November/December Newsletter - The Tampa Bay Inventors Council

The
Tampa Bay
INVENTOR
The Official Publication of the Tampa Bay Inventor's Council
NOV / DEC
2005
Why 98 % of All
Inventions Fail to
Produce a Profit
by Paul Niemann
Meet the New
Board of
p. 2
Directors
P. 7
Summary of
Speakers for
Sept./Oct.
Tools to Market a
New Product
By Matthew Yubas
p. 3
P. 8
Make Plans to
Be Here For Our
Nov. 9th and
Dec. 14th Speakers
Product Safety
In the U. S.
By Garrett S. Tom
P. 11
p. 5
Dateline TBIC:
We Have Our Own
TV Star !
How Do You Know
If Your Invention
Will Sell
By Paul Niemann
p. 13
P. 10
GET LATE-BREAKING TBIC NEWS
www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
Stay Informed – See what’s new
"Inventors Helping Inventors"
The Tampa Bay Inventor's Council is here to help
you succeed, forge ahead, maintain your purpose,
and achieve what you intend to. Everyone in this
group is behind you.
SM
SM
10750-A Endeavor Way,
Largo FL 33777
(727) 548-5083
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and 4th WEDNESDAY
EVERY MONTH
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MEET YOUR 2004-2005
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
The annual election of members of the TBIC Board of Directors was held at the regular
meeting date of August 24th. The new Board of Directors appointed the new officers for
the coming year in a meeting prior to the next regular meeting on September 14th.
Here is your new Board of Directors and Officers
Wayne Rasanen
Vice-Presidnet
Kirk Collins
Treasurer
Irene Petree
John Blue
Bruce Elliott
John Korkos
Frank Pugni
Bob Richardson
Elizabeth Selm
President
Page 2
Past Speakers
Sept 14th
On September 14th, Rick Austin from Lion's
Share Entertainment gave TBIC an interesting
perspective on the value of direct marketing and
how it has been responsible for launching a
number of very successful products. From
commercials to infomercials, a targeted campaign
also involves purchasing airtime, which can be
the biggest expense. Often, buying a package TV
run will include airing several times, both during
the day and over night.
Rick's company
specializes in producing both long and short form
presentations which may be of great value to
anyone ready to bring a product to market. To see
some of his successes, please visit his website.
However, he is also preparing a new program that
is especially geared for inventors who may not be
quite ready with a final product. Rick is
producing a program in the vain of "American
Idol" for inventors called “Inventors Showcase.”
Several inventors will appear on each show and
give their pitch regarding their innovation. The
show will be set in front of an audience who will
vote for the invention they most like or find the
most useful. Viewers will be asked to log on to a
web site to vote for the best invention, and the
others will be weeded out.
Rick is currently seeking inventors who have
what it takes to demonstrate the next big thing to
the world. “Inventor’s Showcase” will not only
focus on the invention itself, but also on the
inventor and how he/she arrived at the idea for
their product. It will be a weekly reality-based
competition program, spanning 13 episodes,
introducing the world to 130 ambitious inventors
and their creations.
To learn more, visit www.lions-share-ent.com
and download an application. Who knows, we
might have a rising star among us!
Our second speaker was Steve Erick, of Capital
Success Strategies, Inc. Steve described the
Revenue Purchasing Strategy; a plan offered to
wealthy investors, which can easily be utilized by
an inventor who is building a business around
his/her invention. The inventor's business may be
a corporation (publicly or privately traded) or a
sole proprietorship company.
The Revenue Purchasing Strategy (RPS) works
like this: the investor writes a check to the
inventor's business for an agreed-upon amount.
This amount is the principle sum. The business
spends the money to get mass production and
marketing of the invention started. As sales
occur, the inventor's business gives a percent of
the income back to the investor until a second
agreed-upon amount is reached. This amount is
greater than the principle sum. The difference is
the investor's profit. The entire RPS strategy
results in the inventor getting his/her invention
to market. The basic idea is similar to borrowing
money or getting a bank loan, but is easier to get.
But unlike a traditional loan, the
inventor/business owner is not obligated to pay
investors until he/she has cash flow from sales.
Additionally, unlike a traditional loan, which
requires the business owner to make payments
whether business is good or bad, the RPS is paid
to investors as a percentage of income.
Capital Success Strategies, Inc. specializes in
Revenue Purchasing Strategies. They can coach
the inventor/business owner, prepare a
customized RPS plan, and bring together the
inventor/business owner with potential
investors. For more information, go to
www.csscapitalcoaching.com.
Both guest speakers are working together on a
project called “The Money Channel, Inc.”
Sept. 28th
TBIC members Lynor Romer and Joan LaRoy gave a
discussion about their business, Packaging
Management Group, Inc. This small, flexible
company can handle all aspects of packaging your
invention/product, and can co-ordinate well with
your existing marketing team and your marketing
plan. Don't have a marketing team or plan? PMG can
help you develop these. This business can easily work
with any “little guy” inventor whose project is a
consumer product that is beyond the patenting and
initial prototyping stages.
