WHY WOULD THIS WORK?
Proven: Folding polypropylene dishware is already in use for camping.
Size: Super Small = Super Convenient.
Capacity: Same as a 12oz. can of soda.
Fun: You can choose designs that reflect your personality or taste.
Contribution: Others will notice you are environmentally conscious.
Collectible: Advertisers can offer limited edition designs that people collect.
Recyclable: The small size can allow for easy collection bins at coffee houses.
Value: The cup could be worth a nickel and save you money on refill or trade in.
Materials: Many “green plastics” exist today which could be used in production.
Improvements: A strip of memory plastic could help round the top when open.
Standardization: The cup fits in a standard cup holder.
Aside from the super compact form factor which allows you to carry a stack of returnable cups back to the coffee house in your pocket or purse, the other major change-inducing concept here is in offering consumers a design choice.
If you offer cups that have different designs, you allow the cup to represent something unique to that consumer. The cup may have a cartoon character on it or a NASCAR driver, or seasonal images, or simply a pattern that matches your outfit. The options are endless and the consumer will be able to collect the new cup designs as they come out. Many people will undoubtedly anxiously await the next batch of cup designs and some I'm sure will begin collecting them. This idea is already seen in fast food chains that offer toys from specific movies in their kid's meals. The variety attracts return visits. By offering unique designs and patterns printed onto the coffee cups, you allow consumers to express their own individuality -- thus, they will be reluctant to throw away something they can relate to on a personal level.
From a corporate standpoint, cups with specific ads from outside companies could be introduced into the designs and this advertising could help offset the R&D and manufacturing costs associated with introducing the new concept. The cups that satisfy a specific standard of quality could be given a stamp of approval which would allow that cup to be filled or re-filled at the participating coffee shops. This "Licensing asset" could provide a company like Starbucks with a valuable additional revenue source.
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Robhoski idea owner
Thanks for the boost.
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sweetmelissa9978
I'd have to test this puppy out before I would know if it was the cup for me.
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Robhoski idea owner
The cup does fit in a car holder and I've recently redesigned it with a slight taper which gives it a more cup-like appearance. The latest design allows the use of a round insulator sleeve which eliminates the need to use the handle (unless you want to) and also helps "round out" the top opening when applied.
How tough/strong the cup would be would depend largely on what materials were used in its construction. I'm a big fan of the idea of layering the cup's exterior with a "memory plastic" which, when heated by the coffee, would allow the rigidity of the cup to increase and also mold into a "predetermined" shape. The idea there is to form the cup into the desired shape while still warm and then when cooled the cup would be flexible. Then when warmed again the cup would return to the predetermined shape and become more firm/stiff.
As a single person, I do not have the budget for extensive research and development, but I'm confident in the basic concept of how this cup would work. I wish my latest design could be uploaded, but submissions are over and the basic concept is in place.
Thanks for your comments and questions.
Rob
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kunst234
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Robhoski idea owner
Dank, habe ich die Schale mit sich verjüngenden Seiten neu entworfen, die eine Hülsenisolierung annehmen können, die " hilft; rundes out" die Schalenform. Leider ist sie zu spät, den neuen Entwurf wieder zu unterwerfen, aber das faltende Konzept ist das selbe. Ich habe auch den Gebrauch des Gedächtnisplastiks vorgeschlagen, der, als erhitzt durch den Kaffee, die Schale sich würde verformen lassen. Dank für Ihre Anmerkungen.
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Robhoski idea owner
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baseline
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Robhoski idea owner
Thanks, I wish I had been able to upload the latest design with "tapered" sides. It look a little nicer and the taper allows the use of an insulator sleeve so you hold it without using the handle if you wish. Thanks again.
Rob
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ghill jury (contest)
i think the clip or other way of stopping coffee ending up in your pocket or bag is key. also like the idea of using the clip as a handle somehow.
wonder if you could make the whole thing squatter as it would look better and be more stable in my opinion.
i would think this could go in the dishwasher too which would be great.
i'd focus less on collectibles etc... the beauty of this is it is a "less is more" concept so you'd want people to own what they need and not more than that.
really nicely done!
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Robhoski idea owner
I recently redesigned the cup with tapered sides. It looks nicer, still fits into a cupholder, and is very stable. The tapered sides allow the use of an insulator sleeve which helps to shape the cup into a more round opening at the top. As the sleeve slides up onto the cup it helps to strengthen the shape and gives you a good feeling in the hand. The opening at the top becomes more of an octagon shape rather than square. The contest ended before I could upload the new shape but it still folds the same way. With the tapered sides, the cup fold into a size slightly larger than a credit card, but it is still quite small.
Thanks for the review.
Rob H.