BRIEF
To make changes in an existing product to increase functionality, keeping in mind ergonomics, manufacturing process and material.
PROCESS
I choose to make changes in a tea bag.The thought process behind the current design was to be able to remove the tea bag without any help from a foreign object or directly touching a hot tea bag.
Most of us face this problem when we use a tea bag, once it is dipped we need to squeeze out the remaining water, which we either do by hand or with the use of a spoon. The tea bag is usually too hot, so either bear the pain of squeezing a hot tea bag or wait for it to cool.
While cooling, the tea bag remains in the cup, causing irritation also mixing more tea than required.
If another object such as a spoon or a tweezers are used it causes a mess by letting water drop and we all know tea stains are annoying to remove.
AIM
To ease the act of removing the tea bag from the cup once the tea has been mixed, without making a mess and without going the user going through the pain of holding a hot object. The current tea bags have a label that has the function of representing the brand and providing a place for the fingers to hold the tea bag. This design increases its functionality.
Initial Sketches
Rendering on Rhino
Rendering
Concept product - Tetley logo has just been put in as an example.
Instructions for use.
MANUFACTURING MATERIALS AND PROCESSES
Food grade plastics such as:
• Polycarbonate, a clear shatter-resistant material used in restaurant food storage containers
• HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage of its excellent protective barrier properties. Its chemical resistance properties also make it well suited for items such as containers for household chemicals and detergents. Most five gallon food buckets are made from HDPE. Examples: Milk bottles, shopping bags.
• HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage of its excellent protective barrier properties. Its chemical resistance properties also make it well suited for items such as containers for household chemicals and detergents. Most five gallon food buckets are made from HDPE. Examples: Milk bottles, shopping bags.
This product can be economically manufactured by infection molding in large quantities.
4th Semester (2013)
Duration: 6 days
Individual Project
