Interesting Patents | USA | Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants hundreds of new patents every week, showcasing developments in technology and innovation. In our Interesting Patents series, we highlight exciting US patent applications and patents recently issued by the USPTO. The patent system enables the protection of innovative ideas, and newly published patent applications provide a glimpse into the future of technology and innovation.
In this edition of #InterestingPatents, we look at The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture’s new patent for a new red raspberry cultivar called Finnberry.
Meet Finnberry, the latest breakthrough in red raspberry cultivars, destined to reshape the berry industry. This innovative plant, developed through years of meticulous research, stands out with its high yields, outstanding fruit quality, and a distinctive flavor that is sure to delight consumers and growers alike.
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Red Raspberry Plant Named ‘Finnberry’
ASSIGNEE: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
INVENTORS: HARDIGAN; MICHAEL A. & FINN; CHAD E.
US PAT. NO. 17/829023 / PP 35,090
INVENTION OVERVIEW:
The world of berries has seen an exciting new addition in the form of a red raspberry cultivar, ‘Finnberry’, which is poised to make waves in the industry. Developed after years of research and observation, this new plant promises to offer several distinct advantages over existing varieties of raspberries, including improved fruit quality, higher yields, and healthier plants.
Finnberry has been developed through extensive trials conducted between 2015 and 2021 in Corvallis and Aurora, Oregon. One of the most notable features of Finnberry is its larger plant size and thicker plant diameter compared to Kokanee. The fruit of the Finnberry cultivar is another area where it shines. It produces larger and heavier fruits with a higher drupelet weight compared to the parent plants. The Finnberry fruits are firm, flavorful, and exhibit a bright color, making them visually appealing and ideal for fresh consumption or processing.
This remarkable raspberry hybrid offers several advantages over its parent species. It boasts increased resistance to common pests and diseases, making it an appealing choice for farmers who want to reduce their reliance on chemicals. Not only does this mean a more sustainable and eco-friendly crop, but it also translates into a healthier, pesticide-free fruit for consumers to enjoy.
The Finnberry is also easy to harvest, reducing the risk of fruit damage. The new plant also has a longer harvest season, potentially giving growers more flexibility in managing their harvests and extending the availability of fresh raspberries in the market. The introduction of Finnberry to the berry industry is a testament to the continuous efforts of researchers and breeders to meet the needs of growers and consumers alike.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The USPTO under the Department of Commerce has granted a patent to the Department of Agriculture. This means that, for a limited time, only the Department of Agriculture can grow and sell this exciting new fruit. However, the good news is eventually this plant will become part of the public domain and accessible to everyone.
Patent Abstract:
A new and distinct primocane-fruiting red raspberry cultivar that originated from seed produced from a cross between the primocane-fruiting red raspberry plant ‘Caroline’ and the red raspberry plant ORUS 4099-1, the latter of which is a sibling of the recent cultivar ‘Kokanee’. This new red raspberry cultivar can be distinguished by its high yields of bright colored, medium sized berries with low defects, excellent firmness and fruit quality, and a unique flavor that is both tangy and aromatic, with a good balance to tartness and sweetness. The berries are well suited for the fresh market, and, due to their ability to be picked at early/pink stages with good flavor and continue ripening in storage with respect to color, they may offer some additional benefit for packing/shipping as a fresh market variety.
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