Pulp & Paper Inventors Turn Solutions into Patents, 1997 Papermakers Conference Proceedings
Scientists and research and development engineers in the pulp and paper industry are generally familiar with patents. They work in environments where a patent culture exists aud they are comfortable with patent terms and with application procedures.
On the other hand, mill and converting plant engineers, technical staff, operators, maintenance personnel and many consultants are unfamiliar with patents. Although engaged daily in problem solving, they are unaware that a new solution to a problem may be a patentable invention.
This paper cites examples of industry personnel obtaining patents for new solutions to old problems. Patents can be an asset of the company and can improve profitability significantly.
Incentives to the inventor may include financial rewards as well as recognition for his/her accomplishments through publication and possible licensing. Most larger companies have an established invention disclosure system to screen inventions for possible filing of a patent application.
This paper covers basic patent terms as well as an overview of requirements for patentability, documentation of inventive activity, and application procedures. The paper suggests actions to safeguard valuable new solutions.