Problem Solver
Reuben Oder 
Proven Solver
Areas Reuben Oder is Knowledgeable in:
Mechanical problem solving. Consumer products. Plastic part design. Mold design.
Techniques Reuben Oder Uses:
I often solve problems via analogy. Also, I create diverse teams to bring in different view points and experiences. I like to attack a problem first alone and without awareness of how others have solved similar problems. This is important because I don't want to be polluted and have paradigms about the solution. Then, after a short while, I research patents and other channels to understand the technology space and how others have attacked the problem. I thumb through magazines and force my self to apply a totally unrelated picture to the problem. This introduces randomness and leads to unexpected directions, which often leads to patentable solutions. I apply my knowledge of physics and manufacturing to real world problems for solutions, which are also actionable/manufacturable.
Reuben Oder's Problem Solving Skills:
- Technology scouting
- Concept Design (consumer products)
- Mechanical Design
- Mold and Tooling Design
- Mold and Tooling Fabrication
- Predictive Engineering - Modeling & Simulation
- Plastic Part design
- Mold Processing
- Creative problem solving - 19 patents received in ~ 5 year period
- Communication skills
- People management skills
- Relationship building
- Open Innovation
- Translate consumer insight in to consumer product concepts
- Package and delivery system design
- Metal fabrication
Reuben Oder's Problem Solving Experience:
- My client had a formula, which off gassed over time and pressurized a bottle. The dispenser on the end of the bottle was a roller ball with an over cap. When the consumer inverted the bottle and depressed the ball the first time, a shotgun blast of pressurized product resulted. I conceived and designed an over cap, which depressed and "burped" the gas pressure safely from the bottle in the upright position. I received a patent for my design.
- My client needed a tamper evident feature for a pivoting dispensing closure. I went above and beyond this request by conceiving a tamper evident feature combined with a toggling switch. When pressed for the first time by the consumer, a feature ruptured and was a visual clue it had been opened. Secondly, the package could only be opened when the switch was pressed, which kept the package securely closed in a suitcase and addressed a big consumer complaint that beauty care products leaked when traveling. I received a patent for my concept.
- My client wanted a convenient and inexpensive way to deliver a dose of warm skin lotion for single use. I conceived a plug in device, which accepted a sachet of skin lotion. A LED lit during the warming cycle and then signaled when desired temperature was reached. I received a patent for my concept.
- My client needed to dispense a foam using an aerosol can package, while ensuring it would only dispense when inverted. I conceived and designed an aerosol valve with an internal ball, which rolled due to gravity and blocked dispensing if the can package was in an upright vs. inverted position. I received a patent for my design.
- I solved a spray pump priming problem by conceiving and designing a "dunnage" valve, which displaced volume and enabling priming. This avoided cost of molding a separate part. I received a patent for this design.
- My client wanted a breakthrough concept for a liquid detergent pump. I conceived a package/system whereby a purchased bottle of detergent was "docked" on top of a pump stand. This was unique because most pumps are placed on top of a bottle. I received a patent for my concept.