What type of claims does a 112 6th (112f) paragraph rejection typically involve?

A rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 (also referred to as 112(f)), is specifically concerned with claims that recite a means or step for performing a function without specifying the structure, material, or acts that accomplish that function. These types of claims are commonly referred to as "means-plus-function" claims.

In such claims, the focus is on the function the means performs rather than on a specific physical structure. For example, rather than detailing the components of a device, a claim might simply describe the device by what it does, leading to a high-level abstraction. The reason for this type of rejection is that the claim may not provide enough information on the structure, which can make it difficult for a person skilled in the art to comprehend the full scope of the claimed invention as it lacks the necessary specificity.

This approach fosters a requirement for clarity and definability in patent claims, ensuring that each claim can be clearly interpreted and assessed against prior art. Therefore, claims falling under this category are more prone to § 112(f) rejections due to insufficient detail in their recitations. Thus, the correct answer identifies the type of claims commonly associated with a 112(f) paragraph rejection as means-for