Cuppow Uncaps New Product That Turns Jars Into Lunchboxes
Keeping salsa and chips, or cereal and milk, separate in your lunch bag—without risking a messy catastrophe—no longer has to be an issue for those who prefer to carry, not buy.
Cuppow, the Somerville-based company behind the lids that fasten to Mason jars to create customized drinking glasses, unleashed its latest invention this week known as the BNTO (pronounced ben-toh)—a locally manufactured, plastic container made of recycled materials that separates “wet stuff from dry stuff.” In other words, the BNTO turns Mason jars into portable lunch boxes or travel mugs, according to a video posted to the company’s website. “Canning jars are designed to store food safely and they make an awesome lunchbox: they are easy to clean, cheap, and you can microwave them! The only problem is that sometimes the foods that taste the best together don’t travel well together,” BNTO creators said.
Inspired by Japanese bento boxes, which offer compartments for different types of food eaten by people who are on the go, the BNTO containers fit snuggly inside glass jars and hover just above another food in the same container, so the two don’t mix. Examples in Cuppow’s video include the storage of cereal and milk, chips and salsa, or peanut butter and celery sticks. The first round of BNTOs, which are now for sale, hold roughly six fluid ounces, or 3/4 of a cup of food.
According to information posted along with the unveiling of BNTO:
Like CUPPOW, BNTO is 100% made in the USA from recycled food-grade polypropylene in our ongoing effort to divert as much unnecessary waste from the landfill as possible. As always, we commit 5 [percent] of our profits to domestic charities and social initiatives, so you can feel great while you eat great!
Cuppow celebrated the launch of the new lid-like product during a party at the TrinaStarlite Lounge in Inman Square on Tuesday, July 9. “We are so thrilled to share and produce such fun products and your support of all things local, sustainable, and made in the USA. Can’t be beat,” the company owner tweeted during the party.
