Patent Attorney and Founder
How a Simple Need on Mega Yachts Led to a Patent-Pending Invention Opportunity
On this episode of the Bold Inventor Show, J.D. Houvener sits down with inventor Adrienne Van Tongerloo, founder of HydroSweep, a revolutionary drying tool designed to make cleaning and drying large surfaces faster, more efficient, and less labor-intensive.
Adrienne’s invention story began while working aboard mega yachts, where she saw firsthand how outdated cleaning tools created unnecessary physical strain and wasted time. After identifying a major gap in the market, she developed a prototype using highly absorbent foam technology designed to dry large surfaces quickly without damaging delicate finishes.
In this conversation, Adrienne shares her journey from discovering the problem, overcoming personal challenges, developing a prototype, exploring manufacturing options, protecting her intellectual property, and preparing HydroSweep for launch across industries including marine, automotive, and commercial applications.
Bold Inventor Show Interview: Adrienne Van Tongerloo, Creator of HydroSweep
J.D. Houvener:
Hey everybody, welcome to the Bold Inventor Show. I’m your host, J.D. Houvener. I’m owner and founder and patent attorney here at Bold Patents Law Firm.
I’m without my co-host again today. Matt Kulseth is still in Japan spending time with his family in Tokyo, so he’s not available this week. He should be back in a couple of weeks, and I’m excited to have him back.
For everyone watching live or catching this afterward, feel free to send in your questions. My team and I do our best to answer questions across our platforms, including Reddit, Quora, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
We have live viewers joining us today, and we’re excited to have your questions.
Today, we’re bringing on one of our clients, Adrienne Van Tongerloo. She’s going to share her invention story and talk about her unique boat-cleaning invention, HydroSweep, and the journey of bringing this idea to life.
Before we bring Adrienne on, let’s answer a couple of questions that came in this week.
J.D. Houvener: How Do Companies Buy Patents From Independent Inventors?
This is a great question, and it’s a little more complicated than simply putting a patent up for sale.
There are generally three ways patents get purchased by companies.
The first is through proactive solicitation. This is the traditional approach of reaching out to companies, pitching your invention, and trying to create interest. Usually, it helps if you’ve already had some success in the marketplace because companies want to see proof that there’s customer demand.
The second method is through infringement situations.
Many people don’t realize that patent owners are responsible for monitoring the marketplace. There are no “patent police” that automatically find infringement for you.
If you identify a company that may be infringing your patent, that situation can sometimes lead to a discussion where the company decides purchasing the patent makes more sense than dealing with a potential dispute.
The third method is through licensing.
Many inventors license their technology to manufacturers or retailers. Once a company sees success with the product, they may eventually decide to purchase the patent outright.
Those are three common ways companies acquire patents from independent inventors.
J.D. Houvener:
Let’s move into our guest interview.
Adrienne, welcome to the Bold Inventor Show.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
Thank you for having me.
J.D. Houvener:
Thanks for being willing to share your story. Let’s start with your background. Tell us a little bit about who you are and then we’ll get into HydroSweep.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
I grew up in Canada, and from a young age, I loved to travel. In 2016, I moved to Honduras to get my dive master certification.
After that, I fell in love with someone from Colorado who was working on mega yachts. We decided to move to Florida together and start working on boats.
We were working on deck, sometimes 8 to 18 hours a day, and I also worked on the interior of the boats. We were constantly cleaning, drying, detailing, and polishing these massive yachts.
At the time, we were working on a 160-foot yacht, and it took a large crew to clean and dry the entire boat.
Boat owners are very particular about drying because moisture can lead to mold and damage.
One day after a long day of detailing, my husband and I were talking over dinner about how inefficient the process was.
For such a large industry, it was surprising that the tools we were using were so small and outdated compared to the size of these boats.
We realized there was an opportunity to create something that could cover a larger surface area, absorb more water, and make the entire process much more efficient.
J.D. Houvener:
How did you start developing the idea?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
We started researching different materials and looking for something highly absorbent.
We ordered different materials and started exploring possibilities.
Unfortunately, I lost my husband in 2023. We had gotten married, and the invention had been shelved since 2022.
In 2024, I started feeling stronger and decided to revisit the prototype because I truly believed we had something valuable.
I commissioned different sizes of a special foam that absorbs 12 times its weight in water.
I went to Home Depot and purchased different materials to build the tool.
The design is longer than a typical broom, with a unique Y-frame head. It uses a carbon fiber structure with a foam roller on the bottom and a scraper or squeegee component.
J.D. Houvener:
For those listening, Adrienne is sharing the design with us visually. Tell us more about how it works.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
The final product will be made from carbon fiber. The bottom has the foam roller, and the design includes a scraper or squeegee similar to what you might see with a paint roller.
The foam roller itself looks somewhat like a paint roller.
I built a prototype and tested it in my apartment in Florida. The absorption was incredible.
