D4E1 Cookie Aid

Olivier suffers from spasticity due to a shortage of air during labour. His spasticity makes it hard to perform fine motor skills. Olivier would like to be able to eat snacks on his own. When he watches television with his family there isn't much of a problem because his family members help him. But when he is alone at his desk he is not able to eat any kind of snack. Since he would really like that, he asked us to design a product that would help him do that.

The Cookie aid is a product made for Olivier with Olivier. We, three designers and an occupational therapist have searched for a solution for Olivier. We wanted to make a product so Olivier would be able to eat independently. The cookie aid is a container which can easily be filled. After being filled, Olivier can use it without help until it's empty. It is designed so it could be washed without disassembling it.

To see how it works watch this video:

Sneak-Preview of the creation of the product!:

Note:

This instructable will explain how we made the product for Olivier but it can easily be adapted to fit you or your clients needs. All adaptable design aspects will be discussed.

In this step we will discuss all the materials we used and which we suggest you to use too. A short explanation is given for every product or tool.

MATERIALS

• 1 Panel of Multiplex (600mm x 600mm x 6 mm)
  Other materials could also be used but we chose to use multiplex because it is cheap, strong enough, easy to work with and looks great. Specifically we used Poplar multiplex. Acrylic materials could also be used to make the product washable as a whole or give it a different appeal.

• 1 Sheet of Polypropylene: (720mm x 320 mm x 1mm)
  We bought ours at a local arts and crafts store.

• 1 Aluminium tube (Ø 10mm x 200 mm)
  We bought ours at a hardware store.

• 1 Plastic cooking spoon
  We chose plastic because it is cheaper then the metal versions and its easier to adapt its shape.

• Some thick rubber bands
  Any rubber band or bracelet that is relatively strong can be used.

• 3 Suction cups
  
• 21 x M3 nuts
  
• 13 x M3x30 bolts
• 2 x M3x16 bolts

TOOLS

• Laser cutter
  Most commonly available in a Fablab (could be found on this site). By using a laser cutter we speed up the production process and enable ourselves to use "smart" connection methods.

• Glue
  Wood glue is preferred, but other kinds of glue could also work.

• Hammer
• Cutting tool
  We used a Dremel but another tool could also be used such as a cutter knife.

LASERCUTTING
The laser cutter is used to create the needed parts out of triplex and polypropylene.

Files for Multiplex:

The files are provided with different options to mount the product on a table surface. It is possible to mount it using table clamps, suction cups or just the weight of the product itself (No Mount). We prefer to suction cups because of their stability. But on some surfaces they simply don't work.

The files are available in various formats for each option:

• Illustrator (editable)
• PDF
• EPS

Some remarks:

• By using illustrator the files can be edited. This is interesting if you have a different size of table clamps or if you want the product at a different height.
• When you change the height, take in mind that the distance from the axis of the container to the mechanical parts needs to remain the same.

Files for Polypropylene:

The files are available in various formats for each option:

• Illustrator (editable)
• PDF
• EPS

CUTTING THE ALUMINIUM
Cut 2 parts from the aluminium tube:

• one with a length of 30mm
• one with a length of 135mm

The 30 mm tube will be used as an axis for a ratchet mechanism.

The 135mm will be the axis for the container.

Now that we have the individual parts, we can start to assemble them.

1. First mount the gear without the arrow on the aluminium tube.
2. Drill out the holes a bit so the M3x30 bolt fit completely in the first gear.
3. Glue the second gear (with the arrow) on the first gear.
4. Slide one of the polypropylene circles on the axis until the bolts fit in the holes.
5. Slide the other polypropylene circle on the axis.
6. Connect the long laser cut polypropylene part using the snap connections.
7. Put the small laser cut wooden part on the aluminium tube to keep everything on its place.

All the steps are documented with photo's

1. Place the small aluminium tube on the hole of the handle. Keep in mind to do it at the right side (as seen in the pictures).
2. Place the small circle on the base of the handle.

1. Glue the 2 big gears together. Take account that it's important that you do this in the right direction (as seen in the pictures)
2. Glue the small polypropylene parts into the bigger gear.

Change the spoon shape so its ideal for the client. In our case we removed the 2 parts on the side so it would be easier to eat from for Olivier. Extra information is provided on the photo itself.

All steps are also documented throughout the series of pictures. That way, you can be sure everything is mounted correctly.

1. Slide the axis of the handle 9 through the side panel 7
2. Mount the big gear from the mechanism assembly 8 on the small aluminium tube 9. Make sure that it rotates freely.
3. Hammer the small gear-like part 8 on the aluminium rod 9.
4. Fit the side panels 7 on the front legs 2.
5. Carefully slide the back leg 1 on the already assembled parts.
6. Add the stabiliser 2 at the bottom.
7. Add a rubber band around the handle as shown in the picture.
8. Add a rubber band at the back leg 1.
9. Add the part to fasten the spoon 4 with 2 M3x15 bolts and 2 M3 nuts.
10. Place the spoon 12 in the assembly and fasten it with the fixation part 4 and the rubber band at the back.

11. Finish the handle by mounting the extra parts 6 and fasten them with 2 M3x30 bolts and 2 M3 nuts.

12. Follow the steps shown in the last three pictures to assemble 5 and 11. This is the fixation with suction cups.

The Cookie Aid made it possible for Oliver to eat cookies by his self.

This seems to be a little task in the daily life but it gives more freedom to the client and makes his life more enjoyable. Olivier also needs to stretch and move in particular way to be able to use the Cookie Aid which has a positive effect on his muscles. Information about the design process can be found on our blog.

http://koekjeshulp2015.blogspot.be/

Special thanks to: Olivier W.

Project made by: Robbe D. C., Niel L., Giulia l. G. and Ermien C.