10 UK Patent Applications of 2023: From Flatpack Coffins to Potato Cheese
Introduction: Exploring Ten UK Patent Applications With UK-Based Inventors Published in 2023
The Guardian recently published an article titled “Flatpack Coffins And Robot Dogs: Patents Applications Show UK Inventions Of 2023”. The article identifies 5,955 UK patent applications published in 2023 with at least one UK-based inventor and highlights ten such patent applications.
While the article summarises the technologies described in those ten patent applications, it does not provide direct links to the published patent applications or include detailed information about them. Also, some of the links in the article direct to company websites rather than providing insights on the patent applications themselves.
In this article, we expand on The Guardian’s piece by providing more information on these UK patent applications and patents. You’ll find representative drawings, key bibliographic information, abstracts from the patent applications, and direct links to official publications of the patent applications and any corresponding granted patents. This article therefore allows readers to explore further the UK patent applications referenced in The Guardian’s article.
Whether you’re interested in flatpack coffins, potato cheese, or other UK-originating inventions, this article serves as a companion in understanding some of the technology developments made in UK patent applications published in 2023.
Important Note
This article includes information from the public register of the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO). While we’ve made efforts to ensure the accuracy of this information, we recommend verifying details through the official UK IPO website or consulting with a patent attorney for up-to-date information.
1. LYING-DOWN COMPUTER TABLE
Representative Drawing
Abstract
The design relates to furniture designed to be used with ICT devices with a visual display. In particular, this is a design for a table which would enable a computer to be used while lying down by having a downward-facing monitor installed either on the underside of the table or on the underside of a shelf on the table above a hole in the table. Typically, such a design would also be usable as a standing desk or a sitting desk such that it has two or three different use options.
Application Details
- Official Title: Lying Down Computer Table
- Application Number: GB2107597.3
- Publication Number: GB2608355
- Status: Granted
- Publication Date: 04 January 2023
- Filing Date: 27 May 2021
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Alex Jon Francis May
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Alex Jon Francis May
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Links To Official Publications
2. FLATPACK COFFIN
Representative Drawing
Abstract
Flat-pack coffin made of environmentally friendly materials, comprising a lid 10, side and end panels 20a, 20b, 30, 40 and a base 50, wherein each side and end panel has protrusions on a bottom edge for insertion into the base. The side panels each have a slot on an end edge for accepting a connector on each end panel. The base comprises a slat layer, with a padded layer on top to form a resting surface for supporting a corpse that has upstanding edges defining a perimeter rim with apertures for accepting the protrusions of the side and end panels. The panels may be formed of a frame with a fabric cover. The padded layer may have crossed slats interspersed with stuffed fabric bags. The protrusions may have either a laterally extending nub or a hole to receive a pin, and the base apertures may have a narrowing, stepped cross-sectional internal profile. The connector may be a hook.
Application Details
- Official Title: Environmentally Friendly And Quickly Assembled Flat Pack Coffin
- Application Number: GB2200406.3
- Publication Number: GB2614723
- Status: Granted
- Filing Date: 13 January 2022
- Publication Date: 19 July 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Oasis Transformation Trading Company Limited
- Inventor(s): David Micah How
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Links To Official Publications
3. EASY-ASSEMBLY PLYWOOD COW
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A training device for practicing lassoing and throwing a lariat rope around the head or neck and, if applicable horns, of an animal such as a calf, cow or horse comprises flat plywood profile shapes (fig 7) that are slotted together to form the cow/calf shape. A plywood support prop (1, fig 1) allows for the hind legs of the dummy to be raised to allow for heel rope practice (fig 6). Horns of different sizes (fig 7) are included. The training device can be assembled and disassembled by hand without the need or use of tools, nuts and bolts, and can be carried by one person in a compact ‘flat-packed’ fashion (fig 10) or stored or transported.
Application Details
- Official Title: Training Device For Lasso/Lariat/Roping Practice
- Application Number: GB2209587.1
- Publication Number: GB2614107
- Status: Granted
- Filing Date: 29 June 2022
- Publication Date: 28 June 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Stephen J D Davies
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Stephen J D Davies
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Links To Official Publications
4. SMART GOALKEEPING GLOVES
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A device 102 comprises a nine-axis inertial measurement unit and a goal keeper glove; the goal keeper glove including a hollow section to receive the hand of a user and a receiving chamber to receive the inertial measurement unit in a position 106 aligned with a ring finger metacarpal. The receiving chamber preferably includes a fastener to open and close the chamber that may be a zipper or hook and loop fastener. The Inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include a near field communication (NFC) device. The receiving chamber may include a concave surface in communication with the IMU.
