The target consumers for this project are people who exercise on a regular basis. Although it is important to consume water to be healthy and hydrated, there is also a need for electrolytes to balance the sodium content in your body. Consuming too much water without consuming any sodium may lead to hyponatremia. There are more than 3 million people effected by hypunatremia each year in the United States alone.
Design Specifications
Customer Needs
In the survey that was conducted, it was found that the potential customers want a bottle that holds two drinks at once, but can keep them hot or cold for an extended period of time as well.
Performance
The bottle must be able to hold two drinks at once, and also prevent them from leaking and combining unintentionally.
Durability and Maintenance
This product should not break under any normal circumstances, and the only maintenance that would be required is cleaning after use.
Service Life
These bottles would be considered to last at least a year and a half, as long as they do not face anything that could cause major damage.
Aesthetics
Either a plastic double wall, or stainless steel
Cost
The targeted cost is about $20 - $25
Size and Weight
The size of this bottle must be large enough to carry significant amounts of both drinks in the bottle, but cannot be so big that it is an inconvenience to carry. The size that we would like to make is about 24 oz so that 12 oz of each drink can be held.
Materials
This bottle has to be made of a material that is insulated (double wall plastic or stainless steel)
Safety and Legal
The concerns for safety with a water bottle is that there can be no small pieces that would pose a choking hazard, and that the materials that the bottle is made of must be food grade to ensure that there are no toxins.
Operating Environment
This bottle must be able to withstand temperatures between 130°F and 170°F so that they can be considered dishwasher safe, but they will mostly be exposed to room temperature. They also have to be able to withstand dish soap for cleaning. The bottle will be exposed to dust, pressure, and humidity but should not be affected by it.
Global Environment
The bottle should only have a small global impact, as it will contain no toxins, and can be recycled when it is no longer being used.
Product Life
It would be a year at least until another water bottle of similar design is developed
Ergonomics
The bottle has to be skinny enough that it will for comfortably in someones hand