To those who tape your mouths shut

[Raj]

Intriguing, and I'd certainly be delighted to try it. I can see several possibilities for what you have in mind and am hoping you realize that your key to success here is not only effectiveness but comfort.

[OutaSync]

I wear a chinstrap and tape every night. I will be very interested to see what you come up with. Bonus points for you if you can make it look sexy

[plr66]

I'm another one of those committed mouth-tapers, and would be delighted to be one of your testers. You sure have my support for trying to find an effective alternative!! Thanks for venturing forth.

[SharkBait]

Without giving my idea away, (I have to patent it first)...

Sit down and write yourself a detailed letter on how to do this. Seal the document in an envelope and go to the post office and send it to yourself via Registered Mail. Viola, proof of concept date stamped right on the envelope. Of course, don't open the letter, just hold on to it in case you ever need to prove a concept date.

Or... sit down with a patent attorney. The day you disclose your invention to him is the day the clock starts running.

You were correct not to reveal your invention on a message board. It would have then been in public domain and technically not patentable (although realistically you still could have done so...).

[RipVW]

Without giving my idea away, (I have to patent it first) I am going to be able to give patients the choice of any mask they want to wear, and I am fully confident that the way I am going to go about it will work for anyone who has tried to tape their mouths shut. IF the power goes off, the patient will be able to breath through his mouth once the machine turns off. HOW? Well, you will have to wait and see. I just wanted to thank you guys for giving me a truly tough question that has taken me three weeks to answer. ONce I have developed my first "seal guard" I will let you all know, and maybe some of you will want to take a test drive with it. I would like to give some out in the beginning, so anyone interested let me know.

And, don't forget to protect yourself against liabilities associated with providing such a product--forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and acquiring insurance are must do's, in my my view, just in case someone claims the product did them harm. Such a pain (and expense!) to do that, but I know my wife did the research and we decided we had to do this to protect our assets when we started selling our product. Many consumers don't realize that these kinds of expenses do add to the final retail price of products.

SharkBait's patent system is also used for copyrighting, commonly known as the "poor man's copyright/patent." That's a good idea, but I suggest going ahead and getting a "real" patent as well, since that offers even stronger protection against anyone who might try to steal your idea.

Can't wait to see your product unveiled! Good luck!

[kteague]

Looks like you'll have no shortage of willing volunteers to test your product (including me). I'm all for anything that gives us users options to help optimize our therapy. Like most options, a well thought out solution will work for a segment of the cpap population. Best wishes in your endeavor.
Kathy

[TerryB]

I use polident adhesive strips every night and would be very interested in an alternative.
I would hope it won't cause excess salivation.
Put me on a test drive list.

Thanks,
TerryB

[MrSandman]

I wear a chinstrap and tape every night. I will be very interested to see what you come up with. Bonus points for you if you can make it look sexy

Here you go:

[MrSandman]

You might want to go here and see if your idea isn't already taken : http://www.nevadatmj.com/treatment.php

[cpapsue]

Mr Sandman . . .

Works for me !!!

[OutaSync]

lol....okay, I changed my mind...that doesn't look very comfortable...and I'll bet she doesn't get much sleep.

[dieselgal]

Thankfully I am not a mouth breather so I don't have the problem but judging from this board many people could use something that helps with that.

[Snoozie]

I have been a high tech taper and combo Poligrip Strip user for a few years now. Would be very interested in something a little more classy!

[wlenz]

I recently was convinced by people in this forum that I need to tape. So, for the past two weeks I am a firm taper, or tapir...one of those cuties that Rested Gal snapped a photo of. It has helped, but is a problem when I sneeze or cough. Hope your system works. I would also like to volunteer for testing.
Bill

[Debjax]

I will let you all know, and maybe some of you will want to take a test drive with it. I would like to give some out in the beginning, so anyone interested let me know.

Color me in for a test drive...can't tape and chinstrap drives me nuts. The problem is that it's not a long trip....