General Update

Just wanted to give everyone a quick status update on where things are headed.

First off — thank you all again for the support, feedback, requests, ideas, remixes, and general enthusiasm around these designs. We’ve made really solid progress on the baseline ecosystem already:

• Standard US cans and bottles are in a pretty strong place

• A good dent has been made into non-US / European sizes

• More skinny EU/UK variants and less common sizes are still in work

• Beer bottle versions are planned as well

• Cup-specific versions are also on the roadmap so things like Solo cups, Starbucks iced drink cups, fast food drink cups, and other common cup formats can drop directly into cooler holders as well

Some of the current items actively in work or planned:

• skinny can versions with additional split variations for easier striped/multi-color setups on single-nozzle printers

• more themed versions (camo, cow print, etc.)

• simplified lid versions optimized for single-nozzle printers

• faster-printing upright lid variants

• additional external body styles

• new textures like knit, leather, wood, and other complex surface finishes

One request I want to jump on is exactly why I like community feedback so much because honestly it didn’t even occur to me at first — a lid that allows you to drink straight from the can while still keeping the top covered.

Initially my thought was:
“Why not just use the straw?”
Or:
“Why not just remove the lid?”

But the answer actually made a lot of sense. Some drinks just aren’t straw drinks, and some people simply don’t want to advertise what they’re drinking.

So the goal is to create a flush-style lid that still allows direct sipping while helping keep the can more discreet. I think I can do this using the existing holder designs by making a lid that sits inside instead of on top. The cans already sit slightly above the main holder rim specifically so they can comfortably be sipped directly without hitting your lip on the holder body, so I think this approach should work really well.

I’m also reviewing ways to better obscure the upper angled portion of the can since some companies like to put branding/details there as well. I already have a few ideas, but I’m always open to suggestions.

So yes… soon you may be able to sit at the little league game casually sipping your sparkling water? without attracting unwanted “concern.” 😂

Honestly, one of the coolest parts of this whole thing so far has been realizing there almost doesn’t seem to be a limit to where these designs can go. Every time I think we’ve covered the major formats, another really solid idea or use case pops up that expands the ecosystem even further.

It’s a little funny because this is “just a koozie.” It’s not like this specific design itself required decades of engineering experience. But I do think all of those years of CAD, manufacturing, problem solving, iteration, and product development are what led up to this and what allow me to move through new designs and ideas relatively quickly now.

Also, a reminder that the Discord server has become the best place for remixers, collaboration, requests, and community support. I know Discord can feel like “yet another platform,” but it’s honestly turned into a really solid place for sharing ideas, helping each other, and organizing remix resources.

For example, one recent remixer request was for solid internal can-shape geometry that can be directly subtracted from custom designs, and that’s now available through the Discord remix resources. (Thanks Charles!). And there is a channel on their for only the remixers where you can discuss with each other and with me and let me know ways I can help you specifically and increase the value of your membership tier.

And finally — just a quick heads-up:
I’ll be on vacation from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25.

I’ll still be around responding to messages and staying connected where I can, but I probably won’t be doing much heavy CAD/design work while I’m away. Honestly part of the reason I’m looking forward to the trip is because it actually gives me a good excuse to slow down a little and spend more time catching up on messages and talking with everyone.

It might sound crazy, but my idea of a good time is sitting on the boat, watching my boys enjoy the water, and helping people through message responses. I genuinely enjoy all of this and really want to see the Cooler Can ecosystem all the way through before eventually expanding into future product categories (multi-can coolers?) and other popular designs- wherever this all takes me.

At the end of the day, I can really design just about anything — this just happens to be the one that connected in a massive way, and I’m excited to keep building it out with all of you.

Really appreciate all of you being part of this and helping shape where these designs go next.