A robot vacuuming dog, a flat coffin and a cross between a biscuit and a cake were some of the things UK inventors came up with last year.
A Guardian analysis of patent applications listed by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) found that as of 2023, 5,955 had been published involving at least one UK-based inventor.
They included a lying computer tableinvented by Alex May, 31, from London. The device involves a downward-facing computer monitor that can be viewed from under a desk that can also function as a sitting or standing desk if necessary. May, who has had chronic back problems since his teens, came up with the desk after looking for a more comfortable way to use his computer.
“I was surprised to find there was nothing easy when I first looked it up, but I guess adding wheels to suitcases didn’t happen for decades,” he said.
The invention became even more useful after he developed long Covid in 2022. “I think there are many medical conditions where people could benefit from the desk, anything where lying down is more comfortable than sitting or standing,” said.
“For healthy people, there are also ergonomic advantages. We are all becoming familiar with postural problems such as chronic low back pain and “tech neck” due to computer and phone use. “It has been life-changing for me and I hope it benefits many others as well.”
May is in the process of patenting an updated model and establishing a small e-commerce company for the product.
Other inventions included a jute and a bamboo. flat coffin. Invented by David How of Stourbridge, it is environmentally friendly and easy to assemble. Made in Bangladesh through its fair trade company Oasis Coffins, it obtained a patent in May.
Anna Coombe from Brandon in Suffolk was also granted a patent for a new baking method and a product combining dough and batter. Their Cookie Cake “allows the user to experience different textures in a single bite.”
The invention was the result of a happy accident while baking with her daughter, when some cupcakes spilled out, looking like cookies on top. “She asked if we could make cakes topped with cookies and biscuits,” Coombe said.
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“I wasn’t sure, but I said I’d try. It took us months to create the recipes, calculate proportions and experiment with different baking techniques, ingredients and flavors. “I am inspired by my autistic daughter who has amazing ideas and creativity.”
After a “fantastic” initial reaction, Anna sells her cakes online and in a local department store. It is looking for trials with other companies and is considering starting mass production.
Most patent applications were for highly technical or scientific inventions, but other less esoteric examples included an easily assembled plywood cow to help you practice lassoing like a cowboy, smart goalkeeper gloves that record data on how the goalkeeper performs, a grand piano with the ropes arranged vertically To save space, a leather-like material made of mushrooms, a nap timer which uses radar to decide the perfect time to wake you up, cheese made from potatoesa shoe that Fits both the right and left foot. and a machine which vibrates your nose to remove mucus.
Figures show that 318 companies were responsible for half of UK-based patent applications in 2023. Jaguar Land Rover topped the list with 182, followed by Dyson with 151, one of which was for a robot dog that vacuum. The four legs allow the robot to go up and down stairs, something that was previously impossible for robot vacuums like Roomba.