Chef’s Choice

Designers: Andrew Yuan, Ishi Singh, Fred Shen, Timothy Yang

Supervising Professor: Larry Bohs

Client Coordinator: Debbie Thorpe, PT

Figure 1. Chef’s Choice, clockwise from top left: Cutting Board, Pot Stabilizer, Jar Opener, Can Catcher and Microwaveable Container Handle.

Figure 1. Chef’s Choice, clockwise from top left: Cutting Board, Pot Stabilizer,
Jar Opener, Can Catcher and Microwaveable Container Handle.

INTRODUCTION

Our client has hemiplegia, which limits her ability to do several kitchen tasks. The goal of this project is to build or modify kitchen aids that can be used with one hand. Five different devices were constructed to satisfy major areas of need for the client: microwaveable container handles, an adjustable platform to catch cans after automatic can opener usage, a custom cutting board, a pot stabilizer, and a jar opener.  All are designed for easy cleaning and longevity. These devices allow the client to prepare meals more independently.

SUMMARY OF IMPACT

The Chef’s Choice devices facilitate cooking for people with hemiplegia by preventing cans from falling after opening, stabilizing ingredients when cutting, providing friction to open jars, holding pots and pans when stirring, and enabling microwaveable containers to be lifted with one hand. Our client’s therapist stated that these “projects [will] make [the client’s] cooking experience better.”

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Chef’s Choice (Fig. 1) includes five devices: a Cutting Board, Pot Stabilizer, Jar Opener, Can Catcher, and Microwavable Container Handle.

The custom 12×18” Cutting Board is constructed from ½” High-Density Polyurethane (HDPE). 32 ¼” diameter holes spaced in asymmetric rows accept 1 ½” long stainless steel pegs. The user moves the pegs as needed to accommodate different sized ingredients. A ½” tall and wide divider separates the board lengthwise into equal areas for meat and vegetables. Two ½” raised walls on one corner provide a bread holder for spreading condiments. A 5×1” rounded slot forms a handle. Four Dycem rubber feet on the bottom hold the cutting board in place during use.

The Pot Stabilizer is composed of two aluminum posts and a base, a stainless steel handle, and two non-slip pads. The posts are made from 4x1x¾” solid aluminum blocks, welded into a “U” shape. They are hooked over a pot with ears or placed around a pan handle (as in Fig. 1) to prevent movement while stirring on a stovetop. The posts are welded to a 6x6x¼” solid aluminum base.  Heat-resistant 2x6x½” silicone rubber pads attach to the base with Locitite 406 adhesive, preventing sliding. The 1” diameter, 3” tall stainless steel handle provides additional weight for stability.

The Jar Opener is modeled from a commercial product (SoloGrip), optimized for the client’s use. The 14” x 8” base is constructed from ½” thick HDPE. Two 13x4x½” HDPE walls fasten to the base in a V-shape to accommodate jars of all sizes.  Dycem non-slip rubber, attached with Loctite 406 adhesive, lines the walls and covers the base, providing maximum friction for jars and preventing slipping on the smooth countertop

The Can Catcher is composed of a base, 4 posts, 8 stainless steel pegs, and an adjustable platform.  The base and posts are constructed from ½” HDPE, connected with Loctite 406 and 10-32 screws.  The ¼” diameter pegs protrude ¾” from the posts, 2” and 5” in height from the base.  Milled grooves on the bottom of the ¼” thick HDPE platform rest on the pegs, making it easy to change heights for catching shorter or taller cans as they are opened with a commercial can opener.

The Microwavable Container Handle is shaped from 1” wide, 3/8” thick polycarbonate using a heat gun. It attaches to the commercial container (Sterlite, 2.8L) using 10-32 polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) screws and nuts, which are food safe and heat resistant.  Silicone sealant prevents against leakage.

Fig. 2 shows the client using the devices. The cost of all the components for all five is approximately $360.

 

Figure 2. Client using devices, clockwise from top left: Can Catcher, Pot Stabilizer, Microwavable Container Handle, Jar Opener, Cutting Board (spreading), Cutting Board (cutting).

Figure 2. Client using devices, clockwise from top left: Can Catcher, Pot Stabilizer, Microwavable Container Handle, Jar Opener, Cutting Board (spreading), Cutting Board (cutting).

 

 

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