Navigating a crowded Costco food court often means packed tables and limited spots to secure your $1.50 hot dog and drink combo before heading into the aisles. For shoppers without a dedicated solution, carrying the meal becomes challenging, but a innovative 3D-printed accessory changes that dynamic.
Juleon Cotillon, a Bay Area resident and professional pastry chef, shares a passion for 3D printing and frequenting Costco. Facing the common issue of managing food during warehouse visits, he avoided rushed eating in quiet corners by leveraging his AutoCAD software and Bambu Lab P1S printer to design a product called The Buck Fifty.
This tailored 3D-printed item secures to the rear of a Costco cart's child seat area, extending into the position typically occupied by an infant. It features a beverage holder on one side and a level surface for the hot dog on the other, providing stability for the treat amid the deliberate pace of cart movement through the store. In practice, the snack is likely consumed swiftly, well before traversing a full aisle.
The design is available for purchase at $19.69 through Cotillon's Shopify site, which has opened pre-orders following strong demand from Instagram followers. Enthusiasts skilled in AutoCAD and 3D printing might draw from this concept to produce personalized editions, such as those incorporating the Kirkland brand mark or text in languages like Chinese or Japanese.
Plans are underway to order one as a present for an acquaintance, and this initiative could encourage first steps into 3D printing, perhaps through exchanging services for access to AutoCAD resources.
Alaina Yee brings 15 years of experience in technology and video game reporting to PCWorld, where she has contributed since 2016 on subjects including processors, Windows systems, computer assembly, web browsers, single-board computers, and beyond, while also spotting deals. Her current emphasis lies in cybersecurity, guiding users on online protection strategies. Previous contributions include pieces in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine.