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So im going to start off saying this is my first post here. (I know strong first post) Anyways I came up with an idea for a product a couple weeks ago. Sorry guys im not going to give up any clues considering I havent seen this variation of this product or product like this for that matter. For the sake of keeping things simple as my product is primarily plastic i will use legos as a reference point.
Ok so i came up with this idea for my product, and it seemed pretty nifty so i started thinking of ways i could improve it to make it better, and started messing around with the design and function of it. I didnt even think to look for anything similar but i did, and couldnt find anything 75% similar. After that i decided i would take a look into the patenting system, and settled on a provisional patent. My application was received monday 11/02/13 and now im waiting for it to be filled before i take the step of working on prototyping and manufacturing. So once it is filled I will bring some of my sketches and specifications to a 3d drafter, and give him a pretty thorough concept of what im wanting done. So enough of the background details, I have some questions if you would be kind enough to answer.
Once my patent is filled my product will be patent pending, but if i bring it to a drafter will my idea be safe or should i have them sign an NDA? I found this company http://epsilonindustries.com/ and they look like an established business. They offer injection molded parts starting at 1480$ which means they will take my drawings, and make a 3d model of it, and machine the molds for 1480$ but that is for small parts so it will probably be more costly. So if i went in and payed them to draft my idea would i be safe? After i would have the designs i could have them 3d print a prototype or any 3d printing company do it also. So now i have a working prototype but dont have any product. Can i contact retailers lets say toys r us because the product is (legos) and ask them if they would be interested in placing an order for the completed product or would i need it on hand, and would my prototype be safe with them without an NDA? Now lets say that they want like 10k units. So i go to get the moldings tooled and look for a manufacturer to produce them would i be safe manufacturing it in china or would it be better to have it made in the U.S.? lets say one lego unit costs .25$ to manufacture in china, what would be a good rough estimate for the unit to be produced in the U.S. considering no assembling is required? I feel like i would be paying a little more in the U.S. but i wouldnt have to worry about duties,higher shipping,VAT, language barrier, and waiting longer for product. Plus the made in america label probably makes the product slighty nicer than a product made in china.
Ok so i came up with this idea for my product, and it seemed pretty nifty so i started thinking of ways i could improve it to make it better, and started messing around with the design and function of it. I didnt even think to look for anything similar but i did, and couldnt find anything 75% similar. After that i decided i would take a look into the patenting system, and settled on a provisional patent. My application was received monday 11/02/13 and now im waiting for it to be filled before i take the step of working on prototyping and manufacturing. So once it is filled I will bring some of my sketches and specifications to a 3d drafter, and give him a pretty thorough concept of what im wanting done. So enough of the background details, I have some questions if you would be kind enough to answer.
Once my patent is filled my product will be patent pending, but if i bring it to a drafter will my idea be safe or should i have them sign an NDA? I found this company http://epsilonindustries.com/ and they look like an established business. They offer injection molded parts starting at 1480$ which means they will take my drawings, and make a 3d model of it, and machine the molds for 1480$ but that is for small parts so it will probably be more costly. So if i went in and payed them to draft my idea would i be safe? After i would have the designs i could have them 3d print a prototype or any 3d printing company do it also. So now i have a working prototype but dont have any product. Can i contact retailers lets say toys r us because the product is (legos) and ask them if they would be interested in placing an order for the completed product or would i need it on hand, and would my prototype be safe with them without an NDA? Now lets say that they want like 10k units. So i go to get the moldings tooled and look for a manufacturer to produce them would i be safe manufacturing it in china or would it be better to have it made in the U.S.? lets say one lego unit costs .25$ to manufacture in china, what would be a good rough estimate for the unit to be produced in the U.S. considering no assembling is required? I feel like i would be paying a little more in the U.S. but i wouldnt have to worry about duties,higher shipping,VAT, language barrier, and waiting longer for product. Plus the made in america label probably makes the product slighty nicer than a product made in china.
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