DETAILED ACTION
Applicant’s response filed on 05/29/2026 has been fully considered. Claims 1-19 are pending. Claims 1 and 7-9 are amended. Claim 19 is new.
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 .
Priority
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-5, 11-14, and 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026).
Regarding claims 1-5 and 11, Moon teaches a polymer that can be represented by the following chemical formula (translation [0075])
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(untranslated [0076]), where in the above chemical formula (translation [0078]), Z is O, S, or Se (translation [0080]), R1 is C3-20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 heterocycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, or C3-C20 heteroaryl (translation [0081]), R2 is C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, -((R3)l-O)m-R4, -(R5)k-NR6R7 (translation [0082]), R3 and R5 are independently C1-C10 alkylene (translation [0083]), R4, and R6 to R7 are each independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl or C1-C10 alkoxy, and l, m, and k are integers from 1 to 5 (translation [0084]), wherein the cycloalkyl, heteroacycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl of the above R1, the alkyl or cycloalkyl of R2, the alkylene of R3 and R5, and the alkyl and alkoxy of R4 and R6 to R7 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkoxy, amino, hydroxy, or nitro (translation [0085]), n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), A may be the following structure (translation [0090])
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(untranslated [0091]), where in the above structural formula (translation [0095]), Z is O, S, or Se (translation [0096]), R’ and R’’ are each independently hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C3-C20 heteroaryl, or C6-C20 ar C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0097]), R11 to R14 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, C6-C20 aralkyl (translation [0098]), the alkyl group, aryl, heteroaryl, and aralkyl of R’ and R’’, and the alkyl group, alkoxy, and aralkyl of R11 to R14 may be further substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, amino group, hydroxy group, halogen group, cyano group, nitro group, trifluoromethyl group, and silyl group (translation [0099]), o, p, and q are integers from 1 to 2 (translation [0100]), which reads on a polymer comprising a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R11 and R12 are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 heteroaryl group, L1 is each independently a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C4 to C30 heterocyclic group, L2 is each independently a single bond, D1 is a substituted or unsubstituted C4 to C30 heterocyclic group including at least one of O, S, and Se, wherein, in Chemical Formula 2, R11 and R12 are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 heteroaryl group, L1 and L2 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C4 to C30 heterocyclic group, c is 1, Y is O, R21 is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 linear or branched alkyl group, a C3 to C30 linear or branched alkyl group in which at least one of non-adjacent methylene groups is replaced by oxygen (O), or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 cycloalkyl group, R22 is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 heteroaryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 heterocycloalkyl group, R23 and R24 are each independently hydrogen, X2 and X3 are each independently O, S, or Se as claimed, wherein D1 is at least one substituted or unsubstituted pentagonal ring group including at least one selected from O, S, and Se as claimed, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, D1 is one of electron donating moieties listed in Group 1 that is
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wherein, in Group 1, X1a is each independently O, S, or Se, X1c and X1d are each independently CRx, Rx is each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C7 to C30 alkylaryl group, or a halogen, and * is a linking point as claimed, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, L1 is each independently one or electron donating moieties listed in Group 1 that is
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wherein, in Group 1, X1a is each independently O, S, or Se, X1c and X1d are each independently CRx, Rx is each independently hydrogen, a substitute or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C7 to C30 alkylaryl group, or a halogen, and * is a linking point, and L2 is each independently a single bond as claimed, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, L1 is each independently at least one substituted or unsubstituted furan, at least one substituted or unsubstituted thiophene, or at least one substituted or unsubstituted selenophene, and L2 is each independently a divalent linking group including a single bond as claimed, wherein the first structural unit and the second structural unit are included in a molar ratio of 1:1 as claimed. This is because claim 1 recites “A polymer comprising: a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2”, which reads on a polymer comprising at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit. As explained above, Moon teaches that n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), a first of Moon’s
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wherein A is
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reads on the claimed second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a second of Moon’s
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reads on the claimed first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1. Since Moon’s polymer comprises at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit, Moon anticipates claim 1.
