Briton wants to develop wash-dry-iron invention in NZ

A British inventor is trying to get to New Zealand to develop a machine he has designed which washes, dries and irons clothes.

Oliver Blackwell, 23, who designed the WashDryIron, hopes the machine will become sought-after because it saves about 10 days a year in ironing time, the BBC reported.

"The science works; however, the prototype has to be re-formed to make the project commercially viable," said Mr Blackwell.

"To do this I need to visit two businesses in New Zealand," he said. "One is a manufacturer of component parts, and the second is a large commercial laundry.

"The information I need can't be done over the phone or email: I've tried."

The machine was his final degree project at Plymouth University.

"I knew I had to come up with a damn good product idea to pass my finals," he said. "A washing machine seemed quite obvious and almost everyone uses one."

The machine washes, dries and irons clothes in separate compartments and is said to eliminate colour runs and shrinkage. It can tackle up to 16 items at a time, including king-size bed sheets.

Mr Blackwell says the machine uses hangers so items do not get tangled.

The items are then dried and ironed by hot air blown across them - resulting in 83 per cent fewer creases.

The WashDryIron appliances are expected to retail at about £900 ($2295).

"It's simple, but it works and the real beauty is the ironing time it saves," Mr Blackwell said. "I can't see many people arguing with that."

Mr Blackwell was awarded the Daily Mail Designer of the Year prize for the design in 2005, and says he is prepared to set up production lines in both China and New Zealand.

He is on a shortlist of eight people on the British Airways Great Britons promotion, which is giving away 180 free flights each year until 2012 to talented individuals, as part of its Olympics marketing.

"If I can get to New Zealand and get the product to market," Mr Blackwell said, "that would be fantastic."

- NZPA