2-in-1 Divided Suction Plate

Watch independence bloom, one bite at a time. The 2-in-1 Suction Plate is more than just a mealtime tool – it's a testament to thoughtful design, adaptability, and the joy of learning through play.

To create a versatile and adaptable mealtime solution that grows with a child's eating journey, prioritising ease of use, functionality, and sustainability.

• Adaptability: Children's eating habits and motor skills change rapidly, requiring a design that evolves alongside them.
• Mealtime Mess: Parents needed a product that minimises spills and encourages independent eating.
• Sustainability: Eco-conscious parents seek durable, easy-to-clean products with a long lifespan

Additionally, the design had to consider material safety and affordability, ensuring the final product was both practical and accessible to families.

By tackling the challenge of creating a versatile and adaptable mealtime solution, I developed the 2-in-1 Suction Plate. This innovative design is not only functional but also focuses on user experience and sustainability.

The plate's modularity is its core strength. By thoughtfully incorporating a removable divider and suction cup, I developed a product that adapts to the different stages of a child's development. From the early stages of self-feeding to mastering the use of utensils, the suction plate is there to support every step of the mealtime journey. This adaptability extends the product's life cycle significantly, transitioning into an adult plate when the child outgrows the need for suction and compartmentalisation.

With this design, I sought to create a product that parents and caregivers could rely on throughout their child's early years, making mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Informed by extensive research and user feedback, the 2-in-1 Suction Plate was designed to be a versatile mealtime companion that grows with your child.

Thorough research into the children's mealtime landscape, including market trends, user needs, and competitor analysis, revealed key insights: a need for adaptability to accommodate growing children, a desire for mess-free solutions, and a growing demand for sustainable, long-lasting products. This research informed the development of a versatile and user-friendly design that addresses these core needs.

The ideation phase was a whirlwind of sketches, prototypes, and discussions, informed by both personal insights and collaborative feedback. Focusing on adaptability, mess-prevention, and sustainability, we explored modular designs, secure suction mechanisms, spill-proof features, and a variety of safe and durable materials. The standout concept was a plate with a removable divider and suction base – a versatile solution that could grow with the child and minimize waste.

Through rapid prototyping with CAD modelling and 3D printing, the design underwent numerous iterations, refining both form and function. Key improvements included:

• Reshaping the plate from a circle to a softer, rounded square, aligning with b.box's design language.
• Developing a secure yet easy-to-use divider clipping mechanism, childproof yet convenient for parents.
• Optimizing the suction cup attachment system for maximum strength and intuitive operation.
• Refining the foot design to ensure stability without compromising aesthetics.
• Determining the ideal divider layout (1/6, 2/6, 3/6) for various food types and portions.
• Incorporating an intuitive central tab for optimal suction, eliminating the need for instructional text.

This iterative process, driven by user feedback and testing, resulted in a final design that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

To accelerate the production timeline and ensure a high-quality final product, I traveled to China to work directly with the factory and toolmakers. This hands-on approach allowed me to refine tolerances, improve surface finishes, and sign off on color samples, ensuring that the manufactured parts met b.box's exacting standards. I also conducted quality control (QC) reports to maintain rigorous standards throughout the production process.

Recognizing the innovative potential of the 2-in-1 Suction Plate, b.box sought to protect the unique design and functionality through international patent and design registration processes. As part of this effort, I assisted in drafting the utility patent application, meticulously detailing the plate's novel features and their benefits for both children and parents. Additionally, I created all the technical drawings and identified the key components for the utility patent application.

To complement the utility patent, I leveraged my expertise in SolidWorks and Adobe Illustrator to create detailed technical drawings and supporting documentation for the design registration process. This involved meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the design was accurately represented and met the specific requirements of each jurisdiction. The successful registration of the design in over 18 countries is a testament to the comprehensive and precise nature of this documentation.

Below are some of the jurisdictions in which the design registrations were granted:

CAD - Solidworks
Renders - Keyshot
Post - Adobe Photoshop & Davinci Resolve
IP Documentation - Solidworks, Adobe Illustrator, Keyshot & Microsoft Word

The 2-in-1 Suction Plate officially launched in April 2024, marking a significant milestone for both b.box and myself as a product design engineer. The positive reception from parents and caregivers has been incredibly rewarding, reinforcing the value of a user-centric design approach that prioritizes functionality, adaptability, and sustainability.

With a commitment to reaching a wider audience, the suction plate is set to hit the shelves of major Australian retailers like Woolworths in mid-2024. This expanded availability will allow even more families to experience the benefits of mess-free mealtimes and foster their children's independent eating skills.

While specific sales figures and user feedback data are not yet available, the initial response to the product indicates a promising future for the 2-in-1 Suction Plate. I'm excited to see how it continues to impact families and contribute to positive mealtime experiences for children around the world.

While I am credited as a designer and inventor on the design registration and utility patents for this project, the product, associated intellectual property, and content presented on this page belong to b.box for kids. I am proud to share this project as part of my design portfolio to showcase my contributions to its development.