A patent for a better mouse trap features a fake cat that has an apparatus inside that entices mice to enter the mouth of the cat and become trapped inside of a vacuum like box that kills the mouse. The device dispenses an odor that smells like cheese to capture the attention of the prey. This device attempts to kill mice by catering to one of their most powerful instincts, an addiction to smelly cheese. This device, although is much more complicated than a typical mouse trap, can definitely be considered useful, nonobvious, and novel. That being said, it's silly. Why would you create a mouse trap made of a scary looking cat when mice are genetically predisposed to fearing sharp teeth on cats?
Take a look at the youtube video that was created here as a satirical description of the patent. The other issue I'd like to raise is about requiring short video clips to become a part of the patent filing process. In an age where technology and efficiency are keys to success, I believe the patent system could be vastly improved by requiring a 3-4 minute video as a part of the patent process. This added requirement could serve as a good and simple synopsis of any filed patent, one that explicitly states the structure and function and ultimate use case of any intellectual property in a single video clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fLe8rIy_FeY
While this could possibly be successful it sounds pretty unrealistic. A larger issue with all these patents is that they have lofty goals that are in actuality not realistic.
ReplyDeleteI would say this is probably the most sophisticated mouse trap I have ever seen. The device seems well thought out, but it does not seem realistic. I agree with Aviv that the fact the mouse would go into a scary cat's mouth is very doubtful.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I wonder what the intentions are behind filing these types of unrealistic patents? TO actually create and sell the product? License it? Or is it to simply have a filed and issued patent under their belts?
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I have been dealing with rats throughout the semester and have searched up and down for alternatives to the basic spring traps. I have even tried to think of ways to create a better mouse/rat trap. The funny thing about this product is, mice/rats are terrified of new/unfamiliar things to their surroundings and are typically cautious of them.
ReplyDeleteLike you mentioned Aviv, it makes no sense to shape it like a cat, the rodents natural enemy
Current mouse traps on the market are prone to failure due to their complexity and I believe that this device will be no exception. After watching the video, there seems to be so many workable parts that it is prone to failure at least some of the time. Additionally, its complexity will make it expensive and probably need to be reusable. If it works correctly, the mouse remains will need to be removed, a unattractive quality in a mouse trap. If this device were to work, I believe it wouldn't sell due to aforementioned problems with the device.
ReplyDeleteAlthough is much more complicated than a typical mouse trap, which could lead to failure of the device, it is still useful in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say it is useful, or a novel idea. It uses the smell of cheese to lure mice in. This can be generated by using actual cheese in a normal mouse trap. It would serve the same purpose. This device is just more complicated. Also, being in the shape of a cat is plain stupid.
ReplyDeleteThis is an silly patent indeed. I agree it is probably counter-intuitive to have a mouse trap be a cat's mouth, given that instinctively, mice fear cats and the ones that have survived due to natural selection have probably been the ones smart enough to avoid cats.
DeleteAlso, I agree that videos and increased use of youtube or other social media can further enhance the patent system moving forward.