Regarding claim 12, the Office recognizes that all of the claimed physical properties are not positively taught by Moon, namely that in the polymer, an aspect ratio (Z/X) obtained by dividing a shortest axis length (Z by a longest axis (X) length of a compound including one first structural unit and one second structural unit is less than or equal to about 1.4. However, Moon teaches all of the claimed ingredients, amounts, process steps, and process conditions of the polymer of claim 1 as explained above. Furthermore, the specification of the instant application recites that in the polymer semiconductor, an aspect ratio (Z/X) obtained by dividing the shortest axis length (Z) by the longest axis (X) length of a compound including one first structural unit and one second structural unit may be less than or equal to about 1.4 (p. 9, l. 11-14), and that in the polymer semiconductor including the first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and the second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, an aspect ratio (Z/X) obtained by dividing the shortest axis length (Z) by the longest axis (X) length of a compound including (e.g., composed of) one first structural unit and one second structural unit may be less than or equal to about 1.4 (p. 23, l. 15-20). Also, Moon teaches that the polymer comprises an organic semiconductor compound as a unit (translation [0074]) and that the polymer can be used as a material for an organic semiconductor device (translation [0087]). Therefore, the claimed physical properties would naturally arise from the polymer of Moon. When the structure recited in the reference is substantially identical to that of the claims, claimed properties or functions are presumed to be inherent (MPEP 2112.01(I)). Products of identical chemical composition can not have mutually exclusive properties (MPEP 2112.01(II)). If the prior art teaches the identical chemical structure, the properties applicant discloses and/or claims are necessarily present (MPEP 2112.01(II)). Where the claimed and prior art products are identical or substantially identical in structure or composition, or are produced by identical or substantially identical processes, a prima facie case of either anticipation or obviousness has been established. When the PTO shows a sound basis for believing that the products of the applicant and the prior art are the same, the applicant has the burden of showing that they are not (MPEP 2112.01(I)). Therefore, the prima facie case can be rebutted by evidence showing that the prior art products do not necessarily possess the characteristics of the claimed product (MPEP 2112.01(I)).
Regarding claim 13, Moon teaches an organic semiconductor device, wherein the polymer is used as a material for the organic semiconductor device (translation [0087]), that an organic semiconductor device includes the polymer (translation [0088], [0109], that an organic semiconductor device contains the polymer (translation [0129]), and that the polymer comprises an organic semiconductor compound as a unit (translation [0074]), which reads on an organic semiconductor material comprising the polymer of claim 1 as claimed.
Regarding claims 14, 17, and 18, Moon teaches an organic semiconductor device containing the polymer (translation [0129]), wherein the organic semiconductor device is an organic thin-film transistor (translation [0130]), which reads on a stretchable polymer thin film comprising the polymer of claim 1 as claimed, an electronic device comprising the stretchable polymer thin film of claim 14 as claimed, and wherein the electronic device includes an organic thin film transistor as claimed because Moon’s organic thin-film transistor containing the polymer must be stretchable to some extent because it comprises the polymer of claim 1, and the polymer of claim 1 is the only required ingredient of the stretchable polymer thin film.
