Sock Fastening Device with Loop Fastener for Laundry Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Socks often become lost or separated during laundering due to existing fastening methods that are either uncomfortable, damage the fabric, or obstruct full washing, especially in households with multiple users where matching pairs become time-consuming and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
Embroidered holes with a loop fastener that moves freely through the holes, allowing for secure pairing without attachment to the sock fabric, enabling full laundering and easy replacement of lost socks with identical holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If socks are laundered separately without fastening, then full laundering and comfort are maintained, but socks become lost or separated during washing
Solution Approach 1:
A fastening device with a first fastener attached to one sock and a second fastener attached to the other sock acts as an intermediary mechanism. The fasteners releasably engage with each other to keep sock pairs together during laundering, while allowing the socks to be separated when needed for wearing or full laundering. This resolves the contradiction by providing a reliable pairing mechanism that does not permanently attach the fasteners to the socks.
2Reliability
If fasteners are permanently attached to socks, then sock pairing is maintained, but comfort and fabric integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into two separate fasteners - one attached to each sock - rather than a single permanent attachment. This segmentation allows each fastener to be independently attached and detached, providing reliable pairing while avoiding the harmful effects of permanent attachment such as fabric damage and discomfort during wearing.
3Reliability
If socks are fastened together permanently, then pairing is maintained, but full laundering is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system employs releasable engagement between the first and second fasteners rather than permanent attachment. This dynamic characteristic allows the socks to be fastened together for laundering when needed, and easily separated when full laundering or individual treatment is required, thus maintaining both pairing reliability and laundering accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A device with a loop fastener that links a pair, or more, of socks, by being opened; threaded through holes in each sock; and closed, such that the sock pairs are kept together before, during and after the laundering process. The device reduces the amount of time needed to do laundry by eliminating the need to sort and fold sock pairs and eliminates the risk of losing one mate in a pair of socks.