AnimuL

Stealth mode: activated. 👀🥤

Introducing the new Stealth Sipper Lid (SSL) for the cooler can holder system.

Drink directly from the can while keeping labels, branding, and the top rim hidden for a cleaner, low-profile look.

And yes… if you already printed a standard 12 oz holder, you only need the new lid. Swap and go.

The SSL is now live on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/can-holder-lid-158903677?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

As seen in this video: https://youtu.be/jFdSpevAemE , I set up two cans side by side — one bare can and one inside the Cooler Can Holder. Temperature probes were placed next to each other first and allowed to stabilize before starting the test.

It was noted that probe #2 (the Cooler Can Holder probe) consistently read about 1°F higher in ambient conditions. I chose not to correct for that because the difference was minor and I wanted to leave the raw readings alone. These are not calibrated laboratory probes, so this is likely just normal sensor tolerance. It’s also possible the readings were something like 73.4°F and 73.5°F and rounding simply made them appear 1°F apart.

The cans themselves were taken from the same cooler after sitting for several days, although one started slightly colder than the other. Since the purpose of the test was to compare warming rate over time, I offset the graph starting points to create a common visual reference point. This is a common approach when comparing two data sets with different starting values because it makes the rate comparison easier to see without changing the actual behavior of the curves.

Both cans were also left completely untouched during the test. In real-world use, heat transfer from your hand would contribute additional warming to the can itself, but that variable was intentionally left out to keep the test simple and repeatable.

The results showed a measurable difference throughout most of the test. The largest separation happened early on, where the bare can warmed noticeably faster. For roughly the first 2.5 hours, the Cooler Can Holder maintained temperatures around 4°F lower than the bare can.

My expectation going into this was that we would probably see a modest improvement, and I think that’s exactly what the data shows.

The conclusion is pretty straightforward:

Yes — it does help keep the drink colder longer.

Is 4°F meaningful? That’s up to the individual user to decide- this test was just about results, not about claims. For me personally, these have always been more about aesthetics, convenience, customization, and fun than insulation performance.

Ideally, multiple tests would be run with swapped probes, additional samples, and outdoor conditions. I still may do that, but this was mainly about properly answering a question people kept asking instead of just throwing out assumptions or marketing claims. I tend to be skeptic of claims that don't have data to back them up.

These were originally designed more for aesthetics, convenience, and customization than insulation, but a lot of people have asked the obvious and great question:

Do they actually help keep drinks cold?

As an engineer, my first step is to look at the physics behind it and there are a few things that would suggest they probably do:

1. They block direct sunlight from hitting the can or bottle, which reduces radiant heat transfer.

2. Because they’re 3D printed, they naturally create an air gap between the inner and outer walls. Air is actually a pretty good insulator- so they are insulated by default.

3. They also reduce airflow around the drink, which slows heat transfer through convection.

So from a physics standpoint, I would expect there to be a measurable difference, but that said, I don’t like making claims without data to support them.

So instead of guessing, I’m going to do what I do in my day job: test it.

I’ll run some simple comparison tests using the same drinks, same starting temperatures, same conditions, with and without the holder, and see what the actual results say.

If you enjoy an ice cold Coca-Cola, this one might be for you. 🥤

The Cooler Bottle Holder – 16.9oz short version is now up.

Designed around the common 16.9oz / 500mL bottle size with a 2.6" diameter and 8.75" max height. This version uses the split-band design, so it’s easy to create custom colorways or swap colors directly in your slicer.

I’ve also been experimenting with some new retro-inspired color combinations on these lately, and honestly they’re turning out pretty awesome.

Main file: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cooler-bottle-16-158720628?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Add-on parts:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/2647823-cooler-can-holder-std-12oz-can -2926864

Just finished up a hockey-themed lid for the cooler can holder lineup. The idea here was to make it feel inspired by a hockey puck without completely changing the overall lid system.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/can-holder-lid-158613721?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

By itself, it’s more of a puck-inspired lid than a literal replica, especially since I kept the height similar to the rest of the lids for consistency. But I think once people start pairing this with hockey-themed graphics, team colors, logos, rink-style designs, etc. on the cup itself, the overall look is gonna come together really well.

This is kinda the first step into hockey-themed versions, too. Doesn’t necessarily mean every hockey design has to literally BE a puck. Crossed sticks, rink graphics, skate textures, team-inspired themes… there’s a lot of directions this could go.

So let me know what you think:
Keep it cleaner and more functional like this?
Or go even more aggressive and puck-accurate on future versions?

I'm always open to feedback especially on things like whether Iyou feel like I hit the mark or not.

