35 U.S.C. 112 -

(a)In General.—

The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.

專利說明書應包含發明的書面描述，以及製造和使用發明的方式和過程，以清楚、簡潔和正確的術語，使本領域技術人員能夠理解，並可據以實施，並且應闡述由實施發明人或聯合發明人所設想的最佳模式(best mode)。

(b)Conclusion.—

The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.

專利說明書應包含並清楚地指出發明人或聯合發明人所欲請求之一個或多個專利請求項。

(c)Form.—

A claim may be written in independent or, if the nature of the case admits, in dependent or multiple dependent form.

專利請求項可為獨立請求項、附屬請求項或多重附屬請求項等形式表示。

(d)Reference in Dependent Forms.—

Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.

附屬請求項應參考其所依附之獨立請求項，然後進一步闡述專利標的之限制。附屬請求項應被解釋為包含所依附之獨立請求項的所有限制。

(e)Reference in Multiple Dependent Form.—

A claim in multiple dependent form shall contain a reference, in the alternative only, to more than one claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A multiple dependent claim shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim. A multiple dependent claim shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the particular claim in relation to which it is being considered.

多重附屬請求項不應作為任何其他多重附屬請求項的基礎。

(f)Element in Claim for a Combination.—

An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.

專利請求項的元件可以功能手段用語表示(mean plus function)，若以功能手段用語來表示請求項的元件，在說明書必須要有對應的結構、材料或動作及其等同物，以避免請求項得不到說明書的支持。

雖然專利法規定要揭露最佳模式(best mode)，但也未見任何專利申請書因為未揭露最佳模式而遭到核駁。但在使用功能手段用語上需要額外小心，很容易因未獲得說明書的支持而遭到核駁。關於112的核駁，大都是以修改說明書或請求項即可克服，但不可加入new matter。