Innovation
a means of maintaining the position of the containers and preventing sway , while also facilitating simple deactivation mechanisms for faster unloading .
The example of Figure 16 shows a different arrangement in which there are projections ( 85 ) that extend and retract in a linear fashion , rather than by rotation . To achieve this , the projections are capable of telescoping out of their individual housings ( 86 ) horizontally within the columns ( 83 ) by being actuated hydraulically . Because of the various means of deploying and stowing the projections , the claims included in the patent application are written to cover a wide variety of possible arrangements .
the number of containers lost at sea from both existing and future vessels .
At present , a search report has been drawn up based on the current claims in the application and cites a pre-existing patent application (“ prior art ”), published in the name of another party , as already disclosing the main features of this invention . The applicant will however have an opportunity to present arguments as to why their invention is different from , and an improvement upon , the prior art cited in the international search report . They may also amend the claims in their patent application to try to differentiate their claims from the prior art disclosed .
Protecting the invention with a patent will help to prevent it from being copied by competitors , and protect market share , while also serving as a useful marketing tool . The disclosed system now has ‘ patent pending ’ status , but if the application is granted , the patent owner will gain monopoly rights to market its technological solution for a period of 20 years , and may be able to claim reduced corporation tax under the UK ’ s Patent Box tax regime .
Protecting the environment is the responsibility of all sectors , including the shipping industry . Carefully reassessing the processes , operations and equipment required for marine transportation could open the door to new sustainable solutions at the same time as bringing significant commercial opportunities for innovators . ■
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The invention further includes securing elements designed to engage with the universal locking system found on containers . This means that the system could be installed on existing container ships and would be effective with containers currently in use . Clive-Smith Associates ’ invention could therefore help to reduce
Russell Edson www . withersrogers . com
Russell Edson is a partner and patent attorney at European intellectual property firm , Withers & Rogers . He specializes in advising innovators of technologies for use in a variety of transport industry settings – road , rail , air and marine .
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