Dryer Support Apparatus to Prevent Sheet Wadding and Improve Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drying wet blankets or sheets in a clothes dryer is inefficient due to their tendency to twist into a tight wad or ball, requiring mid-cycle intervention to ensure proper drying, which wastes time and energy.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising two hollow porous objects held in spaced relation by flexible tubing, allowing a wet blanket or sheet to be secured around it, preventing wadding and promoting airflow for faster drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wet blankets or sheets are placed in a clothes dryer without support, then they can be easily loaded, but they twist into a tight wad or ball during drying which prevents efficient drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of loadingVSAvoiddrying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dryer support apparatus as an intermediary object between the wet blanket/sheet and the dryer drum. This support structure maintains the fabric in an extended, non-wadded state during the drying cycle, allowing efficient airflow and heat distribution throughout the material without requiring manual intervention to redistribute it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support apparatus is attached to the blanket or sheet before loading into the dryer, performing the function of preventing wadding in advance. The corners are secured to the support structure beforehand, ensuring the fabric remains properly positioned throughout the entire drying cycle without needing mid-cycle intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If wet blankets or sheets are dried without an support apparatus, then the drying process is simpler to start, but mid-cycle intervention is required to unfold wadded fabric which wastes time and energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of drying processVSAvoiddrying cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support apparatus is designed to be self-contained and automatically maintain the blanket or sheet in the correct position throughout the drying cycle. Once attached, the structure self-regulates the fabric positioning without requiring external intervention, eliminating the need for users to stop the dryer to redistribute wadded material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If corners of the sheet are drawn together to prevent entanglement, then entanglement with other laundry items is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex requiring clips and hub assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentanglement with laundry itemsVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support apparatus is divided into modular components: a central hub and four separate arms that attach to each corner of the blanket or sheet. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design makes the apparatus easy to assemble, use, and store.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10465333B1Apparatus to prevent wadding of sheets in clothes dryer

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 BAIRD JOHN S

AI summary

An apparatus to prevent a wet sheet or blanket from wadding when drying in a clothes-drying machine is provided having two opposing porous objects that are connected by a plurality of outwardly-bowed flexible tubes and a pair of securing straps extending between each object. The porous objects comprise reversibly engaging outside and inside portions that include a plurality of ventilation holes. The outside portions include a plurality of knobs for agitating and softening other articles of clothing during a drying cycle.