US20170327997A1

US20170327997A1 - Washable laundry bag

Info

Publication number: US20170327997A1
Application number: US15/595,938
Authority: US
Inventors: Lindsey Florence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-13
Filing date: 2017-05-15
Publication date: 2017-11-16

Abstract

A washable laundry bag includes a water permeable and air permeable material that forms a wall of a laundry bag and means for expanding the wall of the bag to substantially match an interior surface of a washing machine tub or a dryer drum. The means may be magnets that couple the bag to the interior of the tub or drum, spring mechanisms that spring the walls of the bag outwardly, or a combination thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,919, filed on May 13, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This application concerns a laundry bag that is washable and that permits the transfer of laundry from the laundry basket to the washing machine then to the dryer.

BACKGROUND

Laundry is washed in a washing machine by depositing a load of laundry into the machine. When the laundry is clean, it remains in the washing machine until a user removes it from the laundry machine to transfer it to a dryer. During the transfer from the washing machine to the dryer, laundry often falls onto the floor. This is undesirable since the clean laundry can become dirty when it falls on to the floor.

SUMMARY

A laundry bag that is used in housing laundry in a washer and in a dryer is disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example washable laundry bag according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washable laundry bag of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the washable laundry bag installed in a front load washer or dryer;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the washable laundry bag of FIG. 1, showing the bag in an open state;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the washable laundry bag of FIG. 4, showing the bag open;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the washable laundry bag of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary magnet assembly for use with the washable laundry bag of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the magnet assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the magnet assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of the magnet assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the magnet assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a side view of another exemplary washable laundry bag according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another washable laundry bag in an open position according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the example washable laundry bag of FIG. 13 in a closed position with laundry installed inside the bag;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative washable laundry bag according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the laundry bag of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the example washable laundry bag of FIG. 15 in a closed position; and

