Services – shimcup

Features

compact

Shimcup is the flattest folding cup there is. It folds down so thin, you'd think it impossible; you could slip it into your jeans pocket and not know it was there. Or use it as a bookmark, then have your coffee in it at your local cafe while reading your book! The packability of Shimcup's design gives endless possibilities for game-changing usage. For example if you're running a cafe or restaurant - you could save large amounts of water by washing all of your Shimcups (and other products arriving later...) in a single cycle. Having wine in the park? Pick up a bottle on the way and have four Shimcups already in your coat pocket, purse or pouch.

responsible

There is no plastic in this cup! Shimcup is so called because of the material from which it is made - stainless steel shim. There is no waste in the manufacturing process - all offcuts go back and re-enter the material production stream. At the end of Shimcup's (long and giving) life, the materials can be recycled at no loss of quality, indefinitely. Further to all of this Shimcup is designed, developed and made in the UK, which not only makes for a refreshingly green product profile, but provides a rare example of a homegrown idea choosing to grow up where it can give back.

Why is it called Shimcup?

Good question! Shim is the name of the material used – it’s a special kind of shim steel. Shimcup is able to work because of this wonderful, sustainable, material and also the name sounds like a reflection of the properties of the cup – it’s shiny and thin, just like shim. Hence Shimcup!

Why doesn't it leak?

As a technical innovation, part of the mechanics of how Shimcup works is by forming a seal when assembled – this was a huge challenge! It has taken a lot of time, head-scratching, designing, developing, testing and re-designing to create a patented way that stainless steel can be assembled from extremely thin, flat-packed ‘leaves’ and folded up into a water-tight drinking vessel.

The edges look sharp - will I cut my mouth?

The mouth-feel of Shimcup is very pleasant, like that you might experience with a fine wine glass; the edges look sharp, but they aren’t sharp – they’re just very thin.

Will it collapse when I use it?

When assembled correctly Shimcup has a rigid structure and will not collapse.

What happens if I squeeze hard when drinking from Shimcup?

A strange question, but people do ask this. It’s not a stress-squeezer, although it is very zen! Seriously though for some reason if you wanted to squeeze very hard then yes, it would compromise the seal and it would leak. But if you squeeze a paper or silicone cup with the same force, they would also spill. The truth is we simply don’t do that – when we pick up and use an object we use the force required for lifting and Shimcup is very stable when used as designed. I have never had a leak from squeezing Shimcup.

How do I clean Shimcup?

Shimcup should be either wiped with a clean, damp cloth, or rinsed with water (or water and detergent), and can be left to air dry or dried with a towel. After my coffee when I’m camping or climbing I often just give it a quick rinse with a splash of water from my bottle (or a stream, or tap) and wipe dry with a tea towel, or – full disclosure – on my trousers. But don’t tell my mum.

Features

compact

responsible

innovative

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