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 .
This action is in response to amendment filed 12/23/2025. Currently, claims 1-10 are pending and claims 2-9 are withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yang (US Patent No.: 11,765,861).
With respect to claim 1, Yang discloses a phase change heatsink (Fig. 1a, 1 and Col. 1, lines 9-9-10), comprising a heatsink base (Fig. 2, base 12) and a phase change heat spreader integrated into the heatsink base (Fig. 2b, heat spreader 121 is integrated into 12), wherein the phase change heat spreader includes a cover attached to the heatsink base (Fig. 2, cover 11 is attached to base 12) and defines an enclosed cavity (Fig. 2, cavity 13), one or more support pillars are provided in the enclosed cavity to extend from the heatsink base to the cover (Figs. 1a and 2, pillars 15 extend from 12 to 11), and the enclosed cavity is partially filled with refrigerant (Fig. 2, working fluid 16).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 12/23/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant’s arguments (pages 4-6) that the reference does not teach a vapor chamber structure that is configured to function as a phase change heat spreader and the working fluid in the chamber is not a refrigerant, the Examiner disagrees. Reference Yan discloses in the title that it is a vapor chamber structure and is capable of the intended use arguments of configured to function as a phase change heat spreader since the working fluid vaporizes within the chamber hence the “vapor chamber”. In response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e configured to function as…) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). In response to applicant's arguments against the different embodiments showing different wick structures and grooves show that there isn’t a refrigerant is not persuasive since the wick structure helps the refrigerant or working fluid move within the vapor chamber. The working fluid helps cool the heating element and is therefore a refrigerant since it is used for cooling. Therefore, the applicant’s arguments are unpersuasive and the rejection is maintained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CLAIRE E ROJOHN III whose telephone number is (571)270-5431. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-5:00 M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Len Tran can be reached at (571)272-1184. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CLAIRE E ROJOHN III/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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