FIG. 18 is a view of a washable laundry bag according to the invention positioned in a laundry basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples described herein concern a laundry bag 10 that can be used in both the washer and the dryer 2 to wash laundry 4 and keep it contained. The example laundry bag permits the clothing 4 to be washed and dried within the same bag 10, but still permits the clothing to properly tumble within the bag 10. The example laundry bag 10 also helps a user to gather the laundry 4 and transfer it from the washer to the dryer 2. Because of the design of the laundry bag 10, the laundry bag 10 does not interfere with the washing and/or drying process of the clothing 4 because the laundry bag 10 substantially expands and/or opens to conform, at least in part, to the interior of the washing machine or dryer 2. This permits the clothing 4 in the bag 10 to toss and turn in a normal manner as if the bag 10 were not present.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the laundry bag 10 includes an outer shell 12 that is sized to fit the interior of the washer and dryer 2. The outer shell 12 includes mechanical mechanisms or outwardly extending magnets, as will be described in greater detail herein, that permit the outer shell 12 to couple with the drum or tub 6 of the washer or dryer 2 during the washing or drying cycle. The outer shell 12 may be larger than the drum or tub 6 of the washer or dryer 2. The outer shell 12 may be made of a water and air permeable fabric or a mesh and may be stretchy or non-stretchy.
The laundry bag 10 may be closed at one end and closeable at the other end by a drawstring, zipper, Velcro, or other means 14.
As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the laundry bag 10 could be formed as a cylinder or circle that has an outer wall 16 that is formed from a rectangular panel that is sewn into a cylindrical shape and a round bottom wall 18 that is sewn to a bottom edge of the outer wall 16 to form the bottom of the cylinder. The other end may remain open or may be closed by a drawstring 14 or other means.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the laundry bag 10 may include mechanical struts or springs 20 that are flexible and bendable, but that allow the bag 10 to pop open and remain open when not compressed. The terms springs and struts 20 are used interchangeably herein to mean one or the other. This type of mechanism provides a mechanical means for opening the bag 10 and keeping it open while installed in the washing machine 2. The struts 20 may be plastic straps, plastic rods, foam covered wood, metal, wire rods, or other types of struts 20 that permit the bag 10 to be flexible. The struts 20 may be sewn into the outer panel 12 of the bag 10. One way that the struts 20 can be positioned on the outer wall 12 is with gussets or channels sewn into the wall 12 to permit the struts 20 to be positioned on the outer wall 12. Alternatively, the struts 20 could simply be sewn at locations to the material of the outer wall 12 and be positioned inside or outside the bag 10.
Instead of, or in addition to the struts 20, the laundry bag 10 may include magnets or magnetic assemblies 22 that are attached or coupled to a surface of the laundry bag 10 so that the magnets can engage with a metallic surface. The terms magnet and magnetic assembly 22 are used interchangeably herein and can refer to any type of magnet 22 or magnetic assembly 22 as know by those of skill in the art. The magnets 22 may face outwardly or may be strong enough so that the magnetic forces transfer through the material of the bag 10. The magnets 22 may be attached to the outer wall 12 of the laundry bag 10 in any known manner. Magnets 22 installed on the bag are shown in FIGS. 4-6.
The laundry bag 10 is washable in any temperature water and is seamlessly transferable from a laundry basket 50 to the washing machine 2 then to the dryer 2 then back to the laundry basket 50. The laundry bag 10 may be made of any type of flexible water and air permeable fabrics. The shape of the bag 10 may be cylindrical, umbrella shaped, or another shape.
When the laundry bag 10 is positioned in a washing machine or dryer, the bag 10 may open as it spins around the washing machine. If magnets 22 are utilized, the magnets 22 move outwardly due to the centrifugal forces created by the spinning of the washing machine 2 or dryer 2 so that the laundry bag 10 continues to extend outwardly until the magnets 22 mate with the walls of the washer or dryer 2. As a result, the bag 10 matches the size of the washing machine tub or dryer drum 6. This allows the laundry 4 within the bag 10 to easily move around in the bag 10 in a manner that is normal for movement within a typical washing machine 2. The laundry bag 10 matches or conforms to the shape of the drum or tub 6 so that it is as if the bag 10 is not present during the washing and drying cycle. This may also be accomplished by the use of several different mechanical methods in lieu of magnets. These methods may include, but not be limited to, springs/struts 20 made of flexible material, which will ensure that the bag expands and fills the washer or dryer drums.
FIGS. 1-2 show a design that includes a bag 10 with flexible rods 20 extending approximately ⅔ of the length L of the bag 10, which are constricted by a drawstring 14 at the opening of the bag. The drawstring could alternatively be positioned directly at the ends of the flexible rods 20 such that the rods 20 extend approximately 100% of the length L of the bag 10. FIG. 3 shows the bag 10 positioned inside a washing machine 2 or dryer 2 in an expanded position. The flexible rods 20, when released, provide a mechanical force that extends outwardly to essentially secure the bag to the washer or dryer drum 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3, without being physically attached to the drum 2. Because the struts 20 are flexible, it's possible to bend the struts 20 to allow the bag to enter and exit the drum 6. In addition, since the struts 20 are collapsible, it permits the bag to be used as a bag for transferring the clothing 4.
