I looked at your disjointed disorganized site and all I get is that you sell flip flops and have some convoluted ideal about software, money and fishing. ...and you want people to sign an NDA agreement... good one!
I looked at your disjointed disorganized site and all I get is that you sell flip flops and have some convoluted ideal about software, money and fishing. ...and you want people to sign an NDA agreement... good one!
Another drawback of patents is that it has to be placed in the public domain with full disclosure and it has a limited lifespan of protection - 16 years. There after it is public domain. Any variation to the original patent is no longer protected by the original patent.
There is a reason why Coca Cola never patented their recipe, and simply registered the Trade Mark
Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za
Patents give you protection for 20 Years from date of filing a Full Patent, and yes you cannot deviate from the specification of what was filed originally when making the product unless, like my attorneys (DMK) they have allowed for certain changes to be done to the product. So I am very confident that it wont be copied in this country in any event.
The fact is a S.A. Patent will protect you in the sense that if you have competitors that are out to screw you in S.A, can very well get the product made outside S.A but then cannot bring it in to S.A. for re-sale. He will then have to sell it in other countries rather but by then China has jumped them on this anyway... I agree Patents are very tricky but feel that if you have the patent number etched somewhere on the product will work well to deter any competition from copying it.
My Patent out classes all competition when it comes to the particular product because it is not a Pool Cleaner but a "Weir Basket" Patent No. 2009/07570
The difference with mine is that when you remove the weir basket from the weir, the basket comes with the Lid. ie. The basket and lid are interlocked together thereby ensuring the leaves and debris stays in the basket while removing it. Also when you throw out the leaves the basket is easier to clean in that the smaller heavier stones that were picked up by the pool cleaner from the bottom of the pool doesn't block the holes on the bottom of the basket as these holes are smaller but are larger as you go up allowing for suction to be maintained when the basket is full of leaves so it won't strain the pump.
The other 2 critical issues improved on with this product is the aperture for the pool cleaner pipe is longer so grips better and minimizes the chance of the pipe disconnecting from the vacuum lid when the pool cleaner is running.
Also the interlocking protrusions ensure that the vacuum lid is securely locked in the weir and will not come out through on and off operation of the pump.
The other Patent (2011/02595) is a pump basket brush which stays in the pump basket during the pool pump operation to facilitate the cleaning of the basket.
The 3rd Patent "Pool Device"(2011/02891) stops the backward water pressure (when the pump switches off) from pushing the debris in the pump basket back towards the weir. This is especially for pools with solar panels as the water has to drain back to the pool and often blows all the muck back to the weir and into the pool. The great thing here is that it works with a floating plastic ball and is also fitted into the Pump basket and also acts as a handle to insert and remove the basket too.
Below is the 3 products Patented. The Brush and "pool device" are prototype samples. The end product for the brush will have a lot more bristles to improve cleaning of the pump basket.
Wow, you don't mess around, well done.
I am sure that you must have bet the farm on the product.
Where can you see and buy the product?
Eartheco but they are mainly manufacturers and mass distributors only so I doubt they would sell you one.
We are trying to get it into builders warehouse for now as they were keen on stocking it but require that it is made to fit other older type weirs as well...So I'll keep you posted on this.
We did have it in some pool shops around Gauteng but as stated previously pissed off the main suppliers and they stopped this. There is some pool shops that are still waiting for me to supply them but am holding back because of builders etc.
You can PM me and I will gladly supply you but must remember it only fits the "Quality" & "Eartheco" type weir for now.
Pools Inc out in the East Rand also had them but he could not get stock from us as we changed the tooling at some point to fit the Eartheco weir as well. They have commented on their website that it has been discontinued (because he couldn't get stock). I need to supply him again with the new ones...
I need to get moving again with this but feel overwhelmed with all that must be done and done the right way. I am not one for negotiating etc but rather a designer. At the same time I need to keep the food on the table by running my other business and find it difficult to spend the time required on this. Very bad I know!
I would say you are doing both rather well! It makes my day to read a positive attitude / post !At the same time I need to keep the food on the table by running my other business and find it difficult to spend the time required on this. Very bad I know!
Gfacius (05-Nov-14)
Gfacuis my pool was built 25 years ago so not sure what weir it has, I bought a normal basket the other day and it fitted
Only stress when you can change the outcome!
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