West Perth-based composites technology developer Quickstep Holdings Ltd expects to receive its US patent within one to two months, after the final office action for the technology was received today.
West Perth-based composites technology developer Quickstep Holdings Ltd expects to receive its US patent within one to two months, after the final office action for the technology was received today.
The full text of a company announcement is pasted below
Quickstep Holdings Limited (ASX: QHL) is pleased to advise that it has received notification of a Final Office Action on its patent application in the United States covering the "melding" aspect of the Quickstep Process for composites manufacture. This represents a further significant step towards securing comprehensive international patent protection for Quickstep's core technology.
Quickstep has been advised by its patent attorneys, Watermark, that the Final Office Action was issued in respect of US patent application No. 10/204938, with the requested amendments currently being made. Once these amendments are finalised, they are expected to bring the patent application into order for allowance within 1-2 months.
Watermark has advised Quickstep that this will provide commercially effective patent protection for the Quickstep melding production process within the United States - which represents a key target market for Quickstep because of its world-leading aerospace industry.
The patent application covering the "melding" production process was formally granted by the Australian Patent Office last year and is now in force in Australia, and the equivalent patent has also been issued in China. Corresponding patent applications have been made and are currently undergoing examination in Europe, South Korea, Brazil and Israel, while a patent application has also been made in Japan and is awaiting examination.
"Melding" is one of the most important features of Quickstep's technology, allowing multiple composite components to be effectively 'melted and welded' together without the use of adhesives, bolts or rivets. The resultant structure has no physical difference or separating surface between the two joined parts and is homogeneous with the surrounding composite creating a new integrated part. As a result, the process confers greater flexibility of design and potentially greatly reduced processing costs for the manufacturer.
Melding, developed by Mr Neil Graham for Quickstep, has attracted international interest, including from some of the world's leading aircraft and aerospace companies.
Quickstep's CEO, Mr Nick Noble, said the achievement of comprehensive patent protection in the large US market represented an important milestone, further extending coverage of the Company's core intellectual property.
"This demonstrates our continued attention to the effective management and protection of our portfolio of intellectual property, and to ensuring that commercially effective patent protection is in place in all of our key target markets," Mr Noble said.
