Eastman Chemical and Ziba have developed an innovative flask product called TOPO through the Materials Design Challenge. The objective of the challenge was to leverage the expertise of Eastman and Ziba to advance both material and design together and develop a product that is producible with elegant design.
TOPO features heritage object characteristics as well as the functionality and sophistication of modern design. The flask product will be first exhibited during a breakfast event on August 16, 2012, at the Industrial Designers Society of America show, which will be held in Boston from August 15 to 18, 2012.
Besides having elegant design, the flask product also benefit from the design flexibility and properties of Eastman’s Tritan copolyester, which allows for striking shapes, more design options and commercial feasibility, and delivers toughness, dishwasher durability, and glasslike clarity.
TOPO can be molded to thick-to-thin sections, thanks to Eastman Tritan copolyester’s design flexibility. This is not possible with glass or other plastics. Tritan allows for clean ultrasonic welding, which forms a watertight seal. Its frosted texture complements the rugged sophistication. Moreover, an integrated funnel facilitates a smooth filling, pouring and sipping experience.
Through the Materials Design Challenge, Eastman and Ziba gained beyond an advanced product. Eastman augmented its design knowledge through the product, while Ziba gained more insight about a material that was unfamiliar earlier.
Eastman’s Director of downstream engagement and design, Cathy Dodd informed that this is a perfect illustration of how early-stage partnership can fill the gap between material suppliers and designers. Jointly, Ziba and Eastman investigated design options and material properties, paving the way to develop a showcase product that may not be possible with their normal processes.