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22. Wherever appropriate, the claims shall contain:
(a) a preamble giving the designation of the subject matter of the invention and the
technical features that are necessary for the definition of the claimed elements, but which, in
combination, are part of the background art;
(b) a characterizing portion—preceded by the words “characterized in that,”
“characterized by,” “wherein the improvement comprises,” or any other words to the same
effect, stating concisely the technical features which, in combination with the features stated
under item (a), above, it is wished to protect.
23.—(1) Any claim which includes all the features of one or more other claims (claims
in dependent form, hereinafter referred to as “dependent claims”) shall do so by a reference, if
possible at the beginning, to the other claim or claims and shall then state the additional
features claimed. Any dependent claim which refers to more than one other claim (“multiple
dependent claim”) shall refer to such claims in the alternative only. Multiple dependent
claims shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim.
(2) Any dependent claim shall be construed as including all the limitations contained in
the claim to which it refers or, if the dependent claim is a multiple dependent claim, all the
limitations contained in the particular claim in relation to which it is considered.
(3) All dependent claims referring back to a single previous claim, and all dependent
claims referring back to several previous claims, shall be grouped together to the extent and in
the most practical way possible.
24. The following may be included in one and the same application within the meaning
of Article 21(3) of the Ordinance:
(a) an independent claim for one or more products, an independent claim for the
process or processes devised specifically for manufacturing such product or products and an
independent claim for applications of such product or products;
(b) an independent claim for one or more processes, an independent claim for means
specifically devised for carrying out such process or processes and an independent claim for
the product or products resulting from the carrying out of such processes.
Section IV
The Drawings
25. In application of Article 19 of the Ordinance, the following rules shall be complied
with for drawings:
(1) the original drawing shall be executed on white, smooth and non-shiny A4-sized
paper (29.7 cm x 21 cm) and any duplicates shall be reproduced on white paper;
(2) the drawings shall be executed within a useful surface area that is bounded, without
drawing frames, by margins of between 3 and 4 cm on all four edges of the sheet, adopting
the technique of line drawing executed in indelible dark strokes without colorings, without
scratching out or overwriting;
(3) cross sections shall be indicated by hatching which should not prevent the reading
of the reference signs and the leading lines;