The New York Times magazine published a list of 2007 utility and design patents issued by the USPTO and the "problems" they addressed with the intention of providing humor. The list of problems was labeled "2006," which is silly, of course, given that it takes about 3 years for the average patent to issue in the United States. Humor is, of course, very personal. Nevertheless, the list of odd patents may be amusing and interesting to some readers. The list is reproduced here along with links to the patents. The Time's authors took some liberties with the titles that I have left mostly in place.
Especially for the design patents, clicking on "images" when the PTO page loads will show the first figure.
Battery Charger Amusement Device (7,259,541)
Chewable
Toothbrush (7,165,907)
Baby Seat
Cover Diaper Bag/Activity Center (7,284,790)
Locking Case
For Toothbrush (7,257,972)
Scrambled Egg
Snack Food (7,229,660)
Musical
Jewelry Apparatus (7,251,957)
Slot Machine Shaped
Toaster (D545,112)
Cremation
Urn Convertible Birdhouse (7,272,874)
Leakproof
Straw (D550,496)
Heated
Stuffed Animal (7,241,196)
Golf-Ball
Lubricant (7,250,009)
Bow Tie With
Biblical Phrases and Musical Notes (D534,333)
Thong Diaper
(D539,422)
Flying Device
Utilizing Natural Principles (7,255,305)
Necktie Knot
Protector (7,162,747)
Communication
Device Having A Scent-Release Feature & Method Thereof (7,200,363)
Refrigerator
With Television (7,155,923)
Saliva
Ejector or Eductor (7,238,023)
Vacuum Cleaner
Grip (D548,412)
Assist Tool
For Chopsticks (7,182,378)
Apparatus
& Methods For Detecting Emotions In The Human Voice (7,165,033)
Combined Toy
Bunny & Hat (D540,404)
Inflatable
Umbrella (D553,847)
Pet Helmet
(D539,488)
Hat With
Interchangeable Advertising Media (7,243,377)
Combined Pet
Carrier & Gym Bag (D539,486)
Talking
E-Book (7,239,842)
Lottery-Ticket
Scraper (D552,316)
Automatic
Celebrity Face Matching & Attractiveness-Rating Machine (7,286,692)
Intertoe
Towel (7,160,598)
Apparatus
For Leaving Message In Refrigerator (7,167,100)
Method &
System For Preventing Pole Vault Injuries (7,244,216)
Multiple Beer Cup
Holder (D551,036)
Instant
Snowman (7,178,342)
Camouflage
Tire (7,255,762)
Ball Bat Having Windows (7,207,907)
Reverse
Sitting Commode (7,194,772)
Butter Stick
Slicer (D551,917)
Folding
Coffee Maker (7,210,400)
Personal
Vision Field Blocker (7,258,436)
Device For
Transporting A Stroller (7,198,122)
Disposable
Swimsuit (7,210,170)
Aquatic Surface Skipping
Toy Device (7,261,611)
Pedometer
For Pets (7,246,033)
Golf Ball
Dimple Pattern With Overlapping Dimples (7,258,632)
Portable
Eyeglass Case (D552,348)
Illuminating
Nail Clipper (7,263,775)
Clothing
Hanger Adapted For Personal Use (7,228,995)
Skipping
Ropes (7,223,211)
Wearable
Urine Receiving & Storage Device For Use At Recreational Events (7,160,276)
Disposable
Flying Insect Trap (7,290,368)
Hula Hoop
With Weights (7,232,357)
Football Warming & Drying Device
(7,210,245)
Transformable
Garment That Can Be Used As A Pillow (7,165,271)
Wrist Mounted
Flotation Device (7,267,509)
Method Of Facial Coding Monitoring For The Purpose Of Gauging The Impact & Appeal Of Commercially Related Stimuli (7,246,081)
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