DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This Office action is in response to Amendments filed 12/09/2025.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1, 4, 21, 22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai (US 2018/0061910 A1; hereinafter Cai).
Regarding claim 1, Cai discloses a flexible display panel (Fig. 14 which is an “organic light-emitting display panel” (¶ 0036) which is flexible (“the substrate . . . may be a flexible substrate”1 in ¶ 0043 of Cai)), wherein the flexible display panel comprises:
an array substrate (combination of 10 and 20 in Fig. 14; “The organic light-emitting display panel . . . includes a substrate 10 [and] an array layer 20” (¶ 0036));
an organic light-emitting layer (33 in Fig. 14; “organic light-emitting device 30 . . . includes . . . light-emitting layer 33” (¶ 0036) which is “an organic light-emitting layer” (¶ 0003)), wherein the organic light emitting layer is disposed on the array substrate (as seen in Fig. 14, the organic light-emitting layer 33 is on2 portion 20 of the array substrate);
a dam (“bank 50” in Fig. 14, ¶ 0042), wherein the dam is disposed on the array substrate (as seen in Fig. 14, the dam is on portion 20 of the array substrate) and disposed to surround3 the organic light emitting layer (as seen in Fig. 16 of Cai, dam 50 besets all sides of active area AA in which the organic light emitting layer is placed (¶ 0036); Fig. 14 being a cross sectional view of Fig. 16 (¶ 0062)); and
an encapsulation layer (“encapsulation film 40” in Fig. 14, ¶ 0058), wherein the encapsulation layer covers4 the organic light emitting layer and the dam (as seen in Fig. 14, encapsulation layer 40 covers both the organic light emitting layer 33 and dam 50), and the encapsulation layer comprises ink (“encapsulation layer may be made via ink jet printing”5 (¶ 0058)),
wherein in a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel (such as Fig. 14) the dam comprises a top surface (top surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) away from the array substrate (see Fig. 14), a bottom surface (bottom surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) opposite the top surface, a first side surface (right side surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) close to the organic light emitting layer6 (see Fig. 14), and a second side surface (left side surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) away from the organic light emitting layer (see Fig. 14), and a plurality of sharp corner structures are arranged on the second side surface (Cai discloses that the dam 50 may optionally have a configuration such that the second side surface has a sharp corner structure is arranged at the second side surface along a direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam (each sharp corner extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, therefore they are each arranged along a direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam) in the cross sectional view (as seen in Fig. 14, the top corner of the dam is a sharp corner structure in cross-sectional view)).
The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 of Cai does not have a first side surface disposed with a stepped structure along the direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam in cross-sectional view.
However, Cai further discloses a different embodiment in which the profile of the dam 50 has a stepped structure on both the first and second side surfaces (Fig. 10 of Cai, ¶ 0054).
Cai discloses a benefit to this configuration of the dam 50 in that “the side encapsulation effect can be reinforced” (¶ 0054).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to have modified the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 18 of Cai to have the dam structure of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 of Cai for this benefit. In the resulting configuration, the first side surface will be disposed with a stepped structure wherein a plurality of steps are arranged at the first surface along the direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam in the cross-sectional view (see Fig. 10).
Further, a density7 of the sharp corner structure disposed on the second side surface is greater than a density of the stepped structure disposed on the first side surface (as seen in Figs. 10 and 18 of Cai, there are a greater number of sharp corners on the second side surface (i.e., the convex and concave sharp corners indicated in the annotated copy of Fig. 18, below) than the number of steps on the second side surface (two steps, as seen in Fig. 10).
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Regarding claim 4, Cai discloses the flexible display panel of claim 1 as discussed above. The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 of Cai does not have a second side surface disposed with a stepped structure.
However, Cai further discloses different embodiment in which the profile of the dam 50 has a stepped structure on both the first and second side surfaces (Fig. 10 of Cai, ¶ 0054).
Cai discloses a benefit to this configuration of the dam 50 in that “the side encapsulation effect can be reinforced” (¶ 0054).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to have modified the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 18 of Cai to have the dam structure of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 of Cai for this benefit. In the resulting configuration, the second side surface will be disposed with a stepped structure (see Fig. 10).
