A bottle opener I designed.

quattrokid73

quattrokid73

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
427
Here's a few prototypes of a bottle opener I designed over a 3 week project in school. It's a fun little doo-dad and opens bottles in four orientations for a high ease of use factor.

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This is why I still am yet to finish my Mule!
:D
 
that is definitely one sweet opener! now you just need to put an O2 tank wrench or shackle wrench on the other end! good job, you better get an A on that project, and then start selling 'em! :thumbup:
 
I'd take down the pics and get that thing patent pending ASAP.

Chinese companies have probably already ripped down the pics and are in production.
 
A patent is a possibility. I've got some contacts with venture capital. The problem is that at 21 years old, with 2 more years of design school, they are expensive things to ponder!
 
I would buy that

It would also be awesome in keychain size, with a flathead and phillips head screwdriver built into it.
 
If you increase the radii at the inside tang, they can be more easily CNC milled, and the cost could go down. There are a lot of hungry machinists out there looking for work. It can be waterjet cut or lasered as is. As for the patent, in my opinion, you would do better just having a licensing agreement with a manufacturer. Just make up a proposal on how they can make money, what costs would be, etc, and it's down hill from there. Patents cost thousands of dollars, and unless you are willing to spend major bucks fighting for them in court, they do you no good.

I've always believed that if you present a good product with enough cool factor, it will sell. I've sold a couple million bucks worth of stuff all over the world since coming up with that philosophy years ago. Titanium is good.
 
I didn't think a patent was that expensive, production might be but you can sell a patent or accept payment via royalties. You might also consider tapering the back edge to use for opening tabs on cans of soda...women like not busting fingernails.
 
Where I used to work, their patents would cost tens of thousands of dollars. Their rule of thumb was: if it's not worth $100,000 fighting it in court, we would not get the patent. For an individual, it is cheaper, but there's still the attorney fees which will usually add up to around $2K. You can do a design patent and file it yourself. That's not too bad. I've done a couple of those myself. The drawings have to be perfectly to their specs though. It gets you the "patented" wording withough having it to be completely different from anything before it. Chances of getting a utility patent would be slim in my opinion simply because it is similar in the way it works to other stuff that's been done.

The soda can tab is a great addition.
 
Yeah a contracted production would be better off.

I can get the parts fabricated for around $12 a unit now with about 2 hours of finishing time by hand for each one.

I imagine the cost can be brought under $10 per unit if done in large quantity by a manufacturer.

What you see here is water jet cut stainless steel and laser cut wood. Both are hand finished and fitted. All my design.
 
you are very, very talented.

excellent design. a simple household item, completely rethought.
 
As to patenting, the fees can be found here: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/notices/73fr47534.pdf

Basic filing is relatively inexpensive and will get that "Patent Pending". If doing it, do it soon, as you have a year from conception.

I'd do a design patent on that. Not very strong protection, but the option requires little write up and you won't have to deal with claim language. Just my opinion. That, and the figures you have will suffice (no lawyers needed).

Nice design, I like it.
 
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