Flexible Laundry Bag With Friction Surface for Travel Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing clothing while traveling is challenging due to the lack of convenient, cost-effective, and safe options, as traditional laundry methods require access to facilities that may not be available or suitable, especially for backpackers and campers.
Innovation Solution
A portable laundry device with a flexible waterproof housing that includes a frictional washing surface, allowing users to wash clothing by applying external force to rub the textiles against the surface, reducing water usage and minimizing direct handling of wet clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a portable laundry device with frictional washing surface is used, then washing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple washing functions (soaking, rubbing, and wringing) into a single flexible bag device. The frictional washing surface is integrated directly into the bag interior, eliminating the need for separate washboards or basins. This merging of functions improves washing effectiveness while keeping the device portable and relatively simple in overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible waterproof bag as the housing structure, which can be compressed and folded for portability. The frictional washing surface is applied to the flexible bag interior, allowing the bag to deform during washing operations. This flexibility enables effective washing action while maintaining a compact, simple device form factor that doesn't require rigid structural components.
2Productivity
If frictional washing surface is added to improve cleaning, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional washing surface is applied only to specific areas of the bag interior where washing action is needed, rather than covering the entire bag. This localized application maintains cleaning efficiency while simplifying manufacturing, as only portions of the bag require special friction-enhancing materials or surface treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with a waterproof flexible housing material combined with a frictional surface layer. This allows the base bag to be manufactured from simple flexible waterproof material, while the frictional properties are added through a separate surface treatment or coating, simplifying the overall manufacturing process by separating the waterproofing and friction functions into different material layers.
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 provides an effective and efficient means to wash clothing with minimal equipment, reducing water consumption and handling of wet materials, making it suitable for travelers and those with limited access to laundry facilities.
Implementation Method 1
an inner surface of the housing includes a frictional washing surface against which the textile item is rubbed to effect cleaning by gripping or pressing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry device including: i) a flexible waterproof housing for housing a textile item, water and cleaning material; ii) an opening in the housing for inserting or removing the textile item; and iii) a seal for sealing the opening; wherein an inner surface of the housing includes a frictional washing surface against which the textile item is rubbed to effect cleaning by gripping or pressing on an outer surface of the housing to press and rub the textile item against the frictional washing surface.