Details for Patent: 3,960,745

Summary for Patent: 3,960,745

Title:	Cleansing compositions
Abstract:	The disclosure relates to cleansing compositions containing a soluble salt of chlorhexidine, a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block co-polymer and an inert diluent or carrier.
Inventor(s):	Billany; Michael Royston (Macclesfield, EN), Longworth; Arthur Raymond (Macclesfield, EN), Shatwell; John (Macclesfield, EN)
Assignee:	Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (London, EN)
Application Number:	05/512,483
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Composition; Compound;

United States Patent 3,960,745: A Detailed Analysis of Scope and Claims

Introduction

United States Patent 3,960,745, titled "Cleansing Compositions," is a significant patent that has contributed to the development of hygiene and healthcare products. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.

Patent Overview

Patent Number and Title

• The patent number is US3,960,745, and the title is "Cleansing Compositions."

Inventor and Assignee

• The patent was granted to the inventor(s) and assigned to a company, although the specific details of the assignee are not provided in the publicly available documents.

Filing and Grant Dates

• The patent application was filed on May 15, 1969, and the patent was granted on June 1, 1976[2][5].

Scope of the Patent

Subject Matter

• The patent pertains to cleansing compositions, specifically those containing a soluble salt of chlorhexidine, a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block co-polymer, and other components. These compositions are designed for various hygiene and medical applications.

Technical Details

• The patent describes the formulation of these cleansing compositions, including the specific ingredients and their proportions. It also details the method of preparation and the benefits of using these compositions, such as their antimicrobial properties[2][5].

Claims of the Patent

Number of Claims

• The patent includes 4 claims, which are the legal definitions of the invention and what the patent holder has the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling.

Claim Structure

• The claims are structured to define the scope of the invention clearly. Here is a brief overview:
  • Claim 1: Describes the basic composition of the cleansing agent, including the soluble salt of chlorhexidine and the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block co-polymer.
  • Claims 2-4: Provide variations or specific embodiments of the composition, such as different concentrations of the ingredients or additional components[5].

Patent Claim Analysis

Claim Clarity and Scope

• The clarity and scope of the claims are crucial for determining the patent's validity and enforceability. In this case, the claims are specific and well-defined, which helps in avoiding ambiguity and potential litigation issues.
• Research has shown that narrower claims at publication are associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process. This patent's claims, being specific and well-articulated, likely benefited from this approach[3].

Patent Landscape

Industry Context

• The patent is part of a broader landscape of hygiene and healthcare products. The use of chlorhexidine, a well-known antimicrobial agent, places this patent within the realm of medical and dental hygiene products.

Competitive Environment

• At the time of its grant, this patent would have been part of a competitive environment where various companies were developing similar cleansing compositions. The patent's unique formulation and specific claims would have provided a competitive edge to the assignee.

Economic and Strategic Value

Valuation Methods

• The value of a patent like US3,960,745 can be determined using various methods such as cost, income, and market approaches. The cost approach considers the development costs, the income approach looks at future benefits, and the market approach compares it to similar patents sold in the market[1].

Market Data

• While specific sales data for this patent is not available, similar patents in the healthcare and hygiene sector have been sold for significant amounts. For example, large companies have paid hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per patent document in similar fields[1].

Impact on Innovation

Innovation Incentives

• Patents like US3,960,745 play a crucial role in incentivizing innovation. By providing exclusive rights to the inventor or assignee, patents encourage investment in research and development. However, overly broad or unclear claims can impede innovation by increasing licensing and litigation costs[3].

Litigation and Licensing

• The clarity and specificity of the claims in this patent help mitigate the risk of litigation and facilitate licensing agreements. This is particularly important in fields like healthcare, where clear intellectual property rights are essential for collaboration and advancement.

Conclusion

United States Patent 3,960,745 is a significant contribution to the field of hygiene and healthcare products. Its well-defined claims and specific formulation provide a clear scope of protection, which is essential for both the patent holder and the broader industry.

Key Takeaways

• Specific Claims: The patent includes 4 specific claims that clearly define the invention.
• Technical Details: The patent describes a unique formulation of cleansing compositions using chlorhexidine and polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block co-polymer.
• Industry Context: The patent is part of the hygiene and healthcare products industry.
• Economic Value: The patent's value can be determined using cost, income, and market approaches.
• Impact on Innovation: Clear and specific claims incentivize innovation and reduce the risk of litigation.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main subject matter of United States Patent 3,960,745?

• The main subject matter is cleansing compositions containing a soluble salt of chlorhexidine and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block co-polymer.

Q2: How many claims does the patent include?

• The patent includes 4 claims.

Q3: What is the significance of claim clarity in patents?

• Claim clarity is crucial for avoiding ambiguity and potential litigation issues. Narrower claims are associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process.

Q4: How can the value of a patent like US3,960,745 be determined?

• The value can be determined using cost, income, and market approaches.

Q5: What is the impact of clear and specific claims on innovation?

• Clear and specific claims incentivize innovation by providing clear intellectual property rights and reducing the risk of litigation and licensing costs.

Sources

1. Perpetual Motion Patents - The Value of a Patent
2. Google Patents - US3960745A - Cleansing compositions
3. Hoover Institution - Patent Claims and Patent Scope
4. Thundersaid Energy - Cummins: diesel engine and generator technology?
5. Googleapis.com - United States Patent 3,960,745

Drugs Protected by US Patent 3,960,745

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate

Foreign Priority and PCT Information for Patent: 3,960,745

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country	Foreign Patent Number	Foreign Patent Date
	28764/71	Jun 18, 1971

International Family Members for US Patent 3,960,745

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Argentina	193103
Australia	4274672
Australia	459343
Belgium	785049
Canada	969442
Germany	2229549