Customer Highlight: Toocan
- Originally published by Abbi Gillette
Engineering the Optimal Spring
As Toocan set out to invent a proprietary, user-friendly trash can that was made in America, they didn’t know that the component to majorly delay production would be small torsion springs used in the flip-top lid. Their journey to finding the right spring maker emphasizes the importance of choosing a company that provides proper expertise, collaboration, and design support.
Redefining the Modern Trash Can
Jeff Christian, Toocan’s founder, had a clear vision for the product, a flip-top trash can that would stand apart in a market that is dominated by cheaply made imported products. Determined to keep production American-made, he set out to find the right spring manufacturer for the job.
Finding the Perfect Spring
Jeff envisioned a spring that opened and closed the trash can lid with optimal efficiency, so a custom, American-made spring solution was necessary for his product. What seemed like a simple task quickly became one of the biggest obstacles for Jeff. After reaching out to multiple manufacturers, he encountered a recurring issue, many companies lacked design expertise or simply couldn’t meet the project’s specifications.
One manufacturer even attempted to produce the springs but struggled to meet the required standards. After ten weeks and a batch of 10,000 springs, the company gave Jeff the dreaded call; they weren’t able to produce springs that worked optimally in the application. While the setback was a disappointing aspect in Toocan’s journey to launch, the experience reinforced the importance of finding an expert in spring design that could make Jeff’s vision a reality.
Partnering with Newcomb Spring
The breakthrough came when Toocan connected with Jason Bingham, the general manager of Newcomb Spring of Tennessee and an engineer with extensive experience in custom spring design. “Within five minutes of talking to Jason, I knew he could get it done,” Jeff recalled. Jason’s confidence and expertise came with promising hope after months of frustration.
After receiving the faulty springs and lid prototype, Jason quickly assessed the requirements and delivered a functional prototype within days. “It was just like a godsend,” Jeff said. “Jason had it done in no time.” The two further developed the design until it was exactly as Jeff envisioned for the Toocan brand’s quality and has gone on to running full production for the brand’s product.
Not only did the Newcomb Spring team meet the project's needs, they exceeded them. The custom spring design ensured that the lid opened at the perfect speed: not too forcefully to risk damage and not too sluggishly to frustrate users. Durability was also a priority, with the springs designed to withstand thousands of uses.
Attention to detail extended to other aspects of the trash can’s design. For instance, the proprietary design features a conical shaped can that ensures ease of removal from the bottom instead of the top of the can, along with allowing the trash bag to fill up to 25% more. The design of the lid holds the bag securely in place, eliminating the common frustration of bags falling into the can, as well as opening optimally of course. These thoughtful features combatting common frustrations sets Toocan’s product apart in a crowded market. You can read more about the company and order the product at toocanusa.com.
Why Newcomb?
Toocan’s journey highlights the importance of persistence and the right partnerships. From overcoming manufacturing setbacks to working with Newcomb’s expert team, the process transformed a challenging concept into a market-ready product. “This wouldn’t have been possible without Jason and his team,” Jeff said.
Toocan’s story serves as a testament to the power of innovative design and collaboration. Are you ready to improve your product’s quality, durability, and reliability? Reach out to our team today and see firsthand why Newcomb is a leading, custom spring manufacturer. We’re ready to elevate your product, together!
