Ergonomical Aspects of Water Bottle In TermsOf Usage: Ergonomics Interventions,Advancements and Suggested DesignManish Kumar

Department of Fashion Technology, National Institute of FashionTechnology, Mumbai

Abstract

Water bottle is a one of the most common product used byalmost everyone in this world. It allows an individualto transport and carry a beverage from one place toanother. This brief Paper is about the factors which isresponsible for designing any bottle for e.g. – Openingof bottle, Bottle diameter, Shape of bottle, Type ofclosure, Ridges around the bottle, material used. Allthese factors are responsible for making the productergonomically suitable.

There are numerous attempts towards the advancements ofbottle design like tear drop cap, Sidel bottle, Eco-cokedesign etc which is discussed in detail in this paper.

Keywords: Eco-coke, Ridges, Water Lips, Eco-Fina

1. Introduction

Every bottle manufactureron this planet has jumpedon the “ergonomicsbandwagon” by releasing newand improved “ergonomic”versions of the same oldproducts.

By releasing a new“ergonomically” designedproduct, a bottlemanufacturer not onlycatches consumers’attentions with a colourfuland curvy new design,companies are also showingconsumers that they care

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about our well being. Theywant people to have a morepleasant and healthyrelationship with theirproduct. The problem is,most of these ergonomicallydesigned products are justhype with little or noergonomic science behindthem, designed to evoke acertain emotion from theconsumer so they will getexcited about tired oldproducts and buy them

again. Apart of marketingmoves, continuousexperiments is beingcarried out to make bottlesergonomically improved. Themain concern is that peopledo not care much aboutergonomics; they just makethemselves comfortable withany poorly designed product-i.e. - why we see veryless effort towardsergonomics.

2. Parts of a Bottle

Cap Neck Middle grip Base

2.1 Cap

Cap is for closure ofbottle. It prevents waterto spill out once it isused and closed. Caps areusually made up of plastic.Caps for plastic bottlesare often made of adifferent type of plasticthan the bottle. Screw capsare most common type ofcap, which functions on thetorque applied to the cap.There are noticeable ridgesaround the outer surface ofcap which provides frictionwhile applying torque foropening the cap.

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Closure lining material isalso used at the inner topof the cap which isresponsible for tightclosing of cap. Foamedpolyethylene (F217) is oneof the closure liningmaterial, Commonly usedwith plastic screw caps. F-217 is a soft polyethylenefoam core covered on topand bottom with solid,clear polyethylene suppliedin 0.050 inch thickness.F217 has become theindustry standard due toits all purposecompatibility, resilient,compressible seal,cleanliness (no pulp dust)and economy. F217 linershave excellent chemicalresistance and a lowmoisture transmission rate.F217 has good taste andodour resistance. (Bottlecap, 2012)

2.2 Neck

Neck of bottle acts as abridge. It allows water toflow out of the bottle.There are different shapesof neck available varieswith different brands.

2.3 Middle Grip

This is the part whichallows consumer to hold thebottle. It often has somebranding around the bottle.Usually the diameter ofmiddle grip is the lesserthan the base of thebottle. Because lesser thediameter, more the surfacearea covered by palm hencemore the friction, whichresults as better grip tohold the bottle.

2.4 Base

It allows the bottle torest on the surface. Basedesign also varies withbrands. The main purpose ofbase is to providestability to the bottlewhen it is at rest.(Designing the bottle)

3. ErgonomicalIntervention

Ergonomics plays a verycrucial role whiledesigning a bottle. Be it

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shape, opening hole, ridgesor type of opening.

The hollow cylindricalshape of the bottle allowsthe consumer to hold itwith one hand drink from itwith physical comfort.Also, its plastic capallows water storage forlater use and portabilitywithout the consumer havingto worry about spilling.

The bottle's transparencygives the bottle clear andpure aspects like that ofdrinking water itself,giving visual comfort toits consumers.

The form of the plasticbottle allows for theconsumer's safety. Becauseof its round cylindricalshape, the plastic bottlecan be used without causingany physical harm when itcomes into contact with theconsumer. Although thereare some companies thatchoose a square form withedges for their plasticwater bottles (such as Fujiwater), the bottle isdesigned so that the 90degree angles where thesides meet are rounded out

to allow physical comfortand avoid harm uponcontact. (Ergonomics ofwater bottle, 2010)

3.1 Surface design

Ridges or reinforcementrings are the example ofsurface design on bottles.It has aesthetical as wellas functional purposes.

It provides better grip tohold the bottle when theyare drinking or picking itup and strength to thebottle so that it doesn’tdeform during usage.

