Since the theme for this week is silly patents, I've discovered a patent for "an anti-eating face mask which includes a cup-shaped member conforming to the shape of the mouth and chin area of the user, together with a hoop member and straps detachably engageable with a user's head for mounting the cup-shaped member in overlying relationship with the user's mouth and chin area under the nose thereby preventing the ingestion of food by the user." Patent 4,344,424 is a patent on a a device to prevent someone from eating, quite simply by attaching a metal cage to the mouth of the wearer through the use of head-straps. I find it hilarious that the goal of this patent, filed in 1980, is to combat obesity. This patent is apparently for those who must fight the "temptation... [of] compulsive eating..."; in other words this patent is for those who lack self-restraint to prevent them from overeating.
Now we turn to the validity of this patent. First off, regarding the obviousness of this patent: I would say that a patent like this seems fairly obvious for anyone whose goal is to prevent someone from eating. If I wanted to prevent someone from eating with absolute success, I would obviously need to prevent food from entering the mouth, and I would likely go about this by putting something in front of the user's mouth to prevent food from entering. Next I would need to ensure that it remains attached to the wearer's face; the head-straps seem like an obvious choice. Thus I would argue that this patent is obvious, and thus invalid. Regarding the usefulness of this patent, I admit this patent could potentially be useful to those who lack self-control when it comes to overeating, but I would argue that if someone truly lacked self-control to the degree that they need to attach a cage to their mouth, that person would just remove the mask from their face to eat. If the wearer were unable to get the device off of their face, then I would question the ethical nature of this patent. Finally, regarding the novelty of this patent, I feel that such a device must have been described sometime before 1980, however it was likely not for the purpose of preventing obesity. Thus, I would conclude that this patent is likely invalid.
Link: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4344424.html
This is easily the funniest thing I've seen in a while. The fact that this patent was granted and more importantly even filed shows a lack of what we call filter. This would work though for those trying to keep a fast.
ReplyDelete:) I would just take the mask off if I was a compulsive eater, seems like there are better ways to combat obesity. Ultimately, it comes down to choice, if the user can choose to put the mask on and not take it off, they can choose to stay out of the kitchen, or choose to exercise, or eat better or whatever is needed.
ReplyDeleteI too wrote on this patent. If people really have this much trouble keeping their mouths closed then I am really worried about the future of this country haha. IN all honesty, it is actually a bit sad that such a patent exists... but I too make the link between this and the lap band device which is a band at the top of the stomach which has proven to lead to lower caloric diets for the obese and in turn leads to weight loss.
ReplyDeleteHaha, this is quite an outdated way to diet. I would imagine though that willpower will cause a person to strip the mask off and eat. I also think that this is strangely resembles the face guard for braces back in the day, which also prevented people from eating normally, except that with those braces, you couldn't take it off...
ReplyDeletethis reminds me of the time my friend got his mouth braced shut because he broke his jaw. he had it like that for 2 months. all he could eat was liquids through a straw. he lost like 20 pounds that way. i'm pretty sure the guy who did this had something similar of an experience
ReplyDeleteThis has to top the most ridiculous patent list. Well done for finding it. "an anti-eating face mask which includes a cup-shaped member conforming to the shape of the mouth and chin area of the user" to prevent eating is absurd. My biggest qualm with the patent is its radical nature. The phisical encombrances are far to extreame to the user to allow for use. How horrible.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is overpaying to uphold this patent. It is definitely one of the more interesting sill patents. It could be used for those people on bath salts that tried eating others.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely amongst the stupidest inventions I've seen!
ReplyDeleteThis has absolutely no use, and will never find a market! I am surprised how these patents are being granted.
Also great use of Hannibal Lecter! :P
The Hannibal reference is brilliant. This patent has to be obvious, and unusable.
ReplyDeleteThis is clear example of silly patent that was granted! I wonder if they gained any revenue out of this. I was thinking a person can easily take off the mask and eat if she or he wanted to. Only other way to prevent that is to put a loc on it.
ReplyDeleteThough it is a silly patent, I have to agree that it's somewhat useful in a way that effectively prevents a person from consuming any solid food. I'm more interested in whether this patent has been used in a litigation case. Because if there was such a case, it would've set a standard for all these silly patents such that they'll be invalid in future lawsuit.
ReplyDelete