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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: On page 1, lines 6-8, all references to claims should be deleted.
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.
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.
In claim 1, line 2, the expression “the beam” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 3, the expression “the laser source” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 4, the expression “the upper surface” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 7, the expression “the process gas cylinder” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 9, the expression “the extraction” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 10, the expression “the process fumes” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, lines 10-11, the expression “the process assistance gases” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 13, the expression “the aspiration” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 14, the expressions “the gases” and “the process” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 1, line 17, the expression “the machine tool” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 2, lines 2-3, the expression “the X, Y and Z axes” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 2, line 3, the expressions “the perimeter” and “the work plane” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 2, line 6, the expressions “the diameter”, “the position” and “the spot” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 6, line 3, the expression “the terminal part” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 9, line 4, the expression “the terminal part” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 9, line 5, the expression “the working area” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 10, line 5, the expression “the ducts” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 11, line 3, the expression “the purification” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 11, line 4, the expressions “the recirculation” and “the air” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 12, lines 3-4, the expression “the content” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 12, line 4, the expression “the flow” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 12, line 6, the expressions “the pump” and “the solenoid valve” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 13, lines 2-3, the expression “the connection” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 14, line 3, the expression “the pressure” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 14, line 5, the expressions “the valve” and “the control unit” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 2, the expression “the working volume” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 3, the expressions “the degree” and “the volume” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 4, the expression “the correct spreading” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 5, the expression “the optical sensor” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 15, line 6, the expressions “the walls” and “the control unit” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 16, line 2, the expression “the working volume” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 17, line 12, the expression “the optical system” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claim.
In claim 18, line 2, the expressions “the X, Y and Z axes”, “the perimeter” and “the work plane” do not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 18, line 3, the expression “in particular” renders the claim indefinite because it is not clear if the subsequent expression is, or is not, a claim limitation.
In claim 18, line 4, the expression “the positions” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 18, line 7, the expression “the contour” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
In claim 18, line 9, the expression “the layer or layers” does not have clear and proper antecedent basis in the claims.
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, 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, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach a laser operating machine, including an optical system connected to an upper surface of a laser operating machine, and at least two channels concentric and connected to a nozzle, the nozzle connected to a ring nut with an inner ring in which a set of fixed and/or movable energy sources are located, for heating metal powders and/or for photopolymerization of resin and/or polymeric materials in a work area, a system for extraction of fumes and introduction of supporting gases connected to a suction unit by at least one duct and another duct (as recited in claim 1). None of the prior art references currently of record, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach a process of laser sintering, including heating metal powder and/or photopolymerization of resinous and/or polymeric materials in a work area by a set of fixed and/or movable energy sources located in an inner ring of a ring nut (as recited in claim 17).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Dietrich (U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0255912 A1); see Figure 4, paragraphs [0003] (selective laser sintering apparatus), [0062] (gas source 72 provided as any suitable gas storage mechanism including, but not limited to, bottles, tanks or compressors; gas source 72 is configured for connection to distribution fitting 62) and [0016] (distribution fitting is configured as a quick disconnect type fitting).
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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LEO B. TENTONI
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1742
/LEO B TENTONI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1742
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