The laundry bag 10 may expand in a different manner into the interior of the washer or dryer 2, with or without magnets 22. Other means may be used for expanding the laundry bag 10 into the interior of the washer or dryer interior. For example, expanding ribs, or mechanical springs could be used.
FIGS. 4-6 depict an alternative washable laundry bag 10 that uses magnets 22 to expand the bag into the drum 6 of the washing machine and dryer 2 upon application of centrifugal force. The bag 10 can have any shape, but is shown as including a substantially cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape is formed from a rectangular outer wall 30 that is sewn together at the short ends of the rectangle to form a cylinder. Then a round base sheet of fabric 32 is sewn to the bottom end of the cylinder. The top end 34 of the cylinder is left open and a channel may be formed to receive a drawstring. Alternatively, grommets or other means may be used for attaching a drawstring 14. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, handles may be coupled to the open end of the bag 10.
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom end of the bag 10 and shows an opening in the bottom of the bag 10. This opening may be closed by any means, such as being sewn shut or being closed by a drawstring, or may be offered as an optional feature.
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an example laundry bag 10, where part of the interior of the bag 10 is shown. The magnets 22 on the interior of the bag 10 are covered with a shield so that the interior side of the magnets 22 are not able to couple to each other or the washer or dryer surfaces.
As shown, magnets 22 are spaced evenly around the outer wall of the bag 10 to permit mating with a drum or tub 6 of a washer/dryer 2. The magnets 22 may be spaced in any manner that is suitable to permit the bag 10 to expand into the interior of the drum/tub 6. For example, the magnets 22 may be positioned in rows or lines around the exterior of the bag 10. The magnets 22 can be used as an alternative to the mechanical mechanisms discussed above, or in addition thereto. The magnets 22 may be evenly spaced around the outer wall of the laundry bag 10, or may be placed in patterns or may be randomly positioned on the outer wall of the bag 10.
The magnets 22 and/or mechanical mechanisms 22 ensure proper expansion of the laundry bag 10 once it is in the machines 2. This enables the machines 2 to perform as recommended by the manufacturers and for the bag 10 to be out of the way during the specific cycles. The magnets 22 will automatically attach to the machine drum 6 because of centrifugal force. The magnets 22 are placed with the same polarity of magnetism facing toward the outside of the laundry bag 10 and may be covered with a plastic, rubber, or other suitable material so that the magnets 22 may not mar or harm the interior of the washer or dryer 2. The side of the magnets 22 which faces the inside of the laundry bag 10 is preferably covered or shielded to insure safety for the clothing being washed as well as to prevent magnets from coupling together inside the bag 10. For example, the inner surfaces of the magnets can be covered or coated with a plastic, rubber, or other suitable material, to ensure that the magnets 22 on the interior of the bag 10 do not couple together or with magnets 22 on the outside of the laundry bag 10. An inner side of the magnet 22 may be shielded so that only the outer surface of the magnets 22 may couple to a dryer drum or a washer tub wall 6.
An example means for coupling and shielding the magnets 22 to the walls of the laundry bag 10 are depicted in FIGS. 7-11. The means depicted includes a magnet that is embedded in the wall of the laundry bag 10 and that provides a strength to the magnetic assembly 22 that allows the assembly 22 to attach to both the washer and dryer walls 6 and sustain heavy centrifugal forces associated with normal washing and drying. In addition, the magnetic assembly 22 is preferably strong enough to withstand the force applied to the laundry bag 10 during rotation of the laundry 4 within the bag 10 and due to the input of water into the wash and rinse cycles of a washing machine 2. The laundry 4 remains in the laundry bag 10 and, at the completion of the wash cycle, can easily be moved to the dryer 2, which will prevent clothes from falling onto the floor.
In addition, the laundry bag 10 can provide a layer of protection to the contents of the bag 10 between the laundry 4 and the wall 6 of the washer and dryer 2. This may be particularly advantageous when using a public washing machine and/or dryer 2, such as in a laundromat. The clothes may be dried in the bag 10 and are easily removed from the dryer at the completion of the cycle. The design of the bag 10 will have little to no effect on the performance of the washing or drying cycle as water and heat will be able to run through the bag 10. In addition, the bag 10 can be provided with handles so that it is no longer necessary to bring the laundry basket 50 along. Instead, a user can simply sling the bag over one's shoulder, if desired.
The magnets 22 may be attached to the bag 10 in any known manner, such as sewing, adhesive, tacking, or other known techniques. The magnets 22 may also be situated in pockets formed in the walls of the bag 10, among other known techniques [not shown]. In the case where pockets are used, the magnets 22 may be removable from the pockets and replaceable.
