From the desk of ShowerLock™ inventor John Tursky

Our engineering team is uniquely trained to invent novel solutions for mechanical and manufacturing problems.

My team of engineers and I have been manufacturing parts, assemblies and devices for our customers for over 40 years. Our customer base spans various major industries, such as medical, automotive, transportation, heat exchange, HVAC, and defense. We’ve seen thousands of customer problems for a wide array of applications, and our goal is to always find the most efficient and effective solutions possible. Being inventive is an expected part of our process, and a core value of our team. 

Functioning within a few universal basic principles, our process always begins with a customer interview. It is critical that we thoroughly understand the issues, constraints, limitations and requirements. This is the “What’s the problem?” stage of our process. 

We make lists of all the customer problems, and solve those problems until the customer is happy and the solution is reached. 

The next step of the process is attitude. We constantly remind ourselves that every mechanical problem has a mechanical solution. Sometimes, unsolved problems are being analyzed through a microscope, when the solutions can actually only be seen with a telescope. Familiarity with a problem can itself be a prison for finding inventive and effective solutions. 

That’s where my team comes in. We’re out-of-the-box thinkers who combine creativity with technical engineering expertise. 

The next phase of problem solving process is the “Why can’t we just…?” step. This is when we simply list all of the possible solutions by looking at “the box” from every angle, both inside and outside the box. Why can’t we just do this, or do that? 

Once we’ve listed the possible solutions, the answers come quite quickly. If a traditional, tried-and-true method is the best solution, then we utilize what already works. But, when required, we have the courage, the creativity, and the knowhow to invent a solution. 

We fearlessly pursue solutions to customer problems.

Recently, our team was approached with a box full of soap bottle dispensers on the current hotel market. The box was full of industry-standard devices that have been used for years to hold soap bottles on shower walls. Each design had some engineering problem, or inefficient function, or a bulky look. 

After the initial interview process, we made a short list of the basic problems. If we could solve these problems, then the customer will be happy, and the entire industry might even benefit.

Here is the original list of design challenges:

1. Adjustable. Hotels need a dispenser that is adjustable to accommodate any size and shaped bottle. Currently, dispensers are designed for a single, specific bottle. The problem is that hotels want the ability to change suppliers and change bottles anytime they want to. Adjustability equals flexibility. 

Why can’t the customer use any bottle they want? Why do soap vendors dictate the bottle size and shape? Can’t a universal dispenser be designed to accept any bottle? 

2. Secure. Bottles must be secured without fear of tampering. Hotel guest safety is critical, especially for beauty care products. Current dispensers all secure the bottles from the neck to prevent tampering. The “grab-by-the-neck handcuffs” require complicated locking mechanisms with special keys. Can’t security be guaranteed, without the clunky designs?

3. Strong. The dispenser must be strong, not allowing the bottles to be taken out of the dispenser, or ripped off the wall. It’s imperative that the soap inside the bottle is guarded from guests, for tamper-proofing. 

Strength equals confidence. Can’t soap bottles better guard against tampering? 

4. Attractive. All of the dispensers on the market are either made from cheap plastic, or they look too industrial or janitorial.

- Why do dispensers look like a 1957 Chevy? 

- Can’t they be like a brand new sports car?

After answering those issues and concerns, we developed the following design solutions:

1. Adjustable. After staring at “the box” for a while, and studying it every angle, we simply turned the box upside down. Instead of simply grabbing the bottle nozzle from the top, we created an adjustable dispenser that locks the bottle from the bottom… and the top. This way, any size or shaped bottle can be used. This allows the customer the ultimate flexibility into the future, should they ever want to increase bottle size. 

Bigger bottles equal better sustainability, and less plastic waste for our oceans. 

2. Strong. We designed the dispensers to secure bottles from the nozzle and the base, and designed a wide back plate for stability on the shower wall. We also used sustainable aluminum materials that are manufacturable, and used efficient designs that maximize strength and minimize material. 

Sleek, simple and strong. 

3. Secure. The locking mechanism should not require a gym locker lock and key. Can’t we design a new method of locking the dispenser? 

Our simple, elegant, patent-pending solution is a magnetic lock combined with a sliding ratchet locking system, which we call the "EcoGlide." It’s like solving a magic trick when you apply the magnet to unlock a bottle. The lock is also located in a place that only the magician knows how to open the lock.

This simplified system makes bottles incredibly easy to refill, providing the opportunity to truly eliminate the need for mini, one-use soap bottles. This is luxurious simplicity, for both hotel customers and housekeeping staff. 

4. Attractive. For appearances, we asked ourselves if we can shape the dispenser to look modern and sleek, and use anodization technology to offer an array of colorways. 

What we ended up with were dispensers with high-end performance, that look good while doing it, and personalized to any bathroom decor.

With all that being said, we are proud to introduce our new ShowerLock™ Dispensers. Our customers should be proud to install these dispensers, and project a modern, sleek, and strong image. This is truly the last dispensing system you’ll ever need to buy.

- John Tursky, ShowerLock Inventor and CEO