INVENTOR DEVELOPS NEW KITCHEN PRODUCT
James S. has always been an ideas man, thinking up solutions for everyday problems. Not long ago, he took action. His idea for minimizing, or even eliminating the bacteria that is harbored in kitchen cutting boards and for decreasing cooking preparation and clean-up time has led to his invention of a commercial-grade disposable cutting board.
James is a food product sales representative, and it was during one of his regular sales calls when his "ah-ha" moment hit.
"I was selling food to a customer and realized how much time it was taking during the demonstration to use and reuse the cutting board," James recalled. He knew from the personal experience of cooking for his family that repeatedly cleaning and reusing the cutting board not only adds time to the process, but also increases the opportunity for cross-contamination and bacteria to cause food-related illness, particularly for children and the elderly.
"I've always had lots of idea," said James, "but within a few days of thinking of this one, I saw a commercial for Invent-Tech - "The launch pad for new ideas." The company assists inventors through the steps of the invention process, from guiding them though licensing, to providing graphic designers who put the idea on paper, assigning engineers who can design the product from an inventor's description, and using technical writers and public relations specialists who can help describe and market the product.
According to James, when enlisting the services of Invent-Tech, there are certain conditions that must be agreed on, but "it's not like signing your life away." One of those conditions is that not many of the product's details can be discussed until the product has been manufactured and is ready for marketing - definitely one of the challenges of the whole exercise.
James has been involved with this invention's development for about one year. Currently, he and the representatives at Invent-Tech are seeking interested manufacturers. As soon as one is found, the product can move into production. He anticipates that in another year or two his product could be available to customers in the United States, and hopes that within four to six years, his cutting board will be available internationally.
"Most of the invention process is learn as you go," James explained. "There are some things you can learn though books, but much of it is just going through the procedure."
It is a process that James encourages anyone with an idea to try. "There are so many opportunities for people to take advantage of. Not every idea will translate into an invention, but you'll never know unless you try," advised James. He suggests to potential inventors that they research their ideas thoroughly to know what's already available, and to use their intuition as to whether or not it would be a product or service that people would really use.
When asked if he had more ideas to develop, James replied, "I know now what it takes to pull this together, so I want to see this process through and then move forward. I have two or three ideas in the back burner.
For information on the cutting board, for details on how to bring your own idea to fruition, or if you are interested in serving as the manufacturer of James' product, call Invent-Tech at (800) 940-9020 or visit www.invent-tech.com.