Why are single means claims often rejected?

Single means claims are often rejected due to enablement issues under 35 U.S.C. 112(a). The MPEP explains: In re Hyatt, 708 F.2d 712, 714-715, 218 USPQ 195, 197 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (A single means claim which covered every conceivable means for achieving the stated purpose was held nonenabling for the scope of the claim because the specification disclosed at most only those means known to the inventor.)

This means that a single means claim may be too broad, covering all possible ways of achieving a result, while the specification only describes a limited number of ways. This discrepancy between the claim scope and the disclosure can lead to enablement rejections.

To learn more:

• single means claim
• enablement rejection
• 35 U.S.C. 112(a)
• patent claims
• In re Hyatt