lmagpiong food stuff finalversion0520

Food Stuf f : Pet Food Storage

FOR USE

WITHIN

AN ANIMAL

SHELTER

By LARICE MAGPIONG

D+I 505.2SPRING 2008

THE IDEA

B A C K G R O U N D

A healthy diet is a vital part of rehabilitating shelter animals.

Animals are stressed, lack exercise, and tend to gain weight in a shelter environment.

Food storage issues with in an animal shelter are linked with improper feeding, contamination, and high costs.

The Berkeley East Bay Humane Society feels that their facility has in place a food storage system with many short comings.

In 1927 three citizens, concerned about homeless animals in Alameda County, formed the “Animal Rescue Haven.”

In 1957 the Animal Rescue Haven was renamed the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society.

The Berkeley East Bay Humane Society (BEBHS) is a private, nonprofit organization with an animal shelter and veterinary hospital located in Berkeley, California.

Serving Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Marin Counties, the BEBHS offer animal adoption services, canine training classes, humane education, and animal care.

P R O B L E M & P U R P O S E

Statement of the Problem

Due to high costs and limited organizing options the BEBHS lacks an efficient cat and dog food storage system.

Purpose of the Study

To isolate the problems in the existing cat and dog food storage system at the BEBHS and determine the human factors, cost-effective organizing solutions, and environmentally sustainable materials in order to develop a product solution with improved function, ease of use, and appeal to the widest range of people.

S I G N I F I C A N C E O F T H E S T U D Y

This study focuses on the human needs of shelter workers that traditionally have been over looked in shelter design.

By improving the function of the current food storage method, the study will have a positive effect on the shelter animals and the people who care for them.

By considering recycled materials for manufacturing, the study shows concern for the environment and a sustainable approach to product design.

H y p o t h e s i s 3

Color and other indicators will help make feeding information clear and food types visible.


Materials for manufacturing can be recycled, recyclable, low cost, and make the product more desirable.


An easily usable measuring device for food distribution will increase efficiency.


Secure closing and easy to refill features will reduce food contamination.

RESEARCH

“Rotating the food, ensuring enough bins are available is a problem.”

“Our cat food bin is quite tall and the bags of food can be rather heavy.”

“Rotation of heavy items is difficult due to small space and construction of storage closets and shelves.”

“……scoopers regularly get lost in the buckets of food and you have to fish them out, if someone pours food over them accidentally.”

“The food storage system, in general, seems to be a large attraction for rodents.”

“….we have so many varied types of food it is difficult to store them all in cheap, organized, rodent-proof containers.”

“Dumping heavy bags into tall bins can be difficult. Plus, when the food is low, it's hard to get into the bin to get the food out.”

U S E R ’ S S A I D :

C o m p a r a t i v e S t u d i e s :F A C T O R S O F A U S E R

User Tasks include:

• Restocking food•Organizing food• Measuring food • Cleaning food containers• Following dietary requirements

Potential User Errors:

•Forgetting to close a lid or bag•Reaching and bending incorrectly•Confusion caused by similarity in food bags •Rotating food incorrectly causing food to go stale and mold to build-up

User Needs:

•Minimal grooves, seems, and parts are preferable to reduce difficulty in cleaning.

• Materials must be durable, water-proof, and resistant to risk of harboring diseases.

•Parts should be inter-changeable; shelter workers need to be able to ‘fix it themselves.’

•Cost-effective and affordable solution.

• There is a Lack of easy to open, airtight lids.

• Lids loosen with routine opening/ closing.

• Loose lids have potential to attract rodents and insects easily.

• Separate lids end up on the floor and countertops taking up useful space.

• Unscrew lids are potentially damaging to the wrist of the user because they are very hard to open.

• Attached lids required a considerable amount of strength to open, as well.

C o m p a r a t i v e S t u d i e s :L I D S

• Current food storage systems do not provide proper food rotation.

• Food left to long at the bottom of a bin is a problem.

