Design and Development of an Innovative Mobile Fish Vending Unit for Retailers

The purpose of this study was to design and develop a low cost mobile fish vending unit in urban/municipality areas with proper waste disposal. The prototype model was designed and fabricated using locally available materials at a cost of Rs.52780/-. The main feature of this prototype is that its100 and 70 L insulated chilled crates; utility box; Cutting and processing area; storage of water and waste disposal. Necessary effort has been made to maintain the possible market quality of fish and fish products in the form of raw and semi-processed/processed chilled products. Test trial of ergonomics evaluation indicated that the working heart rate (HR work) of the male operator ranged from 123.8 to 134 beats/min with a mean value of 131.9 ± 1.6 beats/min. The corresponding values with women were 119.0 to 149.6 and 131.2 ± 1.0 beats/min, respectively. The heart rate was lower with male as compared to the female. The forces on the pedal are 161.84 N and 377.6 N in case of first and second condition. The calculated mechanical advantages for first and second condition are 0.278 and 0.276, respectively. The design of mobile fish vending unit is stable. The operators both male and female have found the unit to be conducive both in terms of ergonomically as well as operationally.