Electric Salt

  • 2023年01月25日
#patent #trademark

 “Electric Salt” is a spoon- and bowl-shaped device that enhances the salty taste of low-sodium food by approximately 1.5 times via stimulation, and was developed through joint research by the laboratory of Dr. Homei Miyashita of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences (Miyashita Laboratory) and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin). They are currently conducting demonstration tests and aim to launch the “Electic Salt” device in 2023.

 “Electric Salt” is equipped with a unique electric current waveform Electric taste sensation technology, which is effective when a weak electric current flows through a spoon or bowl. I was watching TV during the year end and new-year holidays and noticed that it was featured in several programs.

 I thought that they might have a patent, so I looked it up and found two Japanese applications related to Electric taste sensation, where the applicant is Meiji University and Dr. Homei Miyashita is the inventor. (JP 2021-045399 and JP 2019-212799)
 In addition, the trademark “Electric Salt” has been applied for by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, and is currently under examination. (Japanese trademark application 2022-088846)

 Japanese people are said to consume too much salt. It is likely to be introduced from the medical and nursing care fields at first, but I would like to try it when it becomes available at an affordable price. (Marron)

Reference article: Meiji University 2022 press release

Der Baumkuchen

  • 2023年01月05日
#trademark

Last Christmas, I bought Juchheim ‘s “Der Baumkuchen” as a gift for my family.
I had been interested in it for a long time but never had a chance to buy it, but I happened to see it on a TV program and decided immediately to buy it for Christmas this year!

Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen" Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen"

The outer box is Christmas-specific and cute.
The Der Baum, with its attractive bumpy mountain shape, is said to be baked using the same recipe and production method as in the past. As you can see from the names of the ingredients in the images, they do not use vegetable fats such as margarine and shortening, but use butter and no food additives such as expanders, and are made using only natural ingredients, showing their strong commitment to making safe and secure sweets.

Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen"

The head office is located in Kobe City, but the central factory is actually located in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture.
I first learned that Juchheim ‘s confectionery was adopted as a tax return gift from Anjo City.

It has been 100 years since Karl Juchheim, the founder of Juchheim, decided to settle permanently in Japan and opened the first Juchheim store in Japan in Yokohama. In 2009, the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding, a trademark application was filed for the Juchheim logo, including “SEIT 1909” printed on the outer box, and a design that appears to represent the bumpy surfaces of a Der Baumkuchen. (Japanese Registration No. 5299158)

Juchheim

I ate too much cake and chicken for Christmas, so it will be a little while before I can enjoy Der Baum with my family. I am very much looking forward to it♪ (Cacao)

The History of Juchheim | Juchheim
Juchheim Der Baum (L) – Details of the gift – Satofull (satofull.jp)

“3D Art” on a caramel package

  • 2022年12月28日
#trademark

Caramel is a popular flavor of popcorn, but sometimes I feel like eating caramel itself.
When I think of caramel, the yellow box of “Morinaga Milk Caramel” comes to mind.
The design of the box is interesting to look at because of its history, but when I bought it after a long time, I found that the package had become a “3D art” package that could be enjoyed.

3D Art on a caramel package

Pictures of people and animals are printed on the outer film, which is superimposed on the background printed on the inside of the box to create a space with depth.
It is a simple but exciting device. Hats off to a great idea.

This package won the Bronze Prize in the confectionery category of the “Japan Package Design Award 2023” in 2022. (Time)

Japanese Registered Trademark
Registration number: No. 89075
Registration date: November 6, 1917

SABACHI and TUNACHI – Naming Devices.

  • 2022年12月22日
#trademark

 I would like to introduce some snacks I recently ate, and thought were delicious.
 They are “SABACHI” mackerel chips and “TUNACHI” tuna chips.

SABACHI and TUNACHI

 They are crispy and have a light salty taste, while the ” SABACHI ” has a slight sweetness as well. Each is made with 70% mackerel and tuna, respectively, so the fish flavor is amazing. They are like the mackerel and tuna versions of Bankaku’s Yukari, a famous snack in the Tokai region (a rice cracker richly flavored with shrimp). The fact that it looks healthy is also a great point.

SABACHI and TUNACHI

 It is a little hard to tell, but the reddish one is “TUNACHI”. In my family, the “TUNACHI” is more popular by three to one.

SABACHI and TUNACHI

 On the package, there is an indication “Trademark registration pending,” but the trademark for the letters “SABACHI” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6321782) and the package (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6437358) and the trademark for the letters “TUNACHI” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6376443) and the package (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6361490) have been registered, respectively. The “SABACHI” and “TUNACHI” trademarks were registered.

