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 1-14 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 is rendered indefinite because the phrase “the container” in step g) lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 1 is rendered indefinite because the claim includes j) an optional second chemical treatment (118) to the fiber cake The claim also includes hydro-extracting a chemically treated fiber cake obtained at step (118) and steps following the optional second chemical treatment; . It is unclear as to what step is included when the second chemical treatment is not present as the claim recites that the second chemical treatment step is optional. For purposes of examination, Examiner is interpreting the claim to include steps k) to r) regardless if there is a second chemical treatment or not.
Claims 2-13 are rendered indefinite as they depend upon indefinite claim 1.
Claim 3 is rendered indefinite because the phrase “other natural fibers” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 3 is rendered indefinite because the claim recites natural fibers. Polyester, rayon and lyocell are not natural fibers. For purposes of examination, Examiner is interpreting the claim to refer to natural fibers comprising cotton, wool, jute, silk, hemp, alpaca.
Claim 3 is rendered indefinite because of the phrase “other spinnable fibers” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 14 is rendered indefinite because the claim includes j) an optional second chemical treatment (118) to the fiber cake The claim also includes steps following the optional second chemical treatment; . It is unclear as to what step(s) is/are included when the second chemical treatment is not present as the claim recites that the second chemical treatment step is optional. For purposes of examination, Examiner is interpreting the claim to include steps k) to t) regardless if there is a second chemical treatment or not.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CAMIE S THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-1530. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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/CAMIE S THOMPSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786