3.2 Ease of opening cap

Opening of cap is mostcommon problem faced byconsumers because sometimesit gets too tight to beopened.

The bottle top or lid hasbeen designed with tinylines or bumps around theedges so that it can help auser open the bottle whenthey want to drink or fillit up (Use of ergonomic andanthropometric data). Ithelps with grip which isparticularly good for older

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people or users that sufferfrom arthritis.

3.3 Opening hole

In a regular practice,Bottled water opening holecomes in lesser diameter ofopening because smalleropening of bottle allowsthe consumer to fit theirlips at the opening.

Smaller opening alsoregulates the optimumamount of water to pass,which prevents theconsumers from choking ofwaters.

The hole at the top of thebottle where people drinkfrom is just the right sizefor water to come out sothat a user can drink andfit their mouth around it. 

28mm opening is consideredas a standard opening ofbottle across the world.

3.3.1 Japanese Study onstandard opening size ofbottles

The majority of Japaneseconsumers believe that theopening of bottles (28mm)are too small, a study hasfound, while also

determining that 33mm isthe optimum size for‘drinking ease’.

The study was based onOptimal drinking ease whichis ideal volume of beverageflowing into the mouth, atwhich consumers feel mostcomfortable while drinkingdirectly from bottles.

Evaluation function ofdrinking ease wasdifference between theactual volume of fluid inthe mouth and the expectedideal volume.

Although the major drawbackof the study, it wasconducted on only 18university students assubject. They should haveincluded people from allages. Children wouldperhaps prefer smalleropenings.

Another drawback was theydidn’t consider the type ofbeverage during the study.Bottle opening dimensionschanges according to thebeverage type; one can’tdrink carbonated water inbig gulps while juices canbe consumed in a go.(Bouckley, 2012)

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3.4 Shape of Bottle

Shape varies from Brand tobrand but eventually itfollows the design similarto the cylindrical shape.Shape of a bottle plays avital role in ergonomics ofa bottle.

The shape of a bottledwater package is perhapsthe most noticeable aspect.Although the standardbottle shape is stillfairly prevalent, otherforms such as pouches andcartons are gainingmomentum. Additionally, theshape of the standardplastic bottle is beingmodified to include complexcontours and swirls. (N.NOBLE L. PAUU, 2009)

3.5 Diameter of the bottle

Lesser the diameter ofbottle more is the grip orsurface contact whichprevents the bottle to slipout of the hand.

Larger bottles are not soeasy to use because it mayneed both hands to hold thebottle.

Larger bottles are not soeasy to use, largerdiameter is the clearreason behind it because ofless surface areacontacted.

4. Advancements inbottle design

4.1 Tear drop cap

It is designed by Shao-NungChen. It provides ease ofopening cap, lesser effortto unscrew the cap.Elongated area providesgreater friction to rotatethe cap for opening easily.This is not fullycommercialized and it is

experimented on cokebottles. It’s ergonomic andsmooth. (The teardropBottle Cap) (Easy to Open

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Bottle Cap, 2011) (EasyCap!)

4.2 Bottle with best middle grip

It is also named as “bottlewith a feminine waist”. Itis designed by Tridimage,USA and patented by Sidelin 2004 (US Patent6695162).

The plastic bottle has abody that is cylindricalbetween the bottom of thebottle and the shoulderarea, and is provided withreinforcing rings composedof a groove made around thebody of the bottle.

Reinforcing rings forbetter grip and to provideeffective protectionagainst crushing uponopening. The groove has aperipheral profile of aconstant simple curve.

(ERGONOMICS IN BOTTLEDESIGN)

Central part has aperipheral profile with aconcavity turned toward theoutside of the bottle, theupper and lower parts eachhave a concavity turnedtoward the inside of thebottle. It provides better

grip for holding thebottle. Additionally thestructure prevents thereinforcing rings/groovefrom becoming deformedunder the effect ofinternal pressure.

(Michel Boukobza, 2004)

4.3 Bottle with unique shape

The silhouette bottle isdesigned by Martin Broenfrom Italy.

The Back part is dedicatedto maximize the handlingcomfort by offering in thecentre a reduced grippingarea. (Steeman, ERGONOMICS

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IN BOTTLE DESIGN (PART 02))

At an angle the grip areafacilitates the pouringaction. Spherical lowersurface that fits in thepalm of the hand andprovides greater grip.

Upper surface that helpsloading the weight on thehand reducing the grabbingforce needed.