 “SABACHI” and “TUNACHI” seem to have been coined by abbreviating the ending (PS) of “SABACHIPS” and “TUNACHIPS,” respectively, but if “SABACHIPS” or “TUNACHIPS” had been applied for, the application would have been rejected under Article 3(1)(iii) of the Trademark Law (a trademark that merely indicates the quality of goods in a common manner). Whether or not it was to avoid this reason for refusal is not known, but the above trademarks were applied for under “SABACHI” and “TUNACHI” by devising the naming, and the registration was granted without receiving any notice of reason for refusal (Hiro).

My personal No. 1 snack in 2022

  • 2022年12月14日
#trademark

It is the end of the year.
In 2022, I ate various snacks, both Japanese and Western, and I would like to introduce the one that left the greatest impression on me.
It is the “Zunda Shake” from Zunda Saryo, which is run by Sendai-based Kasho Sanzen Co., Ltd.
Zunda Shake is a sweet vanilla shake mixed with Zunda (mashed edamame beans). It is said that many people are captivated by this exquisite combination.

Zunda Shake

I have been wanting to try it for several years but have never had the chance, but I finally had the chance to drink it at the Great Tohoku Exhibition held at JR Nagoya Takashimaya in November this year.
Zunda Shake was as delicious as I had hoped it would be over the years, and I downed it in no time at all. (A few days later, I went back to buy some more…)
I hope to have another such delicious encounter next year.

The trademark in the photo, consisting of “a figure of edamame (*)” and “ZUNDA SARYO,” was registered on October 22, 2004 for the designated service “provision of food and drink” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 4812488).

* The graphic portion is yellowish green in the photo, but is represented in yellow in the registered trademark.

(Sakuramochi)

What Will Happen? TOKIO-BA” in Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture

  • 2022年12月07日
#trademark

I traveled to Fukushima Prefecture in October. It was my first visit in over three years due to the Corona disaster.
While enjoying the autumn leaves that began to change colors earlier than in Nagoya, I saw Mt. Iimori, the place of the Byakkotai’s suicide attack, and “Sazae-do” (official name: Entsu Sansodou) with its unusual architectural style, and “Ouchi-juku” where houses with thatched roofs line the street and the atmosphere of the Edo period remains.

During the trip, I went to that “TOKIO-BA” because I just passed near Nishigo Village.

TOKIO-BA

“TOKIO-BA” is a creative project started by three members of TOKIO, who are working to promote the appeal of Fukushima Prefecture, in Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture. On the day I visited, “Fukusima BArche”, a marche selling Fukushima products, was being held and many people were visiting.

TOKIO-BA seems to have 80,000 square meters of land, but there is almost nothing there yet.
A search for “TOKIO-BA” on J-PlatPat shows that a Japanese trademark application has been filed.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2021-075718/1C48139A269BBBB84029A8C7E9A3611DD45346431BF125E59935356167DB1568/40/ja
Looking at the designated goods or designated services seems to give us a glimpse of what they are trying to do here. I look forward to seeing what they are going to do in the future.(Syszo)

TOKIO-BA – TOKIO Inc. (Japanese only)
https://www.tokio.inc/s/tokio/page/tokio-ba?ima=1624

Roasted Chestnuts

  • 2022年11月24日
#trademark

 The other day I found a registered trademark on a package of chestnuts. Fukuguri are sweet roasted chestnuts.

Roasted Chestnuts

 I enjoyed eating these roasted chestnuts on their own and as Mont Blanc cake.

The roasted chestnuts I have had so far have been chestnuts with all the skin on and without the skin. Chestnuts with the skin on have flavor. However, if the chestnuts have the skin all over them, it takes time to peel the skin off, and it is very hard to get your hands dirty.

As stated on the package, these roasted chestnuts are easy to peel because the skins of the roasted chestnuts are cracked. They are also easy to cook and eat. (Raspberry)

“Fukuguri Chestnuts”
Owner: Shinko Trading Co. , Ltd.
Japanese Trademark Registration Application: No. 2011-64660
Registration Date: March 30, 2012

Up cycle

  • 2022年11月16日
#patent #trademark

 In recent years, the term “up cycling” has come to be used frequently amidst growing environmental awareness. For example, the Japanese published unexamined patent application No. 2022-115087 states the following.

 ”Up cycle” is one form of recycling, and is to provide new added value such as design and idea to waste which should be discarded and to upgrade and change to another new product. It can be said that the above described embodiment is upgraded to a fermentation composition ・・・ for food waste and food before expiration, and which can be used as a food by a person.

