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Business

Can I Patent My Idea Myself, Without a Patent Attorney?

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Applying for a patent without a patent attorney is not only possible, it’s done all the time. However, an inventor does take risk by choosing not to avail themselves of the experience, guidance and counsel of a good patent attorney, if only to proof the work that the inventor has done for himself or herself.

You have the right to file your own patent application. You also have the right to represent yourself in court or in front of the Internal Revenue Service during an audit. None of these should be particularly compelling if you have any common sense at all. Good legal counsel is priceless. Bad rookie mistakes can be very costly.

So what is an inventor to do if they don’t have the money needed to hire an attorney?

If the inventor doesn’t have the financial resources to pay reasonable attorney’s fees, they should seriously question whether they are truly prepared and positioned to try and take their idea all the way to the market without help. Pursuing an invention costs money and takes time. Hiring a patenting agency such as InventHelp would be cheaper. InventHelp patent attorney can take care of anything legal.

Reminder: A patent for a product that is never commercialized is effectively worthless.

Even doing things yourself, you will likely incur costs for documenting and preparing your patent application which will add up. There are filing fees and maintenance costs at the Patent Office over the life of a patent that cost thousands of dollars.

If an inventor is not prepared or in a position to commit to these costs, they are certainly not in a financial position to try and leverage or enforce the very patent rights they are seeking.

And so, it goes back to the fundamental question, why do you want a patent?

If the answer is because you intend to manufacture or license the product, then you may be ready to try and prepare your own provisional patent application. InventHelp is here to help for new inventors, so you could consult with them.

A provisional patent application (PPA) is more or less a tentative or “stop gap” measure that the U.S. Patent Office developed which allows an inventor to take certain actions with their invention that would otherwise preclude the inventor’s ability to seek patent protection. By filing a provisional patent application you establish a priority filing date and may rightfully claim patent pending on the product for one year, while you introduce or shop your product to manufacturers, marketers, distributors and the press.

However, by the end of that year, you must file a formal patent application or abandon your claims of novelty. So, a provisional patent, while less costly and involved than a full utility patent, is not without issue. Primarily, not making the proper claims in the provisional patent application may have ramifications for future patent filings. Plus, one year is really not as long as it sounds when when actually doing the work of trying to get a new invention off the ground.

Business

Tips on Ordering a Business Sign

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There are some things you should take into consideration before you make your business sign purchase. A reputable Burnaby sign company can help you answer some of  the questions below if you are unsure about anything.

Where do your customers come from, or who are your customers?

Most often your customers are those that live in the area where your store is located. A majority of your customers will come from within a mile of the location of your store.

How do you get your potential customers information?

The best thing to do is to get a map and create dots for all the current and new customers you get, even customers who just drop in your store. By having a dot map within a few months you should have enough data that you can see where your customers are coming from. At this point we will be able to decide what kind of signs would be the best to draw those customers in.

How do you communicate with your customers?

Your sign must be easily communicated to your audience by being noticeable and easy to read. Remember after a while your sign will become like landscape material it will blend in for those customers who walk or drive by the sign often. So periodically change your sign up a bit by adding new elements to it, maybe new lighting or wording to make it stand out so it does not become unnoticeable.

What is it that you are trying to say in your sign?

Decide on one clear and simple and easy to read message for your sign. Choose couple of keywords that easily describe your business, by being clear in your wording. The easier and cleaner the message the more impact it will have on your customers.

What image are you trying to portray to your customers?

Having a good Burnaby Vinyl Graphics company to come up with an appealing design for your sign is also very important. The look and wording on your sign tells a lot about your business. Your sign doesn’t have to be fancy to get your point across it can be simple and attractive to convey your messages.

Business Home

Air Compressor Tools

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Having the right tools for the job is a very important part of any construction project. Whether you’re building a house from scratch or just re-roofing your house. Either way an air compressor is a necessary tool of the trade. Why exactly? It just so happens that there are many tools which cannot function unless they are powered by an air compressor. These tools are very powerful, but there are of course pros and cons.

Air Compressor Pros:

  • Most do not require electricity
  • Can power a variety of tools
  • Tools come in many different models, shapes, and sizes

Air Compressor Cons:

  • Hoses have Limited Range
  • Gasoline is Expensive
  • Tools are expensive

The best place to search for air compressors is the internet. There are some really good online shops and review sites, such as Landroverbar – https://www.landroverbar.com/, where you can find some great deals on air compressors. Now we’re going to talk about a few of the tools out there. As you know, DeWalt and Craftsman make some of the best tools out there, and we’re going to talk about three in particular that are quite popular. When we say popular we mean you will see them on just about any construction site.

The first is the nail gun. This is a great addition to any contractor’s arsenal as it provides the ability to fasten boards together without needing to manually pound them together with a hammer. You will find that nail guns are in use at many construction sites today.

The roofing gun is similar to the nail gun, but it dispenses tacks instead of straight nails. The purpose of this is to hold the insulating paper onto the plywood walls. In addition to this it is also used to attach singles to a roof. If you have ever attached shingles manually, then you know exactly what a pain this is.

