Additional Information

The goal of our project is to evenly and thoroughly apply an external (dry) fluid to an independently operating system to ensure maximum operating efficiency.  The chemical Molybdenum Disulfide, a dry lubricant, will be applied to a two-stroke engine while the engine is still operating, ensuring the shaft of the engine is evenly and thoroughly lubricated to increase operating efficiency.  Two-stroke engines are found in outboard motors, which can be found on small water craft, including vessels which would be operating in marine environments.





However, we have chosen to present this system using a simpler, more relatable medium.  To display the systems and principles of our idea, we will be creating an attachment to a soft serve machine which will evenly apply sprinkles to the ice cream as it flows through our attachment.  We decided to use ice cream and sprinkles because they are safer, easier to handle materials, and they are considerably more accessable than Molybdenum Disulfide and two-stroke engines.  In our representation, sprinkles will represent the dry fluid and must be applied to the ice cream as it leaves one of the spigots.  The ice cream will represent the independent system as it will flow through our apparatus unaffected by the addition of sprinkles.  I am confident our display will accurately display the processes we are working on.  We find that it is easier to become familiar with a system if it is first presented in simple terms.  Using sprinkles and ice cream will also give our project a broader interest group and therefore will be able to inform more people.  As such, we will be focusing the rest of our research and work on creating our apparatus to ensure we can do a thorough job, and this will help us to display the systems as best we can.

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My partner and I intend to build a device which can be applied, almost universally, to common soft serve machines found in most ice cream franchises.  These franchises can use the device as an alternate or primary means of applying sprinkles to ice cream.  Franchise employees will have to learn how to use the device so that they can better serve their customers.  Our product is perfect for any customer who wants a cone which has sprinkles throughout the ice cream, and not just on the exterior.




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Currently, sprinkles are only applied to the ice cream after the ice cream has been deposited in either a cone or cup.  Methods for applying the sprinkles are rudimentary at best.  For cones, the ice cream is rolled in sprinkles by the employee, however, there is always the possibility of having the ice cream fall out of the cone into the sprinkles.  This wastes ice cream, sprinkles, and ultimately costs the company money and time.  For ice cream in cups, the sprinkles are simply spooned onto the ice cream from the container.  This process takes time, and does not always ensure the ice cream is evenly coated.  Both processes are clearly not the best means of applying sprinkles, and with both processes, there are only sprinkles on the exterior of the ice cream.  Our product would eliminate all those problems, while applying sprinkles throughout the cone or cup.  This way, the customer gets more of what they want, and the franchises have a faster, more effective means of applying sprinkles to ice cream.




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The final design needs to have a simple, yet functional mood.  It must be easy to use, while still doing a good job completing the task.  It must be a well-made, long lasting product, which can handle the wear and tear acquired in everyday use.  Unfortunately, there are not many products which are similar to what we are going to be designing.  That was one of the intents of our project, to design and model something that is new, and completely our own idea.  However, some products which are representative of our mood are iPod, the Little Giant Ladder System, and Glad Tupperware.