How do you get your items patent?

I am a Registered Patent Agent with over a decade of experience in the field. In the United States, in order to qualify for a U.S. Patent, an Applicant must present information demonstrating that the invention is new (35 U.S.C. 102), useful (35 U.S.C. 101) and non-obvious (35 U.S.C. 103). In addition, the Applicant must provide a clear and definite description of the invention that enables of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use the invention (35 U.S.C. 112). There are, of course, numerous other formal and legal requirements. One potentially useful source of information for those new to the process is at the U.S. Patent Office (link below). The formal guidelines for patenting are set forth in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP, link below). While an Applicant may apply for a patent on their own, "pro se," and there are are many books are resources to that end (try Nolo.com, link below), the process is potentially complicated and it is generally recommended that you employ the services of a patent attorney or patent agent. The USPTO OEDCI office maintains a roster of registered patent attorneys and agents (link below).