Donut Day Innovation

Donuts (or doughnuts, whichever you prefer; I'm using both) have been driving innovation in America since they first appeared. They’ve played an important role in multiple industries: beyond bakeries, doughnuts are integral to an iconic animated character's personality, and have cared for American soldiers abroad—see the history of Donut Day and the Salvation Army for more on that.

Some of the earliest patents granted by the post-1836 patent office (a fire destroyed all prior patents issued since its 1790 establishment) were for doughnut making machines and tools. The earliest I found was an 1870 patent for a doughnut cutter, US 0102225 A. Following that, hundreds and thousands of patents have been issued for new processes, complex chemical compositions for improving the pastry, and impressive modern machines like you might see at a Krispy Kreme®.

However, this blog entry is dedicated to a category of innovation that hasn’t yet been featured: contemporary design patents. Taken directly from the USPTO, a "design consists of the visual ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, an article of manufacture" and the "design for surface ornamentation is inseparable from the article to which it is applied and cannot exist alone."

Design patents are granted to the new and original ornamental or decorative features on an article of manufacture. Think of industrial design; the appearance of an Apple Watch that isn’t related to its function.

Doughnut design patents belong to an impressive range of industries and articles. Take a look at my favorites:

1. Donut-Warming Lid for Coffee Cup, US D618,500 S
   
   
   
   
2.  Donut Mug, US D871,846 S
   
   
   
   
3. Mini Donut Grill Plate, US D604,100 S
   
   
   
   
4. Pumpkin Donut, US D883,609 S
   
   
   
   
5. Doughnut Product with Six Appendages, US D607,176 S (and the related D607,177/D607,178) 
   
   
   
   
6. Filled Dough Product, US D790,153 S
   
   
   
   
7. Doughnut Container, US D873,132 S
   
   
   
   

Anyone else in the mood for donuts, now?

USPTO celebrates Made in America Week by highlighting great American inventions

In celebration of President Donald J. Trump designating October 4-10 as “Made In America Week,” the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is highlighting on its social media channels throughout the month of October a number of great American inventions that have improved the quality of life for all nations.

“'Made in America' is synonymous with great American inventions that have benefited not only Americans, but all mankind,” said Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “For more than two centuries, the halls of the USPTO have seen more than 10 million patents representing inventions that have positively impacted the course of human events, leading to healthier, more productive, and more prosperous lives.”

Over the coming month, observers can follow the listings of great American inventions on the USPTO social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.