Patents of Love: Valentine's Day Post

Since tomorrow will be Valentine's Day (Feb. 14th, case you've forgotten), let's look at some Valentine's-themed patents. 

While searching for material, I found most patented inventions that directly mention or concern Valentine's Day are very boring--such as greeting card holders, or yet another heart-shaped candy container. Both of those concepts are just too common and over-used. Readers of this blog deserve more.

And, unfortunately, the inventor of the machine that first manufactured Sweethearts candy (those horrible chalky hearts inscribed with things like "BE MINE"; unimaginable quantities must be tossed out annually) did not ever seek a patent. Or, my search strategies were insufficient to find them. Given the failure to mention one in the brief history on their official webpage, I suspect it was not patented.

The aliens from Futurama are right

Again, there is unfortunately no patent for the Hershey Kisses® machine, according to my search results. Mr. Milton Hershey did obtain other patents, including one for a candy cutting machine in 1895.

You know what patents mention Valentine, Valentine's Day, or sweetheart a LOT? 

Plants. 

This is not terribly surprising--flowers are a common gift on Valentine's Day and on other occasions between lovers; particularly roses. Since plant patents are both interesting and attractive, here are a few notable examples of sweetheart and Valentine plants. Credit to University of Maryland Libraries' Plant Patent Image Database for all plant pictures. 

1. Viola plant named 'Sweetheart'. Invented by Robert Chapman. 

   

   PP28,353

   
   
2. Miniature rose plant named 'My Valentine'. Invented by R.S. Moore.

   

   PP3,935

   
   
3. Day lily plant named 'When My Sweetheart Returns'. Invented by Darrell A. Apps, assigned to Centerton Nursery, Inc.

   

   PP13,480

   
   
4. Anthurium plant named 'Valentine'. Invented by Marian Wincenty Osiecki, assigned to Oglesby Plants International, Inc.

   

   PP13,284

   
   
5. Hibiscus plant named 'My Valentine'. Invented by Kevin A. Hurd, assigned to Walters Gardens Inc.

   

   PP24,108