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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election of Group II, Claims 2-5 in the reply filed on 02 July 2025 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)).
Claim 1 is withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention.
Information Disclosure Statement
Due to a lack of signature, the Information Disclosure Statement filed 25 July 2023 has not been considered.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: 9.
The drawings are further objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “P” has been used to designate both a metal wire and a plane.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the 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 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.
Claim(s) 2-4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Jaenson et al (20080148680).
In regards to Claim 2, Jaenson teaches a metal braided net comprising:
a plurality of wires intertwined with each other (Figure 7) to form a plurality of intertwining portions (Detail 20), wherein the metal braided net has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface (Figure 3, top and bottom); and
a plurality of bending portions (Details 18) formed on the plurality of wires, wherein the plurality of bending portions protrudes from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal braided net (Figure 3).
In regards to Claim 3, Jaenson teaches the plurality of bending portions is directly formed on the plurality of wires by at least one of pressing and bending (Figure 3 shows Detail 18 is bent).
In regards to Claim 4, Jaenson teaches each of the plurality of bending portions is formed between two adjacent intertwining portions (Figure 7).
Claim(s) 2, 3, and 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Coffey (4920716).
In regards to Claim 2, Coffey teaches a metal braided net comprising:
a plurality of wires intertwined with each other (Figures 3, 5) to form a plurality of intertwining portions (at Details 20), wherein the metal braided net has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface (Figure 3, left and right of Detail 18); and
a plurality of bending portions (Details 20) formed on the plurality of wires, wherein the plurality of bending portions protrudes from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal braided net (Figures 3, 5).
In regards to Claim 3, Coffey teaches the plurality of bending portions is directly formed on the plurality of wires by at least one of pressing and bending (Figure 3 shows the bending portions are bent).
In regards to Claim 5, Coffey teaches the plurality of bending portions is formed on the intertwining portions (Figure 5 shows the bending portions are on Details 20).
Claim(s) 2, 3, and 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ferraiolo (11623268).
In regards to Claim 2, Ferraiolo teaches a metal braided net comprising:
a plurality of wires intertwined with each other (Figure 3) to form a plurality of intertwining portions (at Details 7, 7ʹ), wherein the metal braided net has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface (Figure 3, front and back); and
a plurality of bending portions (7ʹ) formed on the plurality of wires, wherein the plurality of bending portions protrudes from at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal braided net (Details 7ʹ would protrude from the surface higher than Details 7 due to the presence of Detail 5, making Detail 7ʹ wider in diameter).
In regards to Claim 3, Ferraiolo teaches the plurality of bending portions is directly formed on the plurality of wires by at least one of pressing and bending (Figure 3 shows Detail 7ʹ is bent).
In regards to Claim 5, Ferraiolo teaches the plurality of bending portions is formed on the intertwining portions (Figure 3 shows Detail 7ʹ is bent).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See of Record.
Specifically, at least Chen (20140116568) Figure 12, Ferraiolo (8646491) Figure 2, Baldwin (4081159) Figure 7, and Hansen (3019560) Figures 3 and 5 teach elements similar to those as currently claimed.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Shaun R Hurley whose telephone number is (571)272-4986. The examiner can normally be reached Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Clinton T Ostrup can be reached at (571) 272-5559. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SHAUN R HURLEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3732