dispensing laundry basket in its opened where the reservoir tanks and caps can be seen.

[0046] The basket has divider compartments divides the interior of the laundry basket into clothes section and clothes washing products compartment. Some items that might be stored in the clothes washing compartment are detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, etc. The interior compartment is formed of a planar sheet of material and the other surrounding walls compartment are preferably formed with a solid sheet of material.

[0047] The basket also has a compartment to store coins. It has structure for holding coins to be used in coin operated washing and drying machines. The holding aperture is formed on the outer area of the top wall panel and can detachably receive coins. It can be used to carry coins when carrying the dirty laundry to the coin operated laundry machines.

[0048] While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

[0049] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0050] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.