A guide
to applying for your patent
17
In a complete specification, it is common to use the same words in Claim 1 as in the statement of the
essential features of the invention in the description (this is shown in the example). Claim 1 states that
the container has an open top and perforations in its wall. The construction of the cover is not explicitly
specified, other than that it must be able to revolve about the top and must have any opening in its wall
corresponding to the perforations. These are the essential features of the shaker can, and the applicant
would hope that those features alone would be sufficient to distinguish the claimed invention from existing
shaker cans.
A complete specification for a standard or an innovation patent can include more than one independent
claim but they must all relate to the same invention. For example, if your invention is a new product, you
may be able to include independent claims for the product, a new process specifically adapted to make
the product, and perhaps a new apparatus to carry out that process.
Claims 2 to 5 of the example specification make explicit reference to one or more previous claims by
using such phrases as “The shaker can as claimed in claim 1”. The purpose of this approach is to define
features that you consider to be desirable or optional—such as the use of sheet metal in Claim 3 of the
example specification - but not essential to your invention.
Abstract
Patent applications can be lengthy, technical documents. You must include an abstract at the back of your
specification to act as an executive summary. This will help the reader quickly identify the key features
of your invention. The example includes an abstract for the ‘shaker can’. Note: drawings are optional but
recommended if they help explain your invention.
If you leave things out
It’s important to include all the necessary information about your invention when you file a complete
application. If you leave something out it is unlikely that you will be able to add it to the specification later.
However, in some circumstances you may be able to get patent protection by filing another type of patent
application.
Example: Complete Specification
1
IMPROVED SHAKER CAN
For many years shakers for salt and like granular materials have
consisted of a container having holes through which the material
can be shaken. This invention has been specially devised in order
5 to provide an improved shaker can of simple, cheap, effective
and readily reusable construction and whereby the contents are
protected from air and may be readily shaken or sifted therefrom
when desired, and unintentional or wasteful escape of said contents
is prevented.
10
A shaker can in accordance with this invention comprises a
container having an open top and a perforated shaker area in its wall
near said top, and a close fitting cover revolvable about said top and
having corresponding opening in its wall.
15
The opening in the cover is of such a size and in such a position that
when said opening and the shaker area are juxtaposed by revolution
of the cover upon the container the contents of the latter may be
shaken or sprinkled from the can through said perforated area, and
20 upon revolution of the cover so that the opening therein is beyond
said area the can is closed thus preventing waste of the contents or
deterioration of the same by access of air thereinto.
For revolvably retaining the cover upon the container, the cover and
25 the container preferably have in its wall a corresponding inward or
outward annular corrugation.
The cover is preferably removable so that the can may be recharged
and reused as often as desired. The cover wall may additionally
30 have a short cut inwardly from its edge to permit it to be sprung
down upon the container top until the corrugations engage one
within the other.
(Example front page)
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
INNOVATION PATENT
IMPROVED SHAKER CAN
The following statement is a full description of this invention,
including the best method of performing it
known to me:
A guide to applying for your patent
18
ABSTRACT
The disclosed shaker can is a cylindrical container with an
open top 5 having in its wall near said top, perforations which
form a shaker area 6 and a cover 7 which is made to fit
upon the container somewhat tightly and having in its wall a
corresponding opening 8 so that when the opening 8 and the
shaker area 6 are juxtaposed by revolution of the cover 7 upon
the container, the contents may be shaken or sprinkled from the
can through the-perforations and upon revolution of the cover so
that the opening 8 therein is beyond the area 6, the can is closed.
To-prevent unintentional removal of the cover 7 there is provided
in the walls of the container and of the cover 7 complementarily
positioned co-acting outward or inward annular corrugations 9
which will engage one with the other when the cover is pressed
down upon the top of the container.
3
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A shaker can comprising a cylindrical container having an open
top, a region in the wall of the container adjacent the open top of
the container having a series of perforations, and a close fitting
cover having an opening, wherein the cover can be revolved
about the open top between a first position where the perforations
are covered by the cover and a second position where the cover’s
opening is aligned with the perforations.
2. The shaker can as claimed in claim 1 further comprising
complementary retaining means on the container and cover.
3. The shaker can as claimed in claim 1 formed using sheet metal.
4. The shaker can as claimed in claim 2 where the complementary
retaining means is an outward annular corrugation on the
container and an inwardly extending lip on the cover.
5. The shaker can as claimed in claim 4 where the cover can be
removed to allow the container to be filled with material.
2
The shaker can is preferably made from sheet metal, however
other materials can also be used. For example glass containers
having sheet metal cover are found very suitable. The shaker
can may also be made of a suitable food grade plastics material.
5
The invention may be better understood with reference to the
illustrations of embodiments of the invention which:-
Figure 1 is an elevation of an improved shaker can with parts
10
separated and the co-acting position of the cover dotted,
Figures 2 and 3 are diametrical sectional elevations of the top of
a can showing the co-acting retaining means, and
15
Figure 4 is a similar view of the upper part of a cover having a
flanged or beaded gripping rim.
The container shown which is cylindrical with open top 5 has in its
wall near said top, perforations which form a shaker area 6, and
20
the cover 7 which is made to fit upon the container somewhat
tightly has in its wall a corresponding opening 8. To prevent
unintentional removal of the cover 7 there is provided in the walls
of the container and of the cover 7 complementarily positioned
co-acting outward or inward annular corrugations 9 which will
25
engage one with the other when the
cover is pressed down upon
the top of the container and to facilitate assembly, the wall of
the cover may be cut inwardly from its edge as at 10. If desired
the cover may have a gripping rim or bead 11 formed thereon
or some bulbous projection of partial vertical and outwardly
30
disposed ribs or corrugations may be formed in the cover wall to
provide a secure grip when grasped by a hand.