This is an easy one. Probably the most trivial idea yet, but I believe it to be something that would have tremendous value to the millions of TV watchers. Let’s say you are browsing around the “dial” watching cable TV. You have at least a hundred channels with cable or satelite these days, and likely half of them are duplicates. They are duplicates because for nearly every channel these days, there is a high definition version of it. Most remotes have a “last” or “previous” button. They should add a HD button. You are browsing around and find a cool show to watch, but you would rather see the HD version of the program, and you don’t want to open up the guide, and then scroll up to the higher range of channels to find out if it’s even there. What a waste of time. Conversely, you are watching an HD sporting event and you frankly like the layout of the nonHD better. Very simply, the button would automatically switch to the HD version of the channel you are watching, or vice versa. If there was no HD or nonHD equivalent, it would simply put up a prompt, “channel not available.” That would be a cool feature.

Many of my supplements have a desiccant bag hanging around in the bottle. This is great for keeping them from sticking together.  Some other things we all have, could use some of that de-humidification, but alas, it would not be convenient, and perhaps even unsightly.

For instance, the screw top container I put sugar in for my coffee could use some desiccant.  I prefer to use light brown sugar and it likes to clump together.  I have the solution, and I will be filing a patent on this one as well.

Instead of using a loose bag, put the desiccant agent into a round wafer shaped container, and on one side attach a peel and stick adhesive.  Take off the top of any container that needs humidity control, and stick the desiccant in a neat, clean and out of the way place that will never contact your goodies.

UPDATE – in the process of patent search I found this idea, circa 2006, Desiccant Bottle Cap – us patent US 6,986,807  As I mentioned at the start of this blog, it is a sharing and learning thing for me, so while I am disappointed to find this already filed, I will always feel validation when I see that others have had patents awarded for something that I genuinely thought of on my own.  My question now is why didn’t this idea reach mainstream?  I can’t say how many pill bottles I have opened, but I don’t recall seeing a desiccant cap in any of them.  This is the most disappointing thing.  I would assume the patent owner tried to make too much money upfront and people were content to use the standard bag-in-a-bottle.  This is a shame.

Anyway, there is always a solution.  🙂
My solution here is a small plastic clip, with an adhesive backing.  This would be an acceptable bypass to the intent of the patent referenced above, because it would not be a container attached to the adhesive, and it would not be limited to desiccant.  Perhaps another patent here, but I’ve got far bigger fish to fry.  (April 17)