Problem:

Thermos Flasks are heavy & space

occupying

Solution:
Light weight, Foldable Thermos Flasks
Roshinee P

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CONFIDENTIAL
Existing Thermos Flasks…

Existing Technology for thermos flask: Proposed alternative:

Vacuum glass shell is enclosed in silver coated Foldable Thermos flask

vessel with additional layer of insulation.
(inspired by foldable bottles in market)

Problem: Heavy & space consuming:

• Unsuitable for children to carry to school

• Uncomfortable for travel/ camping
• Not used to carry normal water on normal days
• Empty flasks occupy equal space & is still heavy
Fig.1: Current design of
Thermos Flask
[Image Source: Thermal Physics]

Fig.2: Foldable bottles in market

[Image Source: e Bay]

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CONFIDENTIAL
Sol #1: Thermo Gel layered flexible bottles:
Cork stopper
Silver coated plastic
• Thermo Gel has high heat
capacity (used in electric Ice /
hot water bags): maintains
Handle for grip temperature
Insulation with cellophane

Silver coated plastic sheet • Layers of flexible cellophane

Thermo Gel enclosed
acts as additional layer of
in flexible plastic sheet insulation

• Silver coated plastic sheet:

prevents heat transfer by
radiation

Fig.3: Design of Foldable Thermos flask using Thermo Gel • When flask is empty it can be
folded or rolled and
conveniently carried
The ‘Thermo Gel Foldable Thermos Flask’ has to be heated in boiled water or cooled
in freezer before using to store hot/cold fluids

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Sol #2: Refrigerant polymer layering:
• Thin layer of refrigerant polymers
(used in medicine to transport
Cork stopper
transplant organs & in aircraft
Silver coated fridges) can maintain cold/ hot
plastic
temperatures for 1-2 days: Here it is
the refrigerant that maintains
temperature
Handle for grip
Insulation with cellophane
• Layers of flexible cellophane acts
Silver coated plastic sheet as additional layer of insulation

Thin refrigerant polymer • Silver coated plastic sheet:

Prevents heat transfer by radiation

• When flask is empty it can be folded

or rolled and conveniently carried

Fig.4: Design of Foldable Thermos flask using Refrigerant Polymer

The ‘Refrigerant Polymer Foldable Thermos Flask’ has to be soaked in water & cooled in
freezer for 15-20 minutes before using to store cold fluids, for hot fluids it can be used directly

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Which solution is best?
Attributes Thermo Gel Refrigerant polymer (RP)
Preheating/ cooling of flask Yes Only pre-cooling required.
required?
Cost (Relative to each other) Same Same

Weight (Relative to each other) Lighter than RP Heavier than Thermo Gel
Space occupied Equal Equal
Design (Cleaning, Ease of Same Same
UX
carrying)
Predicted sales Same
In case of puncture Leakage of gel- Unfit to drink, but not
hazardous to drink water hazardous
Technology Durability of hot/ cold Low: 2-3 hours High: many days

Durability of product Same Same

Profit margin Same Same Assuming priced

appropriately
Business
Brand Risks involved in launching Same Same
product
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And the best solution is..

Refrigerant Polymer Foldable Thermos Flask is the better solution as

• It is safe (not hazardous in case of puncture)

• It keeps fluids warm/ cold for long time and hence the best alternative to Thermos Flasks

Although Thermo Gel Foldable flasks are lighter than Refrigerant Polymer (RP) flasks, RP flasks are
much lighter than conventional flasks and hence serves the purpose very well.

Most other attributes are same due to their similar design.

Attributes such as reception among consumers, acquisition of market share will be same in both cases
as both are new products.

Hence, Refrigerant Polymer Foldable Thermos Flask is the better solution.

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Measuring Success of our solution:
[Success can be measured by Profitability, Market share & Popularity among customers]

Acquisition:
• No. of hits to Product’s page (PH) (in online sales)
Activation:
• No. of Products sold (PSold) Conversion Rate (online sales) = (PH / PSold)
Retention:
measures how successful the product is in convincing visitors to buy
• No. of repeat customers
Other Metrics:
• No. of warranty services

Profit Margin = Price paid by customer – Cost price of product

Revenue of product = Products sold x Selling price of product

1. Profitability:
Profit = Profit margin x Products sold – Number of warranty services x [ Average cost of warranty] – Money
spent on customer acquisition [(i.e) Ads & Discounts]
Profitability of RP Foldable Thermos Flask can be compared to that of Normal Thermos Flask to measure success
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 2. Market share:

Market share = Revenue of Foldable Thermos Flask / Total revenue in Thermos Flask Industry

Comparisons:

• Market share trend of Foldable Thermos Flask with the trend of other new products previously launched in
the industry will predict success / failure of products.

• Market share trend of Foldable Thermos Flask over a time period of 5 years will tell how product is
received by customers.

3. Popularity among customers: (Qualitative)

a) Popularity in general:
• No. of Repeat customers [ can be compared to no. of repeat customers of conventional thermos flasks ]
• Reviews & ratings ( in online sales)

b) Analysis on customer demographics to find if it is successful in the niche it targeted ( children & travellers)

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Possible reasons for failure:
Causes of user discomfort:

• Requirement of pre-cooling of the flask.

• Does not fit in conventional bottle holders of bags, desks.
• Easy wear and tear compared to conventional flasks.

Competition:

• Our product may not survive competition from Existing Thermos Flasks in gaining consumer trust and
acquiring market share.

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