Pitotubes

Leak-Proof Toiletry Bottles Small Enough to Carry-On

By Roy A. Barnes, Freelance Writer

December 2007

Finding some small-sized travel bottles for your personal care products to take on journeys can be very difficult. Makeshift travel bottles (like small empty plastic bottles) often leak out one's personal care products or break altogether. One solution to this dilemma is to acquire a set of Pitotubes.

Pitotubes came about because of Alisa Caviness-Driscoll, a former flight attendant. She wanted to create effective containers for personal care products that wouldn't break, leak, or explode in checked luggage. She got together with some very skilled engineers to make the Pitotubes.

These products are made of high density PETG recyclable plastic, making Pitotubes very durable and long lasting. They contain an airless and leak-proof seal. Pitotubes' caps have a UV coating to protect their matte silver finish. The bottlenecks contain a lot of threads which keep the lids more securely tight. A white piston is located on the bottom of each container. When pumping your personal care products, the piston rises, and the small ball in the chamber regulates fluid flow effectively. This conserves up to 75 per cent more fluid than regular makeshift storage containers! Pitotubes are billed as "It's Rocket Science for Your Packing."

These travel wares are named for Henri Pitot, who was a French hydraulic engineer and physicist that lived during the 18th century. Pitot invented a tube that measured flow velocity, which happens to be known as the Pitot Tube.

Pitotubes come in 15ml (1/2 ounce), 30ml (1 ounce), and 50ml (1.7 oz) bottles. The kit of six includes two (each) of the three-sized bottles. The kit also comes with pre-printed, water resistant blank labels for identifying your personal care products, and is kept together by a bag made of metallic mesh. Currently, you can choose from among six colors for your bag, including Baby Blue and Hot Pink. When measured out, this kit is very space-friendly for travelers' luggage, measuring out to be roughly 8.75" x 7.50" x 1.38". In essence, globe-trotters can pack many of their personal care products in a space that measures less than the size of a hard cover novel. And while each bottle holds less than 2 ounces, you’ll be surprised just how plentiful your supply of stored liquid will be for a trip!

These traveling tubes are made for various personal care items like lotions, gels, shampoos, and perfumes. The manufacturer has advised against some things being put in the tubes like facial scrubs, or high acid/alcohol content liquids, because it could damage and/or clog the bottles.

When I got the Pitotubes Travel Kit, I wanted to perform some home tests on these bottles before taking my trip. I filled the six Pitotubes up with tap water and shampoo. I dropped them from the height of my kitchen table, and they stayed in tact. Then I ran for several miles, carrying the kit bag in my small backpack. I had earlier put a copy of a document in the kit bag. The document stayed dry during my cross country running, with my small backpack moving around a lot: the tubes didn't leak at all. When I used the travel bottles containing shampoo during my shower, the labels did not rub or fall off due to the shower's steam or when I handled them with my wet hands. During my travels, I had no trouble getting my Pitotubes through the TSA security screening, given that I stored them in a one-quart Ziploc Bag.

A number of states, including California, New York, and Illinois, carry Pitotubes in their boutiques and retail stores. See the below website for availability. These trip essentials can also be purchased online via PayPal at Pitotubes’ website.

The complete travel kit with the six containers, labels, and pouch goes for $52. Individual Pitotubes can be purchased for $5-$10 depending upon the size of the bottle, and the label sheets currently go for $3.

Pitotubes via AMD Travel Accessories, Inc.

7154 W. State St., Box 212, Boise, ID 83714.

Email

contact@pitotubes.com

Website

www.pitotubes.com