Inventors and Patents From the City of Glenview

Glenview is a city rich in history and innovation. The Inventors and Patents Center in the city provides an excellent opportunity for local business owners to showcase their creations. The Center provides information on the patenting process and UMKC. In addition, the Center hosts events promoting local entrepreneurship and innovation.

UMKC

The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Office of Technology Commercialization helps faculty and researchers bring their inventions to the marketplace. The university’s process for commercializing these inventions ranges from licensing discoveries to transferring intellectual property rights. Depending on the nature of the invention, the inventor or team may be involved in the process from the beginning to the end.

For example, one of the patents issued to a Glenview company is for a system to manage construction payment processes. It has a hierarchical structure and direct payment features. The patent was filed Aug. 14, 2007. Inventors include William J. Jones, of Winnetka, Ill., and Douglas U. Mennie, of Barrington.

One of the most recent patents from Glenview was issued to Clear Lam Packaging. The invention involves reducing gear pump cavitation. The patent application was filed on Dec. 11, 2007 (12/001,279). Another patent is a light-based power distribution system for vehicles. The patent was filed by Michael S. Cherry and four co-inventors, who live in Glenview.

Patents granted to UMKC students include a number of inventions related to healthcare, engineering, and business. A couple of the more notable ones include U.S. Patent No. 8,620,567 for a system to restart an engine and U.S. Patent No. 8,617,585 for an intramedullary drug delivery system. Both of these inventions are for medical devices. The patents are assigned to companies and organizations, including Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

UMKC awarded patents to a number of companies that are located in the region. A number of companies have been involved in the development of the devices. Among them are Abbott Laboratories.

Inventors

The most recent patent granted in the city of Glenview was for a vacuum insulated welding torch. The invention was developed by Illinois Tool Works, Inc., a local company, on Nov. 17, 2014 and approved on July 19, 2015. There are many benefits to having a patent, including increased visibility and increased profits. However, patents are not a guarantee of success. According to Dennis Crouch, co-director of the Center for Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship, roughly 50 percent of patents fail due to costs.

The company Illinois Tool Works has patented a pallet sheet. This invention was created by five co-inventors, including Mark R. Gartz, of Mount Prospect, Ill., and James N. Gomoll, of Genoa City, Wis. The patent was filed on Sept. 18, 2008.

Inventors and patents from Glenview include the following companies. The company has been awarded a patent for an automated payment system. This patent was filed on Jan. 3, 2007. The company is owned by Cummins-Allison. Other co-inventors of the patent are William J. Jones of Barrington, and Douglas U. Mennie of Glenview.

In addition, a patented device for a cardiac catheter was developed by Abbott Laboratories. This device is a co-invention of four co-inventors. The invention was filed on Jan. 14, 2010, and was assigned to four co-inventors from California.

Another patent from the city of Glenview has been assigned to an Illinois company by Kraft Foods Global Brands. The company has filed a patent application for a product that helps people avoid the dangers of cholera. The company has also filed a patent for a system to reduce the incidence of cancer.

Patents

Glenview is home to numerous patents that have been granted to its residents. There are 23 granted in July alone. The longest time between filing for a patent and being granted it was 2,801 days for an invention from Illinois Tool Works, Inc. In November 2014, the company filed for a patent for its vacuum-insulated welding torch. The application was approved on July 19, 2015. Getting a patent is necessary to protect the idea or product you’re working on, but it’s not a guarantee of success. The Center for Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship’s Dennis Crouch says roughly 50 percent of patents expire prematurely due to costs.

The company also received patents for a spill-detection system and an automated locker system. These inventions are now being manufactured by Walmart. The company has assigned the patents to several other companies. One such company is Signode Industrial Group LLC of Glenview, Ill. The other two are Walmart Apollo LLC of Bentonville, Ark., and Innovative Logistics Inc. of Fort Smith.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The United States Patent and Trademark Office was created in 1802 by Congress and was originally run by a separate official in the Department of State known as the Superintendent of Patents. After revisions to the patent laws in 1836, the office was reorganized under a new commissioner of patents. The patent office remained in the Department of State until 1849, when it transferred to the Department of Interior. In 1925, it became a department of commerce.

The USPTO protects and promotes the nation’s innovative spirit by granting patents for inventions and registering trademarks. It also disseminates patent information, protects intellectual property, and supports research and development by educating the public about intellectual property protection.

A new tool for inventors and businesses is available to assist them with filing and managing patent applications. The tool is called Patent Center Beta, and it offers a training mode to help users get familiar with filing DOCX and PDF files. More information on the new service can be found on the Patent Center Information page. This system also allows users to receive electronic filing status information.

Time it takes to get a patent in Glenview

In April 2013, the longest time to get a patent in Glenview was 3,406 days. This was the case for an Illinois Tool Works, Inc. patent, which was filed on Dec. 14, 2012, and approved on April 12, 2013. Even though patents are an important part of the invention process, they are not a guarantee of success. According to Dennis Crouch, co-director of the Center for Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship, only 18 patents were granted in Glenview in April.

In addition, the waiting time for the approval of a patent can vary greatly. Depending on the complexity of your invention and the number of similar products in the market, you may need to wait anywhere from one to three years to receive a patent. In 2012, the average wait time was around 21 months.