This was mounted on a tripod. The system worked and has been featured on the National Geographic's "I didn't know that" channel.

The device worked with a hand-held viewer but only over short distances. It was decided to switch to mobile phones. A second 'desk-top' prototype was made by PES Ltd and this was able to send photos and a text message to the users mobile phone.

This system was also featured in the motoring section of the Evening Standard.

Both systems were 'desktop' or demo versions and it was necessary to build a fully-functioning version that could be field-tested in a vehicle. This was done and is shown below

This is a fully-functioning workshop version. We are presently reducing the size of the components to fit inside the casing shown below:

The fourth version is under construction. Spy-Systems Ltd hope to launch the product in 2010. (For further information, see Business Opportunities).

....The second case study covers the commercial application of sliced lemons!

Case Study 2: the Lemon Slicer

The Smart-Slice can be purchased directly from our sister website.

The story of how Tim Jones has taken this from a concept to a fully manufactured item on sale in several European countries is fascinating. In terms of initial development this very stylish and beautifully designed item started off as a simple test apparatus in the PES workshop...

Tim Jones approached PES Ltd in 2004. His business idea was that pubs, clubs and restaurants need to have a way to dispense fresh lemon slices. He wanted to provide a product that would fulfill this function. The photo above shows how far Tim has come with this award-winning invention. However, it started with a simple apparatus to test the working principle (below). We decided to make a mock-up to test the idea: would the blade cut the lemons (half-lemons) cleanly and evenly or would they just squash and become a mess?

The results were actually inconclusive initially. The blade seemed sharp but the apparatus was only partially successful. We discovered that this was due to the acid in the lemon juice attacking the edge of the knife causing it to blunt very quickly. Using fresh lemons and a stainless-steel blade seemed to solve this and we moved on to build a first-prototype according to Tim's requirements. As well as this, the mock-up helped to select the angle of the blade and other key features.

This worked well and justified Tim's basic design concept : stacking a vertical column of prepared lemon halves and having a horizontal 'guillotine'. It enabled Tim to file his patent application knowing that he had worked out a viable solution and solved the initial design problems. The design was then further developed by Tim using funds from the Wales Innovators Network (WIN).

Tim Jones has now fully developed the design into a viable product as you can see below.

This won the "Invention of the Year" award (Industrial section 1) at the 2006 British Invention Show.

Tim appeared briefly on Dragon's Den in 2007. The Dragon's were not interested but undeterred Tim continued to seek backers.

Tim has now launched his company and is selling successfully in the UK and in mainland Europe. This product can be purchased online here... Smart-Slice