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 claims 5 and 8-10 in the reply filed on 2/26/2026 is acknowledged.
Claim Objections
Claims 2-10 are objected to because of the following informalities: In claims 2-10, at line 1 of each claim, “where” is objected to because it is the incorrect word used, therefore it is suggested to change “where” to - -wherein- -. 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.
Claim 10 is 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 10 recites the limitation "the lamella layers" in line 1 of the claim. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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) 1-4, 6, and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lehto et al. (US 2019/0084047 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Lehto discloses a cutting tool (1; Fig. 1) comprising a tool body (105; Figs. 2 and 3) having a proximal end (103) for mounting to a drive unit and a distal end for engaging a workpiece for cutting using cutting inserts (200), with the tool body (104) extending longitudinally along a central axis of the tool body and defining an interior space (not labeled; see Figs. 2 and 3) therein; and one or more additively manufactured passive dampers (107, 108; [0050]) disposed in the interior space of the tool body (105).
Regarding claim 2, Lehto discloses where the tool body (105) and the one or more dampers (107) are formed ([0050], lines 3-5) as a unitary body.
Regarding claim 3, Lehto discloses where the tool body (105) and the one or more dampers (107) are formed from the same material (i.e., tool steel; [0046], lines 1-2).
Regarding claim 4, Lehto discloses where the tool body (105) and the one or more dampers (108) are formed from different materials (i.e., ceramic or rubber; [0046], lines 4-7).
Regarding claim 6, Lehto discloses where the tool body (105) is a cylindrical elongate tool body (see Figs. 1-3).
Regarding claim 7, Lehto discloses where the distal end is formed for attachment to a cutting element (200).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 5, 8, and 9 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 10 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The references listed on the attached PTO-892 are cited to show damper members in cutting tools.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JERMIE E COZART whose telephone number is (571)272-4528. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Sunil Singh can be reached at 571-272-3460. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JERMIE E COZART/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3799
March 27, 2026
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