Laundry ball for removing hair and fiber clinging to washable textiles

Abstract

Laundry ball (10) for removing hair and fiber adhesions from washable textiles, at least comprehensively: - a spherical, ball-shaped and hollow base body (1) whose outer skin has a multitude of openings (2), and - Balls for weighting, which are received in the interior of the base body (1), wherein the diameter of the balls is larger than a maximum opening width of the openings (2) in the outer skin; characterized in that, - that a textile covering (3) is provided which receives the base body (1) and which is made of plastic fibers and covers a predominant part of the surface of the outer skin of the base body; - that the cover (3) is made of a textile base fabric (3.2) on which several rows of closed, upright thread loops (3.1) are arranged, which are U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped and - that the height of the raised thread loops (3.1) measured from the top of the textile base fabric (3.2) is H = 3 mm ± 1.0 mm. - that the diameter of the base body (1) is at least 60 mm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a laundry ball for removing hair and fiber adhesions from washable textiles, comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Textiles, especially clothing, often have fibers or animal or human hair clinging to them, which cannot be completely removed even by machine washing. These can then only be removed mechanically afterwards with brushes or adhesive tapes, but brushes that are too stiff roughen the textile surface and thus encourage the re-adhesion of loose fibers and hair.

[0003] From EP 2 896 734A1 a laundry ball is known which is to be placed in the drum of a washing machine together with textiles in order to be able to dispense detergent with better distribution than would be possible by central dispensing.

[0004] Laundry balls can also be used to fluff up fillings, especially down fillings. These laundry balls are designed with an outer skin featuring large openings, or even just a mesh-like structure, allowing water to flow freely in and out and preventing the ball from floating. Weights filled with beads, particularly ceramic beads, are also available for this purpose. Ceramic beads further enhance washing performance and allow for washing textiles with less detergent, especially surfactants.

[0005] The familiar laundry balls are designed for distributing detergents inside the drum of the washing machine and are not suitable for loosening fibers or hairs that cling to garments during washing.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to improve a laundry ball in such a way that fibers and hair are removed from the washed textiles during machine washing and, if possible, flushed out with the washing liquor.

[0007] According to the present invention, a laundry ball with the features of claim 1 is proposed as a solution.

[0008] This has a textile covering that accommodates the ball-shaped body and is made of plastic fibers, covering a predominant part of the surface of the body's outer skin, the covering being made of a textile base fabric on which several rows of closed, upright thread loops are arranged, which are U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped.

[0009] Surprisingly, it has been found that removing fibers and hair from textiles with the laundry ball is only highly effective when the height of the raised thread loops, measured from the top of the textile base fabric, is H = 3 mm ± 1 mm, preferably H = 3 mm ± 0.5 mm. Tolerances are due to manufacturing processes and can only be limited to a certain extent, with a loop height close to 3 mm proving to be the most effective.

[0010] For comparison, covers with thread loops were tested where the height was only slightly less or greater than the specified dimension H = 3 mm ± 1 mm. Surprisingly, they showed extremely reduced effectiveness, with almost no effectiveness at all when the loop heights were significantly larger. With substantial downward deviations, finely woven textiles could stick to the loops.

[0011] The thread loops serve two main functions: firstly, they act as a gentle brush on fabric. Unlike conventional brushes with cut plastic bristles that have sharp edges, the rounded, outward-facing curves of the thread loops do not roughen the fabric, knit, or woven material of the garments. The thread loops glide over the textile surface, but because they are closed, they do not snag or catch in the fabric. The U-shape or horseshoe shape is necessary both to create a closed contour and to be both rigid and flexible, allowing the thread loops to bend away if a local force becomes too great. They then spring back into shape.

[0012] In addition to its brushing function, the coating with its numerous rows of closed, raised thread loops serves to bind fibers or hairs floating freely in the washing solution or already brushed off the fabric, preventing them from coming into contact with the laundry again. This is achieved by the U-shape or horseshoe shape being large enough to create a sufficiently large open area within the loop. Hairs and fibers can pass through this open area with their ends and become entangled in one or more thread loops, thus holding them, at least temporarily, and pulling them away from the fabric surface of the garment.

