Avoid Rejections from Tangent Lines: How to Ensure Compliant Contour Mapping in Design Patents

🎯 Want Patent Drawings That Withstand Court Scrutiny?

STIPPLES by IP DaVinci eliminates common errors that can tank design patent claims:

• ❌ No misleading tangent lines
• ⚖️ Aligns with post-litigation standards (e.g., Simplehuman v. iTouchless)
• 🧠 Designed for examiners and judges to interpret consistently
• 🕵️‍♂️ Clear contours, better scope definition, fewer rejections

Why Tangent Lines Can Sink a Design Patent

In design patent law, your drawings are your claims. Yet one of the most common—and costly—mistakes is the use of tangent lines to depict soft edges or gentle curves. These lines often appear harmless but can trigger objections or even invalidate a patent in litigation.

Case in point:

Simplehuman, LLC v. iTouchless Housewares and Products, Inc.
The court dissected Figure 1 and questioned the legal meaning of ambiguous tangent lines, raising doubts about the design’s scope.

🎯 The Real Problem: Ambiguity

Tangent lines create a false sense of precision—but courts and examiners often interpret them as structural elements, not just shading cues.

Attorneys must ensure drawings do not imply extra claim scope, nor leave the design visually undefined.

✅ The Solution: Stipple-Based Contour Mapping

STIPPLES replaces ambiguous tangent lines with fine stippling and compliant shading techniques that preserve visual clarity without risking claim misinterpretation.

What Makes STIPPLES Drawings Legally Strong?

• ✅ No new matter: Clear contours eliminate post-filing ambiguity
• ✅ Easy to interpret: Examiners don’t have to guess shape or volume
• ✅ Section views optional: Contours are already readable
• ✅ Complies with MPEP §1503.02: No hidden edges, no misleading lines

This means faster prosecution, fewer rejections, and stronger protection—especially if enforcement becomes necessary later.

📄 Faster Prosecution. Better Drawings. Happier Clients.

Tangent-line disputes waste everyone’s time. STIPPLES avoids this:

• 💨 Drawings processed from 3D models or photos
• 🧩 No guesswork about what to claim or disclaim
• 📁 Files delivered as ready-to-file USPTO packages
• 🔁 Revision cycles reduced or eliminated

Even if you’re not drafting drawings yourself, this matters: your firm’s ability to file quickly and defend confidently hinges on the quality of the visuals.

🔒 Summary: Secure Your Design Claims from Day One

STIPPLES contour mapping offers a compliant, litigation-aware solution for design patent drawings that avoids the ambiguity of tangent lines without sacrificing clarity. Patent attorneys who adopt this approach not only minimize rejections but also safeguard their client’s rights with precision.

🚀 Ready to Upgrade Your Drawing Workflow?

Whether you’re filing 10 design patents a year or 100, upgrading to STIPPLES drawings is a no-brainer:

• 💡 Avoid costly redraws and OAs
• ⚖️ Make your claims courtroom-ready
• 📞 Fast delivery and full attorney support