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Ten inventions for 1998

The Hobbs Cat Flap

This device applies a liquid pesticide to your cat as it passes through the cat flap, to kill any fleas that the pet might be carrying indoors.

Its inventor says this special cat flap creates "a blanket of pesticide on the pet from the back of the neck to the base of the tail". By killing fleas at the house entrance, the device reduces chances of flea infestation inside the house.

The Claw

Designed for golf-lovers with back ache, this invention could take the place of a caddy.

The device is pushed into the grip of a golf club and with its claw-like action is able to pick up golf balls without you having to bend down.

Disposable bib

A.K.A. "Save our shirts", this bib fashions paper towels into an emergency bib.

You can tear off as many towels as you need and the disposable bib can extend them around your neck or down to your lap, protecting the various areas of your clothes from stains. It is not known if the clothing shop The Gap is to stock this alongside its range of blue dresses.

Self-heating meals

Forget the cooker, forget the oven, forget the kitchen altogether, this is the the Hotpack self-heating meal kit.

Just add cold water to a chemical heater, which includes magnesium, sodium chloride, and silica, which react together and heat the food up within 15 minutes. Recipes include Lancashire hot pot, chicken casserole, pork, sausage and beans.

Labour saving Shaving Brush

This invention includes a shaving brush and razor which fits on to the nozzle of a normal can of shaving foam or gel.

The user then applies the foam to his face, also using the brush, and then shaves with the blade, avoiding getting the foam or gel on his hands.

Hand-held lottery checker

A pocket-sized electronic device which stores all the users' regular lottery number combinations.

When the winning numbers are announced, the user types them in, and the checker tells them if they have won.

Clever Jacks Toilet Seat

This is a self-lifting toilet seat. Primarily designed with men in mind, a mechanism at the base of the seat lifts it to an upright position when not in use.

When it is needed, the seat can be lowered by hand. After eight seconds, the seat will automatically lift up ready for the next user. Ideal for a gent's toilet in a pub, unlikely to solve domestic disputes.

Pom-Poms

Its creators describe this as "the latest and greatest, brightest and best, fluffy and fun accessory around". The genius involved in the idea is the cunning combination of traditional pom-pom with conventional air freshener.

No doubt it will be a must for homes and cars.

Glass hair-cutting device

Replacing scissors, razors and clippers, the Glass Cutting technique is a new concept in hairdressing.

Done with a special tool with a piece of glass (usually a proprietary brand of bottled beer) at the end, this technique is said to give lift and volume to the hair. Its smooth-headed inventor says it should also ensure that no two haircuts are the same.

VEP Apparatus

A natural, chemical-free alternative to Viagra. Based on a vaccum pump, it is said to be successful in 95 per cent of cases.

VEP is supplied with five sizes of constriction rubbers to suit all types of user. It is also designed to ensure that pressure on the user does not rise too high.

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