Staff reporter Angie DeRosa reported the following new product introductions from the National Hardware Show, held Aug. 11-13 in Chicago.
101 Plastics Inc. made its debut with the Can Top Painter's accessory kit.
Todd Bublitz, president of the new Calabasas, Calif.-based firm, said the product is intended to help consumers save money with a filter feature for reclaiming usable paint from an opened can. Additionally, a plastic extender allows consumers to add thinners without spilling.
The parts are molded from polypropylene and polyethylene. Bublitz outsources the molding to JW Molding Inc. in Newbury Park, Calif., which molds the parts on 55- and 110-ton presses.
Officials are working on a quart size for the same patented application.
Former contractor Damian Renzello introduced My Work Buddy, a reconfigured polyethylene jug that attaches to a tool belt.
Renzello said he originally filled the patent-pending jug with paint, using the opening as a holder for paint brushes and trim rollers. Now he also is marketing it for other applications including crafts and hobbies.
My Work Buddy is molded from 128 grams of recycled high density PE. An injection molded clip secures the device to a tool belt. The clip adjusts to accommodate right- or left-handers, he said.
Renzello would not disclose where the jug is blow molded. His firm, My Buddy Inc., is in East Montpelier, Vt.
Eldir Plastic Industries Ltd. wants to make it easier to ship its product across the Pacific. The Ramat Gan, Israel-based injection molder introduced stackable storage bins that collapse.
``We're trying to find solutions for nesting the products,'' said Avi Golan, general manager. The firm molds the polypropylene bins on presses with 100-250 tons of clamping force and sells them through all types of retailers. The firm operates one 54,000-square foot facility.