International Translation Day 2024

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

September 30th is International Translators Day. A day to celebrate and raise awareness of the role that translators play “in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development”, per the United Nations Resolution 71/288. The United Nations resolution that proclaimed, on May 24th, 2017, International Translation Day on September 30th, each year.

September 30th is also the Day of the Feast of Saint Gerome in the Gregorian Calendar of Saints. Saint Gerome was the monk known to have translated the Old Testament of the Bible, to Latin directly from Hebrew. A translation of the Old Testament, known as the Vulgate, and dated circa 400 (Third century AD). The Vulgate is also known as Gutenberg’s Bible, as it was the version of the bible selected as the first book ever printed, in 1454, on Gutenberg’s press. In this capacity, the monk was officially canonized a saint in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. Thus, in the catholic tradition, Saint Gerome became patron saint of translators, biblical scholars, librarians and encyclopedists, first celebrated each September 30th.

Scrolling forward to 2024, the International Federation of Translators selected the theme “Preserving the art of Translation”, in defense of copyrighted translations, in the age of Chat GTP version 4.0 and Large Language Model (LLM)-driven translations. Indeed, the theme makes clear that however scaffolded with machine translation, the translation of a published work, literary or other, remains a human endeavor. A human endeavor on a par with other sorts of creations that might be copyrighted, unless otherwise specified as machine-generated, and un-reviewed.

On a different note, on International Translation Day 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) emphasized translation and interpretation of indigenous languages, as a prerequisite to shifting the dynamics of power, development and recognition in the world. Indeed, far too much indigenous knowledge and know-how is plainly robbed from indigenous people and communities, simply because it is untranslated, or untranscribed in the case of oral traditions.

As a result, the problem of copyrights put forward by the International Federation of Translators was compounded. Not only should the translator’s work be recognized in the publication sphere, but the task of translating indigenous languages must be commissioned. A task that will make it possible, in turn, for the actual content and source of the translations to also become recognized, especially when it is the original intellectual property of indigenous communities.

Thus, International Translators Day 2024 took on a more political stance. A political stance in defense of indigenous languages, and the translator's work, which has the potential to bring about greater justice, and a better distribution of power in the world.

References

IFT – International Federation of Translators.

https://en.fit-ift.org/ 

UNESCO – International Translation Day.

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/exploring-multifaceted-aspects-humanity-international-translation-day 

UN – International Translation Day 2024.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-translation-day 

UN Resolution 71/288

https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n17/149/29/pdf/n1714929.pdf

Oh, patents! KIZIK flex-foam, collapsable heel

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Just the foam-flex, collapsable heel, portion of the Roamer sole is also patented. A patented design that allows for different shoe uppers to fit on the sole, and in cooperation with the collapsable heel. The US design patent, USD980596SI, titled Sole for footwear, was awarded on March 14, 2023.

Above, the patent Figure 1, showing a side perspective of the sole footware. The dotted lines on everything, but the flex-heel portion of the sole, clearly indicate those parts of the sole and shoe, that are excluded from coverage. The image of a men's marketed KIZIK Glacier Roamer, different from the marketed KIZIK Mars Roamer, is also included above.

Below, a Youtube video marketing the flex-foam, collapsable heel, KIZIK Roamers.

Reference

KIZIK (website)

www.kizik.com

Oh, patents! Kizik Mars Roamer

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

If you could ever roam the red planet, you might enjoy the feeling of walking on marshmallows with Kizik Mars Roamers. Kizik Mars Roamers are the latest, foam-flex, no-hands, collapsable-heel, slip-on shoes. The ornamental aspects of the Mars Roamers are patented. The US design patent, USD1029459S1, titled Shoe was awarded on June 4, 2024. 

Below, the patent Figure 1 shows a side perspective view of the shoe. An image of the marketed Kizik Mars Roamer, in the color Moon Dust, is also included. 

 

Below, a YouTube video advertising for the Kizik Mars Roamer. 