Regarding claim 21, Cai discloses a flexible display panel (Fig. 14 which is an “organic light-emitting display panel” (¶ 0036) which is flexible (“the substrate . . . may be a flexible substrate”8 in ¶ 0043 of Cai)), wherein the flexible display panel comprises:
an array substrate (combination of 10 and 20 in Fig. 14; “The organic light-emitting display panel . . . includes a substrate 10 [and] an array layer 20” (¶ 0036));
an organic light-emitting layer (33 in Fig. 14; “organic light-emitting device 30 . . . includes . . . light-emitting layer 33” (¶ 0036) which is “an organic light-emitting layer” (¶ 0003)), wherein the organic light emitting layer is disposed on the array substrate (as seen in Fig. 14, the organic light-emitting layer 33 is on9 portion 20 of the array substrate);
a dam (“bank 50” in Fig. 14, ¶ 0042), wherein the dam is disposed on the array substrate (as seen in Fig. 14, the dam is on portion 20 of the array substrate) and disposed to surround10 the organic light emitting layer in a plan vie of the of the flexible display panel (as seen in Fig. 16 of Cai, dam 50 besets all sides of active area AA in which the organic light emitting layer is placed (¶ 0036); Fig. 14 being a cross sectional view of Fig. 16 (¶ 0062)); and
an encapsulation layer (“encapsulation film 40” in Fig. 14, ¶ 0058), wherein the encapsulation layer covers11 the organic light emitting layer and the dam (as seen in Fig. 14, encapsulation layer 40 covers both the organic light emitting layer 33 and dam 50), and the encapsulation layer comprises ink (“encapsulation layer may be made via ink jet printing”12 (¶ 0058)),
wherein in a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel (such as Fig. 14) the dam comprises a top surface (top surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) away from the array substrate (see Fig. 14), a bottom surface (bottom surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) opposite the top surface, a first side surface (right side surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) close to the organic light emitting layer13 (see Fig. 14), and a second side surface (left side surface of the dam 50 as seen in Fig. 14) away from the organic light emitting layer (see Fig. 14), and a plurality of sharp corner structures are arranged on the second side surface (Cai discloses that the dam 50 may optionally have a configuration such that the second side surface has a sharp corner structure is arranged at the second side surface along a direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam (each sharp corner extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, therefore they are each arranged along a direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam)in the cross sectional view (as seen in Fig. 14, the top corner of the dam is a sharp corner structure in cross-sectional view)).
The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 of Cai does not have a first side surface disposed with a stepped structure along the direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam in cross-sectional view.
However, Cai further discloses a different embodiment in which the profile of the dam 50 has a stepped structure on both the first and second side surfaces (Fig. 10 of Cai, ¶ 0054).
Cai discloses a benefit to this configuration of the dam 50 in that “the side encapsulation effect can be reinforced” (¶ 0054).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to have modified the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 18 of Cai to have the dam structure of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 of Cai for this benefit. In the resulting configuration, the first side surface will be disposed with a stepped structure wherein a plurality of steps are arranged at the first surface along the direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam in the cross-sectional view (see Fig. 10).
Further, a density14 of the sharp corner structure disposed on the second side surface is greater than a density of the stepped structure disposed on the first side surface (as seen in Figs. 10 and 18 of Cai, there are a greater number of sharp corners on the second side surface (i.e., the convex and concave sharp corners indicated in the annotated copy of Fig. 18, below) than the number of steps on the second side surface (two steps, as seen in Fig. 10).
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Regarding claim 22, Cai further discloses wherein a junction where the second side surface of the dam connects to the top surface of the dam is formed by two or more curved or toothed portions connected end to end (as seen in Fig. 18 above, the second side surface has a plurality of toothed portions connected end to end).
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Song et al. (US 2019/0058161 A1; hereinafter Song)15.
Regarding claim 6, Cai discloses the flexible display panel of claim 1, as discussed above.
Cai does not disclose the inclusion of a microcapsule self-repairing film disposed on the sharp corner structure.
Song, in the same field of endeavor, teaches forming flexible display panels to form an encapsulation structure which alternates encapsulation layers with a microcapsule self-repairing film layer (“the encapsulation structure 03 includes a plurality of film layers [including an] organic layer 032 [which] includes polymer matrixes 0321 and repairing microstructures 0322.” (¶ 0051 of Song). “The microstructure 0322 has a shape of a capsule” (¶ 0053) which “realizes the self-repairing of the encapsulation structure 03.” (¶ 0060). The organic layer 032 is, therefore, a microcapsule self-repairing film layer. See also Fig. 4 of Song which shows two encapsulation layers 031 with the microcapsule self-repairing film layer 032 between them.)
Song discloses a benefit to forming the encapsulation structure to have an encapsulation structure comprising a microcapsule self-repairing film layer between encapsulation layers in that it can repair cracks in the encapsulation structure and, therefore, “extends the service life of the encapsulation structure.” (¶ 0060).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to modify the flexible display panel of Cai to form an encapsulation structure with two of Cai’s encapsulation layers with a microcapsule self-repairing layer between them as taught by Song for the aforementioned benefit extending the service life of the encapsulation structure. Because Cai already disclosed that the encapsulation layer disposed on the sharp corner structure of the second side surface of the dam (see discussion in the rejection of claim 1, above), in the device of the modification the microcapsule self-repairing film layer will also be disposed on the sharp corner structures.
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Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Im et al. (US 2021/0313494 A1; hereinafter Im)16.
