Mobile Laundry Transport with Pathogen Detection and Self-Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry systems are inefficient, costly, and fail to effectively protect textiles from environmental degradation and pathogens during transportation and storage, lacking thermal transfer configurations, pathogen control systems, and self-cleaning capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A mobile laundry transport apparatus with a climate-controlled trailer equipped with a ventilation network, pathogen detection and treatment system, self-cleaning assembly, and solar power, featuring a conveyor belt for automated cart movement and reusable PPE decontamination using dry heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional laundry transport methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but efficiency is low and cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaundry transport efficiencyVSAvoidtransport system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-cleaning assemblies with nozzles that automatically clean laundry carts, and pathogen detection systems that autonomously identify and trigger cleaning protocols, reducing manual intervention while maintaining high efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The transport system is divided into modular components including mobile containers, ventilation networks, pathogen systems, and self-cleaning assemblies, allowing independent optimization of each module while improving overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If linens are stored in open environments, then accessibility is improved, but degradation from environmental factors occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinen accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile container creates a controlled environment that protects linens from ultraviolet light, moisture, temperature extremes, insects, and mold by maintaining stable atmospheric conditions during transport and storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary pathogen detection and cleaning before linens are loaded, and maintains continuous environmental monitoring to prevent degradation before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If pathogen control systems are added, then sanitation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen containmentVSAvoidsystem component count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pathogen detection, containment, and treatment functions are integrated into a unified pathogen system that combines sensors, ventilation control, and cleaning mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable pathogen containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of energy

If thermal transfer configuration is used in ventilation ducts, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation energy lossVSAvoidduct installation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation network uses thermal transfer ducts that act as intermediaries between air sources and the container interior, enabling passive heat exchange that recovers energy while the modular duct design simplifies installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness by maintaining linen quality through environmental control, pathogen containment, and self-sanitization, ensuring safe and timely delivery of clean linens.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of the intake and outlet ducts are immediately adjacent one another to influence temperature of air passing through each duct, warmer air passing through one of the intake ducts or the outlet ducts becoming cooler and cooler air passing through another of the intake ducts or the outlet ducts becoming warmer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) associated with the pathogen system that may be decontaminated using dry heat according to Food and Drug (FDA) guidelines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDry heat decontamination: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS12447886B2Laundry transport and pathogen containment apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 LACEY BERSTREETCAR E

AI summary

A laundry transport apparatus and method includes a container defining an interior area configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry carts, the container having a door movable between closed and open configurations to selectively allow access to said interior area. The apparatus includes a ventilation network to pass air to and from the interior area, the ventilation network including a pathogen identification and containment apparatus to detect, isolate and treat potentially harmful material within the soiled laundry. The laundry transport apparatus includes a self-cleaning assembly operable to spray cleaning solution upon the laundry carts if a pathogen detected. The laundry transport apparatus includes a solar module to power electrical systems and a conveyor assembly for convenient movement of a plurality of laundry carts. The laundry transport apparatus includes personal protective equipment that has been decontaminated using dry heat.