Project Overview

Designed to solve a universal problem Robin Bristow has come up with a unique and inexpensive solution to transfering food and other products from one container to another."Fantastic, Innovative and Useful" Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, "Great, functional and stylish, wish I had thought of it" Blue Design Inc. California

Organisation

Bristow Architecture

Team

Concept and Design: Robin Bristow, with special thanks to:Prototype Testing: Desiree Phillips (Tewantin Noosa Meals on Wheels)& Jeroo Pavri (The Cooking Company),Marketing: Audrey Goldbert (Social Click), Material Supply: Michael Marburg (BMS Group),Manufacture:Ultraform Plastics - Noosa

Project Brief

Facing the constant problem of getting his home made jams and chutneys into jars Robin Bristow came up with this simple solution of a flat pack funnel with a large opening to make transferring food products from one container to another a breeze. Its' humble function and low production cost disguise its thoroughly contemporary aesthetic and the fun way it transforms from a simple 2 dimensional sheet into a classical 3 dimensional cone. Robin hopes the Bigmouth Funnel will become an iconic Australian invention - not only for its distinctive looks but for its great functionality. Manufactured from Australian sourced recycled polypropylene the funnels are non-toxic and fully recyclable. The final product is laser cut in Noosa, Queensland making these funnels 100% designed and manufactured in Australia.

Project Innovation / Need

Conventional funnels do not easily allow for the quick transfer of say pepper corns or jams into jars or bottles, plus they take up space in the kitchen. These novel funnels pack flat, are adjustable and have a unique clip design to hold them in shape.

Design Challenge

After suffering his home made jams and chutneys going all over the kitchen counter when bottling them, Robin fashioned himself a prototype funnel out of an ice cream container lid. After a while Robin realised that he was using his rudimentary funnel all the time - so it was then that it dawned on him to manufacture and market the funnel so that other cooks did not have to suffer the same fate. He discovered that the smaller funnel made refilling salt and pepper grinders a breeze - no more pepper corns all over the floor. Desiree Phillips of Tewantin Noosa Meals on Wheels helped test the prototypes and when she said she used them all the time Robin knew he had a winning design.

Sustainability

After considerable effort the polypropylene was eventually sourced from the BMS Group Sydney. Comprised of Australian sourced materials it consists of between 30-50% recycled plastic and the funnels are 100% recycleable. Promeg has no plasticizers, no leachable components; no lead, no heavy metals and no toxins are given off when burnt. The waste off-cut plastic sheeting is also recycled.


http://www.bmsaustralia.com.au/Polypropylene-facts