Fun and Fascinating Thanksgiving-Related Patents and Trademarks

Thanksgiving inspires an annual wave of creativity—not just in recipes and celebrations, but also in the world of intellectual property. A surprising number of seasonal inventions and branding initiatives show up in the USPTO’s databases each year. Here are some of the most interesting Thanksgiving-adjacent patents and trademarks.

Autumn Ingredient Agriculture: Cranberry Harvesting (Patents)

Cranberries are uniquely challenging to harvest because they float, and commercial farms use specialized machines designed for bog environments.

U.S. Patent No. 2,671,301 — “Cranberry Harvester.” A self-propelled 1954 harvester with a forward scoop, lifting mechanism, conveyor system, and an air-blast cleaning stage that removes chaff and stems during collection.

U.S. Patent No. 2,915,871 — “Cranberry Picking and Pruning Machine.” A dual-function machine (1959) engineered to harvest berries while simultaneously pruning upright growth to improve long-term bog productivity.

These patents reflect the high engineering content behind the famous “floating cranberry bog” images seen in Ocean Spray marketing.

Pie-Making Tools

U.S. Patent No. 1,545,600 — “Pie-Crust Cutter and Edge Marker.” A 1925 tool that cuts pie crust to shape and imprints a decorative edge pattern for consistent presentation.

U.S. Patent No. D547,604 — “Pumpkin-Shaped Baking Pan Lid.” A design patent for a baking-pan lid with a distinctive pumpkin-shaped ornamental profile.

Iconic Autumn Ingredients: The Trademarks Behind Them

LIBBY’S® (Canned Pumpkin) — LIBBY’S® maintains longstanding trademarks covering its brand name, label design, and distinctive packaging. The seasonal spike in demand every autumn shows how effective trademark protection reinforces product recognition.

OCEAN SPRAY® (Cranberries) — OCEAN SPRAY® maintains a robust trademark portfolio covering cranberry beverages, sauces, dried cranberries, and characteristic packaging features. Their brand is closely associated with autumn, and their marks see predictable seasonal prominence.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: A Trademark Powerhouse

The parade is one of the most IP-dense holiday events in the U.S.

MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE® — Macy’s owns registrations covering entertainment services, parade production, and parade-related merchandise.

Balloon Characters (Copyright + Licensing + Trademarks) — While individual character balloons are licensed from third-party rights holders, Macy’s controls trademarks related to the parade’s branding and balloon-production services. The balloons themselves are typically protected by copyright and detailed license agreements rather than patents.

This creates a layered, unusually complex recurring IP portfolio.

Seasonal Decorations and Home Goods (Trademarks)

Thanksgiving season drives a wave of filings for autumn-themed consumer goods, such as:

• Pumpkin-shaped decorations

• Fall-themed candles

• Seasonal tableware and linens

• Cornucopia imagery

• Inflatable lawn décor

• Holiday greeting cards

• Specialty packaging

Brands frequently register these marks even if the goods are sold only during a short seasonal window, because consistent annual use can sustain strong trademark rights.

Closing Thoughts

Thanksgiving brings together tradition, creativity, and engineering—qualities that appear clearly in the patents and trademarks associated with the holiday. Whether it’s an improved cooking tool, a familiar brand on the grocery shelf, or the layered IP portfolio behind a nationally televised parade, the season is a reminder of how intellectual property shapes many aspects of cultural life.

Drafted by AI, edited by a human.