Born under the summer sun

Cold drinks and summer go hand in hand. But once they leave the fridge, it doesn’t take long before the heat takes over and a refreshing drink turns lukewarm. For Stefan Hinterschuster, the answer was simple: make cooling portable — two cans at a time.

A natural innovator with an engineering mindset

Born in Stockholm and trained in electrical engineering, Stefan has spent much of his career working in medical technology. Yet alongside his professional life, another constant has always been present: ideas.

Since the late 1990s, concepts and inventions have continued to emerge — from kitchen solutions to clothing designs. Once an idea takes hold, he finds it difficult to let go, preferring instead to turn thoughts into real-world experiments.

“When I believe in something, I want to take it all the way.”

This particular idea took shape during the summer of 2021, when soaring temperatures quickly warmed cold cans of soft drink.

From sketches to manufacturing

To develop the concept further, Stefan contacted a company in Täby specialising in 3D printing. The first prototypes made it possible to test the cooler properly, while also revealing that the original design needed refining in several areas.

“I redesigned it several times before everything finally came together.”

As the project moved closer to full-scale production, the search began for a manufacturer capable of delivering the level of precision required. The final choice was a producer in Anderstorp, where the can cooler could be manufactured to exact specifications.

The product consists of two parts joined together using ultrasonic welding — a process where even the smallest tolerances make a significant difference.

More than just ice

The cooler is made from ABS plastic, chosen for both its durability and premium finish. Designed to hold two 33 cl sleek cans, it also features an integrated handle, making it easy to carry anywhere — from the beach and golf course to long car journeys.

What truly sets the product apart, however, is not just its design, but the way it maintains temperature.

“Many people think the ice does all the work the entire time. In reality, that’s only at the beginning.”

As the ice melts, another cooling process takes over. The chilled water, together with the metal cans, continues lowering the temperature through condensation, helping drinks stay cold for far longer. In practice, this means warm drinks can be cooled quickly while the cooling effect lasts well beyond the initial ice stage — even during the hottest summer days.

The drive behind the innovation

The idea was born in 2021. The first year focused on prototypes; the years that followed centred on manufacturing and bringing the product to market. For Stefan, the journey has been just as much about persistence as the product itself.

Building something new takes time, especially as a smaller independent innovator. Yet that challenge is also part of the motivation. The people he meets, the problems he solves, and the process of transforming an idea into reality continue to push him forward.

“Things can suddenly change. When they do, you have to be ready.”

And the ideas keep coming. A complementary bottle designed for the can cooler is already in development. As long as new ideas continue to appear, the journey is far from over.

Tips for other innovators

 Keep moving forward. Don’t lose momentum — there are always new approaches to try and fresh opportunities to explore.
 Don’t accept ‘no’ too easily. A rejection isn’t always final. Returning with a better or alternative proposal can sometimes change everything.
 Believe in your idea. If you truly believe in your product, keep going. Don’t let too many outside opinions distract you.