Packaging and marketing go hand-in-hand. It's all
about image: the package is usually the first
impression the consumer gets of your product, and of
your company and you. But it goes much deeper than
designing pretty pictures and catchy slogans on the
label. The package must complement the logo,
business card, stationary and website of course, but
the nitty-gritty details of marketing also involve
brand name development, copyright and trademark
legalities, demographic research, graphic arts,
distribution; to say nothing of the physical
considerations of “mass producing the package” and
slapping the product into it on the assembly line.
PMG specializes in all the above.
(Continued next page)
Page 3
(Continued from perevious page)
The ladies had plenty of show-and-tell goodies on
display -- the best way to demonstrate their past
accomplishments. They made it clear that PMG is a
project management consultation firm that
specializes in managing clients' marketing needs in
general and packaging needs in particular. PMG does
the “creative thinking” aspect of building a
packaging/marketing plan for the client, and relies on
a vast worldwide network of contacts and connections
to get the “detailed craftworking” aspects taken care
of. Check out Packaging Management Group, Inc. at
www.pmg-packaging.com.
Summary of General Meeting,
Oct. 12th
Club President Elizabeth Selm described her recent
experience at the ERA convention in Las Vegas. The
Electronic Retailing Association is an organization
that brings together product developers (such as
inventors) with businesses that specialize in taking
products to market via TV--infomercials,
commercials and shopping channels. Most of these
businesses also can handle the packaging, fulfilment,
distribution, sales and shipping. Back in June TBIC
held a presentation to ERA, and several of our
members who presented were selected by ERA to
attend the convention in Vegas. Elizabeth was one of
the lucky ones. Tonight she shared what she learned at
the convention. She said that ERA wants products that
are already manufactured and ready to ship. The
products must have unique benefits that are
demonstrable on TV, must have strong patent
protection and should have testimonials from beta
market testing. The products must be new, because
newness drives the sales throughout the entire direct
response TV industry (DRTV). The three categories
of booths at the convention were big
manufacturers/distributers, TV broadcasters and
producers, and independent inventors like Elizabeth.
Each morning included ERA classes about DRTV;
valuable lessons to inventors. She learned that retail
usually sells better than infomercials; therefore it’s
best to do DRTV sales first then migrate to retail. ERA
can make all arrangements. Practice sessions for
infomercial presenters were also available. Elizabeth
made it clear that her participation in the Electronic
Retailing Association’s convention was a positive and
educational experience for her.
Club Vice President Wayne Rasanen talked about the
speech he gave a few days ago to SATOP. The Space
Alliance Technology Outreach Program is a resource
Page 4
that NASA makes available to inventors for free.
Companies under contract with NASA provide up to
40 man-hours of engineering assistance to inventors
and/or small businesses. Wayne has utilized the
SATOP program in the development of his invention,
the IN10DID typing gloves. His speech a few days
ago was to SATOP personnel about how satisfied he
is with the assistance he received. Naturally he
peppered his speech with plenty of plugs for TBIC.
Wayne then gave us a demonstration of his patented
typing gloves. By pressing the appropriate fingers
against a hard surface, the user can type a message
while not seated at a desk. Even an astronaut floating
outside a spaceship can type a message while
wearing these gloves. Very cool. Then Wayne
described the manufactures’ trade show he and a few
other members attended earlier today. The “Design2-Part” show was in the Tampa Convention Center.
Lastly, copies of the latest TBIC members’ survey
were handed out. Its purpose is to provide
suggestions and ideas to the Board of Directors.
Speakers of General Meeting
Oct. 26th
Our guest speakers, Ed Ansell and John Hackett of
Professional Business Solutions, LLC, discussed
how they can assist a startup company by providing
guidance, advice and counseling about business
planning, management, funding and finance,
operations, distribution, sales and even crisis
management. They examined each component of a
business plan and showed how PBS can contribute to
each component’s attainment. PBS is especially
good at assisting a small business in the preparation
and execution of a funding package request. Also
covered was how to deal with venture capitalists -what to look for and what to look out for. Ed and John
talked about funding though loans, royalty financing
and stock equity. They assured us that PBS always
begins any venture that involves an invention by
signing a non-disclosure agreement. And the
company’s fees are negotiated in accordance with
the inventor’s abilities and needs. Most inventors fail
simply because they don’t know how to think of their
invention as being a business venture. Professional
Business Solutions understands business ventures
forward-and-backwards, they understand how to
apply business venture principles to the mysterious
process of innovating an invention idea, and they are
prepared to “get down to business” for any TBIC
member who is ready to take the next step.
NOVEMBER SPEAKER
Make Plans To Be Here
Nov. 9th
Make plans to join us for our only
meeting in November on the 9th
when our speaker will be Tonya
Clark of Star Tec Technology
Enterprise Center at the YoungRainey STAR Center. Star Tec is
charged with bringing promising
start-up companies into the Pinellas
County STAR Center incubator
program, and accelerating their
growth and development. If you
haven't heard of the STAR Center or
you just want to know more about
the vast array of resources available
in our area, you can't miss coming to
this event. Again, this is part of our
regular Wednesday meeting and
available to all TBIC members.
Inventors on TV
Greetings to all inventors!
The Tampa Bay Inventors Council was pleased
to be on hand at WEDU on November 5th
during the casting call for Bouncing Brain's
production of "Everyday Edisons". This was an
opportunity for anyone with an idea for "a
better mousetrap" to hopefully put it on the fast
track to the marketplace. TBIC was happy to
help get the word out about this show and very
pleased to be on hand at the casting to help
inventors learn more about the process and
invite them to join with other inventors in
Tampa Bay. We hope that Bouncing Brain got
more than they expected when they came to
Tampa and asked if there is any innovation to
be seen here!
December 14th
Be sure to join us for the last meeting
of 2005 on December 14th when we
plan to have a dual showing of
speakers. First up, the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers will give
us the 411 on who's who in Tampa
Bay and how local inventors can tap
into their network to find the services
we need to move our projects
forward. Next, meet Bob Solomon.
Bob has been inventing for several
years and has remarkable insight
developed from his experience. Some
of it good.... some of it not so good.
You can always learn things the hard
way or you can learn from someone
who has been there and done that. Bob
has been speaking all around the
country and now brings his humor,
passion and flare to TBIC. Lets end
this year with a bang! Join us on
December 14th for the merriest
meeting yet. (Gift giving is optional!)
Stop the Presses!
... or the presses have stopped and from them come
the brand new TBIC brochures. We have printed
2000 new brochures and would like to ask each of
you to take a few with you and post them at your
local library, community center, apartment
billboard or simply hand one to someone you know
with an inventive streak (or a TV broadcast) who
should know about TBIC. For too long we have
operated below the radar and it is time to make sure
that everyone knows the Tampa Bay Inventor's
Council is right here in Tampa Bay! Please do your
part to help grow our community and expand the
networking opportunities for all of us.
GET LATE-BREAKING TBIC NEWS
www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
Stay Informed – See what’s new
Page 5
ALERT !
Membership
There has been at least one complaint of receipt of
unsolicited/non-opted email that appears to have
sourced our TBIC mailing list. We will never use
your contact information for anything but TBIC
related matters, nor will we sell or give this
information to others for such use. If you are
receiving emails that are not TBIC related, but you
feel are being sent as a result of your contact
information with TBIC (for example a unique
email address you only use for TBIC), please
forward the email to me at [email protected] and
I will have the TBIC attorney forward it to the
appropriate Federal/State Authority. You have our
apologies in advance if this is happening to you.
We make every reasonable effort to protect your
privacy. Unfortunately, with the switch to a bimonthly newsletter, we must rely on emails more
to appraise you of speakers, special events and
alerts.
A few benefits you will enjoy:
VISITORS WELCOME
• Inventor-Related Computer Programs
The Board of Directors of TBIC wants
to welcome all visitors. We hope that
you can see the benefits of becoming a
member. Our bylaws allow visitors to
attend two meetings without obligation.
• Inventor’s Library
Member exchange
This note is to encourage any member who has a need
to post it in our “Members Exchange” department.
This is not intended as a sale area to promote
businesses, but rather for members to post needs and
request for help on invention related matters.
Listings are free and subject to editing for space and
clarity.
Must submit to Gary Simmons
([email protected]) by end of third week of
the month prior to next publication.
Examples would be:
• Need a packaging prototype. Require graphics and
blister pack expertise. Contact Tom Edison at
Phone/E-mail/Snail Mail address.
• Need someone to convert my 2d drawings to *.dwg
format. Contact Orville Wright at Phone/Email/Snail Mail address.
GET LATE-BREAKING TBIC NEWS
www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
Stay Informed – See what’s new
Page 6
Make your inventing
process more effective and
more fun !
Bring a Friend !
• Monthly Newsletters
• Free Workshops
• Updates on Legislation
affecting the industry
• Current Industry News
• Focus Groups
• Formal Presentations to
Marketing Media Representatives
• Access to Machine & Wood Shops
Membership Chairperson: Paul Simmons
Membership fees have changed
At a recent Board meeting, it was decided
by the Board of Directors that we needed
to change our membership structure and
fees.
Starting on January 1, 2005 the
membership categories and fees will be as
follows:
Student/Jr. Einstein----------------$ 25.00
Sustaining Members (6 mos.)----$ 65.00
Sustaining Members (annual)---$125.00
Corporate Members --------------$250.00
"Why 98 % of All Inventions Fail to Produce a Profit"
by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com
The statistic that I see over and over again is that fewer than 2 percent of issued patents ever produce a profit for
the inventor. What a tragedy to invent a product, go through the time and expense of getting it patented and, in
many cases, getting a prototype made, and then realize that it might not sell. There's a better way.
In my five years of working with inventors, I've learned that there are two main reasons why inventions fail:
Reason #1. There's no market for the product.
Reason #2. The inventor fails to market it properly.
Here's what you can do to avoid becoming one of the 98%, although this won't necessarily make you one of the
2%:
Reason #1. There's no market for the product:
Do your homework: Research your market. This includes the following:
• Read your industry's trade publication and check out your industry's trade association.
• Talk to potential end-users of your invention to find out whether they would likely buy your product if it
were available, and at what price. Make sure you have adequate patent protection, or have them sign a
confidentiality form to protect your invention.
• Talk with store managers where your product might someday be sold; ask them if they would use this type
of product. Don't get discouraged if some tell you that they haven't had any requests for your product,
because it's NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to request something that has not been invented yet. If it appears that
there's no potential market for your invention, then it may be best to forget about it and move on to your next
great idea. If you came up with one great idea, then you will probably come up with another.
