# US 2019/0169791 A1 · Method of collecting, transporting and cleaning with reusable laundry bag

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- Number: US 2019/0169791 A1
- Document ID: US20190169791A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/140,827
- Filed: 2018-09-25
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05
- Assignees: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Tony Bellamy; Chad Grooms; Gary Pagenkopf
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190169791A1

## CPC

- D06F 95/006: {Bags for holding the laundry during washing (D06F5/005 takes precedence)}
- B65F 1/1615: {with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof}
- D06F 95/002: {Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor}
- D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- B65F: GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE (disinfecting refuse A61L; refuse disintegrators B02C; sorting refuse B03B; B07B; handcarts for transporting refuse receptacles B62B; sack holders B65B67/00; converting refuse into fertilisers C05F; converting refuse into solid fuels C10L; sewers, cesspools E03F; arrangements in buildings for the disposal of refuse E04F17/10; refuse-consuming furnaces F23G; {for surgical articles A61B50/36})

## Abstract

A method of cleaning soiled textiles utilizes a reusable bag for containing soiled textiles in conjunction with a sling and a wheeled tote to efficiently process soiled laundry in such a cleaning process. The reusable bag does not leave a residue on the soiled textiles during the cleaning process and offers significant cost savings over other cleaning options while still allowing for the safe handling of the soiled textiles in the cleaning process.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of collecting soiled textiles to be cleaned, comprising the steps of:
providing a container having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending there between;
providing a sling having an open end, a second end having an opening that can be selectively closed, and sides extending there between disposed in and supported by said container;
providing a reusable bag having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending there between and being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles, and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons;
disposing said bag in said sling, the closed end of said bag being supported by said second end of said sling when said opening of said second end is closed;
disposing said bag in said sling into said container; and
depositing soiled textiles in said container contained in said bag.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
mounting a lid on said container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein said lid has an opening for receiving soiled textiles.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 further comprising:
locking said lid closed on said container with said bag and said sling therein.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
marking said bag to indicate a type of soiled textiles to be deposited in said marked bag.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
releasably securing said bag to said container when said bag is disposed in said container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein said releasably securing step further comprises:
wrapping straps extending from said bag around a portion of said container.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
folding a portion of said bag proximate said open end over a lip of said container, said lip bounding said open end of said container.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
folding a portion of said sling proximate said open end over a lip of said container, said lip bounding said open end of said container.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
lifting said sling and said soiled textiles from said container so as to deposit said soiled textiles in a washing machine.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein said lifting step is accomplished without human contact with said soiled textiles.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining if said bag containing said soiled textiles has any fluid leaking therefrom; and
if said bag has fluid leaking therefrom, inserting said bag with said soiled textiles therein into a second bag so as to contain the fluid leaking from said bag.

### Claim 13

A method of collecting and cleaning soiled textiles from a facility, comprising the steps of:
providing to said facility a container having an open end, a closed end and sides extending there between;
a sling disposed in and supported by said container and having an open end, a second end having an opening that can be cinched closed, and sides extending there between; and
a bag disposed in and supported by said sling and having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending there between and being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles, and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons;
wherein said bag is disposed in said sling, the closed end of said bag being supported by said second end of said sling when said opening of said second end is cinched closed;
collecting in said bag soiled textiles from said facility, transporting said container, sling, bag, and soiled textiles from a facility to a laundry;
unloading said sling, bag, and soiled textiles from said container at the laundry;
unloading from said sling through said opening at said second end said bag and the soiled textiles into a washer; and
washing and drying the soiled textiles.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of mechanically unloading said sling from said container.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein said unloading step is accomplished without human contact with said soiled textiles.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of providing clean textiles to the facility.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the textiles are microfiber products.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein said facility is a healthcare facility, a detention facility, a daycare facility, a nursing home, or a laboratory facility.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of inspecting said sling and said bag for leakage.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 further comprising:
re-using the bag in a subsequent cleaning cycle of additional soiled textiles.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 further comprising:
determining if said bag containing said soiled textiles has any fluid leaking therefrom; and
if said bag has fluid leaking therefrom, inserting said bag with said soiled textiles therein into a second bag so as to contain the fluid leaking from said bag.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 further comprising:
releasably securing said bag to said container when said bag is disposed in said container.

### Claim 23

A method of collecting and cleaning soiled textiles from a facility, comprising the steps of:
providing to said facility a container having an open end, a closed end and sides extending there between;
a sling disposed in and supported by said container and having an open end, a second end having an opening that can be cinched closed, and sides extending there between; and
a bag disposed in and supported by said sling and having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending there between and being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles, and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons, wherein the textiles are microfiber products;
wherein said bag is disposed in said sling, the closed end of said bag being supported by said second end of said sling when said opening of said second end is cinched closed;
collecting in said bag soiled textiles from said facility, transporting said container, sling, bag, and soiled textiles from a facility to a laundry;
inspecting said sling and said bag for leakage;
mechanically unloading said sling, bag, and soiled textiles from said container at the laundry;
unloading from said sling through said opening at said second end said bag and the soiled textiles into a washer;
washing and drying the soiled textiles; and
providing clean textiles to the facility, wherein said facility is a healthcare facility, a detention facility, a daycare facility, a nursing home, or a laboratory facility.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22 further comprising:
re-using the bag in a subsequent cleaning cycle of additional soiled textiles.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22 further comprising:
releasably securing said bag to said container when said bag is disposed in said container.