• Small containers offer food rotation, but need constant refilling and are not practical.

C o m p a r a t i v e S t u d i e s :F O O D R O T A T I O N

• Dispensing reduces routine opening and closing of lids that cause quick wear-and-tear.

• Dispensing eliminates manual scooping that causes stress on a person’s back from reaching as containers empty.

• A dispenser can be simple to operate and designed to measure food in increments.

• A proper compartment size can be designed to accommodate proper amounts of food a shelter uses and needs.

P r o d u c t R e v i e w s :D I S P E N S E R S

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C o m p a r a t i v e S t u d i e s

Opportunity Gap

PA N E L O F E X P E R T S

Alex Militar Operation ManagerBEBHS, Berkeley, CA

Marc Slater Shelter ManagerBEBHS, Berkeley, CA

key informants at main site regarding operational problems within the shelter, feeding program guidelines, shelter standards. Several interviews and observational studies conducted.

Linda Gonzales Shelters ManagerOakland – Tri-Valley , Dublin, CA

Key informant to gain access to the site. Conducted comparative study at the Oakland shelter facility. Interview addressed issues of pest problems, proper food storage, and cost issues.

Lisa Gunter Dog Attendant SupervisorSan Francisco, CA

Key informant to gain access to the site. Interview addressed issues concerned with proper food storage and concerns with limited space.

DEVELOPMENT

F O R M S T U D I E SI N S P I R AT I O N

C O N C E P T 1 : M o d u l a r W h e e l e d c a r t

C O N C E P T 2 : P e d a l - L i f t C o n t a i n e r

C O N C E P T 3 : F o o d S t a t i o n

C O N C E P T 4 : F O O D W H E E L

C O N C E P T 5 : D i s p e n s e r

C O N C E P T R E F I N E M E N T

Problem 1:

The shelter buys food in bulk. It was upsetting to Holly to find

that after workers stock specialized foods, rodents had

gnawed a hole in the bottom of the bags overnight. Walking

into the kitchen to find a puddle of kibble on the floor, and

have to discard it because it was contaminated, was like

paying for a bag of food twice.

Problem 2:

As Shelter Manager Holly had also been working with the staff

so that all animals were getting a measured amount of the

right food. The single biggest cause of diarrhea in shelters is

overfeeding. It was brought to her attention that visiting

adopters were put off by the smell and mess among certain

animals.

Problem Solved:

Testing new containers, she purchased several FOOD STUFF pet

food dispensers to store specialized foods. Holly finds the

containers affordable, she likes the unique, rodent resistant

shape, and with controlled dispensing, workers are better

at accurately portioning food. She has seen an immediate

reduction in food costs and volume of fecal matter– a fact

particularly important to minimizing shelter waste.

H o l l y

• BEBHS Shelter Operations Manager

• “It is my goal to make sure that day-to-day we are operating a safe facility.”

HOLLY’S

SCENARIO

Holly finds the containers affordable, she likes the unique, rodent resistant shape, and with controlled dispensing, workers are better at accurately portioning food.

C l a u d e

• BEBHS Kennel Attendant

• “It is my goal to uphold the shelter's responsibility to care humanely for animals.”

The Problem:

From time to time, Claude cleans out the steel bins and other food containers that get greasy inside from regular use. It is a physically demanding task and Claude takes the work load upon himself since other workers are not able to do so themselves. It seems almost impossible to clean around every nook-and-cranny. Its not at all possible to wash out the old steel bins with hot soap and water.

Problem Solved:

Claude notices new food dispensers in assorted colors. He decides to clean the green one out before refilling. He likes the round design that is equipped to suspend from the wall. Without the weight of the food, he finds the container extremely light weight. He is surprised by the strength and thickness of the plastic.

To clean is simple. Claude unscrews the cap and disassemble the handle to lift the blade out of place. There are minimal grooves and seems and Claude is able to slide the Blades from its shaft and clean every nook-and-cranny. And, he especially likes how the opening at the top and underside of the container make air drying quick and easy.

