THE Wythall inventor of expanding laundry equipment has had the chance to develop his ideas further with the help of academics at Wolverhampton University.

Chris Piponides came up with the concept for a washing machine that extends to provide up to twice the standard capacity, but that takes up no more space than a standard machine when extra capacity isn’t needed.

Funding for the collaboration between the university and the inventor came from the government backed ‘Innovation Vouchers’ scheme which provides £3,000 of academic input for projects such as this.

Chris said: “The extending washing machine allows you to wash two loads in one cycle, saving time, energy and money. It’s ideal for washing larger items such as duvets and curtains. It’s a simple idea and I think we all know that simple ideas are often the best.

“The Innovation Voucher was a big boost and the input we’ve had from Wolverhampton University has demonstrated that the project and the product is viable. This information gives us something tangible to take to the manufacturers. The next stage is to find a manufacturing partner to help develop a prototype.”

Andrew Wilson who project manages Innovation Vouchers at Aston University said: “Some very interesting projects have been assisted by Innovation Vouchers, and this one is an example of what we imagine as pure innovation; an inventor coming up with an idea and working it through to a commercial conclusion.”

Chris’s previous inventions have included photographic and digital imaging products as well as a quirky self-inflating party hat, which is designed to explode from a Christmas cracker.

Innovation Vouchers are funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund. Each voucher pays for £3,000 worth of academic input from one of 13 universities in the Midlands.