The purpose of this guide is to provide you with basic information about filing a utility patent application with the USPTO. If you want a patent, you have to describe the invention with enough detail that someone can make and use the invention based on the information in the patent.A utility patent protects a new or improved process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter. The first is whether it is possible to obtain a patent on an invention that involves a combination of known, "off-the-shelf" parts. You must include as named inventors anyone who conceived of an invention in any claim even dependent claims. You know that a compound for a new use can be patented in principle (Art. Bottle label for Valentine Hassmer's Lung and Cough Syrup features text is a variety of type. Syrups.