Mesh Garment Folding Structure for Low-Wrinkle Washing and Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Washing and drying processes cause fabric shrinkage, color transfer, tears, and deterioration due to agitation, heat, and friction, while storage can lead to mold and mildew from ambient moisture, necessitating a solution to protect garments and maintain their integrity.

Innovation Solution

A structured, permeable folding apparatus with mesh sections and hinges allows air and water flow, securing garments in a folded state during washing, drying, and storage, using semi-rigid materials like elastomer or polyurethane foam, and tensioned hinges to maintain structure and reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If garments are stored in folded state, then space is saved, but mold and mildew growth occurs due to ambient moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidmold and mildew growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs mesh material with aperture openings that allow air circulation through the folded garment. This porous structure enables moisture evaporation and prevents mold/mildew growth while maintaining compact folded state for space-efficient storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The folding apparatus acts as an intermediary between the garment and storage environment. The mesh structure mediates air flow through the garment folds, creating conditions that prevent mold growth while maintaining the folded state for compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If garments are washed and dried conventionally, then cleaning is achieved, but fabric deterioration occurs due to agitation, heat, and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfabric integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible mesh folding apparatus that encloses the garment during washing. This flexible shell protects the fabric from direct agitation and friction while allowing water and detergent penetration for effective cleaning, thereby preserving fabric integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh folding apparatus serves as an intermediary protective layer between the garment and the washing environment. It shields the fabric from harmful mechanical stress while permitting water flow for cleaning, thus maintaining fabric strength during the washing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If high heat drying is used, then drying speed is improved, but garment shrinkage and wrinkling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying speedVSAvoidgarment dimensions and wrinkles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh structure with aperture openings facilitates air circulation through the garment during drying. This porous design enables efficient moisture evaporation at lower temperatures, achieving adequate drying speed without the shrinkage and wrinkling caused by high heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If rigid structure is used to protect garment during washing, then garment protection is improved, but device flexibility and washability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment protection from abrasionVSAvoiddevice flexibility in washer

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible mesh folding apparatus that provides garment protection while maintaining flexibility. The mesh structure conforms to the garment and washing machine movements, protecting against abrasion without compromising device flexibility or washability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The folding apparatus utilizes composite mesh material that combines protective properties with flexibility. This composite structure provides adequate garment protection during washing while remaining flexible enough to withstand machine washing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 apparatus protects garments from abrasion and pressure, reduces wrinkling and fabric deterioration, and minimizes moisture buildup, allowing for low-heat drying and storage with improved air circulation, thus preserving garment integrity and preventing mold and mildew.

Implementation Method 1

Water flow and air flow through the woven mesh material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The section is made of a semi-rigid material such as elastomer, polyurethane foam, or the like; it can flex in the washer and dryer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11060238B1Laundry apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 CRUZ ELIAS DAVID

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for protecting a garment from wrinkling, stretching or abrasion during washing, drying and storing of the garment. Permeable sections has mesh stretched over them. A garment is folded about and within each section. The garment maximizes the flow of fluids through the garment while minimizing the wrinkling, stretching or abrasion of the garment during washing, drying and storing.