A study on the Acceptable Cap Torque for Processed Food Containers

고령자에 적합한 가공식품 마개의 Torque에 관한 연구

Korea has become an aged society according to the UN specifications. The number of the aged population will increase drastically, and the number of single aged people will also increase. Products used in our daily life are manufactured within the normal capabilities of people. Thus, aged people have encountering problems in using them. Numerous products are used in our daily lives. The purpose of this study is to find the acceptable torque for aged people to open the caps of processed food containers. Depending on the size and shape of the opening hand, hand operation has been classified into three categories. A total of one hundred and nine people participated in this study. Fifty nine people in the 20-30 year old range and fifty people in their 60-70's. Results of the study are as follows: 1) For all categories the acceptable cap torque data for the aged people are established. To satisfy 95% of the aged people, it was found that $74N{\cdot}cm$ for type A caps, and $141N{\cdot}cm$ for B type caps. and $214N{\cdot}cm$ for type C were the acceptable torque levels. 2) The appropriate level of torque for opening the cap was found to be 70% of the maximum torque for the aged people.(71.4% for type A. 71.4% for type B. 72.2% for type C). 3) Capabilities of the 70's drops sharply in function related to opening cap (maximum torque, gripping force, and wrist movement range). 4) Among aged subjects, 65.0% for type A, 42.0% for type B, and 68.8% for type C, had difficulties in opening the container caps.