|
|
|
Product Magazines: Product Trends |
|
The new motorized scent-dispersing alarm clock from Harvest Way Ltd, called Scentime, is a multi-function innovation. It not only alerts the user to the time of day, but also surrounds him with his favourite perfume at any time.
Ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens or as a fragrant foil for smoky or stale atmospheres in meeting rooms or airplanes, the Scentime alarm clock disperses perfume via a miniature motor and fan. These devices are activated by a sliding switch at the top of the clock, which simultaneously opens an airflow vent. Perfect for promoting a sweeter night's sleep, it can also be helpful as a cold or flu treatment if used together with a medicinal oil, such as menthol or eucalyptus.
"This product's principal selling point is the highly absorbent cotton-sponge perfume pad that lets the user apply his or her own perfume or aromatherapy oil, for the purpose of creating cleaner, sweeter-smelling or healthier air," says the company's Hong Kong-based product designer, Mou Pui Kay.
Measuring just 90x60x25mm, the compact alarm clock makes a handy travelling companion for those keen to keep perfect "perfumed" time while on the move. "There are many frequent travellers who would enjoy the benefits of using their travelling alarm clock to disperse a favourite scent or herbal oil in a strange hotel room," Mau says.
Marketed as an innovative premium, the alarm clock costs US$2.80 ex-factory (in China) for a minimum order of 1,000. The clocks are manufactured in standard black, but customized colours are available for a minimum order of 3,000 units. there is also ample space for printing a company's own label.
Features on the Scentime include a large LCD and a light switch for easy time-display reading at night. The tiny SUN10-2270 Hong Kong-made motor and fan are operated by one AA-size battery. One button-cell battery runs the alarm clock.
The product was jointly designed and developed in Australia and Hong Kong, and its manufacturer is looking to Europe as a potential market, "We believe our best markets will be Europe, where we currently have a trial order," reveals marketing executive Ann Lee. "However, we are aiming for world-wide sales as it is a versatile product designed to allow the user to customize it according to his or her particular preferences," she notes.
Written by Debra Maynard
It's intelligent and fast, it extends the life of video battery packs and it's universally compatible. It is Eastbond Ind Ltd's newest solution to 8mm and VHSC camcorder battery charging and it looks set to make compatibility problems a thing of the past.
The Intelli-Switch video charger is the first in the world, according to Eastbond, that uses in-built software to switch internal connections to suit either Sony or Panasonic battery packs, whether NiMH or nicad.
The video charger also incorporates a true temperature-sensing pin, specially designed for the environmentally-friendly, heat-sensitive NiMH batteries, to guard against battery spoilage during the recharging process.
"The temperature sensing pin is a feature offered by only about 20% of video chargers on the market. It is an important function for recharging NiMH batteries as they have a tendency to overheat," explains Eastbond's marketing manager, Michael Chan. "Our temperature sensor automatically cuts back the recharging process if overheating occurs to ensure the battery will not be damaged," he adds.
Another feature of Eastbond's new video charger is its ability to erase irregularities in battery capacity memory, which can be caused by continued use of only a portion of the battery's full capacity. "We have built in a conditioning function that only needs to be run once a month to ensure the battery recharges to its full capacity," Chan explains.
According to Eastbound, the Intelli-Switch charger's advanced circuitry gives faster charging than its competitors: less than 65 minutes for a 1000mAH battery pack, without risk of any damage to battery chemicals. "Our testing also indicates that our temperature sensing technology helps a battery pack live 1.5 times longer than under less sophisticated recharging conditions," claims Chan.
The Intelli-Switch exterior mould is made from ABS and measures a compact 6x4x1.5in. It comes with an accessories pack designed to suit myriad external conditions, whether recharging at home, in the office or even while driving.
Another feature of the charger is its full-range capacity indicator that lets the user know the exact capacity of the battery during the recharging process.
Eastbond has the capacity to product 3,000-5,000 Intelli-Switch units per month. The company uses US-made integrated circuits and electronic components form the US, Japan and Taiwan in the manufacturing process. Each unit costs US$20-22 FOB Hong Kong for a minimum order of 300-500.
Written by Debra Maynard
Cheung Loi Plastic Products Company's design team has created a product that's clever in its simplicity: a portable crib light just right for tempering those midnight blues. It provides a warm glow of comfort and instrumental lullabies to calm restless babies or young children at night.
The U-shaped battery-operated light clips easily onto the side of a crib or bedstead and, with no need to be plugged into an electric socket, it provides soft lighting conveniently and safely.
"We wanted to create something that would be very convenient, very flexible, and very safe," explains Cheung Loi's manager, Kwok Ho-chuen. "Our designers spent some time assessing the market and saw nothing quite like this," he continues.
"We are very happy with the outlook for the Melody Light and we have received excellent feedback from our customers. They especially like the product's two-sided switch that gives the choice of light only or music and light together," relates Kwok.
The crib light is the newest item in Cheung Loi's Khons brand lighting range. It is manufactured in red and blue, although customized colours are available for a minimum order of 2,000 units. Adds Kwok, "We can also customize the three instrumental melodies that are incorporated into the light."
In listing the product's selling points, Kwok points out, "the Melody Light's compact 5x5in size makes it easy to use and versatile for positioning on cribs, changing tables, bedsteads or bedside lockers. It is also a good traveller, easily adaptable for use while on holidays or visiting relatives and friends.
"Based on our customer research, we see the most scope for this new product in Europe and the US, where we expect strong interest from private-label customers," reveals Kwok. "The product is designed so that company logos can be attractively printed." The melody light costs US$16.50 FOB Hong Kong for a minimum order of two dozen.
Written by Debra Maynard
In these environmentally-aware times, energy-efficient appliances are all the rage and eagerly sought after by ecologically-conscious consumers. Which is precisely why Sowah Technology Ltd has created a bench-top oven complete with hot pan or barbecue grill for multi-function cooking.
Baking and grilling simultaneously, or frying eggs and sausages while cooking fresh oven-baked muffins, is made easy this all-in-one compact oven that weighs just 6kg and measures 39.6x37.6x39.6cm.
The interchangeable barbecue grill and frying plate fit neatly into the top panel of the oven to gain maximum benefit from the oven's power consumption. Sowah has given the oven a stainless steel interior wall and a standard white exterior finish.
Features include a semi-automatic timer selection, a choice of rack positions for cooking versatility, and a large window set into a conventional vertically hinged oven door. The oven operates on a power consumption voltage of 600W. Power supply specifications are 220V and 50Hz or 110V and 60HZ.
Although certification approvals for various markets are not automatically available. Sowah can provide them for large orders. The product costs US$29.60 FOB Hong Kong for a minimum order of 550 units.
Written by Debra Maynard
 |
Subscription Form | |
More Publications |
 |
tdctrade.com | Web Directory | My Virtual Office | Business News |
| About TDC | Feedback | Help | |
|
Copyright (c) 2000 Hong Kong Trade Development Council. All rights reserved. |
