.:Tuesday, 14/07:.

Synopsis ready:
Our project is called the bOxx! Our objective was to create a box that was easy to carry around and could store a lot of things. We got this idea from the problems we faced in Term1, when we had to rush to and fro from classes to classes while carrying all our stationeries and work. In the end, all our belongings were bent or dropped until they were spoilt. Hence we came up with bOxx! We thought that big boxes were kind of bulky to lug around hence, we came up with the idea of a foldable box. We created the bOxx! Such that it could be stored much easier than most other big boxes when compacted and could store almost the same amount when extended. The bOxx! is made out of cardboard as cardboard is easily foldable and can support a large amount of weight. We made a simple average day box but with an extension at the side which allows it to be fully extended to the desired length.

Get ready for semi-finals!

.:Friday, 10/07:.

Meeting: 11
Mentor: absent
Time: 1300~1700
Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene
Absent: None

Matters discussed:
1)3rd prototype made by Eugene and Zhen Hui
The box is quite different from the original idea since it is made out of only one piece of cardboard. More flaps that needed to be folded to collapse it. It is covered with bubble wrap to protect the box and it also makes the box more appealing aesthetically. Now, the expanded version is A4 size instead of the original A3. The collapsed version is less bulky. Additions have to be made for the box because of certain differences between the original idea and the new box(e.g. Holes).

2) Comments made by other group members:
Yi Xuan: Quite well done but it needs a cover.
Alvin: Should not have strayed so far from original idea.

Tasks assigned:
None

.:Sunday, 05/07:.

Meeting: 10
Mentor: absent
Time: 1500~1700
Present: Alvin, Eugene, Yi Xuan, Zhen Hui
Absent: None

Matters discussed:
1) 2nd prototype made by all group members
It is made of cardboard. The measurements are wrong because too much slack is given. However, the expanded portion is a lot more than the previous box. Also, it looks a little ugly because a lot of tape can be seen and it is rather obvious due to colour. It is still quite bulky and unable to fit in bags.

2) Comments made by group members
Alvin: A better attempt than before. Perhaps paint would do the trick?
Zhen Hui: The measurements really need correction.
Yi Xuan: The judges might not find it aesthetically appealing.
Eugene: Follows the original idea really well.

Tasks  assigned:
Eugene & Zhen Hui: Design & construct the 3rd prototype

.:Tuesday, 16/06:.

Meeting: 9
Mentor: absent
Time: 1500~1800
Present: Alvin, Eugene, Yi Xuan, Zhen Hui

Matters discussed:
1)First prototype completed by Eugene
It has a small height and great area. It is made of carton, a slightly thicker version of cardboard and it does not bend easily. When collapsing the box, measurements fit nicely.

2) Comments made by other group members
Alvin: Expanded portion should be more. Dimensions are wrong.
Zhen Hui: Follows the original idea quite well
Yi Xuan: Still quite bulky
Overall: A good attempt but it can be improved

Tasks assigned:
Alvin: Design 2nd prototype
Eugene & Zhen Hui: Source for cardboard

.:Friday, 10/04:.

Alvin's task available:
http://www.slideshare.net/3moDuDe/constructing-a-miniscule-model-of-b-oxx

.:Thursday, 09/04:.

IMPORTANT DATE: PROJECTS' DAY PRELIMINARY ROUND
Meeting: 8
Mentor: absent
Time: 0800~0815; 1320~1345
Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene
Absent: None

Matters discussed:
1) Projects' Day prelim round
Presentation of project
Comments by judges:
Box hard to visualize; a mini model may be needed
Wood cannot be used
2) Reflections
Alvin: Presentation was fine; listen to judges' comments and improve.
Zhen Hui: Great teamwork. Inventors' Log by Alvin was good.
Yi Xuan: Judges made very relevant comments which would be a great help to our project.
Eugene: Commendable effort by whole group. Keep it up!

Tasks assigned
Alvin: Create a template and a miniscule model of the box.

.:Wednesday, 08/04:.

Meeting: 7

Mentor: present

Time: 1320-1420

Venue: Staffroom

Present: Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: Alvin (Urgent matters)

Matters discussed:

1) Physical survey

Has to be conducted within the next month

2) ¡bOxx! details

Dimensions:
Expanded -- 44cm x 31.7cm x 5cm

Folded -- 23.5cm x 31.7cm x 5cm

3) Review of PowerPoint

Things to include:

Disadvantages of design; flaws

Content page

Survey link

4) Inventors' log

Decision to post on blog

Tasks assigned:

Yi Xuan: PowerPoint [UPDATE: changed to Eugene]

Zhen Hui: Inventors' log [UPDATE: changed to Alvin]

.:Tuesday, 07/04:.