In FIGS. 7-11, a magnet assembly 22 is provided that consists of three pieces, a magnet with axle magnetism 40, a magnet cover (plastic or rubber) 42, and a magnet shield (plastic or rubber) 44. The magnet assembly 22 may be embossed over the mesh fabric. The magnet assembly 22 may alternatively be snapped onto the surface of the bag 10. In either case, the magnet assembly 22 may be removable, if desired.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the magnet assembly 22 installed on bag 10. FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the magnet assembly 22 installed on bag 10. FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the magnet assembly 22 installed on bag 10. FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the magnet assembly 22. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the magnet assembly 22.
The magnet assembly of FIGS. 7-11 is but one example of how a magnet can be applied to the bag 10. A magnet cover 46 is shown as being rounded and positioned on an outer side of the bag 10. A magnet shield 48 is shown positioned on an inner surface of the magnetic assembly 22. The magnet shield helps to shield the attractive force of the magnet on the inside of the bag 10. The three pieces of the assembly can be press-fit together over the wall of the bag 10. The assembly 22 can be formed differently, such by adhering the parts together or riveting the parts together.
Another example bag 10 is shown in FIG. 12 as including two rectangular sheets of material that are sewn together around their periphery 52, except at the open end 54. At the open end 54, a drawstring is provided that closes the end 54 when desired by pulling the drawstring tight. The example shown is a conventionally known laundry bag 10 that includes magnets 22 that are attached to the side wall of the bag 10 and that extend outwardly for mating with a metallic surface, like the interior of a washing machine or dryer 2. As discussed above, the magnets 22 may be applied in any known manner and may be applied in any desired number and arrangement with any desired strength. The magnets 22 may be any shape or size. The magnets 22 may be positioned in rows, offset from another, randomly applied, or otherwise applied.
FIGS. 13-14 depict an embodiment of the laundry bag 10 that includes eight spring mechanisms 22 in the form of ribs 60. The embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 has a circular, substantially flat, rib-less bottom surface 62, with a wall 63 extending upwardly from the circular bottom surface 62. The wall 63 includes eight ribs 60 that are sewn into the wall of the bag 10 and the bag 10 opens similar to an umbrella. At the upper, open end 64 of the bag 10, a section of fabric 66 is shown that does not include ribs 60 and a drawstring 14 or other closure mechanism is provided to permit a user to close the bag 10 when desired. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the bag 10 may include handles 68 that, when grasped, close the top end 64 of the bag 10 around laundry 4 inside the bag 10. FIG. 14 shows the bag 10 with handles 68 and with magnets 22 at the upper end of each rib 60.
FIGS. 15-17 depict a bag 10 that is similar to that shown in FIGS. 13-14, but without the flat round bottom surface. In this embodiment, the spring mechanisms or mechanical mechanisms 22 extend across the bottom end of the bag 10 upwardly to the top opening 64 of the bag 10. The spring mechanisms 22 shown are substantially flat plastic strips 70. The strips 70 may be formed as three individual strips that crisscross at the bottom of the bag 10, or may be formed as six individual strips 70 that are joined together at the bottom of the bag by any know means, such as adhesive or riveting. When six separate strips 70 are joined together, a joining plate 72 can be used that the ends of each of the strips 70 may join to. A joining plate 72 could also be used where three strips crisscross one another.
The strips 70 are shown positioned in channels 74 sewn into the bag 10, with the center plate 72 being exposed. However, the center plate 72, or the place where the strips cross one another, could also be covered with the fabric or mesh of the bag 10. The bag 10 includes six strips/ribs 70. The six strips 70 are advantageous because they permit the bag 10 to seat between the three protrusions inside a dryer 2 (two ribs 60 of the bag 10 between each of the three typical ribs of the dryer drum 6). This permits the strips 22 to be evenly spaced within the interior of a dryer or washing machine 2. The embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 has a circular, substantially flat, rib-less bottom surface 62, with a wall extending upwardly from the circular bottom surface 62. The embodiment of FIGS. 15-17 does not include a flat, rib-less bottom wall 62. The strips 60 spring outwardly to open the bag 10. In addition, magnets 22 are shown positioned at the open upper end 64 of the bag and spaced evenly around the opening 64. A drawstring 14 is also provided to permit closing of the bags 10. Handles 68 may also be used. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the bag 10 looks similar to an open umbrella and, as such, would easily permit a user to position the bag 10 in a laundry basket 50 in order to fill the bag 10 with laundry 4.
The strips 70 can be embedded in the wall of the bag 10, such as positioned in channels 74 or recesses. The strips 70 could be sewn or riveted to the wall of the bag 10. The strips 70 can be coupled in other manners, as will be readily recognized by those of skill in the art. The strips 70 could alternatively be rods of any type of material. The rods would not have to spring outwardly, as the magnets 22 could be used to force the bag 10 to conform to an interior wall of a washer or dryer drum 6.
