DETAILED ACTION
Specification
On page 3, line 6 (component (viii)), please insert “(9)” after “loop reactor”.
On page 3, line 7 (component (ix)), please replace “liquid monomer (44)” with “liquid propylene monomer (44)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 3, line 22 (component (xviii)), please replace “thermal oxidizer (43)” with “thermal oxidizer unit (43)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 3, line 23 (component (xix)), reference numeral 25 is also defined as an “outlet line (for polymer powder)”. Please amend the term so that it is consistent with the reference numbering scheme on page 8.
On page 3, line 25 (component (xx)), please replace “compressor (27)” with “gas recovery compressor (27)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 8.
On page 3, line 26 (component (xx)), please replace “reflux feed vessel (28a)” with “reflux recovery feed vessel (28a)” (two occurrences). See reference numbering scheme on page 8.
On page 3, line 27 (component (xx)), please replace “recovery line (29)” with “recovery feed line (29)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 4, line 4, the term “closed loop cooling water system (300)” is inconsistent with the definition “gas phase reactor circulation gas cooler” provided in the reference numbering scheme on page 9. The reference numeral “(300)” is superfluous and may be deleted. See also page 12, line 26 where reference numeral “(300)” is used consistently.
On page 4, line 24 (step e)), please replace “propylene re-feed line (41)” with “propylene feed line (41)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 4, line 26 (step f)), the term “feed points (11, 12)” is inconsistent with the definitions provided in the reference numbering scheme on page 8.
On page 4, line 28 (step g)), please replace “gas phase reactor (13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 8 for spelling.
On page 4, line 30 (step g)), please replace “gas phase reactor (13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 5, line 1 (step g)), please replace “gas phase reactor (13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 5, line 5 (step i)), please replace “product-receiver” with “product receiver”.
On page 5, line 20 (step l)), please replace “gas phase reactor (13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 5, line 21 (step m)), please replace “gas phase reactor” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 5, line 22 (step m)), please replace “first recovery line (29)” with “recovery feed line (29)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 5, line 23 (step m)), please replace “second recovery line (35)” with “recovery feed line (35)”. See reference numbering scheme on page 9.
On page 5, line 29, the term “closed loop cooling water system (300)” is inconsistent with the definition “gas phase reactor circulation gas cooler” provided in the reference numbering scheme on page 9. The reference numeral “(300)” is superfluous and may be deleted.
On page 5, line 30 (step m)), please replace “over a secondary” with “over the secondary”.
On page 6, line 3, please replace “gas phase reactor (13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 6, line 7, please replace “gas phase reactor 13)” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 6, line 8, please replace “recovery lines (29, 29’)” with “recovery feed lines (29,29’)”.
On page 6, line 8, please replace “gas phase reactor” with “gas-phase reactor (13)”.
On page 6, line 20, the term “closed loop cooling water system (300)” is inconsistent with the definition “gas phase reactor circulation gas cooler” provided in the reference numbering scheme on page 9. The reference numeral “(300)” is superfluous and may be deleted.
On page 6, line 22, please replace “over a secondary” with “over the secondary”.
On page 6, line 25, the term “closed loop cooling water system (300)” is inconsistent with the definition “gas phase reactor circulation gas cooler” provided in the reference numbering scheme on page 9. The reference numeral “(300)” is superfluous and may be deleted.
On page 6, line 27, please replace “by-pass over” with “by-pass over (304)” and delete “(304)” which appears after “exchanger”.
On page 6, line 28, delete “heat exchanger”. See page 7, line 17 for similar description.
On page 7, line 15, please insert “(301)” after “pump”.
On page 7, line 15, please insert “(302)” after “exchanger”.
On page 7, line 15, please insert “(303)” after “vessel”.
On page 7, line 15, please insert “(304)” after “by-pass”.
On page 8, line 3, delete “optional” which appears before “feed tank”.
On page 8, line 4, delete “optional” which appears before “feed tank(s)”.
On page 8, line 5, delete “optional” which appears before “pre-contacting unit”.
On page 8, line 13, delete “optional” which appears before “comonomer”.
On page 8, line 22, delete “optional” which appears before “product discharge vessel”.
On page 11, line 17, please insert “(9)” after “loop reactor”.
On page 11, line 17, please replace “feed line (17). means” with “feed line (17), means”.
On page 11, line 17, please replace “monomer (44)” with “liquid propylene monomer (44)”.
On page 11, line 28, please replace “thermal oxidizer (43)” with “thermal oxidizer unit (43)”.
On page 11, line 29, please replace “nitrogen feed line (245)” with “nitrogen feed line (244)”.
On page 11, line 29, please insert “(245)” between “a feed line” and “for”.
On page 11, line 31, please replace “outlet for oligomers (249)” with “outlet line (249) for oligomers”.
On page 12, lines 1 and 2, reference numeral 25 is also defined as an “outlet line (for polymer powder)”. Please amend the term (two occurrences) so that it is consistent with the reference numbering scheme on page 8.
On page 12, line 4, please replace “compressor (27)” with “gas recovery compressor (27)”.
On page 12, line 5, please replace “reflux feed vessel (28a)” with “reflux recovery feed vessel (28a)” (two occurrences).
On page 12, line 6, please replace “recovery line (29)” with “recovery feed line (29)”.
On page 12, line 8, please insert “(16)” after “gas cooler”.
On page 12, line 24, delete “(300)”.
On page 12, line 27, please insert “(303)” after “expansion vessel” and delete “(303)” which appears after “cooler”.
Drawings
Figure 1 is objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because it includes reference characters 1a, 11ʹ, 12ʹ, 46, 47, 47ʹ, 50, 248, and 250 not mentioned in the description. See cropped figure below with numerals encircled for convenience.