Reference

Kizik (website)

www.kizik.com

Oh, patents! Kiziks lattice heel design (2)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Another US design patent, USD1038607S1, titled footwear, was awarded for a more crisscrossed design of the Kizik,  compressible lattice, spring-back heel technology. This design, comprising increased crisscrossing, designated the Internal Cage™,  is actually hidden inside the heel portion of the corresponding Kizik footwear models. The patent was awarded on August 14, 2024. 

Below, the patent Figure 1 depicts a left view of the latticed heel structure for footwear, together with an image of an embodiment of the hidden technology, for the marketed Kizik Lima model, in the color grey for men. The dotted lines on the Figure 1 drawing indicate the portion of the design that is unprotected by the patent. As a result, the protected design might be used on a variety of models with different uppers.

Reference
KIZIK (website)
www.kizik.com

Oh, patents! Kiziks lattice heel design (1)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The compressible lattice heel, spring back invention, invoked in the  Kiziks no-hands slip-on footwear, has also received several US design patents. The US design patent USD943946S1, titled Lattice structure for footwear, was awarded on February 22, 2022.

Below, the patent Figure 1 depicts a side perspective view of the lattice structure for footwear, together with an image of an embodiment of the technology, found on the marketed Kizik Athens shoe model (in surf and lime colors for women). The dotted lines on the Figure 1 drawing indicate the portion of the design unprotected by the design patent. Thus, the rest of the footwear might vary as specified elsewhere in the description of the invention. 

References

KIZIK (website)

www.kizik.com

Oh, patents! Kiziks, no hands slip-on footwear

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Kiziks are no hands, slip-on shoes. Kizik heels not only collapse, enabling feet to slip inside Kizik shoes, Kizik heels also spring back, recovering their original shape, again and again. Indeed, Kizik heels are subjected to compression forces with spring back, at least 30,000 times during testing. 

The collapse and spring-back heel technology, and many additional aspects of the Kizik shoes, are patented. For example, the original lattice heel spring-back technology, marketed as the Cage®, was awarded, on May 2020, the US utility patent, US10638810B1, titled Rapid-entry footwear having a compressible lattice structure.  

The patent recites rapid-entry shoes defined as various types of shoes, such as athleisure, casual, formal, dress, sports, including tennis, golf, bowling, running, football, basketball and soccer shoes, as well as walking shoes, sandals or other types. Rapid-entry shoes with “a compressible lattice structure in the heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes”. A compressible lattice heel structure 110, comprising a closed position with a smaller shoe opening to retain the user’s foot inside the shoe, and an expanded open position to let the user’s foot in, respectively illustrated in the below Figures 2a and 2b of the rapid-entry shoe 100.

The Figures 2a and 2b further depict apertures 112 of the compressible lattice heel structure 110. The apertures 112, whether void, or filled with a polymer or material substructure, are designed to accommodate compression forces. The patent further recites that the compressible lattice heal structure 110 might be molded or 3D printed. The Figures 2a and 2b also show a stabilizer 120 designed to prevent inward deflection or buckling of the heel.  

Below, a short video shows how easy it is to slip on a pair of Kiziks. However, according to the patent specification, not only were the Kizik rapid-entry shoes designed for convenience, they were also designed for those without the mobility required to slip on a pair of shoes. 

Below, the abstract of the invention.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe. [Abstract US10638810B1] 

Reference
Kizik (website)
www.kizik.com  

Oh, patents! Yogibo bean bag furniture

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Seeking comfort? Consider the endlessly adaptable Yogibo bean bags, ranging in sizes from a mini three-foot pillow, to a maxi six-foot lounger. Designed in 2009 by Eyal Levy, in Nashau, New Hampshire, (originally as seating for his pregnant wife's comfort), the Yogibo Company now has retail stores in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, plus more. The Yogibo bean bags also come in various vibrant colors and patterns, with some fabrics suited specifically for outdoor use.

The video below shows the versatility of the Yogibo furniture, as well as some of the sizes and color options. 

