Tube Opener - Unscrew Caps with Ease!

Tube Opener - Unscrew Caps with Ease! - open-source assistive technology product by the Makers Making Change community

About this project

This entirely 3D-printed device was designed as a tool to open containers with screwable caps that range from about 10–25 mm in diameter. Tube Opener was designed by Makers Making Change. To learn more, visit their website at https://makersmakingchange.com/

The challenge

Unscrewing caps takes a great deal of force and precise finger movements that can be challenging for many people. The Tube Opener was designed as a simple and affordable tool to allow people to open and close their items independently and with ease.

Makers Making Change is an initiative of the Neil Squire Society, a Canadian non-profit that helps people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a network of volunteer makers who support people with disabilities in their communities through 3D printing assistive devices.

Who it helps

This entirely 3D-printed device was designed as a tool to open containers with screwable caps that range from about 10–25 mm in diameter.

How it works

The Tube Opener is designed for people who have trouble unscrewing small caps - whether it is due to arthritis or any limitation regarding finger/hand movement.

Unscrewing caps takes a great deal of force and precise finger movements that can be challenging for many people. This device was designed to allow people to open and close their items independently and with ease.

The Tube Opener help open tubes or small lids for anyone that has difficulty gripping and twisting the caps. The tool is designed for tube caps that range from about 10–25 mm in diameter, typically 12–50 ml capacity. This device is entirely 3D printable.

This device can be used to open:

Toothpaste or ointment

Hot sauce, condiment jars, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar

Paint supplies

Travel size products

Nail polish and remover

And more!

Place the Tube Opener down on stable surface. Position the tube to be opened so that the tube cap is located within the working grip area of the opener. Press down on the opener to grip the cap, and twist the tube to unscrew the cap. The guard along the back and the thumb rest helps stop fingers curling into the working grip area.

Tools Needed:

3D Printer

Bill of Materials:

Please see BOM and printing models in the downloadable product file.

Estimated Time to Make:

1.5 hours of machine time

Project details

The build files for Tube Opener - Unscrew Caps with Ease! are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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