So you’ve brought something new and wonderful into this world. At first reading, you may think we’re referring to the magic of parenthood, but we’re actually talking about a different kind of creation (though you might consider it your “baby”). For some, it’s a formula or for others, it’s a design or even a whole new invention, the likes of which the world has never seen. Regardless, your hard work and research have finally paid off so give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve done all you’ve set out to do… now what? Well, to protect the intellectual property of your creation, you’ll need to patent it (if your invention isn’t patentable, there may be other IP protection available). Unfortunately, unlike the excitement that comes with inventing, the patenting process is a bit arduous. To help you out, here are some general time estimates for the patent process:

Disclaimer: Davison is not a law firm and does not provide patent services or other legal services. The information being presented is factual in nature and is not offered as, nor may it be taken as, legal advice. Any legal questions should be directed to a competent patent attorney or patent agent.

Step-by-Step: Navigating the Patent Process

Patent Process Step 1: Patent Searching (15 minutes to several weeks)

This first step involves searching for other patents, products or information in existence that may be similar to yours. While a search isn’t required to submit an application, it is an important step. This way, when you apply, you’ll be sure to avoid claiming features that already exist. You can do this yourself; however, if you’re not experienced at performing patent searches, you may want to work with a patent attorney/agent. If working with a patent attorney/agent, the time can vary depending on the case, but typically can be done in a manner of weeks.

Patent Process Step 2: What kind of patent?

This step involves simply making sure you’re aware of what type of patent to file for. This way you’re filling out the proper paperwork. There are three types of categories to consider:

Utility, Design, or Plant Patent?

a) Utility Patent: A utility patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new or useful process, machine, composition of matter, article of manufacture, or any new useful improvement thereof.

b) Design Patent: A design patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, or ornamental design for an article of manufacture.

c) Plant Patent: A plant patent may be granted to anyone who discovers or invents and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

Patent Process Step 3: Drafting a Patent Application (Several weeks to several months)

Once you’ve done your research and figured out what type of patent you’ll be applying for, it’s time for the next step- apply! At this stage, you’ll be required to put together the patent application. If you complete an application yourself, the process would simply be as long as it takes you to form a draft without errors. But again, if you lack experience, a patent attorney/agent is strongly recommended. Similarly to the patent search stage, an attorney/agent could take anywhere between several weeks to several months complete the application. This depends on the type of patent, the volume of work, and information provided by the client. At the very least, you should have a patent attorney/agent review your work.

If your invention needs a Utility Patent, you’ll have to decide whether to file a Provisional or Non-provisional application.

a) Provisional: a quick, informal and less-expensive application process. This applicant is not examined by the USPTO and is only valid for a year. That time allows an applicant to seek funding or test the marketability of the invention before incurring the added expense of a non-provisional application.

b) Non-provisional: Only a non-provisional application can lead to the issuance of a patent. The process of filing one is a lot longer and more expensive than a Provisional form.

Patent Process Step 4: File to Acceptance (7 months to 23.9 months)

At this point, your patent will have a ‘Patent Pending’ status. Don’t get too excited when you see 7 months up there, though. Typically the only cases where a patent is approved within a 7 month period is if it’s what’s called a Track One, which just means it’s prioritized. This can only apply to plant or utility applications and has different requirements, including a much larger fee than a normal non-provisional patent application.

Per the USPTO, the current estimated time for review from a Patent Examiner (or First Office Action) is 15.7 months (or 1.7 months for Track One) and the average wait to actually get a final determination (notice of allowance or final rejection) is 23.9 months. A provisional application is not examined and gives the applicant one year from that date to file for a non-provisional patent.

The non-provisional patent application process is lengthy because, at any given time, the USPTO has hundreds of thousands of patent applications to process. For example, in 2015, 629,647 applications were filed. Compare this to the mere 7,966 Patent Examiners working as of 2014.

We know this process can be overwhelming for some, and, for anyone feeling a little out of their depth, a patent attorney/agent can be very helpful. Our patent attorney, David DeMay, empathizes with those who get overwhelmed with the process, stating, “It certainly can be overwhelming, particularly if you are unfamiliar with government bureaucracy. There are numerous federal statutes and regulations that need to be followed and failing to follow proper procedure can have negative effects on the individual’s rights. That is why the USPTO requires every patent attorney/agent to pass the Patent Bar Exam before they are permitted to represent another individual in patent matters.”

