Patent 1: Insulating sleeve
US 6343735 B1
Purpose: To protect the user from the heat
emerging from a cup.
Anticipation and Obviousness: This is definitely non-obvious since it
is a completely new idea as compared to the traditional sleeve. It is
novel idea!
Patent 2: Thermal coffee cup
US 2661889 A
Purpose: To carry hot liquids.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: The validity is strong as it promotes
longevity of warmth in the drink. Also, since it was created in the later
1940’s it is non-obvious at the time. It is also used everywhere so has a valid
use.
Patent 3:Thermal
Sleeve, Method for Manufacturing a Thermal Sleeve, and Combination Cup and
Thermal Sleeve
US 8251277 B2
Purpose: To provide thermal insulation and
act as a gripper.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: It is non-obvious because there were
no products like this out there before. It is a novel, non-obvious idea.
Patent 4: INSULATOR SLEEVE FOR A
BEVERAGE CONTAINER
US 7,922,031 B1
Purpose: To provide a sleeve that is
reusable and washable.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: This is not very novel and valid. It
just allows for customization of the sleeve and makes it reusable. This is
important, as it will be more eco-friendly, the actual design is quite obvious.
Patent 5: Temperature-indicating
sleeve and related container
US 8118189 B2
Purpose: To check the temperature of the
beverage in the cup.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: This is very valid as customers would
want to know the temperature of their beverage. It will definitely decrease
burns. It is non-obvious and has a very new and strong point.
Patent 6: Sleeve construction for
improved paperboard cup insulation
US 6152363 A
Purpose: To create air gaps for extra
insulation.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: This is a new and different idea as it
allows for extra solution. Definitely non-obvious because the hot-melt glue dot
technology is completely new!
Patent 7: Beverage cup sleeving
system and method
US 20080078824 A1
Purpose: To insulate both hot and cold
beverages.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: Now users can use for both hot and cold
drinks which provides a very strong and valid argument. It has a new design
thus non-obvious and new.
Patent 8: Protective sleeve
US 20100019023 A1
Purpose: To make production and
manufacturing easier.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: It is quite non-obvious, since
no one had thought of the “arch” design before. All they did was reinvent the
design for maximized comfort. It also makes manufacturing easier.
Patent 9: Hot and Cold Cup Sleeve·
US 20140151385 A1
Purpose: To be used on both hot and cold
beverages.
Anticipation and
Obviousness: This has new technologies and designs
that can make the sleeve universal working for both hot and cold drinks.
Definitely novel and non-obvious.
Hi Vruti,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how you explained the purpose behind each patent and used that as a catalyst in understanding whether the patent was obvious or novel. I think its important for one to consider the role of the product being patented in determining its novelty in order to gain a better understanding if such a product with a similar role has been patented before. One suggestion is to maybe go a bit more in depth into why you feel certain patents are non-obvious and argue for that case. Great blog nonetheless!
Hi Vruti,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on analyzing the anticipation and obviousness perspectives for each of the patent! While most people discussed the general trend, your blog is refreshing to read because it provides a distinctive perspective on each patent. I think such approach also helps readers to understand anticipation and obviousness better because they are analyzed in 8 different contexts.
Hi Vruti,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your analysis on these coffee cup patents. I still cannot believe that so much innovation has happened for something as simple as a coffee cup, and your explanations of the list of them really gave me clarity!