Reason #2. The inventor fails to market it properly:
Either do the marketing work yourself, or hire someone that is capable of doing it for you. The key words here
are "someone that is capable" and not the invention marketing companies that advertise on TV. Those
companies' expertise is in selling YOU to pay them, rather than selling companies to license their clients'
inventions. On the other hand, there are capable licensing agents who specialize in doing this, although they are
rare. The toy industry is known for working almost EXCLUSIVELY with agents rather than with outside
inventors when it comes to licensing in outside products.
Many inventors either don't want to or don't know how to market a new product. Hey, it's not something they
teach in school. Fortunately, it's something that can be learned. Another reason for learning how to do your own
marketing is the fact that, as I said earlier, if you came up with one great idea, then you will probably come up
with another. And another .… Besides, who is more passionate about YOUR INVENTION than you are? Who
knows more about YOUR INVENTION than you do? Who is more concerned about YOUR INVENTION than
you are?
So why entrust the business aspect of your invention to a total stranger? Is it because the marketing part seems
foreign to you? If so, then jump right in and immerse yourself in your industry. Become an expert in your field.
Plus, you can keep all of the profits yourself.
You'll probably never hit your full potential as an inventor if you hire someone else to market your invention;
take that role upon yourself if at all possible. The marketing aspect can actually be as gratifying as the inventing
part of the process.
____________________________
Paul Niemann's specialty is creating web page advertising for inventors and small businesses. For help in designing your ads, or
to get a web site built, contact Paul at (800) 337-5758 or visit his web site: www.MarketLaunchers.com.
Market Launchers lists new inventions for sale or licensing and also helps manufacturers find new products for their product
lines. Their Invention Database is seen by: Manufacturers, product scouts, investors, direct response TV companies, catalog
companies and other potential licensees.
Reprinted with author's permission.
Page 7
Tools to Market a New Product
By Matthew Yubas
Marketing Communications are the tools used to inform, influence, and encourage.
Though sometimes viewed as only advertising and promotion marketing
communications takes advantage of all possible mediums to make future customers
aware of your product and business. Marketing communications can effectively raise
awareness, produce sales leads, generate interest, and motivate purchases.
Start WithAwareness
Any transaction between sellers and buyers begins with awareness. Awareness is created
with marketing communications tools such as:
• Advertising
• Direct mail
• Direct email
• Magazine articles
• Newsletters
• Personal networking
• Product reviews
• Press releases
• Speaking appearances
• Trade shows
Tools that produce awareness, stimulates buyers and motivates them to get more
information about your product. Then, buyers will investigate your product further by:
• Calling you
• Sending you email
• Returning your direct mail postcard
• Searching for product reviews or discussions on the Internet
• Talking to existing customers
• Talking to opinion leaders
• Visiting a retailer who carries your product
• Visiting your website
When buyers investigate your product, don’t drop the ball. Make sure that every
communication (mail, email, telephone) with a potential customer is professional and
timely.
Imagine you create the fancy advertising and slick direct mail. But when potential
customers call your company, the receptionist is uninformed and unprofessional. Or,
your email to the potential customer is full of spelling and grammar mistakes. In both of
these examples you’ll likely make a bad impression. Everything that touches the
customer must be of the highest quality.
Page 8
Influence the Buyer
You have to convince the buyer that your product is the solution to their needs. Buyers
have a mental checklist of benefits, features and functions that will satisfy their desires.
You should know what’s on that list by researching the market and talking with people.
Since people can be skeptical at first, you need to provide facts and opinions to validate
your product claims. Provide testimonials of satisfied customers and get product
reviews from credible organizations. Show lab test results, certifications, and survey
results. You can further influence a buyer’s fact finding mission by:
• Providing excellent customer service with prompt and accurate information
• Having a website that educates and informs
• Designing packaging that stands out and clearly explains how the product benefits the
customer
• Including a risk-free money-back satisfaction guarantee
• Offering free samples, free trial periods, low introductory special price, or free
shipping
When buyers investigate your product, you’ll influence them more by providing clear
facts and figures rather than hype. Especially if your product and company are small or
little known, third-party endorsements will ease buyer’s concerns.
ASimple Plan
Your marketing communications plan does not have to be complicated. A simple, yet
effective, communications plan to launch a product could simply involve:
• Submitting a product for trade magazine reviews
• Placing advertisements in trade magazines
• Issuing a press release when the product is available
• Purchasing leads from trade magazines and sending direct mail to the subscribers, and
then following-up responses with a telephone call
• Providing a website that has objective information about your product
• Buying search engine keywords to drive traffic to your website
This simple marketing plan uses readily available tools to raise awareness and influence
the buyer.
Conclusion
Talk to retailers, distributors, and marketing consultants to find out which
communications methods have successfully generated sales for your type of product.
Study how competitors market and sell their products. If they’re successful, model a
similar approach.
Keep in mind you have to first create awareness in order to produce sales leads, generate
interest, and motivate purchases. Using all the marketing tactics at your disposal – e.g.,
press releases, trade shows and advertising – will give potential customers opportunities
to learn about your product.
