Ian Draycott from Chester wins top prize thanks to idea for a lightweight screed. Since October 2009, Professor Dunlop’s Brainbox campaign has seen entries coming in thick and fast. Now after sifting through the numerous ideas submitted before 31st January 2010, the first Professor Dunlop’s BRAINBOX winner has finally been announced.
Whittling all the submissions down to three excellent entries, it was Ian Draycott from Chester whose idea really stood out, according to the judging panel including Dunlop Adhesives’ Debi Bailey.
Ian is now the proud owner of a Dell Laptop thanks to his winning suggestion for a bagged lightweight screed with insulating properties. As a floor layer by trade, he wanted to replace an ordinary sand/cement screed with a lightweight alternative and explained:
“There does not appear to be an easy way of providing a lightweight insulated screed. So I got round it by levelling the concrete and making up depth with insulating foam board. But my idea, that would have been an ideal solution, is to produce a bagged lightweight screed with good insulating properties. It would only need to be strong enough to carry a board finish as this would cater for most installations.”
Entries were extremely varied including the two other shortlist submissions. Sandy Craig, a joiner from Angus for example, suggested that longer sealant nozzles should come included with the sealant, as sometimes the one provided is too short to get into hard to access areas. The other, by Sheffield roofer, Dean Gerstel, was a fantastic tip for all those who battle with wooden spouts/gutters. He suggested that rather than painting the inside of wooden spouts/gutters with bitumen, which eventually breaks down in the sunlight, instead try painting gutters and spouts with primer, undercoat and gloss. Not only is gloss paint UV proof, but leaves and other rubbish do not stick to the surface of gloss as easily as with bitumen. This means that the gutters stay clear for longer.
We were also impressed with the less serious of entrants from Hi-Viz bikinis to ways to stop hitting your thumb with a hammer.
Debi Bailey, Brand Manager for Dunlop Adhesives commented:
“We’ve been delighted with the level of responses. Our aim was to get an innovative idea that had the potential to go to market. Not only does Ian’s idea fit this remit, but could also quite happily sit beside our current Dunlop Adhesives range. All in all, it was a submission above and beyond our expectations. For that reason we will be continuing Professor Dunlop’s Brainbox throughout 2010.”
If you’d like to submit your ideas to Professor Dunlop’s Brainbox please visit; www.dunlop-brainbox.co.uk