I've seen a number of requests for a Hockey lid for the Cooler Can Holders. This is printing now and when its done it may or may not need tweaks- but I'll work thru anything to get it looking just right and have it posted soon!

Its looks like a thin puck because it maintains the overall dimensions of the lids but you could always increase the scale on the height to get it looking really legit!

It’s always Coca-Cola for me. 🥤

So naturally… I had to make a tall 20oz Cooler Bottle Holder version specifically for bottles like Coca-Cola, Dasani, and similar taller bottle styles.

✔ Fits bottles up to 8.8" tall (224 mm)
✔ 2.9" diameter (74 mm)
✔ Same lid & hardware as the water bottle holders
✔ Add-on parts included
✔ Split body design for easy color swaps

Turns out 20oz bottles are all basically the same width… but apparently nobody agreed on height 😂

That’s why this series now has:
• Short
• Medium
• Tall

This one is the TALL version.

Available now on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/cooler-bottle-158533796?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

The new Short 20oz Cooler Bottle Holder is here and was designed specifically around bottles like Powerade.

Fits bottles up to:
• 8.0" (203 mm) tall
• 2.9" (74 mm) diameter

I ended up making THREE different height versions because apparently every company decided 20oz bottles should all be slightly different heights 😂

So this one is the SHORT version — if your bottle is taller, I'll have a medium abd a tall version soon.

✔ Same lid & hardware as the water bottle holder
✔ Add-on parts included this time
✔ Split body design for easy color swaps
✔ Perfect for AMS or manual filament changes

Available now on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/cooler-bottle-158494445?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Summer parents… I got you 😅☀️

The new Mini 8-Ounce Water Cooler Bottle Holder just dropped on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cooler-bottle-158457345?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

These little water bottles are PERFECT for kids:

less wasted water
easier to carry
easier for little hands to hold
and now they get a built-in handle too 👌

You can even throw a straw in the lid so there’s no squeezing bottles or fighting with caps while you’re out running around all summer.

And if your kids are more into juice boxes or Capri Suns, I’ve got holders for those too 👀
https://makerworld.com/en/models/2215117-big-sip-juice-holders -2408283

Craft beer friends… I got you. 🍻

The 19.2oz Cooler Can Holder just dropped on my Patreon. Designed for the tall craft beer cans while still using the same add-on ecosystem as the standard 12oz version.

And yes… it barely fits on the A1 Mini. 😄

More bottle and can sizes are in the works.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/cooler-can-19-158390886?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

I'm finally putting a ™ on this after using it for probably 25 years. 😄

One thing that’s been slightly awkward recently is the whole “67” trend online. I think most of us are glad that fad seems behind us. The timing probably made it look like I had just jumped on the bandwagon with animuL67… but the reality is this name is MUCH older than that.

The story is actually pretty simple. Back in the early internet/forum days, I was heavily into modifying my car. I was trying to come up with a username for car forums and happened to be holding one of the “Lumina” badges from the car. At some point I noticed that backwards it spelled “animuL.” That was literally it. 😄

Later on, “animuL” alone was taken somewhere or didn’t meet naming requirements, so I added “67” to the end. One of the biggest mods I had done to the car was swapping in an engine that used the code identifier L67, so I merged the two together: animuL67.

I’ve used it ever since.

And honestly, part of what finally pushed me to trademark it now is just trying to protect the brand a bit as things have grown. I don’t aggressively go after people printing or sharing my designs without licenses — usually I just reach out kindly because a lot of people genuinely don’t realize I even offer licenses, and so far everyone has been cool about it.

What started making me nervous though was seeing people remixing some of my free files that still had my branding/logo attached to them, then adding other company or trademarked logos. My concern was that eventually one of those brands could review the file, see my branding on it, and assume I was the one who made or approved it. I need to protect both myself and my members from that because, realistically, large companies could push platforms to remove content if they believed their trademarks were being misused. That could impact both my ability to continue releasing designs and my members’ ability to sell prints. So when I say I’m trying to protect the brand, it’s really about protecting the entire ecosystem around it.

I’ve also seen people teaching others how to remove my branding from files entirely, which starts getting into territory I’m not really comfortable with as the brand grows. I’m not trying to become overly aggressive or go around threatening people — honestly I’d prefer to keep handling things the same way I always have, respectfully and person-to-person. But having the trademark in place at least gives me some legal footing to protect the branding and distinguish official animuL67 files from altered, redistributed, or unauthorized versions if situations like that ever come up.

Anyway… after a couple decades of using the name online, building projects under it, and somehow turning it into an actual creator/business brand… I finally trademarked it today.

animuL67™