Regarding claim 16, the Office recognizes that all of the claimed physical properties are not positively taught by Moon, namely wherein when the stretchable polymer thin film is stretched by about 30%, a change in charge mobility is less than or equal to about 10%. However, Moon teaches all of the claimed ingredients, amounts, process steps, and process conditions of the stretchable polymer thin film of claim 14 as explained above. Furthermore, the specification of the instant application recites that an embodiment provides a polymer semiconductor with excellent electrical properties such as charge mobility (p. 1, l. 17-18), that when the stretchable polymer thin film is stretched by about 30%, a change in charge mobility may be less than or equal to about 10% (p. 9, l. 20-21), that the polymer may simultaneously satisfy electrical properties such as charge mobility (p. 10, l. 3-4), that the first structural unit may provide improved electrical properties to the polymer semiconductor, and high charge mobility (p. 14, l. 110-12), that the polymer semiconductor including structural units providing an aspect ratio within the above range may maintain planarity excellently and improve charge mobility (p. 23, l. 21-23), that within the above range, electrical properties such as charge mobility and stretchability may be implemented (p. 24, l. 9-10), that as charge mobility and stretchability may be simultaneously secured by including the different electron donating structures (D1 and D2) (p. 28, l. 10-12), that when the stretchable polymer thin film is stretched by about 30%, the charge mobility change of the stretchable polymer thin film may be less than or equal to about 10% (p. 29, l. 19-21), that the stretchable polymer thin film includes the first structural unit providing stretchability and the second structural unit providing good electrical characteristics, so that it can be stretched and have high charge mobility (p. 30, l. 23-p. 31, l. 3), and that therefore, it can be applied to various electronic devices requiring
stretchability and high charge mobility (p. 31, l. 3-4).
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.
Claims 6 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) as applied to claim 1.
Regarding claim 6, Moon teaches the polymer of claim 1 as explained above. Moon teaches that R’ and R’’ are each independently C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0097]), wherein the alkyl group of R’ and R’’ may be further substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, amino group, hydroxy group, halogen group, cyano group, nitro group, trifluoromethyl group, and silyl group (translation [0099]), which reads on wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R11 and R12 are each independently a substituted for unsubstituted C1 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 branched alkyl group.
Moon does not teach a specific embodiment wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R11 and R12 are each a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group. Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would have found it obvious to select Moon’s R’ and R’’ in Moon’s chemical formula to be a linear or branched C6-C20 alkyl, wherein the alkyl group of R’ and R’’ may be further substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, amino group, hydroxy group, halogen group, cyano group, nitro group, trifluoromethyl group, and silyl group. The proposed modification would read on wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R11 and R12 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group as claimed. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so because it would have been obvious to try with a reasonable expectation of success because Moon teaches that R’ and R’’ are each independently C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0097]), wherein the alkyl group of R’ and R’’ may be further substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, amino group, hydroxy group, halogen group, cyano group, nitro group, trifluoromethyl group, and silyl group (translation [0099]). Examples of rationales that may support a conclusion of obviousness include "Obvious to try" – choosing from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success (MPEP 2143(I)(E)).
Regarding claim 7, Moon teaches the polymer of claim 1 as explained above. Moon teaches that R1 is C6-C20 aryl (translation [0082]), wherein the aryl of the above R1 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy (translation [0085]), which optionally reads on wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R22 is one of moieties represented by Group 2 that is
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,
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, or
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wherein, in Group 2, R2a and R2b are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloalkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloheteroalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloheteroalkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C7 to C30 alkylaryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 heterocyclic group, a halogen, or a cyano group, m is an integer that is 0, a hydrogen atom of the benzene ring is optionally substituted or unsubstituted with a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkoxy group, or a halogen, and * is a linking point as claimed.
Moon does not teach a specific embodiment wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R22 is one of moieties represented by Group 2 as claimed. Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would have found it obvious to select Moon’s R1 in Moon’s chemical formula to be C6 aryl that is a phenyl, C10 aryl that is a naphthyl, or C14 aryl that is an anthracenyl, wherein the aryl of the above R1 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy. The proposed modification would read on wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R22 is one of moieties represented by Group 2 that is
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, or
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wherein, in Group 2, R2a and R2b are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloalkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloheteroalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 cycloheteroalkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C7 to C30 alkylaryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 heterocyclic group, a halogen, or a cyano group, m is an integer that is 0, a hydrogen atom of the benzene ring is optionally substituted or unsubstituted with a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkoxy group, or a halogen, and * is a linking point as claimed. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so because it would have been obvious to try with a reasonable expectation of success because Moon teaches that R1 is C6-C20 aryl (translation [0082]), wherein the aryl of the above R1 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy (translation [0085]), which reads on a phenyl, a naphthyl, or an anthracenyl group because they are a C6, C10, or C14 aryl, respectively. Examples of rationales that may support a conclusion of obviousness include "Obvious to try" – choosing from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success (MPEP 2143(I)(E)).
