How would you patent, mfr, market, or sell an invention?

[Andy Perreault]

I have an idea (it has nothing to do with CTD's) for a simple household item that would be inexpensive and made out of injection molded plastic. It would be something that would probably be mass produced by the millions in China and sell in WalMart, Target, etc. for a low price. So how do I patent it and/or sell the idea to a manufacturer without giving it away to someone who has the ability to steal my idea and produce it or sell it without me getting the credit for the idea? Any inventors or patent attorneys out there? Anyone in the injection molding business? I have no desire to start my own company and produce the item myself because I go to school full time and work full time. I want to sell the idea to someone (or license it or whatever, where I get a cut of the sales, if that's how these things are done ). I haven't yet put it down on paper or come up with a prototype, it's just an idea in my brain. I don't envision myself getting filthy rich on this, because it's cheap and simple. But if I got a penny for each one sold, that would certainly help me build my dream garage! Maybe this item already exists, but I've never seen it.

Any ideas as to what I should do? I already put in a 15 hour day between school and work, so it's not like I have a lot of time to research to see if it's already been patented, do R&D, test marketing, etc. I see these TV ads for companies that will help you with an invention, but I don't know if they're trustworthy or not.

TIA, Andy

 

[farmerzo]

plastic injection

I know a little bit about plastic injection, mainly soft plastic fishing baits, I worked for Touchdown Lures for a while. Your probally talking about hard plastic though. I might be able to help you out with your questions about it. alonzo

 

[illflem]

Andy, suggest you contact scott1, he went though all of what you speak of with his Scotty air intakes.

 

[bighammer]

My neighbor is a patent atty. I could get you his number and maybe a talk with him might help you decide how and where to proceed.

 

[Boomer II]

Patent it first, that'll be about 6K, if you market it first you lose the right to patent it.

 

[ronco]

Andy, first, best of luck with your project/invention! Second, I saw recently that the patent office is well overloaded with patent applications, so that will take time. Third, apply for your patent before you do much else, that will cover you in the future. If you begin the manufacturing stage, tell everyone that will listen, that your "patent is pending" and that will show that you have started your process and keep others on gaurd. I have also heard that patent infringement suits are EXPENSIVE and time consuming, so choose your fights carefully.



ronco

 

[willyslover]

sitting here laughing as I read Ronco's post his handle brings to mind... . call Ron Popeal [of pocket fisherman fame] LOL

 

[ronco]

Originally posted by willyslover

sitting here laughing as I read Ronco's post his handle brings to mind... . call Ron Popeal [of pocket fisherman fame] LOL

Thanks ole buddy. There is a check mark by your name now!



ronco

 

[Fireman]

The spray on hair was my favorite



Fireman

 

[ronco]

Willyslover and Fireman, I am going to "slice, dice and trice" the both of you! ROFL



ronco

 

[bmoeller]

Andy- here you go- http://www.farmshow.com/Farmwww/invent.asp

 

[illflem]

So bmoeller, you a Farm Show reader also? Great mag.

 

[willyslover]

Ronco. . didn't know Popeal made a extra heavy duty commercial grade one... now you know my dainty 350 lbs. might just not go thru your model LOL

 

[Andy Perreault]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Right now, I'm just trying to survive from week to week until school is done (mid-August). I might start pursuing this after I'm out of school.

Andy

 

[ronco]

Originally posted by willyslover

Ronco. . didn't know Popeal made a extra heavy duty commercial grade one... now you know my dainty 350 lbs. might just not go thru your model LOL

I will enlist the help of "TIMTOOLMANTAYLOR" here and we will "repower" my "whopper chopper" to handle you!



ROFLMAO



ronco

 

[Doc Tinker]

LOL





Andy, a friend of mine applied for patents for an EMS backboard that he designed. He had lawyers and all kinds of guys helping him get the thing into manufacture. The whole thing sucked him dry until he had to take on a partner to help with the costs. He finally retired at age 67 and to my knowledge the backboard never did hit the market.



Doc

 

[sandbrew]

Andy, I have a good friend who is a patent attny in Spokane. Email me and I'll give you his # if you want. Sandbrew



-- email address removed --

 

[Mike Ellis]

Revised post pending...

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by illflem

So bmoeller, you a Farm Show reader also? Great mag.

Yep. Been getting it since I was 15, with exception for a year or two when I was in college. Didn't have enough money for for renewals, so it with the rest were dropped for a while .

 

[NVR FNSH]

Andy,

Make up a packet of sketches/descriptions/material list/etc/etc and mail it to yourself via certified mail. Do not open the package - this will give you a clear time/date stamp if someone ever contests you on your invention. Learned this at college - got to love the things that I remember from my engineering degree



I've done a little bit of plastic injection molding work in my previous job at Agilent (laid off 3/14/03) and might be able to help you out. In fact I hiave a copy of Standards & Practices of Plastics Molders sitting right here... ... Yeah, I'm a geek & I know it.



Brian