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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Invention I (claims 1-17) in the reply filed on 6/15/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that both Inventions have considerable overlapping subject matter, thus, any field of search for the apparatus claims would necessarily overlap with the field of search for methods. This is not found persuasive because Invention I can be used without lowering the actuator plate to simultaneously move the plurality of support lift pins and the clamp lift pin to place the electronic component in contact with the top surface of the table, thus, the prior art applicable to Invention I would not necessarily be applicable to Invention II.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Objections
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein the top of the support lift pins is vertically offset below the top of the clamp lift pin(s)” should be corrected as --wherein [[the]]a top of the support lift pins is vertically offset below [[the]]a top of the at least one clamp lift pin[[(s)]]--. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 16 is objected to because of the following informalities: “wherein the top of the support lift pins is vertically offset below the top of the clamp lift pin(s)” should be corrected as --wherein [[the]]a top of the support lift pins is vertically offset below [[the]]a top of the at least one clamp lift pin[[(s)]]--. 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 10 and 17 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.
Claim 10 recite further limitations of “the electronic component”. However, the scope of the claim is indefinite. Claim 1 (which upon claim 10 depends) recites “an electronic component” as an intended use in the preamble of the claim. It is not clear whether “an/the electronic component” is a structural part of the instant invention, “a lift and clamp system”. For examination purposes, “the electronic component” is interpreted as an intended use, therefore, the prior art only needs to be “capable” of performing the intended use.
Claim 17 recite further limitations of “the electronic component”. However, the scope of the claim is indefinite. Claim 11 (which upon claim 17 depends) recites “an electronic component” as an intended use in the preamble of the claim. It is not clear whether “an/the electronic component” is a structural part of the instant invention, “a lift and clamp system”. For examination purposes, “the electronic component” is interpreted as an intended use, therefore, the prior art only needs to be “capable” of performing the intended use.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-6, 8-13, 15-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lanee et al (US 2009/0067954 A1).
Regarding claim 1¸ Lanee et al (‘954) discloses a lift and clamp system (figs4A-4C) for an electronic component 410 (para[0030]) comprising:
a table 401,404 (para[0030]) for supporting the electronic component 410 on a top surface thereof;
a single actuator (a vertical base part of an element 408, figs4A-4C, para[0030]);
an actuator plate (a horizontal plate part of the element 408, figs4A-4C, para[0030]) operatively coupled to the single actuator, wherein the actuator plate is vertically moveable (figs4A-4C, para[0030],[0031]); and
a plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b (para[0030]) extending upwardly from the actuator plate, wherein vertical movement of the actuator plate vertically adjusts the vertical position of the electronic component 410 supported on at least one of the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b (para[0030],[0031], figs4A-4C), wherein vertical movement of the actuator plate selectively clamps (fig4C) and unclamps (fig4B) the electronic component 410 to the table 401,404.
Regarding claim 2¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b comprises a plurality of support lift pins 403a,403b (para[0030]) and at least one clamp lift pin 405a,405b (para[0030]), wherein the plurality of support lift pins 403a,403b have a top end for supporting the electronic component 410 (fig4B), wherein each of the at least one clamp lift pin 405a,450b includes a clamp device (a horizontal plate on a top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b) secured to a top portion thereof.
Regarding claim 3¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, wherein the table 401,404 defines a plurality of holes (figs4A-4C, where the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b pass through) extending completely vertically through the table 401,404, wherein each of the support lift pins 403a,403b is positioned within one of the plurality of holes (figs4A-4C).
Regarding claim 4¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 3, wherein the at least one clamp lift pin 405a,450b is positioned within one of the plurality of holes (figs4A-4C).
Regarding claim 5¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, wherein the clamp device is integrally formed with the clamp lift pin 405a,405b (the clamp device is the horizontal plate on the top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b).
Regarding claim 6¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, wherein the clamp device is operatively coupled to the clamp lift pin 405a,405b (The clamp device is the horizontal plate on the top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b and the clamp device and the clamp lift pin operate together).
Regarding claim 8¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b are operatively coupled to the actuator plate (figs4A-4C, via elements 406a,406b).
Regarding claim 9¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, wherein a top of the support lift pins 403a,403b is vertically offset below a top of the at least one clamp lift pin 405a,405b to define a vertical gap therebetween (fig4B).
Regarding claim 10¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 1, wherein the electronic component 410 is at least one of a wafer (para[0030]), a substrate, a flat panel, a solar panel, a printed circuit board, a film layer, and a reticle.
