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 .
Specification
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
Claim Objections
Claim 15 is objected to because of the following informalities: “passageways within in the housing” in lines 7-8 should read --passageways within the housing--. 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 1-20 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 at least one pump and the at least one valve including a piezoelectric actuator”. As written, it is unclear whether applicant intends to require that each of: a) the at least one pump and b) the at least one valve include a piezoelectric actuator, or if applicant intends to require the pump(s) and valve(s), when considered as a unit, include one piezoelectric actuator.
The same issue appears in claims 9 and 15.
Claim 1 recites “in response to a voltage applied thereto” in lines 11 and 17. It is unclear whether the “voltage” of claim 17 is intended to be the same or different than that of line 11.
The same issue appears in claims 9 and 15.
Claim 6 recites the limitation “a pressure of fluid”. It is unclear whether the “fluid” of claim 6 is intended to be the same as that of parent claim 1.
Claim 12 recites “a first voltage” and “a second voltage”. It is unclear if, and if so how, the first and second voltages are intended to be related to the “voltage” of parent claim 1.
Claim 15 recites the limitation “a first piezoelectric layer” and “a second piezoelectric layer”, yet previously recites “a plurality of piezoelectric layers. It is unclear whether the first and second layers are intended to be part of the previously recited plurality.
Claim 17 recites “a first voltage”. It is unclear if, and if so how, the first voltage is intended to be related to the “voltage” of parent claim 15.
Claim 18 recites “a second voltage”. It is unclear if, and if so how, the second voltage is intended to be related to the “voltage” of parent claim 15.
Conclusion
The examiner notes that, though no art has been applied against the claims at this time, they are not presently allowable. The question of prior art will be revisited upon resolution of the numerous clarity issues noted above.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Carrie R Dorna whose telephone number is (571)270-7483. The examiner can normally be reached 8am-5pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Alexander Valvis can be reached at 571-272-4233. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CARRIE R DORNA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3791
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