Snapit Screw Awarded Utility Patent
Reinforces OptiSource’s commitment to innovation.
DECEMBER 6, 2011 — BELLPORT, N.Y. — OptiSource International (www.1-800-optisource.com) is pleased to announce that the Snapit Frame Screw, for which OptiSource has exclusive distribution rights in North America, has been awarded U.S. patent #8070403 for utility, also referred to as a patent for invention. The U.S. Patent Office decisively granted the patent based on more than 60 claims. Snapit was also awarded Australian patent #2011101044. Additional patents are pending in more than 30 countries and issuances are expected shortly.
Innovative, time-saving Snapit screws – which are used in hinges and eyewires for repairs, assembly, and mounting – take the pain out of eyeglass repair, and have become one of the most talked-about products in the optical industry. In the 18 months since OptiSource International introduced Snapit at the 2010 Vision Expo East in New York, more than 2.5 million have been sold. OptiSource sells Snapit in 26 hinge and eyewire designs. Plans are in place to grow the Snapit line to approximately 40 screw sizes that will fit every type of frame.
“Snapit’s patent award illustrates OptiSource’s commitment to bringing innovative lens processing products to market,” said Daryl Squicciarini, vice president of OptiSource. “It further strengthens OptiSource’s position as the solutions-based supplier for ECPs and wholesale labs. We are excited for the patent issuance – it was long overdue.”
The wait to receive the patent has allowed other companies to introduce Snapit imitations to the marketplace. According to the inventor, patent infringers will be pursued.
“The fact that you can get a patent on a screw in the year 2011 is incredible. With all of the thousands of people who use little screws, nobody’s ever thought of this before,” said Snapit inventor Nancy Tedeschi. “Once we introduced Snapit, similar products began coming out of the woodwork. Now that Snapit is patented, if someone infringes on that patent — not only manufacturing an imitation but selling it and using it as well — we plan to take action.”
Since its launch, Snapit has won the top prize and the People's Choice Award at the National Invention Contest sponsored by the Inventor's Club of Kansas City, received the Award of Excellence from the Optical Laboratories Association, and won both the 2011 award of excellence for the Australia Optical Association and the 2011 National Hardware Retailers Choice Award.
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Throughout the industry, OptiSource is recognized as The Optical Supply Resource, providing selection, convenience, and expertise to opticians, optometrists, and wholesale labs. OptiSource is the manufacturer of ALL OFF, the world’s most widely used progressive marking ink remover; the exclusive distributor of the wildly popular Snapit Frame Screw; and also provides a full array of lab chemicals, blocking pads, lens cleaners, cloths, nose pads, frame screws, hand tools, accessories, finishing machinery, consumable supplies, and much more. Visit OptiSource on the web at www.1-800-optisource.com or call 1-800-OptiSource (678-4768).
For press inquiries, please contact Lori Schneider at (631) 924-8360 EXT. 111 or lori@1-800-optisource.com.
