an application for patent filed under 35
U.S.C. 111(a) that includes all types of
patent applications (i.e., utility, design, plant, and reissue) except
provisional applications. The
nonprovisional application establishes the
filing date and initiates the examination process. A nonprovisional
utility patent application must include a
specification,
including a
claim or claims; drawings, when necessary; an oath or declaration; and the prescribed filing
fee.
-- see
How to Get a Patent for guides for each type of patent application
Context: Patent
