Can I apply for a patent for the formula?

From the object type of invention patent, the method, manufacturing method and technical scheme of technological process adopted for manufacturing products or solving specific technical problems can be regarded as method invention. Obviously, this formula conforms to the application conditions of invention patent by definition. Judging from the "three characteristics" of invention patent authorization, the formula is a production method that is constantly trying to match, which obviously conforms to the "creativity" from scratch; Different formulas have different raw materials and proportions, which obviously meet the requirements of novelty; After being made according to the formula, food, medicine or industrial products can achieve certain functions, such as waking up from fire, treating trauma and saving fuel consumption. Therefore, there is no problem with the "practicality" audit. It can be seen that it is not difficult to patent a formula, but the actual situation is that many formulas have not applied for patent protection. The famous Coca-Cola Company is the best example. If you search its name in the patent database, you will find that it has not applied for patent protection for this formula. The reason for not applying is very simple, because the principle of patent application is "disclosure for protection". After the applicant applies for a patent for the formula, it means that the formula must be made public. Even if some of the data are vague, cunning competitors can still infer and test the formula through reverse derivation and open fragmentary information, and then modify or derive a new formula according to your formula, so as to manufacture products to compete with you. Another reason should be that the application period of invention patents in China is not permanent, and the protection period of invention patents is only 20 years, and it cannot be extended. Obviously, applying for a formula patent is not a once-and-for-all thing. Let's give an interesting example. The secret recipe handed down from our ancestors came to you, and you applied for a patent for invention. After 20 years of protection, someone else may apply, which is equivalent to the loss of the ancestral secret recipe. Does it mean that all formulas do not need patent protection? The answer is no, the formula patent application still depends on the situation. The cunning Zhao Min used a poison of seven insects and seven flowers in The Dragon Slayer. This poison is made of seven poisonous insects and seven poisonous flowers. Strangely, different proportions can produce different toxins, that is to say, we can't match the corresponding antidote without knowing which toxic substance and how much it is used. Obviously, there is no need to apply for patent protection for a formula that no one can crack as long as it is not made public. On the other hand, some recipes are easy to crack as long as the raw materials are known. For example, a vegetable juice beverage may be a beverage mixed with water by juicing several fruits and vegetables. After all, all raw materials are required to be written on the product packaging, which can't be hidden. Like this, you need to apply for patent protection.