In Chicago at the Home and Housewares Show, United Patent Research (UPR) met with a major manufacturer that specializes in outdoor grilling accessories, and cooking products for the household kitchen. There were discussions about getting non-disclosure agreements (NDA’s) in place so that submitting ideas can be done easily. UPR is working to establish that formal relationship, but in the meantime UPR will be submitting preliminary information for a handful of outdoor grilling and home kitchen accessory products to this company.

At the International Home and Housewares Show, United Patent Research (UPR) had a very productive meeting with an “As Seen on TV” company that specializes in bringing products to retail after they have run their course on television.  UPR is in the process of preparing information about new products for submission to this company that we feel will be of interest to them and lead to licensing agreements where products can be sold nationally as well as internationally.  This North America based company has also taken an interest in re-reviewing products that have already been submitted to them since they are taking a new marketing path and opening new categories for submission.  UPR will be following-up with them and also plans on meeting with them at future trade shows in 2017.

At the recent International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, United Patent Research (UPR) met with one of its corporate contacts that has been extremely successful in developing lawn and garden, home and housewares, and hardware products. UPR usually meets with this company two to three times a year. We are happy to report that this company has expressed interest in reviewing a wide assortment of products that fall into the above mentioned multiple categories. At the meeting with this company, it was exciting to watch the company receive an order for over 100,000 units of a current product that they are developing. We have plenty of products that we believe should deeply interest this company and eventually lead to mutually advantageous national or multi-national licensing agreements.

A North American manufacturer has expressed serious interest in the Electric Duct Bank Slide Box invented by United Patent Research (UPR) client Jerry A. This practical construction tool greatly facilitates the task of installing underground electric duct banks. With this device concrete can be poured without needing construction workers in the installation ditch. The device is much sturdier and easier to work with than plywood forms. Additionally, the strong metal construction allows the unit to be used over and over again. The North American manufacturer which expressed interest in this invention has signed an appropriate non-disclosure agreement promising confidentiality and Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, has already submitted detailed information to this company. Universal Licensing plans to make contact with the company to receive feedback on the information the company received and has been reviewing.

United Patent Research (UPR) is always looking for ways to build long-standing relationships with companies where there is a mutual understanding and non-disclosure agreements (NDA’s) can be signed in advance. When an NDA is signed in advance there is no delay in submitting an idea to a company and a gateway is opened for direct submissions to manufacturers without the hesitation or delay that occurs when it is necessary to sign an NDA for each invention. UPR has built a handful of these relationships and at this last event UPR was able to sign a general non–disclosure agreement with a major As Seen on TV company. This significant company is looking forward to reviewing all of UPR’s products pertaining to cleaning items, personal care, and gardening tools. UPR has been trying to get this company to sign a general non-disclosure since 2013. Sometimes persistence pays off!

UPR signed a general non-disclosure with a smaller kitchen accessories company that mostly specializes in non-plug in kitchen items. UPR has a wide selection of kitchen accessories and is looking forward to making some submissions within the next several weeks. We look forward to a long-standing relationship.

UPR was successful on the third day of the show in securing a general NDA with a manufacturer that is based in Europe as well as Asia. This company has major connections and has their foot in the door to two major “As Seen on TV” companies. Once the NDA was set in stone, our meeting that normally would have taken ten minutes went well over an hour. Discussions were based on reviewing items that were of interest as well as the possible parameters of potential royalty payments. There is one specific product this company has shown extreme interest in that we will not list at this time, but we are hopeful there will be some sort of news in the near future of a possible licensing agreement.

UPR met with the Director of Marketing of a major housewares manufacturer that is especially looking for grilling products. Since a general NDA was signed, UPR can submit its limited selection of grill products and hope to receive some feedback in the very near future. There is a lot more to report on what happened at the International Home and Housewares Show. In summary, UPR feels it was very productive and opened up a lot of channels that will create more exposure for its clients.

