There are certain patent illustration requirements that one should know while filing the patent. An illustration requires you to explain and outline the subject matter that associates with the patent. The illustrations are essential in almost all patent applications. To increase the chances of getting a patent grant, it’s important for you to know the patent illustration requirements while making patent illustrations. The illustrations don’t have to be works of art but describe and demonstrate the invention with a great deal of accuracy. Clear and precise illustrations also help the applicant to make valid points while litigating with the infringers.
Patent Illustration Requirements: Rules to follow
Good quality patent illustrations are very important for the correct disclosure of the invention. So, there are some of the general requirements while creating a patent illustration. The patent illustration requirements are as follows:
1.Utility Patents:
There are strict requirements for drawing utility patents. So, it becomes important for one to make sure that the illustration is as per the requirements. One can use tables, waveforms, mathematical formulae and symbols in the utility patents depending on the invention. Utility patents also include specific views to illustrate a problem that the invention solves. The patent applicant can use prior art to show a contrast or to differentiate his invention from the older one. Moreover, the more complex is the invention to define, the more valuable the illustrator service becomes to accurately define the invention.
Related Article: Prior-Art Documents required for filing an IDS
2. Design Patents:
Unlike utility patent application, the application for design patent fully relies on the drawings. In design patents, the drawing disclosure is the most important element of the application. The reason is that it constitutes the entire visual disclosure of the claim. One notable rule that the USPTO requires is that the shading of all the surfaces of the drawings must be appropriate. This requirement makes the design patent illustrations appear more artistic than other drawings.
3. Colour drawings:
Utility and Design patents rarely accept colour drawings. Sometimes, they may be necessary as the only practical medium to disclose the subject matter. Also, the colour drawings must be of sufficient qualities such that all the details are reproducible in black and white printed format. Although, one cannot use colour drawings in the PCT application.
4. Graphic Forms in illustrations:
Tables, formulas of mathematics and waveforms are subject to the same rules as any other type of drawing. Formulas and waveforms also have specific requirements:
Formulas: One needs to label each formula as a separate figure and include brackets to show any necessary information.
Waveforms: The presentation of waveforms must be in a single figure that uses a vertical and a horizontal axis to showtime. Also, each individual waveform must have a letter designation adjacent to the vertical access for identification.
Tables: The tables in the illustration should be present in the sideways of the sheet. Also, the top of the table must be present on the left side of the sheet to make it look desirable.
Related Article: Patent Paralegal: Duties to Perform
5. Views of the illustration:
It is one of the most important factors in the patent illustration requirements. To show how the product looks and works, one needs to use several viewpoints in the drawing. If possible, one should use the following views of the invention:
- The standard six views include a front, back, right, left, top and bottom view.
- Perspective views with three dimensions.
- Only the front and back views of a flat object.
- Sectional views to show the function of the object.
- Exploded views to show how a single part works during the operation of the invention
6. Margin Requirements:
Margin requirements are also an essential part of the patent illustration requirements. The sheets must not contain frames around the usable surface of the object. But they should have a scan target point that means cross-hairs printed on two corner margins. Each sheet must include:
- A top margin of at least 2.5 cm.
- A left-side margin of at least 2.5 cm.
- A right-side margin of at least 1.5 cm.
- A bottom side margin of at least 1.0 cm.
7. Identification of the illustration:
The patent application must include identification of the illustrations. It should include the title of the invention, inventor’s name, and the application number. If the assigning of the application number has not taken place, one should use the docket number. Moreover, the placement of these to identify the illustration must be on the front of each sheet, centered within the top margin.
8. Papers used for the illustration:
The paper must be white, flexible and strong. The USPTOallows only one side writing on the paper. One should use black ink on white paper. Also, the paper size must be either 21 cm by 29.7 cm or 21.6 cm by 27.9 cm.
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