Machines patents

Machine -patentable subject matter [PATENTS AND TRADE SECRETS] (Vol 18)... 

On an industrial scale, the dry process is the traditional method of extracting oil from the coconut (16). This is done by cmshing copra in an expeller, the trade name of the machine patented by V. D. Anderson. The meal (or cake) may be further treated with solvents to extract residual oil. 

A Frenchman, J. N. L. Robert, built the first paper machine, patented in 1799. It was driven by one worker using a crank. The diluted pulp contained in a large vat was hurled into a wooden chest by a rotating paddle wheel and directed onto an endless wire screen of laid type. The screen bearing the forming paper web was moved forward, horizontally shaken and passed a pair of couch rolls equipped with... 

Article of Manufacture. An article of manufacture is an iavention such as a two-headed tooth bmsh, an iatravenous fluid bag, or an optical fiber "made" by a machine. One example of an iavention which could be considered an article of manufacture is U.S. Patent No. 5,241,990 tided "Irrigation/Aspiration Valve and Probe for Laparoscopy" (2). 

Machines. A machine is a device which is capable of manufactuting a product or completing a task such as removing hydrocarbon contaminants from siUca and dirt. Examples of machines iaclude an extmsion apparatus, a book biader, and a tractor. The U.S. Patent No. 5,020,462 tided "Thermal Remediation Apparatus and Method" (3) discloses both a machine and a process. 

For example, if the invention has cleaning properties it may be a composition of matter, process, or machine, all of which are patentable subject matter. If the invention performs work, it may be a process, article of manufacture, or machine, which are all patentable subject matter. It may also be that the development of a new composition results in a composition of matter and a process of using the composition, both of which are distinct, yet patentable inventions. The various types of patentable subject matter are not mutually exclusive and may be disclosed in a single patent. 

Aside from designs and plants, inventions are required to exhibit usefiilness or utiHty to be patentable. In fact, issued patents for processes, machines, compositions, and articles are often commonly referred to as "utiHty" patents. Depending on the nature of the technology, a single assertion of utiHty may suffice. In other cases, such as in the field of biotechnology, a more elaborate demonstration of utiHty may be necessary. Although utiHty maybe supported by an assertion of use, appHcation, or benefit, the assertion must be accurate and credible to ensure the enforceabiHty of any patent reHed upon to cover the invention. 

As a result of the need for its disclosure, an inventor must disclose the best mode of practicing the invention that the inventor knows in drafting a patent appHcation. In some instances, the best mode may be the very commercial product developed by the inventor. However, in other instances the best mode may be an article, machine, or process which is economically or commercially impractical. Nonetheless, this embodiment needs to be disclosed in the patent. 

Quadronics (L,iquid Dynamics) Extractor (Doyle et al., U.S. Patent 3,114,707, 1963, and others paper at AlChE meeting, St. Louis, February 1968) This is a horizontally rotated device, a variant of the Podbielniak extractor, in which either fixed or adjustable orifices may be inserted as a package radially. These permit control of the mixing intensity as the liquids pass radially through the extractor. Flow capacities, depending on machine size, range from 0.34 to 340 mVh (1.5 to 1500 gal/min). 

Coutor (U.S. Patent 2,036,924, 1936). See also Eisenlohr [Ind. Chem., 27, 271 (1951) Chem. Jng. Tech., 23, 12 (1951) Phorm. Ind., 17, 207 (1955) Trans. Indian Inst. Chem. Eng., 3, 7 (1949-1950)] and Husain et al. [Chim. Ind. ( 4ilan), 82, 435 (1959)]. This centrifuge revolves about a vertical axis and contains three actual stages. It operates at 3800 r/min and handles approximately 4.92 mVh (1300 gaPh) total liquid flow at 12-kW power requirement. Provision is made in the machine for the accumulation of solids separated from the hquids, for periodic removal. It is used, more extensively in Europe than in the United States, for the extraction of acetic acid, pharmaceuticals, and similar produces. 

De Laval Extractor (Palmqvist and Beskow, U.S. Patent 3,108,953, 1959) This machine contains a number of perforated cylinders revolving about a vertical shaft. The liquids folfow a spiral path about 25 m (82 ft) long, in countercurrent fashion radially, and mix when passing through me perforations. There are no published performance data. 

Diesel began work on an economical engine as early as 1880. The following year he took out his first patents—for machines to make clear ice. Throughout the remainder of the decade he worked on an ammonia vapor engine and (less rigorously) on a solar-powered engine. In 1889 he moved to Berlin to work as Linde s representative there. In... 

Although the engine was not a success, Ericsson s trip to London allowed him to meet John Braithwaite, a machine manufacturer, who had the expertise to put Ericsson s ideas into practice. In 1828 Ericsson, with Braithwaite, patented the principle of artificial draft in steam boilers. The principle of forced draft was applied to a fire engine and a locomotive entered for the Rainhill locomotive trials of 1829. 

To prove that a particular design of a perpetual motion machine will not work can be vei y time consuming, and the predictable negative result has never been worth the effort. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office has a policy to not examine applications covering perpetual motion machines unless the applicant furnishes a working model. 

Sperry applied for his first patent—a dynamo-electric machine— when he was twenty. His final patent application—for a variable pitch propeller— was submitted in 1930, shortly after his death. In total, 355 of his over 400 patent applications matured as actual granted patents. 

The first practical liquid refrigerating machine is patented by American inventor Jacob Perkins. 

American inventor John Gorrie patents an expansion cycle refrigerating machine. 

Figure 10-22C. Longitudinal shell-pass baffle. (Used by permission Henry Vogt Machine Co., Patent No. 2,482,335.)...

Utility Patents. Utility patents are granted to individuals only who have invented or discovered any new and useful method, process, machine, manufacture, or matter composition. These patents must be useful to society (have utility). A utility patent has a total time limit for exclusive use by the inventor of 17 years. 

Ger. Patent 2104557, 1971 Gipstein, E. Hewett. W.A. (International Business Machines Corp.) Chem. Abstr. 1971, 75, 152339. 

In USA a patent is awarded to the person first producing an invention, not necessarily who first applied for a patent. The opposite policy prevails in the rest of the world with USA policy probably changing in order to achieve worldwide patent law harmonization. USA utility patents (machines, equipment, etc.) in the past where good for at least 17 years after date the patent was issued. As of 1995, the patent is good for 20 years after the date the patent is filed (prior to the date it is issued) that eliminated those who would file for a patent and let it drag out for many years prior to being issued when it would be needed for infringement, etc. 

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