The Story So Far
HoneyKomb was founded several years ago by proudly South African Marthinus Hendrik Doman. With electricity being an ever-scarcer resource, a solution was needed to stop food from spoiling. Marthinus knew that creating a vacuum in an enclosed space stops the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, resulting in longer freshness and food preservation. After years of research and development with engineers, food scientists, and agricultural experts, the HoneyKomb vacuum cooler box was born. Marthinus chose the name HoneyKomb to emphasize his intention to preserve – the cooler works hard for you, the customer, and maintains efficiency and environmental sustainability.
But How Does the Product Work?
The HoneyKomb cooler box is created using a manufacturing process called rotational moulding, or roto-moulding (BPA-free), to ensure its strength, sturdiness and durability. Its military-grade latches, seals, and insulation are newly invented to ensure optimal preservation.
The seals can withstand pressures down to 2kPa (almost a perfect vacuum!).
So whether you take it to the savannah or to outer space, your HoneyKomb cooler box is sure to last. Remember we said it’s sustainable? That’s because it doesn’t require a single spark of electricity, just a good ol’ hand pump, available from our website. That’s right! Only a hand pump! It’s the first cooler on Earth to use vacuum technology to preserve food, and it keeps food fresher for longer than any other cooler!
Using our vacuum hand pump, a pressure of AT LEAST 80kPa below atmospheric pressure can be created within the cooler, reducing aerobic bacterial growth by 3x and increasing temperature rising time by 20% when compared to similar coolers without vacuums applied. You can rely on the cooler’s built-in pressure meter to track what’s happening inside the cooler.
The seals can withstand pressures down to 2kPa (almost a perfect vacuum!).
So whether you take it to the savannah or to outer space, your HoneyKomb cooler box is sure to last. Remember we said it’s sustainable? That’s because it doesn’t require a single spark of electricity, just a good ol’ hand pump, available from our website. That’s right! Only a hand pump! It’s the first cooler on Earth to use vacuum technology to preserve food, and it keeps food fresher for longer than any other cooler!
Using our vacuum hand pump, a pressure of AT LEAST 80kPa below atmospheric pressure can be created within the cooler, reducing aerobic bacterial growth by 3x and increasing temperature rising time by 20% when compared to similar coolers without vacuums applied. You can rely on the cooler’s built-in pressure meter to track what’s happening inside the cooler.
Meet the Inventor
Thinus
I am one of four sons. Born 01 February 1977 in Bloemfontein, Free State, I grew up always wanting to invent or make something. Apparently, I told my parents as a preschool boy that I wanted to become a mechanic, but a mechanic that invents stuff. Since I can remember I thought of multiple inventions – from a floating rink working on opposite magnetic fields, 3D TVs based on the viewmaster principle, hookless hitches, etc.
However, as I became a bit older I came upon the vacuum cooler idea (late 90’s). Being exposed to rural areas in Africa I saw the issue of keeping food fresh (especially in warmer areas without any electricity). And knowing that basically nothing can travel or conduct in a perfect vacuum I realized that this might just be the answer to the problem.
It took a while before I could actually do anything about my idea as I needed funding for research and development to actually prove my concept. In 2004 I moved to Canada for work and only in 2015 I found a program in Alberta, Canada, helping ideas come to life through subsidies – and I applied. I worked with mechanical engineers, food, and agricultural departments and we found that with a vacuum of -60kPa the temperature rising time was 20% longer (thus keeping the contents cooler for longer) and aerobic bacterial growth was 3 times less at the same pressure, compared to regular coolers. Thus keeping the contents fresher 3-5 times longer than any conventional plastic cooler.
And fast forward to 2021 and the first final product – HoneyKomb Vacuum Cooler – started production. Utilizing a manual vacuum pump no electricity is needed and thus the perfect answer for keeping contents fresh in remote/ rural areas, prolonged periods etc without the use of electricity.