Claude feels that his cleaning duties have been washed away. With the comfort and ease of removing and replacing the parts, he is assured other workers will be safe from any harm once caused by cleaning heavy , hard to reach containers.

CLAUDE’S

SCENARIO

There are minimal grooves and seems and Claude is able to slide the Blades from its shaft and clean every Nook and Cranny.

D a n a

• BEBHS Volunteer

• “It is my goal to make sure every animal here knows that they are loved.”

Dana volunteers at the BEBHS as a cat Socializer. Every Sunday, she spends the afternoon with shelter cats and kittens in the Catopia. Her main responsibility is giving them the love and attention they need as they wait for a new home.

The Problem:Dana knows the morning routine of feeding can last all day. She is

aware of how confusing it can be with similar looking food bags and food piled into the steel bin containers. Volunteers are always invited to help out with this routine, but Dana prefers to assist in other ways like providing helpful information to adopters.

However, on a particular Sunday the BEBHS is short staffed and Dana decides that she will fill in to prepare meals. She is reminded of the time she made the awful mistake of feeding Jimmy, a diabetic cat, the wrong food. She had mistaken the packaging and has felt horrible ever since Jimmy bloated up like a balloon.

Problem Solved:Dana notices new food dispensers in assorted colors. She is surprised

how uncluttered the feed room looks. She looks to the feeding board, as she normally would, and quickly notices the reference of each color container matching a special diet. Dana is confident she knows exactly where to find the right prescription food. Containers are color coded and the information can be found written on the feeding board. She knows now that diabetic kibble is always in the blue container.

For a volunteer who visits the shelter only once a week, Dana feels like she knows her way around the kitchen. She no longer feels as if she has to hunt for food and scoops. She doesn’t have to worry about making a mistake and giving old Jimmy the wrong food again. Instead, she prepares meals quickly and correctly and has more time to provide shelter cats with the love they need.

DANA’SSCENARIO

Dana is confident she knows exactly were to find the right specialized foods. Containers are color coded and the information can be found written on the feeding board.

M a r y

• BEBHS Veterinarian

• “It is my goal to provide the best preventive healthcare to animals living in the shelter.”

Meeting environmental challenges:

Mary takes responsibility to find ways she can make shelter

work-life more environmentally friendly. Staff appreciate

the small steps Mary has taken to produce the big,

sustainable changes they have seen implemented

throughout the facility.

Mary finds the new food dispensers particularly cool since they

are made of 100% recycled plastic from recycled milk

containers known as HDPE (high-density Polyethelene).

She is ready to get the word out and tell all her friends.

Mary is a well known veterinarian throughout the animal

welfare community. She is spreading the word about the

new FOOD STUFF pet food dispensers. She is informing her

colleagues that the BEBHS has tested the safety of the

containers and not only are they manufactured to meet

FDA regulations for food contact, FOOD STUFF containers

are BPA (Bisphenol-A) free.

MARY’

SCENARIO

Mary finds the new food dispensers particularly cool since they are made of 100% recycled plastic from recycled milk containers known as HDPE.

D E S I G N G U I D E

Design Solution

Safe and easy to use, with user–centered features to meet the immediate needs of shelter workers. This pet food storage system aims to prevent food contamination and keep food fresh for longer periods of time.

Reasons why the BEBHS should Pursue this product

FOOD STUFF offers controlled dispensing and feeding color system options as simple solutions to organizing and safely storing a variety of specialized pet foods within an animal shelter.


Design Objectives

Controlled dispensing will reduce wear-and-tear on container lids that would normally require routine, daily opening and closing to access food.

User will have freedom to interchange parts and create a color system that corresponds with behavioral and feeding needs.

