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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, claims 1-10 and 15-20 in the reply filed on March 26, 2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 11-14 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on March 26, 2026.
Specification
The use of the terms DS-W413S, DR-W470 (see Tables 1-4), which are trade name or mark used in commerce, has been noted in this application. The term should be accompanied by the generic terminology; furthermore the term should be capitalized wherever it appears or, where appropriate, include a proper symbol indicating use in commerce such as ™, SM , or ® following the term.
Although the use of trade names and marks used in commerce (i.e., trademarks, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks) are permissible in patent applications, the proprietary nature of the marks should be respected and every effort made to prevent their use in any manner which might adversely affect their validity as commercial marks.
Claim Objections
Claims 6, 8, 17, and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities: replace “PET” with “polyethylene terephthalate (PET)” in claims in order to better characterize claimed invention.
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 1-10 and 15-20 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.
As to claim 1, this claim recites “water-based anion agent”. It is unclear what is meant by “water-based anion agent” in view of the specification. The specification recites “water-based anion agent is prepared from a natural mineral tourmaline…”. See claim 5, and paragraphs 0012, 0025, 0035, and 0061 of the specification. Tourmaline is known as complex of borosilicate (see Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of “Tourmaline”). However, it is unclear what is the prepared water-based anion agent from tourmaline encompasses as recited by claim. Accordingly, “water-based anion agent” is indefinite.
Further, as to claim 1, this claim requires the first and second anion-hardening coating layer include “water”. However, it is unclear in view of the specification, whether the final product (claimed anionic explosion-proof membrane) has any water in the anion-hardening coating layer. For example, specification at paragraph 076 discloses drying of anion hardening liquid at 100°C to form a first and second anion-hardening coating layers. Therefore, it is unclear whether water is required to in the claimed anion-hardening coating layers.
As to claims 5 and 16, these claims recite “coating modification”. It is unclear in view of the specification what is meant by this recitation. It is unclear what modification of a coating is encompassed by the claimed invention.
As to claims 8 and 19, these claims recite “the residual adhesion rate of the release film is greater than 85%”. It is unclear in view of the specification what is meant by “the residual adhesion rate”.
Further, as to claim 19, a broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). Claim 19 recites the broad recitation base film thickness of 20-200 µm, and the claim also recites base film thickness of 50-100 µm which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims. Accordingly, claim 19 is indefinite.
As to claim 15, a broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 15 recites the broad recitation particle diameter of 70-120 nm, and the claim also recites preferred particle diameter of 80-100 nm which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims. Accordingly, claim 15 is indefinite.
As to claim 20, this claim recites “the anion-hardening coating layer”. It is unclear whether this recitation refers to the first and/or the second anion-hardening coating layer.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Amano et al. (US 20150037574 A1) discloses a surface protective film and optical component.
Zhang et al. (US 20250019574 A1) discloses a secondary cured UV PSA, and explosion proof film.
CN110467888A discloses a glass explosion-proof film.
KR 101504535 B1 discloses anti-scattering film.
KR 101596664 B1 discloses protective film.
CN 111040653B discloses a high abrasion-proof glass explosion-proof film glue with anti-fog effect and preparation method thereof.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANISH P DESAI whose telephone number is (571)272-6467. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8:00 am ET to 4:30 PM ET.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Alicia Chevalier can be reached at 571-272-1490. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ANISH P DESAI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1788 July 22, 2026