The most important thing though is getting the most out of your air compressor tools. Something to remember is that air compressors are good in the elements, but it is best to keep them out of site. If you are working on a large house it would be best to keep it in the basement.

Not only does this keep it out of the elements, it keeps passers by from knowing that you have it sitting there. There is a chance that it can be stolen, but it is more unlikely when you actually have the machine sitting in the basement of the house. Why? Well, who is going to be able to carry it up a flight of stairs? Naturally you will have one person on your construction crew that is capable of doing this, but that is another story.

Make sure you buy long hoses for your air compressor so that you can use the air compressor tools anywhere on the site. Doing this well help you to get the most out of the tubes, as you will inevitably have to climb up to the roof at some point. That being the case, choose your accessories wisely.

Business Internet and Technology

The Basic Principles of Good Expense Management

Proper expense management is a must for a profitable business, big or small, since profit comes from revenues minus expenses. Revenues, unfortunately for most businesses, are highly variable and subject to a lot of external influences. Expenses, on the other hand, when covered by good expense management are controllable and fairly predictable.

Expenses are everywhere in the business process and the more complex the business, the more complicated the expenses become. It is important, therefore, to know these basic principles of a good expense management system.

Determine expense categories in the order of their strategic importance to the business. Each business is different, even if it operates in the same industry. The size of the business, corporate culture, shareholder structure and growth objectives all contribute to a company’s growth strategy. Within this context, every company must define the relative importance of each expense category. This will dictate how much management time and focus is devoted to controlling and optimizing an expense category.

Automate routine and manage by exception. In any business, regardless of size or complexity, many expenses are routinary in nature. These expenses are best handled by automated processes not only from a cost standpoint but also for reasons of accuracy and reliability. This way, persons involved in the expense management process can devote their time to analyzing deviations, spotting trends and managing exceptions.

Expense data gives as much as takes. Expense data doesn’t just tell a business how much it is giving away. Each invoice paid is a source of information that can be mined for ratios, comparisons, trends and opportunities for improvement. Accounts payable is such a rich source of information that special IT platforms and analytical tools have been developed specializing in this area alone. And that is where IT expense management services come into picture. The telecommunications, utilities and transport industries are two important examples. The data gleaned from accounts payable leads to supply chain analytics with significant cost (and profit) implications for the companies in these industries. The retail sector, above all, relies on supplier invoices to dictate inventory levels and determine shelf allocations.

Electronic invoices are cheaper and quicker to process for information. Information derived from accounts payable is useful only if it is timely. Manual processing of invoices might be less expensive for some businesses in an immediate sense, but its ability to extract information for process optimization and business opportunities may be more expensive for the organization in the long run. Whenever it is feasible, a good Expense Management system should opt for electronic invoices over a manual operation.

Business

Vending Machines Sydney

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Vending Machines are used throughout the city for their convenience and ability to save time for consumers. All that is necessary is to deposit money, make a selection and instantly receive the desired product.

Vending machines Sydney companies offer machines to dispense all types of products, although snacks and drinks are probably the most popular. They are found in almost every large facility and consumers have come to expect their presence everywhere. They are especially welcome in places of business, both in a waiting area or lobby for customers and in the lunch room or lounge for employees.

Conveniently located in places where there is no room for a snack bar or cafeteria. They provide a definite advantage for employees to have their morning coffee without having to stop somewhere and worry about parking and getting to work on time.

Fresh coffee is available throughout the day for coffee breaks and lunch, and busy people on the go appreciate their availability. They are also time savers and the fact that no one needs to attend them to hand out coffee is another advantage.

There is also no need for anyone to be in charge of making coffee in the lunch room and cleaning up the mess. Employees are much happier when they can just get coffee when they want it and not have the annoyance of finding an empty coffee pot in the lunch room.

Business Home

Radon Gas in Homes

Radon Gas in homes is emitted from radium, which is highly radioactive metal that is formed as uranium ore decays beneath the surface of the earth. Although Radon Gas in homes generally does not pose health hazards when dispersed into outdoor air, it can have deadly consequences when it builds up within indoor environments. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Radon Gas in homes is a Class A carcinogen that is considered the leading environmental risk for cancer mortality in the Norway.

Radon Gas in Homes Health Risks

Radon Gas in homes produces radioactive particulates that are particularly dangerous when they enter the lungs. The particles cause damage to cells in the lining of the lungs that can lead to lung cancer. While Radon Gas in homes is especially dangerous for people who smoke or who have chronic respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and allergies, extended exposure to the gas poses health risks for every population, even when exposed to low levels of the substance. Approximately 21,000 people die from lung cancer caused by Radon Gas in homes each year.

How Radon Gas Enters Homes

Colorless, tasteless and invisible, Radon Gas can seep into homes from a variety of sources, including cracks in the foundation or floors, holes in walls and drains installed beneath flooring. Because the pressure in soil is less than the air pressure inside a home, the home operates like a vacuum, sucking up the gas through every available opening. Radon Gas trapped in underground water sources can be released into homes when the water is used for bathing or other uses, but poses far less of a health risk than the Radon Gas that enters homes from the soil.

