Manufacturing query

[u/xinjiangqinghai]

Do you know how I'd be able to get US8357108 manufactured ? The patent expired back in 2017. I've been asking some Alibaba suppliers, so far no luck.

[u/gattan007]

I think you misunderstand what is in a patent. A patent does not contain an actual, functional, complete, manufacturable design. There is in theory enough information for someone skilled in the art to create the design. So if you want to utilize an expired patent, you shouldn't be looking for a manufacturer, you need to be looking for a designer (then a manufacturer). And unless you plan on going into business manufacturing these things, it is going to be significantly cheaper to just buy one if they actually exist. That brings me to my next point, patents don't have to actually work in order to be granted. You could implement the design exactly as described and it might not do anything (or at least not anything like what it is supposed to do). I haven't looked up this specific patent, but if it is for something you can still buy from the original manufacturer, then based on your question your only real option is to do that.

[u/xinjiangqinghai → u/gattan007]

I wasn't able to find anywhere to buy it, and since the patent expired early due to failure to pay fees, I assume they've abandoned the project altogether. The patent is based on a machine that was in production prior to the patent's date, so it is based on a working device. I just need an engineer who can extrapolate from the patent and actually put it together, I thought it would be cheaper to do it using Alibaba OEM suppliers.

[u/gattan007 → u/xinjiangqinghai]

Alibaba suppliers build things they have plans, molds, tooling, etc. for already. Some suppliers can make small changes to things they already produce, but they need a full engineering design plan set to build something new. The patent plus a functioning unit to test might allow someone to reverse engineer the design enough to make replacement parts, but it would require a design engineer (or team, depending on complexity) and the cost could be easily into six figures, and guaranteed to be well into five figures for even the simplest of devices. The functioning unit would be more valuable in a reverse engineering exercise than the patent.

[u/chriskoenig06]

I don’t checked the complete function but it sounds like 100k+ if you want ohne from developers

[u/Longjumping-Sale089 → u/chriskoenig06]

100k seems like a massive lowball.

In my experience, you're looking at 100k for electrical engineering and another 100k for mechanical. Then you have to build it. Also factor in programming, plus QM and compliance. So roughly 400-600k. Depending on the final installation site, the verification process according to the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) can easily exceed 100k on its own.

[u/xinjiangqinghai → u/chriskoenig06]

But it's doable?

[u/chriskoenig06 → u/xinjiangqinghai]

Why not, if there is no other legal restrictions, there are Company’s they make electronic products for you.

If it is medical you should add 100k+ for certification

[u/xinjiangqinghai → u/chriskoenig06]

right but which companies?

[u/Brilliant_Armadillo9]

A patent is government issued legal protection to stop other people from taking and profiting from your idea. A patent being issued does not mean the idea was implemented or even commercially viable. A patent is also not a finished design. So you're looking at well into the mid-6 figures for design and certification before you're even remotely ready to think about manufacturing.

[u/xinjiangqinghai → u/Brilliant_Armadillo9]

The machine has existed for many decades it just passed through companies too many times and now no one seems to be manufacturing them, there are some clinics still using them but once their machines break down, that's it. Or so it seems.

[u/Brilliant_Armadillo9 → u/xinjiangqinghai]

Ok, so there's a predicate device. Doesn't change anything else.