DETAILED ACTION
Claims 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27, 29, 50, 54, 58, 64, 66, 68, 72, and 74-77 are pending.
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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on July 2, 2026 has been entered.
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.
Claim 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27, 29, 50, 54, 58, 64, 66, 68, 72, and 74-77 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 15 recites “at least one liner skin” in line 10, but then recites “the liner skin” in lines 10, 11, and 13. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 20 recites “the liner skin” in line 2. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 25 recites “the liner skin” in line 1. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 27 recites “the liner skin” in lines 1 and 4. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 29 recites “the liner skin” in lines 1, 2, and 4. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 58 recites “the liner skin” in lines 4-5, 11, and 22. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
Claim 72 recites “the liner skin” twice in line 4. It is unclear if “the liner skin” refers to “the at least one liner skin” or a different liner skin. The examiner has interpreted “the liner skin” as “the at least one liner skin”.
The dependent claims inherit(s) the deficiency by nature of dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 27, 29, 50, 54, 58, 64, 66, 68, 72, and 74-77 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
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PATRICK J LYNCH whose telephone number is (571)272-1145. The examiner can normally be reached on M-Th, Alt F: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Clint Ostrup can be reached on 571-272-5559. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PATRICK J. LYNCH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3732
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