What does the transitional phrase “comprising” mean in a patent claim?
The transitional phrase “comprising” in a patent claim is inclusive and open-ended. According to the MPEP, The transitional term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. This means that a claim using “comprising” allows for the inclusion of…
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