DETAILED ACTION
This is a non-final rejection in response to application filed 11/7/23. Claims 1-19 are currently pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 12 is not enabled as it requires MOF and CAP which are not compatible together, as a capture unit using MOF solid sorbent and operates as a chilled ammonia liquid solvent process. An inoperable embodiment renders the claim not fully enabled.
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 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 recites the limitation "energy exchange path”. It is unclear if the energy exchange path has structural limitations such as a conduit. The limitation "in energy communication” is also indefinite as it is unclear what form of energy (thermal, mass flow, electrical), the degree, the direction. Claims 2-12 are further rejected for dependency on claim 1.
Claim 12 is indefinite as it the CO2 adsorbent material to comprise a MOF while simultaneously requiring the CO2 capture unit to implement a chilled ammonia process, as these two technologies are mutually exclusive.
Claim 13 recites the limitation "the fuel cell reactor” and “the SOFC reactor”. These limitations lacks antecedent basis. Claim 13 recites the limitation "an air”, it appears to be a typographical error. Claims 14-19 are further rejected for dependency on claim 13.
Conclusion
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/CRAIG KIM/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3741