Patent Filing Guide
To apply for a patent you must file several items with the Patent and Trademark Office. These include a document describing the product, often along with a drawing or diagram required to illustrate the product. You must also pay a filing fee at this time. Many details such as the type of paper used, margin size, spacing and page numbering must all meet strict filing requirements, and there may be a fee for refiling a corrected application.
Due to the complications and cost involved in patent filing, small businesses and individuals inventors are permitted to file a provisional application, which requires a lower initial fee and allows up to one year for an official application to be filed. During this interim period the company or individual may use the 'patent pending' mark on their product.