Service News 17.10.2024 | Patents: Spirit of innovation meets a love of design
17.10.2024 | Patents: Spirit of innovation meets a love of design
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Re-interpretation: the innovative c-bonded technology lends the washbasin solution an even more modern look while maintaining its characteristic design identity. (Image source: Duravit AG)
• Minimalistic aesthetic thanks to state-of-the-art technology
• Complex process gives the Starck barrel its minimalistic design
By registering multiple new patents around the world each year, Duravit demonstrates just how important a pioneering spirit is for the company’s success. Driven by its customers’ requirements and technological progress, Duravit’s continual and targeted product development consistently sets new standards. Duravit uses patents to protect its innovative production processes and unmistakable designs – and currently has a new patent registration to celebrate.
Franziska Wülker, Head of Research and Design at Duravit AG, explains: “Exacting criteria need to be satisfied before a patent is granted for a new product: among other things, the product needs to be novel and also innovative in some way. The interpretation of these criteria is subjective because the boundaries between a genuine invention, improvement, and innovation are often fluid.”
Elegant, extravagant, and truly new
The Starck barrel, relaunched and visually updated for 2024, satisfies this criteria precisely and reflects the company’s spirit of innovation. 30 years after the introduction Philippe Starck’s design, the famous Starck barrel is now also available in an elegant c-bonded variant for the first time.
Until now, the unique c-bonded process, which creates a virtually seamless bond between ceramic and bathroom furniture, was only feasible for square shapes with rounded corners at most. The round washbasin with the conical, downward-tapering furniture piece posed a particular challenge for the furniture-design team. “The development of c-bonded was a milestone for us, but we’re moving along the path of innovation step by step, with the complexity increasing at each stage,” emphasized Franziska Wülker.
Patents as protection and advancement
Duravit AG protects its unique technological developments and manufacturing processes with patents and registered designs. This patent protection ensures that the investments made in research and design are protected from imitations. This bolsters continual endeavors to innovate and the willingness to take risks to produce disruptive innovations. As such, patents contribute significantly to economic development and foster competition, which ultimately improves the quality and variety of products available on the market. Not least, patents enable the transfer of technology and knowledge by making them accessible, thus facilitating the global dissemination of knowledge and innovations
Infobox: c-bonded technology from Duravit
Technical perfection, many years of experience, and sound expertise make it possible: the globally unique c-bonded technology enables ceramic and bathroom furniture to be virtually seamlessly combined. Thanks to the precise and exact bonding techniques, the ceramic and furniture merge to form a harmonious unit. The actual thickness of the washbasin is invisible and reduced to a precise edge.
