Improved bag for transporting textiles and loading and unloading washing and drying machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry transfer systems for front-loading washing machines face difficulties in easy attachment and detachment, with creases and gaps leading to potential item loss during transfer, and existing accordion-like folds are cumbersome and unsatisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A top-opening textile transport bag with a semi-rigid flap and a more flexible material connection, using magnets or other fasteners to secure the flap to the machine, combined with a flexible band for crease-free folding, allowing adaptation to different machine heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an accordion-like fold is used to connect the flap to the rear vertical wall, then the bag can adjust to different machine heights, but the frequent folding leads to creases and poor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the flap and rear vertical wall is divided into two distinct materials: a semi-rigid material forming the bulk of the bag and a more flexible material forming a band that interrupts the continuity. This segmentation allows the flexible band to handle folding operations without creasing, while the semi-rigid material maintains structural integrity and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining two materials with different properties: a semi-rigid material (such as polypropylene sheet) for the main bag body and a more flexible material (such as nylon fabric) for the hinge band. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function - the flexible material folds without creases while the semi-rigid material provides structural support.
2Reliability
If a rigid attachment system is used at the front opening, then the basket can be securely attached to the machine, but the system becomes difficult to install and store
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid attachment structures with a flexible bag design featuring a flap made of semi-rigid material that can be easily positioned against the machine front opening. The flexibility of the bag allows simple installation and storage, while the semi-rigid flap provides sufficient structural support for secure attachment when needed.
3Device complexity
If gaps exist between the basket and front panel, then the attachment structure can be simplified, but laundry items can fall out during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is cut to precisely follow the contour of the front opening, creating a custom-fit interface that eliminates gaps at the critical interface between the bag and machine. This local precision in the flap design ensures complete laundry transfer, while the overall attachment structure remains simple and gap-free without requiring complex mechanisms.
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
Facilitates easy and secure transfer of laundry, reduces item loss, and ensures crease-free folding and storage, adapting to various machine configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic fastening system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a top-opening bag (1) for carrying textiles, the bag having a semi-rigid flap (2) which is cut off to be positioned along a lower portion of a front opening (102) of a machine (100) for washing or drying laundry, the flap being provided with means (4) for holding the flap against the wall of the machine around the door opening so as to allow textiles to be transferred between the bag and the drum of the machine, the flap (2) additionally being attached to a rear vertical wall (8) of the bag, said wall being made of a sheet of a semi-rigid material. The flap (2) and the rear vertical wall (8) are connected to one another by a rectangular strip (7) of a material that is more flexible than the semi-rigid material.