Coffee Cup: Indicating Temperature for a Perfect Sip

A Functional and Innovative Design by Rengrui Xiang, Yi Teng Shih, and Yuting Chen

Nowadays, coffee has become an essential part of the daily routine for many people, especially office workers. With the Coffee Cup, individuals can now enjoy their coffee at the perfect temperature, avoiding any unpleasant surprises. This innovative design caters specifically to the needs of office workers, allowing them to savor their coffee while ensuring it is at an ideal temperature.

The Coffee Cup stands out from other designs due to its unique feature of indicating the temperature of the beverage. The cup is equipped with a triple-layer construction, with the middle layer made of thermochromic materials. These materials change color according to the temperature, providing a visual indication for the user. The three logos on the cup represent different temperature ranges, making it easy for users to determine the suitability of their coffee.

The Coffee Cup's thermochromic materials are safe for use in food-related products, ensuring the user's safety and well-being. Additionally, the cup's ergonomic design includes a rubber holding part, making it comfortable and convenient to hold while also providing insulation from the heat.

Measuring 110mm in length, 90mm in diameter, and 3mm in thickness, the Coffee Cup is designed to be portable and practical for everyday use.

When it comes to functionality, the Coffee Cup is simple to use. The first logo, resembling fire, turns red to indicate that the coffee is very hot and could potentially scald the user. The middle logo, resembling a coffee cup, turns green to signify the best temperature for drinking. Lastly, the third logo turns blue, indicating that the coffee has cooled down. If the user prefers their coffee hot, they can discard it at this point. The rubber holding part ensures a comfortable grip and protects the user from excessive heat.

The Coffee Cup design project began in July 2016 in Ningbo, with the aim of addressing the issue of scalding lips caused by hot coffee. Extensive research was conducted to determine the optimal temperature for drinking coffee, leading to the development of the thermochromic materials used in the cup.

One of the main challenges faced during the design process was finding suitable materials for the thermochromic indicators. However, through thorough research and exploration, the designers were able to identify the appropriate materials to incorporate into the design.

The Coffee Cup design not only enhances the coffee-drinking experience but also promotes safety and convenience. By providing a visual indication of the temperature, users can enjoy their coffee at the perfect temperature, avoiding any unpleasant surprises. This innovative design has been recognized for its excellence and was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2017 in the Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware, and Cookware Design category.