Magic & Design come together
SUMMARY
Metallic Stopper for Tequila Patron made and produced at the R & D Department of Guala Closures México
DELIVERABLES
3D Models
3D Print Dummies
Follow up till first production

Patrón’s Metallic Stopper

Decorative twirl

Tequila Patrón Spirits develops annually a Limited Edition Silver 1-liter bottle for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. This product presentation is the promise of Premium and Quality the company is associated with worldwide, synonym for perfection.

This year's edition features a Metallic Stopper that combines with the Bottle's label to portray the main elements involved in the transformation of blue agave into Tequila.

Agave plant
AGAVE

Blue agave is a plant mainly used in tequila production in Mexico. Jalisco, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, and Guanajuato are states where the plant is cultivated and has a Denomination of Origin (DOT).

coa
coa

The coa for jimar is a flat-bladed knife on the end of a pole, with it the jimador first removes the agave flower as a result the pineapple swells. Afterward, it is harvested and with the coa the outer leaves of the plant are cut leaving only the pulpy center that is cut and cooked to prepare the tequila.

Tahona
Tahona

The centuries old Tahona process is used to squeeze the juice of the agave fiber to make tequila. The tahona is a volcanic stone wheel that can weight up two tons and is a key piece of the creation of Tequila.

Metallic Stopper GIF, rotating 360 degrees, showing all the details of the product.

The brand targets a premium market and emphasizes sensory qualities such as weight, appearance, and smoothness to shape customer perception.

Our goal was to engrave the process of Tequila through unmouldable graphics and reproduce it in a plastic injection mass production.

The stopper should be an aesthetical piece filled with movement, its weight has to be around 85 grams and simulate the aluminum embossing known as "Repujado" used in Mexican Crafts. At the simple sight of the user, the fact that the object is made of plastic would be unnoticeable.

Decorative twirlDecorative twirl

DESIGN PROTOTYPING & PRODUCTION PROCESS

In this project, I participated in different stages of product development. My first task was creating the stopper's product design, looking for the best solution that could be manufactured with Guala Closures technology, and respecting the customer's requirements regarding aesthetics and quality.

Later on, I built 3D aesthetic dummies for marketing evaluation and photoshoots. Once the final proposal and finish were approved I contributed with the Quality Team in generating quality standards with which the production area would evaluate the product.

Exploded view of the product: Cork | Base | Dome
The product is composed of two pieces of plasticinjection and subsequently assembled: ¨Base and Dome¨. A resin with mineral charge was used to obtain the desired weight and geometry..
Tequila Patron's Bumble bee logo
3D PRINTED DUMMY ASSEMBLY DOME & BASE
The assembled 3D-printed model helps us visualize the assembly process and determine if modifications are necessary before developing pilot molds.

3D PRINTED DUMMY METALIZED STOPPER
A total of 300 samples of 3D-printed stoppers, featuring a sleek metalized finish and natural cork, were expertly assembled for marketing photoshoots. 

FIRST INJECTION BASE & DOME BEFORE ASSEMBLY
The first plastic pieces are injected from the pilot cavity mold. They are used to verify that the parts present correct measurements and aesthetic qualities for the metalizing process.  

BASE & DOME ASSEMBLY & METALIZATION

The two pieces are assembled mechanically using a vertical force of 30 kilos. Afterward, the assembly is checked that it doesn't have plastic burrs. The stopper goes through a metalization process to get an aluminum finish.   

FINISH PRODUCT: METALLIC STOPPER
A natural cork is attached to the metallic stopper, preparing it for the next step on the packaging line.

FINAL PRODUCT

Closeup finished Product: Bottle and Metallic stopper displayed
Metallic Stopper for Tequila Silver Patron. Product Design made and produced in Guala Closures Mexico
Scene where the bottle is opened, the metallic stopper is dislayed next to it and two drinks are next to them.

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