Browse Tag: development

6 Inventions to Recover from Daylight Saving Time (National Napping Day)

Are you dreading this upcoming daylight saving time? Even if you plan ahead and to go to bed early, you may still feel ridiculously tired the next day. Time and time again, studies show this practice to be dumb and consistently dangerous to people’s health in a variety of ways. This national event is so notoriously terrible, it sparked a second national event, National Napping Day. In 1999 William Anthony, a Ph.D professor from Boston University, created National Napping Day to aid in the loss of sleep on a national scale. Currently, the states of Arizona and Hawaii have succeeded in fighting against this standard, as well as several countries such as China and Japan. Conversely, Florida is fighting to permanently keep daylight saving time, the Senate voting 33-2 in rally of the idea.

We can’t do anything now, but we can help with the drag of it all. We’re pretty passionate about inventions here, and even more passionate about sleeping. Here 6 inventions to help you through the drag of daylight saving time  enjoy National Nap Day to its fullest potential.

1) The Barisieur

Waking up today is going to be a bit harder than normal, so why not wake up like a king or queen? We’re suggesting the best case scenario, waking up to the sweet smell of coffee…..literally. The Barisieur is an alarm clock and coffee brewer. Imagine the soft sounds of bubbling water greeting you in the morning, your stirring intensified by that perfect coffee smell permeating your bedroom. Not only is this the dream we’ve all been waiting for, but it’s design is quite possibly more sleek and sophisticated than the actual idea of waking up to the smell of coffee. MMmmmmmm.

2) Bath Buzz Caffeinated Soap

Now that you’re awake, it’s time get ready for your day. How can you fit in another caffeine boost to your morning routine? The shower of course, where Bath Buzz offers a solution in their caffeinated soap. There’s a whopping 2400mg of caffeine infused in their peppermint scented soap. That equals up to at least 24 cups of coffee! In addition to the energizing benefits of caffeine, you may be surprised to know caffeine is really good for your skin. Caffeine is a prominent ingredient in countless anti-aging skin care products and helps to improve blood circulation. This unassuming bar of soap is guaranteed to help jump start your day.

3) Shelterin Inflatable Car Air Mattress 

You’ve made it past the first half of your work day and it’s lunch time, you’re doing good! Many studies show that short 10-20 minute naps are super effective when dealing with afternoon-slump fatigue. You heard science, now’s your chance to find a cozy spot! I suggest using the Shelterin Inflatable back seat car mattress to aid in your nap-quest. Don’t worry about finding an air-pump, this air mattress comes with a car electric air pump. It shouldn’t take more than a minute to inflate this mattress that’s compatible with 95% of car models. After all, it may be easier to fit in a quick nap from the back of your car if your work doesn’t like your sleeping at your desk (I can’t imagine why).  

4) Ostrich Pillow

Maybe you can’t get to your car, or you’re lucky enough to have If you have a super cool work space. If that’s your case, then I highly suggest using the Ostrich Pillow. Don’t let its looks deceive you, this pillow can conquer any surface for the perfect power nap. If you frequent planes, it’s the perfect travel accessory that you didn’t even know you needed. There’s also an opening in the front for nose and mouth breathing, which is really relevant for those of us that value sleep without that “hot air” feeling.

5) Portable Coffee Cup Holder

Congrats, you’ve made it halfway through the day! You’re doing great. It’s time to stack up on another cup of coffee. After that power nap, it’s going to take everything you have left to motor through the rest of your day. You can’t risk keeping your eye off the ball for even a second. And by ball, I really mean that precious, precious cup of joe. That’s where the Office Table Desk Clip comes in handy. Now you really can keep your eye on the prize. Besides, you can’t risk spilling your drink all over your papers, computer, or keyboard! As an added bonus, this nifty tool double to hold your phone, cosmetics, or even a flower pot.

6) Coffee Joulies

Alright you’ve made it to the final stretch and your work day is almost over! I don’t know about you, but I’m always burning my tongue on a fresh cup of joe. Coffee Joulies conquers against this classic tongue battle by using advanced phase change material technology to store and release energy. To translate this to English, the beans absorbs and conserves the heat from the initial pour, making sure the cup doesn’t exceed burning temperatures. As your cup cools down, the stainless steel stones will then release the previously stored heat to maintain the “perfect” temperature for your coffee. Food Network can be quoted saying “The beans really work” and that’s honestly more than enough for me.