FIG. 15 depicts a top view of the bag, showing the six plastic straps or strips 70 installed in sewn in channels 74. The six plastic straps 70 are joined together by riveting the ends of each of the straps 70 to a round joiner plate 72, or alternatively they could be simply riveted together. FIG. 16 depicts a side view of the bag 10 in an open position, showing how the straps 70 help to force the bag 10 open. FIG. 17 is a view of the bag 10 with handles 68 showing how when the upper end 64 of the bag 10 can be gathered together, the plastic strips 70 collapse together. In FIG. 17, the magnets 22 are shown extending through the plastic strips 70 at an upper end of the strips.
As shown in FIG. 18, a laundry basket 50 may be utilized with the laundry bag 10 of the invention. The laundry basket 50 may be used by a user as a gauge for how much laundry 4 to put into the laundry bag 10 for the laundry 4 to properly fit in the washing machine 2 or dryer 2. The laundry basket preferably includes a metallic upper end 56 that permits the magnets 22 at the upper open end of the bag 10 to couple to the metallic upper end 56 of the laundry basket 50. This allows the bag 10 to open when the bag 10 enters the laundry basket 50 as the magnets attach to the metallic upper end 56 of the basket 50.
The metallic upper end 56 of the laundry basket 50 may be provided by any known technique, such as applying a metal railing to the upper end of a basket 50, embedding a metal layer or wire inside the plastic of a laundry basket, forming the laundry basket of a thin metal material in whole or in part, adhering metal badges or other metal pieces to the upper end of the basket, or other know means. It is preferred that the bag 10 sits in the laundry basket 50 and provides an open upper end to the basket 50 so that a user can use the basket 50 in a conventional manner. If desired, a user can tighten the drawstring 14 around the open upper end of the basket 50 to hold the bag 10 in place at the top of the basket 50. The bag 10 can be used with a basket 50 that has a metal upper end 56, or with a conventional basket.
In use, after the laundry 4 is transferred from the laundry basket 50 to the washer 2 and the washing cycle is completed, the user grasps the edges of the opening 24 of the laundry bag 10 and pulls the laundry bag 10 from the washing machine tub 6, or releases the mechanical device, which may be accomplished by the tightening of a drawstring 14 or other means that permit the collapsing of the spring/strut 20 mechanism. During the removal process, the magnets 22 detach from the side walls of the washing machine tub 6, or the mechanical mechanism 22 permits the bag 10 to be removed from the tub by collapsing of the bag 10. Then the user places the laundry bag 10 into the dryer 2 so that the bottom end 26 of the bag 10 is positioned towards the back of the dryer drum 6 and so that the opening 24 of the bag 10 is positioned at the opening of the dryer drum 6. Then the dryer 2 is started and, as the drum 6 rotates, the magnets 22 on the bag 10 attach to the dryer drum wall 6. Additionally, this may be accomplished by the mechanical springs 22 or designs that ensure the expansion of the bag to the dryer drum 6. This permits the clothes 4 to tumble within the laundry bag 10 in a manner that is normal for clothing 4 to tumble in a dryer 2. After the laundry 4 has dried, the user may remove the bag 10 from the dryer 2 with the laundry 4 inside the bag 10 and the laundry 4 may be transferred back to the laundry basket 50 for folding.
The laundry bag 10 may be paired with a laundry basket 50 such that the bag 10 fits well within the laundry basket 50. The laundry basket 50 may be sized so that the laundry bag 10 accepts the appropriate amount of laundry 4 for the bag 10. The pairing of the bag 10 to the laundry basket 50 is optional, but it will prevent the laundry bag 10 from being over stuffed. In other words, the basket 50 will be smaller than the bag 10 resulting in sufficient excess space in the bag 10 to ensure it can be easily fit through the machines 2 opening and have sufficient excess material to enable the magnets 22 or mechanical mechanisms 22 to attach to the side walls of the tub or drum 6.
The laundry bag 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material, examples of which include mesh cloth, plastic, canvas or other materials suitable to ensure durability and sufficient flow of water and air through to the bag 10 and the laundry 4. The laundry bag 10 and basket 50 can be any color and different textures can be used for the bag 10 and basket 50.
In another example, the laundry bag 10 is provided with multiple compartment options to segregate various clothing types from each other [not shown]. These compartments may be manufactured in the laundry bag 10 and could be removable. For example, walls or panels defined within the laundry bag 10 could be attached via Velcro, snaps, zippers, or other attachments to define sections within the laundry bag 10. These compartments may be of various sizes and quantities enabling the option of adding washing enhancements to the laundry bag 10 such as laundry detergent pods, special scents, special anti-bacteria solutions, and the like, in addition to allowing a user to sort their laundry 4 into the various sections that are created by the panels. Examples of types of clothing 4 that may be segregated by the compartments include delicates, whites, darks, shirts, under garments, socks, and the like.
The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.
While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.
Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A washable laundry bag comprising:

