Rapstrap is a system of securing and bundling together cables, ropes, plants, etc. It is a reusable plastic strap that is wrapped around the cables, plants, or supports and then cut to size, similarly to cable tie

Cable tie

A cable tie, also known as a zip tie or tie-wrap , is a type of fastener, especially for binding several electronic cables or wires together and to organize cables and wires.-Design and use:...

s. However, unlike cable ties, the excess that is cut off can be used again.

Dragons' Den

The inventor of rapstrap, Andrew Harsley, appeared on the Dragons' Den

Dragons' Den (UK)

Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...

TV show and was able to sell 50% of his company for £150,000. He made a deal with two dragons, James Caan

James Caan (entrepreneur)

James Caan is a British-Pakistani entrepreneur and television personality. Caan has been building and selling businesses since 1985, including Alexander Mann Group, Humana International, and the private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw.Caan initially achieved success in the recruitment industry,...

 and Duncan Bannatyne

Duncan Bannatyne

Duncan Walker Bannatyne, OBE is a Scottish entrepreneur, philanthropist and author. His business interests include hotels, health clubs, spas, media, TV, stage schools, property and transport. He is most famous for his appearance as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons' Den...

.

Since then, one of the world's leading plastics distributors had secured a £36m contract for the rapstrap, making it the biggest success story of Dragons' Den.

Patent

In March 2009, the UK's Intellectual Property Office said that the "Rapstrap" was partially covered by patents owned by the company Millipede Marketing for a plastic cable tie. Millipede was set up by Harsley, who subsequently left to found Rapstrap. However, this finding does not allow Millipede to demand for licensing or insist on a halt of production or sales without going through the courts.

External links

• Rapstrap web site