Students make pocket washing machines

If you own a washing machine built by a Chinese mechanical student, you can fold it and put it into a big bag.

The body turns into a washing bucket after the user opens it.(Photo: Rex Features)

Pu Qingliang - a 21-year-old mechanical student studying at Chongqing Mechanical and Electrical Vocational Institute, Chongqing - came up with the idea of creating a folding washing machine after his roommate complained about the daily laundry.

"He wished that a certain company would make a washing machine that people could fold and put into a bag. I think I could design a washing machine like that , " Pu said.

The volume of his washing machine is only 3kg. The body and tube of the machine are the parts that the user can fold. When the user opens the camera body, it turns into a washing bucket. A spindle in the washing bucket connects to a small electric motor, Global Times reports.

Haier Group wants to turn Pu's invention into a commercial product.(Photo: Rex Features)

Pu washing machine can clean up to 5 pants, each wash. It does not have a timer function so users will automatically unplug when they want to stop.

Haier is the world's largest household electrical appliance company, announcing that it has contacted Pu to buy his patent. Pu has also registered intellectual property rights for the machine.