Removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door

Abstract

A removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door, comprising two long sides (1), two short sides (2), and a base (3), where each short side (2) comprises two parts (4) that are hinged at their center by a hinge system (5) located in the middle of each short side (2), the base (3) comprises two halves (6) connected by at least one hinge (7) between the halves (6), the base (3) is hinged to the lower part of one long side (1), and the short sides (2) are hinged to the long sides (1), one long side (1) comprises removable fastening means encapsulated in silicone (10) configured to attach one long side to the washing machine, where one long side (1) is capable of being connected to the other long side (1), enclosing both the base (3) and the short sides (2) between the long sides (1).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door. It provides a place to deposit the clean laundry from the washing machine after washing without it falling to the floor, and it also allows the laundry to be carried to the place where it will be hung for drying using the same element. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door belongs in the plastic industry as it is made of that material, and is for daily household tasks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When collecting clean clothes after washing them in a washing machine, it is common to use baskets for depositing the clean clothes. However, the clothes often fall out of the basket, and these baskets are typically quite large, making them difficult and inconvenient to store, especially in increasingly smaller homes. Moreover, the basket is usually not kept near the washing machine, requiring the user to go fetch it when it is time to unload the laundry.

[0003] There are supports for baskets, as some washing machines have optional accessories that can be installed on top of the washing machine to hold a laundry basket. These supports are designed to keep the basket in place during the wash cycle and allow easy access to the clothes after washing.

[0004] Document FR3132309 is known to disclose a bag for transporting textiles with an opening at the top. It has a semi-rigid flap designed to be placed along the bottom part of a front-loading washing or drying machine. The flap is equipped with means to attach it to the machine's wall surrounding the window to allow the transfer of textiles between the bag and the machine drum. Additionally, the flap is attached to a vertical back wall of the bag made of a semi-rigid material sheet. However, this solution involves a bag instead of a basket, and the bag is not removable. Moreover, this bag is not intended to be stored directly attached to the washing machine.Description of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door. The basket comprises two long sides, two short sides, and a base. Each short side is composed of two segments that are hinged at their midpoint by a hinge mechanism located centrally on each short side. The base is divided into two halves, connected by at least one hinge. The base is hinged to the lower edge of one of the long sides, and the short sides are hinged to the long sides. One of the long sides is equipped with removable fastening means designed to secure the long side to the washing machine. This configuration allows one long side to be connected to the other long side, with the base and short sides positioned between the long sides when folded.

[0006] The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, comprises a closure system that includes a closing tab on one of the long sides. The closing tab is configured to be inserted into a receptacle located on the other long side.

[0007] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the long sides include an interior compartment configured to house at least one of the halves of the base and at least one of the parts of each short side.

[0008] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the base comprises an aperture designed to allow a finger to pass through, enabling the base to be lifted with slight pressure and folded against one of the long sides.

[0009] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the short sides include holes configured to allow a hand to be inserted for lifting the basket.

[0010] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the long sides include holes configured to allow a hand to be inserted for opening the basket.

[0011] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, at least one of the long sides includes at least one silicone support that encapsulates the removable fastening means.

[0012] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the long sides include support feet configured to facilitate the sliding of the basket on the floor.

[0013] In the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, the base includes lateral tabs configured to rest on the short sides and the long side. The short sides and the long side include lower tabs configured to support the base on these lower tabs, ensuring that the lateral tabs and the lower tabs secure the base on the short sides and the long side when the basket is in the unfolded position.

[0014] The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, is easy to fold and unfold with one hand. Similarly, clean clothes can be dumped into the basket with one hand without any garment falling to the floor.

[0015] One side of the basket remains in contact with the front panel of the washing machine (using magnets and / or suction cups) while unloading the laundry to prevent it from falling to the floor. The user can then easily detach the basket from the washing machine to transport it to the drying area.

[0016] After hanging the laundry, the user can return to the front of the washing machine (between the bottom of the window and the floor) to quickly store and secure the laundry basket.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To complement the following description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings that will more easily illustrate the innovations and advantages of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention.

[0018] Figures 1 to 5 show a sequence of the transition of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, from the unfolded position to the folded position. Specifically, the figures show: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, in the unfolded position. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, in a first intermediate position from unfolded to folded, with the base starting to fold. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, in a second intermediate position from unfolded to folded, with the base folded. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, in a third intermediate position from unfolded to folded, with the short sides partially folded. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention, in the folded position.

[0019] The numerical references used in the figures are: 1. Long side, 2. Short side, 3. Base, 4. Part of short side, 5. Hinge system of the center of the short side, 6. Half of the base, 7. Base hinge, 8. Interior compartment of long side, 9. Base aperture, 10. Removable fastening means encapsulated in silicone, 11. Short side hole, 12. Lateral tab of the base 13. Closing tab, 14. Receptacle for closing tab, 15. Lower tab of the short sides, 16. Long side hole, and 17. Support foot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] The object of the invention is a removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door as per the invention. The basket comprises two long sides (1), two short sides (2), and a base (3), such that the basket is foldable by lifting the base (3) and bringing the two long sides (1) together.

