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 .
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 6 and 7 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 6 recites the limitation "the first top end diameter" and “the second ring portion end diameter” in lines 1 and 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "the first top end diameter" and “the second ring portion bottom end diameter” in line 1 and 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Applicants are advised that the respective diameter are set forth in claim 5, not claim 1
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks, filed 8/22/2025, with respect to the objections to the drawin have been fully considered and are persuasive. The objections to the drawings and rejection of the claims has been withdrawn.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1,5,8 and 10-12 are allowed while claims 2-4 and 9 were canceled and claims 6 and 7 are rejected allowed while claims 2-4 and 9 were canceled and claims 6 and 7 are rejected.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUE A WEAVER whose telephone number is (571)272-4548. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 6-10:30 AM EDT.
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/SUE A WEAVER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3733
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