Components should be:AirtightPest proofLight weightSimple to maintainComfortable to useModular

Criteria

The 7 Principles of Universal Design will be followed to evaluate the development of human factor features.U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine nutritional feeding protocol will be followed to ensure product is safe for pet food contact. Cradle-to-Cradle Design Protocols will be used to access product eco-effeciency.


User & Environmental need it fulfills

FundingEspecially in the non-profit sector, purchasing decisions are slow, spending is often

restricted so, the market price must be affordable.

SpaceStruggling with limited room for sufficient size bins is common. Maintaining several

different food storage locations throughout a shelter is a reality.

KitchenA facility may have up to three separate kitchens where workers prepare food.

Hospital Sick and injured animals under constant veterinary care are fed in an infirmary.

Quarantine Animals that have been exposed to contagious or infectious diseases are fed in detainment.

Animal PopulationAnimal census widely varies from shelter-to-shelter and animals range in size.


Feature Specification

Taking into consideration user frustrations, features are designed with improved function, usability, and durability. System components are ergonomics and have a modern appeal. Container is available in different colors to meet needs of changing shelter population. Parts disassemble to clean and air dry quickly, a fact very important to shelter workers.

Features parts include:

• Lid, deflector, container, magnetic wall bracket, cap, blades, shaft, tap.

• Attached, airtight lid that swings side-to-side when refilling and can be detached when it is time to clean.

• Inside deflector to better distribute weight of 25 lbs. of food.

• 1/8” thick round plastic shell with magnetic backing.

• Magnetic wall bracket to hold container that requires secure mounting.

• Removable blades (4) to provide accurate measured portioning.

• Rotating tap moves in either direction that is most comfortable to the user.


Risk Factors

• Components are not rigid enough and may break easily.

• Recycled materials are not safe for food contact.

• Manufacturing processes negatively impact the environment.

• Difficult to store more than one container side-by-side.

• Rotating tap does not measure food in proper increments.

THE DESIGN

P R E L I M A N A R Y R E F I N E D S K E T C H E S

TOP

RIGHT FRONT

PRELIMANARY REFINED SKETCHES: U S E R F E E D B A C K

Modification of backing not an ‘L’, but rather ‘Z’ shaped to hold weight. better.

Deflector for reducing weight of food on

blade.

TOP

RIGHT FRONT

Should consider screw like blade for

dispensing.

U S E R F E E D B A C K

“Will the blade jam from weight of 50 lbs. of food resting on top of it?

“My only concern is trying to store several containers side-by-side?”

“Pleasing design , but would like to have option to see when food is low, better visibility to know when to refill.”

“Really like that blades come apart for easy cleaning, but rigid materials may break easily and should be simple to replace.”

“It might be a good idea to think through options for lowering to make more ergonomic for workers when refilling.”

F I N A L C O N C E P T

F I N A L C O N C E P T T O B E T E S T E D

A S S E M B L I N G & D I S A S S E M B LY

1

3

2

4

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1

2

3

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LID

DEFLECTOR

CONTAINER

MAGNETIC WALL BRACKET

CAP

REMOVABLE BLADES

SHAFT

TAP

F E AT U R E S

Hinged Lid

Lift Flap

Bottom Dispenser

Magnetic Backing

Ergonomic Tap

COMPARTMENT

F E AT U R E S

(Actual Size)

Maximum kibble is 7/8” Diameter

Maximum weight 25 lbs.

C O L O R S A M P L E

13inches

17

inch

es

I N S TA L L AT I O N

17

inch

es

•Magnetic Wall Bracket must be mounted securely.

•Use appropriate fixings for wall construction.

•Spring toggle recommended for shallow wall.

W H AT’ S N E X T . . . . . . . .

•Locate manufacturer to produce a working prototype.

•Test prototype with end-users.

•Testing function of the blade.

•Testing weight capacity of deflector.

•Continued research of environmentally safe materials and processes.

•Develop more sophisticated feeding color system.

•Incorporate tactile and sound sensory.

I N T O T H E F U T U R E

FOOD STUFF

THANK YOU

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