Meeting: 6
Mentor: present
Time: 1320-1400
Venue: Staffroom, HCI
Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene
Absent: None

Matters discussed:
1) Discussion of PowerPoint
Comments by mentor:
Include resources, legend for images and images for commercially-available designs
Write a script for the presentation
2) Inventors' log
Has to be improved from a scrappy piece of paper
Paper is fine but it needs to be in a file
A booklet is fine too

Tasks assigned: None

.:Tuesday, 31/03:.

Meeting: 5

Mentor: absent

Time: 1320-1420

Venue: 1i2, Sec 1 Block, HCI

Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: None

Matters discussed:

1) PowerPoint

2^nd draft completed together
http://www.slideshare.net/3moDuDe/boxx2nd

2) ¡bOxx! details

Materials still unfound

Dimensions unconfirmed

3) Survey

Ongoing

Physical survey may be needed

Tasks assigned: None

.:Wednesday, 25/03:.

Meeting: 4

Mentor: absent

Time: 1320-1500

Venue: LT4, Clock tower, HCI

Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: None

Assigned tasks done:

Alvin

Matters discussed:

Online survey has been started on SurveyMonkey.

Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=62NoiLpl6JNNP3bHiwoBNw_3d_3d

Sent via email to former Primary school classmates and requested their family/relatives to participate.

Some comments and suggestions: Add a handle

Hard to make

Similar boxes on the market

Wood is heavy and bulky

Does it work in 3D?

Tasks assigned: None

.:Tuesday, 10/03:.

Meeting: 3

Mentor: present

Time: 0800-1320

Venue: Space, Tech Centre, HCI

Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: None

Assigned tasks done:

Zhen Hui

Matters discussed:

1) Confirmation of idea

Idea has been confirmed by mentor to be feasible. Thumbs up! :P

2) Development of idea

Idea titled: ¡bOxx!

Fold method: Flap-like folding; ability to store items when folded.

Using Velcro for attaching; hinges for flexibility:

Material set as wood.

3) Discussion of idea with mentor

Points raised:

Box may bend due to incompatible sizes

4) Solution of problems

A hook-and-ring design to keep the box open:

5) PowerPoint development

1^st draft of PowerPoint developed
http://www.slideshare.net/3moDuDe/b-oxx1st

1^st presentation; feedback given:

Design works in theory but may not in actual model

Missing links in presentation

How to counter disadvantages of box

6) Compilation of market research

Existing designs:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?query_txt=foldable%20box&sort=relevance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofWLcDsx5tA

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hello‑Kitty‑Teddy‑Bear‑Foldable‑Storage‑Case‑Box‑6BX0_W0QQitemZ220387065097QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220387065097&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A120566%3A265%3A1239%3A1240%3A1318301%3A1293%3A1294%3A50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofWLcDsx5tA

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5429261.html

Tasks assigned:

Alvin: Create market survey

Eugene: Improve on PowerPoint

.:Monday, 09/03:.

Meeting: 2

Mentor: present

Time: 0800~1320

Venue: Space, Tech Centre, HCI

Present: Alvin, Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: None

Matters discussed:

1) Discussion of idea

Reasons for abandoning idea:

Both previous ideas were unfeasible and the designs would not work.

The threader would collapse in Design 1; and the axis in the middle was a problem in Design 2. Also, the commercial version was already very easy to use and there was little to improve on.

2) Brainstorming for new ideas

Idea 1: Multi-compartment Lunchbox

This idea was thought up because most lunchboxes have no compartments and storing various types of food individually becomes a hassle.

Hence, we thought of maximizing the space available in the lunchbox by adding more compartments (dual layered, drinks holder etc.) and dividing the original lunchbox with compartments; compartments for utensils and cutlery were possible. However, such a design is commercially available (Japanese Lunchbox) and has been copyrighted.

Idea 2: Foldable Box

There was a problem in the case where storage of large/bulky items is needed, while the storage thing itself was hard to store.

A foldable box would be convenient; it could be expanded to store items and folded for keeping. However more development has to be put onto this idea as it is still sketchy. Method of folding [accordion-style?] needs to be confirmed.

Tasks assigned:

Zhen Hui: Search for commercially-available foldable/collapsible boxes.

.:Thursday, 05/03:.

Meeting: 1

Mentor: Absent

Time: 1350~1450

Venue: Outside staffroom, Sec 1 Block, HCI

Present: Zhen Hui, Yi Xuan, Eugene

Absent: Alvin (competition)

Matters discussed:

Brainstorming of ideas for invention; discussion

Idea proposed: Needle Threader

A needle threader which would help people with poor eyesight or shaky hands to thread a needle. The idea was derived from an instrument found in sewing boxes which was extremely useful for sewing. There was a commercial design:

Improvements that could be made to this design:

Design 1:

Put thread through a U-loop, then apply pressure to the ends, trapping the thread inside which could then be inserted into the needle

Design 2:

Put thread through V-shaped opening, then apply pressure to the other end, trapping thread between two prongs of wire

Tasks assigned:

None