Mon, Sep 26 2011
Eval recaps sum up the research and discussion that go into selecting winning submissions at Quirky. The info in recaps focuses on general landscape, opportunities and concerns, with a strong bias for Quirky’s business interests. We will not tell people what to do with their ideas if we do not choose it, but this info should give general guidance to submitters and other inventors who want to understand our decision-making process.
EVAL 182
Inventor: Marylene Gauthier
Selected: Miracle Bib
Community: 18
D: 5
M: 2
V: 7
Staff: 5
Total: 37
Design was interested in this idea because it solves a problem with which many patents relate. Market expressed that similar options were available on the market, but were open to the idea of extending out line of baby oriented products. Viability said we would have to find a soft goods vendor and that this idea did not seem to have any issues with any currents patents.
Inventor: Chaim Rubin
Selected: Improved Earbuds
Community: 6
D: 5
M: 3
V: 6
Staff: 5
Total: 25
Design liked the idea of interchangeable parts for a set of headphones, that way one does not have to replace the entire set if a part malfunctions. They also said this interchangeable idea could enable people to change between earbuds for different scenarios (like walking down the street vs going to the gym). Market noted that it would be difficult to complete with other brands of headphones on the market. Viability said that we would need to acquire a supplier for this and that this product would require a fair amount of engineering. They could not comment on the patent landscape at this early stage.
Inventor: Michael Yoch
Selected: Collapsible Bike Helmet
Community: 2
D: 6
M: 2
V: 5
Staff: 5
Total: 20
Design expressed interest into this idea because they believed that there is a lot of potential for a collapsible helmet especially since the rise of commuter biking in cities, people will want a helmet that will take up less space. Market reiterated Design’s comment on the potential market, but were concerned with liability. Viability noted that because this is a safety product we would need to find a supplier with very dependable materials, which may present some manufacturing problems. They could not comment on a patent analysis at the time of evaluation.
Inventor: Paulette Jaques
Selected: Silicone Wristband Pager
Community: 32
D: 4
M: 5
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 47
Design felt that this was a novel idea, but were unsure whether kids would react to a bracelet. They also debated which age group this product would be best suited for. Market said that depending on the final design this could be very unique to the market place. They added that we would need to find new retail channels for this product. Viability pointed out that we would need a supplier familiar with small vibrating mechanisms. They also said that the small electrical parts of this product could pose an engineering problem and that it would need to pass special child safety tests.
Inventor: Ronald Dajoh
Selected: Self-Lay Kitchen Knife
Community: 28
D: 4
M: 3
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 41
Design did not feel that this idea had much room for innovation give the motion necessary to chop things. They added that food sticks to the blade of the knife due to water/juices, thus a bump in the middle of the blade would not have a large effect in solving this problem. Market said the knife market is very competitive, so it would be difficult to get a foothold. Viability said that we would need to look for high grade steel supplier and the design team might need to do some “designing-around” because of the patent landscape.
Inventor: Jaryn Miller
Selected: Bike Lock Handle Bars
Community: 25
D: 5
M: 2
V: 7
Staff: 0
Total: 39
Design liked the idea of people not having to carry heavy bike locks, but didn’t know if the process of changing your handlebars into a bike lock would be beneficial for people running errands. Market said that we have no retail channels for this product and felt that this product would be more of a specialty item. Viability communicated that we would have to find a good metal supplier and ensure during the manufacturing process that the metal would not rust, be strong enough, and be able to smoothly transition between the different positions. They also added that protection might be available through the innovation of the final design.
Inventor: J. Wiegert
Selected: Partitioned Gym Bag
Community: 24
D: 4
M: 4
V: 8
Staff: 0
Total: 40
Design expressed that this idea was not very unique. They felt the garment bag would set this product apart, but thought that the multiple velcro attachments would overcomplicate the bag. Market wondered if the bag would change people’s habits of hanging up their nice clothes once they get to the gym. They did say, however, that if chosen and designed well it could open doors for Quirky into the world of sports products. Viability said they would need to find a soft goods vendor and that there might be potential patent protection through innovation.
