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 the amendment filed on 10/15/25. Claims 13-24 are pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
The rejection of claim(s) 13-24 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kim et al. (US PGPub 2020/0013643, hereinafter referred to as “Kim”) has been maintained for reasons of record.
Kim discloses the semiconductor device and method as claimed. See figures 1-15 and corresponding text, where Kim teaches, in claim 13, a substrate holder for curving a substrate, said substrate holder comprising:
a fixing plate (140) for fixing the substrate (220); (figure 1; [0016]) and
curving means for curving the fixing plate, wherein the fixing plate is comprised such that curvature of the substrate (220) is adjustable in a targeted manner, (figure 1; [0025-0032]) and wherein the fixing plate is mounted in a hinged manner (120) (figure 1; [0025-0032])
Kim teaches, in claim 14, wherein thickness of the fixing plate varies. (figure 1; [0025-0032])
Kim teaches, in claim 15, wherein a homogeneous curvature of the substrate is adjustable. (figure 1; [0025-0032])
Kim teaches, in claim 16, wherein a rear side of the fixing plate is formed such that a homogeneous curvature of the fixing plate results. (figure 1; [0025-0032])
Kim teaches, in claim 17, wherein reaction forces produced during the curving of the fixing plate can be compensated by at least one compensation means (figure 1; [0025-0032])
Kim teaches, in claim 18, wherein the at least one compensation means is a curvable compensation plate (figure 1; [0025-0032]).
Kim teaches, in claim 19, wherein the fixing plate is thicker in the center of the fixing plate than at the edge of the fixing plate (figure 1; [0025-0032]).
Kim teaches, in claim 20, wherein the fixing plate is formed tapered towards the edge of the fixing plate (figure 1; [0025-0032]).
Kim teaches, in claim 21, wherein the fixing plate is formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the fixing plate (figure 1; [0025-0032]) .
Kim teaches, in claim 22, a bonding device comprising at least one substrate holder. (figures 5-9; [0061-0068], [0069-0076])
Kim teaches, in claim 23,a method for bonding first and second substrates, comprising the following steps, fixing the first substrate (210) on a first substrate holder (110) (figure 1; [0016]); fixing the second substrate (220) on a second substrate holder (120); (figure 1; [0016])
aligning the first and second substrates with respect to one another, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is curved; (figure 1; [0016])
bringing the first and second substrates into contact with each other; (figure 5; [0057])
adjusting curvature of at least one of the first and second substrates in a targeted manner. (figures 6-7; [0061-0068])
Kim teaches, in claim 24, wherein the curvature of at least one of the first and second substrates is adjusted homogeneously.(figures 6-7; [0061-0068])
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 10/15/25 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant raises the clear issue as to whether Kim suggests wherein the fixing plate is mounted in a hinged manner.
The examiner views that Kim does suggest the above limitation and/or statement. Specifically, Kim teaches a fixing plate (140) for fixing the substrate (220); (figure 1; [0016]) and
curving means for curving the fixing plate, wherein the fixing plate is comprised such that curvature of the substrate (220) is adjustable in a targeted manner (figure 1; [0025-0032]). In addition, since the fixing plate (140) has controlled variations of the shape of the membrane member by creating protrusions (140a) with pneumatic pressure ([0027-0030]). Also, based on the definition of “hinge” meaning attach or join (see Merriam Webster.com) the combination of variations of the fixing plate and the second chuck (120) functions the operation is in a “hinged manner”, thus meets the limitation (figure 1; [0025-0032]). Examiner suggests incorporating language to describe the physical mechanism of the hinge.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 STANETTA D ISAAC whose telephone number is (571)272-1671. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10-6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Leonard Chang can be reached at 571-270-3691. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/STANETTA D ISAAC/Examiner, Art Unit 2898 February 2, 2026
/Leonard Chang/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2898