twister

What it does

Conventional vinyl umbrella cover takes up too much energy to get dispose, compare to its short usage. We are wasting tremendous energy to process it, only to enjoy short convenience. Can we make a change? Do we really need it?

Your inspiration

Vinyl requires far more time to be decomposed than its usage time. However, it is carelessly consumed and easily thrown away. In particular, vinyl umbrella covers are used several times a day, wasted only to hold tiny amount of rainwater for a very short time.

How it works

Twister reduces time to drain rainwater by using energy created from human activities. Rolled steel plate and screw hole are main parts of Twister. Thin steel plate is rolled into circular shape and the inner part of the roll is connected to the screw hole while outer part is stick with plastic cylinder that covers the machine. When a user put his/her umbrella to a screw shaped hole placed on the bottom of Twister and take a half turn, then inner part of steel plate connected to the screw will start to spin and be rolled, ‘twisting’ the umbrella. The screw hole is sloped downward, like taper shape, so rainwater will be drained to floor. Bumpy rubber blades will be placed in the center of the plates so that they will better stick with umbrellas, more effectively wringing them.

Design process

I have developed the idea to solve problems created from excessive use of disposable vinyl. Through several thought experiments and actual 3D printing, I’ve minimized unnecessary parts from Twister. Main parts of Twister were created through 3D printing, to test feasibility and effectiveness of the product. Also, several aspects were considered during experiments such as users, place to be used and plausible size to prevent potential problems.

How it is different

Why? Following are the analysis on the limitations of products that are used to replace umbrella covers. Product 1: Electronic Dryer Similar to hair dryer or hand dryer that we use, this product dries water from umbrellas by blowing artificial wind. Although it reduces these non-biodegradable wastes, it is hard to tell the product is energy efficient since it requires electric power. After all, it is another way of consuming energy and resource. Product 2: Wiping with Towel Some products attached towel-like materials to the plates so that users can wipe out rainwater when they walk around the products. However, these products cannot take up a large amount of water, and it cannot completely remove waste as towels are consumables like vinyl but with slightly longer life span. Overcoming these limitations, Twister can drain rainwater with no electricity but only with energy created from human force, and without any use of new consumables.

Future plans

I will develop the Twister by producing proto types and test how effectively it can drain water from umbrellas. Also, I’m planning to design several types of Twister so that the product can serve not just classic long umbrellas, but different kinds of umbrella like compact umbrellas and foldable umbrellas.

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