Proof that the USPTO is broken
Posted on June 24, 2005
Filed Under /dev/null/ | 64 views |
Among the software geek crowd it’s generally taken as a given that the US patent office is broken simply by the fact that they allow software patents (software should be held under copyright, not patent law) and often allow really stupid software patents.
However its worse than that. They also allow really stupid physical goods patents as well, such as this bit of innovative wizardry: 6,520,942: Method to improve peri-anal hygiene after a bowel movement.
What’s that you say? It sounds suitably scientific and impressive that perhaps a patent is in order? Read on:
A gel is bottled in a plastic container and the top fitted with a pump for delivery of a small quantity of the gel onto dry toilet paper. The gel can thus be hygienically applied to the peri-anal area using the thus moistened toilet paper, and the area wiped dry with a second piece of toilet paper. The method leaves a clean comfortable derriere without skin abrasive rubbing. The applicator, being nothing but ordinary toilet paper, is flushable without question.
That’s right, this fellow patented putting soap on toilet paper before wiping your ass.
Methinks that while perhaps it’s not already common practice that just might fail the non-obvious test.
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