We are developing a machine that automates the process of rolling silverware into a napkin. This process is typically performed by restaurant staff members and is an expensive, unsanitary, and time consuming task. 

We have a fully functional prototype machine and we are asking for money to help us build a hardened manufacturable version. We have been unable to secure investor money thus far due to the fact that we don't have an established market yet. In order to show the potential of our machine we need to have a fully functional unit that we can beta test within a restaurant. This will allow us to generate the traction we need and show investors that our machine is a useful and demanded product in the restaurant and hospitality industry. 

Most people in the restaurant and hospitality industry know that a machine that can do the task of rolling silverware into a napkin would be an essential item. Rolling silverware by hand is an antiquated task that costs restaurants precious labor, and additionally, it increases the spread of germs on the napkins and silverware. Our machine mitigates these issues. 

We have not been actively advertising for our machine as of yet because we do not have a beta unit. Our only online presence is our web page and a YouTube video. Despite this minimal online presence we have received offers from over 40 different companies throughout the world. Some of these companies have multiple different brands and thousands of locations. This interest is proof positive that there is a market for our machine and that the desire is there. 

We have worked for the last 5 years developing a fully functional prototype. The prototype as seen in the attached video, shows the operation of the machine. Developing the machine with a minimal budget only allowed us to focus on functionality. After we were able to produce a reliable functioning prototype, using 3D CAD we started transitioning the prototypes design into something that is manufacturable, incorporating everything that we have learned so far with our current concept and prototype.

Our machine will have a set of easy load cartridges for all of the silverware and napkins letting the user take the silverware directly form the dishwasher and installing them into the machine, limiting the amount of time that any person is in contact with the silverware, and reducing the potential for germ transmission. In addition to limiting human contact the machine will be fitted with UV sterilizers that will continuously sanitize all surfaces of the silverware and napkins. This is done while they are in the machine, virtually eliminating all biological contaminants from the eating utensils. Now more than ever, reduction of contamination is of the utmost importance.

While developing the machine we did a simple experiment to determine if UV sanitation was an important feature. The experiment consisted of a simple swab of a growth culture in a Petri dish. Although the test was not done in a legitimate laboratory, the results were interesting and quite frankly shocking. To perform the test we went to a well established restaurant and swabbed a fork and applied the swab to a Petri dish. We subsequently exposed the fork to concentrated UV light for a period of time, then re-swabbed and applied it to a second Petri dish. The Petri dishes were both allowed to incubate for a period of 7 days and the following image shows the alarming result .

The Petri dish on the left hand side was a control that was not exposed to anything but allowed to incubate with the other two dishes, The center dish was exposed to the "clean" fork and the right image was exposed to the fork after exposure to UV light. The amount of contaminate on the "clean" fork was alarming (just think you put that in your mouth!) and shows that it is necessary to incorporate the UV sterilization into the machine.

On top of the machine not only reducing the amount of labor required to roll up silverware and the enhanced sanitation it will offer, the machine will save restaurants a substantial amount of money over time. We conducted a simple survey of several local restaurants to try to determine if the machine could be a viable money saving item for a restaurant. In the survey we asked willing managers how many customers they see on average, how many hours were spent by staff rolling up silverware, and average employee wages. With the information we collected a simple chart was produced displaying the quantified yearly cost of rolling silverware in the polled restaurants and compared it to the yearly cost of our machine which came out to be about $3000 per year on average.

With these cost savings, reduced labor, and enhanced sterilization, we feel that this product will exceed all expectations.  With your help we will revolutionize the restaurant and hospitality industries!