Overall, there’s no one size fits all timeline for the patent process. It’s kind of like ordering from your favorite Etsy shop, the delivery timeline is just a rough estimate. Sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised, and other times you’re left waiting longer than you bargained for. The keys to getting through the process are to take your time, be detailed/thorough, and most of all – be patient. If you’re able to do all of this then, eventually, your invention or creation will legally be yours.

How do you feel after learning about those simple four steps to get a patent? Do you know what kind of patent would work for your idea? Are you ready to research your idea?

Click HERE to connect with a Davison invention team member.

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Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star has withstood the test of time. Since its debut in 1917, the Chuck Taylor All Star has become one of the most iconic sneakers in history.

Recently, the 100-year old American shoe company, which is now owned by Nike, decided to switch things up and redesign these classic shoes.

As we always say, inventions are modified time and time again. For the case of the Chuck Taylor All Star, it took quite some time for this innovative shoe to be updated.

Now, the Chuck Taylor All Star II has been designed and developed to provide a better way to meet the demands of the creative lifestyle of the next generation.

The rubber toe-cap, All Star ankle patch and the white rubber strip that connects the sole to the canvas upper have withstood the redesign. However, a sole liner has been added to cushion the wearer’s feet and to provide arch support.

The arch support is reinforced by Nike’s Lunarlon foam material.  Additionally, a strip of padding has been added to the collar of the shoe, as well as a non-slip finish to the shoe’s tongue.

A perforated artificial micro-suede upper liner has been incorporated to help prevent a person’s feet from getting too hot and sweaty.

So, what is exactly is the reasoning behind changing such an iconic shoe? According to Jim Calhoun, president and CEO of Converse, “The launch of Chuck II is a ground-breaking moment for Converse as we continue to move the brand forward through creativity and innovation, ushering in not just a new sneaker, but a completely new way of thinking.”

Here are some quick fun facts about Converse:

• Converse began making its basketball shoes in 1917, in order to compete with ball manufacturer Spalding.
• The Chuck Taylor All Star was named after a basketball player by the same name. Chuck Taylor helped to improve the design of the shoe.
• Nike Bought Converse in 2003 in a deal that was worth an estimated $305 million at the time.

In the end, it’s out with the old and in with the new for these redesigned sneakers that are now on the market!

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/27/converse-first-redesign-classic-chuck-taylor-all-star-ii-sneakers/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/fashion/converse-chuck-taylor-all-star-ii.html?_r=0

Media:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/A_classic_Black_pair_of_Converse_All_Stars_resting_on_the_Black_%26_White_Ed._Shoebox_(1998-2002).JPG

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/07/24/fashion/24OTR-B/24OTR-B-master675.jpg

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Some companies stick with a more traditional route with their packaging; however, there are those companies out there that put just as much time into their packaging as they do into their product.

Let’s take a look at some of the most creative packaging designs that we’ve come across in our research!

Butter! Better! – Step aside butter packets, there’s a new package design in town. Butter! Better! offers a new idea for the packaging of butter by inventing a convenient, single-serve package. Most single serves are used on a daily basis, whether at a coffee shop, during travel or at a picnic to name a few places. Unlike most butter packets, this invention includes a wooden spoon lid that is used to spread the butter without having to carry additional cutlery.

Kirei Towel- It may look like a pencil, but the sole purpose of this towel is to clean! The Kirei Towel’s packaging design is meant to look like a pencil, with the towel acting as the “eraser.”  The idea behind this packaging design is to illustrate the strength of the towel by correlating it to the strength of a pencil eraser.

Fruit Juice- This creative and innovative product package design will never leave you questioning what flavor juice you are about to enjoy. This creative invention came from the mind of Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa. The fruit juice packages were designed to have the look and feel of the fruit that they contain.

Nike Shoe Box Stadium- Not only does Nike design insanely creative and innovative merchandise, they upped their game when they invented their Stadium shoe box packaging design. Nike has long been a huge supporter of soccer; so, what better way to show their support than to design the 2007 Cannes Lion-winning Stadium shoe box. There were only a limited amount of these shoe boxes that were designed to look like a stadium with an image of a stadium and an embedded sound chip. When the box was opened you could hear the crowd cheering. Now, that is some creative packaging design!

Coffee Top Caddie- We have all been there before. It’s a few minutes before you have to clock into work and you finally get your cup of coffee. But, you have no time to add your sugar or cream in the coffee shop; so, you grab a handful of sugar packets and creamers and head out the door. Now, you have coffee in one hand and your sugar and cream in the other hand. Good luck trying to open the door to your office. So, that’s why designer Joshua Harris found a better way to carry your morning coffee, with the invention of the “Coffee Top Caddie.” In essence, this package design is a plastic top that fits on top of your to-go coffee cup and allows you to securely carry your sugar packets and creamers in one hand!

