Rubber Torch
Designer/Manufacturer: Uniross // Date: 2008Made from modern materials, including rubber and thermoplastic plastic the Uniross torch is a general household item and is used widely by outdoors enthusiasts for whom it's design matches their needs precisely.
The Uniross Torch has a compact, simple appearance in which the functional features are seamlessly integrated. While it is primarily a utility design product, its visual characteristics are nevertheless important design features. In 2008 it was updated from a blue body with a black ring around the bulb to a black body with a yellow ring and a yellow handle tag to match. While predominantly monochrome the surface appearance is given some visual interest with the handgrip on its body and the anti roll raised areas around the bulb head.
The Uniross Rubber Torch is a basic practical torch suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is portable, weighing just 1kg. The design is highly practical, incorporating a hanging/carry strap and a case in which to store replacement bulbs. The body of the torch is very sturdy with a textured rubber handle for comfort and a good grip. It is water-resistant and battery operated, taking 2x size D batteries. There is an easy one-handed on/off push button switch and the top screws off to replace the bulb and batteries.
The Uniross Torch is coated with rubber and ABS thermoplastic plastic that softens when heated and can be repeatedly remoulded without any significant change in properties. There are many different types of thermoplastic, each with their own set of material properties, which make them better suited to certain processes and products. ABS is commonly used to make light, molded products (most notably Lego bricks) and those that require good shock absorbance (e.g. golf heads). It is often used in conjunction with rubber to give the casings of electronic products a more tactile quality.
This is a general household item widely used by outdoor enthusiasts, e.g. for camping. It is available from hardware/DIY stores and online. Such has been the impact of synthetic plastics on mass production and mass consumption in the 20th century that this period has been described as 'The Plastics Age'. Today, plastics account for approximately 14% of solid waste (both industrial and household), of which most is packaging. In order to allow efficient material identification, sorting and ultimately recycling, many plastic objects now carry an international plastics coding system. ABS is economical to produce, in part due to its suitability to a variety of industrial processes and its recyclability.
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