Martin Broen intended tocreate a packaging thatoffers an ideal grippinggeometry, a distinctiveshape and strong presence.(reinvent, 2007)

4.4 Eco-friendly Bottle

Bottled water brandAquafina, manufactured byPepsiCo, is debuting a newbottle called Eco-Fina that

uses 50 percent lessplastic and provides themost lightweight half-litrewater bottle on the market.Using a patented spider webtechnology, they designed aflexible lightweight bottlethat uses 50% less plasticthan the 2002 version. Now,they've improved the designand the bottle is sturdierthan the previous one. Thenew bottle will save anestimated 75 million poundsof plastic annually. (Eco-fina Bottle)

In another development, 24packs of Aquafina will nolonger come with acardboard base. This is

expected to save 20million pounds ofcorrugated cardboard eachyear. (Granger, 2009)

4.5 Square shaped biodegradable bottle

Designer Andrew Kim hascreated a new EcoCoke concept bottle thatminimizes the packaging’senvironmental footprintwhile maximizing itsefficiency. (Farmer, 2010)

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The square bottles are morecollapsible, fit tightlywith other bottles forefficient shipping andstocking, and are madefrom sugar based bioplastic. Kim claims thatthe new design has thepotential to eliminate thecarbon footprint ofshipping 320 millionbottles a year. The bottlefeatures a cavity at thebottom, enabling multiple

bottles to be stacked. Itwill increase efficiencyduring transport andreduces the amount of spaceneeded in retail. The capis positioned at an offsetfor more comfortabledrinking position. (SquareCoca-Cola Bottle Concept,2010)

(Getting All Square withCoke)

4.6 Bottle with unique base

Sidel StarLite is auniquely shaped base thatincreases the overallresistance and stability ofPET bottles (Caliendo,2014). It also reduces the

amount of PET materialneeded to produce thefinished bottle, allowingfor reduced wall thicknessfor an optimum strength-to-weight ratio. (SIDELSTARLITE™ BASE LEADS TOLIGHTER WEIGHT AND BETTER

PERFORMANCE FOR CARBONATEDSOFT DRINKS BOTTLES, 2014)

The result is a bottle thatuses less raw materials andtherefore weighs less,requiring less energy toproduce, yet deliveringbetter pallet stability andimproved bottle integritythroughout the entiresupply chain.

The new design includesfour key patents coveringthe slopes, ridges andtruncations of the bottlebase. The Sidel StarLitebottle base uses twoproprietary PET designinnovations: the Edge Beam™

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and the Smart Disc™. TheEdge Beam is a specificgroove structure thatimproves base stiffnesswhile the Smart Discreinforces the base toprevent deformation.(INTRODUCING THE SIDELSTARLITE™ BOTTLE BASE)

4.7 Stainless Steel Bottles

Klean canteen is the bestavailable stainless steelbottle in terms ofergonomics. It has none ofthe potential chemicalissues of plastic and noneof the weight anddurability issues of glass.It comes with electropolished interiors to helpkeep the bottles fromtaking on the smells ortastes of the liquids youput in them (and viceversa).

It comes with an insulatingvacuum layer sandwichedbetween two layers ofstainless steel to preventoutside heat from warmingup the bottle’s contents.

Its 1.75-inch opening isjust big enough to fitalmost any ice cube you

throw at it, but not sowide that you’ll spillwater everywhere if you tryto sip on the go.

Another upside to the sizeof the opening is that itallows air to flow into thevessel while water flowsout of it as you tip itback to drink. This makesfor a strong, steady streamof water with no annoyingstops and starts to theflow.

It lacks the Grip factor ofbottle because of steelbody.

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5. Health Risk ofBottles

Frequent drinking fromwater bottles could cause"water lips“. (Gandy, 2008)

When you're drinking from awater bottle, you're prettymuch making the same faceas you are when you'resmoking a cigarette. Overthe time that face createspermanent lines.

People, who drink fromwater bottles with eithersport or straw tops ornozzles, consistently, allday long, for about twoyears, will start todevelop noticeable smoker’slips.

6. Suggested Design ofBottle

Proposed design is idealfor people who used tocarry bottle regularly. Itis meant to be reused. Thematerial used for bottle isstainless steel withelectro polished interiorsto help keep the bottlesfrom taking on the smellsor tastes of the liquidsyou put in them (and viceversa). Outer surface ofbottle will be PET coatedwith matte finish forbetter grip.

Offset opening for ease ofdrinking with less tiltangle. Tear drop cap isused to provide morefriction while unscrew thecap.

Curved middle grip, so thatsurface contact with palmwill be increased and hencemore will be friction,results as better grip ofbottle.

7. Acknowledgement

This paper was written as apart of the coursecurriculum of Bachelor ofFashion Technology degreeand was mentored by Dr. V.

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Senthil Kumar, AssociateProfessor, NationalInstitute of FashionTechnology, Mumbai.

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