What application-related items cannot be daisy chained?

Daisy chaining in patent applications refers to the use of multiple dependent claims, where a claim refers back to another claim that is also a dependent claim. However, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has specific rules that prohibit multiple dependent claims from being daisy chained. According to the rules, a multiple dependent claim must refer to a single claim and cannot refer back to another dependent claim. This restriction is in place to ensure clarity and to avoid confusion in the claim structure, which could impact the interpretation of the patent.

The other items mentioned in the options do not have the same limitations imposed by the USPTO regarding daisy chaining. Background material references serve to provide context and do not affect the claim structure directly. New invention disclosures refer to new inventions that are being submitted for consideration and can be independently assessed. Patent citations from foreign patents include references to external patents but are not subject to the daisy chaining restrictions applicable to claims.

This specificity regarding multiple dependent claims ensures that claims remain clear and enforceable, enhancing the overall quality and comprehensibility of the patent application.