If you are like most inventors, the ultimate goal for your idea is to create a product that will sell.

But one of the first problems you will face is this – an idea is not a product. In order to create a product from an idea, an inventor must be willing to devote time, energy and money to take all of the steps necessary for this to happen. In order to give your idea the best chance for success, you need to work with people who understand all the many steps to bring a product to market.

For over 20 years, Davison has helped inventors bring their ideas from the concept stage to products selling in stores. Their product development services are extremely thorough, and they work with the inventor every step along the way; from patent and product related research to designing, developing and building working prototypes and product samples. They design packaging for the product, identify manufacturers and present new products to corporations, manufacturers, and retailers for possible licensing agreements.

So, as an inventor with a great idea, you probably have a few questions regarding costs:

•      Who pays for the product development services? Clients pay for initial design research, product design, prototype development, integrated retail product packaging (illustrating what the product could appear as on the retail shelf) and product sample demonstration videos.
•      Who pays for licensing? Davison offers licensing representation for a fixed fee plus a 10% interest in any future royalties. However, this is not a purchase of patent or invention rights, and no purchase or partnerships are offered. To see the range of services and costs involved, visit www.davison.com/legal/aipa.html
•      Are there ever cases where Davison would work on an invention for only a percentage of profits? No. Developing inventions is a very uncertain undertaking, and it would be too risky for Davison to work on any invention without some form of up-front payment.

So if you’re looking to have your new product idea prepared and presented to a corporation for possible licensing, Davison has the experience, expertise and track record you should look for in new product development services.

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The first prototype is a “proof of concept” model that determines if the invention can work as intended. It may not look exactly like the final prototype and it certainly isn’t made from the same materials. It is usually made of very inexpensive materials. This model is used to determine what design options are working, what will need to be redesigned and the overall “look and feel” of the product idea. With this model, the design team can see how the product fits in with its intended environment. For example, if the product fits in your hand, then they can ask: Is it a comfortable size? Is it easy to push buttons (with your thumb or other hand)? Does the shape feel right?

After the Davison design team has had a chance to refine the design, the next step is to make a product sample. These models are usually more like the intended final product in terms of materials, proportions, style, and function. The team will most likely still use less expensive prototyping materials, but the materials will be closer to the type used in the ultimate product. Photographs can be taken of this version and used to create marketing materials. Because this prototype is used to create the product packaging.

Davison creates packaging for the new product sample prototype, so that licensees can imagine how it would fit into their product line and imagine how it would look alongside their other products on store shelves. This by far is the most measurable benefit of the product sample development process, because manufacturers don’t buy great ideas, they buy great products that are well designed and ready for production.

If a manufacturer decides to license a product, they can request that an additional prototype be created to work out issues with their preferred materials and manufacturing processes.

So, you can see that from early concept to final product, the prototype development process is an important part of creating a new product that is well designed and appealing to customers.

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