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 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 1-9 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 is construed to being indefinite because the recitation “the inner cylindrical surface” (plural occurrences) lacks a positive antecedent basis. Since claims 2-9 depend upon an indefinite claim, those claims are construed to be indefinite by dependency. Claim 2 is further construed to be indefinite because the recitations “the inner cylindrical surface” and “the end” lack a positive antecedent basis. Claim 5 is construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the middle” lacks a positive antecedent basis. Claim 8 is construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the diameter” lacks a positive antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 are allowable over the prior art of record because the device smelting and regenerating phosphogypsum including a pollution-free dehydration with all the independently claimed high temperature ceramsite, rotary kiln, stirring scraper, and cyclone dust aspirator is not found in the prior art either singly or in combination. References A, N, O, P, cited with this action are patent publications from the same inventive entity. References B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, Q, cited with this action, teach kiln apparatus and methods thereof.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHEN MICHAEL GRAVINI whose telephone number is (571)272-4875. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 5:30 am to 5:00 (mid day flex) first F 6:00 am t0 11:00 am.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Craig Schneider can be reached at 571 272 3607. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2026
/STEPHEN M GRAVINI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753