Team BRUTE

Brandon Sowinski, Nick Nekola, Kenny Malekian

Team BRUTE

Agenda• Team Roles• Problem Statement and Statement of Purpose• Justification• Problem Statement Matrix• Patent Summaries• Research Summaries• Market Information• Market Research• Prototype Information• Test Information• Refinements• What We Would Do Differently

Team Roles

• Brandon Sowinski – Team Leader• Nick Nekola – Time Keeper• Kenny Malekian – Coordinator

Problem Statement & Statement of Purpose• Americans’ coat zippers easily become stuck on other clothes or

materials. Ever since the modern zipper was invented in 1913, the zipper getting stuck has irritated countless people because the zipper becomes difficult to maneuver. Based on a survey recently conducted, 61% of participants believed stuck zippers to be a problem with a close 59% of participants believing the current zipper design is flawed.

• Prevent the zipper from catching and becoming stuck on various articles of clothing located near the zipper region.

Justification• 80% of people have gotten their zipper stuck and believe

it’s a problem• Many people ask for help fixing this without damaging

the zipper• Only ways to fix it can be difficult and damaging

Problem Statement Matrix Criteria Weight Brandon Kenny Nick

The problem can be accomplished in the given time. 2 4 4 4The problem can be solved with the available resources. 2 3 3 4Initial research indicates that others also believe the problem exists. 1 5 5 5The solution is likely to meet a specific need and/or be marketable. 1 5 5 5The problem is interesting enough to keep the team interested. 1 5 5 4The problem has multiple solutions possible. 1 5 5 4Initial research shows there are no existing solutions or are solutions that are inadequate 1 5 5 5

1

Total Score 39 39 39

Patent Summaries

• Patent 0102729 – Rescue coat with covered liner zippers– The type of material can cause complications

• Patent 0209169 – Zipper – Having a specific design for each element can be a good idea

Research Summaries• whiteblaze.net/forums/showthread.php?11116-amp-!!-

zipper-always-gets-stuck.• “I just bought a fairly expensive down sleeping bag and it

got stuck right off the bat.” “I don't want to damage it.”

Major Competitors• Existing zipper companies – dominated industry for

many years• Button companies – widely used as clothes fasteners,

doesn’t get stuck• Snap companies – widely used as clothes fasteners,

doesn’t get stuck• Velcro – easy to use, doesn’t get stuck. Rarely used alone

on clothes, lose effectiveness

Users and BuyersProduction

Facility

Clothes Manufacturer

Retailer Retailer Retailer



General Public

User and Buyer

Buyer

End-user

Product created and is shipped to clothes manufacturers

Mount product on clothes

Sell created product to consumers

Consumer purchases and uses clothes

Market• Consumer characteristics:• Age: ~14+• Income: All incomes• Education level: All education levels• Geographic location: Everywhere in the U.S

• 2010 census = ~245,267,292 people over the age of 14 in the U.S.

Reasons to Produce

• Large potential market• Product is not overly complicated• Product does not have many small parts

Market Research Plan

• Surveys – provide quick answers that give us almost immediate information to analyze about target consumer

• Casual Interviews – provide in-depth analysis of consumer opinions

Market Research Results

How frustrated people get when their zipper gets stuck.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100123456789

10

1

2

1

4

7

3

2

1

3 3

5

2 2

1

2

3

1

3

6

4

3 3

5

4

6

22 2

1

4

3

22 2 2

4 4

2 22 2

4

8

2

4

2

5

3

5

2

Frustration Level

Male 15-30

Female 15-30

Male 31-45

Female 31-45

Male 46-60

Female 46-60

Male 61+

Female 61+

Market Research Results Cont.Product the most frequently got its zipper stuck

Market Research Results Cont. Do you believe stuck zippers are a problem

9161%

5939%

Total

YesNo

Market Research Results Cont. Whether or not people have ever damaged the product due to the zipper

10369%

4731%

Total

Yes No

Market Research Summary

After surveying the general public, we came to the conclusion that the standard zipper is flawed and needs improvement or a replacement.

