One day as he watched his wife pour laundry detergent into the washing machine without measuring the specified amount, J. Thomas Jennings of Mountainside knew there had to be a better way. Jennings spent many hours over the next three years cutting apart and reconfiguring hundreds of plastic containers trying to design a built-in measuring device.

The result of his experimenting was a self-contained measuring chamber within the container itself. This invention patented as the tip "N" measure dispensing container, is available in a variety of styles and sizes. Jennings has gone on to receive additional U.S. and foreign patents for other measuring and dispensing devices, including a patent for his invention, the exact dose tip "N" measure container. It has a drain back feature that allows excess fluid in the measuring chamber to drain back into the container. A precise amount of fluid is dispensed.

After inventing the device in the early 1980's, Jennings founded Container Manufacturing, Inc., Middlesex, to manufacture his invention. Since then, he has received 11 patents, with three others pending. The company manufactures 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jennings' new measuring device eliminates spillage, waste and misapplication of any concentrated liquid product. It also minimizes the potential for human contact with such toxic materials as weed killers and paint thinners. This occurs because the package is not opened until the user is ready to dispense the measured amount of product needed. Jennings' invention is used worldwide.

The invention has won many packaging awards, including awards from the National Association of Container Distributors, the Institute of Packaging Professionals, and the World Packaging Organization.

Jennings, a native of Newark, attended what was then Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) following his U.S. Navy service in World War II.