The application process of invention patent and the main intermediate documents involved are:
1. Acceptance (patent application acceptance notice);
2. Preliminary examination (notice of qualified preliminary examination of invention patent, notice of correction);
3. Publication (notice of publication of invention patent and entry into substantive examination stage);
4. substantive examination (the n th notice of examination opinions);
5. Registration, announcement and authorization (notice of granting invention patent right and notice of handling registration formalities).
According to the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC):
1. Article 34 After receiving an application for a patent for invention, the administrative department for patent in the State Council, after preliminary examination, finds that it conforms to the provisions of this Law, and shall publish it immediately after 18 months from the date of application. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant;
2. Article 39 If the application for a patent for invention is not found to be rejected after substantive examination, the administrative department for patent in the State Council shall make a decision to grant a patent right for invention, issue a patent certificate for invention, and register and announce it at the same time. The invention patent right shall take effect as of the date of announcement.