Frustrated with a flip-tab aluminum drink can that hasn’t been updated in 30 years, Savannah inventor Brian Bettis and his son Rocky have developed the iCan, a resealable, user-friendly prototype they hope will be the next big advance for the industry.
Now, after four years in development, the project is within days of going public on Kickstarter, the popular fundraising website. With more than $200,000 of their own money in the venture, the father-son team of transplanted Chicagoans hopes to raise some $95,000 to complete the first production run, introduce the product to distributors and manufacturers, secure licensing agreements and ultimately bring the iCan to the worldwide market.
“We have put our hearts and souls into this,” said Brian Bettis, a former boxer who has been inventing and developing products for the last 30 years. “I truly believe this is the logical next step for aluminum drink cans.”
Based on the body of today’s typical aluminum drink can, the iCan’s revolutionary features are in its top — a closable opening with flow control and no removable parts.
“Have you ever had your beer or soft drink go flat after you opened it?” the elder Bettis asked rhetorically. “Have you ever knocked it over and spilled it? Have you ever been enjoying an outdoor picnic or sporting event only to have a bug or dirt get into your can?
“The iCan eliminates all those things.”
Instead of a flip tab, which can pop off, the iCan top has a center mouthpiece that can be turned one way for beverage flow and the other way to seal.
“The one-piece design means there is no tab for children or animals to accidently swallow or cut themselves on, thus eliminating a lot of liability,” Bettis said. “It will also keep the product fresh longer and help prevent foreign objects from getting into the can.”
The goal in production is to create a better product while keeping the costs and weight per unit close to existing standards, he said, adding that Savannah will be home base for the project.
“We moved to Savannah two years ago because we wanted to be in a more laid-back, creative atmosphere. We’ve met so many interesting and talented people here, including SCAD students who have helped us put together a video for the Kickstarter site,” Bettis said.
Launched in 2009, Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games and music to art, design and technology is considered.
Each project is independently created and crafted by the people behind it, who have complete control and responsibility over their projects.
The project developers spend weeks building their project pages, shooting their videos, and brainstorming what rewards to offer backers. When they’re ready, creators launch their project and share it with their community.
Every project is required to have a funding goal and deadline. If people like the project, they can pledge money to make it happen.
If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers’ credit cards are charged when time expires.
If the project falls short, no one is charged. Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing.
Backers are not considered investors, as they get no equity stake in the business. A lot of them are simply rallying around a friend’s project or strongly believe in the product. Others look to the “rewards” of a first edition or other incentive.
While that might make it more difficult to raise the needed funds, Kickstarter organizers point out that in its four years of existence, more than $700 million has been pledged by more than four million people, funding some 45,000 creative projects.
Just a week or so away from launching their site, the iCan team of Bettis and Bettis hope theirs will be the next big Kickstarter success story.
“This is a well-thought-out, good-looking product that just makes sense,” said Rocky Bettis, who handles much of the marketing.
“We believe it is a winner.”
ON THE WEB
To see a draft of the iCan project on Kickstarter and offer feedback, go to:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/529422049/545942455?token=67f61df7
ON FACEBOOK