>process patent where a company patents something used only internally and
not
>sold but doesn't want their competition to have the cost savings, etc. of
the
>technique.

A process patent is a patent placed upon a technique or process that is
used to produce a product. You can investigate and study the process
without infringing upon another's patent. A patent cannot prevent further
discoveries and patents.  You cannot put the process that is patented into
production though, even if it is to produce something other than what
thepatent holder is producing.