Original Drawings

Original Prototypes

Prototype Decision MatrixDecision Matrix

WEIGHT

Magnetic Flap

Magnetic Tube

Magnetic Fluid New Slider Slider with

FlapsSlider with Guardrail

Specifications

Rating

Weight

Rating

Weight

Rating Weight Rating

Weight

Rating

Weight

Rating

Weight

Difficulty of getting stuck 4 10 40 10 40 10 40 7 28 8 32 8 32

Ease of building 6 8 48 8 48 8 48 5 30 6 36 5 30Cost of building 5 7 35 7 35 6 30 8 40 8 40 8 40Aesthetics 1 9 9 7 7 6 6 7 7 8 8 6 6Ease of use 3 10 30 9 27 9 27 8 24 8 24 8 24Durability 2 9 18 9 18 8 16 10 20 7 14 9 18

TOTAL 180 175 167 149 154 150Scoring Key: Rating of 1-10 Weight: 7(highest) - 1(lowest)

CAD Drawings• New Zipper Concept

Cad drawings cont.• Magnet Fastener

Build Process #1• Materials:

Two pieces of fabric measuring 10” by 22” (58% polyester, 42% polyester)

64” of thread 8, 22” strips of flexible magnets

• Procedure1. Fold each piece of fabric vertically in half.2. Create a seam about ½” from the edge on the open side and bottom

of the fabric.3. Place 4 of the magnetic strips in each pocket. These strips should be

facing the same way in each pocket.4. Sew the top shut. Check the prototype for any holes or openings. If

any are found, sew them shut. If not, the prototype is complete.

Prototype 1

Refinements – Prototype 1• The placement of the magnets allows them to move around freely. Specific

channels will have to be made to allow the magnets to be separate and still serve their intended purpose.

• Four magnets are not necessary. The next prototype will only require two magnets. This will not only reduce the need for the channels, but should also keep the same relative strength of the magnets. This will also increase the amount of tape present, better allowing the prototype to be attached to the shirt.

• A way to easily remove the magnets should be present in the next solution. A solution of Velcro will be present to allow the magnets present to be easily fixable should a problem arise.

• Make a mark that identifies the front from the back to allow for more efficient testing.


A piece of fabric (58% polyester, 42% nylon) large enough for two pieces of fabric measuring 9” by 22”.

64” of thread 4, 22” strips of flexible magnets

• Procedure1. Cut the fabric into two equal strips measuring 9” by 22”.2. Divide the fabric into three equal 3” sections. Fold one of the 3” over the

middle 3” section.3. Create a seam about ½” from the edge of the folded side on the open side and

bottom of the fabric.4. Place 2 of the magnetic strips in each pocket. These strips should be facing the

same way in each pocket.5. Sew in between each magnetic strip. This will create channels that will keep the

magnetic strips in place.6. Sew the top shut. Check the prototype for any holes or openings. If any are

found, sew them shut. If not, the prototype is complete.

Prototype 2

Refinements – Prototype 2• Added Velcro to the top to allow the magnets to be more easily

removed.


A piece of fabric (58% polyester, 42% nylon) large enough for two pieces of fabric measuring 9” by 22”.

64” of thread 4, 22” strips of flexible magnets 4, 2” strips of Velcro

• Procedure:1. Cut the fabric into two equal strips measuring 9” by 22”.2. Divide the fabric into three equal 3” sections. Fold one of the 3” over the middle 3” section.3. Before sewing the pocket, place the Velcro in the middle of the pocket area so that ¼” is

located on either side of the Velcro strip.4. Create a seam about ½” from the edge of the folded side on the open side and bottom of the

fabric.5. Place 2 of the magnetic strips in each pocket. These strips should be facing the same way in

each pocket.6. Sew in between each magnetic strip. This will create channels that will keep the magnetic

strips in place.7. Sew the top shut. Check the prototype for any holes or openings. If any are found, sew

them shut. If not, the prototype is complete.

