According to the American Pet Products Association, the pet products industry continues to grow and could reach a whooping $55.53 billion in the US sales for 2013.

One hot area is travel accessories for pets, which is projected to account for a large portion of the growth, making it a great opportunity for inventors to come up with new product ideas in this area.

Here are a few great resources for pet product inventors:

Pet Industry Associations

http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

http://www.pida.org/memberdirectory/

Pet Industry Trade Shows

http://globalpetexpo.org/Default.asp

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/05/17/hot-product-categories-to-invent-in-for-2013-this-issue-pet-products/

Inventor, engineer and entrepreneur Donald Bushby created FasciaDerm, a product to help people suffering from plantar fasciitis, a very painful inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of the foot, to manage and eventually get rid of the pain.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis is often expensive and invasive; in addition it rarely works. However Bushby’s product is an affordable and non-invasive solution to treat plantar fasciitis. The FasciaDerm foot support system delivers natural heel pain relief to those with plantar fasciitis and over-used achy feet.

This at home treatment includes foot supports that are affordable, micro-thin, bandage-like supports, which have been engineered to manage foot strain, particularly in the plantar fascia. FasciaDerm’s optimized characteristics compliment the body’s natural movements, and enable it to function much like an external ligament or fascia. FasciaDerm is specifically engineered for all-day support, allowing key elements of the foot including the fascia to rest, thus improving conditions for total heel pain recovery.

It’s always great to see an inventor come up with a clever product that can help others to manage and eliminate pain without medication. That’s what inventing it’s all about, to make life easier, more comfortable and healthier.

Watch this YouTube video to see Donald Bushby talking about FasciaDerm on Fox Morning News.

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Donald Bushby,
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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/05/03/inventor-donald-bushby-can-make-your-feet-pain-free/

Inventor, engineer and entrepreneur Donald Bushby created FasciaDerm, a product to help people suffering from plantar fasciitis, a very painful inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of the foot, to manage and eventually get rid of the pain.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis is often expensive and invasive; in addition it rarely works. However Bushby’s product is an affordable and non-invasive solution to treat plantar fasciitis. The FasciaDerm foot support system delivers natural heel pain relief to those with plantar fasciitis and over-used achy feet.

This at home treatment includes foot supports that are affordable, micro-thin, bandage-like supports, which have been engineered to manage foot strain, particularly in the plantar fascia. FasciaDerm’s optimized characteristics compliment the body’s natural movements, and enable it to function much like an external ligament or fascia. FasciaDerm is specifically engineered for all-day support, allowing key elements of the foot including the fascia to rest, thus improving conditions for total heel pain recovery.

It’s always great to see an inventor come up with a clever product that can help others to manage and eliminate pain without medication. That’s what inventing it’s all about, to make life easier, more comfortable and healthier.

Watch this YouTube video to see Donald Bushby talking about FasciaDerm on Fox Morning News.

Tagged as:
Bandage,
Connective Tissue,
Donald Bushby,
Elements,
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Feet Free,
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Heel Pain,
Inventor,
Ligament,
Medication,
Nbsp,
Pain Medication,
Pain Relief,
Painful Inflammation,
Plantar Fascia,
Plantar Fasciitis,
Sole,
Youtube Video

Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/05/03/inventor-donald-bushby-can-make-your-feet-pain-free/

Inventor Peter Wachtel created the Grill Wrangler, a versatile three-in-one BBQ tool that can be used as tongs, spatula and grilling fork.

As a big BBQ fan, Wachtel was grilling in the backyard and wondering why he needed so many tools to cook. He found himself using a spatula, tongs, a fork, a knife and even a bottle opener. There were many different tools, but each one of them had one function only. Wachtel thought how great would be if there was a way to combine all these grilling tools into one multifunction tool that he could easily take with him wherever he went – camping, picnics, BBQs, tailgating, the beach and even the kitchen.

Wachtel started by taking the most used tools that he used when grilling, then he chopped, cut and broke them apart, and started to make a rough prototype to see if he could get the right combination as well as the best look and ergonomic feel. After a lot of trial an error, he came up with a success! He tried it out and it worked great! He could flip burgers, steak, chicken, veggies, poke the meat, cut potatoes, pick up corn, and even open his beer.

