What does it indicate if a claim is described as "patent"?

Describing a claim as "patent" indicates that it is clear and obvious. The term originates from the legal context where a patent grants the holder exclusive rights to an invention that is publicly disclosed. This notion of being clearly articulated and recognized is crucial; a patent must have a clear delineation of what is being claimed in order to be valid. In everyday language, when something is referred to as "patent," it suggests that the information is unmistakable and readily apparent to anyone, leaving little room for ambiguity. Thus, in the context of claims, a "patent" claim is one that is evident and easily understood, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of clear and obvious.