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Tigere Chiriga's No-Coaster-Necessary Floating Mug

By Rain Noe - July 2, 2012

in Kickstarter

The finish on my Singer Art Deco writing desk was already rough, but I was plenty bummed when a houseguest left his mark on it (above) by failing to use the provided coaster for his drink. I blame myself for not being insistent enough during said houseguest's Orientation meeting. I also blame all designers of all mugs, for devising a product that requires another product underneath it to catch the condensation.

One designer I couldn't blame is North-Carolina-based Tigere Chiriga, whose awesome Floating Mug concept obviates the need for a coaster:

Clever, no? Self-professed "huge tea drinker" Chiriga initially designed the mug and had it manufactured for his own use, back in 2008; but after years of his friends continualy asking where they could get one, Chiriga turned to Kickstarter to have them mass-produced.

The mugs ain't cheap—buy-in starts at 40 bones—but they will be, manufactured in the U.S. now that Chiriga has hit his $15,000 target. (He'd just reached his goal as of press time, with just under a month left to go.)

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cosabella

12 years ago

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get rid of that ring by blowing hot air on it with a hair dryer set at the hottest temp. it works!
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Christina

12 years ago

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Brilliant idea. Some of you are missing the point, though. Mugs are for hot things. If you have something so cold that it's going to produce drippy condensation, use an insulated tumbler instead.
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aya

12 years ago

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Falsoon, I agree. Without absorbency, that next sip could also result in the collected condensation ending up on your shirt.
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Bruce

12 years ago

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One of those "Of course!" designs. Congrats to Tigere Chiriga for the design and Kickstarter success. I hope they sell well!
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Falsoon

12 years ago

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Great idea, but if cold liquids generate enough condensation, it will drop onto the support and overflow onto the desk anyway. Suggestion: Make the support able to absorb moisture; perhaps cover the top of it with cork.

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kristoffer

12 years ago

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I think (correct me if I'm wrong), you know when the handle does not heat up when hot water is poured or it does not condenses when cold water is poured in the mug so only the handle has contact with the table so there is no water mark. (except if it spills =P)
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bv

12 years ago

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why wouldn't the bottom ring leave a water ring on the table?
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Wes

12 years ago

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Awesome idea! Great design, looking forward to following progress
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Tigere Chiriga

12 years ago

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Thank you for the write-up! Response has been overwhelming. Pricing was a combination of "Made in USA" as well as covering my startup costs. Kickstarter is a great platform for testing your ideas and garnering the support of early adopters. People have been really supportive, now I'm just trying not to disappoint. Cheers!

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