Birmingham, Ala. — March 15, 1999 — New Visions, LLC began manufacturing CleanSleeve™, the world’s first plastic slip-on disposable toilet seat cover this month. The innovative product, soon to be available at retail outlets throughout the United States, provides an effective defense against the generally unknown sanitary state of toilet seats in public restroom facilities.

CleanSleeve was developed with families and travelers in mind. The product was first envisioned by Birmingham, Ala. native, Larry Pitts, in the late 1980's. Pitts spent numerous hours developing the product and researching public restroom conditions. His invention was granted a United States Patent in April, 1992. "CleanSleeve is going to take the country by storm," said Pitts, president and CEO of New Visions. "This product is the best solution for taking young children into public restrooms. I believe CleanSleeve will be so widely accepted that people will not hesitate to slide one on in order to feel more comfortable in a public restroom."

Pitts was struck with the idea when he was faced with having to take his young daughter to a public restroom. He first attempted to line the seat with toilet paper, but the paper kept falling in. Finally, as he held his daughter above the seat, he envisioned a tubular sleeve that would completely cover the seat, top and bottom. "Our market research has shown that people are very concerned with the conditions in public restrooms," said Pitts. "Consumers are more aware than ever with germs and bacteria that spread disease. Once people discover CleanSleeve and use it for the first time, we believe they will be hooked and will want a fresh and clean seat every time."

CleanSleeve brings an entirely new product category to the toilet seat cover market. CleanSleeve is made of water-resistant plastic that slips on easily and won’t slide off, making it distinct from other covers which are made of very thin paper and lie on top of the seat. Designed to cover the entire surface of a commercial horseshoe or u-shaped toilet seat, the cover is simple in construction and use and is easily applied, even by children. The tubular sleeve is open at both ends, and slides on from the front to the back of a horseshoe-shaped toilet seat. The two ends of the Sleeve overlap at the back of the seat. The center portion of the Sleeve, located at the front of the seat, is conveniently grasped to pull off for removal and disposal. The user never has to touch the actual toilet seat during installation or removal.

Not just for kids, the product is also suitable for the elderly or for anyone who uses public restrooms. It is inexpensive and when applied, 100% effective. Packaged in convenient rolls of 10, CleanSleeve is designed to be carried in a purse, diaper bag, briefcase or automobile glove compartment for use outside the home. The product will retail for $2.99 and is readily available for use anytime a public restroom facility must be used.

Birmingham, Ala. — March 15, 1999 — Inventor, Larry Pitts, who developed the country’s first slip-on disposable toilet seat cover, CleanSleeve™, has started a company designed to help other inventors get their inventions off the ground. New Visions, LLC will make it easier for other inventors to find their way through the complicated maze of getting their products to market.

"I once told someone that great ideas occur everyday," Pitts said, "but good businesses take time and total dedication to reach the goal." Pitts joined the Colonial Company, a privately held business located in Montgomery, Ala., in 1985 and has served as chief financial officer and vice president of data processing since 1994. He first thought of a tubular disposable toilet seat cover in 1987. Now, 12 years later, CleanSleeve is ready for manufacture.

"I never sat around trying to invent things," said Pitts. "However, at work, I have always enjoyed solving problems and devising better ways to do things. But, coming up with a new way to code invoices that saves five hours processing time isn’t exactly patentable. When I envisioned CleanSleeve, I knew that I could solve a practical problem and turn the solution into a new business."

When Pitts developed his revolutionary seat cover, he discovered that there were many obstacles to overcome in getting his idea off the ground. Inventors can get plenty of help from venture capitalists and other investors, but generally those types want to come away with a large portion of the business. Pitts wants to share what he has learned in launching his invention and help others face the hurdles and overcome the obstacles with confidence.

A 1981 graduate of the University of Alabama, Pitts is serving as chief executive officer and president of New Visions and is joined by a varied group of investors including a 25-year-old female from Taiwan, a retired CFO/CPA and an S corporation. "It was so difficult for me to raise money AND keep ownership of my idea that I plan to use the success of CleanSleeve to develop other products and raise capital without large up-front fees," said Pitts. "Our vision for New Visions is to help others bring their original ideas to life and retain majority ownership in their companies in the process."

New Visions is a consulting firm that will help emerging businesses reach their maximum potential through needs assessment and strategies geared to identify proper sources of capital and marketing. For more information on New Visions, contact Larry Pitts at (205) 746-2722. Visit the CleanSleeve website at www.cleansleeve.com.

CleanSleeve Gets Clear Go-Ahead From Focus Groups

Birmingham, Ala. — March 15, 1999 — New product research conducted on CleanSleeve, the world’s first hygienic slip-on toilet seat cover, confirmed that the product is a welcomed solution to a long-standing public restroom sanitation problem, and that the product is well poised for success.

Focus groups conducted by New South Research predicted a high probability for success. The study concluded that nearly 80 percent of those interviewed reported that they would purchase the product. In addition, the participants anticipated using the product between three and four times a week.

According to the product’s designer and developer, Larry Pitts, the findings confirmed his belief that the product would be a big hit, especially with women. Women who participated in the focus groups expressed a clear desire and need for a product of this nature. The protection against germs, wetness and other dirt and grime were considered to be among the greatest advantages of this product.

"It is particularly gratifying to have research confirm what I have known all along," Pitts said. "People don’t like dirty bathrooms — for themselves, and especially for their children. With the CleanSleeve, any public toilet can be made clean — just like at home."

Research report findings concluded that:

— When asked about dislikes in public restrooms, the focus groups focused on cleanliness. Dirty or "nasty" bathrooms were avoided, if not entirely, at least to the point of not actually having contact with the toilets. With the CleanSleeve in place, any seat becomes completely clean and users can sit comfortably without fear of contamination.

— The focus groups were shown a demonstration of how the product is placed on a toilet seat. Reactions to this process were very positive and many were intrigued by its design, ease of placement and lack of contact required with the toilet seat.

— Although many respondents indicated they would use the product only when encountering a dirty bathroom, many reported they would utilize the cover any time they are in a public restroom.

— While respondents expressed concern about disposability of the product, everyone agreed that the product’s benefits far outweigh any inconvenience associated with disposing of the product in a trash receptacle.

CleanSleeve is developed and distributed by New Visions, LLC © 1999
CleanSleeve should be removed from the toilet seat and discarded in waste receptacle.
CleanSleeve isn’t meant to be flushed.