Mon, May 9 2011
Congratulations to Tanya John, Brian Buzzelli and Tim Hayes for being selected to move into the design phases!
Eval 129
Selected: Carry-all Bracelet
Inventor: Tanya John
This was a hotly discussed item. Design was concerned that it would not be able to realistically contain everything you would need to carry to completely avoid using a handbag. Getting into a market dominated by fashion brands was Market’s primary concern. Viability felt we could execute at manufacturing but that the idea would require some way of customizing to keep up with changes in fashion. However, the idea was selected to move forward as it is an opportunity to explore a more fashion-forward idea submission, team up with some interesting new manufacturing partners and solve the problem that Tanya defined.
Selected: Buzz Painter Lid
Inventor: Brian Buzzelli
From a design point of view, we were viewing this wild card submission as a utility belt for paint cans. While it was felt that adding functionality on the inside of the can diameter could prove to be problematic, there are any number of ways this problem-solving submission could be taken with the help of the community!
The rest of the field:
Inventor: Peter A. Wachtel
Submission: Smart Handle
Interesting problem to solve, and a nice challenge to have it fit a variety of bags, products etc. Market score was reduced over pricepoint concerns.
Inventor: Jim Young
Submission: Cable Loopster
There are a number of similar solutions on the market, indeed some of which are made by Quirky already. Nice execution though from one of the guys behind PadPivot!
Inventor: Miha Mlakar
Submission: Easy Clean Trash Can
Interesting problem being solved, could have been simplified by just having the bottom removable (the area that is the hardest to reach and gets the most dirt ingress). The frequency of the problem didn’t seem to require such an intense solution.
Inventor: Nichola Jinkinson
Submission: Dustpan With Floor Seal
This was popular with a few key staff members. Really elegant solution. There was some concerns over truly getting a good floor seal with as much flexible material as shown in the submission, but would be easy enough to solve.
WILD CARD Inventor: Imants Caklais
Submission: Foldable/Telescopic Broom
This got picked as a wild card as it had potential as a line extension for Broom Groomer. Getting this to fold and be useful would be a great challenge.
Eval 130
Selected: Modular K-Cup Organizer
Inventor: Tim Hayes
This wild card shone through. The market for coffee pod storage is already saturated with a variety of holders, and this submission had a unique approach. We loved that it offered a total customizable solution, and we think it will be a real talking point come coffee time. There are some existing modular storage patents, so we will be working with the community to come up with a really creative approach.
The rest of the field:
Inventor: Andrea Zabinski
Submission: Under Shelf K-Cup Rack
This is a great space saving design, particularly good for those with limited counter space. Our retail partners know of similar items being developed, reducing wow factor. One other small concern was being able to securely clip to shelf without hardware, but also have it safely slide out. This would be easily solved for though.
Inventor: Marvin Blaine
Submission: Smart Brewing Cup
This submission was heavily penalized for not working with coffee pods. The pods require a pressurized flow of water through the pod, and there was nothing in this submission that hinted at how this would be achieved.
Inventor: Joshua Wright
Submission: Keurig Iced
The main concern here was how to ensure that it would fit all types of machines/mugs. Often, there is little clearance between the top of the mug and the machine faucet. Unique approach to the problem though, and an interesting regulatory approval area in terms of using chilling chemicals for a food-contact item.
Inventor: Marc Zech
Submission: Coffee Pod Dispenser
Market liked that it was easy to understand, but lowered their score due to lack of uniqueness. Members of the design staff have experience making coffee pod storage and felt that the mechanism presented had many flaws in reality (retaining the lip circumference of the next pod after the first has fallen is a tricky timing/tolerance balance).
Inventor: Jeff Madden
Submission: Portable K-Cup Coffee Maker
Interesting solution, but exists for Illy pods and is therefore a potentially tough patent landscape. There were other concerns over liability associated with putting hot water under pressure in a handheld item.
WILD CARD Inventor: Rabea Ahyad
Submission: Coffee Storage Station
This space saving design is not terribly unique to the market, but does solve a storage problem. No chance of patenting as core concept is firmly in the public domain.
WILD CARD Inventor: Claire Davis
Submission: K-Cup Repurposer
Design liked that this solution was a refreshing outside-the-box submission. Coffee grounds are great for plants due to their carbon to nitrogen ratio. Market felt that the solution was off-brand for Quirky and that we don’t have the retail partners.
