Trade secrets law is generally State law. While the standards may vary, generally all States require that positive steps be taken in identifying trade secrets information as such, and in maintaining limited access. Implement the policy and monitor compliance. Have agreements with employees, contractors and consultants covering confidentiality and non-disclosure. There are three types of patents in the United States, namely utility patents, design patents, and plant patents.
Most businesses are concerned with only the first two.
You can obtain a utility patent on truly new ideas for machinery, devices, or other useful things, or for processes or methods for doing something useful, or for new compositions of matter, etc. Documentation and witnessing of both conception and reduction to practice are thus significant. As you do not have any patent rights until the patent issues, care should be taken to safeguard confidentiality before such issuance. Also document the progress of any developmental work. Delay offers to sell or public disclosure of the invention until the patent application is filed.