'Beverage Barricade' Wins 'Mothers of Invention' Contest
Sept. 18, 2005 — -- We have a winner!
Tammy Brook from St. Cloud, Minn., has won "Good Morning America Weekend Edition's" "Mothers of Invention" contest with her "beverage barricade," a device that can be attached to a soda or other beverage can to keep bugs -- or little fingers -- from getting into a drink after it's been opened.
"I don't know what to say," Brook said as she accepted her winning check for $5,000. "Thank you very much."
Brook's 4-year-old granddaughter likes to stick her fingers in soda cans, and Brook was worried about her getting cut, not to mention spreading germs.
She also had a neighbor who was stung in the mouth by a bee that had flown into her drink.
The beverage barricade is simple to use, and Brook suggests that advertising information might be printed on the tab.
"Good Morning America Weekend" and Mom Inventors Inc. tested the theory that "necessity is the mother of invention" with their "Mothers of Invention Challenge," and moms across the country responded with their ideas for solving everyday problems.
After narrowing it down to three finalists, "GMA" viewers voted on which mother's invention deserved a grand prize of $5,000, plus royalties from its sale.
The other finalists were Cathryn Neasham, inventor of the "neat treat," and Sara Kim, inventor of the "sleeve saver."
Mom Inventors Take Note
Tamara Monosoff, author of "The Mom Inventors Handbook," and founder of Mom Inventors Inc., which produces products made for and by moms, gave Brook the $5,000 check.
The winner will get to meet with Mom Inventors' team of engineers and design a production-ready product.
Monosoff's team will design retail-ready packaging, with a photo of Brook on each package to acknowledge her. In addition, they will develop a marketing plan and distribute the new beverage barricade tabs. Brook will receive a percentage of all net sales.
Monosoff also offered advice for other would-be inventors:
Gain knowledge, she said, suggesting that inventing a new product takes time and money. Aspiring inventors should do their homework.
Forget the get-rich-quick scheme. "Set realistic expectations because successful inventing is about developing a product and taking it to market," she said.
Don't wait around; start working on your idea right away. "Often the only difference between a successful inventor and someone who never takes her product to market is action," Monosoff said.
The Other Finalists
Sara Kim -- Inventor of the Sleeve Saver
Kim, from Castro Valley, Calif., created the "sleeve saver" -- a simple device to slip over kids' sleeves to help keep their clothes clean when they're eating or doing arts and crafts.
Kim is the mother of two boys, 2½-year-old Jacob and 5-year-old Justin. She came up with the idea while teaching her kids to eat.
"I actually made it for my son," she said. "When he was learning to eat, he was really messy. I was tired of the mess, but I wanted him to eat while he developed his motor skills. And I wanted something disposable and easy."
Cathryn Neasham -- Inventor of the Neat Treat
Neasham hails from Marietta, Ga., and has a 2-year-old daughter, Sela. Her invention, "the neat treat," is a dishwasher-safe, plastic device that kids (or adults) can use when they're eating Popsicles. The neat treat catches the dripping goo from the Popsicle so kids don't make a mess while eating.
"My inspiration came from the first time I gave my daughter a Popsicle and she ended up wearing most of it," Neasham said. "I thought, 'There must be a better way.' "
The neat treat has a base and a lid with a hole. The Popsicle goes through the hole in the lid, and the melting drippings collect in the base. After the child is done eating, the neat treat can go in the dishwasher.