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 1-12 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "said conical structures" in line 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is previously referred to as a conical pattern. Additionally, the “voids” appears to be the same things as the “conical apertures” in the photoresist layer. It would be clearer if a single term was used for these spaces. If the claims are amended to use the term, “conical apertures”, claims 3 would need to be amended as well.
Regarding claim 1, it is unclear how the metal sheet is attached to the photoresist layer because the specification states that the photoresist pattern is removed after filling with the metal and before attaching the metal sheet. Additionally, the specification describes that the conical apertures are formed in the metal layer that is formed after filling the voids between the photoresist patterns, and removing the photoresist pattern. The conical openings of the attached metal sheet are then aligned with the conical apertures in the metal layer rather than the photoresist layer. Claim 1 needs to be amended to match the language and steps of the specification.
Claim 5 recites the limitation "said metallic coating" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. This should also read, “conical metallic coating” to match claim 4.
Response to Arguments
The amendments made to the claims, filed on 11/4/2025, have overcome the 35 USC 112 rejections that were presented in the last Office Action. Therefore, the rejections have been withdrawn. However, the amendments have created additional 35 USC 112 issues.
Applicant’s arguments, filed 11/4/2025, with respect to the 35 USC 103 rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejections of claims 1-12 have been withdrawn.
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 BRITTANY L RAYMOND whose telephone number is (571)272-6545. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm.
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BRITTANY L. RAYMOND
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1722
/BRITTANY L RAYMOND/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1722