OXO POP Containers – exploring the "POP-abilities"
For generations, people everywhere used round storage canisters to keep dry ingredients (like flour, sugar, coffee and pasta) fresh. Round canisters were believed to be simpler for brands to manufacture and easier for users to seal.
OXO challenged the norm with its line of POP Containers, proving to consumers they can have the total package: easy-to-open, airtight and space-efficient dry food storage containers.
Fun Fact: The friendly shape and pop-up functionality of the POP Container button was inspired by our iconic Salad Spinner. In research we found that it encouraged users to “reach out and touch it.â€
Problems Identified
- Inefficient use of space: While using round containers, users lost valuable pantry space when stacking them next to one another.
- Difficult to Open: For many airtight containers, users needed significant hand strength to open and close the lids and achieve an airtight seal.
- Troublesome to Clean: Lids on airtight containers are difficult to take apart for cleaning.
Early OXO POP Container Prototypes
The Process
- Square peg: The team was well aware that it is easier to achieve an airtight seal with a round shape, because there is an equal distribution of force when closing the lid. On the other hand, it is difficult to apply even pressure on corners of square-shaped lids. Engineers on the POP Container project devised a "pop-up" mechanism that would raise and lower the gasket in the lid evenly to solve this problem.
- Push of a button: The idea for a push-button to open and close the lids was borrowed from user research conducted while developing OXO's Salad Spinner and Travel Mug. With both, the team quickly learned that people inherently enjoy the action of pressing down on a button. Not only is it fun, but it enables users not to have to use two hands and gives a sense of satisfaction that something is working.
- It's what's inside: Adding a lid that comes apart for cleaning brought complexity to the project, but as the team watched users interact with prototypes it was clear they wondered what could get caught inside. Right away, the team knew it was an essential feature not to be left out.
OXO POP Containers
OXO's Solutions
- Stackable and space-efficient: POP Containers are available in square and rectangular shapes to make the most of any storage space. When sealed, the lids are flat to encourage modular stacking.
- One-handed operation: POP's unique push-button mechanism makes it a cinch to open and close and the button acts as a handle to lift the lid, offering a one-handed solution for storing foods. Users with dexterity problems such as arthritis can open POP Containers without even bending their fingers.
- Easy-to-clean: The lid twists apart with a simple 90° turn to get inside all the nooks and crannies, while smooth edges on the body keep food from getting trapped, making it easy to achieve a thorough clean.
The OXO Story:
In 1990, OXO staged a revolution (of sorts) by offering an easy-to-use, high-performing alternative to uncomfortable and ineffective kitchen gadgets. OXO's innovative take on the traditional Swivel Peeler, complete with its pudgy black handle, raised consumers' expectations of what could be expected from household products.
Today OXO offers over 800 products, each developed with a close (some might say "obsessive") attention to detail. Our goal is to deliver products that maximize comfort AND performance, illustrating our mission to create innovative consumer products that make everyday living easier.
Ever wonder what makes an OXO product an "OXO Product"?
OXO employees believe there are two rules that should guide product development: First, every new product must deliver a tangible improvement over the existing product. Second, the functionality should never be sacrificed for its aesthetics – above all it should work well.
