It does not mean that utility models only protect inventions with products. This is wrong. There is no need to have a physical product, as long as you have an idea and can explain your idea clearly (that is, in theory, the product can be produced according to what you said).
1. Compared with inventions and utility models, the examination procedure for inventions is much stricter than that for utility models (the specific procedures will not be described in detail), and the application fee is indeed higher. (Official charges such as application fees, actual examination fees, etc. will be about 3,000 more. If you apply through an agency, the agency fee will be at least 1,000 or 2,000 more. The annual maintenance fee after the patent is authorized will also be more.)
2. However, the protection period for invention patents is 20 years and for utility models is 10 years. Generally, inventions are more valuable in concepts.
3. It takes a long time from application to obtaining an invention patent, usually more than 3 years. Utility models are generally less than 1 year old. (It should be noted here that protection is calculated from the date of application, not after obtaining authorization. As long as you have filed an application, you can sell the technology to the manufacturer. It is just that you have to wait until you obtain authorization before you can go to court to sue those companies. Piracy - people who imitate your technology.)
4. The scope of invention protection is wider. In layman’s terms, utility models refer more to some small inventions, which are designs in structure and shape. You can actually apply for an invention if you apply for a utility model technology, but if the technology content is low, you may not be able to pass the examination of the invention patent application.
The examples you gave can all be applied for utility model patents. It is certainly possible to apply for an invention patent. Therefore, many people are afraid that technological innovation is not high enough to obtain an invention patent, so they apply for both utility model and invention patents at the same time. The utility model is authorized first, and then if the invention application passes the review, they will give up the previous utility model patent. . (Because the two cannot coexist, and invention patents are of higher value after all, and are generally considered better patents.)
I am just typing these words one by one. I am so tired.