Has your snail bait carton ever got soggy on your garage shelf? Have you ever been concerned that the pack can't be resealed after opening? And that the pellets dispense from the box at an uncontrolled rate? And can easily come into contact with skin?
These problems have been solved by University of Western Sydney student designer Timothy Lee, whose snail pellet dispenser was announced the winner in the annual Cormack Innovation Awards in Sydney on 6 November.
Now in its 13th year, the awards program is an initiative designed to encourage design students to consider packaging as a career option, and to encourage the development of fresh ideas that have commercial potential.
Students competing in this year's Cormack Innovation awards, themed “The Container Revival” were briefed to look at products traditionally packed in jars, tubs or boxes and ‘revive’ that packaging into a whole of pack design that includes injection moulded plastic (Cormack’s area of specialty).
Mathhew Cormack, MD of Cormack Packaging, with the top three winners, Timothy Lee, UWS (1st place); John Ballantine, UWS, (2nd ) and Marcus Ming Lee, UNSW, (3rd).
The winners were chosen from 20 finalists, demonstrating a range of creative and clever ideas. Speaking at the event in Darling Harbour, Mathhew Cormack, MD of Cormack Packaging and the man behind the initiative, said: " Consider the resh ideas on display here tonight from these talented designers. Many of tomorrow's ideas will start from what is on display.
"The journey of innovation will start with a single step forward and a belief that anything can be possible through clever thinking and a drive to achieve."
Winner of the APC Sustainability Award for was UNSW's Marcus Ming Lee, who received his award from APC's Brett Giddings.
The winning design’s rationale highlights its benefits: The shaker for snail pellets provides an air tight seal after each use. Snail pellets are dispensed easily at a controlled rate, and the dispensing system reduces the possibility of snail poison coming into contact with skin. Durable yet recyclable HDPE packaging reduces the chance of accidents. When the lid is closed, the container is waterproof, ensuring a long shelf life after the product is used for the first time. And the ergonomically shaped twist-top lid is easy for users with limited hand dexterity to access and is ready to dispense in only one turn.
For his efforts, Timothy Lee won an invitation to undertake a two month paid internship at Cormack packaging, and $2500 cash. The IP remains the property of Cormack Packaging.
