Innovations
Significant patents
Many patents have no commercial or technological value: they relate to inventions which, despite initial high expectations, turn out to have no practical benefits or perhaps are even found not to work.
Some patents, however, relate to inventions which do work, which are wanted, and which are commercially successful. These inventions do not always represent major technological advances; they may constitute small, but important steps in the development of a product or process.
Some historical examples of significant patents handled by Barry Quest at Wilson Gunn are given below:
Photostar GB2256281 and GB2253490
Digital video-booth technology, using chroma-key, to enable a print to be made of the subject against a selected background. Widely licensed.
Building Product Design GB2183819
Successfully litigated patent for roof ventilation tiles.
Michael Sacks GB1556245
High-strength Kevlar textile layer backed by impact-absorbing foam for use as an easy-to-wear bullet-proof vest. Widely used by police, military and celebrities.
Palletower GB1204856
Frame which fits around pallets to enable loaded pallets to be stacked. Widely licensed.
Jeff Rowlands (Interchem) GB2072204
Polyurethane starting material (polymer-modified polyol). Widely licensed to large chemical companies.
Hickory Springs GB2163762
HR polyurethane with melamine – the industry standard to meet the new flame retardant furniture foam requirements. Widely licensed.
Barcrest GB1545301
The ‘basic’ microprocessor patent for digitally-controlled fruit machines.
Bailcast GB2156452 GB 2156916 2232729
Widely licensed ‘industry standard’ universal car steering-joint boots.
Hazel Grove GB2214013 GB2132095 GB2132906 GB2132097 etc
Basic patents for the ‘industry standard’ Superleague pool table.
Alca Electonics GB2062923 and GB1550744
Successful original video game patents.
Bevan (Dryflow) GB2183200
Vibrating concrete mould – sold for significant sum.
Bevan (E-Leather) GB2379458, GB2428430, GB2397827
Reconstituted leather
Widely licensed.
Slavinski GB1457464 hair roller US3724723 spray GB1180376 GB1213111
Licensed to Unilever etc – the ‘first’ non-propellant sprays.
Segal GB2213732 nozzle etc
Widely licensed dental equipment (anti-aids)
Hymanson GB2202148 needle sheathed syringe
Licensed ground-breaking anti-aids product
Supertrucks GB2306563 GB2333317 glass carrier
The ‘industry standard’.
Evans Vanodine GB923114, GB1066437
Quaternary Ammonium iodophor
The ‘industry standard’ – agricultural/hospital powerful disinfectant
Quinoderm GB1185685
A widely used acne cream containing benzoyl peroxide
Became one of the best known acne treatments.
Bertenshaw and Jones GB2176327 Key fob id
‘First’ battery-free key fob – sold for significant sum.
Kurer GB1092982 dental crown post etc
The first and famous crown post dental technique.
Dirks GB786033 drum storage
Basic patents for 1960s computer storage – launched US Dirks Corporation.
Viking GB1117655 conveyor foam etc
Basic patent for polyurethane furniture foam. Sold for significant sum.
Mark Williamson – industrial cooking equipment
Sold for significant sum
Linaker (LT Switchgear) GB2234922 folded GB2308245 GB2386264
Used as basis for event power switching (eg Man U lights – Trafford Centre etc)
Sold for significant sum