Is my invention too simple to patent?

[JohnNapoliFineArt]

I have invented a new design for something that is a commodity item.

It is a fairly simple invention.

How do I know if what I have invented can attain a patent?

[Brad]

Hi John,

I just sent you an email about this.

In general simple inventions are more difficult to patent but they are not impossible.  I recently got a case allowed on a folding box with just a few pieces (but we had to put up a good fight with the patent examiner to get this through).

What I normally do it make a list of the top features or pieces that your invention has.  Next, go out and search google, youtube, patent databases, etc. to try and find all the similar or related inventions to yours.  Then as you read through them cross anything off your list that is shown or discussed from these other sources.   After doing all this if you still have 2 or more features left on your list that were not shown by anyone else then you may have a good shot at getting a patent allowed.