About the Author: Matthew Yubas is a Certified Professional Marketing Consultant for the Small
Business Development and International Trade Center. He has earned a B.S. in Engineering and an
M.B.A. in Management. Articles and tips are available at www.Product-Coach.com .
Page 9
How Do You Know if Your Invention Will Sell
by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com
There’s no way to know for sure, but here are a few statistics to consider …
1. A typical patent costs between $3,000 -- $5,000 WHETHER OR NOT THE INVENTION IS
PROFITABLE FOR THE INVENTOR.
2. It’s been reported that only 3% of all patented inventions become profitable for the inventor. Obviously,
this means that 97% lose money despite all your hard work.
With these 2 statistics, wouldn’t it make sense to try to find out if your invention is likely to be profitable for you
before you spend a bunch of money on it?
There are two groups of people you can talk with in order to get feedback about your invention. By doing so, you will
get a pretty accurate idea of whether or not your invention will likely succeed.
1. The first group is the distribution group, meaning factory reps, wholesalers and store managers. Which
factory reps, wholesalers and store managers should you talk to? Those who work in YOUR industry.
You would want to ask the store manager of stores where you would expect to see YOUR product being
sold, because he would know the types of products that sell well, and he can make some suggestions to
you. Plus, he might be able to recommend some sales reps who he buys his products from, and he would
be familiar with your industry.
2. The second group consists of the consumers in your target market – those who are most likely to buy your
product. When I ask inventors who their invention is intended for, most will say that it’s “for
everybody.” You need to be more specific than that; for example, it might be meant for middle-aged men.
Or college students. Or single women. Or construction workers. These are all examples of target markets;
“everybody” is not a market because there is no product that is meant “for everybody”
OK, so you decide to do some research among factory reps, wholesalers and store owners, as well as consumers in
your target market. “But what if someone steals my idea?” you say. True, it is possible that someone can steal your
idea when you disclose it to them. You can protect yourself – to a certain extent – with confidentiality agreements,
BUT what do you think will happen if your invention is successful?
Someone will knock it off. Guaranteed! It happens to nearly every successful product. Hopefully, you will have built
up enough of a sales lead to thwart off the knock-offs by that time. The main purpose of this article is to help you
become one of the 3% of inventors who make a profit with your invention (assuming that you patent it) and not one of
the 97 % who patent an unprofitable invention.
Know What Questions to Ask
In the article above, I listed two main groups of people you can talk with in order to get feedback about your
invention. The first group is the distribution group, meaning factory reps, wholesalers and store owners. The second
group consists of consumers in your target market.
First, let’s start with the distribution group, focusing on store managers. Here are several questions to ask. You can
(and should) add your own questions to this list …
• How does the packaging look to you? Do you have any suggestions to make the packaging more
attractive? (The packaging plays a MAJOR role in sales.)
• What do you like about my product? Is there anything you dislike about it?
• Are there any changes you would like to see made to it?
• Will you put it on you shelves once it’s available? (If not, then ask him what it would take to carry it in
his store.)
• Where would you place it in your store?
• At which price would you sell it to your customers? Example: $9.95, $12.95, $14.95 or $19.95? etc.
• Anything else you think is important to know.
The main thing the retailer will want to know is how well it will sell, and what is his profit margin. Any in-store
displays that you can supply, and any outside advertising, will help boost sales.
Next up is the customer group. You ask roughly 10 potential customers (members of your market) for their opinions
on the following questions, which are pretty similar to the questions that you ask the distribution group:
• What kind of product are you currently using?
• What do you like about my product? What do you dislike about my product?
• Are there any changes you would like to see made to it?
• Will you buy it when you see it on the store shelves?
• At which of the following prices would you be willing to buy it? $9.95, $12.95, $14.95 or $19.95? etc.
• Anything else you think is important to know.
Questioning consumers can be done in a focus group setting or in one-on-one surveys. Good luck, and I think you’ll
be surprised at how much new information you learn about your own product as well as how much you learn about
your target market (and how to sell your product to them).
___________________
Paul Niemann runs MarketLaunchers.com, building web pages for inventors. Having your own web page allows you to show your invention to
companies when you’re unable to present it to them in person. It can serve as your own “online brochure.”
Page 10
Product Safety in the U.S.
By Garrett S. Tom, Product Certification Consultants LLC
Why product safety certification?
Product safety certification plays a key role in the U.S. Understanding this role from the inventor's
initial idea, to the design, manufacture, distribution and retail of the product can contribute to the
success of the inventor. Consumers, contractors, architects, insurance companies, installers, building
owners, and regulatory officials all demand product safety certification.
Residential and commercial products need product safety certification. Products intended for
residential and commercial application have product safety evaluations to permit building inspectors
and fire officials to approve the use and installation of the products. The certification enables the
officials to determine the product meets the applicable construction and installation codes adopted by
their local municipality. These regulatory officials have a key responsibility to consumers, the general
public, and private industry to ensure mechanical products, electrical products and building products
are installed and used in compliance with the applicable requirements and regulations.
Compliance with the applicable requirements is accomplished through testing, certification and listing
by independent third party agencies acceptable to the local regulatory official. These third party
agencies authorize their own special labeling on the product or packaging. It is through certification and
labeling that the regulatory official can determine compliance with the applicable requirements and
grant their approval.
