Anthony Bird sent a message to Michael Polk that said:
Dear Mr Polk,
I have invented a new cleaning device for the home, which is designed for a specific task, and following a worldwide patent search I am confident that nothing like it currently exists. It is now in the hands of a Patent Attorney who is seeking to get a patent granted for it.
I am contacting you to see if you have any interest in it, and if so, I would be able to let you or your product development team see professionally produced CAD images of it, showing what it looks like and how it works. There is also a basic prototype that demonstrates it working. My ultimate aim is to licence it to a major manufacturer. I am approaching Newell Rubbermaid because it is an innovative company and my invention is an innovation, supplying the solution to a cleaning problem never thought of before.
My "real" job is a Director of a market research company and I used my experience in this field to gauge the level of interest among consumers. Over 95% of them were concept positive; In other words if a device existed that carried out this particular cleaning function, they would be interested in owning one. The reason I came up with the invention is because it makes a difficult and unpleasant job a great deal easier, and if one was already available I would definitely buy it myself. I think it could be a worldwide best seller.
I would be very grateful if you would let me have your thoughts please.
Many thanks.
Anthony Bird