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) as applied to claim 14, and further in view of Yun et al. (US 2021/0043860 A1).
Regarding claim 15, Moon teaches the stretchable polymer thin film of claim 14 as explained above.
Moon does not teach that the stretchable polymer thin film of claim 14 further comprises an elastomer. However, Yun teaches a first elastomer that is present in an active layer that further includes a semiconductor material, wherein the active layer is present in a thin film transistor [0006], wherein the thin film transistor is effectively applicable to flexible and stretchable electronic devices [0003]. Moon and Yun are analogous art because both references are in the same field of endeavor of a stretchable polymer thin film. Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would have found it obvious to use Yun’s first elastomer to modify Moon’s organic thin-film transistor. The proposed modification would read on the stretchable polymer thin film of claim 14 further comprises an elastomer as claimed. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so because Yun teaches that the first elastomer [0006] is beneficial for being an elastic polymer including an elastic moiety and a hydrogen bondable moiety [0014] and for being useful in a thin film transistor that further includes a semiconductor material [0006], and that the resulting thin film transistor is beneficial for being effectively applicable to flexible and stretchable electronic devices [0003], which would have been desirable for Moon’s organic thin-film transistor because Moon teaches that the organic thin-film transistor is an organic semiconductor device (translation [0130]) and contains the polymer (translation [0129]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8-10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 19 is allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 8, Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) renders obvious the polymer of claim 7 as explained above.
Moon does not teach that at least one (CH) group in the benzene ring in the one of the moieties represented by Group 2 is replaced by nitrogen (N). Although Moon teaches that R1 is C6-C20 aryl (translation [0082]), wherein the aryl of the above R1 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy (translation [0085]), Moon’s teachings do not read on at least one (CH) group in the benzene ring in the one of the moieties represented by Group 2 is replaced by nitrogen (N). The prior art of record do not teach or suggest the polymer of claim 7, wherein at least one (CH) group in the benzene ring in the one of the moieties represented by Group 2 is replaced by nitrogen (N).
Regarding claim 9, Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) renders obvious the polymer of claim 7 as explained above.
Moon does not teach that m is 3 or more and 10 or less, and in -(CR2aR2b)m- of the one of the moieties represented by Group 2, -CR2aR2b- that are not adjacent to each other is replaced by -O-, -S-, -C(=O)-, -OC(=O), -C(=O)O-, -OC(=O)O-, -S(=O)-, -S(=O)2-, or any combination thereof. Although Moon teaches that R1 is C6-C20 aryl (translation [0082]), wherein the aryl of the above R1 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy (translation [0085]), Moon’s teachings do not read on m is 3 or more and 10 or less, and in -(CR2aR2b)m- of the one of the moieties represented by Group 2, -CR2aR2b- that are not adjacent to each other is replaced by -O-, -S-, -C(=O)-, -OC(=O), -C(=O)O-, -OC(=O)O-, -S(=O)-, -S(=O)2-, or any combination thereof. The prior art of record do not teach or suggest the polymer of claim 7, wherein m is 3 or more and 10 or less, and in -(CR2aR2b)m- of the one of the moieties represented by Group 2, -CR2aR2b- that are not adjacent to each other is replaced by -O-, -S-, -C(=O)-, -OC(=O), -C(=O)O-, -OC(=O)O-, -S(=O)-, -S(=O)2-, or any combination thereof.
Regarding claim 10, Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) teaches the polymer of claim 1 as explained above. Moon teaches that R2 is C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0082]), which reads on wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R21 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 branched alkyl group.
Moon does not teach a specific embodiment wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R21 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group, and does not teach that R23 and R24 independently are a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group. Although Man teaches that the polymer can be represented by the following chemical formula (translation [0075])
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(untranslated [0076]), where in the above chemical formula (translation [0078]), R2 is C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0082]), which optionally reads on wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R21 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 branched alkyl group, Moon’s teachings read on R23 and R24 independently are hydrogen, which does not read on a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group. The prior art of record do not teach or suggest the polymer of claim 1, wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R23 and R24 independently are a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group.
