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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 04 February 2026 has been entered.
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.
Claims 1-9 and 14-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 4,372,086 to Hanlon (“Hanlon”).
Regarding claim 1, Hanlon anticipates a foldable (col. 1, lines 36-39) display (e.g. display construction 10, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) comprising: i) a first panel (e.g. second display panel 14, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) having a plurality of fold lines (e.g. vertical fold lines 32, as shown in fig. 1) and a plurality of slots (e.g. vertical slots 43, as shown in fig. 6) formed therein (fig. 6); ii) a second panel (e.g. third display panel 16, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) having a plurality of fold lines (e.g. vertical fold lines 40, as shown in fig. 6) and a plurality of slots (e.g. vertical slots 45, as shown in fig. 6) formed therein thereon (fig. 6); iii) the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) connected to one another (compare figs. 1 and 6) by engaging (col. 3, lines 12-21) the plurality of slots (43) on the first panel (14) with the plurality of slots (45) on the second panel (16); iv) wherein the foldable display (10) can move between a first position (e.g. folded condition discussed at col. 1, lines 36-39), wherein the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) are folded flat onto one another (col. 1, lines 36-39), and a second position (e.g. condition shown in fig. 1), wherein the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) are unfolded (fig. 1) into an interlocked (compare figs. 1-2) accordion fold configuration (compare figs. 1-2).
Regarding claim 2, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 1, further comprising a base panel (e.g. first display panel 12, as shown in figs. 1 and 6), the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) attached to (fig. 1) the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 3, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 2, wherein when the foldable display (10) is in the first position (aforementioned folded condition discussed at col. 1, lines 36-39), the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) are sandwiched between (see the nature/arrangement of constituent panels shown in figs. 1 and 6) two sides (e.g. at least distal left and right instances of sections 24, as shown in fig. 1) of the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 4, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality of slots (43 and 45) contained within (fig. 6) the first or second panel (14 or 16, respectively) are configured to receive, retain and display a greeting card therein (note the bi-fold or tri-fold planar nature of greeting cards, and given such, they may easily be held at least in their fold regions within slots 43 and 45; also note that the instant limitation does not actually call for the presence of a greeting card itself- rather, it merely calls for the possibility/capability of a greeting card to be held upon a particular structure).
Regarding claim 5, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 2 further comprising two stabilizing discs (e.g. shelves 44 and 46, as shown in fig. 1) which connect (fig. 1) the first and second panels (14 and 16, respectively) to the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 6, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 4, wherein the foldable display (10) can display at least six greeting cards thereon (note the bi-fold or tri-fold planar nature of greeting cards, and given such, they may easily be held at least in their fold regions within slots 43 and 45; also note that the instant limitation does not actually call for the presence of a greeting card itself- rather, it merely calls for the possibility/capability of a greeting card to be held upon a particular structure).
Regarding claim 7, Hanlon anticipates a foldable (col. 1, lines 36-39) display (e.g. display construction 10, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) comprising: i) a foldable (figs. 1 and 6) planar (figs. 1 and 6) base panel (e.g. first display panel 12, as shown in figs. 1 and 6); ii) a plurality of interconnected (compare figs. 1 and 6), foldable (compare figs. 1 and 6) panels (e.g. second display panel 14 and third display panel 16, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) attached to (fig. 1) the foldable planar base panel (12), each of the plurality of interconnected, foldable panels (14 and 16) having one or more slots (e.g. vertical slots 43 and 45, as shown in fig. 6) formed therein (figs. 1 and 6); iii) wherein the foldable display (10) can articulate between a first position (e.g. folded condition discussed at col. 1, lines 36-39), where the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16) lie flat and are nested against (col. 1, lines 36-39) the foldable planar base panel (12), and a second position (e.g. condition shown in fig. 1), wherein the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16) expand upward and outward from (fig. 1) the foldable planar base panel (12) and form two interconnected accordion folds (compare figs. 1-2); and iv) wherein one or more greeting cards can be retained (note the bi-fold or tri-fold planar nature of greeting cards, and given such, they may easily be held at least in their fold regions within slots 43 and 45; also note that the instant limitation does not actually call for the presence of a greeting card itself- rather, it merely calls for the possibility/capability of a greeting card to be held upon a particular structure) within a portion of the one or more slots (43 and 45) formed in the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16).