Pat yourself on the back!

Congratulations! Looks like you’ve made it through your work day. Now that you’ve enjoyed National Napping Day to its fullest potential, it’s time to stop and think about everything we’ve learned today, and no I don’t mean confirming daylight saving time is absolutely dreadful. I mean, look at all these helpful products that may have helped you through your day! It’s never too late to start looking at good inventions and assessing their usability. What may come off as a laughable product may really come in handy on days when you need them most, like National Napping Day. If you’re feeling inspired and wanting to create your own invention, feel free to contact us at 888-373-3876. If this article inspired you to take the next step in your own inventing journey, make sure to comment and let us know. As a reward, I might even get an official nap time at my desk (OH BOY)!

Krissy Pizzo is the social media expert and writer for Source Direct, an Invention Company based in Palm Harbor, Fl. If you have any additional invention tips or comments, feel free to email her at kpizzo@thesourcedirect.net. If you absolutely dread using email, you can comment below! 

Success Stories: The Weave Scratcher

STOP THE PAT! From hairpiece to sew-ins, The Weave Scratcher offers a simple solution to the most common predicament: itching. Source Direct helped create this product in 2011 and we are excited to announce it is taking off. ESSENCE magazine featured The Weave Scratcher as their top tool for “soothing an itchy sew-in weave”. We have been picked as “Amazon’s Choice” for weave scratching products online. Sometimes a good product requires time, attention, and patience while carefully building a following.

The Weave Scratcher was created to help ease discomfort without disrupting your style. To better understand The Weave Scratcher, it helps to understand why people experience itching in the first place.  

During the braiding and weaving process the hair is pulled very tightly. When hair is pulled too tightly, the scalp becomes irritated and can develop an inflammation of the hair follicles. This inflammation reaction can account for that furious itching sensation. Even when done properly,  an excess or lack of moisture to the scalp can turn quickly turn the scale. Seborrheic Dermatitis, commonly known as dandruff, is the other common perpetrator for this problem. An overgrowth of yeast on the scalp triggers an inflammation of the roots. This causes an array effects including a buildup of dry layers, flaking, and itching.

Anything from getting the hair wet to sweating without carefully drying the scalp can cause these itching sensations, and what a list! There’s too much to worry about with maintaining and caring for weave, so Source Direct spent a lot of time developing the right tool to properly assist.

Its firm but flexible design is meant to fit in between any hair weft or braided base with ease. The soothing bobby pin ends massage your head comfortably and carefully. It’s light and compact size allows clients to use the Weave Scratcher when at home or out and about. This tool can fit perfectly in your wallet, purse, clutch, or pocket. Our design is embodied to best suit the needs of our clients and their scalp. This handy tool is perfect for anyone who wears wigs, braids, or extensions.

We look forward to announcing the exciting collaborations we are currently working on, as well as more news to come. For anyone interested in joining the Source Direct Inventors Club, call 888-373-3876. 

Krissy Pizzo is the social media expert and writer for Source Direct, an Invention Company based in Palm Harbor, Fl. If you have any additional invention tips or comments, feel free to email her at kpizzo@thesourcedirect.net. If you absolutely dread using email, you can comment below! 

Stop Hashtagging “Hustle”: A Labor of Love

I can’t go online without seeing “#hustle” or “#hustling” painted across my social media. Apparently, my friends are “hustling” on their way to the gas station. Somehow they’re “on the grind” while seeing the latest Marvel movie or getting pizza. These terms are so overused, YOLO suddenly took a backseat.

yolo GIF

Don’t get me wrong, the positivity of motivational posts are admirable and great. But I have to wonder, if I’m seeing a person post #inspiration everywhere, what are you actually getting done? When you spend so much time getting hyped by liking/sharing motivational posts, you’re taking precious time away from actually accomplishing those goals. I think it’s time we had a heart to heart.

#1 What does it mean to hustle?

Opportunity is everywhere, with the internet creating a democracy for business. Everyone can sell, market, and post online. And that’s the problem. Everyone can sell, market, and post online. With all this white noise floating around, it’s hard to figure out what to do or who to listen to. What does it really take? Is your friend Jo actually the “biggest hustler out there” while he binge-watches all of House of Cards?

