Inert gas

30. A patent application includes the following Claim 1:

Claim 1. A method of making an electrical device comprising the steps of:

(i) heating a base made of carbon to a first temperature in the range of 1875°C to 1925°C;

(ii) passing a first gas over said heated base, said first gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen,

SiCl4, phosphorus, and methane, whereby said first gas decomposes over said heated base and

thereby forms a first deposited layer of silicon, phosphorus and carbon on said heated base;

(iii) heating said base having said deposited layer to a second temperature of approximately

1620°C; and

(iv) passing a second gas over said base heated to said second temperature, said second gas

consisting of a mixture of hydrogen, SiCl4, AlCl3, and methane, whereby said second gas decomposes

over said heated base to form a second deposit layer adjacent said first layer, said second layer

comprising silicon, aluminum and carbon.

Assuming proper support in the specification, which of the following claims, if presented in the

same application, is a proper claim in accordance with the USPTO rules and the procedures set forth

in the MPEP?

(A) Claim 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first temperature is in the range of 1800°C to 2000°C.

(B) Claim 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first gas further comprises an inert gas.

(C) Claim 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said second gas further comprises Argon.

(D) Claim 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first gas is an inert gas such as Argon.

(E) Claim 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said second gas consists of a mixture of hydrogen, SiCl4 and AlCl3 only.

30. ANSWER: (B) is the most correct answer. 37 CFR § 1.75(c). Answers (A) and (E) are incorrect because

they improperly seek to broaden the parent claim. 37 CFR § 1.75(c). Answer (A) broadens the range by going below

the stated limit. Answer (E) broadens by trying to remove a recited component of the second gas, and covering

subject matter that is not covered by the parent claim. Answer (C) is incorrect because claim 1 uses the close

ended claim term “consists” in connection with the second gas, which precludes the addition of further components

to the second gas in claim 4. Answer (D) is incorrect because the use of the exemplary language “such as” is

improper is improper under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, and because it is inconsistent with claim 1.

See MPEP § 2173.05(d).