I beleive these are patented but not really sure. Example can opener, I very sure this is patented. Here's my question. After the can opener was invented then came the pop top tab and then the tab that sayed on the can which are all inprovement on the original idea of the can opener. These are three idea's on how to get a bevage out of can. What happens to the first inventor of the can opener as far money commensation?

usualy someone is given a problem to solve, they solve the problem in some novel way, a new and improved mousetrap which doesn't need any cheese, the company which the guy works for looks at his solution and patents the idea, the campany owns the patent so the guy who came up with the better mouse trap gets no direct reward other than having his name on a patent and maybe a better pay rise next time.
That's the way it works and in England thats standard practice.Its why I have my name on a couple of patents but I don't have rights to them.
there is nothing stopping me other than my old employer from sueing me, going to a competitor and saying' well since I came up with that solution i have thought about it some more and have come up with a better way of doing it, pay me lots of money and I'll tell you all about it.