Patenting an Invention for the Bathroom

Patenting an invention is one of several ways for inventors to protect their intellectual property.  A patent is legal protection of a design, process or other patentable property that is novel. The protection lasts for a specified period, at the end of which the invention becomes part of the public domain. A patent gives the owner the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, trading or importing the invention or process that the patent holder has devised.

Patents can be acquired for a wide variety of inventions, and today there are many ideas and innovations that enhance the function of the bathroom.  If you are in the process of inventing a new product for bathrooms, take a look at some of these unique patents.

The Bathroom Sauna (U.S. Patent No. 8132795) provides for a way for individuals to have the luxury of a sauna atmosphere without the expensive outlay of building a discrete sauna structure. There were devices that existed before, the application explains, but their functionality was limited to only heating the air, as opposed to providing the full sauna effect of heat and humidity. As a result of this, the inventors assert, “When a bathing person wipes sweat off with a towel, skin surface lipids and the like components essential for keeping the skin moisture may sometimes be inadvertently removed together with sweat. Even if he or she applies a cosmetic lotion to the skin, it might flow down together with the sweat, nullifying the effect of skin moistening. Further, the skin surface lipids and the like moisture-keeping component might be washed off by the sweat.” This outcome is not optimal, the application asserts, because the beautifying aspects of sauna bathing are supposed to preserve an intrinsic moisture-keeping mechanism of the skin. This invention, however, provides for both heat and humidity, and specifically maintains an environmental heat that is just below the level at which sauna bathers would begin to sweat naturally. The invention includes a device for heating the air of the bathroom chamber, a device for adding moisture content to the air, and a pathway system for sending the air into the bathroom. As well, the invention includes devices that are designed to keep the temperature and humidity of the air that is sent into the bathroom at a level that provides the best benefits to the bather, without inducing sweating, and the exterior controls by which the bather can activate the system.

The Bathroom Vanity with Weigh Scale Storage (U.S. Patent No. 7355131) addresses an issue that a growing number of health-conscious individuals have; the desire to have a weigh scale available to track weight, without taking up the limited space in the bathroom area. The application for the patent explains that with the growing number of health-conscious individuals, scales for tracking weight have become an increasingly popular item. The design of most bathrooms, however, provides for only very limited floor space, which means that in order to keep one, most users either must maneuver around the item on the floor to keep it accessible, or store it in a cupboard or cabinet, which entails with it the need to remove it from the storage area to use it. This, in turn results in less use of the scale, as well as decreasing the convenience of having a scale available to monitor weight. In response to this, the invention would provide a standard-sized bathroom vanity arrangement, with sink and faucet and storage unit available for regular use; however, it would differ in providing the owner of the product with a kick-panel, wherein a scale could be stored. When closed, the kick panel unobtrusively holds the scale, freeing up the floor space. When the kick panel is engaged, the scale swings out, and is available for standing on for the purposes of getting the desired information. The invention also discusses the preference of the scale providing an output of its readings to a digital display on the vanity for ease.

The Bathroom Mirror Defogger (U.S. Patent No. 4037079) combined functionality and form to solve a problem in an innovative way. The application for the patent accepts that there are already products that existed at the time that allow for users to remove condensation from bathroom mirrors. However, the inventor asserts, the previous inventions suffer from an inadequacy of performance, as well as the fact that the apparatus was aesthetically unpleasing. The previous inventions were inefficient, the application argues, and the assembly of the blower portion is not able to maintain the full viewing surface of the mirror free of condensation. In patenting an invention, as in this example, it is important to keep in mind specific claims that can be made for your product. This invention improves upon existing products, rather than creating an entirely new one; as such, the inventor explains that the objectives will be to provide for a curtain of heated air, rather than a non-uniform jet of air, for example. The product is also aesthetically pleasing, with the design required to blend into standard bathroom fixtures and become unnoticeable. The concept of this item also serves to not only disperse the condensation, but also to prevent its recurrence during operation, because of the mechanism of the blower spreading out a uniform amount of heated air over the entire reflective surface. Importantly, the invention also conforms to conventional forms of manufacturing, which means that it is easy to assemble and install, as well as economically feasible for purchase.

There are many aspiring inventors out there.  In order to spend their time and money wisely, it is crucial for them to understand when and how to patent, or whether you even need one at all.  Many people believe that patenting their idea right away is what they need to do and this is not always the best idea.  Smart inventors and reputable inventing companies know that it is best to leave the patenting towards the end of the inventing process, after the idea has been improved and perfected as much as possible.  Remember that you can also team up with an inventing company.    The experienced employees of these companies have a better understanding of what it takes to make your product successful and can be extremely helpful.  

A typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.  

Patenting an Invention for Baking Products

Patenting an invention is one of several ways for inventors to protect their intellectual property.  A patent is legal protection of a design, process or other patentable property that is novel. The protection lasts for a specified period, at the end of which the invention becomes part of the public domain. A patent gives the owner the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, trading or importing the invention or process that the patent holder has devised.

Patents can be acquired for a wide variety of inventions, and today there are many ideas and innovations that make baking easier or more efficient.  If you are in the process of inventing a new product for baking, take a look at some of these unique patents.

The Solar Energy Baking Oven (U.S. Patent No. 5950618) uses solar energy to create heat as well as to power a mechanism for controlling the heat in the baking environment. The application points out that conventional apparatuses include electric or coal heating elements, which use costly energy and contribute to pollution, as well as using up natural resources. Where there are solar ovens, the mechanism is mostly to use movement of the baking containers to ensure uniform heating and temperature control; however, the application points out, the existing technology has no way to control the heat in terms of solar energy variation. The invention being patented uses a reflective material to capture solar energy as well as to control the temperature, avoiding issues of burning with the goal of removing moisture, for example from tea. The reflectors are located below the baking containers, increasing the efficiency of the heating process. In addition to collecting heat from a solar source, the product includes a photoelectric element to supply power to a motor, which maintains the temperature at a constant level by changing the position of the reflectors. When the temperature decreases to below a preset value, the controller will drive the reflectors so that they will move back into position to collect heat, to increase the temperature. When the temperature gets too high, the reflectors are moved into a different position and the cooling system is engaged to ensure that burning does not occur. The invention’s goal is to create an ideal baking environment with appropriate controls to insure that the optimum temperature is held for the correct period of time.

The Continuous Electric Oven (U.S. Patent No. 4276465) is another invention with the aim of improving the baking process. In the case of this invention, the improvement comes from a conveyor belt within the oven that moves, like a treadmill, constantly while the oven is operational. By this means, pizzas can be continuously loaded into the oven, be baked to the correct standards, and automatically come out of the oven.  The invention is an improvement on previous commercial ovens, which were manually operated or, in the case of other conveyor-driven ovens, did not adequately control for all variables. The previous conveyor-driven ovens, the applicant explains, were essentially heated tunnels with a conveyor belt, which did not provide for good control of temperature; the conveyor belts did not have adequate capability for the user to alter the speed. The inventor here explains that the endless conveyor, as opposed to the previous models, allows for more constant speed, and better control of the cooking time. The oven itself has two compact chambers, which allows for the heat to be kept at an optimum, by offering a smaller and more contained space. Another issue that this invention sought to resolve was the issue of size and economy presented by previous models; this invention, the application states, is more compact, and being more efficient in nature it is more economical than previous units. The oven is also designed to provide for easy loading of the baking tin onto the conveyor, by providing a specific access point on the outside of the oven. The pizzas would move through in one direction along the conveyor belt, and then move back towards the user through the chambers again.

Another improvement for ease of use, The Commercial Baking Pan (U.S. Patent No. 4941585) was designed to help achieve the greatest number of baked product units within the constraints of the environment. The invention explains that the existing pans, due to the inefficiencies of production, do not allow for variations in capacity; as a result, the space of proofing facilities and ovens within commercial bakeries is not used to its maximum efficiency. The previously available baking pans were typically constructed as one piece, as in the process known as drawing; or they are fabricated by means of making individual units and seaming them together. In the case of “drawn” pans, because they are made from a single sheet of material, the baking units must be kept to a shallow depth. In the case of seaming, the units can be deeper, but the overall product is still one large piece. The proposed solution is a new product which is constructed differently, with several units being fabricated separately and then brought together with a “grommet-like interconnection between the units.” In this sense, the units are able to function to produce multiple units at one time, while also being detachable so as to produce one singular unit. By allowing for odd amounts of baked goods (such as rolls or loaves), the baker can maximize the use of space available.

There are many aspiring inventors out there.  In order to spend their time and money wisely, it is crucial for them to understand when and how to patent, or whether you even need one at all.  Many people believe that patenting their idea right away is what they need to do and this is not always the best idea.  Smart inventors and reputable inventing companies know that it is best to leave the patenting towards the end of the inventing process, after the idea has been improved and perfected as much as possible.  Remember that you can also team up with an inventing company.    The experienced employees of these companies have a better understanding of what it takes to make your product successful and can be extremely helpful. 

