Oh, patents! Oh, Givenchy! (3) Pi perfume flask

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Gentlemen! Givenchy’s Pi  Neo Eau de Toilette Spray is for you. 

The Givenchy Pi perfume bottle was granted the US design patent USD592072S1, titled Perfume flask.

As a reminder the difference between a US utility patent and a US design patent is the following: 

“a utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]].

Below, the patent Figures 2 and 7 are included, respectively showing a top view, and a front, right side perspective view, of the Givenchy Pi Neo perfume flask. An image of the marketed product is also included.

Reference

MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent

https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Oh, Givenchy (2) Organza perfume bottle

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The striking Givenchy Organza Indecence perfume bottle is patented. The design of this perfume bottle was granted the US design patent USD441280 (S), titled Perfume bottle and cap.

As a reminder, the difference between a US utility patent and a US design patent is the following:

“a utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]].

The front and rear patent figure drawings of the bottle are included, together with an image of the marketed product.

Reference

MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Oh, Givenchy!

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Givenchy’s star fabric design is unusual as it is also patented. The geometric pattern was awarded the US design patent USD793096 (S) titled Fashion Article Fabric.

As a reminder the difference between a US utility patent and a US design patent is the following: 

“a utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]].

Below, a patent drawing showing the fabric pattern, together with a close up on a blue silk men’s shirt, embodying the patented design.

Reference

MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent

https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Terminology – WOTTIES 2018 (3) Merriam-Webster

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of American English has selected justice as WOTY 2018. This term topped dictionary searches, which increased 74% for this term, compared to 2017.

Indeed, justice has been at the forefront of US events in 2018. Whether it was recently during the Congressional hearings for the Supreme Court Justice vacancy, or during the many additional headline-grabbing events connected to the #Metoo movement,  justice was at stake. Justice in support of women who are survivors of sexual violence.

The shortlist of potential Merriam-Webster WOTTIES is no less interesting. The following 10 words are runners-up.

• nationalism – On October 22 and 23, 2018, after the POTUS announced a rally in Texas, saying « I am a Nationalist. Nationalist.  Nothing wrong with that word. Use that word. Use that word. » Merriam Webster recorded an 8000% increase in searches for the term « Nationalism ». For anyone unsure of what the word means. Merriam Webster’s definition states: “loyalty and devotion to a nation, especially exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.”

• pansexual – meaning “of, relating to, or characterized by sexual desire or attraction that is not limited to people of particular gender identity or sexual orientation". The term spiked in April 2018, after it was used in a Rolling Stone Magazine feature article about the singer Janelle Monáe (Spanos, April 2018).

• lodestar – a term that spiked early Sept. 2018, in reference to Senator McCain’s death, meaning “one that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide.” The term originally meant “a star that leads or guides (especially the North Star).”

• epiphany – with the metaphorical meaning of “having to do with the sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of something, or an illuminating realization”. The term spiked after it appeared in the trailer of a BTS pop song Epiphany: Love yourself.

• feckless – meaning “ineffective” or “worthless”. According to Merrian-Webster, “The feck in feckless is a Scottish word meaning 'value' or 'worth'. The antonym 'feckful' meaning 'efficient' or 'effective' is used rarely." This term spiked in regards the Mexican border immigration policy that separates children from their families.

• laurel – this term spiked 3300% in May following an experiment where listeners might hear “laurel” or “yanny” depending on the frequency of the audio. The experiment was  run by the New York Times (Salam & Victor, May 2018).

• pissant – this term of abuse meaning “insignificant” spiked 115,000%, after it was used as an insult in reference to the quarterback Tom Brady’s daughter.

• respect - the title of one of Aretha Franklin’s biggest hits, who died on August 16, 2018, prompting spikes in the search for the term “respect”.  

• maverick - “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party." Maverick is a term that spiked after the death of Senator McCain, on August 25, 2018.

• Excelsior! – Salutation used by the Marvel Comics publisher, editor, and writer Stan Lee. The term means “higher” in Latin and is etymologically related to “excel” and “excellent”. The term spiked following Lee’s death in November 2018 (Youtube -Comic-con 2014)

References

BTS Jin - Epiphany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GiBbhq7hfI
Marvel World
https://www.marvel.com/

Me too Movement

https://metoomvmt.org/

Merriam-WEbsters Words of the year 2018

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/word-of-the-year-2018-justice

Respect – Aretha Franklin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0

Salam, M. & D. Victor (May 15, 2018) Yanny or Laurel: How a sound clip divided America, in the NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/science/yanny-laurel.html

Spanos, B. (April 26, 2018) Janelle Monae frees herself in Rolling Stone Magazine

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/janelle-monae-frees-herself-629204/

Stan Lee saying Excelsior at Salt Lake Comic-con 2014

https://youtu.be/O6mNqQmojxE

Terminology - Translation of single-use to French

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The term single-use translates a bit ambiguously to French as (à) usage unique,  alternatively as jetable, meaning disposable. The standard translation usage unique, is ambiguous because it has two possible deep semantic structures, according to Chomskyan transformational grammar. First, usage unique might mean for use just once before disposal, as for the English term single-use. Alternatively, usage unique might also mean for single-purpose use (i.e.; for use only as it is intended to be used). 