Application Details
- Official Title: Goalkeeper Sensor System And Method
- Application Number: GB2201112.6
- Publication Number: GB2615518
- Status: Pending
- Filing Date: 28 January 2022
- Publication Date: 16 August 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Goalkeeper.com Ltd
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Anthony James Clark, David Edmund Button
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
5. GRAND PIANO WITH VERTICALLY ARRANGED STRINGS
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A musical instrument, particularly a piano, includes a frame 10 which supports a plurality of strings under tension. The frame has a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the lengthwise direction of the strings. The frame comprises first 20 and second 30 longitudinally opposed transverse frame members, each extending from a first end to a second end at opposing sides of the frame. A longitudinal support 50 extends from a first end proximal to the first frame member to a second end proximal to the second frame member. The longitudinal support is spaced apart from the corresponding adjacent end of the frame members. First 60 and second 65 lever arms are pivotally connected to each respective first and second end of the longitudinal support. Each lever arm extends from a proximal end connected to the adjacent end of one of the first or second frame member to a distal end on the opposing side of the longitudinal support. A link member 70 extends between and connects the distal ends of the first and second lever arms such that the lever arms provide a balancing force opposing longitudinal compressive load applied to the frame by the strings.
Application Details
- Official Title: Musical Instrument And Frame For A Musical Instrument
- Application Number: GB2206906.6
- Publication Number: GB2618585
- Status: Granted
- Filing Date: 11 May 2022
- Publication Date: 15 November 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Sarah Nicolls
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Timothy John Evans, Sarah Nicolls, Christophe Michel Vaissiere
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Links To Official Publications
6. LEATHER-LIKE MATERIAL MADE FROM MUSHROOMS
Representative Drawing
Abstract
An enhanced fungal mat wherein the mat has enhanced mechanical properties compared to an initial, naturally occurring mat and comprises the same species of fungi. A material produced from the enhanced mat, a method of enhancing the mechanical properties of a fungal mat comprising exposing the mat to unspent media and/or physically manipulating the mat and a mat produced by this method, use of the enhanced mat as a clothing, upholstery, foodstuff, medical device, dermal or transdermal metabolite delivery system, insulation, packaging, and plastic, leather or rubber substitute are also included. The enhanced mat may have an increased tensile strength, increased thickness or decreased surface adhesion compared to the naturally occurring mat. The unspent media may be added to the surface of the mat. The method may further comprise exposing the mat to additional fungal material. The physical manipulation may comprise folding, flipping or contacting the mat with a support material, or combining the mat with an additional fungal mat. The support may be between two mats and a force applied to the combined mats. The mat may be produced by culturing at least one fungal strain in liquid media, which may be potato dextrose broth and Sabouraud dextrose broth.
Application Details
- Official Title: Enhanced Fungal Material
- Application Number: GB2208266.3
- Publication Number: GB2619512
- Status: Terminated before grant
- Filing Date: 06 June 2022
- Publication Date: 13 December 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Plant Material Limited
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Peter A.D. Wellham, Mihael Jelecevi
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
7. NAP TIMER
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A method of monitoring a nap of a user comprising: emitting a radio detection and ranging signal with a radar module and detecting reflection of the radio signal from the user with the radar module. sending a signal from the radar module to a processor; at the processor, determining an optimal time delay from onset of sleep until sending a wake-up signal to an alarm. The optimal nap length based on the detected reflection from the user, wherein the optimal time delay from the onset of the nap is before or after a sleep stage. The sleep stage may be REM stage or NREM-3 stage, sleep or deep sleep. The radar may also detect the environment of the user and the processor using the signal to identify the surrounding environment and location of the user such as a bed, chair etc. The radar may use frequency modulated electromagnetic wave or pulsed electromagnetic wave.
