The Impressor tenderizes meat three ways, says inventor Ed Ferenick. It's available at The 2009 International Home & Housewares Show is all about new products and designs, however a special section was reserved for new inventors.
Most of these newly developed products aren't officially on the market yet and the inventors at the show were hoping to find manufacturers and distributors.
However, a few enterprising inventors are offering their products on their own Web sites.
Here are the highlights:
PlateTopper - Invented by Michael Tseng, the PlateTopper was selected as one of the best inventions at show. The food-storage container has a clear cover and silicone ring that creates an airtight seal on any plate. The stackable product can survive dishwashers and microwaves.
It was designed as an alternative to using aluminum foil or plastic wrap to store food on plates. The product is scheduled to hit the market in June (price to be determined). To find out more about it: www.platetopper.com.
Above All Shower Shelf - "I dropped the soap in the shower and when I bent down to pick it up, I wrenched my back," said inventor Will Bishop.
So he developed a new plastic shelf that screws easily onto the top of a sliding shower door.
Bishop says the shower caddy is better than traditional ones that fit over the shower head or secure to a wall. It doesn't rust or fall down. Although the product is not at stores yet, you can buy one for $25 at: www.aboveallshowershelf.com.
Impressor - Ed Ferenick says his invention tenderizes meat in three ways. The main component features 60 long, steel spikes, with interchangeable parts that have different chrome-plated textured surfaces.
It's not available to the public yet. For information, visit: www.butcherskitchen.com.
CornCobbR and CornCappR - Making it easier to eat corn is the goal of the Cornpatibles company.
Representative Stephanie Vlahos says the CornCobbR ($4.99 suggested retail price) lets people slice off the corn from the cob in easy stroking motions.
The CornCappR ($6.99) is a pair of rubber rings that fit on the ends of the corn. "You put the rings on and then cook the corn. When it's ready, the rings stay cool to the touch, so it's easier to eat hot corn," Vlahos said. You can buy them now by visiting: www.cornpatibles.com.
Thee Throne - This toilet has an electronic component that raises or lowers the entire bottom of the toilet bowl.
"I used to play football in college and have an old back injury, so I designed the product for that reason," said inventor Marshall Hennington.
The mechanical toilet can lift a body weighing up to 500 pounds and is childproof. "This is great for a family where everyone prefers a different toilet height," Hennington said.
The product is in the prototype stage. Hennington estimates that when it gets on the market, it's expected to cost about $300.
The Foot Wizard Plus - Inventor Loren Samuelson's product is simple in premise. Make a pair of slippers into a mop. The slippers come with interchangeable bottom attachments that can dust, clean or shine a floor.
"This is a great product for physically challenged people or for the elderly," Samuelson said. The product is not yet on the market.