Regarding claim 19, Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026) teaches a polymer that can be represented by the following chemical formula (translation [0075])
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(untranslated [0076]), where in the above chemical formula (translation [0078]), Z is O, S, or Se (translation [0080]), R1 is C3-20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 heterocycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, or C3-C20 heteroaryl (translation [0081]), R2 is C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, -((R3)l-O)m-R4, -(R5)k-NR6R7 (translation [0082]), R3 and R5 are independently C1-C10 alkylene (translation [0083]), R4, and R6 to R7 are each independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl or C1-C10 alkoxy, and l, m, and k are integers from 1 to 5 (translation [0084]), wherein the cycloalkyl, heteroacycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl of the above R1, the alkyl or cycloalkyl of R2, the alkylene of R3 and R5, and the alkyl and alkoxy of R4 and R6 to R7 may be further substituted with one or more selected from halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkoxy, amino, hydroxy, or nitro (translation [0085]), n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), A may be the following structure (translation [0090])
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(untranslated [0091]), where in the above structural formula (translation [0095]), Z is O, S, or Se (translation [0096]), R’ and R’’ are each independently hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C3-C20 heteroaryl, or C6-C20 ar C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0097]), R11 to R14 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, C6-C20 aralkyl (translation [0098]), the alkyl group, aryl, heteroaryl, and aralkyl of R’ and R’’, and the alkyl group, alkoxy, and aralkyl of R11 to R14 may be further substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, amino group, hydroxy group, halogen group, cyano group, nitro group, trifluoromethyl group, and silyl group (translation [0099]), o, p, and q are integers from 1 to 2 (translation [0100]), which reads on a polymer comprising a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R11 and R12 are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 heteroaryl group, 1 is each independently a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C4 to C30 heterocyclic group, L2 is each independently a single bond, D1 is a substituted or unsubstituted C4 to C30 heterocyclic group including at least one of O, S, and Se, wherein, in Chemical Formula 2, R11 and R12 are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C10 C30 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C20 to C30 heteroaryl group, -CORa, -OC(=O)Rb, -C(=O)ORc, -OC(=O)ORd, a halogen, a cyano group, or any combination thereof, wherein Ra to Rd are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 heteroaryl group, a halogen, a cyano group, or any combination thereof, L1 and L2 are each independently a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 arylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C30 to C30 heterocyclic group, a fused ring thereof, or any combination thereof, c is 0, Y is O, R21 is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 linear alkyl group, or a C3 to C30 branched alkyl group, and X2 and X3 are each independently O, S, or Se.
Moon does not teach a specific embodiment wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R21 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group, and does not teach that R23 and R24 independently are a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group. Although Man teaches that the polymer can be represented by the following chemical formula (translation [0075])
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(untranslated [0076]), where in the above chemical formula (translation [0078]), R2 is C1-C20 alkyl (translation [0082]), which optionally reads on wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R21 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 branched alkyl group, Moon’s teachings read on R23 and R24 independently are hydrogen, which does not read on a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group. The prior art of record do not teach or suggest the polymer of claim 19, wherein in Chemical Formula 2, R23 and R24 independently are a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 linear alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 branched alkyl group.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see p. 17-19, filed 05/29/2026, with respect to the rejection of claims 7-9 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of claims 7-9 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, has been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see p. 19, filed 05/29/2026, with respect to the rejection of claims 8 and 9 under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of claims 8 and 9 under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, has been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments filed 05/29/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to the applicant’s argument that claim 1 has been amended to recite “c is 1” and that the Examiner Interview Summary Record mailed on May 7, 2026 indicates this amendment overcomes the rejection of claim 1 (p. 20), the amendment to claim 1 that recites that “c is 1” overcomes the rejection that was set forth in the Office action mailed on 03/06/2026 because in the rejection, the Office found that Moon’s teachings read on “c is 0”. However, Moon’s teachings also read on “c is 1”. This is because claim 1 recites “A polymer comprising: a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2”, which reads on a polymer comprising at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit. As explained in the rejection of claim 1 in this Office action, Moon teaches that n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), a first of Moon’s
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wherein A is
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reads on the claimed second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a second of Moon’s
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reads on the claimed first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1. Since Moon’s polymer comprises at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit, Moon anticipates claim 1.
