Hot Beverage Container

Project to design a new container for a hot beverage

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Ready for presentation, a more yellow version of what our hot beverage container would be like.

I asked people to try holding it and describe how it felt to them. For most people the hand shape was wrong but still smiled at the idea of something customised to their own hand while playing around with the feel of the grip and balance of the mug.

Improvements could be make to the base shape to make it more oval as we intended and to be able to use the extra space in the palm grip for fluid rather than have it solid as it is with this prototype. This would also bring the weight down.

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Developed our Business Model some more and fine tuned some of our goals with this product.

As we refined this I think it got more exciting. We could really start to see how this would fit into a market and finding out just how many people suffered from handing disabilities made the whole thing more worthwhile and viable.

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

It took a lot longer to dry than expected but once dry the hot beverage container was sanded smooth and 3 coats of Latex were applied to simulate the silicon sleeve we would use in the final product.

The latex dried quite yellow unlike silicon which would be more white but I think it gives a similar feel to what silicon would be and the shape is brilliant!

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

We met to build our design. As we mocked up the mug again with playdoh our design changed again and we thought that the wrap around handle around the thumb would require less effort to hold, would be lighter and easier to build, so we went for that.

We struggled to shape it in time and as a result the clay started to dry before we had finished It is a lot rougher than I imagined it would be but I’m pleased the general shape fits with what we discussed as a group.

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

WG409 Meetup

Refined Business Model Canvas

Started a Power Point

Presentation intro ideas with music https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BsL4iSv3kHtGIP-9JrWHnUuJUdiIGlI34BggLrdzD7Q/edit?usp=sharing

Decided on base cup

Agreed on a manufacturing process

Organised days together for manufacturing stages this week

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

After a lot of research and a trip to the WetLabs for advice I proposed molding our hot beverage container hand hold from this. Easy to mold, air dry, can be painted, with the idea to paint it with liquid latex to simulate the silicon feel and heat resistance needed. Also has the hospital / healthcare vibe The group of us all seam to be into it. Arranged to all meet up again tomorrow to start making it

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

At our meet up, 3 options to choose for the base model of our hot beverage container. Group decision was the front white one but the pattern will not feature in the final product. The size and shape were thought to be easier to hold and will allow us to do our custom handle. Also had a lip similar to what we had discussed previously and white fitted the hospital / health care market we are aiming for.

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Our group were slow starters with the Business plan but by the end of class we had populated each section with at least a couple of ideas. 

We started with two very different markets, novelty and healthcare, and we wanted to do both which was proving difficult. It was already becoming a lot of work trying to do both. A vote from the 4 of us ended in a tie. Coin toss decided, ‘Healthcare’ it is.

From that came a more focus approach to our target market. Eg, Arthritis sufferers would benefit from our product and it opened up other avenues to explore

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Materials

Didn’t think there would be quite so many ways of making a hot beverage container.

Advice from tutors and wet lab as well as my on research helped me get a better understanding on how mugs are actually made.

Most processes were beyond us given the timeframe. We are needing materials that won’t take to long to put together but look like the final product, something that hints at the hospital/healthcare look.

An oval cast ceramic or stainless steel mug with a silicon sleeve and handle, that has been molded to the individuals hand is the aim.

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Would be interested in incorporating some of the practical elements of these containers like the double insulated and lid design

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Some of the standard options from the supermarket. Nothing to way out there with any of these designs. Not really a market for something unique here

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

This morning we got to hear about hashtagcups and some serious business ideas and planning which challanged me to think about this hot beverage container from a different perspective.

This afternoon our group bought materials that helped us expand our ideas and develop new ones.

We all worked on the idea of the cup being a personal object and ways to customise it to feel more of an attachment to it, that blends the line between the hand and the object.

Some of the things we tried or had ideas on included - A perfect mold of the hand as the cup, surprisingly my hand mold fitted ok with other hands Using more of an elliptical shape based on the shape of the hand holding a cup Contoured place for you lips that fits the custom/personalised objective A ring around the hand which leaves your fingers free, not much effort to hold A two compartment cup that utilizes the free space by your palm when you pick up the cup and allows you to mix drink from different compartments

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

COM-10080: Thermoelectric coolers (TEC or Peltier) create a temperature differential on each side. One side gets hot and the other side gets cool. Therefore, they can

Something like this could be used to keep it hotter for longer...

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

5 designs from home.

Left to right- Everyday, multi use with good proportions and a nice large handle. Beautiful small, Stoney River pottery with no handle and stunning glaze. Small stainless double insulated to keep warm. Large classic quality square design that will even go in the oven. Standard tall cheaper mug with bright lacey print

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

Design from Tupperware. Sipper and tea strainer. Two colours, standard shape, target audience the 'on the go' person

[hotbeveragecontainer-blog]

DESIGN FOR BUSINESS

Started our design, a container for a hot beverage.

We got into groups and discussed our own personal preferences as if we were buying a mug and discovered some of the preferences each of us had on many design aspects before talking through many of our own ideas.

Important ideas for me from our group discussion - Connection to the user    hands and lips molds to your hand(and lips?)  gel,silicon,memory foam tactile, slightly textured  curved, unique, one off, imperfect overall look

Other ideas to explore more - customised silicon sleeve colour changing Slide lid    Salt shaker with twist select non-round shape under cup storage

I think each of us has a different idea on how functional it needs to be or the importance of the aesthetic element but we made good headway today with our discussion and even agreed on some ball park concepts we would like to peruse.