A Better
Bear Can . . . .
Product Development - The Bearable Canister
This project was designed for MCEN 5055: Advanced Product Design, the first part of the Product Design specialization series.
The Bearable Can is a Bear Can designed from the ground up for ergonomics and ease of use. The design consists of two interlocking cylinders, which can be twisted to expand the internal size of the can, or locked in place to prevent size changes. The lids thread internally to avoid “grip points” that bears can use; additionally, they are interchangeable, with several potential lock designs.
Living in the United States, we are lucky to have access to some of the best natural beauty in the world, which has led to an ever-expanding backpacking industry. Possibly the largest need in this industry is a redesign of how food is stored and protected from bears. The problem with the current model is that it is either too bulky and complicated or not safe enough for backpacking trips.
Using the current best bear canister design as inspiration, we designed a cylindrical can that is collapsible and contains a locking mechanism that is significantly more user-friendly. Utilizing a spiral-twist mechanism, our design removes the empty space located within the canister as food is eaten during a backpacking trip. Along with this improved design, our locking mechanism allows the user to carry a key that unlocks the canister. This makes the canister easier for humans to open, but remains impossible for a bear to open without the key (and opposable thumbs). Overall, the value our product brings to consumers is a more comfortable experience and will likely lead to a greater adaptation of bear-safe food storage systems while backpacking.
Final Design Specification:
Can Expandable Mechanism:
Designed a collapsible screw-can mechanism which has expandable storage capacity. The height of our bear canister can be expanded when the inner can is twisted in an anti-clockwise direction and collapsed when twisted in a clockwise direction. The cans have two slots in between the extreme heights providing users to adjust between four different heights.
Raising Mechanism
Lid Locking Mechanism:
Designed a four-slider, gear-driven, deadbolt locking mechanism where the gear teeth will always remain engaged inside the lid compartment.
The user will have to use a hexagonal key in order to rotate and operate the lock/unlock mechanism.
Locking Mechanism
Final Prototype
1. Need Finding:
The objective of this project was to understand the need (or pain points) of the users. We chose our users as Backpackers and Hikers. After video interviewing around 18 hikers and empathizing with their hiking experience, we found that our users felt the existing bear canisters were bulky and cumbersome to use. On a regular basis, hikers have difficulty carrying and operating bear cans.
So we formed our Need Statement as "Backpackers need a bear-proof food storage that is lightweight, easy to use, and less bulky in order to facilitate a more comfortable backpacking experience.”
2. Pretotyping Phase:
At this point, we knew what they wanted based on the interviews. But we wanted to know how they feel when users interact with the bear can. So we made pretotype designs to test the "user-feelings' and empathize with them. Here are some of the aspects we tested: shapes, sizes, locks, and additional features.
3. Prototyping Phase:
We were left with two types of cans: D-Shaped Sliding Can and Cylindrical Twisting Can. Both designs had the volume-adjustable feature. After interviewing our users, we finally decided on moving ahead with Cylindrical Twisting Can. Our users liked the twist feature and how they 'clicked' into the slots while twisting. Size and Shape were perfect - some users tested if the cans would fit in the backpack.
D-Shaped Sliding Can
● Shape: Half Cylindrical
● Raising Mechanism: Vertical Slide
● Lock-in-Place: Pin
● Volume: 321 in3
Cylindrical Twisting Can
● Shape: Cylindrical
● Raising Mechanism:
Spiral Rail
● Lock-in-Place: Rail Drops
● Volume: 642 in3
Lift-and-turn Deadbolt
Twist Deadbolt
Spring Deadbolt
4. Final Business Pitch:
This phase was all about perfecting the design. We found some users were willing to invest in our product if we would launch it in the market. When asked how much they would pay for our Bearable Can, they gave an estimated price of about $90 - $120
BusinessPlan_Team3.docx.pdfFinal Prototype Video - Bearable Canister - YouTube - Google Chrome 2022-05-10 21-21-48.mpegShark Tank Funding.mp4