My superficial understanding is that THAT is exactly the purpose...

My superficial understanding is that THAT is exactly the purpose of the patent; that is, to prevent the process being used for profit without paying a royalty for doing so.
’.....patents can be granted to other inventions as well, such as manufacturing processes, measuring methods or, in some cases, the use of a certain substance in a specific manufacturing process. It is therefore important to analyze all aspects of an invention. For example, a new product often requires a new manufacturing method. Protection can in such situations be granted for both the product and the method....’