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The Latest Kickstarter Smash: Smash Cup, a Collapsible Travel Mug

By Rain Noe - July 16, 2014

in Sustainable Design | Kickstarter

Coffee drinkers: How many disposable coffee cups do you go through a year? Some of you might carry a travel mug on your commute, but the bulk of you probably get your caffeine hits out of paper or plastic cups, which then go into the trash or recycling. Ben Melinger, the founder of NYC-based Smash Cup, claims that you worker drones each throw away some 500 cups per year.

Melinger, by the way, is essentially a self-taught industrial designer who quit his corporate job to make stuff. "A few years ago, I went on an adventure off the corporate track," he writes. "I had always loved the idea of making physical products, so with a product in mind... and some expert mentors, I learned 3D CAD modeling, protoyping, manufacturing sourcing, IP drafting, and so much more—all the ins and outs of making a great product."

And now he's got his first successful Kickstarter. Melinger came up with the Smash Cup, a collapsible travel mug that "smashes" from five inches to less than two, so it doesn't take up much space in your bag when it's not in use.

Here's the pitch video:

Since going live last week, Smash Cup has easily blown past its $10,000 target, with nearly five times the funding at press time. While the $12 buy-in units are all gone, there's still 23 days left to get yourself a Smash Cup at $15 or more.

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lefty

10 years ago

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The collapsible silicone cup is ubiquitous, which he probably learned how to source from sourcing training, so the only semi-unique design is the lid with sip hole cover. From personal experience, working with collapsible silicone bowls for pets, this cup could be hazardous since the vessel is flexible. Rigid cups are best for hot liquids.
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CP

10 years ago

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Wow I had a similar thing back in the 80's while I was in boy
scouts....
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youngID

10 years ago

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Major design flaw. The cup when filled with hot liquid and if it gets press from the bottom it drive the liquid out from the opening. It needs a plastic tab to lock in the folding lower section. I did a folding cup for Beta Cup and added that feature in to prevent this from happening.
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