[0021] The short sides (2) of the basket comprise two parts (4) that are hinged at their center by a hinge system (5) located in the middle of each short side (2), allowing the short side (2) to fold onto itself towards the other short side (2).

[0022] In one embodiment, the base (3) of the basket is also capable of folding onto itself towards the center of the basket, with the base (3) divided into two halves (6) connected by at least one hinge (7) between the halves (6).

[0023] To ensure that the movements of the short sides (2) and the base (3) do not displace the elements of the basket, the base (3) is also hinged to the lower part of one long side (1), and the short sides (2) are also hinged to the long sides (1).

[0024] The base (3) also comprises lateral tabs (12) configured to rest on the short sides (2) when the basket is in the unfolded position.

[0025] The short sides (2) also include lower tabs (15) configured to support the base (3) on these lower tabs (15). The combination of the lateral tabs (12) and the lower tabs (15) ensures the base (3) is supported on the short sides (2) or on the lower tabs (15) of the short sides (2).

[0026] With this configuration of the short sides (2) and the base (3), one long side (1) can be connected to the other long side (1), with the basket in the folded position, enclosing both the base (3) and the short sides (2) between the long sides (1).

[0027] To ensure the basket remains securely closed in the folded position, the long sides (1) include an interior compartment (8) configured to house at least one of the halves (6) of the base (3) and at least one of the parts (4) of each short side (2). When one long side (1) is positioned opposite the other long side (1), the base (3) and the short sides (2) are enclosed between the two long sides (1).

[0028] To prevent the basket from accidentally opening, the basket includes a closure system comprising a closing tab (13) on at least one of the long sides (1). The closing tab (13) is designed to be inserted into a receptacle (14) located on the other long side (1). This closure system allows the basket to be opened without lifting it; the closing tab (13) separates from the receptacle (14) with the pressure of the opening movement.

[0029] In one embodiment, the base (3) of the basket includes an aperture (9) designed to allow a finger to pass through, enabling the base (3) to be lifted with slight pressure and folded against one of the long sides (1).

[0030] The folded basket is designed to be positioned at the bottom of the washing machine, between the floor and below the washing machine door, and supported on the floor by support feet (17) on the long sides (1). One of the long sides (1) is secured to the washing machine using removable fastening means encapsulated in silicone (10), such as magnets or suction cups.

[0031] The folded basket can be opened with one hand from its storage position on the washing machine. The long side (1) attached to the washing machine remains in contact with the washing machine while the opposite long side (1) is opened with one hand and slides on the floor until fully opened. The user then unfolds the base (3), and the basket is in its open position.

[0032] The short sides (2) have holes (11) to allow a hand to enter and lift the basket.

[0033] The long sides also have holes (16) to facilitate opening the basket from its folded position attached to the washing machine.

[0034] The long side (1) in contact with the washing machine is supported by removable fastening means encapsulated in silicone (10). The silicone encapsulation can absorb vibrations from the washing machine, preventing noise and avoiding damage to the washing machine.

Claims

1. A removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door, comprising two long sides (1), two short sides (2), and a base (3), characterized in that: • each short side (2) comprises two parts (4) that are hinged at their center by a hinge system (5) located in the middle of each short side (2), • the base (3) comprises two halves (6) connected by at least one hinge (7) between the halves (6), • the base (3) is hinged to the lower part of one long side (1), and the short sides (2) are hinged to the long sides (1), • one long side (1) comprises removable fastening means encapsulated in silicone (10) configured to attach one long side to the washing machine, where one long side (1) is capable of being connected to the other long side (1), enclosing both the base (3) and the short sides (2) between the long sides (1).

2. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a closure system that includes a closing tab (13) on at least one of the long sides (1), such that the closing tab (13) is configured to be inserted into a receptacle (14) located on the other long side (1)3. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the long sides (1) comprise an interior compartment (8) configured to house at least one of the halves (6) of the base (3) and at least one of the parts (4) of each short side (2).

4. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base (3) comprises an aperture (9) configured to allow a finger to pass through and, with slight pressure, lift the base (3) and fold it against one long side (1).

5. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the short sides (2) have holes (11) configured to allow a hand to be inserted for lifting the basket.

6. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the long sides (1) have holes (16) configured to allow a hand to be inserted for opening the basket.

7. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the long sides (1) comprise support feet (17) configured to facilitate the sliding of the basket on the floor.

8. The removable foldable laundry basket storable beneath the washing machine door according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: • the base (3) comprises lateral tabs (12) configured to rest on the short sides (2), • the short sides (2) comprise lower tabs (15) configured to support the base (3) on these lower tabs (15), wherein the lateral tabs (12) and the lower tabs (15) ensure the base (3) is supported on the short sides (2) when the basket is in the unfolded position.

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