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PATENT SEARCH TOOLS AND THE 8-STEP STRATEGY

PATENT SEARCH TOOLS AND THE 8-STEP STRATEGY. Charlotte A. Erdmann Siegesmund Engineering Library Purdue University Fall 2005. Objectives . Use a sample search of a mouse trap set by gravity Look at search tools Look at databases Look at search techniques. Title Inventor

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PATENT SEARCH TOOLS AND THE 8-STEP STRATEGY

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  1. PATENT SEARCH TOOLS AND THE 8-STEP STRATEGY Charlotte A. Erdmann Siegesmund Engineering Library Purdue University Fall 2005

  2. Objectives • Use a sample search of a mouse trap set by gravity • Look at search tools • Look at databases • Look at search techniques

  3. Title Inventor Filing date U.S. class Field of search Abstract Background Detailed Description Patent number Issue date Application number International class Reference cited Drawings Summary Claims Review Basic Parts of a Patent

  4. Classification Basics • Examiners assign classification to each patent based on its claims. • More than one class/subclass combination may be given. • Classification may change between the time that a patent issued and today. • Classification involves a first place rule.

  5. More information on classification • Examiners’ Handbook to the U.S. Patent Classification System • http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/sir/co/examhbk/index.html • V. Selection of Locus for Searching or Placement

  6. STEP 1: INDEX TO U.S. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM • Begin with this alphabetical listing of technical and common terms. • Example: mouse trap set by gravity • Look for terms describing the invention and its function, effect, end-product, structure, and use. [Paper (SuDocs C 21.12/2:) or on Cassis Patent ASSIST CD-ROM]

  7. Sample Search • The user chooses these terms: • Mouse • Mice • Animal • Traps • Note specific classes and subclasses. For example: 84/233 • Plus sign adjacent to a subclass refers to indented subclasses, e.g. 43/58+

  8. Look for index term: mouse • MOUSE • COMPUTER INPUT & DISPLAY CONTROL 345/156+ • DEVICES ............... 345/156+ • GUARD • PIANO PEDAL OPENINGs... 84/233 MULTICELLULAR LIVING ORGANISMS ... 800/ • The first number is called a class. • The second number is called a subclass. TRAP 43/58+

  9. STEP 2: MANUAL OF CLASSIFICATION • Contains more than 400 classes and • 140,000 subclasses. • Contains search helps at beginning • of MOC. • Arranged by classes in this order: • Plant • Utility • Design

  10. Manual of Classification 43/58+ • Locate class and subclass in the Manual. For example: • Scan the entire class schedule, paying attention to the dot indents. • Revise your search strategy as needed. 58 TRAPS 59 .Burglar 60 .Imprisoning 61 ..Swinging or sliding closure 62 ..Falling encaging member [Paper (SuDoc C 21.12:) or on Cassis Patents ASSIST CD-ROM]

  11. Look at Class 43 • Look for main lines (capitalized headings): MISCELLANEOUS DECOYS FISHING TRAPS VERMIN DESTROYING • Look at end of class: Cross Reference Art Collections 43/900 LIQUID INSECTICIDE SPRAYER Digests 424/Digest 1 AEROSOL HAIR PREPARATION

  12. Class Number: 43 Class Title: FISHING, TRAPPING, AND VERMIN DESTROYING 58 TRAPS 59 .Burglar 60 .Imprisoning 61 ..Swinging or sliding closure 62 ..Falling encaging member 63 ..Jaw cage type 64 .Self and ever set 65 ..Nonreturn entrance 66 ...Victim-opened 67 ...Victim-closed 68 ..Sinking compartment

  13. Class Number: 43 58 TRAPS 64 .Self and ever set 69 ..Tiltable platform 70 ...Trigger-released 71 ..Rotatable platform 72 ...Trigger-released 73 .Self-reset 74 ..Rotating door or platform 75 ..Smiting 76 .Victim-reset ..AND MORE

  14. Look for traps that are self-set by gravity • 59 .Burglar • 60 .Imprisoning • 61 ..Swinging or sliding closure • 62 ..Falling encaging member • 63 ..Jaw cage type • 64 .Self and ever set • 65 ..Nonreturn entrance • 66 ...Victim-opened • 67 ...Victim-closed • ..Sinking compartment Class Number: 43 58 TRAPS

  15. STEP 3: CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS • Read the definitions to establish the scope of the classes and subclasses relevant to the search. • Definitions include notes and suggestions to search other classes and subclasses. • If you’re doing a “real” patent search, you must consult the Classification Definitions! • [Microfiche (SuDocs C 21.3/2:), Cassis Patents ASSIST DVD, or Tools to Help in Searching by Patent Classification (web)]

  16. Definition Notes • Definitions exist for utility and plant patents with some exceptions. DO DON’T 343/700 343/700R Cross Reference Art Collections Digests • Definitions do not exist for all design patents.

  17. Choose Definitions to Read from Class 43 58 TRAPS 64 .Self and ever set 65 ..Nonreturn entrance 66 ...Victim-opened 67 ...Victim-closed 68 ..Sinking compartment 69 ..Tiltable platform 70 ...Trigger-released 71 ..Rotatable platform 72 ...Trigger-released Read Definitions (Examples) Class 43 43/65 43/58 43/66 43/64

  18. 43/ 64 Self and ever set This subclass is indented under subclass 58.  Traps, which because of their peculiar construction are not set manually, but reset themselves under the influence of gravity. (1) Note. Includes also those traps which catch any number of animals up to the capacity of the trap and by reason of their peculiar construction need no setting. These traps unlike imprisoning traps, may capture more than one animal and frequently injure or even kill the animal.

