Warm Hands, Cold Beer

from Smart Start IP Australia

NEW SPIN ON AN AUSSIE FAVOURITE

There may well be something a touch comical about the origins of this invention, but you'll soon stop laughing when you find out its sales have passed the 100,000 mark. The story of the Stubbyglove's origins is one that any beer-drinker will love - and Glen Krummel swears every word is true.

One cold evening in the Snowy Mountains in 2000, Glen, his brother Leon and friend Jim Kroezen had been waterskiing and were enjoying a quiet beer. To keep their hands warm in the freezing air, Glen and Leon alternated 'drinking' hands to allow one hand to remain warm while the other one held the stubby holder containing their beer.

Jim did'nt have that luxury given the fact that he has only one arm, and his hand was constantly out in the cold air. They joked that it would be great to have a stubby holder with a glove attached that would keep their hand warm and their beer cold.

About 18 months later the three of them took a ski holiday to New Zealand and Jim produced his 'invention' - a neoprene glove which had been glued to a stubby holder. He had decorated them and gave one each to Glen and Leon as a gift.

The trio thought that the idea could become a commercial success so they decided it would be wise to try and protect it. They went to the telephone directory to locate someone who could give them a hand getting the right sort of protection - a patent attorney.

"We got all the way to G before we found someone who could see us that day," Glen said.

"They originally told us it couldn't be patented. With the standard patent you have to prove it is a new idea - gloves have been around forever and stubby holders have too."

"So we left a sample with them, and got a call from the attorney that day to say we may have some eligibility under the innovation patent."

Glen said employing a professional was a wise decision given the fact that the trio had no experience in the preparing patent applications.

"The detailed information and illustrations composed by our attorney was far more specific and relevant than we could have ever hoped to produce ourselves," he said.

The three mates decided to have their innovation patent examined and certified by IP Australia, because, without the innovation patent being certified, they would not be able to stop others from copying the Stubbyglove. On one occasion the company successfully negotiated terms for royalties.

Today the company distributes to a retail network of about 230 outlets. Glen said it was vital to be vigilant about protecting their innovation patent to ensure the growth of the company in years to come.

The future is looking bright for the three mates who dared to make their idea a reality and then were smart enough to protect it with an innovation patent. One thing is for sure, you can bet that when they drink to the success of their invention, the beer will be cold!