The second question: protect your own interests, apply for patents first, and then produce products. It doesn't cost much to apply for a patent, thousands of dollars, depending on which one you apply for, novelty, inventiveness, appearance and price are all different. This patent fee is very small, and the benefits after the patent is used for production are great.
The third question: patent protection is realized by applying for a patent.
The fourth question: Patent prosecution involves legal proceedings. Only know the patent, the specific cost is unknown.