  19. Definition: 43/66 • Victim-opened. This subclass is indented under subclass 65. Traps whose entrance is normally closed, as by a gravity door or gate, which is opened by the animal"s effort to get in the trap and which closes behind him, thus capturing him. • SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: • 69, for tiltable platform self-set traps. 71 and 74, for rotatable platform self and self-reset traps. • SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: • 232, Deposit and Collection Receptacles, subclasses 47+ for letter box traps and 55+ for coin traps.

  20. USPTO website: http://www.uspto.gov

  21. USPTO Patent Databases

  22. STEP 4: PATENTS BIB (DVD) OR PATENTS GRANT (WEB) • Search class/subclass • Patents BIB (DVD, 1969-date) or • Patent Grants (web, 1790-present) • Retrieve results and examine titles. Check if you are on the right path

  23. Patents Bib/Patent Grants (continued) • Try other classes/subclasses • Revise search using keywords. • Note classes/subclasses and Return to STEP 2

  24. PATENTS BIB ON DVD

  25. BIB LIST OF PATENTS FROM 43/66 36 records were found

  26. USPTO website: http://www.uspto.gov

  27. USPTO Patent Databases

  28. Full Text/Keyword (1976-date) Image/Class (1790-date)

  29. 217 Patents Found

  30. Text, Image, Referenced By

  31. T = Full-Text and Image =Image Only

  32. Problems Viewing Images

  33. Keyword Searching (1976-date) (mouse or mice) and trap$ and gravity (mouse or mice) and trap$ and gravity and CCL/43/$ AN/woodstream and ccl/43/$

  34. Keyword Search (1976-date)

  35. STEP 5: PATENT APPLICATION

  36. Applications published 18 months after filing • Decision to publish or not to publish is made at time of application • Publication is required if also filed outside U.S. • Publication is optional if filed only in U.S. • Search may need to go broader, e.g. 43/$ or 43/58 or try a variety of subclasses

  37. Quick Search

  38. Results

  39. Advanced Search 43/66 yield no results

  40. Results

  41. STEP 6: PATENTS CLASS OPTIONAL • Once relevant classes/subclasses are identified, obtain a list of all patent numbers (1790 to present) granted for each class and subclass to be listed. • Note: You may search the PTO Patents Full-Text File to get the same information

  42. LIST OF PATENTS FROM 43/66 216 records were found Classification: 43/66 ORs: 152 XRs: 62 Total: 216 5682705 O 5611171 O 5564221 X 5502918 X 5410837 O 5386663 O 5347747 O 5341592 O 5325622 O 5299380 O 4998376 X 4887381 O 4831766 X 4829704 O 4782620 X 4779373 O 4757638 O 4356087 X 4266362 O 4251944 O 4214399 O 4091560 O 3991508 O 3984936 O 3940876 X 3925922 O 3786591 O 3681869 O 3678612 O 3672090 O 3557484 O 3541722 O 3541721 O 3393468 O 3197916 O 3122856 O 2995861 O 2950562 X 2842891 O 2787082 O 2741063 O 2693050 O 2601622 O 2576524 X 2573759 X 2567599 O 2562663 O 2553157 O 2470177 O 2377967 O 2316888 O 2315345 O 2263650 O 2255955 X 2231191 O 2217136 X 2193937 X 2178789 O 1982389 O 1955496 O 1943177 O 1911919 O 1868847 O 1860599 O 1818315 O 1816269 O 1794958 O 1788047 O 1782661 O 1773324 X 1765941 O 1759770 X 1753082 X 1744412 O 1739493 X 1738623 X 1726909 O 1702329 O 1642194 O 1619366 O 1618513 O 1613652 O 1606650 O 1597236 X 1571130 X 1546429 O 1541781 O 1505996 O 1505932 X 1497883 O 1488503 O

  43. STEP 7: OFFICIAL GAZETTE - PATENTS • Go to the OfficialGazette (OG) and look for exemplary claim(s) and a representative drawing for all patents on the list(s) to eliminate patents unrelated to the invention. • The Gazette is published every Tuesday. • Granted patents are arranged in number order and include: Re-Examinations Reissues Plant Patents Utility Patents Design Patents Note: Optional

  44. STEP 8: COMPLETE PATENT DOCUMENT • Find the full-patent document by patent number. • Before 1/01 On or After 1/01 • Plant PP985 US PP 12,345 P2 • Utility 4,503,035 US 6,654,321 B1 • Design D332,612 US D654,321 S • Reissue RE35,179 US RE12,345 E • Re-Exam B1 4,503,035 US 6,654,321 C • Application (1st publication) US 2001/0001111 A1 • Search the complete text and drawings of closely related patents to determine how different they are from your invention.

  45. AVAILABLE PATENTS AT PURDUE • Access on web 1790-date • http://www.uspto.gov/ • Purdue has: • DVD 1790-date • Microfilm 1950-1999 • Paper Aerospace Class 244 • (through 1979)

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