You probably read about the ‘treasure trove’ of mementos from the first moon landing, discovered by Neil Armstrong's widow during a recent closet clear out?
Whilst rumours that one of our water bottles was among the valued discoveries are unfounded, a secret to our bottle success may well have lain hidden there.
You see, the valve technology utilised in our pioneering hands-free lids, was originally developed for NASA, specifically for space heroes such as Neil.
The valve opens when astronauts suck for water and then automatically closes to prevent free flow (leaks) into their spacesuit. Or in your case, in the schoolbag or work-desk should the bottle tip.
Strangely, it wasn’t leak-free technology that set us searching for the best valve solution for our bottles over a decade ago. The choking hazard potential of conventional push-pull lid buttons at that time, was probably our greater concern.
However in seeking the best valve, we discovered the technology unique to our closures and the NASA link. At first it required us to import lids from the USA, which didn’t sit easily with our environmental UK-made only policy. However we needed to seed and test the market, quickly discovering its popularity, to the point we were able to commission production tooling at home.
Whilst we still offer conventional button closures, the great majority of our school customers now choose our hands free lids with our water bottles. It’s not just a school preference either. As demand for our bottles expands into other markets, many businesses and sports clubs prefer the hands free solution, ideal too for infirm and special needs.
So we’re really proud of what we have developed and pioneered. We hope it reinforces the message to our customers that every step we take as a business has been a considered step. From the revolutionary hands free lids, through our industry emblematic ‘finger-grip bottle’ which we designed, to the simple old-fashioned pleasant communication values we share with our customers. With our bottles we don’t just talk- the talk, we walk the walk, even the moon ones, maybe! (With image homage to the best moonwalk, ever).
To learn more about our hands free lids visit our home page and click on the link to the video, which shows you the valve in action.
By the way, did you know that the giraffe has a series of one-way check valves in its jugular veins, which close as the head is lowered, preventing blood from flowing into its brain? Stick with us, you’ll learn.
