DETAILED ACTION
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 with traverse of Group I, claims 1-12 in the reply filed on 8/3/2026 is acknowledged. Claim 13 is rejoined in view of amendment of claim 13.
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words. It is important that the abstract not exceed 150 words in length since the space provided for the abstract on the computer tape used by the printer is limited. The form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as "means" and "said," should be avoided. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, "The disclosure concerns," "The disclosure defined by this invention," "The disclosure describes," etc.
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it contains less than 50 words. Correction is required. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Claim Objections
Claims 3-9, 12 objected to because of the following informalities: “the block copolymer” should be “the at least one multiblock copolymer”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 10-11 objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein at least one block copolymer” should be “wherein the at least one multiblock copolymer”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 12 objected to because of the following informalities: “the copolymer (II)” should be “the at least one block copolymer (II)”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 2, 12 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
For claim 2, it recites a copolymer II is present in the at least one multiblock copolymer (I), which is not supported by the specification. The specification discloses copolymer II is mixed with copolymer I. It is noted that the claim is directed to at least one multiblock copolymer (I). The limitation “(II) is present” is interpreted as (II) is chemically bonded as a part of copolymer (I).
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 1-13 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
For claim 1, it is unclear if “in a process for 3D printing polymers” means a process of making polymers by 3D printing or a process of 3D printing using polymers. Although “suitable as sacrificial material in a process for 3D printing polymers” has no patentable weight.
For claim 2, it is unclear how a copolymer II can be present in the other copolymer (I). For purposes of expediting prosecution, the claim is interpreted as at least one block copolymer (II) is mixed with the at least one multiple copolymer (I), the amount of II is 1-50wt% based on the total weight of I and II.
Claim 5 recites the limitation "the family A and B". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 5 recites the limitation "the diblock copolymer (I)". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "the copolymer II". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. For purposes of expediting prosecution, the claim is interpreted as dependent from claim 2.
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) 1-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Inoubli et al (US 2020/0040120).
Claim 1, 3-5, 11: Inoubli teaches a diblock copolymer P(BA-MPEGMA)-b-P(BA-S-MAA) with a mass composition of 30/70 (example 1). The block P(BA-MPEGMA) consists of 82.3 wt% of butyl acrylate and 16.6wt% of methoxypolyethylene glycol methacrylate. The block P(BA-S-MAA) consists of 30wt% of butyl acrylate, 30wt% of styrene and 40wt% of methacrylic acid. The diblock copolymer has a Mw of 97,300.
It is noted that “suitable as sacrificial material in a process for 3D printing polymers, the Tg of which is …” is an intended use and has no patentable weight.
Claims 2, 6, 12: it is noted that these claims recite how the copolymer can be used which is a characteristic of the copolymer I.
The diblock copolymer of Inoubi can be mixed with any other block copolymers with any weight ratio. The other block copolymer can be any one including the one claimed.
Claims 7-9: the diblock copolymer is prepared by controlled radical polymerization mediated by SG1 (N-tert-butyl-N-[1-diethylphosphono-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)]nitroxide) [0036].
Claim 10: Inoubi teaches the hydrophilic monomer of block P(BA-MPEGMA) can be acrylic acid as well [0024-0028].
Claim 13: the block copolymer can be made into threads or rods.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joseph Del Sole can be reached on (571)272-1130. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WENWEN CAI/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1763
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