I poured an entire bucket of water on the floor, and there was no evidence of water remaining afterward.
J.D. Houvener:
How did you identify the right foam material?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
The boating industry already uses a version of PVA foam in chamois towels.
The problem is that those tools are inefficient because you’re trying to clean huge boats using a very small surface area.
A 160-foot or 300-foot boat requires a tool that can cover much more space.
The roller being developed is about 12.5 inches long, which gives users much more coverage without making it difficult to handle.
During my research, I found similar foam being used in manufacturing facilities in China to dry computer motherboards.
If the material can safely handle something as delicate as a motherboard, then it can be used on glass, metal, stainless steel, and other surfaces without causing damage.
It’s also non-abrasive and antimicrobial, meaning it can stay wet without developing mold.
J.D. Houvener:
Why is drying so important if the Florida sun is already doing some of the work?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
For boat owners, especially with saltwater exposure, drying is extremely important.
Saltwater and hard water can damage the exterior of boats. Owners are trying to protect very expensive assets.
A paint job on these boats can cost hundreds of thousands or even more, so maintaining the finish is critical.
Even when water dries naturally, it can leave streaks and residue behind.
In the yachting industry, the cleanliness standards are extremely high. Boats are often cleaned and dried every few days depending on usage.
J.D. Houvener:
This is really a classic example of necessity being the mother of invention.
You experienced a problem firsthand, and now you’ve created a solution.
What made you think about protecting this with patents?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
I saw how much potential this could have.
Right now, it’s a dream, but after building the prototype, I immediately started thinking about other applications.
I realized there could be a smaller version for interior yacht crews who clean showers and floors every day.
Then I started thinking about engine rooms and situations like oil spills, where absorbent materials are already used.
My mind kept expanding into other industries.
Matt had mentioned that firefighters don’t really have tools designed for drying fire trucks, and I tested HydroSweep at a motor coach store in Florida where it cut labor time in half.
I also have a friend who collects vintage cars, and he was nervous about damaging his paint finish with traditional cleaning tools.
This product could potentially help many industries, including marine, automotive, household, and commercial applications.
I want to protect the invention because if it becomes successful, I want to make sure I’m prepared.
J.D. Houvener:
One thing I want inventors to understand is that having a patent does not automatically mean people will come knocking on your door.
Usually, you still need business development, product development, sales, and marketing.
Since you’re patent pending, this is actually a great time to test the market.
What are your plans moving forward?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
I want to start with yachting because that’s where the idea came from.
This is also connected to my husband’s legacy, and I want to honor that.
Success could mean different things, but I want to begin with the industry where the problem started.
Once we build relationships there, I think we can expand.
J.D. Houvener:
Are you planning to manufacture inventory and sell directly, or collaborate with companies?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
The prototype is currently being built.
The plan is to produce around 1,000 units once the first production sample is approved and we know the quality is exactly where we want it.
Once I have the prototype, I’m going to Florida to connect with captains and distributors.
I’m going to do some “dock walking,” which is what people do when they’re looking for work in the boating industry.
I’ll also be reaching out to major distributors and exploring wholesale opportunities.
I want people to see and experience the product firsthand.
J.D. Houvener:
Tell us about finding a manufacturer.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
I partnered with a product development company called 52 Launch.
I came to them with the idea, and they helped develop the design, CAD drawings, materials, and manufacturing process.
They have relationships with manufacturing facilities in China, and they specialize in carbon fiber products.
They’ve been a great partner throughout the development process.
J.D. Houvener:
You’ve also done something many inventors don’t do, you created a brand.
Tell us about HydroSweep.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
Naming the product was probably one of the hardest parts.
Once you choose a name, you’re committed.
The name came from working with the marketing team at 52 Launch. We brainstormed nautical and water-related terms until HydroSweep stood out.
I also reached out to Bold Patents to protect the brand.
We worked on securing the trademark for the name, logo, and tagline.
J.D. Houvener:
Another smart move you made was forming a company.
Tell us about that decision.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
That was actually based on advice from my accountant.
I wanted to make sure the company was structured properly and protected financially.
We created a holding company that can eventually have additional subsidiaries connected to it.
J.D. Houvener:
Adrienne, thank you for sharing your story.
For anyone listening who wants to follow your journey or learn more about HydroSweep, how can they reach you?
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
They can email me at [email protected].
J.D. Houvener:
Adrienne, thank you again for being part of the Bold Inventor Show.
Adrienne Van Tongerloo:
Thank you so much.
I also want to say that your company has been invaluable to me as a new inventor.
At the beginning, I was completely lost and didn’t know what I was doing. Your team has been incredibly professional and supportive.
J.D. Houvener:
Thank you. That’s exactly what we strive to do, help inventors change the world.
Congratulations on your journey, and we look forward to having you back with future updates.
Everybody, take care. Go big. Go bold.