What information goes into the patent specification?

• What is a patent?

• What can be patented?

• Does an invention have to be completely new to be patented?

• Who can apply for a patent?

• What standards are applied to determine if an invention is patentable?

• What is the first step in patenting an invention?

• When and how is a patent application prepared?

• What information goes into the patent specification?

• What is the function of the patent Claims?

• Are there different types of patent applications?

• What happens after the patent application is filed?

• Is there any recourse from an unfavorable final office action?

• What happens once the examiner finds the claims are allowable?

• Does the inventor have to wait for the issuance of his/her patent before beginning to manufacture or market the invention?

• How long does the entire patenting process take?

• Should an inventor disclose his/her invention to others prior to filing a patent application?

• What happens if two applications are filed for the same invention?

• How long does patent protection last?

• Does a U.S. Patent provide protection from foreign competition?

• How is a patent enforced?

• Can patent rights be sold?

• Does an employee’s invention automatically belong to their employer?

• What is a patent license?

• How does an inventor go about licensing his/her invention?

• Once a patent is issued, can it be revoked or modified?

• What are the maintenance requirements after a patent is issued?

Microwave Boiler and Hot Water Heater

Pre-Ignition Fuel Treatment System

Simulated Balloon Display and Method

Botanical Drug Compositions

Computer for Emergency Responders

Pet Carrier Garment

Human Echolocation System

Water Based Adhesive Curing Process

Hand Wash Monitoring System

35 U.S. Code §112 requires that the patent Specification be “enabling” — that is, it must enable someone with ordinary skill in the field to practice the invention simply by reading the Specification. The Specification is usually divided into four parts: (i) Background of the Invention, (ii) Summary of the Invention, (iii) Brief Description of the Drawings, and (iv) Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s). In the Background section, the Specification points out how the present invention is distinguishable from the prior art — i.e., how it is both novel and non-obvious in light of the prior art. The Summary section discusses the “objectives” of the invention, primarily by identifying the problems that are associated with the prior art and that the present invention is able to solve. Each of the Drawings is identified as Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc., with a one-sentence description of what is depicted in each. The Drawings include “reference numbers” that identify each element of the invention. In the Detailed Description, these reference numbers are used to create a narrative describing how the invention is practiced — how it is “put together” and how it works.