Design Type:  Industrial and consumer tools and equipment

Designer:  James Wilson

The RapidBath Pet Bathing System is an "all-in-one" wet, wash and rinse dog bathing solution that can be used outdoors or in the home bathtub. The handpiece is connected to a hose and holds a liquid shampoo packet and a combining valve that mixes air and a metered quantity of shampoo into the water stream, resulting in a soothing, deep cleaning jet that massages the dog as it washes. A small slider button on the handpiece allows the user to turn off the soap, which switches it from wash to rinse mode, making the entire process fast and easy. Our client approached us with an existing technology used by professional dog groomers that they wanted to translate into a dog and equine bathing solution for the consumer market. The primary goal of the original commercial technology was to drive medicated shampoos through heavy, thick coats and down to the skin to help pets that are suffering from dermatological conditions. In the process, the vets and professional groomers using the system discovered that pets love the massaging action and the groomers loved the stress-free baths. The project included an extensive research phase in which we explored competitive bathing solutions. A qualitative research study was conducted with horse and dog owners, attempting to uncover potential opportunities to differentiate: Non-Electric - The Rapidbath uses the power of the water source to penetrate the animals coat and provide a deep-down clean that animals love. All-in-one System - The RapidBath pet bathing system is an “all-in-one” wet, wash and rinse dog bathing solution that has been designed to reduce bathing time and deliver a relaxing massage action that pets love. The 2 position switch at the back of the device allows the user to easily switch between the wash process (with soap) and the rinse process. The design team focused on creating a soothing form that would be large enough to accommodate the internal components yet be a comfortable size and shape to hold for several minutes. The surfaces have been sculpted to make the device look more like a consumer product than a commercial washing tool and a textured grip surface has been added so that the user doesn’t drop the unit when the user’s hands are wet. Buttons have been placed on the device to make one-handed access easy, and a swiveling nozzle makes it easy to wash a dog’s belly from below.