Thermos Heats Up Housewares Show with New Solutions

March 18, 2004 – Thermos made eating and drinking on the go a reality 100 years ago, and throughout the last century, Thermos brand lunch kits and vacuum-insulated products have touched the lives of millions. Today, as consumers become increasingly health conscious, yet time starved, new products from Thermos make it convenient and fun for kids and adults to take fresh food and beverages from home.

FUNtainers – Kid-Friendly Vacuumware
As parents struggle to get their kids to eat healthier, Thermos is introducing new products designed to make taking foods and beverages from home cooler than ever. At the Housewares Show, Thermos will unveil a line of FUNtainer beverage bottles that match the popular FUNtainer food jars. FUNtainer bottles have kid-friendly push button lids with pop-up straws, bold colors and contemporary designs that can coordinate with lunch kits or stand alone. FUNtainers bottles and food jars keep beverages and food hotter and colder for up to ten hours using Thermos’ exclusive TherMax vacuum insulation.

“FUNtainers’ designs make them desirable for kids, and their ability to retain temperature give parents piece of mind that the foods and drinks they send are fresher and safer,” said Rick Dias, Thermos’ vice-president of marketing. “FUNtainers are perfect for lunch or after school practice and make it easier for parents to replace chips and soda with fresh and healthy foods and drinks.”

Interactive Lunch Kits with Play Value
Thermos’ 2004 line of lunch kits are interactive with games, activities and designs that keep kids engaged. For instance, a new Barbie hard kit with a static cling wardrobe lets kids change Barbie’s outfit and the new Barbie My Special Things soft kit includes a hidden, non-breakable mirror. A new Scooby-Doo soft kit offers interchangeable cover designs. Also new for 2004 are Snak n Spin kits that have games built right into them and Hide n Snak kits that have hidden pouches to keep a note or special treat from mom.

“We’ve made lunchtime more fun for kids, which makes it easier for parents to send them to school with healthier choices.” said Frank Muci, Thermos’ director of marketing for soft lines.

Raya by Thermos– High-Fashion Beverageware
Thermos has made fashion a priority for 2004 by introducing the Raya by Thermos line of sleek beverageware. Raya mugs and tumblers have contoured shapes; distinct rubber grips; and are available in vibrant-colored LEXAN polycarbonate or stainless steel vacuum insulated versions. The LEXAN Raya products come in eye-catching blue, orange and purple hues that can coordinate with a consumer's mood, outfit or room decor. The stainless steel Raya products have high-performance TherMax insulation and urban inspired designs. “Thermos recognizes consumers are motivated by appearance as well as performance. The Raya line embraces today’s fashion-conscious consumers with mugs and tumblers that let them express their unique personalities,” said Dias.

100 Years of Innovation and Style
As Thermos embarks on its second century, simultaneously merging function and fashion continues to be at the heart of new product design. “Thermos’ reputation for making products that not only perform, but also let consumers convey their own personal style, has made Thermos a household name,” said Dias. According to industry estimates, at least four out of five Americans own at least one Thermos brand product.

To mark its centennial, Thermos will issue a three-piece set of commemorative metal lunch boxes featuring classic characters and designs. To find out more about Thermos, visit www.thermos.com.

SOURCE Thermos