What is the name of the SpongeBob Squarepants episode that has him
inventing Pretty Patties in rainbow colors? Also, is there a way to
purchase and/or download this episode? I would like to show this
episode to a college class.

Searching http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeGuideServlet/showid-3428/
will probably find the answer.

The episode of Spongebob Squarepants with the colorful "Pretty
Patties" is Episode 27b, entitled "Patty Hype." Here is a description
from a fan's site:

"The Krusty Krab, customer-free, is nothing but a cobwebbed dump. They
try to think of ways to attract customers. Spongebob comes up with the
greatest idea ever: pretty patties, krabby patties in a variety of
colors! Everyone discourages his idea, however, and poor little
Spongebob heads off to open his OWN restaurant. Things are off to a
rough start, but things eventually start to skyrocket. Millions of
people love SB's pretty patties! Mr. Krabs, jealous of the popularity
of SB's restaurant, heads off to check it out. He then gets an idea:
he trades the Krusty Krab off for the stand! Spongebob quickly accepts
and heads off to the Krusty Krab to celebrate! The next day, Mr. Krabs
is ready to make some cash. However, everyone who bought pretty
patties is mad at him, as the pretty patties changed everyone's color!
Mr. Krabs tries to escape to the Krusty Krab, but the door's locked,
with Spongebob too busy hearing the joyous sound of 2 pickles rubbing
together."

Spongebob Online: Patty Hype
http://www.geocities.com/pcmon2/epattyhype.html

This episode has not yet been released on video, but you will soon
have an opportunity to see it again on cable television. According to
TVGuide.com, the episodes "Wormy" and "Patty Hype" will be aired
back-to-back on Nickelodeon at 5:30 PM Eastern time next Monday,
October 7, 2002. You can search TVGuide.com with your own ZIP code to
be certain of the correct time in your area.

TVGuide.com: Search Listings
http://tvguide.com/listings/search/Search.asp

My search strategy:

To find the name of the episode, I went to "Spongebob Online," a site
I've often consulted for information on all things Spongebob. To
determine whether this episode would be rerun soon, I visited
TVGuide.com and did a search using the keyword "Spongebob."

I hope this helps! If anything I've said is not clear, or if a link
does not function, please ask for clarification.

Best wishes,
pinkfreud

Amazing - Your answer was perfect. Thank you.

If you go to www.kazaa.com and download their file "sharing" program,
you could probably find a bootleg copy by searching with spongebob as
your keyword. Good luck.

The name is called pretty paties I think

- Danxp4

Yes, my mom was able to find the episode with her Tivo and record it
using a wish list. No need for Kazaa here. Thanks for the help
everyone!