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Date: 12.10.2011
From: Tom Edwards

Subject: Design Research Please comment

Hi,

I'm Tom Edwards from Bournemouth University, I am in my final year of a Product Design course here. I am currently doing some research into how Rheumatoid Arthritis suffers deal with the everyday task of lifting and handling heavy pots and pans in the kitchen. I can imagine that this is a real struggle and many issues arise with this everyday task. I have read a number of comments on here, and like the one below other design students are looking at similar problems. Please could you take the time to answer a few questions for me.

1. Does the pain Rheumatoid Arthritis causes in your hands cause issues when lifting and handling heavy and hot pots and pans when cooking?

2. If so, what issues are there with current pots and pans that are on the market?

3. What product features would make the task of handling and lifting heavy pots easier for you to deal with?

Any comments will be appreciated.

At this stage i really just need to clarify that there is a real problem there and a product that specifically conquered these issues would be sought after and appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Tom Edwards
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Date: 12.10.2011
From: davina

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

hi tom
good luck
1. yes i have a problem with with my ra and using pans

2. i find that they are too heavy to lift and if i can lift then on a good day the handle is to thin to hold. Also tipping out the water is so difficult.

3. i thin making the handle much thinker would help and maybe adding a tipping element to it, eg the side of pan flat so we can tip the pan onto side to rinse out water ect.
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Date: 12.10.2011
From: Paula

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

I find it difficult to pick up pans. Husband normally does the cooking but he's had a bad back for the past few days so I've had to do the cooking. When I want to move pans from the cooker to the sink I have to make sure that I've got a clear run to the sink, in case I have to put the pan on the work surface. I too have trouble straining water out of pans. I have to put them on the edge of the sink, tip them to the side (need to use both hands) and hope that the contents don't end up in the sink. Problems as well when I wash and dry the pans. My OT did give me a good tip once. If you put the old type chip basket into the pan you can lift it out and the water drains away, then you can pour the water out, they aren't so heavy doing that.

I also think that kettles should have some sort of rubber heat resistant pad on the front so I can hold it with the handle with one hand and then the other can help to lift/steady it (hope you understand what I mean). I have to use a tea towel at the moment. I really don't want a kettle tipper in my kitchen yet. It also would make it safer when children start to use the kettle.
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Date: 12.10.2011
From: Tom Edwards

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hi,

Thank you so much for your feedback. I am highly considering designing a specific range of pots and pans that will be ergonomically designed to make your lives easier, when dealing with hot and heavy pans. I will in the near future have some more detailed specific questions.

But for the time being, if i were to design such a product, at a reasonable cost that provided all of the necessary elements to make the process of cooking with hot and heavy pans a lot easier for RA suffers. Would it be a product you would invest in? or would you say that using alternatives is a more viable option for you? i.e. using a chip type basket.

Please comment, your feedback is very useful to my research.

Thank you agin for your time.

I hope you are all coping well at the moment.

Regards,

Tom Edwards
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Date: 12.10.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Until you have designed a new product and it is on the shelf, it would be difficult to say if it would be a good purchase. It might be good for you to design the product get it manafactured and ask some RA PA OA sufferes to test it for you.Then take the feedback and decide wether you could sell the product. Good Luck.
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Date: 20.10.2011
From: Christine Robinson

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

hi tom
I suffer from RA, spacific problems are as follows

pans when full of water and contents are heavy to lift and move. Having RA in hands makes lifting and manovouring difficult and dropping things is always a problem as you have no core strength.
I have got pans with a heat proof handle on both sides but lifting is still difficult - and sometimes hot
I usually have a colendar in the sink to drain contents but twisting my wrists' round is difficult.
I belive although ergonomically designed products would be a bonous it is a weight issue mainly.
I wish you good luck in your endevour
regards
Christine
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Date: 20.10.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

hi tom, All aspects of lifting pots and pans is difficult. There are some on the market with ergonomic handles but they are quite pricey.

