Dog bowl Product Design Project

[Tan91]

I am a final year Industrial Design student at Loughborough University. For my final year project I have decided to look into designing an effective offshore dish for the sailing and boating market.

It was during the summer when I spent a week sailing in the solent that I was first introduced to the concept of eating from a dog bowl whilst underway. This proved to be an effective solution for many reasons, including:
- A great natural handle/hand grip (in a normal bowl you would have to hold it in your hands and it's hot!)
- Deep with high sides
- Unbreakable
- Rubber bottom surface to prevent sliding
- Can separate foods (in a cat dish type product)

However, users still face a psychological obstacle when eating from a dog bowl. Other issues such as food insulation indicate an opportunity for a redesign of the dog bowl for the sailing world.

I am in the process of discussing this project with my tutors who have encouraged me to continue researching this idea. I am interested to gain an insight into the whole process of storage/preparing/cooking/eating and washing up whilst underway. Is there an opportunity to broaden this idea to make it easier for people whilst sailing? What are your current problems with preparing and eating whilst sailing and what are your solutions?

I would appreciate any insight from those who can identify with this idea. Thanks in advance.

[Pete7]

This would be worth a read:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post939079

Anyone can cook and serve food sat in a marina, bouncing into the waves with the storm clouds threatening is a different kettle of fish. (bringing lobster to the boil in a kettle has been tried with limited results).

Pete

[Seaworthy Lass]

We use Corian pasta bowls while underway as the high sides make spillage less likely. I place a square of non-skid (used under rugs and purchased from carpet places or marine stores) on the cockpit floor and galley bench so that mugs and bowls can be put down safely without sliding.

Space is so limited on board that anything large like a serving dish should preferably be able to be used for multiple purposes.

Good luck with your project.

[Delancey]

Pretty sure I saw these on some tricked-out racing multihull somewhere...
Carbon Fiber Pet Bowl | Carbon Fiber Gear

[Sailmonkey]

Straight out of the pot for me!!!

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Pete7

(bringing lobster to the boil in a kettle has been tried with limited results).

Pete

For a start, it's going to add an interesting hint of flavour to any subsequent cups of tea made with said kettle.

[Fortytwo]

It doesn't meet your requirements, but it might help you with your idea...

https://www.guyotdesigns.com/product-squishy-pet-bowls/

[atoll]

needs to be teflon coated,so when you use kitchen roll to clean it you get less leftovers from the last meal......my frying pan is great,but if cooking for more than one, dishes become nessasary

[Ayron]

Maybe you could include something like the gyro bowl in your designs

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TPgvauR...%3DTPgvauRzQFI

[Tan91]

Thank you all for the above comments. I can assure you I have taken them into account.

I am currently at the concept development stage of my project and am keen to have input from people who sail to keep my project in line with my target user.

I have generated an easy to read design matrix summarising my key concept ideas for the redesign of the dog bowl. I would really appreciate your thoughts, however, I have been unable to upload it on here due to the file exceeding the capacity allowance.

If anyone is interesting in providing some feedback on my design ideas I could message or email them over. I have also produced some score tables to make it easy to compare the designs.

Please send me a message if you are able to help. Much appreciated.

[Delancey]

maybe you can trying posting a .PDF?

[jackdale]

When one of my buddies is racing everyone is issued a 500 ml measuring cup and a spoon. All eating and drinking is done with said implements.

[Tan91]

Please see attached the Design matrix broken down into 4 pdfs. The score tables are also provided (but unable to upload in word) so not directly editable.

Please feel free to critique my ideas. Any feedback welcome. In need of help with which direction to move in!

[goboatingnow]

Hi Tan91,

I looked through your design matrix

comments

1. Everything must be designed to used by one hand, This is the major problem in any heavy weather underway. Hence a lid that requires you to hold the bowl to open the lid with another hand is going to be an issue.

2. food never stays around long enough to need a lid in my view, but one that could be operated by one hand , i.e. a handle with a thumb button to open the lid. would be useful to stop spillage,

3. suction bases not a bad idea. unit needs to be weighted so that centre of gravity is low, even with food, major problem is bowls sliding to the fiddle ( side of the galley table) and then because full , weight is high up, the tip over the fiddle. grrrrr. ( i.e. need wide base ) , modular bases would be useful as would a range of attachments to allow bowl to be fixed to things.

4. high sided to stop stuff slopping out

5. some way of being able to "dock" the spoon ( its always always a spoon) quickly , rather then dropping it , and spoon on an attached lanyard would be good. Cant remember how many times Ive chased spoons around the cockpit.

6. insulation is only needed to stop burning hands, not keeping food hot IMHO.

7. needs to easy to clean , i.e. good rounded radius , no protruding sharp edges, anything metal must be suitable for marine environment.


best of luck in your endeavours

dave

[Ofer]

I am a simple man. all the designs are way too sophisticated for my taste.

Nice work though.