If you are trying to get a patent for a sophisticated piece of equipment, having a local attorney who is also an engineer can be helpful. This was discovered to be the case by Urschel Laboratories, the preeminent company in the world for the design, production, and retail sale of precision-engineered food-cutting devices.

If you are trying to get a patent for a sophisticated piece of equipment, having a local attorney who is also an engineer can be helpful. This was discovered to be the case by Urschel Laboratories, the preeminent company in the world for the design, production, and retail sale of precision-engineered food-cutting devices.

The privately held business began in 1910 with the development of a mechanical Gooseberry Snipper; today, it possesses more than 200 patents across its many products. When it was in need of rapid, local patent help, it reached out to Wilson & Butler more than ten years ago.

Mike Jacko, Vice President of Engineering for Urschel, noted that the large firm in Washington, D.C. with which they were collaborating found it difficult to move rapidly. “We were working with them,” Jacko said. The corporation needed to get the new equipment out on the market as soon as possible since it had altered its designs specifically for one of its most important clients. The employees from Wilson & Butler reported for duty as soon as they arrived at the plant in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Guarding Against Alterations to the Design

Mike elaborated by saying that “often we need to make modifications in a hurry.” “However, if you release changes to the public without first obtaining protection, you run the risk of losing the opportunity to obtain that protection. When we have an urgent requirement, we can count on Wilson & Butler to take care of it.

Work is completed more quickly because to the company’s competence in engineering, which is essential when time is limited. “The machinery that we use is relatively sophisticated. All of the attorneys have engineering backgrounds, so they have an understanding of the mechanical components. Mike stated, “I don’t have to explain everything again or start from the beginning.”

This comprehension not only helps Urschel save time, but it also leads to more powerful patent applications. He made the observation that “I do not need to go over their work to double-check that it is right.” The procedure of review is made easier by such precision as well. Mike proceeded by saying, “It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll ever get a patent from application to granting without some alteration being made by the examiner.” The work done by Wilson & Butler has resulted in “fewer rejections and things to alter,” according to the company. In the event that there are adjustments, “the company sees to it.”

Additionally, in order to provide Urschel with an extra layer of protection, Wilson & Butler draughts non-disclosure agreements for use by Urschel with its customers.

Global Patent Expertise

It is crucial for Urschel to have worldwide patent protection for their food-cutting equipment because they sell their products in over one hundred different countries. Wilson & Butler has submitted a number of patent applications for Urschel in several countries throughout the world, including the United States of America, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia, and China. The fact that the company is relatively small and has international experience is advantageous to the manufacturer. They work well together as a unit. As opposed to a large firm, where various people and potentially even distinct offices handle U.S. and foreign patents, “They talk to each other,” Mike said of the small business’s patent attorneys.

Trust is the most important factor in the end. He continued by saying, “It’s great to believe that when I need something, I can phone, and they will come out, and in a few of days, they will have something filed for us.”