Sometimes, even the simplest tasks present opportunities for better product design.
In a hospital setting, nurses routinely need to remove aluminum caps from medication bottles in order to dispense liquid medication and dispose of any unused portions. Since these caps are crimped onto the bottles, removing them can be difficult.
We were contracted to develop a simple, disposable tool that would make this process easier and more efficient. We called it the Decapper.
The concept was an injection-molded, one-piece polypropylene device incorporating specially designed flexible hinges that allow it to grip and remove the caps. One of the challenges was designing a single tool that could accommodate three different cap sizes: 13mm, 20mm, and 32mm.
Another important requirement was that the tool not only remove the cap but also capture and lock around it so both could be disposed of together.
Getting all of these features to work reliably required several rounds of design refinement. We created numerous 3D-printed prototypes, making adjustments to the geometry and flexible hinge mechanisms along the way.
Each iteration brought us closer to a design that could consistently grip, remove, and retain all three cap sizes.
The accompanying photo shows just a sampling of the prototypes developed along the way. It’s a good example of how product design is often an iterative process, where testing, evaluating, and refining are essential to arriving at a successful solution.
Design Interface Inc. can show you what is possible. Our forward-thinking solutions for tradeshow booth design, product design, package design, medical device design, graphic design, and photography unlock the value of your ideas as we communicate your message and goals. See more here: https://designinterface.com/