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 1-17 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 not clearly understood because the phrase “in the recess the first longitudinal side” is unclear. The phrase is either missing punctuation or at least one word.
Claim 2 is not clearly understood because the phrase “the inner space the first longitudinal side” is unclear. The phrase is either missing punctuation or at least one word.
Claim 3 is not clearly understood because the phrase “one or more of the recess and inner space the first longitudinal side” is unclear. The phrase is either missing punctuation or at least one word.
Claim 4 is not clearly understood because the phrase “the recess the first longitudinal side” is unclear. The phrase is either missing punctuation or at least one word.
Claim 5 is not clearly understood because the phrase “the inner space the first longitudinal side” is unclear. The phrase is either missing punctuation or at least one word.
Claim 6 is not clearly understood because “the region” lacks a clear antecedent basis.
Claim 13 is not clearly understood because “a few millimeters” is not clear. The examiner suggests using –at least two millimeters--.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-17 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 following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The primary reason for indicating allowable subject matter of claim 1 is the combination of the first longitudinal side is unwelded to the second side wall in the recess and the second longitudinal side is welded to the closed hollow structure, which is not found in the prior art of record. The closest prior art is WO 2015/160298 which has the first longitudinal side welded to the second side wall in the recess. JP 2000343163 teaches both longitudinal ends in a recess without any welding. Neither reference can be combined with the other without breaking the other reference.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP whose telephone number is (571)272-6656. The examiner can normally be reached 7-4:30.
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, Amy Weisberg can be reached at 571-270-5500. 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.
GREGORY A. BLANKENSHIP
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3612
/GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612