Images: Patenting the obvious

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  • kitty laser

    kitty laser

    Critics of the U.S. patent system say that it too often rewards ideas that are obvious and which rightly belong in the public domain. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that inventors' ideas must be protected.

    At right is a diagram illustrating one idea that has won such protection: "Method of excercising a cat." This concept--using a handheld device to manipulate a laser beam that can "amuse and exercise" a feline--is protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,443,036.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • crustless sandwich

    crustless sandwich

    Are you a fan of peanut butter and jelly? The inventors of the "sealed crustless sandwich" likely had you in mind when they came up with their idea--a method for creating a round, prepackaged sandwich that contains two types of filling, such as peanut butter and jelly.

    This diagram illustrates a cutting cylinder that can be used to create such a sandwich, which can then be stored for "extended periods of time for use in lunch box type of situations." The idea is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,004,596.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • toy branch

    toy branch

    This branch-shaped toy is intended to amuse a dog or other pet. It can be made of rubber, plastic or wood, and a scent can be added. It's protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,360,693.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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crustless sandwich

Are you a fan of peanut butter and jelly? The inventors of the "sealed crustless sandwich" likely had you in mind when they came up with their idea--a method for creating a round, prepackaged sandwich that contains two types of filling, such as peanut butter and jelly.

This diagram illustrates a cutting cylinder that can be used to create such a sandwich, which can then be stored for "extended periods of time for use in lunch box type of situations." The idea is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,004,596.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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