Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/253,548

LASER APPARATUS COMPRISING A CLOSING MEANS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD AND USE

Final Rejection §103§112§DOUBLEPATENT
Filed
May 18, 2023
Priority
Nov 30, 2020 — EU 20210744.7 +1 more
Examiner
RHUE, ABIGAIL H
Art Unit
3761
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Agc Vidros Do Brasil Ltda
OA Round
2 (Final)
54%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 54% of resolved cases
54%
Career Allowance Rate
81 granted / 151 resolved
-16.4% vs TC avg
Strong +39% interview lift
Without
With
+38.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 11m
Avg Prosecution
48 currently pending
Career history
202
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.8%
-39.2% vs TC avg
§103
67.7%
+27.7% vs TC avg
§102
12.8%
-27.2% vs TC avg
§112
17.2%
-22.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 151 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112 §DOUBLEPATENT
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 Interpretation The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f): (f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. In claim 1, the claim limitation “a mounting means” that use the word “means” is being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. In para "[0068]", the specification states: the mounting device comprises a suction pad. Therefore, the mounting means is construed as a suction pad. In claim 1, the claim limitation “an orientation means” that use the word “means” is being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. In para "[0107]", the specification states: the orientation means comprises at least a rotatable mirror or a mirrors using a galvanometer based motor a galvo head. Therefore, the orientation means is construed as a mirror and a motor. In claim 1, the claim limitation “a closing means” that use the word “means” is being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. In para "[0113, 0115]", the specification states: the closing means 14 can comprise a fixing means and a mask… the fixing means can comprise a slide. Therefore, the closing means is construed as a mask and a slide. In claim 5, the claim limitation “a fixing means” that use the word “means” is being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. In para "[0115]", the specification states: the fixing means can comprise a slide. Therefore, the fixing means is construed as a slide. 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. Claim 6 is 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 6 recites the limitation “the decoating apparatus." There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 6 depends on claim 1, which does not claim “a decoating apparatus,” rather it claims a “laser apparatus.” For purposes of examination, “the decoating apparatus” is taken to be “the laser apparatus.” Double Patenting The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. Claims 1 and 2 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 2 of copending Application No. 18252481 in view of Otaki (US20140009729A1). Regarding claim 1, Application No. 18252481 teaches a laser apparatus, inscribed in a parallelepiped rectangle R defined by a longitudinal axis, X, a vertical axis, Y defining a plane P and a lateral axis, Z (Claim 1 lines 1-3 A laser apparatus inscribed in a parallelepiped rectangle R defined by a longitudinal axis, X, a vertical axis, Y defining a plane P and a lateral axis, Z, comprising), comprising: a mounting means to mount the laser apparatus on a window, mounted in situ (Claim 1 lines 4-5 a mounting means to mount the laser apparatus on a window, mounted in situ); a laser device generating a laser beam to treat a surface of the window (Claim 1 lines 6- 7 a laser device generating a laser beam to treat a surface of the window); an orientation means able to orientate the laser beam defining a maximum decoatable surface on the surface to be treated (Claim 1 lines 8-10 an orientation means able to orientate the laser beam defining a maximum decoatable surface (WSm) on the surface to be treated); Application No. 18252481 does not teach wherein the laser apparatus comprises a closing means to at least partially reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface. Otaki teaches wherein the laser apparatus comprises a closing means (3, 5) to at least partially reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface ([0038] the longitudinal length of the laser light L radiated on the object Ob to be irradiated is adjusted). It would have been obvious to have modified Application No. 18252481 with the teachings of Otaki to have to have a closing means to reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface so the laser may be separated through a closing means such that only certain portions of the light are let through which improves the efficiency of laser processing (Otaki [0034-0035]). Regarding claim 2, Application No. 18252481 and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Application No. 18252481 teaches wherein the laser apparatus is a decoating apparatus and wherein the laser device is designed to decoat at least partially a portion of a coating system present on a surface of the window (Claim 2 wherein the laser apparatus is a decoating apparatus and wherein the laser device is designed to decoat at least partially a portion of a coating system present on a surface of the window). This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1-4, 6-7 and 12-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Estino (US8927069B1) in view of Otaki (US20140009729A1). PNG media_image1.png 728 568 media_image1.png Greyscale Fig. 5 of Estino Regarding claim 1, Estino teaches a laser apparatus (410) , inscribed in a parallelepiped rectangle R (570) defined by a longitudinal axis, X, a vertical axis, Y defining a plane P and a lateral axis, Z (Fig. 5), comprising: a mounting means (Col. 3 lines 1-30 mounts 507 a-507 d) to mount the laser apparatus (410) on a window (110, 105), mounted in situ; a laser device (410) generating a laser beam (450) to treat a surface of the window (110, 105); an orientation means (Col. 7 lines 60-67 the laser beam may be directed at the necessary locations on the low-E coating by a system of one or more mirrors) able to orientate the laser beam (450) defining a maximum decoatable surface (120) on the surface to be treated (110); Estino does not teach wherein the laser apparatus comprises a closing means to at least partially reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface. Otaki teaches wherein the laser apparatus comprises a closing means (3, 5) to at least partially reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface ([0038] the longitudinal length of the laser light L radiated on the object Ob to be irradiated is adjusted). Estino and Otaki are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of laser apparatuses. It would have been obvious to have modified Estino with the teachings of Otaki to have a closing means to reduce a maximum decoatable surface to a working surface so the laser may be separated through a closing means such that only certain portions of the light are let through which improves the efficiency of laser processing (Otaki [0034-0035]). Regarding claim 2, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Estino teaches wherein the laser apparatus is a decoating apparatus (Col. 3 lines 1-30 a pulsed laser to remove (i.e., ablate) the low-E coating) and wherein the laser device is designed to decoat at least partially a portion of a coating system (120) present on a surface of the window (110). PNG media_image2.png 708 486 media_image2.png Greyscale Fig. 1 of Otaki Regarding claim 3, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, but Estino is silent on wherein the closing means comprises a fixing means and a mask able to be fixed to the fixing means in front of the laser beam. Otaki teaches wherein the closing means (3, 5) comprises a fixing means (3) and a mask (5) able to be fixed to the fixing means (5) in front of the laser beam (L, Fig. 1). It would have been obvious to have modified Estino to incorporate the teachings of Otaki to have a closing means with a fixing means so that the laser may be separated through a closing means such that only certain portions of the light are let through which improves the efficiency of laser processing (Otaki [0034-0035]). Regarding claim 4, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 3, but Estino is silent on wherein the mask comprises at least a mask window and a mask frame and wherein the mask frame is opaque to the laser beam. Otaki teaches wherein the mask (5) comprises at least a mask window (slits 2A, 2B) and a mask frame ([0034] portions of mask 5 that are not slits 2A, 2B) and wherein the mask frame is opaque to the laser beam ([0034] a light-blocking film coated on a transparent substrate to form a mask 5). It would have been obvious to have modified Estino to incorporate the teachings of Otaki to have a mask have a frame and a window the laser may be separated through a closing means such that only certain portions of the light are let through which improves the efficiency of laser processing (Otaki [0034-0035]). Regarding claim 6, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Estino teaches where wherein the laser device (410) comprises a movable part (Col. 7 lines 60-67 mirrors) and a fixed part (440), irremovable in the decoating apparatus (410) in directions paralleled to the plane P and along the lateral axis Z (Col. 6 lines 1-10 lens array 440 are mounted, and taken to be irremovable). Regarding claim 7, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 6, and Estino teaches wherein the movable part (Col. 7 lines 60-67 mirrors) is irremovable along the longitudinal axis X and along the vertical axis Y (Col. 7 lines 60-67 the laser beam may be directed at the necessary locations on the low-E coating by a system of one or more mirrors; where the mirrors are understood to be movable but not removable). Regarding claim 12, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Estino teaches wherein the mounting means (Col. 3 lines 1-30 mounts 507 a-507 d) to mount the laser apparatus is on a multi glazed window mounted in situ (Col. 7 lines 25-45 double pane window 110, 120, 405). Regarding claim 13, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Estino teaches wherein the apparatus is portable (Col. 5 lines 50-67 removable attachment to a window, understood to be the equivalent of portable). Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Estino (US8927069B1) in view of Otaki (US20140009729A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Matsuda (WO2012046478) with citations made to attached machine translation. PNG media_image3.png 486 664 media_image3.png Greyscale Fig. 24 of Matsuda Regarding claim 5, Estino and Otaki teach the laser apparatus according to claim 3, but are silent on wherein the fixing means comprises a slide able to slide the mask in front of the laser beam. Matsuda teaches wherein the fixing means (Pg. 45 line 18 - Pg. 46 line 9 a mask transport mechanism 50 for moving the mask 44 left and right) comprises a slide (50) able to slide the mask (44) in front of the laser beam (Pg. 47 line 20- Pg. 48 line 10 the mask pattern is changed by using the mask transport mechanism shown in Fig. 24. To slide the mask 44 so that the opening Μ 1-M4 arranged on the imaginary line L1 is retracted to the laser light). Estino, Otaki, and Matsuda are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of laser apparatuses. It would have been obvious to have modified Estino and Otaki to incorporate the teachings of Matsuda to use a fixing means to slide a mask in front of the laser beams in order to create various desired patterns in various areas of the laser light (Matsuda Pg. 46 lines 1-10). Claims 8 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Estino (US8927069B1) in view of Otaki (US20140009729A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Tanaka (US20070138151A1). Regarding claim 8, Estino and Otaki teach a laser apparatus according to claim 1, and Estino teaches a method of treating a surface of a window (110, 405) mounted in situ wherein the method comprises: A. Choosing a working surface (303, 323, 333, 343) of the surface (120) to be treated; C. Treating the working surface (Col. 3 lines 25-40 performed using a pulsed laser to remove (i.e., ablate) the low-E coating). Estino is silent on B. Selecting a closing means corresponding to the working surface. Tanaka teaches B. Selecting a closing means ([0059-0060] slits 105, 109 and lens 106) corresponding to the working surface ([0059-0060] slits 105 or 109 chosen to adjust the length of the beam spot, direct laser to predetermined positions on substrate 107). Estino, Otaki, and Tanaka are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of laser apparatuses. It would have been obvious to have modified Estino and Otaki to incorporate the teachings of Tanaka to select the closing means corresponding to the surface so that the beams can be applied to the surfaces with a desired pattern for creating a desired product without damaging other portions of the substrate that do not need to be treated (Tanaka [0060]). Regarding claim 9, Estino and Otaki teach a decoating apparatus according to claim 2, and Estino teaches A method of at least partially decoating a coating system (120) of a multi-glazed window (110, 405) mounted in situ with a decoating apparatus (410) mounted on the multi-glazed window (Fig. 5); wherein the method comprises: A. Choosing a working surface (303, 323, 333, 343) of the coating system (120) to be decoated (Col.4 lines 30-55 choosing ablated paths 303, 323, 333, 343 on the coating, taken to be a working surface); C. Decoating at least partially the working surface (Col. 3 lines 25-40 performed using a pulsed laser to remove (i.e., ablate) the low-E coating). Estino is silent on B. Selecting a closing means corresponding to the working surface. Tanaka teaches B. Selecting a closing means ([0059-0060] slits 105, 109 and lens 106) corresponding to the working surface ([0059-0060] slits 105 or 109 chosen to adjust the length of the beam spot, direct laser to predetermined positions on substrate 107). It would have been obvious to have modified Estino and Otaki to incorporate the teachings of Tanaka to select the closing means corresponding to the surface so that the beams can be applied to the surfaces with a desired pattern for creating a desired product without damaging other portions of the substrate that do not need to be treated (Tanaka [0060]). Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Estino (US8927069B1) in view of Otaki (US20140009729A1) and Tanaka (US20070138151A1) as applied to claim 9 above, and further in view of Matsuda (WO2012046478) with citations made to attached machine translation. Regarding claim 10, Estino, Otaki, and Tanaka teach a method according to claim 9, but Estino and Otaki are silent on wherein B further comprises: B1. selecting a mask corresponding to the working surface; and B2. of fixing the mask to a fixing means. Tanaka teaches B1. selecting a mask (slits 105, 109) corresponding to the working surface ([0059-0060] slits 105 or 109 chosen to adjust the length of the beam spot, direct laser to predetermined positions on substrate 107). It would have been obvious to have modified Estino and Otaki to incorporate the teachings of Tanaka to select the mask corresponding to the surface so that the beams can be applied to the surfaces with a desired pattern for creating a desired product without damaging other portions of the substrate that do not need to be treated (Tanaka [0060]). Estino, Otaki, and Tanaka are silent on B2. of fixing the mask to a fixing means. Matsuda teaches B2. of fixing the mask (44) to a fixing means (Pg. 45 line 18 - Pg. 46 line 9 a mask transport mechanism 50 for moving the mask 44 left and right). It would have been obvious to have modified Estino, Otaki, and Tanaka to incorporate the teachings of Matsuda to use a fixing means to slide a mask in front of the laser beams in order to create various desired patterns in various areas of the laser light (Matsuda Pg. 46 lines 1-10). Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 06/11/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Regarding applicant’s argument that Otaki does not teach the limitation of “closing means to at least partially reduce a maximum decotable surface to a working surface,” applicant argues that Otaki is directed to “a precision optical instrument designed for laboratory use” and “the Otaki light blocking device selects only for certain wavelengths of light and does not ‘partially reduce a maximum dectotable surface,’” however, applicant’s “closing means,” interpreted as in view of the 112f interpretation, is understood to be a mask or a slide, of which Otaki is understood to teach, as Otaki recites is mask 5 that has a light blocking device 3. Otaki is understood to be in the same field of invention, although directed towards liquid crystal display panel, the field of invention relates to the application of laser a surface, which is understood to be reasonably in the same field of invention. Otaki’s light blocking device only allowing certain wavelengths of light is understood to be done by plates 6A and 6B of the device. Blocking plates 6C and 6D adjust the length of light being irradiated, and it is understood adjusting a physical length of a laser light would at least partially physically adjust the size of the area being affected by the laser, which is understood to be the equivalent of adjust a maximum decotable surface to a working surface. Regarding applicant’s arguments that Matsuda does not teach the fixing means as claims, in particular “the claimed ‘fixing means comprising a slide.’ In claim 5, is designed to slide an interchangeable mask in front of the laser beam to position a selected mask’ In response to applicant's argument that “the claimed ‘fixing means comprising a slide.’ In claim 5, is designed to slide an interchangeable mask in front of the laser beam to position a selected mask” rather than “correct irradiation pattern as the workpiece moves” as taught by Matsuda, applicant’s claim does not specify interchanging masks, and only recites the ability to slide a mask in front of a laser beam. Although Matsuda has a different application of a slidable fixing means, it is still understood teach the limitation. Additionally, although Matsuda is not directed to a window, it is understood to be in the same field of invention of laser applying apparatuses, so would be understood to be obvious to combine. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ABIGAIL RHUE whose telephone number is (571)272-4615. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 10-6. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Steven Crabb can be reached at (571) 270-5095. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ABIGAIL H RHUE/Examiner, Art Unit 3761 8/20/2026 /WOODY A LEE JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 18, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112, §DOUBLEPATENT
Jun 11, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 27, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112, §DOUBLEPATENT (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
54%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+38.7%)
3y 11m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 151 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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