However, as I became a bit older I came upon the vacuum cooler idea (late 90’s). Being exposed to rural areas in Africa I saw the issue of keeping food fresh (especially in warmer areas without any electricity). And knowing that basically nothing can travel or conduct in a perfect vacuum I realized that this might just be the answer to the problem.
It took a while before I could actually do anything about my idea as I needed funding for research and development to actually prove my concept. In 2004 I moved to Canada for work and only in 2015 I found a program in Alberta, Canada, helping ideas come to life through subsidies – and I applied. I worked with mechanical engineers, food, and agricultural departments and we found that with a vacuum of -60kPa the temperature rising time was 20% longer (thus keeping the contents cooler for longer) and aerobic bacterial growth was 3 times less at the same pressure, compared to regular coolers. Thus keeping the contents fresher 3-5 times longer than any conventional plastic cooler.
And fast forward to 2021 and the first final product – HoneyKomb Vacuum Cooler – started production. Utilizing a manual vacuum pump no electricity is needed and thus the perfect answer for keeping contents fresh in remote/ rural areas, prolonged periods etc without the use of electricity.
About the Patent
Patent Number: US 20150216221 A1
From Google Patents:
A cooler with an insulated housing comprising an encircling wall, base and lid, the insulated housing defining a storage cavity and having an air channel communicating from the storage cavity to outside the insulated housing, the air channel being defined by channel walls and forming at least in part a cylinder; and a vacuum pump integral with the insulated housing, the vacuum pump comprising a piston arranged to reciprocate within the cylinder under manual control from outside of the insulated housing. A method including placing material within a storage cavity of an insulated cooler, the material having an average temperature different than an ambient temperature; closing a lid over the storage cavity; and operating a vacuum pump to reduce the air pressure within the storage cavity. A combination of the cooler and ice within the storage cavity.
A cooler with an insulated housing comprising an encircling wall, base and lid, the insulated housing defining a storage cavity and having an air channel communicating from the storage cavity to outside the insulated housing, the air channel being defined by channel walls and forming at least in part a cylinder; and a vacuum pump integral with the insulated housing, the vacuum pump comprising a piston arranged to reciprocate within the cylinder under manual control from outside of the insulated housing. A method including placing material within a storage cavity of an insulated cooler, the material having an average temperature different than an ambient temperature; closing a lid over the storage cavity; and operating a vacuum pump to reduce the air pressure within the storage cavity. A combination of the cooler and ice within the storage cavity.
Warranty
We have a 3-year limited warranty on seals and moving parts, and a 10-year limited warranty on the solid box.
Claims will only be approved if the following conditions are met:
– Your product was purchased from an authorized dealer
– The product was used as intended
– The product must be returned to HoneyKomb
– The product is in its original form (ie no modifications, part changes, etc by the user)
Normal wear and tear due to use over a period of time is not warranted.
Claims will only be approved if the following conditions are met:
– Your product was purchased from an authorized dealer
– The product was used as intended
– The product must be returned to HoneyKomb
– The product is in its original form (ie no modifications, part changes, etc by the user)
Normal wear and tear due to use over a period of time is not warranted.
Agribonus Partnership
Patent Number: US 20150216221 A1
We are proudly partnered with Agribonus, the first benefits program designed for farmers. Members of Agribonus can use their points to buy a variety of products including our cooler boxes. In addition, Agribonus members can earn points through regular purchases from partner brands. The more points earned by an AgriBonus member, the higher their status becomes and the better the benefits and awards are.
You can redeem earned points for electronics, household appliances, camping equipment or exclusive holiday getaways. You can even donate your points to an affinity of your choice, such as your local school or the Endangered Wildlife Fund to save our rhinos. Your points are yours and you can do anything with them!
You can redeem earned points for electronics, household appliances, camping equipment or exclusive holiday getaways. You can even donate your points to an affinity of your choice, such as your local school or the Endangered Wildlife Fund to save our rhinos. Your points are yours and you can do anything with them!