Modular furniture based on a system of separable fasteners for lightweight components comprise a set of open lightweight box structures (boxes), a furniture plate and a bezel panel. The separable components are connected with dedicated velcro discs installed as per the designed pattern. The boxes comprise four lightweight components to enable smooth assembly and disassembly. Hidden fasteners were used to connect the unified box components. Module sets are fully customizable as they may be arranged in any way (e.g. a four-box bookcase may be simply reconfigured to create a desk)
The technology for modular furniture based on a system of separable fasteners for lightweight components was developed as a part of research under a diploma project at the Department of Furniture Design, Faculty of Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences. Krzysztof Wiaderek, Ph.D. in engineering (employed at the Department of Furniture Design), and Adam Folwarski, University graduate, are the authors of the solution. Considering the commercialization potential behind the solution, a co-ownership agreement was first signed between the University and Mr. Adam Folwarski. The agreement regulates the division of rights to and benefits from the solution, and sets forth the parties’ obligations regarding payment of fees and costs involved in the commercialization process. As a next step, an application for protection of the technology as a utility model was filed with the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland. Prior to the commercialization process, a prototype of furniture was developed based on the technology considered under a cooperation agreement with MEBLE MATKOWSKI Sp. z o.o. Afterwards, the prototype set of modular furniture was tested for resistance and stability at the Furniture Testing Laboratory of the Poznań University of Life Sciences. The test of various configurations of storage furniture was completed successfully, as confirmed by the relevant certificate. After the tests, the employee who co-authored the solution reported the outcomes of scientific research and the related know-how to the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer as per the applicable procedure. Next, the Center hired an independent expert company to carry out a market valuation of the technology for modular furniture based on a system of separable fasteners for lightweight components. Authors of the solution contributed to the valuation process with their knowledge of furniture technologies and furniture market. In parallel, the University launched a dedicated procedure to make the decision on the commercialization of the solution in accordance with the Management rules for copyrights, related rights, industrial property rights and the principles for commercialization at the Poznań University of Life Sciences. The Director of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer issued a favorable opinion on the suitability of the technology for commercialization. The opinion was accepted by the competent Deputy Rector. As a next step, the Board in charge of Commercialization and Intellectual Property of the University adopted a resolution authorizing the University to launch the commercialization process. Upon meeting the internal procedural requirements, an invitation to submit offers for the purchase of a technology license was published at the website of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer. A proposal to purchase an exclusive license was submitted by MEBLE MATKOWSKI Sp. z o.o. On February 23, 2016, the license agreement on the exclusive use of the technology was signed between Meble Matkowski Sp. z o.o. and the Poznań University of Life Sciences. In accordance with the shared rights agreement, the preliminary license fee was divided between Mr. Adam Folwarski and the University, taking into account the costs involved in the valuation procedure. The part of the license fee allocated to the University was divided as per the Rules referred to above.
Picture 1. Presentation of the prototype modular furniture set at the 2016 Arena Design exposition.
Source: archives of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the Poznań University of Life Sciences.
The prototype of the commercialized solution was presented on March 8–11, 2016 at the 8th Arena Design exposition held at the premises of the Poznań International Fair.
Currently, the licensee seeks new markets and sources of financing for investments to start up the production based on the licensed technology. At the same time, the University monitors the licensee’s incomes used as a calculation basis for license fees, defined as a percentage in incomes specified in implementation reports delivered every 6 months