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 without traverse of Invention II in the reply filed on March 24, 2026 is acknowledged.
Claim Objections
Claims 12 and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 12 “centra” should be “central”
Claim 19 currently depend from claim 8; however, based on the subject matter it is understood to depend from claim 18 and will be examined as such. Appropriate correction is required.
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 8-19 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 8 recites: “using cold-rolled steel sheets of a deep drawing grade and above as raw materials” – it is not clear how the sheets are used – for purposes of examination it is understood that “using” is meant to be “providing” -Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 8 recites each step as follows:
“blanking: using…and cutting”
“drawing: stamping and drawing”
“shaping, trimming and shearing: shaping…trimming…shearing…”
“outer door frame molding: forming…and forming”
“frame cutting: removing”
“door flange flanging: enabling…forming”
It is unclear what the metes and bounds of each of these method steps encompass. For instance: Are there multiple drawing steps? Does the shaping, trimming and shearing need to be performed twice. Is there a cutting AND removing step, or a single cutting/removing step?
It is further noted that with regards to each of the steps; for instance, “blanking: using…and cutting” – it is unclear if “blanking” is meant to be a name for the step or an actual step of blanking is required. Another example: “frame cutting” removing” – is a frame cutting step performed and then a removing step?
Claim 18 recites: “wherein a safe deposit box housing manufactured through the integrated forming process comprises: a side frame configured to be of an enclosed ring shape and comprising a top plate and a bottom plate which are located on upper and lower sides, and a left side plate and a right side plate which are located on left and right sides, wherein the top plate, the bottom plate, the left side plate and the right side plate define a receiving cavity with a receiving function; an outer door frame connected to one side of the side frame and provided with a first through-groove connected with the receiving cavity, wherein a groove wall of the first through- groove extends in an axial direction of the first through-groove to form a first extended edge; and an inner door frame connected to the first extended edge and provided with a second through-groove connected with the first through-groove and the receiving cavity, wherein a groove wall of the second through-groove extends in an axial direction of the second through- groove to form a flange.” Many of the elements listed in this claims (for example: a side frame, a bottom plate, an inner door frame) has already been set forth in the preceding claim 8; therefore, it is unclear if this elements are meant to refer to those elements previously set forth or additional elements are required.
Examiner notes that no art has been applied to claims 8-19; however, the claims as currently presented are not deemed allowable and Applicant is required to clarify in compliance with 35 USC 112 so as to facilitate a clear understanding of the claimed invention and the protection sought.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure and further show the state of the art: US Patens 11,951,520; 7,661,375 and 4,230,058 and US 2023/0124823; 2021/0283671 and 2021/0245537.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TERESA M EKIERT whose telephone number is (571)272-1901. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM EST.
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/TERESA M EKIERT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3725
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