In the U.S. OSHA certifies independent third party agencies. Agencies that meet the OSHA criteria
become a NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) facility.
Household consumer goods need product safety certification.
Products intended for household use by consumers have product safety evaluations to meet product
liability insurance and retail distributor requirements, as well as, consumer and governmental
requirements needed to protect the general public. The Consumer Product Safety Commission monitors
injuries caused by consumer products and has the authority to levy fines and require manufactures issue
public recalls of products. There is a basic responsibility to invent, design, and manufacture "safe"
products. Having product safety certification enables manufacturers to determine compliance with
safety standards and shows a basic responsibility to "safe" products.
The inventor benefits from product safety certification.
An inventor who understands the role of product safety certification will be able to help incorporate
safety into the idea or product at an early stage, which can save the inventor and manufacturer time and
money by minimizing expensive design changes. The manufacturer is the entity that most often submits
and applies for product safety certification. Help the manufacturer succeed and you help yourself
succeed!
Understanding what your customers need to go through and having a product safety certification
assessment done before approaching final manufacturing can give you an edge and foster confidence in
the ability to manufacture a product that will meet safety requirements and regulations.
When having that all important first discussion with customers, the inventor will project an image of
one who understands the customer's need for product safety certification and has taken steps to
demonstrate a commitment to product safety.
Garrett S. Tom, Product Certification Consultants LLC
San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 264-0131 [email protected]
Reprinted with permission from the Newsletter of the United InventorsAssociation. www.uiausa.org
Page 11
National / International Upcoming Events
( Submitted by Robert Aiken, Board Member )
November 4 - 6, 2005... 26thAnnual Connecticut Fall Home Show, Hartford, CT
Connecticut Expo Center, Hartford, Connecticut.
Nearly 250 companies will present every conceivable kind of product or service for the home,
include remodelers, homebuilders, custom cabinets, kitchens & baths, chimneys, wood stoves,
sunrooms, awnings & decks, duct & vent maintenance, storage buildings, heating & cooling
services, windows, doors & siding, water treatment systems, banks & mortgage companies, home
theatre systems, security systems, financial planners, building supplies, insulation, energy
management companies and so much more. Plus Home Depot Do-It-Yourself workshops going
on all weekend.
www.osbornejenks.com/fallhome.html (800) 955-7469
November 18, 2005... 3rd Annual Invention to Venture Workshop, Gainesville, Florida.
Emerson Alumni Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Invention to Venture (I2V) is a nationwide series of conferences and workshops in technology
entrepreneurship for science and technology students and faculty, and business communities
including inventors. The workshop is an introduction to the process and practice of technology
entrepreneurship. Invention to Venture workshops are cosponsored by the NCIAA, National
Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance. The two main assets are practical information and
networking opportunities.
Topics to be addressed include: "Recognizing Value in
Technology,""New Venture Planning & Team Building," "Obtaining Resources," "Starting
Small, Going Global: Personal Perspectives in Technology Ventures," and "Building an
Entrepreneurial Firm."
Cost: Registration fees ($10 Students, $25 Faculty/Staff, Other $50) are being waived and have
been underwritten by the generous contribution of Mr. Howard Leonhardt, Biohart, Inc.
www.invention2venture.org [email protected] [email protected]
February 4 - 5, 2006... Orlando Gift Show, Orlando, Florida.
Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL
General giftware, home and garden accents, gourmet gifts, party and paper goods, tabletop,
holiday/seasonal, collectibles, souvenir/resort merchandise, stationery, bed, bath and linen and
more. Educational seminars included.
www.urban-expo.com/Content/395.htm (678) 285-3976
February 10 - 12, 2006... Super Pet Expo, Edison, New Jersey.
NJ Convention & Exposition Center, Edison, NJ
www.superpetexpo.com/shows/edison (301) 564-4050 [email protected]
March 18 - 19, 2006... Midwest Farm and Ranch Expo, St. Charles Missouri.
Compact agricultural equipment, tractor attachments, lawn/garden, livestock, utility
construction, ranch and related products.
www.mvea.com/allequipexpo (800) 430-6334 [email protected]
Page 12
GET THE LATEST
NEWS AND UPDATES
You can now get the latest TBIC news
and updates from a new website that has
been started:
http://www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
The website will keep members advised
of any schedule changes,
meeting
information, speakers
scheduled,
classes, trade shows, etc. It is easy to find
and will also allow you to click on a link
to go to the TBIC website and other
important links.
Our Own TV Star ??
Do we have a star among us? Seems as though
one of our own has made it to the “small
screen”. Wayne Rasanen was interviewed by a
local news crew about his invention, the
IN10DID computer interface device. His
invention is an alternative to the “QWERTY”
keyboard we all commonly use to type on the
computer. In case you haven't seen it, he has
adapted a video game controller that has 10
keys that can be used to product the entire
alphabet, punctuation marks, etc.
It will be easy to access it as often as you
like. Reminders of the URL (web
address) will be given in several ways:
• When broadcast emails are sent out, the
link to this update site will be included.
• You can include it in your “Favorites”
folder in your internet browser to make
it easy to go back to again and again.
• The newsletter will contain many
banners that will remind you.