I have a basket the council gave me for putting in the pan and boiling veg and pasta etc. However, it tips up towards the handle which means that stuff doesn't get fully emerged. I don't use it for veg as I steam mine but I do use it for pasta. But you still have to empty the pan of water after.

Maybe a device like silicone attachable ergonomic handles that you could use on any pan or bowl (can I claim intellectual property rights on this one?!!) But they would have to be easy to put on and off for people with arthritis.


I would like to see an ergonomically designed frying pan. Maybe with heatproof handles both sides. Mine is so heavy I can barely lift it.

Also, a device to slide pans from the cooker to the work surface and hence the sink.

Saucepans with a deep pouring lip so you can drain them at less of an angle. Or maybe something you could put in the saucepan to drain most of the water out without tilting. Maybe something to help tilt them.

Stable lightweight saucepan.
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Date: 24.10.2011
From: Val

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hi Tom,
I have RA and because mine isn't under control yet, meds not at correct levels, I have a lot of problems in the kitchen. I have to call the family to help a lot. The only time I can safely lift a saucepan is when it's empty. The worst thing I dropped was the chip pan, luckily the oil was cold but what a mess! I cannot strain veg or pasta and find it very painful to move the pans from the hob to the sink and always have to ask someone to do it for me. The pans need to be very lightweight but this is not always practical as some foods need a heavy based saucepan. For me handles either side would help as I have to use both hands to hold things, even a full glass, and as someone else has said with wide, sturdy handles.
For anyone who has trouble with kettles I have been told you can buy a kettle tipper, am going to look into it.
Good luck with the degree.
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Date: 25.10.2011
From: Tom Edwards

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for your comments, it has been very useful to have your feedback and comments.

I am currently looking at the aesthetics of the design (the way it looks as a utensil in your kitchen). What would the product ideally look like in your opinion?

At the moment, I am looking at having a stylish, modern, contemporary look with a playful element being incorporated with the use of colour and the overall function of the product.

Please let me know your opinion on this. Your advice is highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Tom Edwards
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Date: 25.10.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hi Tom, I would rather have something sleek/stylish rather than 'playful' as playful usually means primary colours, which remind me of nurseries. Also, I don't really want something in my kitchen that stands out as being specially designed. The best advice I can give is to say if you could design something that everybody would want, you are on to a winner!
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Date: 25.10.2011
From: Dilizjo

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

I agree with all the suggestions made above whole heartedly.
I would like to add that gadgets that help open packets and ring top cans would also be useful I often have to call family members to open something for me especially plastic milk cartons both types the ones with the plastic tab to pull on outside of screw top and those that are sealed on the inside, they are a nightmare.
I thoroughly agree with any item should blend easily into the kitchen and not stick out as 'I need help'
There are many other areas that we struggle with ie: personal care, holding a hair drier, washing hair, drying your back etc some well thought out products would be gratefully received.
Also another thing to bear in mind is that they need to be easily affordable:)
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Date: 26.10.2011
From: tom edwards

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hi,

Yet again, thank you immensely for your feedback!

In terms of the style, I was more focusing on implementing a playful element in the way the user interacts with the product. so it makes it easy and enjoyable to use. This element will hopefully attract more people to use it, fully taking it away from being a tool for arthritis suffers, but a useful kitchen tool that is suitable and attractive for use by everyone and anyone. Ideally becoming more of a kitchen feature that you can somewhat show off to guests instead of hiding away. When i have some concept sketches I will post a link on here, I would love to have your personal feedback.

Regards,

Tom Edwards
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Date: 01.11.2011
From: Tom Edwards

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hello everybody,

I have created a longer and more specific questionnaire, please could you take the time to have a look through it. it will enable me to create the best possible product.

Please follow this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQ2GR63

Your help is appreciated highly.

Kind Regards,

Tom Edwards
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Date: 05.11.2011
From: Tom Edwards

Subject: Re: Design Research Please comment

Hi guys,

I just need one more person to participate in the questionnaire detailed above.

If anybody could spare a few minutes to complete it, would be very helpful for my design project. Please follow the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQ2GR63

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Tom Edwards
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