1. Brandon Sowinski, Nick Nekola, Kenny Malekian

2. 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

3. Team Roles Brandon Sowinski – Team Leader Nick Nekola – Time Keeper Kenny Malekian – Coordinator

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Problem Statement Matrix Criteria Weight BrandonKennyNick The problem can be accomplished in the given time.2 444 The problem can be solved with the available resources.2 334 Initial research indicates that others also believe the problem exists.1 555 The solution is likely to meet a specific need and/or be marketable.1 555 The problem is interesting enough to keep the team interested.1 554 The problem has multiple solutions possible.1 554 Initial research shows there are no existing solutions or are solutions that are inadequate1 555 1 Total Score 39

7. 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

8. 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.”

9. 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

10. Users and Buyers Production Facility Clothes Manufacturer Retailer Clothes Manufacturer 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

11. 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.

12. Reasons to Produce Large potential market Product is not overly complicated Product does not have many small parts

13. 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

14. Market Research Results How frustrated people get when their zipper gets stuck.

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

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

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

18. 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.

19. Original Drawings

20. Original Prototypes

21. Prototype Decision Matrix Decision Matrix WEIGHT Magnetic Flap Magnetic Tube Magnetic Fluid New SliderSlider with Flaps Slider with Guardrail Specifications Rating Weight Rating Weight Rating Weight Rating Weight Rating Weight Rating Weight Difficulty of getting stuck41040104010407288328 Ease of building68488 8 530636530 Cost of building57357 6308408 8 Aesthetics1997766778866 Ease of use310309279 8248 8 Durability29189 8161020714918 TOTAL 180 175 167 149 154 150 Scoring Key: Rating of 1-10 Weight: 7(highest) - 1(lowest)

22. CAD Drawings New Zipper Concept

23. Cad drawings cont. Magnet Fastener

24. 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 Procedure 1.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.

25. Prototype 1

26. 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.

27. Build Process #2 Materials:  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 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.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.

28. Prototype 2

29. Refinements – Prototype 2 Added Velcro to the top to allow the magnets to be more easily removed.

30. Build Process #3 Materials:  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.

31. Final Prototype

32. Tests Cold Test Vertical Strength Test Horizontal Strength Test Sound Test

33. Test Procedures Cold 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.

34. 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.

35. Test Procedures Horizontal Strength Test Materials:  Magnetic Prototype  Force Meter (in newtons)  Tape

36. Test Procedures Horizontal 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.

37. Test Results

38. Test Procedures Vertical 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.

39. Test Results

40. Test Procedures Sound 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 3 3.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.

41. Test Results Sound Test Trial 1 (Decibels) Trial 2 (Decibels) Average (Decibels) Zipper60.1200165.16662.643005 Magnetic Flap48.7148.4748.59 Conclusion 25.1188 times quieter

42. What We Would Do Differently More research More tests More refinements and prototypes Public opinion test of prototype

43. 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

44. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME