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There Is Always Something To
Improve Or Innovate For Comfort
by: Thomas Hong
In this fast moving world of the 21st century, we are always
forced to do everything in a rush, even eating and sleeping. The
normal words of today are “hurry”, “rush”, “fast”, “quick” and
“immediately.” In comparison with 20 years ago, today we have to
move or work as fast as possible to survive in a competitive
environment with creative and innovative ways. Even though modern
technology innovations were introduced decades ago, the new
technology has not yet given us the opportunity to create new
products to reduce the stress of people in everyday life. We are
living under constant mental and physical stress, with more and more
demands from our current society. There are many consumer products
claiming that they will cure stress and make life easy, but it is
still hard to find good and innovative products on the market for
consumers. From time to time, I wonder why multimillion dollar
companies, which have hundreds of research engineers and scientists
in their R&D departments, are not creating and producing the new,
innovative products for consumers. New product innovation is not
complicated to create. By watching how people are using the
products, anyone can have an idea of how to improve existing
products or create new ones. No products are perfect when they are
invented or developed in the first place; therefore any product has
room to be improved into a better one.
For example, examining paint related-products, I could not find
really innovative or new products for improving paint jobs to make
them easy and enjoyable. We are still using the same products and
the same methods of doing paint jobs as we did a hundred years ago.
In the past, whenever I did a paint job, I always found something
bothering me or some inconvenience about painting and I have asked
myself why better products do not exist for easy and quick paint
jobs. About a year ago, I finally decided to research and develop
new paint-related products that are simple to use, inexpensive and
environmentally friendly.
1. Ergonomic Paint-Can Handle/Opener
Everybody knows that carrying a paint can by its wire handle is
uncomfortable and causes hand and arm pain. Based on research among
professional painters, I discovered there is a need for a comfort
handle. The Ergonomic Paint-Can Handle/Opener is a new invention
that is ergonomically designed for comfort in holding the paint can
while brushing directly from the can, and eliminates hand and arm
pain. It also keeps hands clean when dipping and brushing directly
from the can. The Paint Can Opener conveniently provides for easy
opening of any paint can lid and bottle cap instead of using a
screwdriver.
2. Rapid-Pour Paint Spout
Nobody like messiness or hassle while pouring or brushing
directly from the can. The rim and gutter always seem to get paint
build-up that causes dripping on the floor and difficulty in
resealing the lid after use. The Rapid-Pour Paint Spout is a new
invention that removes the mess and inconvenience of painting. It
provides drip-proof pouring, prevents paint build-up, in the can rim
and gives a tighter reseal. Tighter reseal will result in less
spoiled paint, keeping longer, saving money, and it’s
environmentally friendly. When the paint is dried, just tap it and
it will peel itself off. There is no need to use water or solvents
for cleaning. This is an environmentally friendly product.
3. Rapid Paint Mixer
Mixing or stirring paint in the can causes not only discomfort
when stirring with a paint stick, but can also cause hand and arm
pain, which makes it takes longer and results in the paint not
mixing well. The Rapid Paint Mixer is a new invention that is
ergonomically designed to remove these inconveniences. The up and
down plunger handle provides effortless, easy, quick and thorough
mixing of any paint products. It is simple to use and reuse. When
paint is dried, just tap and the paint will peel itself off. There
is no need to use water or solvents for cleaning. This is an
environmentally friendly product.
4. E-Zy Zip Bag for Paint Brush/Roller
It is always a difficult task to keep the paint brush/roller
clean and fresh after use. The bristles/roller of even a thoroughly
cleaned brush/roller will harden when it dries. Sometimes it is hard
to reuse, and we end up discarding. This is simply wasting our
hard-earned money. The E-Zy Bag for Paint Brush/Roller is a new
invention that is designed to cover the hand while brushing/rolling.
It keeps the brush/roller moist to prevent hardening after use, so
it can be reused as new. Just insert the brush/roller handle through
the E-Zy Bag mouth to the bottom opening until the handle is out.
Remove liners from both sides of tape, and press to adhere them
together to the brush/roller handle to seal the bottom opening. Fold
the E-Zy Bag over to expose the brush/roller and to cover the hand
while painting. This protects the hand from paint. Clean the paint
brush/roller with hot water or solvent after use by holding the
protected handle. Turn it inside out to cover the brush/roller, and
seal the bag opening with the self-sealing plastic strip to trap air
and moisture in the bag.
5. Magic Sleeve
Nobody likes cleaning the paint tray after use. It is the worst
part of the paint job, and is not only inconvenient but also
environmentally unfriendly. There are plastic paint tray liners on
the market, but they are not only expensive to throw away after use,
but do not fit into all paint trays. The Magic Sleeve is a new
invention that eliminates cleaning the paint tray, keeps hands
clean, avoids messiness, and makes it possible to reuse the paint
tray as new. It is a plastic bag with adhesive inside. Just place
the Magic Sleeve onto any paint tray, peel of the liner of the
adhesive inside, and press it down onto the paint tray. It will
cover and take the form of the paint tray. After the paint job,
simply remove by turning it inside out and disposing in the proper
recycling bin. There is no messiness, no hassle involved in cleaning
the paint tray. This is environmentally friendly product.
These paint related-products are designed and developed to
improve the ease of your next paint job, based on my paint job
experience and gathering complaints from other painters. As an
engineer, I am always curious about anything from consumer products
to machinery to methods of manufacturing. It is my honest goal to
improve and innovate existing or new products to provide comfort and
ease of use for consumers. I have designed and developed over 20
other inventions that are patented or patent pending. Some are in
the market currently. My curiosity pushes me to think and solve
whatever problems I face with the existing products. It is very
satisfying to know that my inventions may contribute in some way to
consumers by providing comfort and convenience in this complex,
stressed-out and competitive world.
About The Author
Thomas Hong, engineer and founder of ATI, has designed and developed
various products, including household and hardware products
currently on the market since 1998. Phone requests for
additional information are welcomed: 416-693-5538 or visit
www.paintingeasy.com
thomas@paintingeasy.com |
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