More Tips on Writing Patent Applications • Patent Guide • Instructions on Writing Patent Application • Drawings • Description • Claims • Abstract

Abstracts are used primarily for searching patents. They should be written in a way to make the invention easily understood by those with a background in the field. The reader should quickly be able to get a sense of the nature of the invention so that they can decide whether they need to read the rest of the patent. 

The abstract describes your invention and says how it can be used, but does not discuss the scope of your claims. 

To write your abstract:

• Give the page a title such as "Abstract" or "Abstract of the Specification" for the CIPO. For the USPTO use "Abstract of the Disclosure."
• Say what your invention is. 
• Say what your invention is used for. 
• Describe the main components and how they work. 
• Don’t refer to any claims, drawings or other elements of your application. Since your abstract may be read on its own the reader will not understand references to other parts of your application. 

Here are two examples of abstracts. One is from a patent for a collapsible tent frame and the other is from a patent for an electrical connector.

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The source of this information on writing patent abstracts came from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or CIPO. The tips would also be helpful for patent applications to the USPTO or WIPO. The CIPO is in no way affiliated with Primedia/About.