PNG
media_image1.png
590
966
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Figure 3 is objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because it includes reference character 414 not mentioned in the description.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). 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. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 1, please replace “Plant” with “A plant”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 1, please replace “propylene homopolymers” with “a propylene homopolymer”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “propylene copolymers” with “a propylene copolymer”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 5, please replace “optional” with “an optional”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 5, please replace “being” with “which is”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 8, please insert “optional” prior to “pre-contacting”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 13, please replace “means” with “a means”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 14, please insert “the” prior to “first loop”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 14, please insert “the” prior to “second loop”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 15, please insert “the” prior to “loop reactors”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 18, please replace “being coupled” with “is coupled”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 18, the term “at least” is superfluous and may be deleted.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 1, please replace “means” with “a means”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 5, please replace “optionally a” with “an optional”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 7, please replace “optionally a” with “an optional”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 16, please replace “optionally a” with “an optional”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 18, please insert “unit” after “oxidizer”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 19, please replace “means” with “a means”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 22, please insert “gas recovery” prior to “compressor”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 3, line 23, please insert “recovery” prior to “feed” (two occurrences).
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 1, please replace “being connected” with “is connected”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 1, please insert “feed” after “recovery”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 5, please replace “being optionally” with “is optionally”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 6, please insert “a” prior to “connecting”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 7, please insert “the” prior to “recovery”.
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 4, line 11, please insert “an” prior to “expansion”.
Claim 2 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 3, please insert “a” prior to “knock”.
Claim 2 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 4, please insert “a” prior to “gas”.
Claim 2 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 5, please insert “a” prior to “gas”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 1, please replace “propylene homopolymers” with “a propylene homopolymer”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “propylene copolymers” with “a propylene copolymer”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 3, please insert “a” prior to “prepolymerization”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 5, please insert “a” prior to “prepolymerization”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 12, please insert “a” prior to “propylene feed”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 13, please replace “propylene re-feed” with “a propylene feed”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 17, please replace “gas phase” with “a gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 17, please insert “a” prior to “direct”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 17, please replace “gas phase” with “gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 18, please replace “said gas phase” with “said gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 20, delete “a” which precedes “gas circulation via”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 20, please replace “upwards” with “an upward”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 20, please replace “the circulating” with “a circulation”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 5, line 22, please replace “the gas-phase” with “a gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 1, please replace “product-” with “product”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 2, please insert “a” prior to “connecting”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 3, please replace “the gas-phase” with “a gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 5, please replace “purge the bin” with “a purge bin”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 6, please replace “by nitrogen and catalyst” with “with nitrogen and a catalyst”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 10, please replace “being fed via nitrogen” with “which is fed via a”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 12, please insert “a” prior to “hydrocarbon”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 12, please replace “being fed via exhaust” with “which is fed via an exhaust”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 14, please replace “being fed via column” with “which is fed via a column”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 15, please insert “a” between “to” and “column”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 16, please replace “the pressure” with “a pressure”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 16, please replace “gas phase” with “gas-phase”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 19, please insert “a” prior to “recovery”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 21, please replace “the non-condensed” with “a non-condensed”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 6, line 22, please replace “via line” with “via a recovery feed line”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 7, line 1, delete “the” which precedes “heat is”.
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 7, line 3, please insert “an” prior to “expansion”.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 1, delete “the” which precedes “polymerization”.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 3, replace “such as” with “or”.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 4, please replace “the dew” with “a dew”.
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 1, please replace “allowing” with “wherein”.
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “of 50%” with “is 50%” or “is more than 50%”. See page 2 and page 7 of the specification for further description.
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “the polymerization” with “a polymerization”.
Claim 7 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please insert “further comprising” prior to “producing”.
Claim 7 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “gas phase reactor” with “loop and gas-phase reactors, respectively”. See page 7 of specification for description.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please insert “further comprising” prior to “producing”.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “gas phase reactor” with “loop and gas-phase reactors, respectively”.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “whereby” with “wherein”.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “the polymerization” with “a polymerization”.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, please replace “gas phase” with “gas-phase”.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 3, please replace “the pressure between” with “a pressure is between”.
Claim 10 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 3, please replace “the operating” with “an operating”.
Appropriate corrections are 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.
Claims 3-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claim 3 is drawn to a process for preparing a propylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer wherein the process comprises step a) through step m). None of recited steps describes formation of the propylene homopolymer or the propylene copolymer. Therefore, it is unclear where in the claimed process the propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer is formed, if at all. Based on this observation, it is deemed that claims are indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Dependent claims 4-10 are subsumed under the rejection.
Allowable Subject Matter
Subject of claims is patentably distinct over prior art cited in Applicant’s PTO-1449 and over references listed in the accompanying PTO-892. Palmroos et al. (US 5,684,097), Tharappel et al. (US 6,916,892), Vantomme et al. (US 10,544,245), Banat (US 10,822,435), and Chen et al. (CN 101942051) teach preparation of polyolefin in a plant comprising a first loop reactor, a second loop reactor, and a gas phase reactor placed in series. These references do not teach claimed process of preparing propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer or claimed plant comprising all recited components.
The specification is fraught with inconsistencies in terminology. Figures 1 and 3 include reference characters not mentioned in the description. Claims suffer from poor diction, matters of form, and inconsistent terminology and therefore, are not in condition for allowance.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Rip A. Lee whose telephone number is (571)272-1104. The examiner can be reached on Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Robert Jones, can be reached at (571)270-7733. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571)273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/RIP A LEE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1762 January 16, 2026