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The Cullector
This innovation initially came to life when…
My mum always used to catch the initial volume of cold water discharged from her shower in a bucket and use it on the garden, but a few years ago, when she hit her mid-70s, she abandoned the practice because it was just too much hard work.
With water restrictions also in place due to the drought, I decided to invent a better way to collect and use that water. The Cullector is the result of that inspiration, although it’s taken several years and 14 prototypes to perfect it!
WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
To collect and utilise the shower water normally wasted during warmup time and allow the user to monitor the incoming water temperature from within the shower cubical. The Cullector also eliminates the need to adjust taps and provides visual usage feedback.
It does this by…
A patented three-way ball valve is manually operated to direct the initial volume of cold water into a transparent reservoir. A small amount of water trickles from the rose to enable the user to monitor incoming water temperature.
Moving the ball valve to the On position mixes collected cold water back into hot water by Venturi. When the shower is finished the reservoir empties.
PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
Currently the only devices available on the market that address the shower water loss issues are expensive to purchase, require qualified tradespeople to fit them, and cause considerable disruption during installation. The Cullector is an inexpensive, off-the-shelf, self-powered, Do-It-Yourself retrofit.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
After 12 months of use, a single end-user can expect to save 26.4 kilo-litres of fresh water, eliminate 26.4 kilo-litres of grey water and reduce greenhouse gas emission by 7.7 tons and also save $222.81 on water and electricity bills.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Its predecessors/competitors include…
TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
The Cullector is exceptionally well placed to achieve strong growth within the burgeoning environmentally aware consumer markets. In April this year the Cullector won the ABC New Inventors Episode Award. As a result we have secured literally hundreds of pre-orders from the general public, sports clubs, retirement villages and entrepreneurs seeking supply and install opportunities. Distributors from Australia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Europe and India also await production. The Cullector provides environmental and financial benefit far beyond that of the initial user and is a necessary and timely inclusion to global water conservation.
DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
It is available for sale through…
Initial sales will be made via cullector.com. Bulk orders receive distributors discount. Selling direct minimises overheads, provides a healthy mark-up and is environmentally sound. Licensing agreements in USA will be sought when Australian sales can be demonstrated.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Initial sales will be to satisfy existing orders and to prove the supply chain and online infrastructure is robust. Ramping up will be achieved through incentive schemes, forums, social media, Google words, public awareness programs, radio, TV, direct sales, contractors and distributors.
SUPPORTING IMAGES
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