While I don’t have any pressing INPEX news to pass along today, friends, I do have some interesting news from the world of entertainment.

The Discovery Channel is airing the first episode of a thirteen-part series called “Prototype This” tonight at 10 pm. The documentary-style show looks at a team of four inventors who conceive, design and create new prototypes each episode.

It seems like it’ll be an interesting show – especially for those of us familiar with the trials and tribulations of inventing and producing prototypes. And the Discovery Channel usually puts on pretty high-quality shows (“Survivorman” and “MythBusters” among my personal favorites), so that’s another good sign.

I’ll try to post any thoughts I have about the show after I take in a couple episodes. But anything that spotlights the hard work and dedication of inventors is already a positive in my book.

Hello again inventors and entrepreneurs,

Though it may seem a ways off at this point, 2009 will be upon us quicker than you think (just look how fast 2008 has gone so far!). And, if you have an invention or new product, it’s never too early to start planning for InventHelp’s 2009 INPEX Invention Show.

To give inventors more information about the show, INPEX produces an Exhibitor Brochure each year. This brochure provides basic info about the show (i.e. – dates, times, location) as well as a more in-depth overview of some of INPEX’s staple events and resources. The 2009 brochure is currently available to download.

Anyone interested in exhibiting at INPEX should check out this brochure to learn more about what INPEX has to offer inventors and new-product marketers. It includes details on the INPEX Inventor’s University, our resource center and expert pavilions, corporate product reviews, trophies, medals and other prizes, show publicity, and more.

Of course, if you don’t feel like reading the brochure, and would rather get the information from the horse’s mouth, you can also give us a call at 1-888-54-INPEX.

The Korean Invention Promotion Association (or KIPA) is an organization that’s been around for more than 25 years. KIPA works to promote intellectual property, expand patent management and strengthen the industrial competitiveness of Korea.

Representatives from KIPA visit InventHelp’s INPEX Invention Show annually and even award a number of special prizes to exhibitors. At this year’s show, the good people from KIPA handed out awards to five different INPEX inventors. Here are the 2008 KIPA Special Prize winners:

M.H. Ruslan, M.Y. Othman, K. Sopian, A.M. Zafri – Malaysia
Advanced Solar Assisted Heat Pump Dryer with Multifunctional Solar Collector”

Liao, Yin-His – Taiwan
“Slide Down Device: “Sitgood” High-rise Emergency Escape Device”

Wang Cheng-Chi and Chung Min-chi
“Electrical Dynamic Swing Measurement of Golf Club”

Cheng Yung-chu – Taiwan
“Long-Lasting Fragrant Diamond Shape Face Mask”

Daniel Capperrune – USA
“The Cageless Cage”

Mr. Capperrune, an inventor from Illinois, received the KIPA Special Prize for his patented invention, “The Cageless Cage™”, an innovative animal restraint. Capperrune was inspired to invent “The Cageless Cage” based on experiences with his own canines.

“My dogs always attempted escaping from the bath tub during bathing and this concept came to mind to solve this problem in a very unique way,” he said. 

“The Cageless Cage” effectively keeps pets in designated areas without giving the animals the sensation they are trapped. And since the device is different from bulky cages, it’s easier to transport. Capperrune even notes that his invention can be made in various sizes for different users – including home owners, groomers, veterinarians, kennels, and more.

Kudos to Daniel Capperrune and all the KIPA Special Prize winners! And an extra-special thank you to KIPA for its continued support of InventHelp’s INPEX Invention Show!!

While many awards are handed out each year at InventHelp’s Invention and New Product Exposition (INPEX), unfortunately, not every exhibitor can take one home. Due to the vast number of inventions on display at INPEX, our international jury of judges has a very difficult time choosing winners each year. But for those inventions that come very close to award consideration, or those exhibitors who work hard to encourage and inspire other inventors, INPEX hands out a number of merit awards.

INPEX merit awards are given to inventors who make a deep and positive impression on our judges, staff and their fellow exhibitors. These inventors represent the enthusiastic and innovative spirit we love to see at INPEX. At InventHelp’s 2008 INPEX show, nearly 50 different merit awards were handed out to inventors from across the globe.

Broken down by country, 42 of those medals were presented to international exhibitors – which includes inventors spread out over Croatia, Malaysia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Korea and Taiwan. Of course, that leaves eight exhibitors from the United States who took home merit awards. And those winners were:

Serena Egigian – “Arctic Décor Insulated Wall Covers”

Mark Vollmar – “Ceiling Toys”

Travis Peres – “Quix Bottle”

Michael McMahon – “AFAB”

Rosemarie Maalouf – “Smarty Smart Sticks”

Martin Hathaway – “Windproof Umbrella”

Charles Monocavage – “Picnic Cooler”

Arthur McMillan – “Earthship”

Congratulations to all our 2008 Merit Award winners!! You can view a full list of INPEX 2008 Merit Award winners from around the world on the INPEX Web site.

The definition of “excellence” I feel exemplifies what our judges look for in the recipient of the INPEX Award of Excellence:

excellence n. – possessing good qualities in high degree

Each year, the INPEX Award of Excellence is given to an exhibitor who not only conceives an innovative idea but also possesses good qualities in high degree as an inventor and human being. At INPEX 2008 this year, that exhibitor was:

Gary Copus,
San Joaquin, Calif.

Gary is the brains behind Copus Industries LLC, a sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing company committed to excellence and driven by charity. At INPEX 2008, Gary exhibited the “Rollerboard Load Handler”, a device that makes loading and unloading pickup trucks and SUVs easier.

Made of steel, the product fits most full-sized standard bed pickup trucks and large SUVs with tailgates. A person first places the invention into the back of a truck or SUV, then loads cargo on top of it. When an individual gets to the unloading area, he or she simply opens the tailgate and rolls out the cargo.

Gary hopes his invention can help people avoid injuries like the neck and back pains he suffered from regularly loading and unloading his pickup truck. He even puts his invention to use on a daily basis. “I use it for going to the dump yard and for rose bush clippings and groceries. It never leaves my vehicle,” he said.

INPEX thanks and congratulates exhibitor Gary Copus for his continual pursuit of excellence!