He has been working on it for a long time,
nearly ten years, and has an impressive looking
prototype. A reporter and cameraman from
WTSP-Channel 10 came to the TBIC facilities
to interview him and filmed his invention for
the afternoon show “Life Around the Bay” that
airs between 4:00-5:00 on weekdays. It was
nice to see the segment that featured Wayne,
and if you would like to see it for yourself, you
can go to:
www.wtsp.com/aroundthebay/
aroundthebay_article.aspx?storyid=20770
The site has been set up to not only inform
you of the latest news, but will also have
an archive of older news articles. If you
missed something when it was first
published you can read it from the
archives.
Check it out! You can view the video right
there on your own computer. (The Tampa Bay
Inventors Council even got a brief mention.)
You will recognize our Vice-President. He's the
one that looks like he's playing a video game!
J u s t k i d d i n g , Wa y n e . G o o d j o b .
Congratulations Wayne, for getting your idea
on TV. Perhaps others can follow in your
footsteps …
Any suggestions for this news service
would be greatly appreciated. Send them
by email to [email protected] .
GET LATE-BREAKING TBIC NEWS
www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
Stay Informed – See what’s new
Page 13
WEBSITES (Links) & PHONE NUMBERS
Brief descriptions in parentheses
U.S. Government
U.S. Gov’t. General Information Site
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (800) 786-9199
U.S.P.T.O. Kids’ Page
FL Patent Depository Library; Tampa (813) 974-2726
SATOP-Space Alliance Tech (NASA helps inventors; free)
SBIR/STTR (gov’t. wants inventions)
Small Business Administration (800) 827-5722
www.FirstGov.gov
www.uspto.gov
www.uspto.gov/go/kids
www.lib.usf.edu/virtual/gov/patent
www.spacetechsoluttons.com
www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir
www.sba.gov
State Government
Florida Department of Revenue
New Business Start Up
USF Technology Incubator (free help to inventors; Tampa)
www.state.fl.us/dor
www.sunbiz.org
www.incubator.usf.edu
For Inventors
Edison Inventors Ass’n. (inventor’s club, Ft. Myers)
Edison Inventors Youth Programs
World Intellectual Property Organization
National Inventor Fraud Center
United Inventors Ass’n. (large nat’l. org.)
Inventors Digest (magazine)
Patent Café (inventor’s issues)
From Patent to Profit (Bob DeMatteis; books, lessons, advice)
The Basics of Patenting & Innovating
Ask The Inventors
That's An Idea (inventor’s directory)
Inventions.com (inventor’s directory)
Invention University
InventNet - Inventor’s Network
MIT-Lemelson Inventors Site
Invention Development
Innovation TRIZ (problem solving method)
ASIT (inventor's problem solving method)
KeyWord Patent Search (workbook)
Intergraph (“SmartSketch Invent” CAD software)
CAD Std (very cheap CAD software)
Att’y. Referral Service
Contingency Lawyer Listing
Ed Dutkiewicz (reg. patent att’y.; Dunedin)
David Ellis (patent att’y.; Largo)
Dave Kiewit (reg. patent agent; St. Pete)
Smith & Hopen (reg. patent att'y.; Clearwater)
FL Inventors Network - John Blue (Tampa)
www.edisoninventors.org
www.edison-science-inventors-fairs.org
www.wipo.org
www.inventorfraud.com
www.uiausa.com
www.inventorsdigest.com
www.patentcate.com
www.frompatenttoprofit.com
www.inventors.about.com/od/firststeps/
www.asktheinventors.com
www.ThatsAnldea.com
www.inventions.com
www.inventionuniversity.com
www.inventnet.com
www.mit.edu/invent
www.inventorehelper.com
www.innovation-triz.com
www.start2think.com
www.keypatent.net
www.intergraph.com/smartsketch/invent
www.cadstd.com
www,AttorneyReferralOnLine.com
www.patent-dispute.com
www.colitz.com
http://publish.pdesigner.com/davidrellis/index.jsp
www.patent-faq.com
www.baypatents.com
www.finjb.com
Product Design, Prototyping, Manufacturing
ICTT (Paul Simmons; Largo)
Manufacturers Information Network
Machine Design (rapid design & prototyping info.)
Inventioneering (product design, prototyping; Clearwater)
eMachineShop (product design, prototyping, free CAD)
Mydea Technologies (product design, prototyping; Orlando)
www.icttinc.com
www.mfginfo.com
www.machinedesign.com
www.inventioneering.org
www.emachineshop.com
www.mydeatechnologies.com
Trade Show Hosts
Invention Connection
Trade Show Nat’l. Network
Invent Now America (USPTO contests; nonprofit org.)
