Health o meter® / Sunbeam collaborated with Cesaroni Design to develop an innovative bathroom scale with folding capability to reduce floor space when stored upright.

Focus group research found that consumers try to lean their scales against a wall to conserve space. Due to rounded surfaces and weight distribution issues, the scales would not stay in a vertical position. The project objective was to design a new product that consumers can "tuck away" to save space.

The design team constructed breadboard models to test the action of grabbing the handle and opening the scale. A built-in release button allows the scale to fold and unfold. The product designers utilized friction hinges so that the product unfolds gently rather than suddenly dropping open into position to take a weight reading.

The design solution reduces the amount of floor space the scale occupies by 75% when in the folded position. The main components of the scale are injection-molded plastic. Interior components consist of metal structural elements, and appropriate PC board and wiring.

Silver is selected to keep the scale neutral and complementary in most bathrooms. Simple arcs throughout the design add softness.