What type of claims does 112(e) refer to?

Section 112(e) of the U.S. Patent Act specifically addresses multiple dependent claims. These claims are unique in that they depend on more than one preceding claim, and they can be quite complex due to their reliance on multiple connections within a patent application. Section 112(e) clarifies the requirements and drafting style applicable to these claims, ensuring that their structure maintains clarity by specifying how they relate to other claims.

Multiple dependent claims are formatted to refer back to multiple earlier claims, and they can't stand alone as independent claims. This distinction is crucial, as it requires careful wording to avoid ambiguity and ensure that the claims are legally enforceable. By explicitly discussing multiple dependent claims, Section 112(e) provides guidance on how to effectively draft them, distinguishing them from single dependent claims or independent claims which cannot refer to more than one claim simultaneously in the way that multiple dependent claims do.