Types of Patents

A smart inventor knows that patenting usually comes near the end of the inventing process.  After you have come up with an idea, checked for other patents that are similar to your idea, talked to manufacturers about what they are looking for, created a working prototype and talked to manufacturers some more, it may be time to consider a patent.  It is important to improve your concept and make sure it’s as good as you can make it before even thinking of trying to get it patented.  

So what is a patent exactly?  A patent is defined as the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling their invention for a certain number of years.   It is one of the ways to protect an invention from unauthorized selling or from being copied.  The following are the three types of patents issued in Unites States of America.

Utility patents
Utility patents are the most common patents obtained by inventors. They are obtained by those who invent or discover a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter or any new and useful improvement thereof.  This type of patent focuses mainly on how something works. Utility patents could cover mechanical devices, chemical compositions, pharmaceuticals or even software. Another characteristic of a utility patent is that it always involves a detailed written description of the invention. These patents can also be obtained for the functional aspects of an invention.

Design Patents
The second type of patent available to inventors is the design patent. They may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.

Plant Patent
The third and final type of patent obtainable in the United States is the plant patent. The plant patent is the rarest form of patent used. They exist only in a very limited field. For example, if a person invented a new hybrid type of sunflower plant, then they would need a plant patent for their invention.

To better explain all three patents it helps to visualize an invention.  For example, if someone invented a new type of wallet, then the design patent would cover the looks of it, and the utility patent would cover what makes it work (zippers, clasps, or velcro). The plant patent would obviously not apply to this type of invention.

In 2000, the cost of obtaining a patent was an estimated $10,000 to $30,000 per patent in the United States, although they can run more if litigation is forced upon the inventor.

There are many aspiring inventors out there.  In order to spend their time and money wisely, it is crucial for them to understand when and how to patent.  Many people believe that patenting their idea right away is what they need to do and this is not always the best idea.  Smart inventors and reputable inventing companies know that it is best to leave the patenting towards the end of the inventing process, after the idea has been improved and perfected as much as possible.  When the time finally comes, understanding these different types of patents will come in handy.

Getting a Patent on Your Own

When someone has an idea for a new invention and they want to pursue it, there are two basic routes they can take.  They can turn to an inventing company to help them create, prepare and present their ideas to corporations, manufacturers and retailers in an effort to get it licensed on store shelves, or they can try to do it on their own.  In some cases inventing a product on your own can be cheaper, but in order to do so successfully, you must know what you are doing.

If you are currently in the process of inventing a product on your own, it is important to do as much research as possible.  There are certain areas of the process that may be more confusing than others, and one wrong move could end up costing you a lot of extra time, effort and money.  

Getting a patent on your own is one of those areas.  One of the most important things to consider before even thinking of getting a patent on your own is whether the timing is right.  Many inventors think that getting their idea patented immediately is the right thing to do.  However, corporations with lots of experience will tell you that may not be the correct approach.  

Smart inventors and most reputable inventing companies will tell you that patenting often comes near the end of their inventing process.  Once you have come up with an idea, checked for other patents that are similar to your idea, talked confidentially to manufacturers about what they are looking for, created a working prototype and talked to manufacturers some more, then it may be time to consider a patent.  It is crucial to improve your concept and make sure it’s as good as you can make it before even thinking of trying to get it patented.  

Before you begin the application process, it is a good idea to do a patent search.  You can begin this online, but you may also want to take a trip to a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. This research will help you navigate your way through the application process and help you come to an agreement with the patent examiner.

Next begins the one to two year process, where the patent application will shuffle between the applicant and the patent examiner until an agreement is made as to what aspects of an invention the patent will cover, if any. Following the agreement, the Patent and Trademark Office will publish a description of the patent in the Official Gazette, which gives others a chance to object to the patent. If no one objects, the applicant then has to pay a required insurance fee and the PTO gives the applicant the patent deed. If a patent is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, upon approval of the application, it will grant the inventor a monopoly on the product for 14 to 20 years.

What is included in a patent application? The US Patent and Trademark Office can provide you with the specifics, but typically the application includes a Patent Application Declaration, which is simply a statement that the information provided is true, an Information Disclosure Statement, explaining why the invention is different from all similar developments and a patent specification, which is a detailed description of the invention, as well as how you would build and use the invention. This should be accompanied by drawings to help fully explain the details and specifications. There should also be a description of all aspects of the invention you would like to have covered by the patent. And finally, you must submit your application with a filing fee.  In some cases, you can ask for a reduction in rate.

The patenting process can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful.  Before jumping into it, it is important to understand when and how to do it so that when the time comes, it will go as smoothly as possible.    

Do you have an invention idea?  Click here to confidentially submit your idea.