Although the age-old saying says that you “can’t judge a book by its cover,” we think that we can be the judge of these products and come to the verdict that these creative and inventive packaging designs are pretty cool!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/10/29/four-flavored-butter-spoon/

http://www.packagingserved.com/gallery/Kirei-Towel-Packaging-Design/601063

http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/03/29/juice-skin-packaging-by-naoto-fukasawa/

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1759/nike-stadium–new-york

http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/04/06/you-been-dunkin-long-nice-cap/ \574

Images:

http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2010/10/28/butter_better7.jpg

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kirei-towel-packaging

http://25.media.tumblr.com/SqHZoTWKZltg5d98vsbgXKnyo1_500.jpg

http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/nikebox.jpg

http://file.trendhunter.com/thumbs/coffee-top-caddie.jpeg

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It’s an amazing feat to think that one man could be responsible for so many iconic products that essentially shaped Americana, but Raymond Loewy was, in fact, the creative mind behind these product logos

Let’s take a drive down memory lane in our classic Studebaker Avanti, while smoking a Lucky Strike and sipping an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Also, picture Air Force One zooming over our heads before we stop for gas at the Exxon station as we discover some of the amazing products that Raymond Loewy had his creative hand in.

Studebaker Avanti- This was very much a hands-on experience for Loewy and his team of young designers that were led by John Ebstein. Loewy and his design team created famed designs such as the Starlight in the 1950s and the classic 1963 Avanti that was designed in a very short time. Additionally, Loewy redesigned the Studebaker car company’s logo.

Lucky Strike Cigarettes- So simple, yet so iconic; a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes is recognizable around the world. Loewy was involved in the process of changing the original tobacco green background color to white and making the bulls-eye logo stand out. Despite a few iterations over the years, the logo has remained faithful to Loewy’s original, yet basic, design.

Coca-Cola- Loewy had a large partnership with Coca-Cola and was responsible for an important redesign of the iconic glass bottle. However, his most unique work was when he designed vending, soda and ice dispensing machines for the company.

Air Force One- Any time that the president and his entourage have to travel great distances, they board the presidential plane: the Air Force One. That plane’s shell is Loewy-designed. The two harmonizing tones of blue and the Caslon typeface have withstood the test of time and have remained the same since the original design was constructed for President Kennedy in the 1960s.

Exxon- As you can see from the picture above, after several of his attempts to create the Exxon symbol, Loewy’s sketches eventually hit their mark with the creation of the logo with interlinked X’s that remains today.

These are only a few of the iconic brand logos that Loewy created in his illustriously successful career. However, it is safe to say that some of the most recognizable and long-standing brands were designed at the hand of the creative-genius, Raymond Loewy.

Copyright Davison 2013

Sources:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/5/5068132/raymond-loewy-the-man-who-designed-everything

Pictures:

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9257811/avanti-sketch-loewy_verge_super_wide.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9257427/lucky-strike-advert_verge_super_wide.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9257529/coca-cola-sdt3gd_verge_super_wide.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9256993/us-air-force-one_verge_super_wide.jpg

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/9257567/at0133.8s_verge_super_wide.jpg

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For our client, George, it was sheer coincidence that first led him to Inventionland… but, there were many things that have kept him coming back!

“I found Inventionland by accident.  My boss sent me to RIDC Park to pick up a part.  [When I saw Inventionland], I snapped a picture and in two to three days, I was on it.  I Googled ‘Inventionland’ and did some research.  At the time, I already had one invention going on… and, here I am today,” said George.

Now, the local firefighter is working on his second product idea at Inventionland.  According to Senior Director of New Products, Robert, who has been working closely with George, it is a privilege to help a client with an idea that could save lives.

“George and several high-ranking members of Pittsburgh fire departments have banded together to do this idea.  They have coordinated several real fire tests on the product together… which is fascinating,” said Robert.

Earlier this month, George brought a group of his fellow inventors to the place where their dream may become a reality… Davison’s Inventionland!

“My tour consisted of family members, professional firefighters, the fire marshal and investors,” said George.  “[The tour and my group’s reactions] gave me confidence and motivation as to what I’m trying to achieve here.  [Inventionland] is for real and a select few people get to see this.”

While many of our wide-eyed visitors are initially impressed with Inventionland’s whimsical scenery and magical sets, it was the more technical side of the facility that really impressed George and his tour group.