Final Prototype

Tests

• Cold Test• Vertical Strength Test• Horizontal Strength Test• Sound Test

Test ProceduresCold Test• Materials:

Freezer Magnetic prototype

• Procedure:1. Place magnetic strip on a freezer shelf.2. Let the magnetic strip sit inside the freezer for 24 hours.3. Take magnetic strip out of the freezer.4. Test the magnetism of the magnet while it is still cold by using a piece

of metal to see if the magnet attracts the metal as well as a fresh magnet.5. Allow magnetic strip to return to room temperature.6. Once the magnetic strip returns to room temperature, test the magnetism

of the magnetic strip by using a piece of metal to see if the metal is still attracted to the strip.

Test Results• Cold Test Results – Prototype 1 –• Total Time: 24 hrs 21 min• Magnetic Properties Retained: Yes • Additional Notes:• The magnets became cold and stiff, yet not brittle. They

retained their magnetic properties, even after warming to room temperature, which it did quickly.

Test Procedures

Horizontal Strength Test• Materials:

Magnetic PrototypeForce Meter (in newtons)Tape

Test ProceduresHorizontal Strength Test

• Procedure:1. After obtaining all the necessary materials, poke a hole in the fabric of one side

of the prototype, which we will call magnet 1.2. Attach the other side of the prototype, which we will call magnet 2, to a fixed

surface so the long side is facing you.3. When magnet 2 is sufficiently stationary, attach magnet 1 to it in a fashion that

magnet 1 completely overlays magnet 2.4. Attach the force meter to magnet 1 by inserting the hook into the hole.5. Proceed to pull magnet 1 towards you. Pull the force meter in a way that the

speed at which the two magnets are separated remains uniform.6. Watch the force meter because when the magnets become separated, the force

will quickly drop. At the point of separation, record the measured force.7. Repeat this process five times and take the average result of all the tests. This

will ensure quality control should help in eliminating any anomalies that may occur during one test.

Test Results

Test ProceduresVertical Strength Test• Materials:

Magnets Force Meter (in newtons) Tape

• Procedure:1. After obtaining all the necessary materials, attach a string to one of the magnets, which we

will call magnet 1, in a way that the string is attached short-ways across the magnet.2. Ensure this string does not become detached by taping it down.3. Attach the other magnet, which we will call magnet 2, to a fixed surface with the long side

is facing you.4. When magnet 2 is sufficiently stationary, attach magnet 1 to it in a fashion that magnet 1

completely overlays magnet 2.5. Attach the force meter to magnet 1.6. Proceed to pull magnet 1 towards you. The speed at which the magnets separate should

remain uniform.7. Watch the force meter carefully as the force will quickly drop when the magnets become

separated. At the point of separation, record the force.8. Repeat this process five times and take the average result of all the tests. This will ensure

quality control should help in eliminating any anomalies that may occur during one test.

Test Results

Test ProceduresSound Test• Materials:

Vernier Microphone GO! Link Finished Prototype Garment with a zipper Computer Logger Pro 3

• Procedure:1. Attach the microphone to the GO! Link cable. Attach the cable to a computer.2. Start Logger Pro 33. Place the zipper next to the microphone.4. Start collecting data by opening and closing the zipper for 5 seconds.5. Repeat this twice.6. Place the prototype next to the microphone.7. Collect data for the prototype by opening and closing it for 5 seconds.8. Repeat this twice.9. Convert the data to decibels.10. Determine the difference in intensities between the two methods of closure.

Test ResultsSound Test Trial 1

(Decibels)Trial 2 (Decibels)

Average (Decibels)

Zipper 60.12001 65.166 62.643005

Magnetic Flap 48.71 48.47 48.59

Conclusion 25.1188 times quieter

What We Would Do Differently

• More research• More tests• More refinements and prototypes• Public opinion test of prototype

Recap• Team Roles• Problem Statement and Statement of Purpose• Justification• Problem Statement Matrix• Patent Summaries• Research Summaries• Market Information• Market Research• Prototype Information• Test Information• Refinements• What We Would Do Differently

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Documents

Team BRUTE