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
Claims 1-5 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 4, it is unclear whether the “compound” constitutes part of the antecedently-recited “β-1,3-glucan derivative”. If the β-1,3-glucan derivative is obtained by reacting with the compound, it is unclear how such distinguishes over the reaction product (line 6) of the β-1,3-glucan derivative and the compound.
In claim 3, it is unclear how the “radically polymerizable monomer” distinguishes over the compound having both a (meth)acryloyl group and a hydroxy-group-reactive functional group.
In claim 4, it is unclear how the radically polymerizable monomer having a carboxyl group distinguishes over the compound having both a (meth)acryloyl group and a hydroxy-group-reactive functional group which can have acid anhydride groups.
Allowable Subject Matter
An extensive search has failed to reveal any prior art that discloses, suggests or provides motivation for the presently claimed subject matter. The closest prior art of record, JP 2018154723 A, discloses an acylated β-1,3-glucan derivative, but does not disclose or suggest the further inclusion of a compound having both a (meth)acryloyl group and a hydroxy group-reactive functional group and a photo-radical generator as presently claimed.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ana L Woodward whose telephone number is (571)272-1082. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8am-5pm.
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/ANA L. WOODWARD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1765