(also called a file wrapper continuation application) – an application filed after the final office action on an earlier filed application that consists of the same disclosure; the claims may be the same or there may be a new set of claims directed to the same invention claimed in the prior application; continuation applications must be filed before the earlier application is abandoned and must contain no new matter; a continuation application has the same filing date as the earlier (parent) filed application.

This is a patent application directed toward the same invention as a prior application and filed while the prior application is pending, naming the same inventive entity. The continuation application is given the benefit of the earlier filing date of the application on which it is based.