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Product Magazines: Product Trends |
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With the hear disease as the No.1 killer in the West, more and more people are concerned about what they are eating. Or, more to the point, they are concerned about how much cholesterol they are consuming. A new device from Hong Kong can help people find out.
The Pocket Diet and Health Organizer is more than a just a weight watcher's guide -- it also provides a valuable aid to those who have medical problems. So says Michael Shufrin, the director )Asian operations) of Sisbro International Technology Inc.
"The Dietcoach, the unit's trade name, is extremely broad-based", explains Shufrin. "For example, a diabetic needs to control insulin by monitoring his carbohydrate intake, and the Dietcoach is one of the only units on the market that is able to monitor carbohydrate intake."
According to Shufrin,, various distinguished members of the medical profession have worked on the development of the unit as clinical researchers. "The Dietcoach has been approved by the American Heart Association," he adds.
By keeping a diary of the daily and weekly consumption of all foods, the Dietcoach helps the user to keep track of calories and fat (including the percentage of calories derived form fat) and levels of sodium and cholesterol. The unit also measures carbohydrates and proteins in grams. Over 2,000 foods and drinks are pre-programmed including many fast foods and brand names. There is also a facility to manually enter unlisted foods and their serving sizes.
Packed with the Dietcoach system are the Dietcoach Cookbook, which shows how to cook tasty and healthy foods with less fat, and the Dietcoach Users guide, which contains simple instructions, nutritional guidelines and exercise tips. An attractive portable and compact case is also included.
Although the company is targetting the 30-50-year-old age group, Shufrin says that all ages can benefit from this product, which was launched early in 1995.
Researched and designed in the US but manufactured in China, the unit sells in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. The approximate price per unit is US$20 FOB Hong Kong, depending on volume. An instructional video tape is also available to facilitate use of the system.
Written by Karen Roberts
Oil is an essential ingredient in many soups and dishes, but too much of it can make even the most delicious meal a greasy disaster. Now, oily soup can become a thing of the past, thanks to a new ladle which separates unwanted oil from the greasiest of soups.
The oil separating soup ladle, produced by Courtesy Ltd, is available in two models -- with or without a separating filter.
"Asian people don't like soup with too much grease or fat in it, but sometimes it's unavoidable. In Japan, oil is separated from casseroles or soups by transferring them to a kettle and pouring, but now with this ladle, the soup can be served directly to the bowl using the ladle and most of the oil is left behind on the ladle's scoop," explains Calvin Leung, Courtesy's manager.
"This means that the oil can then be simply poured away. With this product, serving soup without the oil becomes much more convenient and less time consuming."
The ladle has two scoops -- one holds the soup while the other contains the leftover oil. the company has been working on the product for the past year, designing a scoop for the ladle that would make pouring easy while ensuring that the oil stays out of the serving dishes.
"The mould was very difficult to design because it's quite complicated, but samples of the ladle are now available," Leung adds.
The first model, the MK01, comes with a nylon separator which takes away the excess oil from soup automatically and filters residue form the soup, as well.
The second model, the MK01A, tackles greasy soup by separating the oil from the other ingredients, but comes without a filter and requires a little more skill and judgement form the cook to make sure all the oil is left behind.
Cleaning the ladle is made easy by detaching parts, and a drip-free-spout means pouring the soup is also mess-free.
A minimum order of 1,500-2,000 ladles, or between HK$15,000 and HK$20,000, is required. Premiums are also available, but a similar minimum order applies.
Orders normally take about 45 days to deliver from the company's factory in China.
Written by Norma Connolly
Hygienic, water-soluble toilet seat covers are now available from a Hong Kong manufacturer.
The white paper disposable covers, produced by the Fung Lee Co, give customers of restaurants, hotels, airlines or any other business with lots of too traffic, an inordinate amount of reassurance during their short life spans. They keep the user away from bacteria that can cause skin diseases and other unpleasant problems.
"It's quite a simple but effective product," explains Andrew Lo, company owner. "User don't even have to touch the paper once it has been used, because it drops into the lavatory when the toilet is flushed. this means it is very hygienic."
Each carton contains 35 packs of 80 covers in 18g or 21g sizes. there is no minimum order and shipments are available in 20ft containers of 430 cartons. Purchases of more than two containers can be delivered within 30 days, but smaller orders may take slightly longer.
Each carton costs US$35, and there are discounts of up to 3% for container orders. Pocket-sized packets of paper seat covers are available for premiums. Each packet contains three or five covers. Mini-packs cost US$0.32 each.
"Logos and designs from various clients can be printed on these small packs. Customers tend to use these for promotions or simply carry them with them whilst travelling," says Lo.
Produced in China, the seat covers are ideal for use in public toilets, as well as facilities at airports, hotels and offices. Fung Lee already supplies markets in Japan, the US and Europe.
"In Hong Kong, the toilet seat covers are not yet as popular as they are in some of the other countries we supply, but I think it is beginning to catch on and we have already received quite a few enquiries from companies here," says Lo.
Fung Lee, which is based in Kwai Chung in the New Territories, is producing samples aimed specifically for the Hong Kong market. Pockets of the seat covers being produced with Chinese character instructions have just been introduced, as well.
Written by Norma Connolly
Do-It-Yourself is all the rage these days. At the weekend many people like nothing better than rolling up their sleeves and getting down to some serious household or car improvements. Having the right tools for the job is a must, but too often keen workers find that they just do not have the necessary equipment. In the realm of wrenches that problem is now solved. T.H.E. WRENCH provides an entire set of wrenches in the palm of the hand and is suitable for both enthusiastic amateurs and professionals alike.
Manufactured and marketed by global Inventions Ltd, managing director Anil R Vora says that T.H.E. WRENCH -- the first word is an acronym for Tough, High-performance, Economical - is a revolutionary design made from a durable steel alloy.
No stranger to marketing new products, Vora points out, "We specialize in producing and marketing patented inventions or new ideas. An invention is something that overcomes a problem. T.H.E. WRENCH is our latest problem solver."
As well as being an entire wrench set, the product also boasts such features as a large handle for better leverage and maximum power. Vora points out that the tool meets all international safety standards and is available in two different sizes. Price per unit is US$3.95 FOB Hong Kong for the larger; minimum order quantity is 2,400 units and delivery takes up to 60 days following the receipt of a L/C.
Vora has high expectations for T.H.E. WRENCH. He notes that this is due in no small part to Global's Hong Kong location, which is ideal for worldwide marketing, and cost-efficient manufacturing in China. The company's 150-employee Dongguan factory turns out 20,000 T.H.E. WRENCHes every month in addition to 50 other innovative products, many of which Global holds worldwide patents for. A prolific inventor himself, Vora reveals that 20% of the products are his own inventions.
With its reasonable prices, excellent quality and registered trademarks, it's unlikely that anything could throw a wrench in Global Inventions' works.
Written by Steve Clay
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