Citation

Phuah, Zhi Yuan and Ng, Poh Kiat and Lim, Boon Kian and Nathan, Robert Jeyakumar and Ng, Yu Jin and Yeow, Jian Ai (2022) The Conceptualisation of Inventive and Repurposable Children’s Furniture. Forests, 13 (12). p. 2053. ISSN 1999-4907

Text forests-13-02053-v4.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (3MB)

Abstract

Every piece of furniture has a certain lifespan. Most furniture is eventually thrown away and ends up in landfill, thus polluting the environment. The idea of repurposability, where a product is used for another purpose at the end of its useful life, was developed to solve this problem. While there have been studies on the sustainability and innovative design of children’s furniture, these studies have not considered factors such as inventiveness and repurposability. This study aimed to conceptualise inventive and repurposable children’s furniture. Five concepts are proposed based on a synthesis of the patent literature, existing products and academic journals. These concepts are evaluated to determine which concept best meets eleven improvement requirements, which include improved aesthetics, cost, simplicity, manufacturability, functionality, comfort, ease of repurposing, durability, safety, sustainability and inventiveness. The result is that the invention can be used as a crib, highchair, bed safety rail, chair, pull-up bar, walker and toilet attachment. The concept is also inventive because (1) it has a large number of unique combinations of repurposable functions; (2) it has a unique shape and design that facilitate the repurposing process from one function to another; (3) it has a simple design so that users can transform the functions with ease. While retaining the added value of many repurposed functions, the extended life of this invention reduces consumer spending and saves space. This concept reduces waste and the consumption of natural resources. Further studies are needed to ensure that the concept meets all technical requirements and specifications for children’s furniture, including usability and safety.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Repurposability, furniture, conceptual design, innovation, sustainability, inventiveness, children, circular economy, cascading use of furniture
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD9000-9999 Special industries and trades
Divisions:	Faculty of Business (FOB) Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET)
Depositing User:	Ms Nurul Iqtiani Ahmad
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2023 01:54
Last Modified:	16 Mar 2023 01:54
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/11239

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