To celebrate our 175th anniversary, we are taking a deep dive into our files and digging out some of the patent, design and trade mark applications that HLK has worked on in our 175-year history of protecting IP.
Below are some of the applications and registrations from yesteryear that have made it into our IP Files collection.
Open up the accompanying LinkedIn post to find out more about the inventor and period of history that makes these innovations stand out.
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“Trade mark protection for an advertising icon”
A 2007 trade mark filed by then Haseltine Lake covering the character’s visual design – a friendly anthropomorphic tiger in a red scarf. Other registrations also protect Tony’s famous catchphrase.
“Trade mark protection for a well-loved cereal character”
A 2007 HLK filing that helped secure the Honey Loops brand, including the mascot Loopy the Bee. While Loopy has since been replaced by Honey B, this registration shows how trade marks protect a product’s name and distinctive character design, preserving brand identity across generations.
“Improvements relating to elastic cushion treads”
A patent for a method of embedding a textile coil in vulcanised rubber into the tread.
“Improvements relating to hearing aids”
A patent for a method of embedding a textile coil in vulcanised rubber into the tread.
“Improvements relating to cognac”
A patent that proposed ageing wine and spirits with electricity.
“Quietly revolutionised an everyday object: the sheet metal can.”
A sheet metal can that sought to tackle a common frustration – how to open them easily and reliably.
“A compact electronic hub for faster, more accurate checkout”
Fujitsu’s point-of-sale terminal replaced bulky tills with a faster, all-in-one system that enabled barcode scanning and electronic payments.
“Watch of four individual, separable, units”
By transforming one timepiece into four, Ventura Design on Time AG captured the bold flair of the 1980s.
“Improvements relating to the transmission of electrical energy”
A patent describing an invention relating to improvements in the transmission of electricity energy, invented by none other than Nikola Tesla.
“Improvements in or relating to radio-telegraph stations”
This application describes a ground-based, radio-telegraph station that offered improved communication with stations fitted to “aerial apparatus”.
“An improved hand driving mechanism for velocipedes”
Mr Georg Stecher, sought to provide a crank mechanism for a hand-driven bike which “perfectly corresponds to the anatomical structure of the hand and wrist of the driver”, whilst effecting “an excessive exertion of force analogous to that of the motion of the feet”.
“Improvements in or relating to diving apparatus”
A patent application for improvements to open circuit respiratory apparatus. This would lead to the first successful open-circuit Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA).
“Electrically heated apparatus for the treatment of the body”
A patent application describes a massage device that comprises a handle, electric heating element, and a metal case containing revolving massage balls.
“Improvements to electrical exercising machines”
A patent application for an exercise machine which administers electric shocks to a person during their workout.
“Improvement to reclaimed rubber”
A patent application for a novel technique for recycling rubber.
“Improvements in and relating to variable speed countershafts.”
A fascinating patent application to assist an engine running at a constant speed, filed for inventor Martha White.
“A space vehicle”
This application discloses a “space vehicle” which uses microwave energy to power rotation of the vehicle. Airfoils attached to the vehicle would then generate the thrust required to keep the space vehicle in orbit.
“Improvements in heat regulated apparatus for use in rearing infants.”
This apparatus became known as the ‘Lion incubator’ and was a high point in technology at the end of the 19th century, improving the survival rate of prematurely born infants.
“Improvements in and relating to clinical thermometers.”
An innovative thermometer to help reduce the risk of infection and a cheaper alternative to thermometers of the time, from inventor and applicant Enrico Pinchetti.
“Improvements in optometers.”
An invention to aid the measurement of errors of ocular refraction, patented by Andrew Jay Cross, a former president of the American Optometric Association.
“Improvements in devices for storing and injecting serums.”
This syringe patent from 1903 describes improvements in devices for storing and injecting serums, using a bulb-shaped receptacle containing the liquid which has the compressor and needle screwed onto either end before it is then used.
“Improvements in stapling machines.”
Used for stapling paperwork, boxes and carpet, it was a versatile piece of equipment, from Greenfield Automatic Fastener Company, using small strips of staples – what we’re familiar with nowadays.
“Improvements relating to adding machines.”
The ‘Bundy Adding Machine’, bares the smallest resemblance to a modern-day calculator and comes from a company that later became part of IBM.
“Improvements relating to safety razors.”
This type of razor changed men’s personal care and became popular in the 1900s after it was first patented by King Camp Gillette.
“Improvements in or relating to calendars and other information display devices.”
A frame could be positioned on a particular calendar date as a marker. One of the filers was Harry Vaughan Letts, the son of Charles Letts who founded Letts & Co, a popular diary and stationery brand.
“Improvements in reservoir writing instruments.”
Named for its inventor, László Bíró patented the first commercially successful modern ballpoint pen.
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175th anniversary news
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