Application Details
- Official Title: Nap Monitoring Device
- Application Number: GB2308973.3
- Publication Number: GB2619418
- Status: Granted
- Filing Date: 15 June 2023
- Publication Date: 06 December 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Somvai Limited
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Stanley Praxiteles Speel, Sammy Mahdi, David-Benjamin Grys, Ambre Bertrand
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
8. CHEESE MADE OF POTATOES
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A method for producing a dairy-analogue comprising gelatinizing 20 potato feed from a potato source 12, shearing 24 the gelatinized potatoes at over 50°C. The shearing provides over 20 kJ/kg of mechanical work over 15 minutes or less and occurs in the presence of oil and/or starch. The resulting liquid potato product is put into a mold and solidified. Preferably, the product is imitation cheese. Preferably, partially gelatinizing comprises blanching. Preferably, shearing lasts over 2 minutes at over 55°C. Preferably, there are multiple shearing stages comprising different shearing times and conditions. Preferably, the oil melts at 23-45°C and is coconut oil, hydrogenated palm oil, cocoa butter, and/or shea butter. Preferably, the liquid potato product is kept in the mold at 1-20°C for five days. Preferably, the initial potato feed and/or gelatinized potato feed is heated to over 65°C. Alternatively, the shearing is at a temperature of over 25°C and provides over 100 kJ/kg of mechanical work over 30 minutes or less. Preferably, liquid potato product has a particle fineness of less than 125 microns and the product exhibits a maximum load of at least 100 grams.
Application Details
- Official Title: Food Products From Root Vegetables
- Application Number: GB2302174.4
- Publication Number: GB2617678
- Status: Awaiting First Examination
- Filing Date: 15 February 2023
- Publication Date: 18 October 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): McCain Foods Limited
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Celia Jane Holt, Christopher Simon Dale
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
9. A SHOE FOR BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FEET
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A shoe 1 for wearing on both right and left feet 7, comprising a fitting band 3 across the bridge of the foot and a memory foam insole 8. The front section 2 may be a concave uniform curve of equal shape to accommodate the larger, big toe (23, fig.2) of both right and left feet, and each side profile 4, 5 may be of equal shape and length such that the shoe is longitudinally symmetrical. The fitting band may be cushioned, raised cushioning (20, fig.4) may be provided in the toe area of the insole, and cushioning liners (9, 10, 11, fig.3) may be provided at the sies, toes and heel of the foot. The shoe may include elasticated laces (21, fig.4) and eye holes (22, fig.4), air gel sections (24, fig.6) in the sole (12, fig.3), and underside grip sections (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, fig.5).
Application Details
- Official Title: Single Shoe For Right And Left Feet
- Application Number: GB2113060.4
- Publication Number: GB2609264
- Status: Awaiting First Examination
- Filing Date: 14 September 2021
- Publication Date: 01 February 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Modassir Khan
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Modassir Khan
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
10. NOSE-VIBRATING MACHINE
Representative Drawing
Abstract
A vibrating nasal device comprises two hinged members 11, 11’ collectively housing a complete vibration mechanism 20. The device is intended to provide congestive relief for a user. The hinged members may collectively form a curved profile 15 at one end adjacent the hinge suitable for receiving the bridge of a user’s nose, may be tapered from a wider section adjacent the hinge to a narrow section away from the hinge, and have inflections 13, 13’ to complement the transition from the side of a nose to an adjacent infra-orbital region of a user’s face. The hinged members may have respective detents 18, 18’ at their ends. The vibration mechanism may include a motor 21, a rechargeable battery 22, a wireless or wired charging port 16, a control unit 24, and light(s) 26 (Figure 2). The vibration mechanism may comprise a flexible circuit board extending between both hinged members.
Application Details
- Official Title: Vibrating Nasal Device
- Application Number: GB2218635.7
- Publication Number: GB2615857
- Status: Granted
- Filing Date: 12 December 2022
- Publication Date: 23 August 2023
- Applicant(s) / Proprietor(s): Nosi Health Ltd.
- UK-Based Inventor(s): Richard Beharry, Kunal Vasa
Link To Official UK IPO Register
Link To Official Publication
Conclusion: The Impact Of UK Innovation
This article provides more detailed information on ten UK patent applications published in 2023, as highlighted in The Guardian’s recent article. It features just a small selection of patent applications emerging from UK-based inventors of UK patent applications published in 2023, but demonstrate the UK’s strengths in creativity and innovation.
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Disclaimer
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided in this article is based on public records from the UK IPO as of the date of this article. We do not guarantee accuracy or completeness of information in this article.