[0013] The preferred use of polyamide or polyester thread loops in the coating involves the use of polar plastics, which also exert a polarity on the hair and plastic fibers in the washing solution and bind them to themselves via hydrogen bonds.

[0014] Thread loops made from polyamide monofilaments are particularly effective. These loops are sufficiently stiff and abrasion-resistant, yet remain flexible and elastic enough to self-right. The thread count should be between 140D and 180D (denier).

[0015] To ensure that the open area within the thread loops is sufficiently large for the effects described above, it is preferably provided that the thread loops have a width B that is approximately 2 / 3 of the height H of the thread loops. With respect to the preferred nominal loop height of 3 mm, the width should therefore be B = 2.0 mm ± 0.5 mm. Since, in practice, the thread loops deviate from an idealized U-shape and tend to have a horseshoe or omega shape, an average width is used that can be measured in the middle third of the height of the thread loop standing upright on the base tissue.

[0016] The spacing of the thread loops in the Z-direction is significantly smaller than in the width direction, so that approximately 8 to 10 thread loops are arranged one behind the other and 4 to 5 thread loops are arranged next to each other on one square centimeter.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the spacing between the rows of thread loops on the covering is at least half, but at most equal to, the specified width B of the thread loops. Such spacing is achieved when the rows of thread loops are arranged side by side in a grid spacing X = 1.5 to 3.0 mm.

[0018] Preferably, the cover is formed from a semi-finished product that has sewn and cut edges next to or between the rows of thread loops. These edges consist only of the base textile fabric and have no thread loops. This ensures that no thread loops are cut during either the cutting or sewing of the cut pieces to form a cover for the body. Cut thread loops would lead to negative effects such as surface roughening of the textile, which is precisely what should be avoided. Furthermore, cut remnants of thread loops break off easily and float in the wash water as minute plastic particles, making them extremely difficult to remove from garments, including those washed in a washing machine.

[0019] Ideally, the textile cover has a shape adapted to the surface of the body and fits snugly against it. However, since the cover usually has to be sewn from a semi-finished product, and, as previously mentioned, it is important to avoid cutting thread loops, other shapes can also be used for the cover. Its internal volume simply needs to be adapted to the base body in such a way that the unrolling base body simultaneously causes movement of the cover within the washing machine drum. The aim is to prevent the base body from moving freely inside the cover without the cover itself moving.

[0020] It has been shown that the laundry ball achieves the best effectiveness in removing hair and fibers when the diameter of the base body is at least 60 mm, in particular between 60 mm and 120 mm, preferably between 70 mm and 90 mm.

[0021] If the base body is an ellipsoid, this measurement applies to the largest diameter. This is because such a diameter causes a certain curvature of the surface, which causes the thread loops on the covering to fan out slightly, but not excessively.

[0022] For a basic body that is neither a sphere nor an ellipsoid, the diameter of an imaginary spherical or ellipsoidal shell is used as a measure, without any possible overhangs, for example in an equatorial plane.

[0023] The ceramic spheres used as filling have a diameter between 4 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 7 mm. The average weight of a ceramic sphere is between 0.2 g and 0.6 g, preferably between 0.3 g and 0.4 g.

[0024] To prevent the laundry ball according to the invention from floating and to ensure that the cover with its thread loops can exert a force to brush the surface, it is preferably provided that all the weighting balls which are included in the interior of the base body together form a filling weight which preferably amounts to between 100% and 150% of the weight of the base body.

[0025] The weight of the textile cover is so low that it is negligible in this analysis. Insufficient filling will not produce the intended effects; excessive filling may damage lightweight plastic bases due to the vigorous spinning during the wash cycle.

