This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Filing a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) has a significant effect on the prior application. According to the MPEP, A request for a CPA expressly abandons the prior application as of the filing date of the request for the CPA.
This means that when you file a CPA, the previous application is automatically abandoned in favor of the new CPA. The CPA will use the file wrapper and contents of the prior application, including the specification, drawings, and oath or declaration, and will be assigned the same application number as the prior application.