DESIGN NAME: Whale
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Spoon
INSPIRATION: Observing my 1,5 year old daughter and other infants eating soup it was obvious that the tilting on normal spoons was responsible for the spilling. After 12 years of product development and testing, the shape of the spoon and the special cavity was optimized. The shape of the silicone spoon is smartly engineered to provide soft and stiffer areas according to the function.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Whale-Spoon is ideal for the first self-feeding of soups. The special cavity prevents the spilling when being back- and side-tilted while the soft material makes it easy to withdraw all the food out of the spoon. It is safe to the gum and face when miss-hitting. The shape of the body adapts perfectly to small hands. The softness of the tip allows scooping all the food. Resting on the fins it will not touch the table. The tail is used for feeding firm foods. Babies love it as a teether.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The friendly shape of the Whale-Spoon encourages babies and kids to eat their meal in a playfully way. But the most important innovation is taking the natural movements into account. Despite the natural tilting movements, the soup remains in the spoon. The soft silicone material allows the infant to take the meal easily into the mouth and scoop all the food from the plate, being safe when mishitting. It is grippy and adapts to the infants hands. It can also be used as a teether. The “fins” prevent the spoon from touching the table. And the spoon can be used from both sides for different kind of foods.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started at 2003 while observing my daughter eat soup as an infant. It is available to buy starting December 2017.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Made of 100 percent food grade silicone. The spoon complies with American FDA and German LFGB standards and is BPA free.
It is made to last being practicably indestructible.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Width 44mm x Depth 158mm x Height 25mm
Dishwasher safe
Withstands temperatures from minus 60 C degree to plus 200 C degree
Microwave safe
TAGS: spoon, spill-free, clean, soup, infant, baby, whale, kid, silicone, self-feeding
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Several prototypes where made to test the handling and special properties. The first 100% food-grade silicone prototypes could finally be tested with infants. After the observation, feedback and redesign, the final shape for mass manufacturing was created.
CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge was to create safe prototypes which could be tested on infants without any risk.
ADDED DATE: 2017-12-21 11:58:26
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Roberto Stein, 2017.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Registered Design DPMA 402017201944-0001
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