When including range limitations in a claim, what must be ensured?

The correct answer emphasizes that when including range limitations in a claim, it is essential for the range to fall within the limits that have been claimed in the specification. This is critical to ensure that the claims align with the disclosure provided in the patent application. Claims cannot introduce new matter; therefore, specifying a range that is outside the disclosed limits in the specification would violate the requirement for claims to be supported by the disclosure.

By ensuring that the range falls within the limits specified in the application, it helps maintain clarity and consistency in the patent's boundaries, which is important for determining the scope of the patent protection granted. This adherence to the disclosed specification safeguards against potential rejections based on issues of new matter and lack of support, reinforcing the integrity of the patent examination process.

Options that suggest the range must exceed the minimum and maximum or be at least twice as wide as previously disclosed introduce unnecessary criteria that could complicate the evaluation of a claim. Statements about relevance to the patentable invention do not directly address the foundational requirement for the claim to be supported by the specification. Therefore, the focus on alignment with the specification is paramount for ensuring the validity and enforceability of the claimed ranges.