Inventor Boot Camp Bert Vermeulen 10 17 2009

DaVinci Institute 17 October 2009 Invention Patents Entrepreneurship

Topics:
Brief introduction
12 entrepreneurs / 15 ideas / 11 apps / 5 patents
Lessons and observations

Engineering & business education
Father & brother: 10+ patents each
(John Vermeulen/Robbert Vermeulen)
Teach Mech Eng Design at CSU
Helped file 11 patent apps since 2003
corp21.com helps entrepreneurs
Bert Vermeulen:

9 Entrepreneurs, 9 ideas, 6 patent applications: If there’s no business, there’ll probably be no patent. Having a patent doesn’t mean there’s a business. Inventor Idea Patent App? Result Business? Bert Surftree (software) 2004 Abandoned No Rita Web video software 2004 Abandoned No CR66 Used car sales 2004 Abandoned No Dr Deeds Investment software Search only Not pursued No Happy Life Software 2006 Abandoned No MedXCo Reduce urine smell 2006 Abandoned No Elias Open space cooling Search only Did not pursue No Vesta Microcontroller Search only Did not pursue Small Ice Ear bud jewelry Design 2008 Granted Small

Why were these patent apps abandoned? Example: Surftree
Initial patent application cost <$1000 (self done).
Three years later, the examiner came back with lots of objections.
Product wasn’t selling.
It would have cost $3-6K of professional advice and fees to get something narrow allowed.
Not worth it.

Instrumentation for water treatment plants.
At least 5 years of development (perhaps 10+ years).
First patent application filed September 2009 after working on it for 2+ years.
Opportunity. Market leader. Industry expert. Product pre-sold.
Challenges:
Cannot file abroad after public disclosure.
Cannot patent ideas 12+ months after first offered for sale.
Need more than one patent application to be filed.
Entrepreneur is 73 years old.
Entrepreneur #10: ClearCorp.biz

3D Mouse using same technology that’s in the iPhone.
Provisional Patent Application filed November 2004.
Regular Patent Application filed October 2005.
Patent allowed June 2009. In final steps.
Now working on follow-on patent applications.
Entrepreneur #11: Axelo.net:

Invented pneumatic pressure regulator for Norgren in 1962. Design is still in production.
Started own business in 1964. Marginally successful.
Hired by Wilkerson in 1966 to design around his Norgren patent. Design is still in production.
Has been an inventor/entrepreneur ever since.
Entrepreneur #12: John VanderHorst:

Idea  Patent  Product  Company  Wilkerson  Retire
John VanderHorst’s Inertia Pump (1980-1985): US Patent# 4,370,101

How does the inertia pump work? Accelerate a pipe with liquid in it Use a check valve to prevent back flow in reverse cycle Oscillate back and forth

Turn configuration into a loop and oscillate it Inlet Check valve Fluid flow direction

The John VanderHorst Story:

“ Minimize investment through Do It Yourself”
ISSUE: SOLUTION:
Funding $100K+ out of own pocket
Product development Made own protos. Outside tooling
Manufacturing Build them yourself. $0/hr for 1 year
Product introduction Visit local dealers
RV show in Denver
Partner in Europe
National distribution Keep trying for 9 months
Mail samples to dealers
Worldwide licensing Know how to negotiate

Tow-N-See Mirror patent summary:
US utility patent application Jan 2003, granted Dec 2006.
International utility patent abandoned.
US design patent application Dec 2004, granted Sep 2006.
European design patent granted.
Competitor launched copy-cat product spring 2008.

What’s next for Tow-N-See:
$200-$300K/year business.
Runs itself.
Available for sale to the right buyer.

Lessons and observations:
Hurdles
Patents only useful with products & businesses
It takes time and money
Opportunities
A business with a patent is worth more
Issued patents can create credibility
For larger businesses, a good defense is a good offense (numerous issued patents)
You can do some of the work yourself

Also keep in mind:
Most issued patents are never commercialized.
Commercialized patents can be quite valuable.
There is starting to be a market for good patents.
Patent litigation costs at least an order of magnitude more than patent prosecution.

Questions and discussion

Inventor Boot Camp Bert Vermeulen 10 17 2009

by dr2tom on Oct 15, 2009

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