Questions from Google's 10 to 100th Challenge
TimeDot™
10. What one sentence best describes your idea?
Peel it off a roll, stick it on anything, when the color changes the item has expired
and is accurate from days to years independent of temperature.
11. Describe your idea in more depth.
TimeDot™ is a breakthrough device which enables automatic, visual notification of
expiration. Once activated it provides a visual indication of a passage of time or
completion of elapsed period of time. The size of a band aid it is disposable and
features an ultra-low cost of manufacture. TimeDot™ indicates to a user that an
expiration date has been reached or exceeded by turning a bright color. It replaces
expiration dates and sell-by dates that have been printed on items. It also replaces
deadline and expiration systems such as scanners, manual journals and written
logs. Unlike competing technologies, TimeDot™ will perform these functions
accurately independent of external environmental factors such as temperature,
humidity and vibration.
It: Enables quick and easy identification of expiration dates or time segments •
Replaces almost any other expiration system • Adheres to almost any surface •
Features an ultra-low cost per application • Has a long shelf life • is temperature
Independent • Expiration occurs as a sudden color change or as a progression
over time • Color change can be seen by unaided human eye even from a distance
•Accuracy is not effected by temperature. TimeDot™ will be sold directly to
consumers as well as licensed to manufacturers for inclusion within their products,
packaging and labels. TimeDot™ answers questions such as: • When should I
rotate my inventory? • How old is that food in the refrigerator? • Has my medication
expired? • Is the milk, I'm about to buy, still fresh? • How do I know when to rotate
my tires or change my oil? • When does preventative maintenance need to be
performed on my equipment? • Is that visitor badge still valid?
12. What problem or issue does your idea address?
There does not currently exist an inexpensive, visual elapsed time indicator whose
accuracy is maintained independent of temperature. TimeDot™ monitors the shelf
life of any food product and non-food product. It replaces sell-by dates which don’t
tell you how long they have been on the shelf or how long the item has been
opened. TimeDot™ improves health by indicating the freshness of medication and
perishable foods. It improves safety by knowing when to rotate tires or perform
periodic maintenance. It saves money by aiding in inventory rotation and adds
security by indicating invalid visitor badges.
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and
how?
Consumers will enjoy purchasing meat, fish, milk and baby food which is fresher.
Consumers will have more confidence in purchasing perishables of all types.
People who are taking medical prescription will enjoy being able to clearly see
expiration dates. The Retail industry will enjoy an alternative to cumbersome and
expensive tracking systems now used in the process of inventory rotation. In
addition, grocery stores as well as distribution centers will benefit from selling "first
in - first out" thus avoiding spoilage.
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground?
We are at laboratory proof-of-concept stage. Our next step, subject to minimal
funding, will be to produce test-phase prototypes after which we will roll out. Initial
roll out will be to fortune 500 companies who have already expressed interest in the
technology. Four Patents have already been issued.
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and
successfully implemented. How would you measure it?
Our measure of success will be to see the technology implemented within the
grocery and food industry, consumer’s homes, packaging and medical industries,
auto and retail industries world-wide.
18. If you'd like to recommend a specific organization, or the ideal type of
organization, to execute your plan, please do so here.
Angel investors who posses honesty, a sense of fairness and vision.