Rapid design project for Uni.

So, as part of my course I have been asked to do a rapid design for something that stores something that we need at uni to be able to work effectively but do not want to be carrying back and forth from home to school. My take on this was a waste-paper bin. With most creative idea testing comes waste and in our building there is only a limited number of rubbish bins. So I have designed a mould that produces paper waste-bins that can be used then recycled when they are no longer needed.

(Click on any image to view it at full size)

Here are some other ideas I was considering for my rapid design.

Storage box – mobile desk. For work on the move. It is true that most people now use laptops but not all people prefer or want a laptop. There are some instances where pen and paper are still a must. Not to say that people with laptops couldn't use a mobile desk. On the contrary, laptops can be more comfortable when you have a surface to place them on and kept safe with a solid shell around them.

-a writing/drawing box, a place for pens and paper (envelopes, rulers, and so on), as well as a flat surface to work on. As in the 3rd Storage box image, the box also gives a straight edge which to align you T-square (useful when you are hot-desking and desk quality can not be assured.)

-a mobile desk, wheels to help transportation, storage and maybe even a chair contained within.

But, at the maximum it would have to be able to fit in the boot of a small car. For example, no bigger than your average sized suitcase.

Storage nets (or bags), light portable storage for bulky items. Designed to be use in various locations/sites.

The concept started with the desire to have a place to nap between uni classes. The original design started with a hammock like net that is hung long-ways under the large tables at university. Held in place by pockets that slip over opposite ends of the table. Not only could it be used for a quick nap but also as storage.

The second design focuses mainly on storage (although I'm sure if one made it big and strong enough, a person could curl up inside it). They have a loop at the top so they can hang where ever there is a hook.

From the second design I shrunk the concept so they could be hooked over the back of a chair. Handy for keeping bulky items off the floor (hand bags, drink bottles, bike helmets and such).

Any of these designs could be made from either netting or a solid fabric.

Waste Paper Bin - In studio only having one or two large bins per level means bins are never close at hand and this leads to messy desks and studio spaces. This concept will tackle the need for temporary rubbish bins (specifically paper waste bins). I want to look at temporary bins because of the nature of the studio space, one moment you are working the next everything needs to be cleared for presentations.

The use of recycled materials is also important. We do not need to make more rubbish just to dispose of our waste. Discarded newspaper would be ideal for this as it is readily available and quite strong.

The rubbish bin holder on wheels can be used in conjunction with the design above it.

The Paper Waste Bin Maker.

The Paper Waste Bin Maker is a mould that is used to create paper waste bins out of a single sheet of large newspaper. It can be made by anyone out of easy to obtain recycled materials (a large can, a slightly smaller can and a knob) and some easy to use epoxy. The Paper Waste Bin Maker was inspired by a design supplied by Suntec called The Paper Planter Maker. This product is a mould that enables the user to make paper planters for seedlings out of stripes of 8 by 21cm newspaper. I wanted to take this concept and adjust it to form disposable, recyclable waste-paper bins.

The Paper Planter Maker supplied by Suntec.

Construction.

First to test the idea of using a mould to make paper waste bins I used two buckets for the same brand and size. I wrapped the outside of one bucket in two sheets of partially overlapped newspaper and wrapped the excess under the bucket. I then took this (bucket and paper) and placed it inside the second bucket as to create a mould to compact all the newspaper. This model in principal worked, it did create a form that would hold waste but overall it failed as it is difficult to use and flimsy. Firstly the buckets were too big for the size of newspaper. Secondly the walls of the buckets were at an angel so it was difficult to wrap the paper around them and thirdly there was no compartment for the paper at the base to be moulded into making the base uneven and unsteady.

Initial test.

Taking into account my test with the buckets I could now see why the creators of the The Paper Planter Maker had made it as they had, the strait walls, the base unit to press the paper into a solid base, but there were three main components that I had to change. The original handle is difficult to keep a grip on, the smooth walls where the newspaper is wrapped create a vacuum when trying to remove the planter and the overall size is far to small to be used as a bin.

So after figuring out what needed changing I had to consider materiality. My first thought was to copy the original planter maker and make it from wood but then it occurred to me that it would be too heavy given its new size. Next PVC pipe but that would be too expensive along with metal pipe. Then maybe ceramic pots but those are also heavy, expensive and fragile not to mention that all ideas so far were using new materials and did not fit my criteria of being recycled. So what about cardboard tubes. A plausible material but quite difficult to get your hands on ones that are the right size as well as being surpassingly heavy. Then we come to tin cans, cheap if not free and extremely light.

Scale drawing.

Using tin cans allows anyone to make their own Paper Waste Bin Maker as well as solving 2 of the three issues I had with the original Planter maker. The uneven sides of the can allow for easier removal of your paper bin and size is solved because cans come in a surprisingly large variation of sizes. I added a large draw knob (if I was able I would have liked to use a recycled knob) to solve the handle issue. To connect all these components together I used Knead-It, a co-extruded epoxy that sets to almost any material and is extremely strong. The Knead-It is also very easy to use, all you need is a pair of protective gloves. I chose this product because of its versatility and ease so that assembly was in line with the idea that anyone could make their own Paper Waste Bin Maker.

Small can being attached inside the big outer can with the epoxy Knead-It.

I had originally intended to make the mould with a base unit for compressing the newspaper at the bottom of the bin but once I had constructed the main component of the mould I found that it worked perfectly well by just pressing the newspaper with your hand.