Regarding claim 7, Cai discloses the flexible display panel of claim 1, as discussed above.
Cai discloses that the dam is beneficial in that it “improve[s] the aqueous vapor blocking effect of the side” to protect the display region (¶ 0010 of Cai). However, Cai does not disclose the inclusion of a hydrophobic film layer on the dam which would further improve the aqueous vapor blocking effect. As such, the device of Cai can be considered a base device upon which the claimed invention can be seen as an improvement.
Im, in the same field of endeavor, discloses a comparable device (Fig. 9 of Im shows a flexible display panel (“[FIG] 9 [is a] display device”, ¶ 0036 of Im, which “may be bent”, ¶ 0057)) that has been improved in the same way as the claimed invention (the dam 70 in Fig. 9 of Im has a hydrophobic film layer 8 formed thereon which increases hydrophobicity of the dam; “a hydrophobic layer 8 (referred to as a third hydrophobic layer 8) may be formed above (or on) . . . the dam structure 70”, ¶ 0072 of Im).
One having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Application could have applied the improvement of a hydrophobic film layer as taught by Im in the same way to the base device of Cai (Im discloses that the formation of the hydrophobic film layer 8 to the dam 70 is the result of a surface treatment step which reacts to the organic material of the dam (¶ 0091 of Im) and the dam of Cai is similarly formed from organic material (“the material of the bank includes an organic material”, ¶ 0036 of Cai), so the same hydrophobic film forming technique may be used, and the results (i.e., the formation of a hydrophobic film layer on the dam of Cai) would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art.).
Because, as discussed above,
(1) the prior art contained a base device upon which claim 7 can be seen as an improvement;
(2) the prior art contained a comparable device that has been improved in the same way as claim 7; and
(3) one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Application could have applied the known improvement technique in the same way to the base device and the results would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art,
it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to form a hydrophobic film layer covering each of the top surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface of the dam as it is the result of using a known technique to improve similar devices in the same way (MPEP 2143(I)(C)).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Fan et al. (CN 111710700 A; hereinafter Fan, a copy of which and a translation for reference were already provided)17.
Regarding claim 9, Cai discloses the flexible display panel of claim 1 as discussed above. The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 of Cai does not have a plurality of dams18.
However, Cai discloses an embodiment in which the flexible display panel comprises a plurality of dams (individual dams 51 and 52 in Fig. 15 of Cai).
Cai discloses a benefit to using a plurality of dams in that a “second [dam] functions to further reinforc[e] the prevent of crack extension” (¶ 0057).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to have modified the embodiment shown in Fig. 14 of Cai to have the dam structure of the embodiment shown in Fig. 15 of Cai which includes a plurality of dams for this benefit.
The obvious modification of Cai does not disclose the distance between an adjacent two of the dams to determine if that distance is less than 500 microns.
Fan, in the same field of endeavor, discloses forming a plurality of “anti-cracking dams” such that the distance between an adjacent two of the dams is less than 500 microns (“an interval space is arranged between two adjacent plane anti-cracking dams 5, and the width of the interval space is about 20-40 micrometers”, fifth paragraph on Page 4 of the attached translation of Fan).
There is a benefit to minimizing space between an adjacent two of the dams in that it reduces the overall size profile of the display device, a recognized benefit in the art.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to form the two adjacent dams of the obvious modification of Cai such that a distance between the two dams is less than 500 microns as taught by Fan for this benefit.
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Qian et al. (US 2021/0226162 A1; hereinafter Qian)19.
Regarding claim 10, Cai discloses the flexible display panel of claim 1 as discussed above. Cai further discloses that the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 18 has a first side surface and a second side surface that are rough surfaces20 (as seen in Fig. 18 of Cai, the first and second side surfaces are jagged and are, therefore, considered rough).
Cai does not disclose that the top surface of the dam is a rough surface.
Qian, in the same field of endeavor, discloses forming a dam with a top surface that is a rough surface (Fig. 3 of Qian; “barrier dam 3 comprises an upper surface 301 [which] comprises a groove 30 and a protrusion 31 . . . . the groove 30 and the protrusion 31 allow . . . the upper surface 301 . . . to have a larger roughness”, ¶ 0050 of Qian).
There is a benefit to forming the top surface of the dam to be a rough surface in that it enhances the ability of preventing the encapsulation material from spreading to the edge of the device (“the upper surface . . . comprises the groove 30 and the protrusion 31 . . . so as to achieve a better effect of preventing the liquid organic material from spreading to the edge” (¶ 0055 of Qian), the liquid organic material being the encapsulation material (“a liquid organic material is used to form the organic encapsulation layer”, ¶ 0048 of Qian)).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the Application's effective filing date to modify the flexible display panel of Cai to form the top surface of the dam to be a rough surface for this benefit.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 12/09/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that the sharp corner structures of Cai are not arranged in a direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the dam in cross-sectional view. This argument is not persuasive as each sharp corner extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, therefore they are each arranged along a direction from the top surface towards the bottom surface of the dam.