House Of Cards Success GIF by GaryVee

Let me fill you in.

It’s not about being the best. It’s about having the patience, resilience, and willingness to put in the effort. You become the best by working harder than everyone you know. Simply put, there will always be someone working harder than you. The grind is keeping up that, with everyone else, consistently. The real hustle is putting in more effort, time, and sacrifice than you could ever imagine. Starting from the beginning of your journey, it means working really, really, really hard. Weirdly enough, this is where people usually get stuck or give up entirely.

working adventure time GIF

As human beings, we’re inclined to make excuses for ourselves. Working hard becomes tiring and we and say it’s money, we can’t afford to do it. This is our biggest hurdle in our attempts to accomplish our goals.

That’s the true meaning of “hustling”. The willingness to put the effort into your dreams and not stop, for any reasons. Need to pay the bills? Keep your job and work your side-hustle during any free time. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, then you’re not ready to step up and play ball. It’s not hard, it’s long and tedious. Well I lied, it’s also really, really hard. How?

#2 The biggest secret of all

You don’t have to be great.

By Laws of Nature, if you put time and practice into learning something, you’ll eventually get good enough. Even if you’re the very worst ever at drawing, with more time and practice, you literally have to get better. It’s the by the laws of nature. No excuse, even if you mess-up royally or learn from a terrible mentor. If you adjust your sails, you have to get better over time. Time is the key word here. With time and effort, anything is possible.

Grinding 24/7 GIF by GaryVee “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney 

I said you don’t have to be good, that doesn’t mean you have to work any less. The key is working smarter, not harder. That’s the goal and the endless mantra you should always tell yourself. Some parts will easier just as some parts become harder, like everything else. Time and effort are essential because it all comes down to :

  1.  How patient are you?
  2.  Are you willing to wait while you get better? How much effort are you willing to make time for your dream?

#3 Time Is Everything

The biggest part of the side-hustling is making the time for it, like scheduling date night. If you can eat ramen for a week to pay for that cruise, you can certainly invest in yourself. Find a job relating to your dream job or whatever your goal may be. If you can’t quit your job, work harder and gain experience elsewhere. As I stated earlier about our internet democracy, literally everything is at your disposal. Invest in online programs through recommended websites or enroll in college classes pertaining to your field. Skip the Marvel movie to accomplish anything and everything to help improve your skills in whatever your dream may be.

tim meadows mr glascott GIF by The Goldbergs

I honestly believe most people are put-off to this all when motivational speakers become too tough or use tough love. When people say “there’s no excuse” it’s not from a lack of empathy. Honesty is key, and it’s okay to admit working two or three jobs sounds impossibly hard. Working super hard isn’t the most fun lifestyle, it’s one of the myriad of reasons why independent businesses so frequently fail. Not only is it work, but it’s time. Time is the key, remember? People become discouraged when they finally gain the self-discipline to work really hard consistently and it doesn’t work out right away. That’s understandable, everyone wants instant gratification. That’s not the reality though, and it’s okay if working super hard doesn’t sound like a fun lifestyle for you. It can take months to years before you even see results, and it’s hard to handle it all yourself. The easiest way around that is to pay someone else to do it for you.

#4 Be Resourceful

You know the saying “there’s an app for that”? There’s a website somewhere ready to help you, right now. There are infinite online programs, business, or independent contractors ready to help you with anything and everything. Outsourcing has become a wonderful tool readily available to anyone because of the internet. 

Outsourcing Working Alone GIF by USource

Hire a cheap virtual assistant to save three hours in your day to read that book that will teach you what you need to know. Pay $15 to have someone do your laundry while you take that free seminar on public speaking or attend that university class that will help towards your degree. If you have more funds? More power to play with to be more efficient. There are businesses for practically anything you can think of, offering their services to help you directly. Have an invention or product that you have no idea how to make, market, or distribute? We at Source Direct make it our priority to assist people in creating and selling your dream product creation. We specialize in manufacturing and distributing and offer our services with every step of the process. We can help from the patent process to selling your dream product in stores for you.

If there’s a will, there’s certainly a way. There’s really no excuse with all of the free information available on the internet. It’s all up to you. Do you want to hashtag “hustle” your way through Netflix, or do you want to get started?