Regarding claim 11¸ Lanee et al discloses a lift and clamp system (figs4A-4C) for an electronic component 410 (para[0030]) comprising:
a table 401,404 (para[0030]) for supporting the electronic component 410 on a top surface thereof;
a single actuator (a vertical base part of an element 408, figs4A-4C, para[0030]);
an actuator plate (a horizontal plate part of the element 408, figs4A-4C, para[0030]) operatively coupled to the single actuator, wherein the actuator plate is vertically moveable (figs4A-4C, para[0030],[0031]); and
a plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b (para[0030]) extending upwardly from the actuator plate, wherein vertical movement of the actuator plate vertically adjusts the vertical position of the electronic component 410 supported on at least one of the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b (para[0030],[0031], figs4A-4C), wherein vertical movement of the actuator plate selectively clamps (fig4C) and unclamps (fig4B) the electronic component 410 to the table 401,404, wherein the 401,404 defines a plurality of holes (figs4A-4C, where the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b pass through) extending completely vertically through the table 401,404, wherein each of the support lift pins 403a,403b is positioned within one of the plurality of holes (figs4A-4C), wherein the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b,405a,405b comprises a plurality of support lift pins 403a,403b (para[0030]) and at least one clamp lift pin 405a,405b (para[0030]), wherein the plurality of support lift pins 403a,403b have a top end for supporting the electronic component 410 (fig4B), wherein each of the at least one clamp lift pin 405a,450b includes a clamp device (a horizontal plate on a top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b) secured to a top portion thereof.
Regarding claim 12¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, wherein the clamp device is integrally formed with the clamp lift pin 405a,405b (the clamp device is the horizontal plate on the top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b).
Regarding claim 13¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, wherein the clamp device is operatively coupled to the clamp lift pin 405a,405b (The clamp device is the horizontal plate on the top end of the clamp lift pin 405a,405b and the clamp device and the clamp lift pin operate together).
Regarding claim 15¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lift pins 403a,403b are operatively coupled to the actuator plate (figs4A-4C, via elements 406a,406b).
Regarding claim 16¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, wherein a top of the support lift pins 403a,403b is vertically offset below a top of the at least one clamp lift pin 405a,405b to define a vertical gap therebetween (fig4B).
Regarding claim 17¸ Lanee et al discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, wherein the electronic component 410 is at least one of a wafer (para[0030]), a substrate, a flat panel, a solar panel, a printed circuit board, a film layer, and a reticle.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 7 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lanee et al (US 2009/0067954 A1) in view of Shang et al (US 7,160,392 B2).
Regarding claim 7, Lanee et al (‘954) discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 2, however, does not explicitly disclose that the plurality of lift pins are integrally formed with the actuator plate. It has been held that the use of a one piece construction instead of the separate structures would be merely a matter of obvious engineering choice (MPEP 2144.04 V. B.). Also, Shang et al (‘392) teaches that it is both known in the art to either have a plurality of lift pins 150,152 being separated from an actuator plate 154 (fig1) or have a plurality of lift pins 150,152 being integrated to an actuator plate 15 (fig3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Lanee et al to have the plurality of lift pins integral to the actuator plate, as taught by Shang et al, for the purpose of simultaneously moving the plurality of pins and the actuator plate.
Regarding claim 14, Lanee et al (‘954) discloses the lift and clamp system of claim 11, however, does not explicitly disclose that the plurality of lift pins are integrally formed with the actuator plate. It has been held that the use of a one piece construction instead of the separate structures would be merely a matter of obvious engineering choice (MPEP 2144.04 V. B.). Also, Shang et al (‘392) teaches that it is both known in the art to either have a plurality of lift pins 150,152 being separated from an actuator plate 154 (fig1) or have a plurality of lift pins 150,152 being integrated to an actuator plate 15 (fig3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Lanee et al to have the plurality of lift pins integral to the actuator plate, as taught by Shang et al, for the purpose of simultaneously moving the plurality of pins and the actuator plate.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kamaishi et al (US 2006/0060141 A1), Rieschl et al (US 2013/0288477 A1), and Hatoh et al (US 2014/0311676 A1) teach similar lift and clamp systems.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Seahee Hong whose telephone number is (571)270-5778. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 8am-4pm ET.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Brian Keller can be reached at (571) 272-8548. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SEAHEE HONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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