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 .
Abstract
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because:
The abstract should be limited to 150 words or less.
A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
In paragraph 0023, on line 4, it appears “80° to 90°” should be “80° to 100°” (see claim 4).
The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction of the following is required:
The term “fixed part” (see claim 1, line 11) does not have an antecedent basis in the specification. It appears in claim 1, line 11, “fixed part” should be “stationary part” (see, for example, paragraph 0020, line 1). It is noted claims 2 and 8 both refer to “the stationary part” (see the first line of both claims 2 and 8) and currently there is no antecedent basis for “the stationary part”. See the rejection of claims 2 and 8 under 35 USC 112 below.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 2-5 and 18 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In regard to claims 2-5, it is unclear as to what structure the term “namely” is intended to define (see the first line of claims 2-5).
In regard to claim 18, it is unclear as to which element the term “its” (see line 4) is referring.
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 1-19 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.
The claims are replete with terms for which no antecedent basis has been defined. For example:
In regard to claim 1, an antecedent basis for “the upper side” (see lines 3-4 and 6-7) and “the underside” (see lines 4 and 6) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 2, an antecedent basis for “the stationary part” (see line 1) and “the region” (see lines 3 and 5) has not been defined.
In regard to claims 3, 4 and 5, an antecedent basis for “the second tube portion segment” (see line 2), “the first end” (see line 2) and “the second end” (see lines 2-3) has not been defined.
In regard to claims 6 and 7, an antecedent basis for “the second end” (see line 3) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 8, an antecedent basis for “the stationary part” (see line 1) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 9, an antecedent basis for “the underside” (see line 2) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 10, an antecedent basis for “the first end” (see line 2), “the second tube portion segment” (see line 2) and “the rotation angle range” (see line 3) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 11, an antecedent basis for “the rotation angle range” (see line 1) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 13, an antecedent basis for “the speed” (see line 2) and “the rotational movement” (see line 2) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 17, an antecedent basis for “the fan” (see line 2) has not been defined.
In regard to claim 18, an antecedent basis for “the region” (see lines 2-3), “the majority” (see line 3) and “the width” (see lines 3-4) has not been defined.
The Applicant should review all the claims to ensure each element defined therein has a proper antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-19 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, as well as any objections set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The Apman et al and Schafer et al. references are cited as being directed to the state of the art as teachings of fiber distribution devices for forming mats out of the fibers and the Konig reference is cited as being directed to the state of the art as a teaching of a tube feeder device for feed fibers to an apparatus which forms a web.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID J WALCZAK whose telephone number is (571)272-4895. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 6:30-4:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David Angwin can be reached at 571-270-3735. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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DJW
11/17/25
/DAVID J WALCZAK/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3754
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