Deck the Halls with Patents at Pure Ideas

Christmas is a season full of joy, cheer, and, of course, a host of unique inventions that help to make this time of year even more magical.

The most useful inventions often arise from solving everyday problems, and the festive season is no exception. So, grab a slice of yule log, pour some eggnog and join Vikki Townsend as she unwraps some of the finest Christmas-themed patents and the legal innovations behind them.

Advent Calendars: Double Door Fun

The countdown to Christmas is a source of excitement and, sometimes, arguments. Only one advent calendar for the household? That’s a recipe for holiday tension. While you might think having one calendar each is the solution, there’s a more inventive option: the advent calendar with two doors for each day.

This clever design, patented by Steve Townsend (GB2339485B), labels half the doors as hers and the other half as his. This small insight might also shed some light on why Townsend’s marriage didn’t work out!

Perfecting Christmas Dinner: The Sprout Stripper

Sprouts at Christmas dinner can be a tough sell but getting every detail right is crucial for impressing picky dinner guests. The best Brussels sprouts start with a good sprout stripper. A notable example, patented by A B Windle in the 1980s (GB2071999A), ensures perfectly prepared sprouts. The good news? The patent has expired, so now anyone can enjoy these top-quality sprout strippers.

When a patent expires, the exclusive rights granted to the patent holder come to an end, allowing others to use, produce, and sell the invention without infringement. This transition from proprietary technology to public domain can lead to increased competition and innovation, as more companies can improve upon and market the original invention. Who knows, maybe we’ll be seeing an updated version of the sprout strippers this Christmas!

Crackers for All: The Three-Way Solution

So, the table is set with your perfect sprouts on the plate, but without Christmas crackers it’s not Christmas dinner, it’s just dinner, right?!

It’s all good fun when you’ve an even number of guests, but wait, there’s an odd number. Either one person must use two hands to pull their own cracker (and where’s the fun in that!) or you have to decide who gets to pull on two crackers, leading to the first family argument of the day.

Enter Chris Eves and his ingenious three-way cracker. The patent, granted to Eves (GB2465026A), covers a tubular construction that allows three people to pull the cracker simultaneously, ensuring that everyone gets a share of the fun and prizes. This fantastic addition to the dinner table helps to ensure everyone gets to enjoy the festive fun without any unwanted awkwardness.

Christmas Pudding Innovations

These days, buying a ready-made Christmas pudding from the supermarket is a given. However, mass producing and packaging these festive treats was once a significant challenge.

The innovative minds behind GB patent no. 22078 from 1908 developed a “Method of and Means for the Boiling or Steaming and subsequent Preservation and Sale of Puddings,” which revolutionized the way we enjoy this festive dessert.

We Wish You a Merry… Copyright Infringement?

Ready to belt out some Christmas carols? Be cautious, as many modern favourites are still under copyright protection. Singing them in public, especially if you share your performance on social media, could land you in trouble. Copyright laws are stringent, and even a joyful rendition of a beloved holiday song can lead to unforeseen consequences if not properly licensed.

However, there is no need to worry too much. Thankfully, there are plenty of older classics in the public domain that you can sing freely without any legal concerns. These timeless pieces include Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, or Ding Dong! Merrily on High.

Pick some of these public domain classics for your holiday sing-alongs. You’ll dodge copyright hassles and embrace the musical treasures that make the season so special. Whether you’re belting out tunes around the tree, carolling with friends, or sharing your festive cheer online, you can do it all with a joyful heart and no legal worries.

Christmas at Pure Ideas

So, as we deck the halls and celebrate the season at Pure Ideas, let’s appreciate the innovation that makes our Christmas traditions so special. From advent calendars to Christmas puddings, these patents are a reminder of the creativity and problem-solving spirit that enrich and inspire our festive celebrations.

Do you have a Holiday themed design that you’d like to get patented? You can give us a call or email to organise an appointment at our head office to find out how Pure Ideas can help.