You can use the Grill Wrangler year round, and even indoors in your kitchen when cooking. An “all in one” BBQ tool which transforms from spatula to fork to tongs. You can flip burgers, grip chicken legs, and spike hot dogs without breaking a sweat.

Peter Wachtel  is constantly working on new product ideas, inventing each week to try out new things and ways to make life more fun, as well as solving problems. That’s how he came across the need to create the Grill Wrangler. He found a problem that could use some help with invention ideas and creativity. The Grill Wrangler is the solution to that problem. That’s an excellent formula for all of us inventors to work when thinking about how to come up with product ideas.

Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the Grill Wrangler.

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/04/20/inventor-peter-wachtel-takes-your-bbq-experience-a-notch-up/

Inventor and entrepreneur Michael Siciliano created a product to protect cars from hailstorms. His automobile hail protection system was born from Siciliano’s desire to create a solution that did not exist within the automotive industry for hail damage prevention products. After 4 years of design, prototyping and testing, Siciliano’s products and services are revolutionizing the way in which consumers and businesses respond to the threat of hail.

The hail protection system warns you 30 to 60 minutes ahead of time when hail is near, with free lifetime subscription, using data and storm details from the National Weather Service. The product is powered by “AA” batteries, Cig Lighter Cord or AC outlet, the lightweight, remote-controlled, damage preventing cover installs and activates in just a few minutes. It reduces and largely eliminates damage to your car or truck from hail as large as softballs. In addition, it comes with all the design properties of a traditional car cover, including UV, water resistance and the breathability your vehicle requires to prevent moisture and heat build up.

Watch this YouTube video to see the hail protection system in action.

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Hail Protection,
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National Weather Service,
Prevention Products,
Softballs,
Storm Details,
Storm Weather,
Traditional Car,
Water Resistance,
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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/04/16/inventor-michael-siciliano-can-save-your-car-from-hail/

Inventor Dominique McCalain Barteet is the creator of Onesole Shoes, versatile shoes with interchangeable tops; an economical and easy for travel shoe choice.

Working as a pharmacist, this creative inventor was used to stand up at least 12 hours a day. She needed a comfortable shoe that was also fashionable. That’s when she invented Onesoles, a special shoe with Soft-Step insoles and interchangeable tops. Onesole enabled Dominique’s luggage to be lighter making extensive traveling easier for her. Dominique’s creation is a mix of fashion, comfort, versatility, and convenience delivering the unique Onesole shoes.

Onesole shoe idea is a 20 year vision that came to fruition in the year 2002. Dominique wanted to create a shoe that would be versatile, fun, economical, and easy for travel. You can virtually have a closet full of different shoes with a couple of soles and some tops. Each sole has interchangeable tops that fit every sole with just a couple of snaps. This allows you to match any outfit economically and with great comfort. The idea is patented and is constantly expanding every day to fulfill an innovative shoe niche in today’s market.

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/04/12/reinventing-shoes/

If you are a creative individual always searching for new ways of doing things and wondering how to invent something to make people’s lives easier, take a look at how inventor Rusty Ashby created his Leaf Pac machine.

Ashby was working on his yard, burning piles of leaves, when he thought about how hot the leaves burned and how much heat was being wasted. He began to think about how he could combine a log splitter and leaf packing together. Years later the Ashby Leaf Pac was born.

Very often a problem offers you invention help. A common daily issue in Ashby’s life, such as burning leaves, gave him the opportunity to create a new product

The Ashby Leaf Pac machine was developed to give those who care about the environment a viable option to show it. The Leaf Pac can easily compact yard waste and other biomass within eight minutes into a leaf log, which then can be burned in a fireplace, lasting from 2 to 3 hours.  The Ashby Leaf Pac can also be converted within five minutes to split logs.

A study recently compiled in the United Kingdom has shown that leaves taken to a landfill and allowed to decompose are 23 times more hazardous to the environment because of the methane they release.  If they are compacted they only release the CO2 they retained during the summer.

As the Ashby Leaf Pac machine is mobile and can be taken to where ever there is a need! Another feature of the Ashby Leaf Pac is that it is capable of compressing 400 aluminum cans into 6″ diameter x 12″ length in 25 minutes. 35 compacted cans take up the size of a single non-compacted can. A twelve pack takes up the space of 520 compacted cans.  Think of the volume of waste that could be reduced if leaves and aluminum cans where compacted. It’s a clever way to help the environment while enjoying a clean yard.

Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the Ashby Leaf Pac machine:

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/04/04/leaf-log-saves-environment/

Most of us, inventors, spend uncountable hours trying to figure out how to invent something that sells. Through my coaching inventors for many years, I can tell you that one answer to that question is simpler than you think. Find a dinosaur industry in need of serious updating, find a product that needs to step into the 21^st century modern life needs and there you have it, an improved recipe of how to sell an idea.

That’s exactly what inventor and entrepreneur Alan Kaufman did. He created Nubrella, an umbrella designed for the 21st century. Nubrella exploits the fundamental limitations of today’s traditional umbrella while introducing a long awaited feature of hands free usage.

The umbrella was invented some 3000 years ago and has seen no evolution. We continue to rely on the umbrella for protection against all inclement weather conditions until now. Nubrella is changing the way we look at regular umbrellas because it can truly offer weather protection and allow you to enjoy more the outdoors.

This innovative umbrella has an eye catching new aerodynamic design that won’t invert in any wind, keeping you drier all the time when walking in a storm is a necessity. With its new aerodynamic oval design with extended coverage wind now flows over and around the canopy thus completely denying the possibility to invert. No more struggling to maintain your umbrella in the proper position. Simply strap on the shoulder support and walk completely hands free even in significant winds. Also with the extended coverage you will be completely protected from wind chill and extreme cold.

Nubrella is also easy to use; just push the button and pull the handle towards you and Nubrella will simply “pop” open. Nubrella has shoulder supports that simply rests on your shoulders and can be held with one finger. With Nubrella’s clear transparent material there is no more need to tilt your umbrella down and quickly back up to see while fighting the elements. Just walk straight away and see where you are walking all of the time.

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/04/03/nubrella-takes-a-dinosaur-product-and-updates-it/

Sugru is a new self-setting silicone rubber material that sticks to almost everything, allowing you to modify and improve existing products or to fix an amazing range of products. In addition, Sugru is an excellent option for inventors that need to make a prototype.

Sugru can be formed and shaped by hand for up to 30 minutes once it has been removed from its packaging. The product is designed to stick to as many other materials as possible. It forms a strong bond to aluminum, steel, ceramics, glass, wood and other materials including some plastics like Perspex and ABS and rubbers like silicone and butyl rubber. Sugru is like modeling clay when you take it from its pack. Once it’s exposed to air, it cures to a tough flexible silicone overnight using the moisture in the air. It has a maximum working time of 30 minutes and it takes 24 hours to cure.

Below you’ll find several creative uses of Sugru.

To fix your car key

To fix your hiking boots

To make your pans lids heatproof

To make your tools more comfortable

To make your washer leak proof

To fix your dishwasher

To fix cables

To make your camera drop proof

To fix your sprinkler system

Watch this YouTube video to learn more about Sugru.

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Modeling Clay,
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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/03/28/great-new-prototype-material-for-inventors/

REKIXX are 100% recyclable sneakers; vision and creation of husband, father, and avid recycler Gary Gagnon. Back in 2009, Gagnon was taking out the garbage when he noticed several pairs of worn-out shoes in the trash can, right next to the recycling bin. The idea for his product was born. He asked himself, “what if we could recycle our sneakers instead of throwing them in the trash?”

Years later, Gagnon’s visionary business spirit took him to make a sneaker that is truly landfill-free. With extensive research, several material trials, and lab tests complete, REKIXX are the only sneakers that all parts together, from laces to sole, can go back into the recycling process for zero-landfill impact.

Having achieved the purpose of keeping old sneakers out of the landfills, REKIXX also has cool designs that are trend-right and an unique to the marketplace. When it comes to footwear, Gagnon’s product could be considered the most inventive sneaker of its time. All said, with a cause for the greater-good, REKIXX delivers sneakers sharing with the world its message of ecologically smart awareness and sustainability.

REKIXX are available online for $65.

To learn more about REKIXX, watch this YouTube video:

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Article source: http://inventornotes.com/2013/03/02/inventor-gary-gagnon-gives-long-life-to-sneakers/