If you associate the affordable and ubiquitous ‘Bic pen’ with disposable, throw away office culture – think again, as Zo-loft design has added a whole new dimension to desktop utility. Their “Din-ink” series of Bic pen style tops allows you to instantly convert your writing tools into ready made cutlery. With one easy step that trusty chewed-up pen of yours can become a sleek spoon, fork, or knife for that classic dining ‘al desko’ experience.
Din-ink designers, Andrea Cingoli, Paolo Emilio Bellisario, Francesca Fontana, and Cristian Cellini, went the extra measure to insure that the set of tops were 100% biodegradable, non toxic, and hygienic. They are cleverly made out of renewable resources like natural starch and fiber (GM free corn and potato) and come in compostable and heat-sealable packaging, too. Din-ink tops are also heat reisistant to 105 degrees C. That’s hot! (Even cooler, they used vegetable-based ink for all of their product printing).
You all devoured our Spudware Cutlery coverage a few months ago, so we hoped that you might enjoy another example of how eco-dining is going upscale by reducing waste while being innovative and tasteful, too!
+ Zo loft: architecture and design + Re-inventing the Bic Pen on designboom
18 Responses to “Din-ink Cutlery Retools the Bic-Pen”
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How to make a pen not fit in your pocket:
1. Use this product.
2. Attempt to place in pocket.
3. Fail.
4. Who wears a pen in their pocket? Who are you, Professor Frink?
5. You could probably keep the original cap if you needed to carry in in or on your pocket. And keep the awesome lids in your desk or whatever.
As someone tied to their desk, I LOVE this concept. Australian stockists?
I would be worried about consuming ink and ink poisoning
Zo-loft design?? Zoloft is also a prescription anti-depressant medicine (SSRI).
However looking at the spoon and fork, it seems like food would fall in to the ben through the small hole in the top. Could result in some messy writing I think.. Or very delicious of course
I think the idea is better to wait until you are done with the pen and just use the case as your utensil handle. Don’t even bother trying to combine the two uses. What a TERRIFIC opportunity!
I’ve been using Bic pens as chopsticks for years! Good straws, too! And spitball blowguns…
Dear Rachel/Mikael:
I am not sure about Din-ink stockists for Australia. You might be able to convince a local design shop or contemporary museum store to order the Din-Ink set via the designers’ website.
And as per Mikael’s comment, Zoloft.com is the address and name for the anti-depressant. Zo-loft.com is the Italian design house, and I see that their website is currently being revised. I had the same thought until I did a bit of sleuthing online.
Thanks for reading and sending us your comments!
Abigail @ Inhabitat
Hey guys,
Looks like the winner of this competition was really “inspired” by James Rennick´s BIC Biro cutlery.
Here is the link:
http://coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?individual_id=164229&portfolio_id=606711&sort_by=1&
It´s amazing how people rip off someone else´s design nowadays…and even win competitions with it!
See for yourselves.
Cheers.
Sorry, that’s ‘Rachael” not “Rachel”. My apologies!
- Abigail
Hello??? how about “R” #1…. reduce…. stop buying those pens in the first place.
Those lids look like they could come off anytime.
Just the sawing action of the knife would soon losen the thing right off!
Who designed this anway? Beakdu Architects?
For christ’s sakes!!!
For all those worried about ink poisioning… don’t forget the lids were designed to fit on both ends!
Also… the simple design of these pens has got to be more E-friendly (using simple manufacturing) than fancy and intricate fountain pens etc and I know alot of these are made from recycled materials, for example my uni uses the plastic cups from a friday night to make pens to sell in their shop. Add to that the fact you mass buy these (reducing packaging, transport bulk) and I’m struggling to think of a better more eco friendly pen thats so ubiquitous at present.
Does plastic = bad when used responsibly?
Imagine a Bic made from bio-degradable plastic: PEN HEAVEN!
coolness!!!!that ‘s what you call sheer genius! how can i get one?
I like the idea of this but honestly can’t see myself remembering to bring these little guys with me when I need them.
This is an ultra-light hiker’s dream
This is an ultra-light hiker’s dream.
I think this is super narly! I’m a graphic artist and sometimes I eat at my computer and I always forget to grab a fork for my salad, so I think this is the most awesomest gadget made out of the simplest human tools. I love it! And I wouldn’t be worried about lead poisoning.. doesn’t seem likely to happen if you’re smart about it …right?