“What caught my attention most was the video and photography department… from the green screen to the kitchen display.  The other tour group members were also impressed with the graphic design capabilities,” said George, who also said that his crew is not always easily impressed. It really wowed them.  It’s a tough crowd [that] I’m dealing with.  They would tell me!” George said.  “[At first], a lot in my group were speechless.  Then, they couldn’t stop talking about [Inventionland]!”

In fact, one member of George’s tour group was so inspired that we just may be hearing from him again soon!

“One gentleman in particular has had an idea in his head and I think he was able to open up about it more.  [Inventionland] inspired him to consider taking the steps to do something for himself,” said George.

George also told us that working with Davison has helped him realize he truly is an inventor… and, he has no plans to quit looking for that next new project!

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking.  My mind is always going.  I always think, ‘how could I improve this?’ I give it a quick thought, then move on to the next thing,” said George.

According to George, that next thing could be… anywhere!

“I really wouldn’t mind one day, possibly, to even have the opportunity to work [at Inventionland],” said George, who also said he would recommend the inventing process to anyone!  “Whether they have a new idea or an idea on how to improve a product, I would not hesitate to work with Davison or Inventionland.  They are great people to work with,” said George.

Robert, one of Davison’s Senior Directors of New Products, said that feeling definitely is mutual!

“I’m looking forward to seeing the development on the product as [George’s] dream comes to life,” said Robert.

And, so are we!  Check back for more updates on George and his invention!

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The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, England, is home to one of the most impressive tree houses in the world, around 6,000 square feet to be exact! Built in 2004, this amazing structure stands about 56 feet above the ground and is comprised of a main house with two towers and a sprawling deck area connected to two smaller tree houses. The main attraction of this wooden wonderland is a gourmet restaurant called, what else, The Tree House, which is a famous destination for travelers from all over the world!

Many kids have “run away” to their tree houses, but in several exotic locations, such as Costa Rica and Africa, tree house hotels are becoming real life getaways for tourists. Usually found perched in massive Baobab or Mahogany trees, the unique accommodations come complete with en-suite bathrooms, king size beds and private decks. But, none of those amenities compare to the real allure of these treetop hotels, which is the chance to feel completely immersed in the breathtaking landscape and wildlife that make these locations truly magical.

If the restaurant and hotels seem nice, but size is what you’re really looking for, this is the tree house for you! Soon to make its debut in the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest tree house in the world is located in Crossville, Tennessee and stands over 97-feet-tall! It is built around an 80-foot, white oak tree that measures 12 feet in diameter, and has six other trees supporting it. This tree-mansion has 11 floors, is around 9,000 square feet and even boasts a miniature basketball court and bell tower!

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, we couldn’t imagine discussing tree houses without mentioning our very own Davy’s Treehouse. Evoking all of the imagination and creativity of childhood, this tree house is in a category all its own. With each tour of Inventionland, Davy’s Treehouse inspires young minds to think outside the box and know that when it comes to inventing, the sky is the limit!

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Jean and her husband, Donald, said they may use the money to move to a warmer climate when he retires, so they can enjoy their love of golf and get away from the bitter northern Minnesota winters. The couple was blown away by Inventionland. “I love this place, this is awesome; it’s like a dreamland,” said Jean. “You can’t even put it into words, it’s so cool.”

The Meatball Baker was featured and sold out two more times on QVC; apparently they know a hit when they see one! The product was presented during the popular segment “In the Kitchen with David.” The Meatball Baker also earned a Customer Top Rating on QVC.com. Most of the customers who rated the product gave it 5 out of 5 stars! To quote just a few: “Wow! Whatta Pan!” “WONDERFUL PAN!” and “I would LOVE to MEET the person who invented this marvelous pan. Talk about GENIOUS!!”

The product is also selling in Bed Bath & Beyond, Taylor Gifts, SkyMall, and many other stores!

Inventor’s Story:

We developed the new product for our client, Jean, a busy homemaker. She came up with her idea after getting discouraged whenever she cooked meatballs. They always got flat and cooked unevenly in the frying pan or oven and would sit in their own grease – unhealthy as well as unappetizing. “I just didn’t like the way mine turned out,” Jean said. “I love to cook, although I’m not that good; but I love to try new things.”

One day, she came up with a solution that would solve both problems. She found Davison and submitted her idea, and the design team went to work. The final product has a unique, rounded rack system that holds and preserves the shape of meatballs and other foods, enabling them to cook evenly while keeping them completely out of the grease.

The product was licensed by a company specializing in extraordinary products for the home. Jean visited Davison while on vacation in 2007 to meet with those working on her project.

“It’s been great – you guys are very knowledgeable,” she said of her experience with Davison. “I was new to all this and I learned a lot.”

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

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