Question
My question would be whether the provisional patent application should be filed for the invention as a whole, or should each unique process be independently filed for? What are some pointers that can help figure out the best strategy?
Answers: 3 public & 1 private
Multiple non-provisional utility applications can derive priority from a single provisional application; so I would not think of the provisional application as having to "bucket" disclosures.
However, the provisional application must, itself, meet written description and enable requirements under Section 112. Thus, the disclosure (i.e., the specification) needs to be sufficiently specific to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention. See MPEP 608.01(k), and see / speak with a patent attorney to cover the specifics of your IP strategy.
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