Cup Lid Applicator

[Ron Ingber]

Has anyone seen the plastic coffee cup lid applicator that McD's uses in their McCafe?
It looks like a "top hat" and applies even pressure around the rim of the lid - perfect every time.
I can't find anywhere to buy this, and am hoping someone in the group can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,

Ron, the Country Guy

[Brady]

Um, why?

[Ron Ingber]

"Um, why?"

Two reasons:
1. It is much faster than putting the lid on by hand
2. When customers put the lid on, they often don't get it on tight all the way around. Who wants a fabulous drink dribbling down their chin and clothing.

Ron, the Country Guy

[Ross kunze]

I don't know if I would use one, but it would also create a barrier between the barista's hand and the edge of the cup where the customer puts his or her mouth. Not that the applicator couldn't get contaminated and that all lids are going to be 100% sterile. . .just a thought.

[Samir Ali]

I’m always hesitant to have machines do the work of a human.
Maybe i'm bias. Personally, I Loathe McDonalds, and everything they stand for....

[Chris/Dale]

I'm a fan of cue-ing up the drink without a lid just for presentation sake. We want those customers to see how fabulous those drinks are.


personally, it just seems like a pretty superfluous piece of machinery.

[Bryan Wray]

I'd wait until you get sued for your coffee being hot before you go and buy a piece of equipment like that, it's probably outrageously priced.

There really is something to be said for the cleanliness of that, but beyond that... nah. If a customer can't figure out how to snap a lid on, that's kinda silly. How many lids (before you were a barista) had you put on in your life? Like... 200-400 a year probably? They snap... how do you not feel them snap?

And yeah... if it's already got a lid on it how do they get to see the latte art? Our lids are to the direct left of our "pass through" window so it's easy for people to put their lids on after we put it up there "topless."

-bry

[Ron Ingber]

Just to clarify, this is not a "piece of equipment" but a very simple, hand-held piece of plastic.
You keep it on top on a stack of lids, it automatically picks up the top lid, and releases the lid when you press it onto the cup.
If I operated a drive thru (and I know there are lots of them out there), it seems like a no brainer to get the lid on tightly before you pass it through the window.

So far, I guess that no one has ever seen this, or knows where I can buy one.

Ron, the Country Guy

[Dragonball G]

...and at least half my clients use additives, which means they gotta take the lid off anyway.

[Bryan Wray]

Drive through application makes sense I guess, but I would still just as soon snap the lid on and hand it to them.

-bry

[Brady]

Ron Ingber said:

If I operated a drive thru (and I know there are lots of them out there), it seems like a no brainer to get the lid on tightly before you pass it through the window. So far, I guess that no one has ever seen this, or knows where I can buy one.

Ron, the Country Guy

Yeah, I'd definitely say being able to get a lid properly on a cup of coffee was a no-brainer.

Check that local McDonalds, they probably aren't using theirs and might be willing to part with it.

[John Antignane]

I was told it is not perfect every time, and I have been watching every time I am at McD's most places do not use it. I asked the employees why they did not use the " top hat" they said it slow them down and it did not work most of the time. I am making a new type you might see it in the market place. I will send you one if you like....

[Ron Ingber]

John, I would love to try out your version. Just let me know when its ready, and I'll send off a check with my shipping address.

I have been keeping an eye on the local McD's (there are 4 of them within 20 minutes of me) and all continue to use the lid applicator.

Ron, the Country Guy