Showcase: Prototypes

1. “Suction Koozie”

• This prototype will solve the problem statement of, “Design a product that prevents the spilling of bottles and liquids when the user is pouring by providing support to bottles and cups to prevent unwanted movement.”
• The product will be used when opening bottles, the suction cups on the bottom will keep the koozie and bottle still and in place, while the user attempts to remove the cap, or keep the bottle or cup in place and prevent it from spilling.
• On the inside of the koozie, there is a small opening where the top of the suction cup sits, this allows the suction cup to be activated when the bottle is placed in the koozie, as the suction cup will be pressed down and keep everything in place.
• The koozie is made of a rubbery material, which allows the bottle or cup to stay in place while the cap is being taking off, or if the bottle is bumped.
• The bubble wrap on the inside will help to keep the bottle inside secure and limit movement when stabilizing.
• The button on the side will allow the user to adjust the width of the koozie, this can be used to adjust for whether it is a cup, bottle, or even a bowl.

• 

  The bottom with three separate suction cups

  

  Bubble wrap on the inside keeps the bottle in place.

  

  Opening a bottle, the base of the bottle will not move.

  
  

  

  The cap is removed.

  

  It can also be used to open cans as well.

  

  The button can be used to adjust the width of the koozie.

  
  

  

  Button is attached on the outside.

  
  

2. “Stretchable Sticker”

• This prototype solves the problem statement, “Design a product that prevents the spilling of bottles and liquids when the user is pouring by providing support to bottles and cups to prevent unwanted movement.”
• This product is designed to allow it to be implemented on a wide variety of containers of different shapes and sizes.

• 

  This is the prototype lying on a desk. The rubber bands are attached to a hook which can be attached to the lip of a container to aid in attaching it. The prototype is then pulled under the the product. The rubber circles are placed along the bottom and are mirrored on the other side to increase friction.

  

  Here is the product in use. It is attached to a pot.

  
  

 

3. “Lock-and-Rock Blade”

                 

These images display all the basic elements of the design. It features a blade which can be locked into a certain position and cut with only one hand required. The blade is locked and unlocked with a mechanism triggered by a small white button (clearly visible in the second and fourth pictures). After unlocking the blade, it can be swiveled one way or another, made easier with the handle atop the blade (represented by the red clip). Additionally, the lock-and-rock includes a safety sheath. It can be seen most clearly in the second picture (the red elastic band). This allows the user to stretch the sheath over the edge of the blade for safety purposes when not in use.

     

These two images show how the cutting-action is intended to work. The user simple grabs the blue handle (wrapped in a tennis-grip for comfort), and pushes and pulls it in an up-and-down motion. This gives those with certain disabilities to create leverage (and therefore strength) that is not possible with a standard one-handed slicer.

4. “The Roly Poly”

• This prototype solves the problem statement: “Design a product that allows the user to more easily open everyday items such as a yogurt cup without excess spilling, while adding stability to the item being opened”

• This potential product is used to open containers such as yogurt, which have some sort of aluminum cover and a “pull” tab to remove the cover. The curved design allows for the clip end to lift up while downward pressure is being applied on the other end, resulting in the top peeling back.
• As you can see above, there is hot glue on both the body of the prototype and the clip. This creates friction between the body and the top as well as the “pull” tab and the clip. The final product would be made out of a hard, rubbery material to create friction throughout.
• Optimally, the final product’s clip could be activated and released by a button on the handle to allow for easier tab gripping

 

5. Meat Carver

• This prototype will solve the problem statement of designing a product that helps users cut and carve meat more efficiently and precisely.
• The product will be used when users want to cut their meat.
• The walls will adjust to the size of the meat, and keep it locked in place so it isn’t sliding around.
• The knife guides will help the user cut their meat by allowing the knife to move in a straight line.
• The walls and knife guide are magnetically connected to the center of the cutting board, and they are easy to slide to adjust to any size of meat.