U.S. Patent No. D893,618
PRODUCT HISTORY
History of the
Practeze® Folder
TIMELINE
2006-2008
Conception and Provisional Patent Filed.
2010
Prototype manufactured.
2016
Official product launch.
2020
Awarded U.S. Patient
#D893,618
2025
Practeze® Folders attends ASD Market Week Trade Show!
During the 2006-2007 school year, I was taking continuing education piano lessons with Dr. Liang You at the University of Houston. She encouraged me to use a mirror while practicing so I could work on my technique. This was much easier said than done. I attempted to prop up mirrors of different sizes next to my piano in the living room. This was not convenient. I also thought about how I liked to use a mirror while playing the flute so I could check my embouchure. I was using cosmetic mirrors for this purpose at the time.
I thought it would be convenient if I could have a mirror inside a music folder that I could use on a music stand. I tried to buy one online and there was nothing available. So I decided I would make it myself. Materials included, an old folder, duct tape, non-breakable plastic mirrors.
In 2008 I spoke to an attorney about the possibility of patenting the idea and we filed a provisional patent for the design in January 2009. Patent filing requires patience as it takes time for the application to be reviewed. While I waited, I worked with a design company that created a digital sample of the final product, secured domain names and trademarks.
In late 2013, I sent the digital design to Mannolucci Designs, a handbag factory based in New York City and they agreed to create the first samples. The first sample was completed in summer 2014.
Later that year, I launched a Kickstarter campaign to try to raise enough funds to place the first minimum order with the Mannolucci Design factory in China. Although I did not raise my monetary goal through the Kickstarter campaign, my story was featured on our local news network abc13 and the campaign also gave me some exposure to other designers. I was able to find a factory willing to make fewer units per order in Kingston, Jamaica.
I worked with two designers and we created a lightweight fabric version of the product. Carlos Corredor, a local shoe maker, sewed both the faux leather and fabric versions of the product. I had the first 100 samples made in Jamaica and the product was officially launched in 2016 at a recital for students of the prestigious ICHS Orchestra.
The patent application went through a long process with several revisions along the way. Finally in Aug 2020, I was awarded a U.S. Patent for the Practeze Folder design.
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Production has been on hold as the hand made products were not always consistent, making quality control difficult to manage. My current goal is to find a manufacturer/distributor to fully bring this product to the market.
