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About the project
Work in Progress
A step away from structural engineering into customer-focused problem solving. A real problem, people with limited grip, joint pain, and motor conditions cannot independently open a standard disposable water bottle. Taken from user research through mechanism selection to a functional design direction.
The Problem
Standard 28mm twist caps require wrist rotation, tight pinch grip, and sustained squeeze force
No existing disposable bottle cap is designed for users with arthritis, muscle weakness, or motor impairment
Existing solutions are external opener tools — workarounds, not fixes
Users
Joint pain (RA, OA)
Force possible but causes pain, especially at finger joints Grip strength 48–52% below healthy peers Cannot sustain tight pinch or wrist twisting Pain is the constraint — not strength alone
Muscle weakness / elderly (65+)
Cannot generate sufficient torque unaided Grip below clinical threshold; under 18 kg (women), 28 kg (men) No pain, but cap torque exceeds available force Mechanical advantage is the direct solution
Motor/Nerve conditions (Parkinson's, CTS, stroke)
Control impaired, not just strength Cannot modulate grip force precisely Tremor and poor motor control prevent stable two-handed operation One-handed, single-motion actuation is non-negotiable
Process
Gap Analysis
Valve Comparison
Selection Rationale
Design Direction
28mm PCO 1881 neck finish — standard still-water disposable bottle
Cross-slit silicone valve — opens under suction or light squeeze, reseals passively
Single motion actuation — no twist, no pinch, no multi-step sequence
Disposable — same lifecycle as the bottle
Cross-slit geometry variations — in progress
Status
Concept development: Complete ✅
Mechanism selection: Complete ✅
Cross-slit design variations: In progress ⏳
Technical specifications: In progress ⏳
Prototyping: In progress ⏳
Skills
User Research · Ergonomics · DFM · Fluid Mechanics · First-Principles Design · PCO 1881 · Check Valve Mechanisms · Consumer Product Design
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