Have you ever seen something so practical, it begs the question, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Cap-A-Cooz is one of those somethings. The creation affixes a metal bottle cap opener to the base of a drink-insulating coozie, forming a seemingly destined alliance. Yet it took three Winston-Salem residents — Adam Sebastian, Matthew Mayse, and Tripp Regan — to bring it to life.

“It’s one of those things that everyone assumes has already been invented,” Sebastian, 29, says. “But in all the research we’ve done, we’ve never seen anything like it.”

An architect by trade, Sebastian is credited as the mastermind behind the product. He first envisioned the Cap-A-Cooz two years ago, sketching it out on a note pad he keeps on his nightstand. He then shared the idea with Mayse, 28, and Regan, 31 — a photographer and a graphic designer, respectively. It wasn’t long before the trio began designing makeshift models in their Ardmore-area basements. After a few months of research and development, they finally got it right last year.

In the time since, Cap-A-Cooz has slowly started to redefine the rules of tailgating, boating, and barbecuing for hundreds of loyal users. The item is now found in more than 20 states, and has become a huge hit at wedding parties and golf outings.

Its fun-meets-functional design is beginning to draw some national interest, too; primarily from college bookstores, retail chains, and infomercial programs. And while the guys are currently awaiting a patent, they happily report that all Cap-A-Cooz items are made in the USA.

“The product isn’t rocket science,” Regan says. “But I think it’s something that, once you use it, really becomes a convenient thing to have around. We think it has the potential to become more than just a novelty, but a commodity.”

To order a Cap-A-Cooz, go to capacooz.com.