Laundry hamper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laundry hampers lack compartmentalization, ventilation, dehumidification, and deodorization capabilities, leading to malodorous and damp clothing issues.
Innovation Solution
A tri-component design comprising a rigid basket with ventilation openings, a stretchable insert divided into multiple bags with ventilation openings, and a stretchable cover with slits, along with desiccant receptacles to dehumidify and reduce odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If clothing is hung in a bathroom or on a door to dry, then the dampness of the clothing is reduced, but the odor emanates into the immediate areas and the door becomes non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The hamper is divided into multiple compartments (sweaty clothes compartment, clean clothes compartment, and diaper compartment) to segregate different types of clothing and odors, preventing odor diffusion to surrounding areas while maintaining drying functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The stretchable insert with multiple bags is nested within the rigid basket, and the stretchable cover encloses the entire assembly, creating nested layers that contain odors within the hamper while allowing controlled ventilation through the cover's openings
2Volume of stationary object
If a single large compartment is used for storing clothes, then the storage capacity is maximized, but compartmentalization and proper ventilation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single large compartment is segmented into multiple functional compartments using stretchable inserts with multiple bags, allowing separation of sweaty clothes, clean clothes, and diapers while maintaining overall storage capacity through flexible space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments are designed with specific local characteristics - the sweaty clothes compartment has desiccant receptacles for moisture removal, the clean clothes compartment is enclosed to maintain freshness, and each compartment has appropriate ventilation openings tailored to its specific storage needs
3Loss of substance
If multiple desiccant receptacles are placed in the basket, then moisture removal from clothing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stretchable cover serves multiple functions: it encloses the compartments to contain odors, provides ventilation through openings and slits, and works together with the desiccant receptacles to control moisture, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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 design effectively dehumidifies and deodorizes clothing, improving storage and reducing the need for excess water and electricity in laundry processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one receptacle containing a desiccant is placed inside the basket on the upper surface of the bottom of the basket
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved laundry hamper that dehumidifies damp or wet clothing and reduces undesirable odors emanating from them. The invention is particularly useful for the storage and deodorizing of athletic or workout clothing after use and prior to laundering. The invention also provides a better way of organizing dirty laundry as compared to a traditional laundry hamper in which clothes are piled together.