Food-grade silicone pen with anti-slip grip design

Design concept

Ergonomic considerations

Pen-holding posture adaptation: Different people have different pen-holding postures. Common ones include three-finger pen-holding and five-finger pen-holding, etc. When designing food-grade silicone anti-slip pen holders, these pen-holding postures should be fully considered. For instance, for the three-finger pen-holding method, the area where the thumb, index finger and middle finger come into contact should be designed to fit the shape of the fingers more closely, providing more stable support and reducing finger fatigue.

Finger pressure distribution: When writing for a long time, fingers will be subjected to a certain amount of pressure. The anti-slip pen holder should be designed in a reasonable shape to evenly distribute the pressure to the surface of the fingers, avoiding excessive local pressure that may cause finger soreness. The ergonomic design principle of car seats can be drawn upon to make the curved surface of the pen holder naturally fit the fingers, just like the seat is designed according to the human body curve, thereby enhancing the comfort of writing.

The anti-slip performance has been improved

Surface texture design: Designing various textures on the surface of silicone can effectively increase friction and play an anti-slip role. Common textures include wavy patterns, dot patterns, stripes, etc. The wavy texture can simulate the undulations of ocean waves, increasing the contact area and friction between the fingers and the pen holder. The dot pattern is like the protrusions on a tire, which can provide stronger grip. The combination of different textures can further enhance the anti-slip effect.

Material property utilization: Food-grade silicone itself has a certain degree of stickiness and elasticity, which is also its anti-slip advantage. When designing, these characteristics should be fully exerted. For instance, the viscosity of the silicone can be appropriately increased to form a tighter connection between the finger and the pen, but at the same time, it should be noted that it should not be too sticky to the hand, so as not to affect the writing experience.

Structural design

Overall shape

Sleeve type: This is the most common design form. A food-grade silicone sleeve is made and directly placed on the pen barrel. The length of the sleeve can be designed according to requirements. Generally, it only needs to cover the main area where the fingers hold the pen. The inner diameter of the sleeve should match the outer diameter of the pen barrel to ensure a firm installation and prevent it from sliding or falling off during writing.

Segmented design: For some special-shaped pens or to achieve a better anti-slip effect, a segmented design can be adopted. Divide the pen holder into several parts and put them on different positions of the pen barrel respectively. For instance, set up independent anti-slip sections respectively at the contact points of the thumb, index finger and middle finger. This can provide more precise anti-slip and support functions.

Detail design

Finger grooves: Design finger grooves at the part where the pen holder contacts the fingers to allow the fingers to fit in more naturally. The depth and width of the groove should be designed based on the average size of the finger. Generally speaking, the depth of the groove is about 2 to 3 millimeters, and the width should be slightly larger than that of the finger to ensure that the finger does not slide during writing.

Edge treatment: The edge of the pen holder should be processed to be smooth and round to avoid scratching the fingers. Chamfered or arc transition designs can be adopted to make the contact between the pen holder and the fingers more comfortable.

Manufacturing process

Mold making

3D modeling: Based on the designed shape of the pen holder, create an accurate three-dimensional model using 3D modeling software. During the modeling process, the shrinkage rate of silicone and the molding process should be taken into account to ensure that the mold produced can manufacture pen holders that meet the design requirements.

Mold processing: Import 3D model data into a CNC machining center or use 3D printing technology to make molds. The material of the mold should be selected as wear-resistant and heat-resistant to ensure the service life and processing accuracy of the mold.

Silicone rubber molding

Injection molding: The prepared food-grade silicone raw materials are injected into the mold. The injection pressure, speed and temperature and other parameters are controlled by the injection molding machine to ensure that the silicone fully fills the mold cavity and forms the shape of a pen holder. Injection molding can ensure the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of products.

Vulcanization treatment: After silicone rubber is injection molded, it needs to undergo vulcanization treatment to further enhance its physical properties, such as hardness, elasticity, and wear resistance. The vulcanization temperature and time should be adjusted according to the type and formula of the silicone rubber. Generally, vulcanization is carried out at 150-200 ℃ for 10-30 minutes.

Post-processing

Deburring: After the pen holder is formed, there may be some burrs or flash, which need to be removed with a tool or sandpaper to make the product surface smooth.

Cleaning and disinfection: As it is a food-grade silicone product, strict cleaning and disinfection treatment must be carried out before use to ensure that the product meets hygiene standards. It can be rinsed with clean water and then wiped and disinfected with alcohol.

Performance testing and optimization

Anti-slip performance test

Simulated writing test: Invite people with different pen-holding postures and writing habits to take a simulated writing test to observe the anti-slip effect of the pen holder during actual use. Record the sliding of fingers on the pen holder, the smoothness of writing and other indicators, and optimize the surface texture, material properties and other aspects of the pen holder based on the test results.

Coefficient of friction test: Use a professional coefficient of friction tester to measure the coefficient of friction between the pen holder and the finger. According to different application scenarios and requirements, determine the appropriate range of the coefficient of friction, and achieve the target coefficient of friction by adjusting parameters such as the formula and surface texture of the silicone.

Comfort test

Subjective evaluation: Ask the tester to subjectively evaluate the comfort of writing after using the pen holder for a period of time, including aspects such as finger fatigue and the stability of holding the pen. Collect the feedback from the testers and improve the ergonomic design of the pen holder.

Pressure distribution test: Use a pressure sensor to measure the pressure distribution of the finger on the pen holder, and analyze whether there is a problem of excessive local pressure. Based on the test results, adjust the shape and material of the pen holder to make the pressure distribution more uniform.