The Smart Cups can print flavor materials on the surface of the biodegradable cup and to activate the drink consumers add water and the empty cup turns into a zero calorie, sugar free energy drink. No stirring required.
'Never seen before'
Chris Kanik, co-founder/CEO, Smart Cups, said the company’s goal is to implement this proprietary technology across a variety of industries.
“This delivery system is a scientific breakthrough the food and beverage industry has never seen before,” he said.
“Putting the power of science into a cup, Smart Cups provides a more convenient, hassle-free and eco-friendly beverage experience for consumers.
“We’ve developed a game-changing delivery method that consumers will be able to experience through our initial line of energy drinks.
“This delivery system print technology will become the new standard for a variety of industries including pharmaceutical, beverage, water purification and beyond.”
Kanik added not only can this technology have an impact on the $4bn energy drink market, but its future implications will disrupt the beverage market.
“Just think about how heavy 30 Red Bull cans are, but then consider a stack of 30 empty cups,” he said.
The Additive Advantage
The entrepreneur said he came up with the idea for the 3D-polycapsule printing delivery system while waiting too long for a drink at a restaurant.
Realizing the need for instant drinks, Kanik embarked on exploring how printed technology could be applied to the beverage industry and the idea for Smart Cups was born.
He bought the idea to fruition in partnership with Sal Celeste, CEO, The Additive Advantage, and an expert on microencapsulation research and technology since 1992.
Together, they combined their out-of-the-box thinking to invent and commercialize a measured delivery system where the printed microcapsules containing the active and flavor materials are activated by adding water.
The Additive Advantage’s globally patented and US patent pending technology integrates micro-capsules directly onto the surface of a substrate, which is released upon contact with a liquid solvent.
This allows for the delivery of a multiplicity of ingredients in one dose, packing in the equivalent of a 16-ounce drink.
Smart Cups now hopes to release additional beverage lines including sports drinks, coffee, teas, juices, protein drinks and more.
It also plans to launch a single-use water purification cup to filter contaminated water into safe-to-drink liquids.
Smart Cups’ energy drinks are now available for purchase at SmartCups.com for $11.99 for a 5 pack and $17.99 for a 10 pack.