美國發明專利揭露要符合35 U.S.C. 112，設計專利也是要符合112所描述的揭露規定，大體上有兩點：「可實施性」或「保護範圍」，以及「新事物」。
美國設計的法律基礎在35 U.S.C. 171，主要有三點：(a)任何在物品上符合規定的新穎、原創與裝飾性的設計，可以獲准設計專利；(b)依此法條賦予設計專利；(c)設計專利應符合112規定，且以符合112規定揭露的送件日為申請日。
設計專利沒有如發明專利的複雜內容，因此主要是要符合112(a)(b)，揭露規定在MPEP 1504.04。
A. Enablement and Scope of Protection
設計圖面可以表明專利保護範圍。如112(a)規定圖面要能據以實施（enablement），112(b)則要求以圖面外觀與形狀為充分條件界定申請專利範圍（"as shown"）。
"Hence, if the appearance and shape or configuration of the design for which protection is sought cannot be determined or understood due to an inadequate visual disclosure, then the claim, which incorporates the visual disclosure, fails to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter the inventor(s) regard as their invention, in violation of the second paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(b). "
設計揭露要件就是要符合112(a)(b)的規定，圖面中以完整線條描述的物品的表面或部分應要清楚與準確。
"However, it should be understood that when a surface or portion of an article is disclosed in full lines in the drawing it is considered part of the claimed design and its shape and appearance must be clearly and accurately depicted in order to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and (b)."
若以不符112(a)與112(b)作出核駁意見，並不能僅依據圖面，設計的申請專利範圍應限定在物品（終端產品、使用狀態）表面或部分圖面，以及一些額外的說明內容。
"The scope of a claimed design is understood to be limited to those surfaces or portions of the article shown in the drawing in full lines in combination with any additional written description in the specification."
設計專利名稱（title）並非限定設計範圍，僅用於識別設計所體現的物品。沒有說明內容，就以圖面為申請專利範圍。
"The title does not define the scope of the claimed design but merely identifies the article in which it is embodied."
終端產品（販售中產品）與使用中為"隱藏"時，缺乏圖面揭露並非違反112(a)(b)規定，因為設計僅關乎其可視的外觀。
"The lack of disclosure of those surfaces of the article which are hidden during sale or use does not violate the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and (b) because the “patented ornamental design has no use other than its visual appearance....”. "
"The function of a design is “that its appearance adds attractiveness, and hence commercial value, to the article embodying it.”"
審查委員作出設計專利核駁意見時，應明確指出圖面的缺陷與不明確之處。（所以設計的核駁意見常常看到審查委員的"圖說"）
設計專利中，除了圖面以外，可以加入一些說明，這些說明會成為專利範圍的一部分（限制）（"as described"）。因此說明文字也不能違反112(a)(b)等會有模糊或不明確的規定，比如不允許這些字眼：“variations” and “equivalents”。
B. New Matter
（過去文章曾提到）設計專利在修正後也不得有新事物（new matter），但在原申請的揭露範圍內，仍可藉由修正擴張或限縮範圍。
修正時可以藉由轉換「虛線（broken line）為實線（solid line）」來改變專利範圍，並非偏離原始揭露內容。
"...mere reduction of certain portions to broken lines or conversion of broken line structure to solid lines is not a departure from the original disclosure."
可被允許的修正：(A)連同宣誓書一併的初步修正；(B)在原說明書或圖式中的免責聲明（disclaimer）。
"Examples of permissible amendments filed with the original application include: (A) a preliminary amendment filed simultaneously with the application papers, that is specifically identified in the original oath/declaration as required by 37 CFR 1.63 and MPEP § 608.04(b); and (B) the inclusion of a disclaimer in the original specification or on the drawings/photographs as filed. See 37 CFR 1.152 and MPEP § 1503.01 and § 1503.02."
設計專利說明書的揭露內容規定在MPEP 1503.01，可參考：
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2011/01/blog-post.html
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2015/07/blog-post_15.html
[法條]
35 U.S.C. 112 SPECIFICATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.--The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention .
(b) CONCLUSION.--The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention .
(c) FORM.--A claim may be written in independent or, if the nature of the case admits, in dependent or multiple dependent form.
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.--Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
(e) REFERENCE IN MULTIPLE DEPENDENT FORM.--A claim in multiple dependent form shall contain a reference, in the alternative only, to more than one claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A multiple dependent claim shall not serve as a basis for any other multiple dependent claim. A multiple dependent claim shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the particular claim in relation to which it is being considered.
(f) ELEMENT IN CLAIM FOR A COMBINATION.--An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
35 U.S.C. 171 PATENTS FOR DESIGNS.
- (a) IN GENERAL.—Whoever invents any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
- (b) APPLICABILITY OF THIS TITLE.—The provisions of this title relating to patents for inventions shall apply to patents for designs, except as otherwise provided.
- (c) FILING DATE.—The filing date of an application for patent for design shall be the date on which the specification as prescribed by section 112 and any required drawings are filed.
37 CFR 1.152 DESIGN DRAWINGS.
The design must be represented by a drawing that complies with the requirements of § 1.84 and must contain a sufficient number of views to constitute a complete disclosure of the appearance of the design. Appropriate and adequate surface shading should be used to show the character or contour of the surfaces represented. Solid black surface shading is not permitted except when used to represent the color black as well as color contrast. Broken lines may be used to show visible environmental structure, but may not be used to show hidden planes and surfaces that cannot be seen through opaque materials. Alternate positions of a design component, illustrated by full and broken lines in the same view are not permitted in a design drawing. Photographs and ink drawings are not permitted to be combined as formal drawings in one application. Photographs submitted in lieu of ink drawings in design patent applications must not disclose environmental structure but must be limited to the design claimed for the article.
Ron
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