Oh, patents! Starbucks® chewing gum tins

 Françoise © Herrmann

Starbucks® chewing gum tins were awarded the design patent USD471804, titled Chewing gum tin, on March 18, 2003.  No longer marketed, no wonder the small (1¼" x ¾" x 3⅛"), vintage, after coffee chewing gum tins have become a collector’s item on eBay, retailing for 50$ a piece, or more.

As a reminder a design patent covers the ornamental aspects of an invention, or how the invention looks. In contrast, a utility patent covers the functional and manufacturing aspects of an invention, or how the invention works (MPEP Chapt. 1502.01). 

Below, three of the patent drawings, depicting a front perspective view of the chewing gum tin design (Fig. 1), a back perspective view (Fig.2), and a front perspective view with the lid open (Fig. 3). Below the patent figure drawings of the Starbucks® chewing gum tin, an image of two, vintage, Starbucks® after coffee, chewing gum tins, respectively peppermint and cinnamon.  

References

Starbucks® Coffee Company https://www.starbucks.com/

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