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 .
This office action is a response to the election of species filed on 12/29/2025.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Species B, Sub-Species BB, claims 14-16, 18-10 and 23-24, in the reply filed on 12/29/2025 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that Species A and B are directed to Species B. Examiner traverses the argument. Species A, claim 1, teaches a process of forming a dielectric layer on the conductive substrate extending from the front side to the back side after a process of drilling a via from the front side of the conductive substrate to the back side of the conductive substrate. However, Species B, claim 14, teaches a process of drilling a via from the front side of the conductive substrate to the back side of the conductive substrate after a process of forming a dielectric layer formed on a conductive substrate having a front side and a back side, and a process of producing a through via by removing the conductive polymer layer from the via, which does not teach in Species A. These separate species would require a separate search each, and some of the disclosed limitations are incompatible with each other. In addition, these species are not obvious variants of each other based on the current record.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
On the other hand, Since generic claim 14 is allowable, claim 17 is, directed to the method of making a capacitor, previously restricted from the election of species, are now subject to bring rejoined. Claims 14-20 and 23-25 are hereby rejoined and fully examined for patentability under 37 CFR 1.104.
Claims 7-13, 21, 22 and 26 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 12/29/2025.
Drawings
The drawings of Figure4 and Figure 5 are not of sufficient quality to permit examination. Accordingly, replacement drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to this Office action. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action.
Applicant is given a shortened statutory period of TWO (2) MONTHS to submit new drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.81. Extensions of time may be obtained under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a) but in no case can any extension carry the date for reply to this letter beyond the maximum period of SIX MONTHS set by statute (35 U.S.C. 133). Failure to timely submit replacement drawing sheets will result in ABANDONMENT of the application.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: --METHOD OF MAKING A CAPACITOR--.
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 14-20 and 23-25 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.
Re. claim 14: The phrase “having a dielectric layer formed thereon” as recited in lines 2-3 renders the claim vague and indefinite. It is unclear as to what the thereon is indicated. Is it the front side, the back side, or both sides?
Re. claim 19: The phrase “reestablishing the one or more isolation trenches by removing the conductive polymer layer therefrom” as recited in lines 6-7 renders the claim vague and indefinite. It is unclear as to what the therefrom is indicated. Clarification is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 14-20 and 23-25 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.
The Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. SHIMABE et al. (PGPub 2015/0264815 A1), Fujiiet et al. (US PAT. 10,679,794), Chen et al. (US PAT. 5,365,790), and Tomikawa et al. (US PAT. 9,743,534) are cited to further show the state of the art with respect to a method of making a capacitor.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL D KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-4565. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday: 6:00 AM-2:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Thomas Hong can be reached at 571-272-0993. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PAUL D KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3729
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