Idea For A Background

[Torrean]

I've been reading threads about vaseline and backgrounds for a couple days now and the other day a friend asked how to secure a background to her tank. I told her vaseline. But then I got to thinking about it. My oldest sister makes vinyl stickers at her job. These things are self-adhesive. They use static to stick to glass. They are easily smoothed and very very easy to remove. I was thinking that a solid black sheet of vinyl sticker would make a great background. Plus it's only like $5 for a 55 gallon background. Any thoughts?

 

[donna123]

hi
sounds good to me,and if its easy to remove like you say i wouldnt have a problem using it myself .
if your friend decides to have a go let us know how it went. .
donna.

 

[FBF]

you wont get a patent on it, but it does sound like a great idea. i wonder why no one does it. of course the problem now is that i could do it too now you've told me....

 

[nmdelrio]

I've been reading threads about vaseline and backgrounds for a couple days now and the other day a friend asked how to secure a background to her tank. I told her vaseline. But then I got to thinking about it. My oldest sister makes vinyl stickers at her job. These things are self-adhesive. They use static to stick to glass. They are easily smoothed and very very easy to remove. I was thinking that a solid black sheet of vinyl sticker would make a great background. Plus it's only like $5 for a 55 gallon background. Any thoughts?

I would definitely buy some.

 

[Jules H-T]

Why don't you sell it on your website with your ornaments? 100% mark up and it'd still sell no problem. You have a reliable source too!

Test it though and see if it comes off (after a few weeks/months). If not, just call it permanent/extremely durable!

 

[jaarus]

In my opinion the only reason that this hasnt been done before is simply that its hard to display them as they will have to have a protective sheet protecting the image.

Sold from a website this will be easy to display and would work - but to make an item for large scale production (needed to remain viable product line) you need to consider selling to stores, and there comes the display problem - each store would need glass/acrylic display cabinets - OR - sample pictures - but sample pictures arent as warmly accepted as as we all know tank decoration is quite a tactile thing - you like to actually see it.


So whilst its a cracking idea - and we all know it is.
Much better than those inside tank stickers currently available.

Its hard to display and therefore hard to market - but marketed properly, its a winner.

Hope it works out for you

 

[big mick]

Its a good idea but you wont be able to patent it as its not really something you have have designed or invented per say (I may be wrong there) but mainly because you have just told everybody.....I am working on an aquarium related patent at present and think it will really take off but the main point is, if you think you are on to a winner DONT TELL ANYONE till you have the patent, like someone else said any of us can call it our invention now.

Good idea though.

 

[smmetz]

You do not have to design something new to get a patent, you can think of a new use for an existing, common material. If there is no patent for this kind of thing, I believe it would qualify as a new use for existing materials/products.

Also, if someone tries to patent you idea before you do, and you have documentation that you thought of it first, you may be able to do something about it. I believe the term is "prior art". However, it would take time and money to bother protecting your idea. Your posts here discussing the idea might qualify as "prior art" if someone else was patenting your idea.

 

[big mick]

Its true that you could patent this use for that existing material but the golden rule is still dont tell anyone though. like I said im working one one myself and if I told people what it is they could simply claim they came up with it first, there is alot more to it agree and i think the idea is good but if you do want to patent it i would look into it and perhaps look to develope the idea without giving anyone the details.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Torrean

Are these like the kind of things you buy at the dollar store and put on the windows as holiday decorations? If so, it sounds like a great idea to me.

Have you tested them out to see how well they will actually work out on the back of an aquarium?

 

[wendywc]

It's a good idea. However, it's only a different way to use an existing product and not a new invention. So I'm not sure it's patentable.

Plus the fees to patent it probably won't be worth it. I read once that:

If you have to defend a patent in court, it will require an attorney that is licensed to practice in Federal Court. This is expensive. About $5,000 for the retainer only.

 

[smmetz]

I agree with Wendywc, that it would cost crazy money to defend a patent, and it could also cost quite a bit to get the patent, not sure. However, I do know that you can patent a new use of an existing product - as long as it is not obvious.

 

[clareriley]

That sounds like a good idea, where would you get something like that in the UK?

 

[Torrean]

wow. what a response. Patents cost a ton of money. I wouldn't patent this idea for a long time. I've got enough ideas bouncin around in my head waiting for the money for a patent so I can start selling them. I was just wonderin if it could be patented. I think it could too. You should be able to get this stuff at a proffesional sign making/ printing store. It's static cling vinyl. you can get it printed on but I think black would be good enough for me.
Inch yeah I think this is the same stuff your talkin about.
Jules that's the idea =)
Jaarus I'm not planning on printing on the stuff but I guess I could. It would just increase cost a lot because it takes a 12,000 dollar machine to print on something that big. =) but hey if it works out I may just make an investment. Getting someone else to print it out would be a bit impracticle but I think i may try it if I get a bit of money in the near future.
smmetz you ever heard of a poor man's patent. It's where you send yourself a piece of mail with the idea in it so it gets postmarked.

I'm gonna be getting some of this stuff soon and I think i'm gonna test it on my ten gallon to see how easy it is to apply and take off. we shall see how it turns out. thanks for the feedback guys. Oh btw My sister does NOT use this stuff. I was confused the vinyl she uses has an adhesive. It can be used but it leaves a residue and is harder to remove. I can get this stuff pretty cheap though. We'll see how it goes.

 

[clareriley]

good luck