Krissy Pizzo is a writer and social media expert for Source Direct based in Palm Harbor, Fl. If you have any additional invention tips or comments, feel free to email her at kpizzo@thesourcedirect.net.

4 Most Anticipated Inventions of 2018

Who doesn’t savor that feeling of anticipation, counting down the clock for your favorite movie, music, or video game to be released? For us, our eyes are on the prize: product development. Waiting for our favorite new inventions to hit the market can feel unbearable, but 2018 is here, and we’re ready! Here are some inventions wrapped with interesting or promising discussion since announcement. Let me know if I missed anything, so I add any new product developments to future lists. In the meantime, here are some highly anticipated inventions I can’t wait to put my hands on:

4. Sleep.Ai

This product settles the classic couple’s dispute: snoring. Does your spouse say you snore, or maybe you’re not getting the sleep you need? Sleep.Ai helps diagnose the problem. Literally.

It’s alright, I’m not a morning person, either….

This wearable product comes in the form of a soft arm strap that connects to an app on your phone. Simply record your sleeping through the app, and its’ expert-built-algorithms analyze both the factors and remedies to reduce snoring. If you snore too loudly or uncomfortably, the wearable arm strap will gently vibrate, like a “soft poke”. It will not disrupt your sleep, eventually training your snoring habits over time. Do your teeth grind? They have an app for that, too!

This product is on my list because it uses invention assistance to help diagnose snoring, teeth grinding, and possible sleep apnea. National Sleep Foundation states snoring affects approximately 90 million American adults – 37 million on a regular basis. This is not only a very common struggle, but poor sleep and sleep apnea can accumulate into bigger problems in the long run.

“The partner of someone afflicted with sleep apnea loses approximately one hour of sleep per evening and may wake up as many as 21 times per hour, a side-effect of apnea known as “Spousal Arousal Syndrome”

Even the partners of struggling snorers are suffering. It’s about time they received some outsider assistance. I look forward to watching Sleep.Ai’s effectiveness in helping not only the user, but relationships as well.

 

3. HoverBike

I know, it’s disappointing, we were all looking forward to jet-packs in the future. We may be lacking in that regard, but hopefully the Malloy Aeronautics revolutionary HoverBike can remedy this dilemma. This diverse tool can lift it all. It’s most current build allows transporting up to 300 lbs of food, aid, equipment, or most importantly, people! Welcome to the future.

credit

The design is backed by research conducted at the US Army research labs.  This vehicle can lift 130kg (300lb) just like a helicopter, can fly to the same speed and height as a typical light helicopter, but unlike a helicopter it can operate safely close to the ground and around people, and can be done so, with little or no training.

This English based team has already signed a contract with the US Army granting them full collaboration with their research laboratory. With the help from SURVICE Engineering and only 2 mysterious Angel investors, they’ve basically created a user-friendly helicopter bike. 2018 doesn’t get any cooler than that.

 

HoverBike’s easy to learn, easy to use features make this invention market friendly. That combined with it’s sheer strength and power based off a helicopter makes the HoverBike stand out from any similar prototype of the past. Its’ patent is currently pending, but they anticipate this product to enter the market by the end of the year. We may not have jet-packs, but we’ll have the HoverBike.

 

2. Canute Braile e-reader

Bristol Braille took due diligence working closely with the blind community and for the blind community when creating this special e-reader. Nooks and kindles are integrated into our society at an affordable price, and Bristle Braille took the initiative to accomplished this feat for the blind community.

This pristine new braille e-reader holds thousands of e-book files easily accessible by its interactive user interface. Canute introduces the first “multi-line” technology, in comparison to the single-lined machine standard. Multi lines are incredibly important because they give greater interpretation of context to subjects such as science, mathematics, music notation, and even poetry.

“The foundation of Center for Braille Innovation was to be the broker around the world and find what new technologies we can leverage to really support braille, e-braille as well’

says Brian MacDonald, president of the National Braille Press, a contributing organization to the Braillists community. He continues,

“I have to give credit to two guys…two doctoral students at MIT from India. They went to a school for the blind there and saw that these kids were struggling to just measure inch marks…just struggling”

The Bristol Braille community works with the Braillists, in addition to other organizations, in the research and creation of the Canute. If it sounds like a lot of organizations and groups came together to work on this, it’s because they did.

Bristol Braille Canute is expected for release by Spring of 2018 and is available for pre-order now.

