Electromagnetic vehicle link, Continental Automotive GmbH

This patent describes a method and device for linking two vehicles via electromagnetic signals. It is intended for use by a car and its trailer, allowing them to exchange relevant data. 

Its applications could include operating indicators, brake lights or brakes themselves. Provisions are made for setting up a connection when similar systems are operating close by. Each system has its own signal pattern that will be recognised by the vehicle being linked.

Mars Rover, California Institute of Technology

The Curiosity Rover, currently exploring the surface of Mars, is a car sized vehicle launched by NASA on 26th Nov 2011. After a more than 8 month journey it touched down on 6th Aug 2012 and began its mission of investigating the climate, geology and water reserves of Mars, as well as the possibility it could have ever supported life. 

The rover is powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) that uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to generate electricity and heat. 

For a look at the rover's hair-raising approach and landing on Mars check out this video from NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=146903741

V-Hull Geometry for Blast Mitigation, Lockheed Martin Corp.

Approved on Dec 25th 2012, this design aims to increase the survivability of vehicle based crew members during a mine or IED blast event.

This is achieved in two ways. First, the 'v-shaped' hull allows gaseous venting, reducing the pressure wave impacting on the hull.

Secondly, the framework of the hull is designed to collapse under the large forces that are present in an explosion, absorbing the force in much the same way as the crumple zone in a car bonnet.

Beer Keg, Heineken

Sticking with the food and beverage theme, this patent filed by Heineken's supply chain division in April 2011 describes the design of their new retail keg. 

It has undergone significant changes from the current version below, with a more streamlined, pressure vessel -like body and sturdier handle.

From these pictures it does not look as stack-able as the current version but Heineken (especially the supply chain division) will have surely thought of that!

Licorice Cutter, Hershey Foods Corp.

This post looks at an older patent, awarded to Hershey Foods Corp on July 8th 1986. It describes a device to cut long strips of licorice into 1-inch bite sized pieces.

Fig. 1 gives a bird's eye view of the device, with long strips of licorice (20) entering the device from the left. They pass between the two rollers seen in Fig. 2.

The upper roller is fitted with blades that cut the licorice as it passes through. The pieces are then ejected by rods (50) actuated by a cam (62).

This clever invention makes use of the way blades mounted on a cylinder have a widening gap as radius increases to allow the licorice pieces to be pushed out easily. Yum.

Glass Staircase, Apple Inc.

Another patent from Steve Jobs and Apple, but not one you would expect. It covers a glass staircase for use in Apple's retail stores. 

Jobs' aim in designing this staircase was to encourage shoppers to explore the upper floors of Apple's stores. Both the steps and supporting structure are made from glass, with steel handrails added to combat the feeling of 'levitation' as they are climbed. 

Jobs' strengths as an industrial designer and shrewd businessman come together in this design, along with his drive for perfection in the smallest details of his company.

Device with Transparent Display, Nokia Corp.

This interesting device from Nokia incorporates a 'housing frame, a transparent display and a movable element'. It was submitted in Oct 2009 and approved in January this year.

The movable element houses a keyboard and can be folded behind the transparent screen (figs 1 and 3) or below the screen (fig 2).

Nokia list several benefits of this design, including improved form factor when compared to other transparent screen devices, improved performance in bright light and the ability to use the folding keyboard as a stand.

An interesting application of this design could be the use of the transparent screen as a viewfinder when using the camera.

Putter Head, Nike Inc.

Back to Nike again (they have a suprising number of patents). This time its the lucrative golf market. In their preamble Nike talks about how important the 'feel' of a golf club, especially the putter, is to a player and how this feel varies from person to person. To combat this problem they have designed a putter with an 'adjustable, multi-sided ball striking face insert'. 

Several configurations, including triangular, square and hexagonal cross section inserts are shown. The striking face is changed by separating the putter head as seen below.

This patent was filed July 27th 2010 but not approved until Jan 15th 2013. Will we see it in the hands of Tiger or Rory McIlroy this year? Looks a bit flimsy to me. 

Is this a moneymaking gimmick for the golfing dad who has everything? 

Beverage Container Drinking Surface Enhancement, The Coca-Cola Company

This bizarre invention by Coca-Cola aims to 'provide the consumer with a cool refreshing drinking sensation when the drinking surface comes into contact with the consumer's lips or mouth, thereby enhancing the overall beverage drinking experience of the consumer'.

It consists of a 'thermally conductive polymeric drinking surface' that is inserted into or clipped onto the mouth of the bottle.

 

Coca-Cola propose polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropelene as suitable materials. 

This patent was approved October 25th 2011 but has not yet been released to the market. 

Illuminable Footwear, Nike Inc.

Ever since they designed a shoe with an air cushion in the sole, Nike have been coming up with modifications to make their shoes stand out. This patent, approved on 22nd Jan 2013 describes an 'article of footwear incorporating an illuminable, fluid filled chamber'.

The shoe contains a light source that shines light through fluid filled tubes in the sole. 

The light then radiates out of the tubes and through the translucent sole. 

Handheld Portable Computing Device, Apple Inc.

Its hard to go past Apple as the starting point for this blog. Famous for a string of groundbreaking devices such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, the world is waiting to see what Apple Inc. will come up with next. 

The answer, or part of it could be found in this patent, filed April 16th 2012 and approved on New Year's Day this year.It describes the 'ornamental design for a handheld portable computing device'.

 This device certainly doesn't fit with Apple's traditional design philosophies with its multitude of buttons and small screen - it looks more like my old Sony Ericsson T100 circa 2004. 

Surely not something that would be endorsed by Steve Jobs, which makes it suprising to he his name along with 13 others listed under 'Inventors'.

Could this be the rumored low cost iPhone aimed at emerging economies?

Is it a remote control to work an iTV set? There are no clear volume/channel buttons and surely anyone forking out for an iTV would already have an iPhone/iPad to control it with. 

Is it simply a joke patent? (see iTunes EULA).

We will have to wait and see but it certainly doesn't look like the next revolutionary device that Apple needs to prove it hasn't lost its innovative spark.