Design Competition 2010
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2010 Sponsors

Product Design Competition Announces Semi-Finalists
Entrants’ product ideas to be exhibited at Erie Art Museum

Erie, PA – Organizers of InnovationErie: Design Competition released the names of the semi-finalists whose product ideas will be exhibited at the Erie Art Museum in the Main Gallery at 411 State Street from July 14, 2010 to October 31, 2010.  An opening reception will be held on July 30, 2010, 7- 9.p.m. at the Museum in conjunction with two additional Gallery openings. 

The competition is a collaborative effort among professionals in the industries of SAM & ED (science, art, manufacturing, engineering and design), and emerged to encourage local economic development by allowing people to showcase their product ideas, with the possibility of taking them to the next level: the marketplace. All product submissions had to meet the requirement of the ability to be manufactured in the Erie region. 

The fifteen semi-finalists will be narrowed down by the competition’s independent panel of judges to four finalists, who will be given time for a 10-minute presentation and 10-minute question and answer session with the panel. 

One grand prize of $10,000 cash to be used for equipment and services at the StARTup Incubator, along with thousands of dollars of in-kind InnovationErie partner services, including 3D model prototype services and Design for Manufacturing consultation and CAD design work from Paradigm Design. The grand prizewinner will also receive free patent consulting services and have their design submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office to apply for an official design patent, courtesy of Erie law firm MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton. $10,000 cash prize is the result of a grant awarded to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

One Best in Show Award (selected by the public during the exhibition) and first, second and third runners-up prizes will be awarded in-kind InnovationErie partner services from Paradigm Design and MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton.

Competition partners include the STARTUP Incubator, Edinboro University, MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton, Erie Art Museum, Erie Bank, Gannon Erie Tech Incubator, Paradigm Design and the Innovation Center at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

Competition semi-finalists include:

Ann Androla- THE BICIE  The Bicie is a hand-knit cotton rectangle with five holes on each side through which two ribbons are threaded to produce multiple configurations and uses for all your baby’s needs including bottle cover, burp cloth, baby cleaner, bib/crumb-catcher, and binky carrier.

Joanne Bartone- THE ECOCLIP  The EcoClip slides onto the tops (and/or bottoms) of corrugated boxes to provide environmentally friendly, economical, quick and easy tape-free solution for closing boxes.  It can be easily and affordably manufactured through plastic mold extrusion to include various sizes for multiple needs, reused repeatedly and recycled when worn.

Randy Brewer- BARE BACK   A razor to do the unpleasant task of shaving the male back.  This design would allow an individual to shave their back without assistance from others.  With the length of a shower brush and a curved handle, it would ensure safe trimming.

James Edgett- CHAIN LINK IVY  A manufactured vinyl ivy vine transforming a normal chain link fence under the guise of an ivy fence.  Attempts to beautify the mundane chain link fence. 

Clarence Edwards- TIRE SHINE WHEEL COVER  This wheel cover keeps tire shine products from unintended areas when tire shine is sprayed onto vehicle tires.  Tire shine wheel covers prevent tire shine products from being sprayed onto disk brakes as well as eliminates clean up time devoted to removing overspray from unwanted areas.

William Legler- BIRDIE BUDDY  A stand for deep frying a turkey that is safe, easy to assemble, dissemble, clean and store.

Marni Loesel- BUILT-IN BOTTLE OPENER  The Built-In Bottle Opener is incorporated right into the cardboard six-pack bottle carrier.  In utilizing the heavy parts of the handle, an opener is created that can be recycled instantly after opening the six bottles. 

Paul J. Malaspina- PEDI-PRO   The Pedi-Pro is an innovative emergency kit for pediatric resuscitations, life saving efforts when every second matters.  The kit brings the ultimate set-readiness of the Operating Room to the scene of the emergency.

Rebecca Niemeyer- ENVIRO-CONSCIOUS GROWLER BAGS  Bags constructed of 100% recycled materials destined for landfill—grain bags from a local brewery, foam from car body-shops and old seat-belt straps.

Ryan Rzepecki- SOCIAL BIKE SYSTEM  The Social Bike System (SoBi) is a public bike share system that uses GPS, mobile communications, and a secure lock that can attach to almost any bicycle and lock to any regular bike rack.

Ian C. Short- TOBY CARDS  A unique collection of artist designed note cards.  “Toby Cards” incorporate bold color, wry humor and off beat concepts.  Inimitably suitable for framing, “Toby Cards” distinguish their senders and collectors as astute, cultured individuals.

David Treusch- SLEEPY TIME PALS  A Sleepy Time Pal is a stuffed animal with an alarm clock inside, designed for children who have trouble waking for school.  To arm or disarm the clock, squeeze a hand.  At night, it closes its eyes and says goodnight.  In the morning, it opens its eyes and greets the child.

Michelle Vanco- CAR SEAT PONCHO  A slip on cover for any model car seat that protects your baby from wind, rain, sun, and cold, while still allowing baby the room and ability to play with toys.  It can also be used as a lap blanket or poncho.

Peter Vanco- SOCKET WRENCH  This new adjustable socket wrench can fit a wide range of nuts and bolts, standard and metric.  Also, the wrench includes teeth extensions, allowing a farther reach if necessary. 

Holly Villella- PIXS  Pixs are portable compression stocking donning and doffing aides.  Pixs’ strategically weighted plastic construction helps users grasp and leverage stockings without damaging fabric.  Measuring six inches from traction grasper to streamlined pull loop, Pixs’ ergonomic design lessens hand and wrist stress. 

 

Winner of 2010 InnovationErie: Design Competition
Dr. Paul Malaspina, Pedi-PRO (Professional Resuscitation Organizer)