E-Z Squeeze Bottle Opener
Team Leader: Jessica Lee
Team Members: Ben Eovino, Grant Grossbier, Jenni Aye, Tyler Wilson
Team 8
June 8, 2012
Abstract
Testing and Analysis
When surveyed on standard bottle opener use,
consumer complaints include the opener slipping and
too much effort required for such a simple task. The E-Z
Squeeze bottle opener fixes these issues by utilizing
lever arms to amplify the user's force and an anchoring
hood to stabilize the bottle. Our SolidWorks model and
FEA demonstrate a successful product. Customer
convenience paramount, the E-Z Squeeze is a
lightweight, robust, and dishwasher safe bottle opener.
The lengths of the arm were determined by finding
the force required to remove a bottle cap. This was
determined by the following tests depicted in Figure 2:
1) Required force was determined by attaching force
meter to benchmark while opening bottle.
2) Average grip strength was determined by attaching
force meter to hand and flexing fingers.
To verify structural integrity, FEA stress analysis was
performed on the SolidWorks model and is shown in
Figure 4. Note: the yield strength of 1060 Aluminum
alloy is 27 MPa, minimum.
(a)
(b)
Figure 2. Grip strength test (Left), Benchmark test (Right)
Design
The original design transmitted a smaller force to the
bottle than the user supplied, which contributed to its
failure. The final design solves this problem through
the following design features:
ANCHOR: Keeps the far side of the bottle cap pinned
Figure 1. Original (a) and final (b) E-Z Squeeze bottle opener,
modeled in SolidWorks
Product Requirements
Design requirements have been determined through
benchmark testing, along with conducting surveys and
interviews to determine customers' recommended
improvements for a bottle opener. Based on the main
customer demands, the critical requirements for our
design were determined as follows:
down and locks the bottle into place.
LEVER ARMS: Makes the bottle easier to open by
amplifying the user’s force; analysis shown in Figure 3.
TORSIONAL SPRING: Separates the lever arms after use,
making the product more convenient to use.
ALUMINUM: Makes the bottle opener lightweight,
dishwasher safe and extremely durable.
MODULAR PARTS: Cuts manufacturing costs and allows
easy repairs.
Figure 4. Results of FEA in SolidWorks.
Results and Conclusion
The final design met most performance requirements
and passes FEA testing. Through the use of extended
lever arms and an anchoring piece, the final design is
more stable and requires minimal effort to operate.
Table 1: Performance criteria and goals
Performance Criteria
Design Goals
Acknowledgments
Actual
Stephen Laguette, Alex Russell, Adam Martinazzi
Required Force
< 12.5 lbs
~ 8 lbs
Weight
< 0.5 lbs
~ 0.27 lbs
Removal Time
< 3 seconds
~2 seconds
Washability
Machine Washable Material Aluminum
US Patents: US 2542329, US Pat. App 10907512, Patent D303071
Bottle Cap Retainer
Catches Cap
ISO 97.040: Kitchen equipment quality standard
Magnetic
References
Benchmark: Flat stainless steel bottle opener
Figure 3. Force required with the E-Z Squeeze opener at varying
arm lengths. Goal and final design point labeled in red