required for the understanding of the drawings, a single word or
words such as “water”, “steam”, “open”, “closed”, “section AA”
and in the case of electric circuits and block schematic or
flowsheet diagrams, a few short catchwords; and
(n) flow sheets and diagrams are considered drawings for the
purposes of these Regulations.
22. Abstracts.
(1) The abstract shall consist of the following—
(a) a summary of the disclosures contained in the description, the
claims and any other drawings indicating the technical field to
which the invention pertains and drafted in a way which allows
the clear understanding of the technical problem, the gist of the
solution of that problem through the invention and the principal
use or user of the invention; and
(b) where applicable, the chemical formula which, among all the
formulae contained in the application, best characterises the
invention.
(2) The abstract shall be so drafted that it can efficiently serve as a
scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art.
(3) The abstract shall be as concise as the disclosure permits and
shall, whenever practicable, consist of not less than 50 but not more than 150
words.
(4) The abstract shall not contain statements on the alleged merits or
value of the invention.
(5) Each main technical feature mentioned in the abstract and
illustrated by a drawing in the application shall be followed by a reference
sign placed between parentheses.
(6) The abstract shall be accompanied by the most illustrative of any
drawings furnished by the applicant.
23. Declaration of priority.
(1) The application may contain a declaration claiming priority as
provided for in the Paris Convention, of one or more earlier national, regional