French Pull

 

Problem

 

Leann, the inventor of the French Pull, loves to drink more than one cup of coffee on a Saturday morning.  Unfortunately, because the french press she uses does not keep her coffee warm, and the remaining coffee continues to steep longer than the normal 4 -5 minutes of desired time, she is only able to enjoy one cup of the each pot of french pull coffee she makes.

 

Solution

 

To solve this problem Leann invented her French Pull.  This improved version of the French Press incorporates a heating coil into the base unit and also allows for easier removal of the coffee grounds once the desired steep time is reached.  These new features result in an entire pot of coffee that is perfectly steeped, hot and delicious!

 

Finding Dirt Cheap Prototypes

 

Leann shared her concept with a friend who was an existing client of DCP and Leann contacted us on her friend’s recommendation.  

 

Free Review and Written Estimate

 

Once we received Leann’s completed Confidential Invention Disclosure Form we arranged for a free consultation to discuss the primary features, functions and components she desired for her French Pull, as well as the quality of prototype and purpose for which she needed it.  After our conversation we developed a written estimate for Leann to design her product for prototyping based on these agreed upon target guidelines:

 

French Pull Glass Coffee Carafe

& Steam Heater Base

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

 

• Steam Heater Base, with

• 400W Heating Element

• On/Off Switch

• Thermal Cutoff Switch

• Automatic 60 Minute Timer

• Formed Stainless Sleeve for Carafe

• French Pull Coffee Carafe, with Borosilicate Glass Body

• Molded Plastic Handle with Stainless Banding

• Stainless Steel Steeping Lid with Water Inlet Port

• Stainless Basket Handle with Stirring Paddle

• Basket Seal - High Temp Silicone or other Heat Resistant, FDA Approved Material

• Gold Wire Mesh Filter

• Stainless Steel Serving Lid

• Design Should Allow for Use of Paper Filter

• Paper Filter May Be Custom Made for Product

 

Design Service

 

Our engineers and designers spent many months designing Leann's product and determining the best combination of off the shelf components (as is and modified) combined with new custom designed and made prototype parts that could be used to make Leann's first proof of concept prototype.  Once Leann approved the  prototype design, BOM (bill of materials) and instructions for the construction of her prototype we then were able to provide her with an accurate price estimate for her first prototype iteration.  

 

At Leann's request DCP's engineers also assisted Leann by compiling all of the technical specifications, drawings and part and component identification for her French Pull prototype design into a package that she provided to her patent attorney to assist them with the preparation and filing of her provisional patent application.

 

Prototype Service

 

Leann then ordered her prototype sample and was very pleased with the physical prototype  she received.  With her physical prototype in hand, Leann created promotional materials for her product and is now working on developing the funds to manufacture her product through avenues such as crowd funding as well as introducing her product to targeted manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

 

Testimonial

 

“Working with DCP has been a great experience.  From start to finish they have been very competent and professional with the design development of my product.  I am ecstatic with the final design I have approved and am excited to received the completed prototype of my product.  I also had the completed design and production drawings reviewed by another engineer and they were highly impressed with the quality of DCP’s work.  I highly recommend DCP to anyone who feels they need to design and build a high quality prototype to attract the outside interest and strategic partnerships they are seeking to take their product to market."

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Leann H. - WI