January/February 2002: New Products

Protection for children’s fingers
Children can easily injure their fingers when doors slam shut. To avoid such injuries Arte Viva is introducing its patented, TÜV certified “Finger Alert”, an invention designed to cover the gap between the door and the doorjamb. The product consists of two transparent plastic strips each 1.2 metres long. Adhesive tape runs along both sides of the strips for easy installation.
Arte Viva, NL-3961 XL Wijk bij Duurstede, Fax +31/343/43 25 93
Effective aid
Darren Motley (pictured) invented the Nail Gripper as a means of ensuring that the hammer landed on the nail and not on his thumb. The device he came up with is a triangular shaped tool made of yellow plastic that will hold nails of varying sizes securely in place while they are being hammered in. The triangular design makes it possible to get into all sorts of awkward corners.
Pro-Activ Product Design, GB-Edwinstowe,Nottingham, NG21 9PR, Fax +44/16 23/82 78 37
Simple installation
The timber panelling system known as “La boiserie d’antan” is simple to install without causing any damage to either the wall or the wood. It can also be used on uneven walls. A great number of components including wallpaper, mirrors and tiles can be integrated into the system. Protected by a worldwide patent, the system was originally designed for woodworking specialists, but now the company has also developed a variant specifically for DIY applications.
Begue, F-88700 Jeanmenil, Fax +33/3 29 65 40 54
Visible storage
Available from Plastiken is “Power Tool Case 40”, a toolbox made of plastic. The box is lined with a special mat to prevent damage to the tools from jolting. The lid contains an organiser for small items of hardware, and there are special holders for bits as well as for the most commonly used drill bits. The contents of the hardware box are visible to the user through the transparent lid.
Plastiken, E-46891 Palomar (Valencia), Fax +34/96/290 10 88
Waste sorting system
The System Select is a rubbish sorting aid. It is available in two sizes: Select 400 consists of two containers with a 27.5 litre capacity and Select 600 has four containers and a capacity of 44.5 litres. The system is manufactured from recycled materials. It is simple to install and can be opened either to the right or to the left. The handles are of different colours to help in identifying the separate bins.
Ima Norsacan, S-335 23 Gnosjö; Fax +46/70/ 5 58 36 81