Applicant further argues that Cai fails to disclose the limitation concerning the relative densities of the sharp corner structures and the stepped structures. This argument is not persuasive because, as seen in Figs. 10 and 18 of Cai, there are a greater number of sharp corners on the second side surface (i.e., the convex and concave sharp corners indicated in the annotated copy of Fig. 18, above) than the number of steps on the second side surface (two steps, as seen in Fig. 10).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER A CULBERT whose telephone number is (571)272-4893. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5.
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/C.A.C/ Examiner, Art Unit 2815 /JOSHUA BENITEZ ROSARIO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2815
1 The Examiner notes that a display panel comprising a flexible substrate is interpreted as being a flexible display panel.
2 The Examiner notes that ‘on’ is interpreted in this Office action as allowing for presence of intervening materials as opposed to ‘directly on’ which would exclude the possibility of intervening materials.
3 The Examiner notes that, as used in the present Office action, ‘surround’ is interpreted as enclosing or besetting on all sides.
4 The Examiner notes that ‘cover’ is interpreted in this Office action as allowing for the presence of intervening materials and, further, does not require complete coverage.
5 The Examiner notes that, as this is a device claim, “comprises ink” is interpreted as including ink which has been dried, e.g., it was formed by an ink jet process.
6 “close to the organic light emitting layer” is being interpreted as the side of the dam which faces the organic light emitting layer such as the indicated first side surface of the dam 50 of Cai.
7 The Examiner notes that “a density of the sharp corner structure” is interpreted as the number of sharp corners per side surface and “a density of the stepped structure” is interpreted as the number of steps on the side surface.
8 The Examiner notes that a display panel comprising a flexible substrate is interpreted as being a flexible display panel.
9 The Examiner notes that ‘on’ is interpreted in this Office action as allowing for presence of intervening materials as opposed to ‘directly on’ which would exclude the possibility of intervening materials.
10 The Examiner notes that, as used in the present Office action, ‘surround’ is interpreted as enclosing or besetting on all sides.
11 The Examiner notes that ‘cover’ is interpreted in this Office action as allowing for the presence of intervening materials and, further, does not require complete coverage.
12 The Examiner notes that, as this is a device claim, “comprises ink” is interpreted as including ink which has been dried, e.g., it was formed by an ink jet process.
13 “close to the organic light emitting layer” is being interpreted as the side of the dam which faces the organic light emitting layer such as the indicated first side surface of the dam 50 of Cai.
14 The Examiner notes that “a density of the sharp corner structure” is interpreted as the number of sharp corners per side surface and “a density of the stepped structure” is interpreted as the number of steps on the side surface.
15 As the field of endeavor of the present Application is “a display technology field” (¶ 0001 of the Application’s Specification as originally filed) which is the same field of endeavor as Cai (“the field of organic light-emitting display”, ¶ 0002 of Cai) and the same field of endeavor as Song (“The present disclosure relates to the field of . . . a display apparatus.” (¶ 0002 of Song), Cai and Song are considered analogous art to the claimed invention. MPEP 2141.01(a)(I).
16 As the field of endeavor of the present Application is “a display technology field” (¶ 0001 of the Application’s Specification as originally filed) which is the same field of endeavor as Cai (“the field of organic light-emitting display”, ¶ 0002 of Cai) and the same field of endeavor as Im (“The present disclosure relates to a light emitting element.” (¶ 0002 of Im,), Cai and Im are considered analogous art to the claimed invention. MPEP 2141.01(a)(I).
17 As the field of endeavor of the present Application is “a display technology field” (¶ 0001 of the Application’s Specification as originally filed) which is the same field of endeavor as Cai (“the field of organic light-emitting display”, ¶ 0002 of Cai) and the same field of endeavor as Fan (“The present invention relates to the field of display technologies” (under “Technical Field” on Page 2 of Fan)), Cai and Fan are considered analogous art to the claimed invention. MPEP 2141.01(a)(I).
18 The portions of 50 on various sides of the display as seen in Fig. 18 are considered to be part of a single dam.
19 As the field of endeavor of the present Application is “a display technology field” (¶ 0001 of the Application’s Specification as originally filed) which is the same field of endeavor as Cai (“the field of organic light-emitting display”, ¶ 0002 of Cai) and the same field of endeavor as Qian (“the present disclosure relates to . . . an electronic apparatus” (¶ 0002 of Qian) wherein “the electronic apparatus 100 may be a display apparatus” (¶ 0080)), Cai and Qian are considered analogous art to the claimed invention. MPEP 2141.01(a)(I).
20 The Examiner notes that a “rough surface” is any surface that is not substantially flat.
Prosecution Insights