To add to the conversation, it is first to file in the U.S.-this means that if this really is a good idea for a commercially viable product, you should file before a potential competitor does. It used to be that if you kept documentation, lab notebooks, records etc you could be determined as claiming patent rights. However now it really is first to file, so for example if you filed February 12, 2018 but someone else filed February 9, 2018. The company that filed February 9th would be fist to file and considered having that priority filing date. As others have mentioned you need to evaluate to weigh the risks and benefits to see if it is worth exploring avenues for funding. If you are trying to obtaining funding to make a prototype to then file a patent, you should not use kickstarter or disclose publicly because then that would be considered a public disclosure and could be used against you as prior art.