Ossed: The Innovative Collector for Fruits and Leaves

Simplifying Garden Work for Elderly and Urban Dwellers

As the son of elderly parents, designer Julius Szabo was inspired to create a tool that would minimize the demanding work in the garden. The Ossed collector not only benefits elderly people living in the countryside but also helps keep green balconies clean in urban areas.

The Ossed collector, designed by Julius Szabo, is a unique tool that revolutionizes the way we collect fruits and leaves. Unlike traditional methods that require manual effort, the Ossed collector utilizes the power of nature, including gravitation, wind, rain, freeze, and even the warmth of the sunshine.

Focusing on sustainability, the Ossed collector minimizes the use of plastic materials and instead incorporates organic alternatives whenever possible. The base is made of stainless-steel plate using laser cut and common machinery methods to achieve precision, while the wooden parts are hand-crafted from local hardwood.

One of the remarkable features of the Ossed collector is its adaptability to different tree sizes. Taking into consideration the tree crown diameter, three sizes were developed: S with a diameter of 2.5 meters, M with 4.5 meters, and L with 6.5 meters.

Designed with simplicity in mind, the Ossed collector is easy to install and operate. Its intuitive installation and adjustable features, such as hooks, drawstrings, bungee cords, hook & loop, and rope tighteners, make it user-friendly without the need for additional tools.

The development of the Ossed collector began in February 2019 and was completed in May 2021 in Trstice, Slovakia. Throughout the process, 16 different concepts and prototypes were tested to ensure the best possible design. The color selection of the collector also takes into account the behavior of birds, preventing them from getting entangled in the net.

The Ossed collector has garnered attention not only from elderly individuals looking for a convenient gardening solution but also from those involved in fruit spirit production. With its ability to harvest ripe fruit 24/7, the Ossed collector has become a valuable tool for individuals producing fruit spirits, a tradition with a long history in Central Europe dating back to the Middle Ages.

The development of the Ossed collector was not without its challenges. Finding the right materials that allow for the adjustment of the collector to the unique shape and size of each tree was crucial. The goal was to create a sustainable, durable, and lightweight product that would withstand various weather conditions.

As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." The Ossed collector embodies this philosophy, providing a simple yet innovative solution to the challenges of fruit and leaf collection. With its ability to protect fruits from fall damages, molds, bugs, and worms, the Ossed collector ensures a bountiful harvest and a cleaner garden.

The Ossed collector has been recognized for its ingenuity and creativity, receiving the Bronze A' Design Award in the Agricultural Tools, Farming Equipment, and Machinery Design category in 2022. This prestigious award acknowledges designs that demonstrate technical and creative skills while contributing to improvements in quality of life.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Julius Szabó
Image Credits: Julius Szabó
Project Team Members: Julius Szabó
Project Name: Ossed
Project Client: Julius Szabó


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