This ambiguity does not prevent the term usage unique to be used just like the English single-use, across domains, and as a standard translation, for example on the packaging and instructions of single-use pharmaceutical products, such as syringes, examination gloves, vials, applicators, and the like.

The product packaging below uses both the terms jetables and usage unique. Jetables, meaning disposable, is used in the English sense of single-use in reference to nasal tips used for applying the ProRhinel® infant nasal spray. The term usage unique refers to the less common meaning of single-purpose use for the branded ProRhinel® nasal spray. 

References

Chomsky, N. (1957) Syntactic Structures. The Hague: Mouton Press. 

Chomsky, N. (1965) Aspects of a theory of syntax. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 

Terminology – WOTTIES 2018 (2) Collins Dictionary

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Collins Dictionary Word of the Year 2018 is the term single-use.

According to the Collins dictionary, single-use is “a term that describes items whose unchecked proliferation are blamed for damaging the environment and affecting the food chain”. The term ‘single-use refers to “ products – often plastic – that are ‘made to be used once only’ before disposal." The 2018 Collins WOTY covers the meaning of single-use evoking ocean plastic pollution and its deadly effects on marine wildlife, as well as the accumulation of single-use plastic in landfills as non-biodegradable waste. Thus, single-use products have been especially targeted in global campaigns to reduce their use.

According to Collins, the frequency of the term single-use has increased threefold since 2013, in an effort to raise public awareness about the negative planetary effects of single-use products. 

Incidentally, about a dozen categories of single-use products, such as straws, paper plates, cotton swabs, stirrers and swizzle sticks, were banned by the European Parliament on Oct. 24, 2018 (Le Monde). The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the ban with 571 votes in favor, 53 against, and 34 abstentions. The European Federation of Plastics found the measures disproportionate. They blame ocean plastics pollution on the mismanagement of waste. Contrary to linguistic evidence, they also blame plastics pollution on a lack of public awareness.

Collins lexicographers monitor 4.5 billion words per year. They select a shortlist of potential WOTTIES which are no less interesting than the winner of them all. The following is the Collins shortlist of 2018 Wotties.  

• backstop - a system that will come into effect if no other arrangement is made.

• floss – a dance in which people swing their hips in one direction while swinging their arms in the opposite direction with their fists clenched. People flossing look as though they are pulling a piece of dental floss back and forth between their legs.

• gaslight (verb) - to attempt to manipulate (a person) by continually presenting them with false information until they doubt their sanity.

• gammon – etymologically related to the 15th-century French term “jambon” referring to ham. Term used by Charles Dickens in 1838 in his novel Nicholas Nickleby in reference to “a large, self-satisfied, middle-aged man who professes an extreme patriotism in large part to disguise his essential selfishness and corruption.” Term used in 2018 on Twitter as an antidote to “snowflake”, meaning “red-faced angry person”.

• #Metoo - cultural movement that seeks to expose and eradicate predatory sexual behavior, especially in the workplace.

• plogging – activity of picking up litter while jogging in an effort to address global pollution in beauty spots. The term is a blend of the Swedish term plocka meaning to pick and the term jogging.

• vegan - person who refrains from using any animal products whatsoever for food, clothing, or any other purpose.

• whitewash (verb) - to cast a white actor in the role of (a character from a minority ethnic group) or to produce (a film or play) using white actors to play characters from a minority ethnic group.

• VAR – abbreviation for video assistant referee. The term was written in the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and used for the first time during the 2018 FIFA World cup.

References

Collins Dictionary WOTY 2018 

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/woty

Collins 2018  WOTY shortlist

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-lovers-blog/new/collins-2018-word-of-the-year-shortlist,451,HCB.html

Etymology corner – Collins WOTY  2018 - Why single-use?
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-lovers-blog/new/etymology-corner-collins-word-of-the-year-2018,449,HCB.html

Le parlement européen votre pour l’interdiction des produits en plastique à usage unique (Oct. 24, 20180 Le Monde

https://www.lemonde.fr/pollution/article/2018/10/24/les-eurodeputes-pour-l-interdiction-des-produits-en-plastique-a-usage-unique_5374014_1652666.html

Terminology – WOTTIES 2018 (1) Cambridge Dictionary

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

‘Tis the WOTY season! WOTY (rhymes with potty) is an acronym for Word Of The Year.

The British Cambridge Dictionary, People’s Word of the Year 2018 is nomophobia. This means that according to the Cambridge Dictionary worldwide audience, nomophobia is the word that best sums up 2018.

Nomophobia, huh?

Nomophobia is “fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phone or unable to use it”. Nomophobia is a technically a blend, collapsing several words into a new one, in this case “No mobile phone phobia”. The earliest use of the term nomophobia is traced back to 2008. Because of its staying power, nomophobia was added the Cambridge Dictionary early in 2018. The term is popular rather than scientific. In other words, you may never find it listed in the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

The rest of the words in the short list of four WOTTIES, that the Cambridge Dictionary editors select, is always as interesting as the single word that topped them all by popular vote. 

