References

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5567148_toothpick-dispenser-works.html


http://www.ehow.com/how_4842887_toothpick-holder.html


http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6612463.html


http://www.onsalechina.com/wholesale/Tableware/Toothpick_Dispensers.htm


http://www.2020site.org/toothpick-holders/

Conclusion

Overall, my prototype was a success. Though I had many problems doing this project, I went back to fix some problems. Making the toothpick dispenser wasn't an easy job. I encountered several problems with this project. First was the lever not working properly then it was the chamber that was misplaced. my performance went well. Adjusting the chamber slight helped a lot. Once pressing down on the lever it acted as a release because every time the lever was pushed down a single toothpick was released. This was a good project because it required a lot of effort and timing. If I could go back I would have did a bit more research on the toothpick dispenser because I know that their was a lot more helpful information that could have helped me with my project.

Testing and Evaluation

After finally getting my final product together it was time to test it. I first opened the container to put in place a couple of toothpicks. My toothpick consisted of a lever which will allow to release a single toothpick at a time. The toothpick dispenser consisted of plane which is curved at both ends downward, with a small lip at each end. The curved plane hangs slightly over the edge of the housing chamber, with the small lip outwards. This part acts as the lever for dispensing a single toothpick. The plane moves back and forth,  allowing movement inside the chamber. My toothpick dispenser was a final success. It was able to hold, release, and keep toothpicks clean. Some problems that I encountered during the testing was that the chamber was slightly straight rather than curved. Since it was straight the toothpicks weren't able to be released. Another problem was that the lever wasn't going back up to keep other toothpicks from falling. I adjusted the chamber and the lever to allow only one toothpick to be released.

Constructing A Prototype

When creating my prototype they're were many problems. First the lever on my toothpick dispenser wouldn't go bak up to prevent other toothpicks from coming down. The problem was that many toothpicks were being released all at once. When I tried fixing the problem my lever wasn't well balanced and will not release any toothpicks.  Another problem was that I the box where the toothpicks were kept was straight. Since it was straight the toothpicks will only sit their and not be released. in order for them to be released the container where he toothpicks were had to be tilted a little so that when you hold down the lever the toothpick will fall down.

Final Solution

I chose this as my final solution because it meet all the requirements of a toothpick dispenser. It released a toothpick individually, while holding down a lever, it stores about 100 toothpicks, and it keep them clean. The other designs were good too, but one design wasn't rally considered a toothpick dispenser , but rather a toothpick holder. The other design wasn't able to hold as many toothpicks as this one. Overall, I think I chose the best solution that meet all requirements.

Possible Design Solutions

 

I chose this design because it was the most common toothpick dispenser their is. You see them at a almost any restaurant and I thought it will be nice to build the most common one. It also hold a lot of toothpicks and keeps them clean.

I chose this design because it had some really cool features. Instead of the toothpick coming down as the previous design, this toothpick dispenser shoots the toothpick up. Though I'm still not sure if its able to contain any toothpicks.

I chose this design because out of all the toothpick dispensers this was the most simplest one. This was also a very easy one to use. After detaching both sides from each other you insert the toothpicks and pull them out.

Problem Statement

What have you been asked to do?
I was basically asked to make and build a working toothpick dispenser. I will have to make a working prototype to see what improvements or changes I need before actually getting to my final product. Since I'm being asked to make a toothpick dispenser, it will have to be able to release a toothpick a time because a toothpick holder only contains and holds toothpicks while a toothpick dispenser released them. My toothpick dispenser should also be able to hold a certain amount of toothpicks swell as keeping them clean.

Power Point

Final Presentation

Introduction

My project topic was to construct a toothpick dispenser. But first I had to go through the designing process. I will research and investigate on how to make, design, and background of a toothpick dispenser. Throughout my project I will post all my work done throughout the project. I will start by doing background on my project, for example research and investigation. I will learn how a toothpick dispenser helps and benefits others. I will build a working prototype. My working Prototype should be a toothpick dispenser that releases one toothpick at a time by pushing down on a lever. Overall this should be a fun project because I will be constructing something that mostly everyone has at home but don't much attention to it.

Research and investigation

Proposal