Make cooking simple again

Did You Know?

Did you know that over 22% of people in the United States have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? This number is much worse with people over 65, with 50% of them having some rheumatic condition.

Did you also know that a study conducted by the University of Michigan found that 71% of adults aged 50-80 report preparing nearly 50% of their meals at home?

First Steps

The first step in solving this problem was to identify how a conventional pan handle interacts with our wrists and hands. This involved one of the most crucial points of our design, user input. Our first step was to familiarize ourselves with the current market for cookware, then speak with members of the Warm Hearth Village retirement community in Blacksburg, Virginia, to find out how they thought modern cookware could be improved.

Final Product

Initial Concepts

Prototypes

Phase 1:

Our main concentration was on mechanics and user interaction. We 3D printed joint parts and used tooling foam and clay to construct handles. After showing our prototypes to Warm Hearth residents for feedback, we moved on to phase 2.

The Problem

The problem that most seniors with rheumatic conditions face is that, while they enjoy being independent and cooking their own meals, modern cookware often exacerbates these conditions. How do you design a pan that helps seniors exercise their independence while also minimizing pain in their wrists and hands? Me, and a team of three other students were tasked with researching and solving this problem.

All of our initial concepts began with the pan and the handle being one unit, but we then decided that a modular system would be more conducive to use and storage of the product.

Phase 2:

After receiving feedback from potential users at Warm Hearth, we worked on combining the form and the mechanics of the handle to be one cohesive unit, then casted prototypes in liquid rubber to experiment with tactile feel.

The Pan Handler allows people with rheumatic and arthritic conditions to enjoy cooking again. The rubberized, contoured grip fits comfortably in one’s hand while also alleviating wrist and hand pressure by keeping them in a neutral position, with enough space to grip with two hands if needed.