TOP TEN IDEAS:
- Liquid-Absorbing Powder
- Disposable Strainer Bags
- Liquid Removing Vacuum
- Sink Strainer Shelf
- Water Rock
- Silicone Strainer
- Table Top Strainer
- Slotted Strainer
- Food Blow Dryer
- Strainer Cage
Background Research: Novel, Marketable, Feasible
*Required pricing (based on cost) was calculated using online pricing research of similar products. Pricing verification determined by asking 4-6 strainer-users, "How much would you be willing to pay for this?" and showing them a picture (or prototype).*
Liquid-Absorbing Powder
Benchmark Products
- Powder that absorbs liquid for cleaning up spills, $9/lb
- Diaper powder that turns into a gel when gets wet
Market Survey/Pricing
- Cost would be approximately the same as spill cleaning powder since it would likely use a similar technology
- Pricing would be difficult to convince users to pay since every time you strained something, you would be paying for it. I would pay only a quarter or less for each batch of pasta even if it were extremely convenient and my survey results were even less with an average per use cost of 10 cents.
Disposable Strainer Bags
Benchmark Products
- Ziplock Bags are of similar material and size/structure
- Coffee filters are disposable and are porous to let liquid through without particles
- Hard plastic disposable strainer priced at $1 each.
Prototyping
- Prototype was made as a solid frame with hooks to mount bag to. Similar idea to garbage bags in the garbage can. The only issue was that it was difficult to attach the bag quickly. Hooks may not be the best solution for attachment.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Pricing was estimated at $3.00 for a pack of 50 bags. In addition it would cost approximately $8 for the solid reusable frame.
- Surveyed people seemed willing to pay at least the estimated cost, so this could potentially be a successful product.
Liquid Removing Vacuum
Benchmark Products
- Syringes are used to place water, but in order to do so, you need to take in water. Using this same vacuum technology, it could be used to suck up pasta or potato water. Pricing was $1.00.
- Water cannon squirt gun designed to suck up water for bailing boats uses similar principles. It does not get clogged easily even though it takes in lots of seaweed and other such particles. Pricing was $15.
Prototyping
- Used syringe to prototype idea. Tested with spaghetti and seemed to work well. Needed to empty it out several times to get all the water. A filtered tip would probably help keep it from getting plugged, but did not have a big problem with it.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Pricing estimated around $15 for multiple plastic pieces required.
- Pricing seemed reasonable based on survey results and strainer comparison price of around $15 as well.
Sink Strainer Shelf
Benchmark Products
- Sink basket that holds vegetables while drying. Priced at $50.
- Strainer/Cutting board that sits over sink when in use. Strainer was flexible to be stored in small space. Priced at $22.
- Corner sink strainer. Container that sits in sink and can be used at anytime to strain items. Priced at $19.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Required pricing estimated to be $20, but possibly more if needed to be adjustable to fit in anyone's sink.
- Pricing verified as reasonable, but feedback was not positive. Most though it would get in the way more than be useful.
Water Rock
Benchmark Products
- Super absorbent polypropylene beads in "socks" made to soak up water in flood prone basements. Priced at $15 (for 2 large socks).
- Diapers contain a powder that is designed to absorb liquid. If placed in a permeable bag, it could stay contained from the food.
Prototyping
- Used cut up kitchen sponge in net bag to contain material. Sponge was not absorbent enough to produce the intended results. Would need special material that could absorb significant amounts of water rapidly.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Pricing estimate of $8 per rock. Can be reused (similar to kitchen sponge).
- Pricing would need to be lowered to have strong market. Alternatively, reuse times could be increased.
Silicone Strainer
Benchmark Products
- Many similar existing products. Most are silicone in order to be collapsable. The typical market price is $15. There is definitely room for improvement in the cleaning focus though. Since silicone is flexible, it could be significantly easier to clean if designed right.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Cost would be approximately the same as traditional strainers.
- Pricing was verified. Due to similar products on the market in addition to the surveys.
Table Top Strainer
Benchmark Products
- Similar product used for straining tea leaves. Has bowl underneath to catch drips from soaked tea bag. $13.50
- Cost would be similar to traditional strainer, but slightly more expensive to include bowl.
- Pricing was below required. There does not seem to be a large enough need for this to overcome the extra cost.
Slotted Strainer
Benchmark Products
- Slotted strainer priced at $12. Although this product exists, I do believe there is a lot of room for improvement. I think that you could design a slotted strainer to be much easier to clean than a hole strainer, but the current designs do not seem to target this.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Cost would be approximately the same as traditional strainer (priced at $13)
- Pricing was easily justified, especially if it was easier to clean.
Food Blow Dryer
Benchmark Products
- Microwave is a similar concept to idea where you put items in and then push a button to dry them. It would use a fairly simple technology though, so should be cheaper than a microwave.
- Hair dryer uses same technology. Priced at $20.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Cost based on technology would be around $30.
- Pricing not verified. Use was not nearly as much as an appliance such as a microwave, thus not worth the same price. Price willing around only $17.
Strainer Cage
Benchmark Products
- Pot and strainer cage sets made for draining. Expensive and only works with pot purchased. Priced at $150.
- Similar to silverware holder I own that sits in sink to allow washed silverware to drain. Priced around $10.
Market Survey/Pricing
- Cost would be approximately $10-$15.
- Pricing verified as reasonable. Average price willing to pay was $14.
This was a very interesting read. It looks like you gathered a lot of valuable data on pricing and similar objects. I also liked how fast and effective your prototypes were. It looked like you were able to gather a lot of information about how the product would work quickly.
I really like the idea of the liquid removing vacuum. Rather than a syringe, another area that you could explore would a siphon. It might prevent the user from having to empty out the syringe several times.
I don't like most disposable products but I do think that the disposable strainer bag could be a successful product. It might work well if individual strainers were included with boxed food (like macaroni and cheese).
It seems you gained a lot of valuable information on the design functionality of your prototypes. I really like the idea of having a reusable absorbent 'rock' that soaks up water in the basement for flood prone basements. I think this could be extremely marketable- just last year my mom left some pictures in a cardboard box on the floor in the basement and got wet (almost ruined all of our pictures!). Anyhow, such a product would give homeowners more ease of mind. Also, even though there is slotted strainers on the market, when you mentioned that the design could be optimized to make it easier for cleaning, I immediately was on board. It takes forever to clean the starch from each of those tiny slots.