Legal Definitions - small invention

A "small invention" refers to a type of intellectual property protection, often known as a Utility Model, which is available in many countries. Unlike a standard patent, which typically requires a high level of inventiveness and a significant technological breakthrough, a utility model protects practical, technical innovations that might not meet the stringent inventiveness criteria for a full patent.

Utility models are often described as "petty patents" or "innovation patents" because they protect incremental improvements to existing products or processes. They focus on new shapes, structures, or arrangements of articles, tools, or devices that offer a practical advantage. The requirements for obtaining a utility model are generally less strict, the registration process is quicker and less expensive, and the term of protection is usually shorter than that of a standard patent.

Here are some examples to illustrate what constitutes a small invention or utility model:

• Ergonomic Garden Tool Handle: Imagine a new, specially contoured handle for a common garden trowel. This handle is designed with a unique grip pattern and shape that significantly reduces strain on the user's wrist and hand during prolonged use, making gardening more comfortable.

  How it illustrates the term: This is a practical, technical improvement to an existing tool's structure. While the trowel itself isn't a groundbreaking invention, the redesigned handle offers a novel and beneficial ergonomic solution. It's an incremental innovation that provides a clear functional advantage, making it a strong candidate for utility model protection rather than a full patent, which would require a higher level of inventive step.

• Modular Storage Container Interlocking System: Consider a new design for a set of plastic storage containers. Each container features a unique, precisely engineered lip and groove mechanism that allows them to securely interlock and stack in various stable configurations, preventing slippage and making organization more efficient than standard stackable containers.

  How it illustrates the term: This example involves a novel combination and structural arrangement of existing elements (storage containers) to create a new, improved functional system. The innovation lies in the specific interlocking mechanism, which provides a practical technical solution for stability and versatility. It's a "small invention" because it enhances the usability of an everyday item through a clever structural modification, without necessarily introducing a completely new technology.

• Adjustable Phone Stand Mechanism: Picture a portable phone stand that incorporates a newly designed hinge and locking system. This mechanism allows the stand to be adjusted to a wider and more precise range of stable viewing angles, and it can be locked securely into position with a simple click, offering greater flexibility and stability compared to typical friction-based or limited-angle stands.

  How it illustrates the term: This is an improvement to the mechanical structure and functionality of a common device. The innovative hinge and locking mechanism provide a practical, technical enhancement that improves the user experience. It represents an incremental innovation focused on practical application and improved utility, fitting the criteria for a "small invention" or utility model due to its focus on enhancing an existing product's functionality rather than a fundamental technological breakthrough.