The 2012 Davison-Developed Fall Pugz Line Hits Stores!

Showcased at the front of aisles at two local Petco stores in Pittsburgh are Davison-developed dog products.  The aisles contain dog leashes, beds, coats, leg warmers, harnesses and boots.  In front of the aisles feature Pugz’s signature faux suede and fleece combination.  The visual appeal of these endcaps is sure to capture the attention of Petco customers shopping anywhere near the dog designs.

An ecstatic CEO George Davison made an appearance at the store to check out the products on the shelves. He calls the Petco Pugz endcaps a defining moment in company history and compares the excitement of seeing all of these Pugz products in one space to the excitement of “stepping to the plate and hitting a grand slam.” 

“When you allow yourself to dream, you are opening yourself up for a lot of pain if stuff doesn’t work out, which I’m used to. Because of the continual effort at absorbing risks and overcoming challenges this is what can happen if you believe. If you don’t believe and have enough character, the dreams aren’t possible,” says Davison.

Pugz boots keep small dogs’ little paws from freezing in cold weather.  These boots will keep the dog’s paws warm so that they can walk and play outside even on the coldest days.  The boots are made with faux leather and faux wool which will also keep paws dry. 

Pugz has leg warmers to go along with the boots that help to keep a dog’s legs warm.  To finish off the outdoor apparel, dog-owners can also purchase a Pugz Harness, which according to Davison, is a better solution to the collar.  The harness reduces stress and strain when dogs tend to pull during walks. 

The Fall Pugz collection also features the Box Bed, which allows a pet to snuggle into comfortable luxury.  The bed has a sturdy, cushioned base and the sides create a comfortable atmosphere for your pet to snuggle up, get comfortable and relax.  For mobility, the bed is lightweight and can be machine washed. 

Davison attributes the success of Pugz and other Davison products to the Davison methodology, which George Davison has been constructing and shaping for over 20 years.

“We have to have really good soils to grow our seeds,” says Davison.  “This is the combination of Inventionland and our methodology to have not only one, but all of those hit the shelf.”

The 2012 Fall Pugz line is now available in Petco and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

The typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.

How to Invent an Electronic Product

If you are wondering how to invent a new electronic product, but worry that it will take too much time, be too difficult, or cost too much money there are ways to reduce these concerns. However, at the same time, new product development is something that is uncertain. It is quite a risk, much like everything in business. No company or invention can guarantee success. So when you are thinking about how to invent a new product, there are plenty of factors to consider.

For one, companies continue to be more innovative. Therefore, there are people coming up with new invention ideas every day and making prototypes as you think about how to invent your idea. That is why it is important to do research and make sure your invention idea is not already on the market. Even if there is a product like the one you came up with, there is always a demand for new or improved products from corporations or individuals with new product ideas.  These products should either solve a problem or improve something and be able to fit in with a certain company’s product line.

For example, if you are thinking about inventing a new electronic product, one of the most popular products to recently come out is the Roku Streaming Stick. This invention was developed to solve the issue that plagued many home entertainment aficionados; while there are multiple methods to partake in online content, they typically all require a dedicated machine and of course they require an internet connection. The Roku Streaming Stick plugs into one of the ports included on newer TVs, has built-in WiFi and requires no dedicated power source to access streaming content from Roku’s network of providers. While many other products exist for the purpose of giving users the ability to stream content to their TV, they require the use of a secondary machine, such as a gaming system or a computer, to create the connection. The fact that the Roku is easy to use by simply plugging into the TV, added to the fact that it does not take up much space, and gets around the need for a dedicated machine to facilitate the connection between TV and content, create an experience for the user that improves on the existing products. The unit is about the length of an individual’s palm, making it unobtrusive, and the price is set at under $100, making it cheaper than most of the products available for streaming media. Roku’s product also benefits from the fact that the service Roku offers its users includes the most well-known media streaming services, so that the user not only has the convenience of the unit itself, but also is not missing out on competitive content that other machines offer.

Another successful electronic invention is the MicroVision Pico Projector. This invention expands existing projection technology in a few key ways; the projector itself is approximately the size of a greeting card, which means that it is far easier to carry than traditional projection systems. Simply by making the projector so small, the invention constitutes an improvement that many consumers want to see. The fact that it is attachable to a variety of computers, cellphones, and gaming machines means that it is a product that a variety of customers would be interested in—not just businesspeople, but also gaming enthusiasts and artists. The high quality of the projection is also a beneficial feature—while more compact projectors have existed for a few years, there are none that match the small size of the Pico Projector or its high quality of output. Finally, and the most important innovation, the Pico Projector does not only create a high-quality image on any surface, but it also turns the projection into a touch screen, courtesy of sensors that allow the person standing next to the projection to manipulate it. The fact that the projection can be manipulated without having to rely on the computer or other device that the game or program is on means that presentations can be made with greater efficiency, and games can be played at a distance from the actual console. The success of the product comes from the fact that it combines ease of use with innovative features that are unavailable in competing products and efficient size for storage and carrying.

When figuring out how to invent your product, you may face some obstacles along the way. This can cause you to lose time, energy and money in trying to get off the ground with a product, especially if you do not know how to invent on your own.  If you face any obstacles or are having a hard time inventing a product alone, keep in mind that there are inventing companies that can help.  One of the biggest obstacles most inventors must overcome when pursuing an idea is being willing to trust someone with their idea.  Make sure to do your research and choose an inventing company that has experience with developing products and getting them on store shelves.  Also make sure that the company will sign a Confidentiality Agreement to ensure that your idea is safe.

A typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable. 

Inventionland’s Crafty Cottage

Inventionland, the world's largest invention factory, is where ideas, innovations and new products come to life.  Created by George Davison, founder and CEO of Davison, it is a 61,000 square-foot wonderland located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Inventionland turns out more than 150 new product prototypes every month.

Inventionland is an inspirational, one-of-a-kind factory where employees work in 16 unique themed sets that are specifically designed to spark imagination and foster creative thinking.  In the Crafty Cottage, Inventionland workers develop a variety of products that help crafts enthusiasts; they also work on the ideas for clothing, footwear, and most products that must be sewn. The exterior of the unit looks like a brightly colored fabric cottage,featuring items like craft scissors to indicate the type of projects going on within.

The Crimp Ease is one of the products to come out of Inventionland’s Crafty Cottage. The product answers the troubles of many crafting enthusiasts who enjoy making beaded bracelets and necklaces; beads must be crimped in most applications to finish off the jewelry item, and most of the available crimpers operate in the same way as a pair of pliers, which is tiring for the hands. Especially if the craft enthusiast wants to make several jewelry items, the hands get sore and strained over time. The Crimp Ease solves this problem by operating in an entirely different way. Instead of employing the hand strength of the user, the Crimp Ease operates in the same way as a stapler, resting on the table or other flat surface. The crafter simply pushes down with one hand and the bead is crimped. Another important aspect of this invention is that the product crimps beads of multiple different sizes, making it as useful, if not more so than the standard crimping tool. 

Another product that was created in the Crafty Cottage is the Luma Threader. The Luma Threader tackles the difficult task of threading a sewing machine needle. It is often difficult to see the needle well enough, especially considering the typically dark area under the machine where it is located. The Luma Threader illuminates the area, making it easy to see the thread and eye of the needle. A spring-loaded fork cradles the needle, and when the handle is pushed, the thread goes through the eye. The ergonomic handle is also designed with a slightly flattened edge to keep it from rolling.

The Quilt Class Bag is an example of a product that comes doubly from the Crafty Cottage; both because it is a product that helps craft enthusiasts as well as a product that is an apparel item. As quilting gains in popularity again, those interested in learning the old-fashioned art find it a hassle to carry the many tools and materials it takes to accomplish the goal. The Quilt Class Bag features a design which folds out flat so that everything is easily accessible. Numerous pockets and straps hold all sizes of tools and supplies, along with an included rotary mat and ruler. The bag also has an adjustable shoulder strap to make it easy to carry, and is compact while being surprisingly roomy inside.

Many new ideas come to life every month at Inventionland. The Davison team delivers a constant flow of innovative products and ideas to companies, and also offers individuals with ideas a variety of services to help them develop their idea.

“I find it extremely rewarding to be able to help the everyday ‘idea person’ bring their idea for a new product to life, and then hear their reaction after they actually see it in packaging and on the store shelf,” said Mr. Davison. “There’s nothing more exciting.”

A typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.  Up-front fees are required for all services.

Patenting an Invention for Baking Products

Patenting an invention is one of several ways for inventors to protect their intellectual property.  A patent is legal protection of a design, process or other patentable property that is novel. The protection lasts for a specified period, at the end of which the invention becomes part of the public domain. A patent gives the owner the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, trading or importing the invention or process that the patent holder has devised.

Patents can be acquired for a wide variety of inventions, and today there are many ideas and innovations that make baking easier or more efficient.  If you are in the process of inventing a new product for baking, take a look at some of these unique patents.

The Solar Energy Baking Oven (U.S. Patent No. 5950618) uses solar energy to create heat as well as to power a mechanism for controlling the heat in the baking environment. The application points out that conventional apparatuses include electric or coal heating elements, which use costly energy and contribute to pollution, as well as using up natural resources. Where there are solar ovens, the mechanism is mostly to use movement of the baking containers to ensure uniform heating and temperature control; however, the application points out, the existing technology has no way to control the heat in terms of solar energy variation. The invention being patented uses a reflective material to capture solar energy as well as to control the temperature, avoiding issues of burning with the goal of removing moisture, for example from tea. The reflectors are located below the baking containers, increasing the efficiency of the heating process. In addition to collecting heat from a solar source, the product includes a photoelectric element to supply power to a motor, which maintains the temperature at a constant level by changing the position of the reflectors. When the temperature decreases to below a preset value, the controller will drive the reflectors so that they will move back into position to collect heat, to increase the temperature. When the temperature gets too high, the reflectors are moved into a different position and the cooling system is engaged to ensure that burning does not occur. The invention’s goal is to create an ideal baking environment with appropriate controls to insure that the optimum temperature is held for the correct period of time.

The Continuous Electric Oven (U.S. Patent No. 4276465) is another invention with the aim of improving the baking process. In the case of this invention, the improvement comes from a conveyor belt within the oven that moves, like a treadmill, constantly while the oven is operational. By this means, pizzas can be continuously loaded into the oven, be baked to the correct standards, and automatically come out of the oven.  The invention is an improvement on previous commercial ovens, which were manually operated or, in the case of other conveyor-driven ovens, did not adequately control for all variables. The previous conveyor-driven ovens, the applicant explains, were essentially heated tunnels with a conveyor belt, which did not provide for good control of temperature; the conveyor belts did not have adequate capability for the user to alter the speed. The inventor here explains that the endless conveyor, as opposed to the previous models, allows for more constant speed, and better control of the cooking time. The oven itself has two compact chambers, which allows for the heat to be kept at an optimum, by offering a smaller and more contained space. Another issue that this invention sought to resolve was the issue of size and economy presented by previous models; this invention, the application states, is more compact, and being more efficient in nature it is more economical than previous units. The oven is also designed to provide for easy loading of the baking tin onto the conveyor, by providing a specific access point on the outside of the oven. The pizzas would move through in one direction along the conveyor belt, and then move back towards the user through the chambers again.

Another improvement for ease of use, The Commercial Baking Pan (U.S. Patent No. 4941585) was designed to help achieve the greatest number of baked product units within the constraints of the environment. The invention explains that the existing pans, due to the inefficiencies of production, do not allow for variations in capacity; as a result, the space of proofing facilities and ovens within commercial bakeries is not used to its maximum efficiency. The previously available baking pans were typically constructed as one piece, as in the process known as drawing; or they are fabricated by means of making individual units and seaming them together. In the case of “drawn” pans, because they are made from a single sheet of material, the baking units must be kept to a shallow depth. In the case of seaming, the units can be deeper, but the overall product is still one large piece. The proposed solution is a new product which is constructed differently, with several units being fabricated separately and then brought together with a “grommet-like interconnection between the units.” In this sense, the units are able to function to produce multiple units at one time, while also being detachable so as to produce one singular unit. By allowing for odd amounts of baked goods (such as rolls or loaves), the baker can maximize the use of space available.

There are many aspiring inventors out there.  In order to spend their time and money wisely, it is crucial for them to understand when and how to patent, or whether you even need one at all.  Many people believe that patenting their idea right away is what they need to do and this is not always the best idea.  Smart inventors and reputable inventing companies know that it is best to leave the patenting towards the end of the inventing process, after the idea has been improved and perfected as much as possible.  Remember that you can also team up with an inventing company.    The experienced employees of these companies have a better understanding of what it takes to make your product successful and can be extremely helpful. 

Davison Designs are a Hit at Vegas SuperZoo

Davison designs made their mark at the Las Vegas SuperZoo trade show, held September 11-13^th, when Hydro Toys and the adorable Pugz collection were showcased. 

With a total of an estimated 900 exhibitors, the National Show for Pet Retailers showcased Davison licensing partner, Hugs Pet Products, who was pleased to display several Davison designs.

Hugs debuted their 2013 catalog at the show, which included popular Davison designs including the Hydro Toys and the adorable Pugz collection of apparel and accessories.  The Hydro Toys are a line of chewable dog toys that act as a sponge.  It can be filled with water and as the dog chews and plays, he or she is staying hydrated as well.  The Pugz boots are almost identical to the Uggs boots that human wear, which will keep feet warm and cozy in cold weather. 

“We had interest from everywhere! We saw major retailers and industry spokespeople like Wendy Diamond and Charlotte Reed. Plus, we met with magazine reps from Dog Fancy and Modern Dog,” said Hugs Pet Products marketing representatives Kristie Vossler, who also said  that Hugs’ social media existence helped them associate with a larger audience.  “Social media played a major part in gaining visitors to the booth. We were able to interact with other attendees and spark interest in our booth and products.”

One crowd-pleasing product was Hugs’ new Davison-designed Jaws collection, which is a dynamic chew toy line with easy rubber tines that massage gums and remove plaque. It is also an edible treat to keep dogs busy and satisfied for hours.

“Everyone loved the new products, especially the Pugz and Jaws lines,” said Vossler.

Modern Dog is even promoting the Davison-designed Jaws collection on their website saying, “Chew on this…literally! Hugs’ Chew Core is just what the doctor ordered for promoting pet dental health. The veterinarian-approved Chew Core satisfies a dog’s instinctive tendency to chew, while its durable, molded rubber tines gently massage pets’ gums, safely removing plaque and strengthening jaw muscles. Pups play and the Chew Core does the rest!” 

Davison and Hugs were also able to meet Holly Madison from “The Girls Next Door,” who is also making her way into the pet product industry with her new company, Lucky Pet Products.
Pictures and videos from the event can be seen on several social media websites including Pinterest, which is Davison recently joined.  All of the products that were showcased at the show are also sold online and retail stores. 

While Davison regularly attends trade shows in a number of industries, it does not promise that any particular client product will be, or is likely to be, presented or discussed at a trade show.