Automated Clothes-Folding Device

Abstract

An automated clothes-folding device is provided. The device is comprised of a housing, which may take on various geometric shapes, preferably square or rectangular, and can be constructed from materials such as plastic or metal. The housing encloses an interior space where the folding operation occurs. The folding mechanism is centered around a base plate with left, right, and bottom panels that fold garments sequentially, driven by motorized or manual hinges. The device also features a steam-generating element for wrinkle removal and is powered by a rechargeable battery or continuous power via a cord. Users can initiate folding and steaming processes through external buttons, providing an automated solution for garment handling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated clothes-folding device comprising:
 a housing comprised of an interior space;   a base plate positioned within the interior space, the base plate comprised of a left panel, a right panel, and a bottom panel, each of the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel being movably connected to the base plate by a first hinge;   a motor configured to control the movement of the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel to perform a folding sequence; and   a lid attached to the housing by a second hinge, wherein the lid is operable to allow access to the interior space.   
     
     
         2 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of a rectangular or a square shape. 
     
     
         3 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1  further comprised of a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism attaches the lid to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism is comprised of a button lock, a latch, a magnetic lock, or an electronic lock. 
     
     
         6 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         7 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1  further comprised of an actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1  further comprised of an indicator light or a display. 
     
     
         9 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1  further comprised of a battery. 
     
     
         10 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 1 , wherein the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel are comprised of a non-abrasive material. 
     
     
         11 . An automated clothes-folding device comprising:
 a housing comprised of an interior space;   a base plate positioned within the interior space, the base plate comprised of a left panel, a right panel, and a bottom panel, each of the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel being movably connected to the base plate by a motorized hinge;   a one steam-generating element;   a first button configured to activate the steam-generating element; and   a second button configured to activate the motorized hinge.   
     
     
         12 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 11 , wherein the steam-generating element is positioned within the interior space. 
     
     
         13 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 11  further comprised of a display. 
     
     
         14 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 11  further comprised of an indicator light. 
     
     
         15 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 11 , wherein the lid is transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The automated clothes-folding device of  claim 11 , wherein the left panel, the right panel, and the bottom panel are comprised of a non-abrasive material. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using an automated clothes-folding device, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing an automated clothes-folding device comprised of providing a garment folding device comprised a housing, a base plate, a left panel, a right panel, a bottom panel, and a motor;   placing a garment in an unfolded state onto the base plate; and   initiating a folding sequence, wherein the left panel folds over the garment and retracts, the right panel folds over the garment and retracts, and the bottom panel folds upward to complete the folding process.   
     
     
         18 . The method of using an automated clothes-folding device of  claim 17  further comprised of a step of steaming the garment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of using an automated clothes-folding device of  claim 18  further comprised of a step of pressing a button to initiate the folding sequence. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using an automated clothes-folding device of  claim 17  comprised of pressing a button to initiate the folding sequence.