A United States based manufacturer, located in the Eastern United States, meets with United Patent Research (UPR) twice a year to review a limited number of products that will fit their market niche. At the Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, this manufacturer expressed interest in the Back Jack invented by UPR client Brian B. The Back Jack is an innovative backpack which can easily be converted into a combination waterproof jacket and backpack. UPR is in the process of having a prototype shipped to this manufacturer as well as patents and other proprietary information.

At the International Home and Housewares Show this March United Patent Research (UPR) had a sit-down meeting with the President and the CPA of a major Canadian kitchen accessory manufacturer. After careful scrutiny, there were two products that caught the attention of the President of the company. These practical inventions are the Cake Tent conceived by UPR client Michael O. and the K Cup Holder invented by Michael M. UPR is currently in the process of possibly having prototypes shipped, as well as submitting all the proprietary information that this company has requested.

United Patent Research (UPR) has a long-standing relationship with a U.S.-based manufacturer located on the East Coast which has multiple licensing arrangements with some of the world’s major kitchen appliance companies. Most of the products handled by this company are non-plug kitchen items which are currently being retailed in thousands of locations worldwide. After reviewing a handful of UPR’s products with this company, it was quickly determined that this company was mostly interested in the Cake Tent invented by UPR client Michael O. UPR is in the process of discussing prototype manufacturing as well as collecting all the needed proprietary information for this North American manufacturer.

In 2016 United Patent Research (UPR) met with a major North American “As Seen on TV” company that introduces 400 new products a year. After reviewing a handful of UPR’s products, this company showed interest in 20 products. Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, carefully scrutinized the Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s) that were going to be used and found them to be acceptable. UPR was therefore able to travel to Chicago earlier this month for the Home and Housewares Show and hand deliver five NDA’s that needed to be executed. Once UPR receives them back, UPR and Universal Licensing will be able to submit all the proprietary information that is requested. UPR is also in the process of securing the rest of the NDA’s that this company has requested. UPR is looking forward to having a long working relationship with this significant company, and we will keep you posted on the status of the 20 products under review by this major company. These inventions are:

• Ommii Whole Body Pillow – Mylien P.
• Bob Shot – James C.
• Thorny Vine Puller – Jack L.
• Wardrobe Closet Hanger Dividers – Charles N.
• Snap In Replacement Curtain Hanger – Ronald H.
• Plant Safe – Thomas C.
• Sole Shoes – Michael Z.
• Beverage Wrap – Richard R.
• Can Closer – Joseph S.
• Squeeze ‘N’ Scrub Toilet Brush – Ronald G.
• Home Food Canning Lid – Karla B.
• Back Mate – Craig M.
• Whisk Keeper – John S.
• Lady Bug Soapmaker – Stuart D.
• Cradle Sleep Pillow – Trisha V.
• Taco Wrap – Bryant T.
• Chillynder – Michael H.
• Lift-E – Cesar P.
• Zip and Clean – Doug P.
• Triwel – Vernon P.

We note that these inventions span several product categories which bodes well for future manufacturer interest in our diverse portfolio of new products.

Sometimes it really pays to “look outside the box”.  In the world of invention development that often means to contact companies in other countries.  United Patent Research (UPR) has been communicating with a North American manufacturer that UPR met at the Homebuilder and Renovator Expo 2016 in Toronto, Canada.  Since this initial tradeshow contact, UPR has engaged in many discussions with this manufacturer and has received confirmation that this company has serious interest in signing Non Disclosure Agreements regarding seven inventions conceived by UPR clients.  Those products are: the Worthy Scribe invented by Patrick C.; the Hot Solder Dispenser invented by Guy H.; the Door Hinge Pin invented by Richard E.; the EZ Caulking Gun invented by Kenneth S.; the Ceramic Tile Spacer Multi-Configuration invented by James P.; the Double Swivel Locking Ratchet Wrench invented by John M.; and the Socket Glove invented by Steve S.