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 .
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 7-19 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.
In claim 7, lines 4-5, it is not clear if the asphaltene feedstock is the same (or different) asphaltene feedstock recited in the previous step.
In claim 7, line 18, the expression “the mesophase pitch” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 12, line 9, the expression “the fourth treatment unit” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 12, lines 17-18, the expression “the fourth centrifugation unit” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 14, lines 4-5, it is not clear if the asphaltene feedstock is the same (or different) asphaltene feedstock recited in the previous step.
In claim 15, line 6, the expression “the fourth treatment unit” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 8, the expression “the fourth treatment unit” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6 are allowable over the prior art references presently of record.
Claims 7-19 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, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: None of the prior art references currently of record, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach a process of, or apparatus for, upgrading asphaltenes, including a first SCW treatment unit, a second SCW treatment unit and a third SCW treatment unit (as recited in claims 1, 7 and 14).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEO B. TENTONI whose telephone number is (571)272-1209. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30-4:00 ET M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Christina A. Johnson can be reached at (571)272-1176. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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LEO B. TENTONI
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1742
/LEO B TENTONI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1742