[0026] The weight distribution of a laundry ball according to the invention, which has been tested as effective, is shown below: Possible weight Preferred weight basic body 40 g - 120 g 50 g - 90 g ceramic ball filling 80 g - 240 g 180 g - 200 g

[0027] In order to replace potentially damaged balls and / or to be able to adjust the weight subsequently, an advantageous embodiment further provides that the base body is a sphere or an ellipsoid and consists of two halves that can be separated from each other and then rejoined, or that a plug, in particular a screw plug, is provided that closes a filling opening for the balls.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1. A laundry ball with parts of a textile cover in perspective view; Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the textile covering in perspective view and Fig. 3 an enlarged section of the textile covering in cross-section.

[0029] In Fig.Figure 1 shows a laundry ball 10 for removing hair and fiber adhesions from washable textiles in a perspective view.

[0030] It consists of a textile covering 3, of which only parts are shown here for illustrative purposes, and a spherical, ball-shaped base body 1, which is composed of at least two sub-elements. The outer skin of the base body 1 has a plurality of openings 2. Several ceramic spheres are contained within the interior of the base body 1 for weighting purposes, the diameter of the spheres being larger than the maximum opening width of the openings 2 in the outer skin, so that they cannot fall out even if the textile covering is not in contact with it or is damaged.

[0031] Fig.Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the textile covering 3. This consists of a textile base fabric 3.2 on which several rows of closed, upright thread loops 3.1 are arranged, each horseshoe-shaped in the front view. A sewing and cutting edge 3.3 is provided between each group of several adjacent rows of thread loops 3.1. This is a narrow zone of the textile base fabric 3.2 in which no thread loops 3.1 are formed.

[0032] The schematic cross-sectional view of the textile covering in Fig.Figure 3 illustrates the geometric relationships. It is intended that the height H of the raised thread loops 3.1, measured from the top surface of the textile base fabric 3.2, is H = 3 mm ± 0.5 mm. The grid dimension is X = 0.5 * H to X = 1.0 * H. This results in an absolute value X = 1.5 to 3.0 mm with respect to the nominal width of the thread loops B = 2 mm. Taking into account the tolerances of preferably ± 0.5 mm for the width B, a minimum grid spacing X is obtained. min = 1.25 mm and a maximum grid spacing X max = 3.5 mm.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 3 further indicates how a fiber 5 loops around the left thread loop 3.1 and is thereby bound to the textile covering 3. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 896 734A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Laundry ball (10) for removing hair and fiber adhesions from washable textiles, comprising at least: - a spherical, ball-shaped and hollow base body (1), the outer skin of which has a plurality of openings (2), and - balls for weighting, which are accommodated in the interior of the base body (1), wherein the diameter of the balls is larger than a largest opening width of the openings (2) in the outer skin; characterized by , - that a textile covering (3) is provided which receives the base body (1) and which is formed from plastic fibres and covers a predominant part of the surface of the outer skin of the base body; - that the cover (3) is made of a textile base fabric (3.2) on which several rows of closed, upright thread loops (3.1) are arranged, which are U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped and - that the height of the upstanding thread loops (3.1) measured from the top side of the textile base fabric (3.2) is H = 3 mm ± 1.0 mm. - that the diameter of the base body (1) is at least 60 mm. [2] Laundry ball (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the height of the upstanding thread loops (3.1) measured from the top side of the textile base fabric (3.2) is H = 3 mm ± 0.5 mm. [3] Laundry ball (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the average width of the thread loops (3.1) is B= 2 mm ± 0.5 mm. [4] Laundry ball (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the cover (3) comprises several parallel rows of thread loops (3.1) arranged in a grid dimension X = 1.25 to 3.5 mm. [5] Laundry ball (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the thread loops (3.1) have a thread count of 140D to 180D. [6] Laundry ball (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (1) is a sphere or an ellipsoid and consists of two detachable halves. [7] Laundry ball (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the base body (1) has at least one filling opening for the balls that can be closed with a plug. [8] Laundry ball (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the diameter of the base body (1) is between 60 mm and 120 mm; [9] Laundry ball (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (1) together with the coating (3) is a sphere or an ellipsoid. [10] Laundry ball (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weighting balls accommodated in the interior of the base body (1) together form a filling weight which is 100% to 150% of the weight of the empty base body (1).

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