Recipe Patents

May 4, 2012
Inventions, Inventors, Patents

Is it possible to patent food recipes in South Africa?  The South African Patents Act does not reject recipes for patent protection, but recipes must be subject to the provisions of the Act. The recipe  has to be new, involve an inventive step and be capable of being used in trade, industry or agriculture.

Click here for more information regarding Food Recipe Patents

A method of combining ingredients is patentable according to the Patents Act, but merely combining certain ingredients may only be patentable if the ingredients have never been combined before or the combining order is new. These combined ingredients would also have to result in something new and not be obvious.

Full Article Food Recipe Patents



The Zipper Invention

April 24, 2012
Intellectual Property News, Inventions, Patents

In 1917 Electrical engineer Gideon Sundback invented the zipper. He was born on 24 April 1880. When he finished his studies in Sweden, he moved to Germany and studied at the polytechnic school in Bingen am Rhein where he took his engineer exam. In 1905 Gideon Sundback emigrated to the United States.

Gideon Sundback worked on the development of the zipper between 1906 and 1914. He finally solved a pulling-apart problem with his invention of the first version of the “Hookless Fastener No. 1″. His invention had two facing rows of teeth that pulled into a single piece by the slider, and increased the opening for the teeth guided by the slider. In 1914 Gideon Sundback developed a version based on interlocking teeth, the “Hookless No. 2“, which was the modern metal zipper as we know it.

The name zipper was created in 1923 by B.F. Goodrich. During that time, boots and tobacco pouches were the primary use for zippers. At the time of World War II the zipper was accepted for fashion on the flies of trousers and the plackets of skirts and dresses. Gideon Sundback also invented the manufacturing machine for the zipper.

The Zipper Invention | Gideon Sundback



Programmable Subcutaneous Visible Implant

January 26, 2012
Inventions

This interesting invention from the Interval Research Corporation is an electronic implant beneath the skin surface displaying an image based upon a display signal.

It displays various re-programmable information or decorative patterns beneath the surface of the skin of a person or an animal.

The implant is constructed of a flexible material so as to conform to the skin’s surface. It includes a battery for providing power to the implant.

The subcutaneous implant also includes a receiver for receiving programming information from a user, and a display for displaying the programming information through the skin.

Filed: 7 June 1995



How to Register a Patent

October 13, 2011
Intellectual Property Information, Inventions, Inventors, Patents

Patent Inventions | Patent Attorneys

Always keep your inventions a secretDo not market or sell the inventions until the patent application has been filed.

Obtaining a patent is a two-step process spaced 12 months apart.

Step 1
File a provisional patent application in South Africa.
(to obtain the earliest possible date from which to claim rights to your invention)

Once the provisional patent has been submitted, additional steps has to be taken within 12 months to complete the application.

Step 2
File a complete patent application within 12 months of filing the provisional patent application in South Africa, and/or in each country where you wish to obtain patent protection.

To register a patent for your invention there are a 3 basic requirements that an invention need to adhere to according to South African law:

All patent applications must be:

  1. New
    This “absolute” novelty requirement implies that any disclosure anywhere in the world before the filing date of a patent application in South Africa, will destroy the novelty of your invention, thereby forfeiting your patent rights.
  2. Inventive
    There may be similar inventions that have been disclosed to the public in patent specifications or other literature. It needs to be determined whether your invention is considered obvious or not.
  3. Useful
    Inventions with no application in trade, industry or agriculture cannot be the subject of a patent in terms of South African patent law.

A few examples of invention categories:

  1. Machines
    Machines can be mechanical devices or various devices together with a specific function that will lead to an outcome.
  2. Manufactured items
    This include any items not already included under machines, but which are tangible.
  3. Components
    The result of a mixture of compounds whether chemical or mechanical.
  4. Processes
    Specific steps or treatments which lead to an outcome that can be measured.
  5. Improvements
    Alterations to any of the above mentioned products.

PATENT INVENTIONS - CONTACT REQUEST

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Patent Inventions

October 6, 2011
Inventions, Inventors, Patents

Patent Inventions

If your inventions are new, inventive and useful, then they might qualify for patent protection. To protect your rights as an inventor you need to file patent applications for your inventions in each country, where protection is sought.

Obtaining a patent is a two-step process spaced 12 months apart.

Step 1
File a provisional patent application in South Africa.

Step 2
File a complete patent application within 12 months of filing the provisional patent application in South Africa, and/or in each country where you wish to obtain patent protection.

Novelty Search

An optional fixed cost preliminary novelty search can be conducted to find similar or identical patents. The costs of conducting a fixed cost novelty search in respect of one patent. (inclusive of all fees, official expenses and VAT is limited to approximately R 2500.00)

PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. PRICES ARE ONLY AN INDICATION. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A FORMAL QUOTATION.

PATENT INVENTIONS - CONTACT REQUEST

Full Names (required)

Contact Number (required)

Email (required)

Upload Image (if possible)

Short description of Invention (not obliged)

captcha

Any information and images supplied will be protected under the attorney-client privilege with strict confidentiality, whether you decide to continue with the application or not.

 

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Additional Articles & Information

How to patent inventions?

Patent protection

Patents in South Africa

Patent Owners

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