WEBVTT

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*Music playing*

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There is a demand
for absorbent underwear...

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because many women
have an incontinence problem...

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and it's currently not available
in most shops.

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Volcare is constantly
improving its products...

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and patent databases are very useful
to find out what is on the market...

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and also what we can use.

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Our undergarments have
a multi-layered pad that absorbs fluids...

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does not leak through and feels dry.

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Now our greatest challenge
is to optimise the odour masking.

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*Music playing*

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We helped Liselotte of Volcare
with her patent research.

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It was to get inspiration, to see how
others have resolved her bottleneck.

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So it is a good idea to look into the patent
literature to find technical solutions.

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*Inidstinguishable*

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Our original idea was
to tackle odours chemically...

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but while looking for inspiration,
we found it can also be done naturally...

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which is more in keeping
with our target group.

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Searches in the database are tricky: a pen
for instance is a writing instrument...

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so it's better to search
using classification codes.

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These are labels
for technical procedures.

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Over 80 per cent of the technical details
are found in the database...

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but not in other
professional publications.

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While looking through the patent database,
I found various things:

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Other parties, not just competitors,
but also potential future partners.

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I'm self-employed, so I spend
many hours developing my products.

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I could make use of WBSO, but not yet.
I'm saving that for the future.

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WBSO is a fiscal benefit for companies
that perform R&D activities...

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such as developing a product
or production method.

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The self-employed can also apply,
few people know this.

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When using patent publications
as part of your R&D process...

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you can also deduct the hours and fees
in the WBSO scheme.

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*Music playing*

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You would be surprised at the number
of patent publications: over 130 million.

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They are available online for free.

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I mostly consulted the patent database
to expand my knowledge...

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and not to apply for a patent at this time.

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*Music playing while fading out*