Regarding claim 8, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 7 further comprising at least one stabilizing disc (e.g. shelves 44 and 46, as shown in fig. 1) which attaches (fig. 1) the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16, together) to the foldable planar base panel (12).
Regarding claim 9, Hanlon anticipates the foldable card holder of claim 7, wherein when the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16) are in the second position (aforementioned condition shown in fig. 1), they create a plurality of diamond- or rhombus-shaped structures (compare figs. 1-3).
Regarding claim 14, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 7, wherein one (e.g. distal left instance of section 34, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) of the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16) is attached to (fig. 1) a first end (e.g. distal left end) of the foldable planar base panel (12) and another (e.g. distal right instance of section 34, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) of the plurality of interconnected foldable panels (14 and 16) is attached to (fig. 1) a second end (e.g. distal right end) of the foldable planar base panel (12).
Regarding claim 15, Hanlon anticipates a foldable (col. 1, lines 36-39) display (e.g. display construction 10, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) comprising: i) a base panel (e.g. first display panel 12, as shown in figs. 1 and 6); ii) an expandable structure (e.g. second panel 14 and third panel 16, together, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) attached to (figs. 1 and 6) the base panel (12), the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) comprising a first accordion fold panel (e.g. second display panel 14, as shown in figs. 1 and 6) and a second accordion fold panel (e.g. third display panel 16, as shown in figs. 1 and 6), the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) having a plurality of slots (e.g. vertical slots 43 and 45, as shown in fig. 6) formed therein (fig. 6); iii) wherein the base panel (12) and the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) can articulate between a first position (e.g. folded condition discussed at col. 1, lines 36-39), wherein the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) is folded in on itself (col. 1, lines 36-39) and sandwiched between (see the nature/arrangement of constituent panels shown in figs. 1 and 6) two portions (e.g. at least distal left and right instances of sections 24, as shown in fig. 1) of the base panel (12), and a second position (e.g. condition shown in fig. 1), wherein the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) moves (note that the instant claim is drawn to a foldable display- not a method of operation thereof) upward and outward from (figs. 1 and 6) the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 16, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 15, wherein when the base panel (12) and expandable structure (14 and 16, together) are in the second position (aforementioned condition shown in fig. 1), one or more greeting cards may be inserted into (note the bi-fold or tri-fold planar nature of greeting cards, and given such, they may easily be held at least in their fold regions within slots 43 and 45; also note that the instant limitation does not actually call for the presence of a greeting card itself- rather, it merely calls for the possibility/capability of a greeting card to be held upon a particular structure) a pair of the plurality of slots (43 and 45) formed on (fig. 6) the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) and be retained therein (see the discussion set forth supra).
Regarding claim 17, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 15 further comprising at least one stabilizing disc (e.g. shelves 44 and 46, as shown in fig. 1) which attaches (fig. 1) the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) to the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 18, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 15, wherein the first accordion panel (14) is attached to (fig. 1) a first end (e.g. distal left end) of the base panel (12), and the second accordion panel (16) is attached to (fig. 1) a second end (e.g. distal right end) of the base panel (12).
Regarding claim 19, Hanlon anticipates the foldable display of claim 15, wherein the expandable structure (14 and 16, together) forms a plurality of diamond- or rhombus-shaped structures (compare figs. 1-3) when in the second position (aforementioned condition shown in fig. 1).
Response to Arguments
In view of Applicant’s claim amendments, a further search of the pertinent body of prior art was executed. Within said search, the aforementioned Hanlon reference was identified. Additionally, Applicant’s arguments regarding previously identified deficiencies under 35 USC 112 have been considered. As such, Applicant is encouraged to see the treatment of claims set forth supra.
Conclusion
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/JUSTIN V LEWIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637