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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-3, 8-9 and 18-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
In claim 1, lines 6-7, “wherein the snap fit hinge includes a flex point between the tubular structures and the first and second layers” is confusing and cannot be fully understood structurally. According to the specification (i.e., [0021]), each of the tubular structures has a gap (124) between an edge of the tubular structure and the respective layer (e.g., defining an open loop of a question mark “?” shape). The gap provides a flex point for nesting/snap-fitting the tubular structures (122, 122’). Understandably, “a flex point” (a single point) is referring to a point that flexes or bends when the gap is widened or narrowed, due to the flexibility of the open loop (or the tubular structure), to snap-fit one tubular structure to the other. And, that point is most likely located at a point opposite the gap in the tubular structure (i.e., at the top of the question mark “?” opposite the gap). Thus, it is not clear exactly how the snap fit hinge can have “a flex point between the tubular structures and the first and second layers”. Note similar issues in claim 9 and claim 19 (last paragraph).
In claim 8, “the first tubular structure” and “the second tubular structure” lack proper antecedent basis.
In claim 19, line 16, “an opening passing through the length of the hinge” is not understood since “the length of the hinge” is not clearly defined and it is not clear exactly what “an opening” is referring to.
Note that other claims, depending from the rejected claims, are also considered vague and indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 8-9 and 18-19 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. No new prior art reference is cited in this Office Action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHUCK MAH whose telephone number is (571)272-7059. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00-3:00.
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/CHUCK Y MAH/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677 CM
February 4, 2026