Method for mangling items of laundry and mangle section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry mangling technologies only provide a finish on one side of items and require prolonged heating time due to unilateral thermal energy supply, resulting in inefficient processing and uneven finishing.

Innovation Solution

A method and mangle line design where thermal energy is supplied to laundry items from successive mangles on both sides, utilizing a combination of trough and belt mangles to ensure both sides are heated and finished, allowing for continuous processing and optimal utilization of mangle performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heat energy is applied to laundry from only one side in a single mangle, then the structure is simple, but the heating time is prolonged and mangling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemangling efficiencyVSAvoidmangle configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mangling process is segmented into multiple successive mangles, each contributing to heating and finishing different sides of the laundry. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-side heating without requiring a single complex mangle, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity through modular arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from single-sided to multi-sided heating by utilizing successive mangles arranged in sequence. This dimensional approach to heat application from multiple directions simultaneously reduces total heating time and improves mangling efficiency without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If laundry is processed through a single mangle, then the device complexity is low, but only one side of the laundry receives a finish

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedouble-sided finish capabilityVSAvoidnumber of mangles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The finishing function is segmented across multiple successive mangles, with each mangle responsible for finishing specific sides of the laundry. This segmentation enables double-sided finish capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through a modular sequence of standard mangle units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each mangle in the sequence serves multiple functions: heating, drying, and finishing. By making each mangle multi-functional, the system achieves double-sided finish capability without requiring specialized equipment for each function, thereby controlling device complexity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If larger mangles are used to increase output, then mangling capacity increases, but the equipment size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemangling capacityVSAvoidmangle size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mangling capacity is achieved through segmentation into multiple successive mangles rather than one large mangle. This allows the system to attain high productivity through parallel processing of different laundry sides, while each individual mangle remains of manageable size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enhances mangle output by providing a double-sided finish efficiently, allowing for the use of smaller mangles with the same performance and intensifying heat and finish supply as needed, while maintaining continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

heat or thermal energy is supplied to the laundry items on both sides by successive mangles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the laundry items are thus heated on both sides in successive mangles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3231933B1Method for mangling items of laundry and mangle section
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 HERBERT KANNEGIESSER GMBH & CO
  • EP3231933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231933B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231933B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

If items of laundry are ironed in trough mangles (11) or belt mangles (12), the necessary heat for the items of laundry is supplied by the flattening surfaces (18, 28) from one side only. Below this is the ironing performance, especially in the case of multi-layered items of laundry or items of laundry with pronounced seams. In addition, the items of laundry only receive a one-sided finish from the flattening surface (18, 28) assigned to only one side. The invention provides for the items of laundry to be supplied with heat from both sides in different mangles. Heat is preferably supplied to the items of laundry from mangles of different types, such as a trough mangle (11) and a belt mangle (12), by flattening surfaces (18, 28) on opposite sides. This increases the ironing performance and also gives both sides of the laundry a finish.