How to sell just an idea

So,

Say I have an idea for a new product. Not a web service, but an actual tangible object. For example, let's say that it is a new type of candle. Now, I have no way of making this candle and it would work best if the idea was sold to a company that already makes candles. There would be less overhead on my side and the candle would benefit from being sold by a trusted brand.

My question is, how do I sell just the idea for this new candle? How do i protect myself so when I am shopping it around to different manufacturers they don't just steal the idea? How do I contact these manufacturers?

Any and all insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

take out a patent
http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs_help.html

 

Patent your Idiea first and then approch to Niche specific companies.

 

just curious on the niche? its not candles is it?

 

Patent it...however like 99.9% of the ideas out there it probably will be considered shitty once you approach the company.

 

If you find a way, please share the rest of us

 

is this valid for the World?
let´s say: Europe, Asia,...

or there are some kind of World Comitee or something?

 

chk up the market, find big players who trade and distribute these products
make the products unique so that they outperform to its competitors.
also keep a fair price.

 

Try this book... http://www.amazon.com/License-Your-...1866828?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190655035&sr=8-1

 

Thanks for the input. I didn't know that you don't need a working prototype to file for a patent so I might look into that.
Thanks rgremill for the recommended book. Looks like it is exactly what I am looking for.

Also, the idea is not a candle, that was just an example. It is however, related. It would be a new scent for an already existing product.

Thanks for the encouragement DjSap!

 

Patent your idea. A lot of patents get rejected these days, so you'll have to have a really unique idea. Once you have done this, and own the rights to this idea, you can start pitching your idea to companies. I would recommend actually trying to schedule a face-to-face with a higher up in the company you're trying to pitch to.

 

You need to get a worldwide patent.

See: http://www.patentlawlinks.com/patoff.htm for details.

 

You can't really patent an idea. A patent is securing a "process".

You can't patent a drive through window, but you can patent the "process" of saying "$5 is your change OR *you can buy blah blah blah". (An actual patent. Some store patented the process of offering a product for equal value of their change).

Grab a non disclosure or trade secrets agreement with them. (Trade secrets protects you more).