The unique combination of comfort and support designed into the Yogibo bean bag furniture is patented. The US utility patent, US10869558B2, titled Functionally supportive pillows and methods of preparation thereof, was awarded on December 22, 2020, to Giora Liran and Eyal Levy, both inventors and co-founders of the Yogibo furniture company.

Indeed, the patent precisely recites sustained functional support for sitting, lying, or reclining on Yogibo bean bags, while retaining the comfort of a pillow. Such balance between comfort and support is patented as a dynamically responsive relationship between the body-conforming inner core, comprising bead material, and the outer stretchable fabric, when pressure is applied on the pillow. Thus, the Yogibo bean bag comprises: 1. an inner core with polymeric foam beads that are free-flowing in the absence of applied pressure; 2. a first shell shaped to house the foam beads, the first shell made of fabric engineered for durability and elasticity; and 3. a second outer shell shaped to contain the core of polymeric beads housed in the first inner shell, with the outer shell also made of fabric engineered for durability and elasticity.

Accordingly, the patent further recites the exact composition of the inner core, as well as the first and second shell fabric-engineering.  Composition of the inner core such as shape, dimensions and weight. Engineering of both the inner and outer fabric shells, such as thread composition, stitch, added treatments for dying, enhancing softness, repelling water, retarding flames, environmental sustainability, and durability.  

The patent thus further specifies the required dynamic relationship between the bead core and the outer shells, which together determine the patented comfort and support. Patented comfort and support, unlimited to a single piece of bean bag furniture. Indeed, the scope of the invention extends to a whole range of bean bag furniture that includes chairs, couch, loungers, pillows, back supports plus more that are obvious to those skilled in the art of bean bag furniture.

Below the patent Figures 1B and 1C depict respectively 70% and 100% body-conformity of the bean bag lounger, together with corresponding images of the marketed invention in orange and blue. The abstract of the invention is also provided below.

The present invention is directed to a functionally supportive pillow comprising a dynamically responsive combination of an inner core enclosing a bead material and an outer shell, such that the combination of the inner core with the outer shell creates a dynamic response to applied pressure to the pillow for increased functional support of said pillow.  
[Abstract US10869558B2]

Reference
Yogibo (website)
https://yogibo.com/ 

Oh, patents! Israeli (ER) bandage

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Designed, and patented, by an Israeli army medic, the Emergency Bandage—also known as the  Israeli Bandage—is now standard equipment in the United States and International Armed Forces. The Israeli ER Bandage is even also widely used in hospitals, emergency medical services, and first aid kits for factories, offices, homes, and camping.

The Israeli ER Bandage is designed in different sizes to provide pressure on hemorrhaging trauma wounds, occurring on almost any part of the body (limbs, head, neck, chest, and abdomen). The ER bandage comprises four essential, all-in-one, parts: 

• A sterile dressing pad (primary dressing)
• An attached elasticized cloth wrap (secondary dressing)
• An attached patented pressure applicator to apply pressure at the wound site.
• An attached patented closure bar (that can also be used as a tourniquet for extra pressure on the wound).

Because of the versatility of the all-in-one design, packaged in a vacuum sterile pack, the Israeli ER bandage is both cost- and time-efficient. Cost-efficient because separate supplies of 4x4  sterile pads, gauze, fasteners, straps, and sticks are no longer required to treat a hemorrhaging trauma wound, and time-efficient for the same reasons, in situations where every minute counts. Indeed, the all-in-one design also allows the bandage to be self-applied. Elastic snaps are even included to prevent the elasticized cloth wrap from unraveling to the ground before it is wrapped around the wound. Likewise, the sterile vacuum packaging is notched so that it is easy to tear and remove the bandage from the packaging.

