Stretchable Clothes Line Assembly for Washing Delicate Items

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Delicate items such as intimate apparel and prosthetic devices often suffer damage during washing and drying due to entanglement and inadequate handling in traditional washing machines and dryers, despite efforts to address these issues with specialized holders and containers, which have limitations and introduce complications.

Innovation Solution

A clothes line assembly using a stretchable elongated line with connectors that attach to the washing machine tub, along with clips or brackets to secure items, allowing for secure holding without limiting surface area exposure to cleaning agents and air circulation, and accommodating various appliance geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional washing machines and dryers are used to wash delicate items, then washing and drying functionality is provided, but the delicate items suffer damage due to entanglement and inadequate handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of delicate itemsVSAvoidentanglement and wear and tear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a clothes line assembly as an intermediary device between the washing machine/dryer and the delicate items. This assembly includes a stretchable elongated line with connectors that attach to the appliance tub, and clips or brackets that secure the items. The intermediary structure prevents direct contact between delicate items and the harmful environment inside the washing machine/dryer, thereby reducing wear and tear while maintaining washing and drying functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution segments the washing/drying process into two distinct parts: (1) the washing machine/dryer handles the washing/drying function, and (2) the clothes line assembly handles the delicate item support and protection function. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, with the clothes line assembly specifically designed to prevent entanglement and protect delicate features during the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If specialized holders and containers are used to protect delicate items during washing and drying, then item integrity is improved, but device complexity and operational complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of delicate featuresVSAvoidholder and container structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a stretchable elongated line as the core component of the clothes line assembly, which provides dynamic adaptability to accommodate various appliance geometries and sizes. This dynamic structure eliminates the need for complex rigid holders and containers, as the stretchable line can conform to different tub shapes and sizes while still providing effective support and protection for delicate items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clothes line assembly is designed as a universal solution that can be attached to various types of washing machines and dryers regardless of their specific geometry or size. The stretchable line and adjustable connectors enable the same assembly to work across multiple appliance types, eliminating the need for appliance-specific complex holders and containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If items are secured in holders or containers during washing and drying, then entanglement is prevented, but surface area exposure to cleaning agents and air circulation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of entanglementVSAvoidsurface area exposure to cleaning agents and air

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible stretchable elongated line instead of rigid holders or enclosed containers. This flexible structure provides support to prevent entanglement while maintaining openness, allowing cleaning agents and air to access all surfaces of the delicate items. The thin-film nature of the stretchable line minimizes obstruction while still providing the necessary structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively reduces wear and tear on delicate items by preventing entanglement and maintaining the integrity of features like bra straps, while allowing for effective washing and drying without hindering the cleaning and drying potential of appliances.

Implementation Method 1

an stretchable elongated line, e.g., a bungee cord

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9234308B2Systems, methods and devices for washing delicate items

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 WOODSON TERRI LYNN

AI summary

Systems, methods and devices for washing delicate items are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, an assembly for reducing wear and tear of products within an appliance is provided. The assembly comprising an elongated member having distal and proximal connectors that are secured to receiving parts of the appliance, and having least one holding element that is removably mounted along the length of the elongated member and is configured to releasably hold at least one product.