TOPL Reusable Travel Mug - Insulated Leakproof Coffee Cup with Patented 360 Drink and Spill-Safe Technology, Flask Keeps Drinks Hot or Cold, BPA-Free, Dishwasher Safe Lid - Regular 12oz - Coral

Product Information

We started from scratch by exploring what the perfect reusable coffee cup might look like. In my experience, attributing a budget for market research at the start of any project always pays dividends, and that was certainly the case with TOPL. And because of the technicality of the 7 seals and the manufacturing tolerances, the test phase of the TOPL cup took over 6 months and took us out on two trips to Hong Kong. Tooling, supply chain and costings In every project, there are numerous and somewhat less obvious stages that follow the design, prototyping and testing of a new product. Overall, the project included rounds of market research as well as brand a product identity phases. Over the span of the project we had a few working titles and the name TOPL came through from the client towards the end. Having set such a tight timeframe, Eleanor and Stewart embarked on a whirlwind period in which they finalised their launch design, travelled to China to find suppliers and raised some capital to fund the product development.

Reusable coffee cups normally come in a range of sizes to suit different coffee consumption habits. A lot of them hail from the US or Australia, however, so it’s common to see volumes listed in fluid ounces. A 4oz cup such as KeepCup’s XS holds 118ml of liquid – so it’s ideal for espresso or piccolo – whereas Stojo’s 16oz (454ml) Biggie cup is designed for long coffee drinks and smoothies. If you just want a regular mug-sized coffee, the 12oz (341ml) size should suit you nicely. My father is in business, so I grew up in an environment where making a living from running your own business didn’t feel like too much of a stretch,’ she said. When our clients approached us with the brief “ to create the world’s best reusable coffee cup”, naturally we stepped up.

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Once the production tooling stage was completed, the project focus shifted towards matching the client with an audited supply chain and establishing costs. The former Jersey College for Girls student had graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in law and French and was studying for her post-graduate legal qualification when her creative side came to the fore and she and her father decided to launch TOPL – a business based on a novel anti-spill lid mechanism.

The TOPL cups use stainless steel for the body of it’s cups. This is because it has longevity and once it reaches the end of it’s life, stainless steel can be recycled. Steel also has a low carbon footprint. Plus, the lid can be recycled in the same way as you would recycle other plastics, through your household recycling system. It really is that easy! However, due to the durability of the materials, the branded TOPL cups can last for years even if they are used every day. The coffee market is booming and it’s an exciting industry to be working in but, with that, comes a lot of competition. To stand out, we have focused on creating a more joined-up approach to reuse which links consumers more seamlessly with the coffee retail sector. The branded TOPL cups keep drinks hot for approx. 3 hours and cold for 6 hours. Ideal for when you are out and about. How sustainable are the TOPL cups? We first looked at 3D printing and vacuum casting but eventually worked with a Dutch company that helped us create a food-grade silicone magnetic polymer.I think the unique ability of our species to solve problems is a deeply rooted part of the human experience. And it certainly drives our design philosophy at Flynn Product Design.