MPEP
608.02(d) Complete Illustration in Drawings [R-07.2015]
37 C.F.R. 1.83 CONTENT OF DRAWING.
- (a) The drawing in a nonprovisional application must show every feature of
the invention specified in the claims. However, conventional features disclosed
in the description and claims, where their detailed illustration is not
essential for a proper understanding of the invention, should be illustrated
in the drawing in the form of a graphical drawing symbol or a labeled representation (e.g., a labeled rectangular box). In addition, tables that are included
in the specification and sequences that are included in sequence listings
should not be duplicated in the drawings.
- (b) When the invention consists of an improvement on an old machine the drawing must when possible exhibit, in one or more views, the improved portion itself, disconnected from the old structure, and also in another view, so much only of the old structure as will suffice to show the connection of the invention therewith.
- (c) Where the drawings in a nonprovisional application do not comply with
the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the examiner
shall require such additional illustration within a time period of not
less than two months from the date of the sending of a notice thereof.
Such corrections are subject to the requirements of § 1.81(d).
If an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 or under 35 U.S.C. 371 includes a sequence listing or a table, such a sequence listing or
table should not be included in both the drawings and the descriptive portion
of the specification. 37 CFR 1.83(a) and 1.58(a).
Any structural detail that is of sufficient importance to be described should be shown in the drawing. (Ex parte Good, 1911 C.D. 43, 164 OG 739 (Comm’r Pat. 1911).)
Form paragraph 6.22.01, 6.22.04, or 6.36, where appropriate, may be used to require illustration.