 The applicant of this published gazette, Soi Co., Ltd. is a company that develops fermented foods in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. You can find their philosophy on upcycling on their website.

 https://soijp.com/product/upcycling/

 The “UP 0 TECH®” Japanese registration trademark (No. 6550670), which stands for “technological thinking that eliminates the concept of waste and recycles all resources,” has been registered as a trademark for the following designated products and services.

UP 0 TECH

 (Example.)
 Class 3 (cosmetics)
  Cosmetics manufactured by upcycling (waste recycling)
 Class 30 (Confectionery and foodstuffs)
  Coffee made by upcycling (waste recycling)
  Bread produced by upcycling (waste recycling)
 Class 40 (Processed goods)
  Provision of information and advice relating to upcycling (waste recycling)

 The website states, “We hope to realize a circular economy through the technologies and methods produced by UP 0 TECH®”. We expect that this technology will be in increasingly high demand in the future. (Conan)

Help Mark

  • 2022年11月10日
#trademark

 The other day, according to the news, the release of artist Ringo Sheena’s album bonus goods has been postponed because they resemble the Help Mark.
 The Help Mark, which is a combination of a white cross and a heart, is a pictogram created by the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to make it easier for people to get help by letting them know that they need assistance or consideration even if it is not apparent from the outside, such as the use of artificial legs or joints, or internal disabilities. The Help Mark has been displayed on the Toei Subway Oedo Line since October 2012. The trademark “Help Mark” has no designation, and the right holder is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (Japanese Trademark registration No. 5624913)
 The Help Mark is also distributed at the section in charge of disability welfare in each municipality and at prefectural public health centers in Aichi Prefecture.

Help Mark

 In addition, the Red Cross “Red Cross Mark” is a mark to protect people injured in wars and conflicts, as well as military medical units, Red Cross rescue workers and facilities that provide aid to such people, and it is strictly prohibited by international and domestic laws to attack hospitals, rescue workers, etc. that display the “Red Cross Mark. International and national laws strictly prohibit attacks on hospitals, rescue workers, etc. displaying the Red Cross symbol. The use of the Red Cross logo is restricted to the Red Cross Society and organizations that are legally designated to use it, and its use is also prohibited for general hospitals, medical supplies, etc.
 I hope for a world where everyone can live with kindness and help each other. (Marron)

Help Mark, a sign of mutual aid (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health Website)
https://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/helpmarkforcompany/

E-tak® Antibacterial Spray α

  • 2022年10月26日
#patent #trademark

The other day, while watching a BS (Broadcasting Satellites) news program, I saw a commercial promoting “patented ingredient XX blended!” and “patent number XXX”. Perhaps it is an occupational hazard of working at a patent office, but I took note of it when I noticed it (laugh). It is a product called “Etak® Antibacterial Spray α” (Eisai). I did a little research and here is what I found out.

Since it was an Eisai commercial, I naturally assumed that it was patented by Eisai Co., Ltd. but when I looked up “Japanese Patent No. 4830075” on J-PlatPat, a patent information platform, I found that it was a patent shared not by Eisai but by Hiroshima University and Manac Incorporated.

E-tak

Incidentally, the registered trademarks “Etak” (in katakana) and “Etak” are also owned by Campus Medico Co., Ltd. The company is a university venture that commercializes the results of research conducted at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (the company’s website also lists Japanese Patent No.4830075 under “Patents held by our company,” but according to J-PlatPat, Hiroshima University and Manac Incorporated are still the patent holders).

This area is a little confusing, but on Manac’s special Etak website, in addition to Eisai, Kurabo Industries Ltd. and Jex Inc. is introduced in the “related products” page so it seems the three companies are licensed. It is difficult to understand the situation by browsing only the websites of the licensee companies, but this time I was able to confirm the information because it was introduced in a commercial along with the patent number and was also introduced on the websites of each company.

E-tak® Antibacterial Spray α is advertised as a product that “when sprayed on doorknobs, tables, or anywhere else you are concerned about, the long-lasting antimicrobial ingredient prevents the growth of viruses and bacteria in the sprayed area,” which sounds like it would sell well after the Corona disaster in 2020, but further research revealed that it had won the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun Award for Excellence in the Nikkei Superior Products and Services Awards in 2018, before the Corona disaster. …Did you know about this?

Related Link
Product infomation | Etak Antibacterial Spray α | Eisai Co., Ltd. (hubspotusercontent40.net) (PDF)
https://etak.manac-inc.co.jp/ (Etak special website, Japanese only)
https://www.manac-inc.co.jp/etak/index.html (Manac Incorporated Product Information, Japanese only)
CAMPUSMEDICO
https://www.nikkei.com/edit/news/special/newpro/2018/index.html (Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun Award Products 2018, Japanese only)

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