One first placer, the SuperSweeper, is a spring-loaded push broom, submitted by Chris Kimbro, a senior at California State University Northridge. Pushing the broom forward for half a normal sweep is done due to the spring being compressed. Then, the broom head is self propelled forward for the second half of the sweep as the spring releases and recoils itself. The second first placer, a Jar Opener, was presented by Raymond Aaron Mead, a fifth-year senior at Cleveland Institute of Art. The utensil consists of two expandable elastomer rings, each designed to fit a range of lid sizes.
Human power stretches the ring around the lip of the jar lid and applies pressure to turn the lid.
Simplicity was the objective, according to Raymond. He is director of industrial design with Herbst Lazar Bell, Inc., Chicago. I know it will work. Va. He collects can openers. The plastic housing requires no water since it heats food with an internal electrical wiring system molded into the wall.