Bottle Opener Design for Arthritis Sufferers: Force and Deflection Analysis

[tompotts]

Hi,

Im designing a bottle opener to remove crown tops from beer and soda bottles. I know that its been done a hundred times before so don't tell me that please. I am designing the bottle opener so that it can be easilly and comfortably used by people who suffer from arthritis in the arms and hands.

Basically I have all the general leverage equations that i need, I also have the anthropometric data for the users, but i cannot find the amount of force needed to remove a crown top from a bottle, also the deflection needed to remove the top .

I have scoured the internet high and low to try and find this data, but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere.

If anybody on here has ever done anything that relates to this before and could help me out I would be eternally greatfull as this is for my final year major project.

Thankyou for your time reading this post.

Tom

 

[Integral]

Sounds like it is time for some measurements.

 

[pallidin]

The simplest way to do this would be to elongate the bottle opener(with the "grip area" at the end of course)
With a "double-length" bottle opener, the elderly or arthritic would have to raise the bottle opener twice the standard distance, but with only half the standard force.

 

[brewnog]

Yup, time to get measuring. You've probably researched this already, but don't forget that the top is often deformed and weakened by a tooth which dents the top of the, uhh, top as the flange is being lifted.

 

[FredGarvin]

I agree. Something like this has so much randomness to it that you would have to measure for yourself. I guess you could always try writing the PR dept. of some bottle opener companys and ask if they have that kind of data from their own research. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

[Danger]

I'll just add a warning of my own to Brewnog's, since it's something that could provide a hazard for elderly, blind, etc.. users. Since we've started recycling bottles here simply by cleaning and reusing them rather than melting them down and making new ones, I've run across an awful lot that will chip when opened. The problem arises in the twist-off type of beer bottles. When one with a chipped thread is reused, the cap crimps into the chip. This means that part of the cap is indented in such a way that it can't be twisted off, and a mechanical opener will often cause the damaged part of the cap to knock off part of the thread or rim when torqued up. Even if the chipped area itself isn't particularly hazardous, glass particles can end up in the beer.

 

[russ_watters]

Sounds like it is time for some measurements.

Great excuse for a party...

 

[FredGarvin]

Is there a way to account for errors after a certain nnumber of tests? My precision would go down pretty quickly after about 4 "trials."

 

[russ_watters]

Lame party, Fred. 10 people, 4 "trials" each... now that has the makings of a decent party.

 

[brewnog]

I think that the later trials would allow for a more realistic sample to be taken; not all bottles are going to be opened while sober after all.

Tom, don't forget to account for the fact that I need to be able to remove the lid whilst bladdered. Perhaps training a monkey should be investigated?

 

[Moonbear]

Lame party, Fred. 10 people, 4 "trials" each... now that has the makings of a decent party.

You better invite me to this party...er...I mean trial. I don't have arthritis, but I have a thumb that's been hurting a lot since I injured it this summer, and it definitely has made my grip weaker. I'd be a good test subject. And after the first two or three trials, I can also help you as a test subject for those who lack the typical coordination needed to open bottle tops.

 

[tompotts]

Thanks a lot for all the tips and advice guys. there's some good points in there.
Ill be sure to let you all know how the testing session goes!
Thanks a lot for your time on this one.