As an inventor, you can apply for three types of patents: utility, design, and plant. Each of these patents serves a different role.
Utility Patent
The utility patent is the most common type of patent. It is what most people think of when they use the term "patent." A utility patent is based upon claims of how a machine operates. The actual function of the device is the only consideration of this patent. The wording of the utility patent describes the function of each individual part of the machine and how each part relates to every other part. A utility patent details the how and why of each component to show the overall workings of the device. It may also describe various applications of the technology.
A utility patent contains four distinct parts: the abstract; the specifications; the claims; and the drawings. The abstract is a short, very concise explanation of the overall workings of the patented invention. The specifications are very detailed wording that describes the physical or chemical construction and interaction of the parts of the device. This explanation may be worded to include various ways the same goal can be accomplished within the structure of the device. The specifications are linked with numbers associated with the patent drawings, so anyone may see the nature of the invention. The claims are the heart of the invention and the only section of the patent that really matters when it comes to actual legal protection. A patent can contain one claimΓÇöor it can have dozens. The claims are just that, claims to areas of protection under that particular patent. The more claims a patent has, the stronger the patent protection. The drawings, of course, illustrate the invention in great detail.
Design Patent
A design patent is a patent on the appearance of a device. A design patent is fairly easy to circumvent if the design is not totally conducive to the function of the device. Some inventors apply for a design patent in conjunction with a utility patent. They do this to cover a unique product both from the appearance and functional standpoints. No single claim can appear in both patents, however. The design patent has a life of fourteen years.
Plant Patent
A plant patent is a patent on a newly developed, asexually reproducible plant life form. Plant patents are part of a group of patents that include newly engineered life forms. The laws governing these patents are subject to changes, because of the advanced nature of the applicable sciences. The latest details on plant patents should be obtained from the U.S. Patent Office.
