My last blog, Business Schmizness its all about the Invention, leads me to discuss in this article, the type/category of the invention. The PANTREE (R) invention is a cookware and lid organizer designed to fit inside of a base kitchen cabinet . I believe it’s critical in product development to clearly understand exactly the basic functions of good organizers ( in my case ) in general BEFORE embarking in the development process.
1) Organize: When you have a knives, forks and spoons in a kitchen drawer without dividers or rows and rows of spices in a cabinet having to pick up 3 or 4 to find the label of the one you want or cookware stacked and shoved in a bottom cabinet along with non matching lids needing to find the 3 quart covered saucepan that you know you own but just can’t put your fingers on it. True organizers are engineered and designed to solve both convenience and accessiblity to the problem. So a drawer organizer will separate out the knives from the forks, a spice rack will display each spice in its own cubicle and the PANTREE (R) ( hey its my blog ) will separate each piece of cookware so one can access each piece separately along with 4 matching lids.
2) Save Space : Using the example of 20 different spices lined up on shelf so that one can easily see each spice label or place each piece of cookware separate from the next are two good examples of needing an organizer that saves space. Shelves and Drawers are NOT ORGANIZERS therefore are not SPACE SAVERS.
3) Added Convenience: Kitchen designers for example designed lower cabinet drawers to accommodate larger kitchen ware items such as cookware, bakeware, ceramic serving bowls and other heavier larger items. The drawers slide out so there is an element of convenience. The problem is that all these drawers provide is easier access to the same disorganized space problem that one had before. An organizer that provides added convenience, actually streamlines the ability to access the things you need, not to just add convenience to accessing the PROBLEM.
If I were to add a 4th function or characteristic to what I believe is an organizer that truly solves the problem(s) that it was designed for, then lets add……….solves the problem where the problem exists. For example, what good is a hanging spice rack or a spice rack designed for counter space if you have no available wall space or counter to put it on. Wall and counter racks in this case certainly are viable and good alternatives but the best organizers function in the same place where the problem exists.
I an Elliot Anker, the owner of Vertical Storage Solutions Inc., the organizer inventor. Please visit my website www.pantree.com .
