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 .
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 5/12/26 has been entered.
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 5/12/26 has been entered.
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) 15-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Buisson et al (USP2020/0164557).
15. (Currently Amended) A polymeric product of an automotive lighted structure (Buisson et al: fig 12), comprising:
a base layer with an interface surface (Buisson et al: figs 1-6; first element 4 with front surface 6);
an overlay stack with the overlay stack being in contact with a portion of the interface surface (Buisson et al: figs 1-6; second element 20);
a polymeric insert (Buisson et al: [0048]; figs 1-6; decoration film 10) positioned completely between and encompassed by the interface surface and the overlay stack where the polymeric insert is configured to prevent melting of the base layer when the overlay stack is fabricated for the polymeric product (Buisson et al: [0048]; figs 1-6; decoration film 10 is positioned completely between and encompassed by the front surface 6 and the second element 20); and
wherein the insert is a clear or transparent composition (Buisson et al: [0055]; figs 1-6).
16. (Previously Presented) The polymeric product of claim 15, where the base layer is a non- transparent or opaque plastic (Buisson et al: [0013]; figs 1-6).
17. (Currently Amended) The polymeric product of claim 15, where the overlay stack is a plurality of polymeric layers that include at least semi-transparent, translucent or a transparent plastic extending to a peripheral edge boundary of the polymeric product (Buisson et al: [0013 and 0027]; figs 1-6; either of the translucent or transparent first or second elements can have additional thicknesses).
18. (Previously Presented) The polymeric product of claim 15, where the polymeric insert is formed from a polymeric composition that is at least semi-transparent, translucent or transparent (Buisson et al: [0019]; figs 1-6).
19. (Previously Presented) The polymeric product of claim 15, wherein at least one of the base layer and the overlay stack includes a number of decorative imprints (Buisson et al: [0022]; figs 1-6; first element can have a relief surface, which constitutes as a decorative imprint).
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 15-19 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. the following references teach a polymeric product having a base layer, an overlaying layer, and a polymeric insert between the base and overlaying layers: JP7-98341; and USPs 6875301,2004/0125023,7704427, and 11230039.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EDMUND H LEE whose telephone number is (571)272-1204. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 9AM-4PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Xiao (Sam) Zhao can be reached at 571-270-5343. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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EHL
/EDMUND H LEE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1744
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