ERA Invention Showcase (Electronic Retailers Ass’n.)
www.inventionconnection.com
www.tsnn.com
www.inventnowamerica.com
www.americaninventiveness.org
Business Data & Information
SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives)
Small Business Development Center (USA)
Entrepreneurial Education
Information Tabulations
World's Market Research
Thomas Registry
Industry Analysis
www.score.org
www.asbdc-us.org
www.entre-ed.org
www.census.com
www.worldopinion.com
www.thomasregister.com
http://research.thomsonib.com/
Marketing Services
Innovative Product Technologies (Pam Riddle-Bird; Gainesville)
Package Management Group, Inc. (pkg. & mktg; Tampa)
Big Idea Group
Market Launchers
Inventor’s Mall 123
Idea Village
SmartInventions.com
Ideas Happen (contests; age 18 - 29)
www.inventone.com
www.pmg-packaging.com
www.BigldeaGroup.net
www.marketlaunchers.com
www.InventorsMall123.com
www.ideavillage.com
www.smart-inventions.com
www.ideashappen.msn.com/Pitch/
Parts, Supplies, Materials
Don’s Salvage Yard (used stuff; Clearwater)
Skycraft Electronic Parts (new parts, Orlando)
American Science & Surplus (mech. & elec.)
W. M. Berg, Inc. (small parts supplier)
American Plastics Supply (supplier & mfr.; Clearwater)
www.donssalvage.com
www.skycraftsurplus.com
www.sciplus.com
www.wmberg.com
www.americanplasticsupply.com
Page 14
DUES DESCRIPTIONS
A Student Member at the $25.00 rate must be
an active student. They may attend meetings
and receive the Newsletter.
A Sustaining Member ($65.00/6 mos.
$125.00/yr.) enjoys the benefit of attending
meetings, seminars, socializing and
networking with the other members, receiving
the Newsletter and participating as a reviewer
in our Focus Groups. They are allowed to
present their protected product to all of the
various companies that come to TBIC to find
new products for the market such as
infomercial and catalog companies.
Sustaining members are allowed to utilize our
woodworking and machine shops for
prototyping here at the TBIC headquarters.
Members usually find other members with the
prototyping knowledge that they need, and
pay that member for their time and for
prototyping materials used.
Sustaining
members also may ask to have a free Focus
Group done on their product, be allowed to
display their product in our designated display
areas and Annual members receive a free
Science Notebook, (valued at $15.00) to log
progress on their invention.
Corporate Membership of $250.00 will
allow your corporation to elect up to 3
Corporate members to sit in on meetings as
well as all of the above. Also this membership
will allow said corporation to have access to
new products before they are introduced to the
open market.
Please Respect the Other Members
At a recent Board meeting, several members
said they have received complaints about
talking in the back of the meeting room while
the meeting is going on. Some are hard of
hearing, some are distracted. While we
acknowledge that networking is vital for all of
us, we ask in the future that you try and do
before or after the meetings. Paul Simmons
has also offered the use of the employee snack
room in the garage area if you need to talk
during the meeting. Availability is on a first
come, first serve basis. Similar courtesy would
be appreciated by turning off your cell phone or
putting it on silent answer during the meeting.
!-- gm
2004-2005
OFFICERS AND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elizabeth Selm (President)
[email protected]
Wayne Rasanen (Vice-President)
[email protected]
Kirk Collins (Treasurer)
[email protected]
Irene Petree
[email protected]
John Blue
[email protected]
John Korkos
[email protected]
Bruce Elliott
[email protected]
Frank Pugni
[email protected]
Bob Richardson
Founder: Ron E. Smith
Members are invited to write letters for
inclusion in the newsletter.
Email to [email protected], fax to
727-547-5490 or mail to TBIC at our office
address.
Letters should be brief, to the point, and be
accompanied by member name, email address .
and phone number. Letters can be edited for
clarity, taste and length. Letters will be printed
as room permits.
Page 15
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
(Abbreviated Holiday Schedule)
Monthly Meetings
Nov. 9, 2005 ....7:00 pm
Next Monthly Meetings
Dec. 14, 2005 .... 7:00 pm
Web Site Info:
Need to Reach TBIC ?
Office:
Phone: 727-548-5083
Toll-Free: 866-787-8242
or
Call 727-251-4056
George Mouzakis
[email protected]
Stay Informed – See what’s new
www.tbicnews.blogspot.com
GET LATE-BREAKING TBIC NEWS
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Information and articles printed in
this newsletter are not necessarily
endorsed by the T.B.I.C. and may not
be applicable to everyone.
LARGO FL 33777-1622
10750-A Endeavour Way •
SM
Just A Note
We would like to remind our
members that our Board
meetings are open to you if you
would like to sit in on them. We
usually meet at 6:00 on the first
meeting date each month .
SM
Visit our web site for information
about current and past
happenings.
You can also
download current and past
newsletters in *.pdf format. You
will need to have Adobe Acrobat
Reader on your computer. If you
don't already have it, go to
www.adobe.com/products/
acrobat/readstep2.html
to download this free document
viewer.
TAMPA BAY INVENTORS COUNCIL
www.tbic.us
Newsletter Staff
Executive Editor . . . . George Mouzakis
Contributing Editor. . . . . . Robert Aiken
Publisher . . . . . . . . Gary M. Simmons
To submit articles, send emails to:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Articles and other items must be
received by the first Tuesday of the
odd months.
The Tampa Bay Inventors' Council
(TBIC) is a corporation as defined in
Chapter 617, Florida Statutes, as notfor-profit.
The corporation is
organized exclusively for charitable,
educational and scientific purposes.
The TBIC is a 501(C)(3) charitable
corporation, which allows the receiving
of tax deductible contributions of goods
and services. There are over 150 active
members willing to share their expertise
and experiences with fellow inventors.