Kinds of Inventions Articles | Invention

By: Guy Starbuck

Are you aware that all inventions can be categorized under 3 different types of patents? These patent types are: 

1. plant patents
2. design patents
3. utility patents.

All inventions come under one of the above categories when submitting an invention for patent protection. Having some knowledge of patents will enable you to have the necessary information regarding safeguarding your invention as well as forestalling anyone from availing of it for their personal benefit.

No one wants to invest time and money converting an idea into a terrific invention just so as to have somebody else steal their idea and have it patented first. The following gives you a succinct description regarding the 3 kinds of inventions which will be of help in getting started.

A Brief Outline of the 3 Patent Categories

The majority of inventions fall under the utility patent category. If your invention helps in adding value to a product, then it comes under this category. Besides, it also covers machines, processes and just about any other invention. It’s the most powerful patent that any inventor can think of.

The design patent tends to safeguard an invention’s overall design. But, it’s essential to understand that this patent just safeguards how your invention appears. It does not cover the color, size, shape or the mechanism behind the invention.

You apply for plant patents when you develop a new plant varieties or plant life that’s asexually reproduced. This also covers plants, hybrids, and mutants that are found in unfarmed regions.  

Qualities of Inventions

Prior to an invention being eligible for any one of these patent categories it should possess particular qualities. To be included under a utility patent it must have the following criteria. It should be regarded as a machine having moving components or some kind of circuitry. It should be “an item of manufacture” which denotes that it must be a product capable of being produced and put on sale.

An additional quality that an invention to be categorized as a utility patent must have is that it should be a process or possibly a means that creates something substantial and useful. It should be composed of matter which covers products like chemicals, medication, soaps and so on. This patent also includes any enhancement or supplement to a currently available invention that will fall under one of the categories also. 

All inventions should have some kind of utility even if it’s very basic and insignificant. It should be an invention, which differs from what is currently available in the market. It should also be something which other inventors with the necessary product knowledge will regard as novel and exceptional.

Design patents should be novel and nonfunctional. This means that it improves the appearance of an existing product but its function remains the same. The plant patent rarely is used and to be eligible for that, it should be original and really unique.