Twist Assist – Coca-Cola
Twist Assist - Coca-Cola
| School: | Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Team: | Hayden McGreal, William Snyder |
The Twist Assist Cap is an innovative solution designed to improve accessibility for individuals with limited dexterity, disabilities, or reduced grip strength. Standard bottle caps require an opening force of 533 Newtons (N) [1], while the average grip strength of many users is around 347 N [2]. The Twist Assist Cap features an 8mm lever grip, increasing the effective radius and reducing the required torque by 36%, making bottle opening significantly easier for those with reduced hand strength due to age, arthritis, or physical impairments.
Torque, denoted as τ, is defined as:
τ = r × F
For a standard cap with a radius of 15mm (0.015m), the required force is:
F = 8 Nm ÷ 0.015 m = 533N
With the Twist Assist Cap, the extended grip increases the radius to 23.5mm (0.0235m), reducing the force needed:
F' = 8 Nm ÷ 0.0235 m = 340N
This 193N reduction makes opening the bottle accessible to a wider range of users.
The Twist Assist Cap is fully compatible with Coca-Cola’s existing PET bottle lineup, maintaining the same threading and sealing mechanisms without altering bottle shape, production processes, or brand identity. The resealability and leak prevention remain intact.
Its asymmetrical design ensures that clockwise tightening requires more force than counterclockwise opening, preventing users from accidentally over-tightening the bottle beyond their ability to reopen it.
The cap is manufactured using recycled PET (rPET) material, aligning with Coca-Cola’s sustainability goal of 30–35% recycled plastic usage by 2035 [3]. Despite a minor material increase, this design enhances usability without compromising environmental responsibility.
Since only the cap is modified while maintaining existing bottle threading, the adaptation is seamless for mass production with no major changes to the bottling and packaging process.
The Twist Assist Cap is designed to fit within the bottle’s natural dead space, ensuring no disruptions to stacking, shrink-wrapped multi-packs, or shelf placement. This keeps it retail-friendly and logistics-ready.
Beyond functionality, the cap’s wave-like shape reflects Coca-Cola’s classic brand identity, reminiscent of a wave crashing onto the beach, a scene synonymous with summer, refreshment, and Coca-Cola’s iconic marketing moments. Just as a cold Coca-Cola is the perfect companion for a hot summer day, the Twist Assist Cap enhances that experience by making it easier for everyone to enjoy.
The Twist Assist Cap is a practical, ergonomic, and sustainability-conscious innovation that improves accessibility for individuals with disabilities, limited dexterity, or age-related hand weakness. It maintains compatibility with Coca-Cola’s packaging, preserves beverage quality, and aligns with long-term sustainability initiatives. By making bottle opening easier for users with physical impairments, the Twist Assist Cap fosters greater independence and convenience while reinforcing Coca-Cola’s legacy of refreshment and enjoyment.
References
[1] National Science Teaching Association. "Lab 12. Torque and Rotation: How Can Someone Predict the Motion of an Object Around a Fixed Axis?" 2017. Available at: https://static.nsta.org/extras/adi-physics1/Lab12CheckoutQuestions-TorqueAndRotation.pdf
[2] Maranhão Neto, G. A., et al. (2017). "Handgrip strength in elderly individuals: Influence of elbow position." Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 21(4), 939-943.
[3] The Coca-Cola Company. "Packaging Design." Available at: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/sustainability/packaging-sustainability/design. Accessed: 2025-02-01.
