Hook-and-Eyelet Retainer for Secure Brassiere Laundry Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brassieres with hook-and-eyelet clasps often become unhooked during laundry, causing damage to the garments and the washing machine due to agitation, and existing enclosures for delicate items may not effectively secure these clasps, leading to incomplete cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere hook-and-eyelet retainer with a hinged design featuring a plurality of tapered teeth and closure posts that securely grip the clasp and wing band, allowing for effective retention and protection during washing, made from materials like plastic for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hook and eyelet clasp is used to secure the brassiere, then the brassiere can be closed and worn, but the clasp can become unhooked during laundry agitation causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the retainer with hook and eyelet) that mediates between the brassiere clasp and the washing machine environment. The retainer captures and secures the clasp during laundering, preventing direct interaction between the loose clasp and other garments or machine components, thus eliminating damage while maintaining closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the brassiere into two parts: the garment itself and the removable retainer containing the clasp. This segmentation allows the clasp to be isolated in a protective retainer during washing, preventing it from becoming detached and causing harm, while still enabling the brassiere to be worn when the retainer is removed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an enclosure is used to protect delicate articles during laundry, then damage is prevented, but the article is restricted resulting in reduced cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enclosing the entire brassiere in a restrictive bag, the invention segments the protection approach by creating a small retainer that only encloses the vulnerable clasp portion. This selective segmentation allows the rest of the brassiere to move freely and be thoroughly cleaned while the clasp remains protected from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies protection locally only where needed (at the clasp area) rather than globally enclosing the entire garment. The retainer provides localized protection to the delicate hook and eyelet components while leaving the rest of the brassiere exposed to effective washing action, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A hook-and-eyelet retainer protects a brassiere hook-and-eyelet clasp from becoming detached in the laundry to prevent damage to the brassiere, other undergarments in the laundry and/or the laundry machine. A hook-and-eyelet retainer has a first and a second retainer portion that are coupled together by a hinge. The first and second retainer portions pivot about the hinge to receive a hook-and-eyelet clasp and wing band. The hook-and-eyelet retainer is then closed and a post on a first retainer portion extends through a closure aperture on a second retainer portion to secure the hook-and-eyelet retainer in a closed position. A plurality of teeth extends up from one or both of the retainer portions to grip onto the hook-and-eyelet clasp and/or the wing band. One or both of the planar retainer portions may be recessed to accommodate the thickness of the brassiere hook-and-eyelet clasp or clasp strap or hook-and-eyelet and wing band.