A patend? Why on earth would you go to a patend office and share your idea with the world to have it copied. US patents are just that US patents. They have ZERO weight in CHINA. The companies that I worked with NEVER got patents because the plans that got you your patent are in plain view for the rest of the world to copy. I worked on a LOT of tool designs for drilling. You draw a picture of something in the drilling world, you better keep it close to your OWN vest..
Do you know what a patend cost? TO MUCH...
NOW you know why fuse R&D and the total process of manufactures is wrapped up in a LOT of fancy talk with a MONEY back guarentee. It's just GOOD business sense to NOT throw the baby out with the bath water by giving away your secrets to ANY patend office in ANY country..
A patend dosen't have to prove it works, it has to prove it's not a copy of someone eleses work..
Do you think Houdini got patents? LOL
Regards