The short list of Cambridge Dictionary 2018 WOTTIES includes the following:

•  gender gap - "a difference between the way men and women are treated in society, or between what men and women do and achieve"

•  ecocide - "destruction of the natural environment of an area, or very great damage to it"

• no platforming - "the practice of refusing someone an opportunity to make their ideas or beliefs known publicly, because you think these beliefs are dangerous or unacceptable".

References

DSM-5 - American Psychiatric Association

https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

The People’s Word Of The Year 2018

https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2018/11/29/the-peoples-word-of-2018/

About words – Cambridge Dictionary Blog

https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/  

Oh, patents ! Ember® Mugs

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Any reluctance you might have in paying $149$ for what looks like another insulated travel mug, to keep your beverage warm or cold, may vanish, once you find out just how smart the Ember® mugs can be.

Two models of the Ember® mugs are marketed: the Ember® 10 oz ceramic mugs ($80), and the Ember® 12 oz travel mugs ($149).

The Ember® mugs recharge on their coasters and are Bluetooth®-connected to an Ember® app. The Ember® app, compatible with Apple and Android devices, enables you to:

• control the ideal temperature of your drink
• store presets according to different sorts of beverages
• track your consumption
• name, or color-code, your mug
• receive notifications for when your beverage has reached its optimum temperature
• keep your beverage at its optimal temperature for one hour

Thus, no more cold coffee (or warm soda when cold drinkware containers are launched), Your drink will retain its ideal temperature “from the first sip to the last”!

The Ember® travel mug is a completely autonomous mug with a rotatable temperature setting dial at the base of the mug, and touch activation on the body of the mug.  Both mugs are otherwise preset to 130 degrees F. Using the app, the preset temperature setting may also be adjusted to preferred or recommended temperatures, ranging between 120 and 145 degrees F.

The visually stunning ceramic mugs come in white, black, or recently in copper. The latest equally stunning travel version of the Ember® ceramic mugs is equipped with a push-to-open, leakproof lid, offering a lip interface designed for a 360-degree sipping experience. The design of the Ember® mugs has garnered several awards such as one of Time magazine’s 25 Best inventions of the year in 2017, and an IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the Kitchen and Accessory category, also in 2017. 

The Ember® beverage temperature control invention is recited in the 2018 patent application, US2018084943, titled Heated or cooled drinkware. The abstract of this invention is included below together with the patent figure 1 drawing, depicting a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the drinkware container. 

An actively heated or cooled beverage container includes a body chosen from a group consisting of a mug, a cup and a travel mug, the body having a chamber configured to receive and hold a food or beverage therein. The container has a temperature control system that includes a phase change material positioned about at least a portion of the chamber that removes heat from the beverage disposed in the chamber that has a temperature above a predetermined drinking temperature to lower the temperature of the beverage toward the predetermined drinking temperature. One or more heating elements positioned in thermal communication with a different portion of the chamber than the phase change material. The temperature control system also has control circuitry configured to control the operation of the heating element. The temperature control system also includes a ring rotatably coupled to a distal end of the body, the ring configured to rotate about a central axis of the container relative to a proximal portion of the body and to communicate with the control circuitry.

References

Embe®
https://ember.com/

Internaitonal Design Excellence Awards (IDEA)

http://www.idsa.org/IDEA

Time Magazine 25 Best Inventions in 2017

http://time.com/5027078/the-25-best-inventions-of-2018/

World AIDS Day 2018

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Artist: Keith Haring

Today is World AIDS Day. 

The first WHO (World Health Organization) World AIDS Day public health campaign was celebrated in 1988, 30 years ago. The theme for this year’s campaign is an explanation “Why the HIV epidemic is not over”. Indeed, the statistics are still staggering.

• Since the late 80s, 70 million people in the world have contracted HIV, 35 million people have died.
• Today, about 37 million are living with HIV, 22 million are receiving treatment
• In 2017, 1.8 million people were newly infected.
• Approx. 1 million people are still dying each year from HIV-related causes (940,000 in 2017).
• Sub-Saharan Africa remains the area with the highest infection rates, estimated at 25.7 million in 2017.
• Every minute, every day, a girl between the ages of 15 and 24 is infected with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• 1 in 4 people who have HIV don’t know.
• There is no cure for HIV.
• Effective ART (anti-retroviral therapy) drugs exist which can control viral loads, enabling long, healthy and productive lives.
• The costs of these treatments are still largely prohibitive.
• Between 2000 and 2017, HIV infections dropped 36% and HIV-related deaths dropped 38%, with 11.4 million lives saved through ART drugs.

References

Keith Haring

http://www.haring.com/

Keith Haring Foundation

http://www.haring.com/kh_foundation/

WHO – HIV/AIDS – Key Facts

http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids  

WHO – World AIDS Day 2018

http://www.who.int/who-campaigns/world-aids-day/world-aids-day-2018