In response to the applicant’s argument that the polymer of the present application may have an A-D1-A-D2 structure of the diketopyrrolopyrrole acceptor structure (A) and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (D1) in Chemical Formula 1, and the diketopyrrolopyrrole acceptor structure (A) and asy-BDT (D2) in Chemical Formula 2 whereas Moon only discloses an A-D structure (p. 20), it is noted that “the polymer may have an A-D1-A-D2 structure of the diketopyrrolopyrrole acceptor structure (A) and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (D1) in Chemical Formula 1, and the diketopyrrolopyrrole acceptor structure (A) and asy-BDT (D2) in Chemical Formula 2” are not recited in the rejected claims. Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Moon’s teachings read on the polymer of claim 1. This is because claim 1 recites “A polymer comprising: a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2”, which reads on a polymer comprising at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit. As explained in the rejection of claim 1 in this Office action, Moon teaches that n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), a first of Moon’s
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wherein A is
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reads on the claimed second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a second of Moon’s
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reads on the claimed first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1. Since Moon’s polymer comprises at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit, Moon anticipates claim 1.
In response to the applicant’s argument that the polymer of the present application includes moieties D1 and D2 with different electron-donating properties to confer electrical characteristics and elongation to the polymer, whereas Moon does not disclose a polymer having two electron-donating moieties D1 and D2 with such electron-donating properties (p. 20), it is noted that the polymer includes moieties D1 and D2 with different electron-donating properties to confer electrical characteristics and elongation to the polymer are not recited in the rejected claims. Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Moon’s teachings read on the polymer of claim 1. This is because claim 1 recites “A polymer comprising: a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2”, which reads on a polymer comprising at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit. As explained in the rejection of claim 1 in this Office action, Moon teaches that n is an integer between 2 and 500 (translation [0086]), a first of Moon’s
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wherein A is
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reads on the claimed second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a second of Moon’s
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reads on the claimed first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1. Since Moon’s polymer comprises at least one of the first structural unit and at least one of the second structural unit, Moon anticipates claim 1.
In response to the applicant’s argument that as the structure present as the Comparative Examples appears to be a polymer having the same A-D structure as Moon, Applicants believe claim 1 of the present application has an inventive step based on the results in Evaluation I through Evaluation III, e.g., stretching properties, planarity of compounds, and charge mobility, of the present application (p. 20), evidence of secondary considerations, such as unexpected results or commercial success, is irrelevant to 35 U.S.C. 102 rejections and thus cannot overcome a rejection so based (MPEP 2131.04). Claims 1-5, 11-14, and 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Moon et al. (KR 10-2014-0136893 A, cited in IDS, machine translation in English or untranslated patent used for citation as indicated, made of record on 03/06/2026).
In response to the applicant’s argument that Yun does not remedy the deficiencies of the rejection of claim 1 and that accordingly, claims 6-7 and 15 are patentable over the cited art at least by virtue of their dependency from claim 1 (p. 21), claims 6-7 and 15 are not patentable because Moon is not deficient with respect to claim 1. Also, claims 6 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moon, and claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moon in view of Yun.
Applicant’s arguments, p. 21, filed 05/29/2026, with respect to new claim 19 are responded to by the indication that claim 19 is allowed in this Office action.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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.
Correspondence
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID KARST whose telephone number is (571)270-7732. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
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, Mark Eashoo can be reached at 571-272-1197. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID T KARST/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1767
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