What is this blue plastic thing?

December 11, 2014 8:43 AM

We got these blue plastic discs at work as part of a promotional campaign, but no one here seems to know what the item does, exactly. Googling has failed us. Has anyone seen one of these before? What does it do, besides stump people? (You can see the full extent of its functionality in the linked video.)
posted by heurtebise to Grab Bag (31 answers total)

[e-mail] 720-420-3210 I would ask them. (Thank you for contributing. Seems like a decent idea and organization.)

I have watched your video about 10 times and the more I watch it, the less I know. I would say that the hand model does a good job. Is there a manufacturer name on the gizmo? Can you call a local firm that sells corporate promotional material like this and ask?

I am quite sure when we find out, we will be all "Aha!". Maybe.
posted by 724A at 9:00 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

It looks like an alligator's tail that ends in a head with an eye. Can't say what it does.
posted by Dragonness at 9:03 AM on December 11, 2014

Is it a key ring or something to loop things on to? Bizarre.
posted by Atrahasis at 9:05 AM on December 11, 2014

Does it only rotate in the direction you show in the video? Does it resist going the opposite direction? Just thinking maybe it's designed as an easy-to-put-on-and-take-off key fob?
posted by cheeken at 9:05 AM on December 11, 2014

Is it a cutter of some kind?

Is the interior edge of the rotating piece sharp?
posted by bonehead at 9:10 AM on December 11, 2014

Could it be a wire stripper? That would be such a weird gift to give to a broad group of people though. But I guess giving any kind of incomprehensible piece of plastic to a big group of people is weird!
posted by mskyle at 9:14 AM on December 11, 2014

Can you take a clean still shot of it and run it through Google Images?

(BTW I used to purchase promo items for a living and I also have no idea what that is!).
posted by radioamy at 9:14 AM on December 11, 2014

A fidget toy as a stress reducer. I have a different promotional item different that is expressly for that purpose, but you wouldn't know it if you were not told.
posted by jgirl at 9:15 AM on December 11, 2014

Is there anything enclosed inside the plastic? Like a magnet or a chip or maybe a blade (if it's a letter openener or something like that)?
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:16 AM on December 11, 2014

Bit small for a Spaghetti serving measuring device.
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 9:16 AM on December 11, 2014

I work with a lot of people who buy nifty promotional items for conferences and such, and they are all stumped. We all really want to know now, though.

Could it be to gather up/organize computer cords?
posted by tryniti at 9:16 AM on December 11, 2014

Response by poster: It is not sharp, and it indeed rotates in both directions. We are wondering if it is some sort of fidget toy for officer workers, although you'd think such a thing might be more explicitly fun.

Tryniti might be on the right track -- it seems like you are supposed to insert something in it.
posted by heurtebise at 9:19 AM on December 11, 2014

Isn't this a letter opener?
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:19 AM on December 11, 2014

Does the inner part only rotate one way? If that's the case, you could insert something in there (cords or the like) and they'd stay together, since the rotating part wouldn't be able to go any further.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 9:24 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

They have a facebook page .. if you're on FB post the video there and ask them.

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoCombinedCampaign
posted by edgeways at 9:29 AM on December 11, 2014

Maybe some sort of cable organizer?
posted by melissasaurus at 9:33 AM on December 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

What kind of industry are you in? Would this item have been intended to relate, in some way, to the kind of work you do, or was it some random giveaway?
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:36 AM on December 11, 2014

There must be a reason for the gear to be graduated in size, right? Otherwise it would be a waste of material/weight/cost?
posted by Room 641-A at 9:39 AM on December 11, 2014

Can you take a clean still shot

Yeah, really. Can't see your instagram original here at work, so no idea what you're talking about.
posted by Rash at 9:43 AM on December 11, 2014

I think that the model is rotating it in the wrong direction, and that it has something to do with the "channel" that appears partway through the video.

Maybe it's some kind of bag tying gizmo, where you put one strand of material in the channel, and the other part in the main crotch of the V and then you rotate the gear thing clockwise and the two strands get twisted?
posted by sparklemotion at 9:44 AM on December 11, 2014

Best answer: A ha! It's a round bag clip!
posted by Falwless at 9:51 AM on December 11, 2014 [34 favorites]

Response by poster: Someone here has determined that it is a cord holder, made to keep your computer cables on your desk. Thanks for your help, everyone! It seems to be pretty poorly designed for what it's supposed to do.
posted by heurtebise at 9:56 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Seems more like the bag clip than a cable organizer. Here's another place selling them as Mini Cincher Bag Clip.
posted by barnone at 10:08 AM on December 11, 2014 [4 favorites]

I am voting for the bag clip based on the two links.
posted by 724A at 10:25 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I think Falwless' link basically clinches it. Although you can use it for whatever other purpose you like, a bag clip is what it is.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:28 AM on December 11, 2014 [4 favorites]

Response by poster: Bag clip it is! It's still a pretty pointless promotional item.
posted by heurtebise at 10:35 AM on December 11, 2014 [5 favorites]

I guess the idea of this as a promo item is, you might actually toss it in a drawer and use it later (and then see the logo again). Unlike, say, branded sunglasses or a big honking drawstring backpack.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:06 AM on December 11, 2014

Best answer: I wrote to their facebook page and they wrote me back "What we have been calling those are re-usable twist ties. Think of a bread bag - you would put the bag in the slot and tighten the wheel to secure. Lots of people have had this question!"
posted by jessamyn at 1:35 PM on December 11, 2014 [3 favorites]

"Lots of people have had this question" is a pretty good clue that it's not a good design.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 3:24 PM on December 11, 2014 [10 favorites]

Although, given that we are all now aware of the Colorado Combined Campaign, perhaps it's actually an ingenious design for a promotional item, perfect for stimulating conversation and getting more baffled sets of eyes across your logo!
posted by penguin pie at 3:31 PM on December 11, 2014 [9 favorites]

If it makes you feel better, I've been selling promo products since 1997 or so and had no idea what that was. I was thinking (vaguely) cable organizer, but thought it was too big for that. Okay, bag clip it is!
posted by randomkeystrike at 4:29 PM on December 11, 2014