Bissell Case Study
Overview
The BARKBATH portable bathing device offers a mess-free solution for bathing dogs virtually anywhere. This innovative system features a convenient one-step wash/dry process that uses a natural “petting” motion to vacuum up a combined water and shampoo solution.
BISSELL
Consumer Products
2017 Good Design® Award from Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
2017 International Design Excellence Award
The Challenge
The primary challenge was to develop a compact, integrated system that could efficiently wash and dry a dog while using minimal water. This involved combining existing parts, specifically an available device that creates suction using fluid flow and a trigger shut-off valve, which were not originally designed to work together. The goal was to package these components into the smallest possible space while ensuring effective hydraulic performance and an appealing design.
The product
We developed a system where a unique nozzle gets beneath the animal’s fur, effectively lifting away dirt and separating the dirty water into a clear tank for easy observation of effectiveness. To accelerate prototyping, we paired an existing venturi with an available trigger shut-off valve. While these parts weren’t intended to function together, we engineered a successful hydraulic circuit through rough mock-ups, then iteratively developed an attractive housing for the entire system.
The product’s effectiveness was tested at BISSELL’s Pet Spot, a four-stall kennel within the corporate building where staff could bring their pets to work. This allowed for immediate feedback and trials with numerous dogs, including “Chief,” a 180-lb Alaskan Malamute whose trial became legendary.
One of our most insightful (and entertaining) early researchers. Thank you for your input, Chief.
After months of rigorous testing and invaluable feedback from clients and subjects, the final system began to take shape – and was given its eventual name, Barkbath.
1 Mess-free and portable
Bathe your dog virtually anywhere without the drawbacks of traditional methods.
2 One-step wash and dry
The system vacuums up a combined water/shampoo solution in a natural “petting” motion, eliminating the need for separate drying.
3 Dirt removal + separation
A unique nozzle gets beneath the fur to lift away dirt, separating the dirty water into a clear tank for visible results.
4 reduced water consumption
Uses significantly less water (e.g., 40 oz for an 80-lb dog) compared to traditional baths (up to 19 gallons).
The results
The BARKBATH portable bathing device delivers a cleaner, happier dog and a drier owner, all while dramatically conserving water. An 80-lb dog can be completely washed with just a 40-oz supply of clean water, a significant improvement over the 19 gallons typically used in a traditional bath. We not only met the initial specifications but also advanced the concept beyond expectations, delivering an integrated and elegant solution that was not initially considered possible. The product received a “Good Design Award” and was a finalist in the 2017 International Design Excellence Awards.
Reduction in avg. water use per bath
Design awards
Reduction in avg. time per bath
Happier dogs and owners (est.)
Recent Work