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 claims 1-12, 19 and 22 in the reply filed on 4/16/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that the search of the various invention would not impose a serious burden. This is not found persuasive because a search of the various inventions would impose a serious burden because they classified in separate classes and sub-classes.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
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) 1-11, 19 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hanson et al. (US 6,060,096).
Regarding claim 1, Hanson discloses a blank comprising: a paper layer (48) defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a longitudinal direction; a first fold line (140) disposed in the center of the longitudinal direction of the blank, forming a first half and a second half of each of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first fold line is configured to fold the first half of the first surface toward the second half of the first surface; a second fold line (130) and a third fold line (151), wherein each of the second fold line and the third fold line are equidistance from the first fold line, on opposite sides of the first fold line, wherein the second fold line is configured to fold a first portion of the second surface toward a second portion of the second surface, and wherein the third fold line is configured to fold a third portion of the second surface toward a fourth portion of the second surface, wherein when the first fold line, the second fold line, and the third fold line are folded, a triple point (Fig. 6) is formed between a first region where the first half of the second surface contacts the first fold line and a second region where the second half of the second surface contacts the first fold line (Fig. 6); a first adhesive layer (160-163) applied in a first pattern to the second surface, wherein the first pattern defines a first width about a perimeter of the second surface, and wherein the first pattern further includes a first extension (131 and/or 132) and a second extension (133 and/or 134) each defining a second width, wherein the second width extends beyond the first width towards a center of the blank; and a second adhesive layer (at 138, 137, 183, 184, 132 or 134), wherein the second adhesive layer is disposed at least partially within the triple point. See Figs. 1-10.
Regarding claim 2, the first extension and the second extension extend transversely from the from the first fold line toward and across the second and third fold lines, respectively, to an end point disposed at a distance which is double the distance from the first fold line to the second or third fold line, respectively. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 3, the second width increases between the first fold line and the end point of the first extension and the second extension, respectively. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 4, the second width of the first extension and the second extension reach a local maximum at a point on the second fold line and a point on the third fold line. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 5, the second width of the first extension and the second extension reach a local minimum at the center line and at the end point of the first extension and the second extension, respectively. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 6, the second adhesive layer is disposed at least partially within the first width, surrounding a first point (base of 132) which is located a distance which is double the distance from the first fold line to the second fold line and a second point (base of 152) which is located a second distance which is double the distance from the first fold line to the third fold line. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 7, the first point and the second point are equidistance from the first fold line. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 8, the second adhesive layer extends beyond the first width, toward the center of the blank. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 9, the first adhesive layer comprises a heat sealable material. See col. 7, ll. 5-8.
Regarding claim 10, the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer comprise the same adhesive. See col. 6, ll. 1-9.
Regarding claim 11, a third adhesive layer (at 135 on side of 103), wherein the third adhesive layer is positioned at least surrounding the first fold line, at least within the first width. See Fig. 6.
Regarding claim 19, a packaging structure is formed from the blank of claim 1. See Fig. 1.
Regarding claim 22, Hanson discloses a blank comprising: a paper layer defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a longitudinal direction; a first fold line disposed in the center of the longitudinal direction of the blank, forming a first half and a second half of each of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first fold line is configured to fold the first half of the first surface toward the second half of the first surface; a second fold line and a third fold line, wherein each of the second fold line and the third fold line are equidistance from the first fold line, on opposite sides of the first fold line, wherein the second fold line is configured to fold a first portion of the second surface toward a second portion of the second surface, and wherein the third fold line is configured to fold a third portion of the second surface toward a fourth portion of the second surface, wherein when the second fold line, and the third fold line are folded towards the first fold line, a triple point is formed between a first region where the first half of the second surface contacts the first fold line and a second region where the second half of the second surface contacts the first fold line; a first adhesive layer applied in a first pattern to the second surface, wherein the first pattern defines a first width about a perimeter of the second surface; and a second adhesive layer, wherein the second adhesive layer is disposed at least partially within the triple point. See Figs. 1-10 and Above.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanson as applied above in further view of Yeager (US 7,442,156).
Regarding claim 12, Hanson does not disclose a third adhesive as claimed. Yeager, which is drawn to a blank, discloses a third adhesive layer (30) comprising a cold seal adhesive. See col. 5, ll. 40-50. Thus, it 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 to use a cold seal adhesive on the blank or Hanson, as disclosed by Yeager, in order to potentially open the eventual package at that adhesive point.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See attached Notice of References Cited.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DEREK J BATTISTI whose telephone number is (571)270-5709. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathan Newhouse can be reached at 571-272-4544. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DEREK J BATTISTI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3734
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