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 .
Response to Amendment
The 2026 March 13 amendment containing claims 1-16 is considered. The objection and rejection are overcome because the quality of general formula (P) is now legible and the claims have enabled subject matter for a near-ultraviolet light absorbing compound.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-16 are objected to because of the following informalities: the multiple uses of the phrase “may be” in relation to multiple variables forming rings with each should be written as --can be-- to show a proper alternative. This objection applies to variables Z1, Z2, Ax, Ay, Xa, and Xb.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-16 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.
The structural metes and bounds of variables Spa and Spb are unclear. The claims define them each as “a linking group having a shortest atom number of 2 or more”. This definition does not state what elements are part of the linking group, only that 2 or more of a group are required. Although these variables are discussed in the specification, the recited groups do not limit claim 1 (specification, page 20, paragraph [0058] to page 21, paragraph [0060]).
The structural metes and bounds of variable Spc are unclear. The claims define this variable as a bond of a divalent linking group. This definition does not state what elements are part of the linking group. Although this variables is discussed in the specification, the recited groups do not limit claim 1 (specification, page 24, paragraphs 3 and 4).
The structural metes and bounds of variables Pol1 to Pol4 are unclear. The claims define them each as H or a polymerizable group. This claims do define what elements constitute a polymerizable group. Although these variables are discussed in the specification, the recited groups do not limit claim 1 (specification, page 16, paragraph [0038] to paragraph [0040]).
The structural metes and bounds of variables rings Ar11 and Ar12 are unclear because the term “including” is equivalent to “comprising” [see MPEP 2111.03 (I)]. The claims do not recite what other groups can be present beside a benzene ring or a heteroaromatic heterocyclic group. What # is referred to for variables Xa and Xb in relation to general formula (A)? When N is a substituent of a CH group for variable Xa or Xb, it has an unfilled octet and consequently the groups attached to it are not clear.
Claims 1-16 recite the limitation that linking groups Spa, Spb, and Spc contain a methylene group. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitation in the claims because the first recitation of each of these variables does not recite what elements are part of each linking group.
Conclusion
Claims 1-16 are not allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: XU (US 20140322549, published 2014 October 30) describes a composition comprising benzyl methacrylate and trimethyolpropane triacrylate (page 3, paragraph [0045]; page 4, paragraph [0056]). The benzyl methacrylate has no acidic group nor is a near-ultraviolet light absorbing compound present either.
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.
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/NOBLE E JARRELL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1699
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