Ball Cap Visor Sealing Assembly for Solvent-Safe Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ball cap visors are damaged by water and solvent-based cleaning methods, leading to loss of stiffness and unsightly appearance, causing users to avoid laundering despite soil accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A laundry device with compressible, solvent-resistant sheets and plates that sandwich the visor to create a solvent-tight engagement, using elastomeric materials and attachment members to prevent water and solvent contact during washing and dry cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water-based laundering is used to clean the ball cap, then effective removal of perspiration and soil is achieved, but the visor stiffening materials deteriorate causing loss of turgidity and unsightly appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the water-based cleaning solution and the visor stiffening materials. This barrier layer allows the cleaning process to proceed effectively while preventing water from contacting and deteriorating the cardboard and starch fillers in the visor.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is segmented into separate zones: a protected zone for the visor covered by the waterproof barrier, and an exposed zone for the crown and other parts that can be laundered. This segmentation allows different parts of the ball cap to be treated differently during cleaning.
2Productivity
If dry cleaning fluids are used to clean the ball cap, then solvent-based cleaning is achieved, but the organic solvents degrade the visor stiffening materials and water from humid conditions still contributes to deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof barrier layer serves as an intermediary that is resistant to both water and organic solvents. This single barrier provides protection against both types of cleaning fluids, eliminating the need for separate protection strategies for water-based and solvent-based cleaning methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively protects the visor from water and solvent damage, maintaining its structural integrity and appearance during cleaning, allowing for effective cleaning without compromising the visor's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compressible sheet that is solvent resistant, each compressible sheet of the at least one compressible sheet being configured to contact and cover at least a portion of at least one side of the visor
Implementation Method 2
The elastomeric material may be selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and a foam
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry device and use thereof to sealingly engage a visor of a ball cap to be cleaned with a solvent. The laundry device includes at least one compressible sheet configured to contact at least a portion of at least one side of the visor continuously from side to side proximate an inner perimeter portion of the visor that faces and extends from a crown of the ball cap; first and second plates configured to sandwich the at least one compressible sheet and the visor therebetween, and having respective inner perimeter portions that face the crown, having respective outer perimeter portions that extend toward and optionally beyond the visor, and having a shape that accommodates the visor; and at least one attachment member that engages the first and second plates to join the plates and to compress and sealingly engage the at least one compressible sheet around the visor.