Inventor: Chris Corrigan
Selected: Improved Knife Block
Community: 24
D: 4
M: 3
V: 8
Staff: 0
Total: 39
Design thought this idea could potentially solve the problem presented, but did not feel that this problem was wide spread enough especially since clean knives usually reside in the knife block. Market reiterated Design’s comment about clean knives in the knife block. Viability said that the shipping cost could be high depending on the weight of the final product. They said that there exist patents on detachable knife blocks, but there could be some room for patent protection through innovation.
Inventor: Doug Potts
Selected: Measuring Spout
Community: 15
D: 5
M: 3
V: 4
Staff: 0
Total: 27
Design said that this was a novel idea, but felt that this did not solve an issue with which many people would relate and this product may or may not help people’s work flow while cooking. Market did not foresee consumer intrest in this product. Viability said that we would need to find a supplier with advanced engineering capabilities for the measuring mechanism which could be difficult. They also indicated that this product would require food safety testing.
EVAL 183
Inventor: Betty Kim
Selected: Convertible Beach Blanket
Community: 32
D: 4
M: 4
V: 8
Staff: 0
Total: 48
Design thought this idea had potential, but were unsure how labor intensive it would be to change the product from a horizontal position to a chair position. Market thought that it had decent market potential, but felt that if the product would be useful on the water as well as on the beach it would have more. Viability said depending on the material used we would have to find a vendor.
Inventor: Jeff Castel
Selected: Beach Umbrella Stand
Community: 31
D: 5
M: 5
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 47
Design liked the idea of being able to hind your valuables at the beach, but were not sure that this was the right solution. Market had questions about the universality of umbrella stands and they indicated that this could be hard to merchandise. Viability said that manufacturing would not be an issue, but noted a similar patent exits that the design team would need to be aware of.
Inventor: Jin Chai
Selected: One-Wheeled Cooler
Community: 28
D: 6
M: 3
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 43
Design thought this was a cool idea, but noted that this product already exists. Market thought that this was a bit overkill as a solution to the problem and said there is a lot of competition in the market for beach products. Viability said that manufacturing would not be too much of an issue, but this would have a higher shipping cost due to its size.
Inventor: Peter A. Wachtel
Selected: Drink Coolers
Community: 27
D: 2
M: 2
V: 5
Staff: 0
Total: 36
Design felt that this was an inefficient way to keep drinks cool in the heat and noted that there already exist many other solutions to this problem. Market reiterated Design’s point of multiple products on the market that solve this issue and the price point for this would be very low. Viability said that this would be difficult to manufacture due to the use of chemicals and the required engineering for the stability of the product.
Inventor: Cynthia Talbot
Selected: Freezer Gel Beverage Bottle
Community: 26
D: 3
M: 2
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 37
Design said that there were multiple other, more efficient products that solve this issue. Market reiterated Design’s point and questioned how sanitary the nozzle would be at the beach. Viability said that we would need to find an appropriate supplier and that this product would need food safety testing. They also mentioned that there is an existing patent that the design team would need to be aware of before determining the final design.
Inventor: Heather Liebensohn
Selected: Adult Lounger
Community: 5
D: 4
M: 4
V: 6
Staff: 0
Total: 19
Design felt that this chair would be great for the beach especially if it came with an over the should carrying case. They, however, saw engineering challenges: if lightweight it would need to support an adult’s weight. Market said that this chair would need to be collapsible for people to buy to take it to the beach. Viability reiterated Design’s concern about the engineering challenges and continued with how that could potentially effect manufacturing. They also noted that the patent landscape is crowded, so the design team might need to design around these existing patents.
Inventor: Domingo Cardona
Selected: Umbrella Extenders
Community: 1
D: 4
M: 2
V: 7
Staff: 0
Total: 14
Design felt that this was a common problem, but were unsure if this was the best solution to the problem. Market did not foresee consumer interest in this product. Viability said that the idea was too abstract to complete a full assessment, but noted there would need to be some engineering involved so the umbrella and the potential attachment could withstand wind.
