Detailed Office Action
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Indefiniteness Rejection
2. 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.
3. Claims 1-10 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.
Firstly, applicants has drafted the claims using inconsistent terminology causing the claims to be ambiguous. Specifically, within the second step of claim 1, the language, “all of flow vaporized in the finisher” has been used; however, it is unclear if this language encompasses solvent and unreacted material of the first step as well as the water. Furthermore, within the steps, applicants inconsistently use the terminology “solvent” and “hydrocarbons”; however, it is unclear if these terms are interchangeable. It is further unclear from where the hydrocarbons stem, in the context of the process.
Secondly, with respect to claim 1, the relationship of the elastomer in terms of its introduction and processing relative to both the finisher and the water injection is not clearly set forth. The claimed process should clearly specify how each component or stream is introduced into the processing equipment.
Thirdly, with respect to claim 1, the language, “high temperature” and “low pressure”, is subjective; quantitatively, it unclear how to interpret this language.
Fourthly, with respect to claim 2, multiple flows are referenced; however, they have not been clearly distinguished from one another, causing the claim to be ambiguous.
Fifthly, with respect claim 8, the language, “relatively low boiling point”, is subjective. It is unclear what constitutes such a boiling point.
Sixthly, with respect to claim 9, it is unclear how to interpret “is rich”.
Examiner’s Comment
4. To the extent the examiner has been able to interpret the claims in view of the indefiniteness issues set forth above, the examiner notes that the clams are distinguished from the most relevant prior art, US Patent 3,476, 736, in that the instant process treats the hydrocarbon with an absorption column and distillation column is series.
Conclusion
5. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Rabon A Sergent whose telephone number is (571)272-. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, ET.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Heidi Riviere Kelley, can be reached at telephone number 571-270-1831. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/RABON A SERGENT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1765