Inventors Give Towels New Twist

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 12/12/2005 12:00:00 AM

Coral Springs & Windermere, Fla. —

New concepts on making towels better by enhancing form or function are hatching in the homes of two industry outsiders.

Erica Aqaurt-Perkins, who hails from the hospitality industry, decided to improve upon the traditional towels she had been using to dry her baby. Her invention — the Cuddle 'n Cover towel apron bath set. The new terry/velour cotton apron by Marlo's Inspirations, Inc. is a towel, organizer and child support all in one.

Users wear the towel apron with two large pockets to hold bath-time accessories. The towel part of the apron opens up when the child is ready to be dried and held. Items are sold as a set for $40 or can be purchased separately at www.marlosinspirations.com.

Meanwhile, a businessman from Windermere, Ken Mohney, received a patent this spring on his towel on a string invention called Rope-A-Towel.

Said Mohney: “We were on our way designing a towel that is unique and more convenient because of the adjustable, breakaway lanyard that's sewn in, putting the towel at your fingertips when you need it.” He added that because these towels lie flat when suspended from the neck or waist, any embroidery or screening is clearly visible, making them ideal as promotional items.

Towels measure 12-by-18 inches and are priced at $6.99 to $8.99. They come in velour or cotton terry with an adjustable lanyard, plus a breakaway feature and a utility hook for keys. Rope-A-Towel's manufacturer in the United States is 1888 Mills, but the company also has a production firm in Taiwan that it works with.

In January, the product will be rolling out to 25 of the top college markets in the country. Rope-A-Towel currently holds the collegiate license for the University of Central Florida.