Polymer Laundry Ball Protrusions for Damage-Free Fur Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing pet fur and debris from laundry are either ineffective or destructive to clothing, and those designed for use during washing or drying often fail to provide adequate fur removal without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A laundry fur remover with a spherical or spheroid body and protrusions made of polymer materials, such as natural rubber or thermoplastic rubber, that are designed to effectively remove pet fur and debris without manual operation and minimize damage to clothing, using a combination of shape and material properties to grip and dislodge fur during washing or drying cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rollers are used to remove fur from clothing, then fur removal is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and may damage clothing fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry ball automatically removes fur from clothing during the washing or drying cycle without requiring manual operation. The device utilizes the mechanical action of the washing machine or dryer to self-gather and self-remove fur, eliminating the need for separate manual rolling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs fur removal during the washing or drying cycle itself, before the clothing is removed from the machine. This preliminary action integrates fur removal into the existing laundry process, preventing fur accumulation that would require subsequent manual removal.
2Reliability
If sticky silicone material is used to remove fur, then fur removal is achieved, but the device can cause damage to clothing and gets stuck inside the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a spherical or spheroid body shape that allows it to roll freely within the washing machine or dryer drum. This curved geometry prevents the device from getting stuck in corners or against the machine walls, ensuring continuous movement and effective fur removal throughout the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses protrusions with specific dimensional parameters (protrusion maximum dimension less than body maximum dimension) and particular material hardness (Shore A hardness from about 35 to about 65) to optimize fur gathering while minimizing damage to clothing fibers and preventing machine sticking.
3Ease of operation
If laundry balls are used to impact clothing for separation, then clothing separation is achieved, but fur gathering and removal is not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines two functional elements in one unit: a body that provides mass for impacting and separating clothing, and protrusions that specifically gather and remove fur. This segmentation of functions within a single device allows it to perform both clothing separation and effective fur removal simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite construction with a body and protrusions that may be made of different materials or have different properties, optimizing each component for its specific function - the body for impacting and separation, and the protrusions for fur gathering and removal.
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 effectively removes pet fur and debris from clothing during washing or drying cycles without damaging the clothing, utilizing its shape and material properties to grip and dislodge fur, while also neutralizing static charges to prevent clinging.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing its shape and material properties to grip and dislodge fur
Implementation Method 2
The one or more protrusions are coupled to and extend outwardly from the body outer surface
Implementation Method 3
neutralizing static charges to prevent clinging
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a laundry fur remover. The laundry fur remover includes a body and one or more protrusions. The body has a body outer surface and a body maximum dimension. The one or more protrusions are coupled to and extend outwardly from the body outer surface. At least one of the one or more protrusions has a protrusion maximum dimension. At least a portion of the body or the one or more protrusions comprises a polymer. The body maximum dimension is greater than the protrusion maximum dimension.