Which claim type allows the incorporation of external literature into a patent application?

The correct response is the concept of incorporation by reference, which permits a patent applicant to reference and include material from external literature or previously filed applications without having to reprint that material within the body of the patent application. This is particularly advantageous in enhancing the completeness and robustness of a patent application while ensuring that the applicant does not need to duplicate existing detailed descriptions or prior art.

When a patent application incorporates external material by reference, it enables the applicant to leverage established literature or previous filings which may demonstrate prior art, clarify the state of technology, or bolster the disclosure needed for the claimed invention. This technique helps to avoid unnecessary wordiness and keeps the application focused on the unique aspects of the invention being claimed.

While dependent claims, Jepson claims, and means claims serve specific functions within patent applications—most notably, they serve to further define, elaborate, or describe particular features of inventions—they do not specifically allow for the inclusion of external literature in the way incorporation by reference does. Such claims remain self-contained within the application, requiring all necessary information to be disclosed therein.