Monthly Archives: October 2020

Partial design of the mask

  • October 27, 2020
#design

Partial design is one of the effective means for applying for design registration.
By using the partial design system, the scope of rights can be the shape, pattern, color, etc. of only the part of the entire article that is to be registered as a design.
The part other than the part for which the design registration is to be received is also called the “disclaim part”.
In the drawing, for example, the part to be registered as a design is drawn with a solid line, and the disclaimed part is drawn with a broken line.
When filing a color drawing, you can also color-code the disclaimed part to identify it.

For example, the “sanitary mask” disclosed in Japanese Design Registration No. 1540049 (design right holder: Kowa Co., Ltd.), the position, shape, and size of the pleats (folds), welded parts, mesh seals, etc. of the mask body are partial design registered.
On the other hand, the part of the ear strap shown by the broken line is disclaimed. (The names in the figure have been added by the author.)

Therefore, even if a third party implements a mask with the shape of the ear strap changed for the registered design, it will be an infringement if the shape of the mask body is similar.
The mask corresponding to this registered design is commercially available as a “three-dimensional mask”. (Conan)

Magical foot cover

  • October 21, 2020
#patent

I don’t feel comfortable with stockings, so I use foot covers especially during the hot seasons. The foot cover I bought the other day said “patented” in Japan.

When I looked up the patents of Gunze Co., Ltd., the company that sold these foot covers on J-PlatPat, there were several patents related to foot covers. I didn’t know which patent was the foot cover I bought because the patent number wasn’t written on the product label, but I felt once again that the efforts of these companies support a comfortable daily life. (Marron)

Apple Watch

  • October 16, 2020
#design

Under the influence of corona, I feel a lack of exercise these days. I bought an Apple Watch to increase my motivation for exercise. Apple Watch is a watch sold by Apple Inc. which is based in the United States. I was surprised to find out that the many of the functions are the same as that of a cell phone, although the size is the same as that of a wristwatch that I usually wear. I wear it on my day-offs and thought it would be a great alternative to a cell phone when going for a bit of walking or running.

Apple Watch is registered as a design and its Japanese Design Registration No. is 1539652. There is also a related design registration as the Japanese Design Registration No. 1549019. I can’t help but to keep an eye on Apple products that are being upgraded one after another. (Rabbit)

Sponge Cake (Castella)

  • October 14, 2020
#trademark

Recently, I received a sponge cake (castella) from Nagasakido. When I took off the paper on the back of the sponge cake, the rough texture of the coarse sugar was scattered and it looked like a pattern. It was delicious.

Looking at the wrapping paper and historical writings, the shape of the ship says “Kurofune Denrai”(= meaning to be imported by the black ships). I only had the head of “Black Ships are Perry’s steamships”, so I was curious, and looked it up a little. According to “Free Encyclopedia”, all large Western-style ships that have visited Japan since the 15th century were the “black ships”. Speaking of which, sponge cake (Castella) was also brought in by trade with the Portugal, and it is certainly “Kurofune Denrai”.

Nagasakido’s “Kurofune Denrai” was registered in 1931 (Japanese Registration No. 229713). There are various brands of sponge cake (castella), but it seems that the only trademark with the ship mark is that of Nagasakido.

By the way, sponge cake (castella) is commonly called Nagasaki castella, but it should be noted that “Nagasaki castella” is now a regional collective trademark (Nagasaki Confectionery Industry Association, registered in 2006, Japanese Registration No. 5003044).
(blink)

At Gacha Gacha no Mori

  • October 7, 2020
#patent

“Gacha Gacha no Mori”, which was newly opened in Asunal Kanayama in front of Kanayama Central Station, is a capsule-toy-specialized store with many capsule toy machines piled up.

From popular character mascots to things you would be surprised to find as a toy, there are more capsule toys than you can imagine, such as miniature figures, and you will be thrilled just by looking at them.
Usually, there is a box to return empty capsules, so I looked around and found it!

It’s a simple mechanism of inserting an empty capsule from the capsule inlet, rolling three slopes and dropping it into the collection box that seems to be installed inside, but it is playful and makes you want to insert the capsule. Put unnecessary paper and plastics in another slot and roll the capsule. This makes sorting fun and easy, and easy processing after collection. With this system, there is only merit for both the customer and the shop assistant.

And there it was! The word “patent application is in processing” is in the upper right corner of the recycling box!
Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-116620
From the application number, it seems that the application was made around July this year. Since it has not been published yet, I cannot see the contents of the invention on J-PlatPat, but I am interested in what kind of patent application it is.
By the way, the goods that I got of Gacha Gacha are not disclosed ♪ (Cacao)