Testing for Radon Gas in homes

Special test kits are available from qualified contractors to measure the level of Radon Gas present in a home. Test periods range from two days to three months or longer. The amount of radon in household air is typically measured by the number of picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. Picocuries are units of radioactivity that relate to the amount of decay per second. The EPA recommends radon mitigation for homes where radon levels are 4 pCi/L or higher. Any exposure to radon, however, increases a person’s risk for lung cancer.

Business

Shielding Gases in Welding

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The process of welding requires more than just heat between a work piece and an electrode to permanently join two metals together. Metals at very high temperatures are reactive chemically with the elements on the atmosphere, especially oxygen and nitrogen. These elements form oxides and nitrides when the molten metal comes in contact with the air. These oxides and nitrides destroy the strength properties of the weld joint. For this reason the arc welding process require some sort of protection for the weld puddle during the joining process. This protection also called shielding is in most cases achieved by the use of an external gas.

Shielding gases are considered consumables with the MIG, TIG and sometimes FCAW welding processes. The gases used for weld puddle protection can be inert, reactive or a mix of both. The factors that affect the suitability of a gas for a given process are the influence of the gas on the arcing and metal transfer characteristics during welding, weld penetration, width of fusion and surface shape, welding speed, and the tendency to undercut. Among the inert gases available, only Argon and Helium are plentiful enough for practical use in metal fabrication.

Shielding gases for GTAW (TIG)

Argon or helium or a mix of the two is commonly used in the TIG welding process. Argon provides the advantage of an easier arc starting, smoother arc action and better cleaning action for the welding of aluminum and magnesium. In the welding of thin material, argon is recommended because its lower arc voltage characteristic reduces the tendency for burn through. Helium is recommended for the welding of thicker material due to its higher arc voltage characteristics. A mixture of both is used to balance the arc characteristics. It cannot be said that one gas is better than the other; it is directly related to the welding needs.

Shielding gases for GMAW (MIG)

At a beginning, argon, helium or a mixture of these inert gases were used for GMAW. Other gases were not considered because the primary use of MIG welding was for welding reactive metals such as aluminum and magnesium which require inert gas shield. Now days the process is used for welding many metals that do not require inert gas shielding. Carbon dioxide shielding is widely used for MIG welding of carbon and low alloy steels in conjunction with deoxidized electrode. The main advantage over the inert gases is its lower cost.

Business Home

Close Protection

It is a common misconception that close protection is only for those who have a lot of money or are rich or influential. People who do have money and power are some of the most likely people to use these services however, it is not limited to just these categories of people. Obviously there is not a massive demand for close protection in general society, however if a person feels in danger then it is perfectly acceptable.

Contrary to popular belief, close protection is a lot more affordable than you would think, it can suit may budgets not just those of the affluent. Depending on your requirements you should be able to find close protection services that are specifically suited to your needs. Officers can be hired to simply escort someone of importance to an event, or an individual or family unit may require close protection 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a number of reasons in which case an officer can be hired to live in the house. Of course, the level of risk and the amount of time of service required and even the area in which you live can affect prices. If you are looking for something specific you will have to consult with a Security company London to assess the factors affecting the cost.

Slightly different to the typical idea of bodyguards stuck to the side of celebrities whilst wearing black suits, the average close protection officer is less easy to identify as a member of security. Their job is to keep a low profile whilst ensuring your safety at all times.

Although it is the rich and affluent who are the most prevalent in their use of close protection we can see that it is a service that is designed for all manner of people no matter where they stand in society. So, close protection could be the answer for you if find yourself in a threatening situation and fear for your safety or are caught up in a high profile court case or even are the victim of domestic violence. It is not money that determines whether you need close protection or not, it is the severity of the situation you find yourself in.

Business Law

General Information Regarding U.S. Patents

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In the United States, a patent is a right to exclude others from practicing your invention. Patents are granted by the government for a limited term – approximately 17 years for a utility patent and 14 years for a design patent.

It is critical to understand that a U.S. patent is never a right to practice your invention, such a right would depend on your invention not infringing any other valid and in-force patent. In other words, you may obtain a patent on your invention and still be unable to make, use or sell it, if it infringes an existing patent. There are patent agencies like Invent Help that could help you with your understanding of the patent.

A patent contains a description of the invention and a number of claims. The description, which consists of drawings in a design patent but usually contains both text and drawings in a utility patent, must be sufficient to teach a person skilled in the art of the invention to make and use the invention. This is known as an “enabling” disclosure. InventHelp can do this for you as well, learn why new inventors turn to InventHelp.

A design patent includes only one claim directed towards the ornamental design of the product, but in order to judge the breadth of that claim, say for evaluating infringement, one must compare the design to the prior art. A design patent’s breadth can therefore never be understood by looking only at the design patent and not at the prior art.

A utility patent, on the other hand, can contain any number of claims, each effectively forming an individual grant whose validity stands and falls independent of all of the remaining claims.