The video below demonstrates how the Israeli bandage is applied. Essentially, the sterile pad is placed on the wound with the pressure applicator offset from the wound. The cloth wrap is wrapped once around the wound and inserted into the pressure applicator. Then, the cloth wrap is pulled back and wrapped in the opposite direction around the wound, securing the pressure applicator in place on the sterile dressing. At the end of the cloth wrap, a fastener with hooks on each end secures the bandage wrapped around the wound. Alternatively, the end fastener can be twisted and used as a tourniquet to add additional pressure on the wound.  

The Israel ER Bandage, and all of its key components, is a patented invention. The US utility patent US5628723A, titled Emergency Bandage,  was awarded to Bernard Grau (aka Bernard Bar-Natan), on May 13, 1997. The patent Figure 3 is included below, together with an image of the marketed ER bandage. 

The patent Figure 3 is a partial simplified illustration of the bandage 100. The Figure 3 depicts the dressing 102, preferably including one or more absorbent portions made of cotton sandwiched between a non-adherent pad 112 (face down, non visible) and a structural cloth layer 114 (shown, but unindexed). The ER bandage also comprises a pressure enhancement member (applicator) 106, preferably made of flexible, resilient plastic. The pressure enhancement member 106 comprises a bow-shaped portion 120, attached perpendicular to a base 122. The bow-shaped portion 120 has two arcuate wings 124, curving away from the dressing 102. 

The wings 124 are joined to the bow-shaped portion 120 via two rounded junctions 128. Each rounded junction further comprises a stiffening rib 128. Roughening ribs 132 are found on the inside of the wings 124, and one more stiffening rib 127 is found on the bow-shaped portion  120. The stiffening ribs 127 and 128 are together designed to prevent the gap 134 between the bow-shaped portion 120 and the wings 124 from widening, and inadvertently allowing the cloth wrap 104 to be pulled out of the space 134, when the cloth wrap 104 is pulled back against the wings 124, to secure the pressure enhancement member 126 on top on the dressing 102.  Likewise, the roughening ribs 132, on the inside of the wings 124, are designed to increase friction between the cloth wrap 104 and the wings to prevent the cloth wrap 104 from being pulled out of the space 134.  

Between the two wings 124, there is a gap 130 through which the cloth wrap is pushed, onto the space 134, before changing wrapping directions around the wound. The tips 129 of the wings 124 are chamfered to enable the cloth wrap 104 to slip more easily through the gap 130 between the wings 124, into the space 134, before changing wrapping directions. 

The cloth wrap 104 extends on each side of the dressing 102. The short 117 end of the cloth wrap 104 is designed to facilitate grasping the bandage. The other end of the cloth wrap 104  has an attached closure bar 140 with two hooks 144 on each side. Each hook 144 has a covered tip 146. The closure bar 140 with its two hooks 144 is designed to secure the bandage to the wounded body part. Alternatively, the closure bar 140 might be twisted like a tourniquet for added pressure, before the bandage is secured with its hooks 144 to the rest of the wrapped bandage. 

The patent recites other embodiments of the pressure enhancement applicator.  Below, the abstract of the invention is also included.

For use in a bandage comprising a sterile dressing and a web portion attached to and extending from the sterile dressing, a pressure enhancement member comprising a base, and at least one wrapping element generally perpendicular to the base, the at least one wrapping element having a gap, wherein the pressure enhancement member is attached to a non-wound-side surface of the sterile dressing, and the at least one wrapping element is arranged for wrapping therearound by the web portion, wherein when the web portion is wrapped in a first direction around a limb having thereon a wound, and forced through the gap, and the web portion is then wrapped around the at least one wrapping element in a second direction, the pressure enhancement member applies a pressure on the dressing, thereby causing the dressing to apply a local pressure to the wound, and subsequent wrappings of the web portion on the pressure enhancement member, on previous wrappings of the web portion and on the limb, increase the local pressure on the wound. [Abstract US5628723A]

Reference
Amazon - Israeli Ever Ready First Aid Israeli Battle Dressing Compression Bandage, 6"
https://www.amazon.com/Israeli-Dressing-First-Aid-Compression/dp/B003DPVERM