上邮局给小孩办美国护照时，我就瞅着邮局像美国国务院在我们这儿设立的派出所。我现在告诉大家，邮局还像美国专利局的派出所。这大概算是“小政府”治国的一个细节吧。如符合条件，有些文件和费用，在邮局deposit就等于在专利局file。大家申请专利，如果很计较日子，比如申请日，答复期限等等，就不要忘记利用美国邮局的这个派出所功能。The Director may by rule prescribe that any paper or fee required to be filed in the Patent and Trademark Office will be considered filed in the Office on the date on which it was deposited with the United States Postal Service or would have been deposited with the United States Postal Service but for postal service interruptions or emergencies designated by the Director. 有问题但不想公开交流，请使用gu.rhonda@yahoo.com