 

 

1. Pilot Translating Earpiece

After closely watching every step of this product’s development, this invention makes top of the list, no question about it. I believe Pilot to be the most exciting, and potentially, the most influential of all. What’s greater than breaking barriers, in real time? Everything from their design, product development, online marketing, and user-friendly interface makes this the most anticipated product of the year for me.

 

Pilot’s earpiece provides universal audio translation from one earbud to another, in real time. Essentially, you can speak to your friend in your native language, and they will hear theirs. CEO of Waverly Labs, Andrew Ochoa, initially came up with this world changing idea when he simply met a French girl. He felt frustrated by his inability to communicate with her, all efforts to use translating apps to no avail. He recalls the experience to be horrible, and I can understand why. Having phones up, in our face, takes away the human connection of speaking with someone. The goal of the Pilot Translating Earpiece was to take us back into the real world, phones down, connecting with another human being.

 

It’s easy to see how the function of the invention is invaluable, but what separates Pilot from other tech doesn’t stop there. With electric product development, every minute detail makes a difference. I find all of Pilot’s aesthetics to be visually satisfying in every category to hit. Their logo is smooth and original, the headphones come in three polished colors, and even their websites graphics are super. The headphone’s sleek design is almost reminiscent to Apple’s AirPods with it’s clean and slender design. Even the small holding case screams of the stylistic modern tech design, and it works.

Pilot translating earpiece is scheduled for Spring of 2018.

 

If you’re now looking forward to the release of any of these exciting products please like, share, and subscribe with your friends. I have so much more I look forward sharing with you on future releases, tips, and general inquires about the inventing community.

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Patience in Inventing….is a virtue!

The inventing process does take a while. Most inventors are shocked to find out that their product may take months, if not years, to get to completion (and eventually the store shelves). There are many factors involved:

  • The complexity of the product – does it take extra engineering/design?
  • Changes – there will ALWAYS be changes to a final product’s design and function. During the production process, you (the inventor) may notice something that needs to be changed, or your invention support company may notice things that should be enhanced or fixed. Changes are inevitable.
  • Manufacturing Process – once the design and development is done, the product has to actually be manufactured.
  • Packaging and Shipping – upon completion of production, the product must be packaged and shipped to your fulfillment center.

It’s not an overnight thing! But, with proper marketing plans and sales strategies, the “waiting” time is incredibly valuable. You want to make sure your product is ready to be sold when it finally makes it to your warehouse! Be smart!

What are CAD Drawings? Why do I need them?

During the inventing process, you will need to provide your manufacturer with CAD Drawings. What are they exactly?

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of a computer system to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a product’s design. This drawing is vital for the production and manufacturing process of inventing.

CAD Software, usually operated by an engineer, can produce 2D and 3D drawings of your product. Here are a few examples (from Wikipedia):

2D CAD Drawing
2D CAD Drawing
3D CAD Drawing
3D CAD Drawing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When developing a product, you will need these drawings to get appropriate estimates of the cost of production. A qualified engineer will be able to replicate your idea with pinpoint accuracy to insure that the design in your head is the one that leaves the factory.

If you are working with a company to create CAD Drawings for you, make sure you receive every file needed to present to possible manufacturers. If you don’t know what to look for, send us an email and we can help.

New Years Resolutions and Goals for Inventing

Welcome to 2016 – it’s time to start writing out your goals and aspirations for the year! Here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Set Realistic Timelines: If you are starting your product from scratch, just know that it is going to take time. Depending on where you are in the inventing process, the time allotted will be varied.
  • Know What You Want Before You Plan: This is a common mistake – you have to plan for the goals you want to achieve. Yes, things will come up along the way, but you need to be solid with your ideas and mission before you start planning.
  • Handle Speed-bumps with Grace: Issues will come up. Problems will likely arise during the inventing process. That’s OKAY! When those speed-bumps happen, don’t get overwhelmed. There is help out there, for you. Never let anyone tell you that you have run out of options.
  • Be Okay With Change: You may figure out a new way to innovate, finances may change, product details may change – it happens! If change is the best scenario for your product, you’ll know. Many products go through 4+ revisions during the initial design phase – don’t let it scare you.

Throughout 2016, we will provide more tips and strategies to keep your product development moving smoothly. Check out our other blogs today!

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