a water permeable and air permeable material that forms a wall of a laundry bag;

means for expanding the wall of the bag to substantially match an interior surface of a washing machine tub or a dryer drum.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the means for expanding the wall of the bag comprises a plurality of magnets coupled to the wall for attracting to the washing machine tub or the dryer drum.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the means for expanding the sidewall and base of the bag comprises a mechanical spring for ensuring the expansion of the bag to fill the washer tub or dryer drum.

4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the mechanical spring is a plastic rod or a plastic strap.

5. The bag of claim 4, wherein the spring mechanism comprises a plurality of spring loaded rods that are drawn together via a drawstring.

6. The bag of claim 2, wherein the magnets extend outwardly from the walls of the bag.

7. The bag of claim 2, wherein the magnets are shielded on an inner surface thereof.

8. The bag of claim 2, wherein the magnets are sewn to the wall of the bag.

9. The bag of claim 2, wherein the magnets are press fit to an exterior surface of the wall of the bag.

10. The bag of claim 1, wherein the magnets are arranged in a uniform or a non-uniform pattern on the bag.

11. The bag of claim 1, wherein the water permeable and air permeable material is a mesh material.

12. The bag of claim 1, wherein one end of the bag is closed and the other end is open

13. The bag of claim 12, further comprising a closure at the open end of the bag for closing the bag.

14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the closure at the open end of the bag is a drawstring.

15. A washable laundry bag comprising:

a wall having an open top end and a closed bottom end;

a plurality of spring mechanisms arranged substantially evenly around the wall of the bag, said spring mechanisms exerting a force to open the bag outwardly;

a closure mechanism positioned at the open top end of the wall for closing the wall of the bag,

wherein the spring mechanisms ensure that the bag expands outwardly when inserted into a cavity.

16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the wall includes recesses defined in the wall for capturing the spring mechanisms.

17. The bag of claim 16, wherein the recesses are channels that are sewn into the wall and the spring mechanisms are elongated plastic strips.

18. The bag of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of magnets arranged around the wall of the bag, with the magnets facing outwardly to ensure coupling of the bag to the cavity.

19. The bag of claim 15, wherein the spring mechanisms comprise one or more of plastic straps, plastic rods, flexible rods, wooden rods covered in foam, flexible wire, metal straps, or metal rods, and the spring mechanisms are substantially evenly spaced around the wall.

20. The bag of claim 18, further comprising a laundry basket having a metallic portion for mating with at least some of the magnets of the bag.