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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1-7 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.
In claim 1, it is unclear what is meant by a “monofunctional” (meth)acrylic monomer. In this regard, (meth)acrylic acid has two functional groups, i.e., a vinyl group and a carboxylic acid group.
In claim 1, the language “a polylactic acid structure-including monofunctional (meth)acrylic monomer” is indefinite in that it is unclear whether such is defining a polylactic acid modified with structural units from a (meth)acrylic monomer.
In claim 1, it is unclear what is meant by a “polyfunctional” (meth)acrylic monomer. In this regard, (meth)acrylic acid has only two functional groups, i.e., a vinyl group and a carboxylic acid group.
In claim 1, the language “a polylactic acid structure-including polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer” is indefinite in that it is unclear whether such is defining a polylactic acid modified with structural units from a (meth)acrylic monomer.
In claim 1, the language “a polylactic acid structure-including non-functional compound” is indefinite in that it is unclear how polylactic acid is modified with a compound without any functional groups.
In claim 2, it is not clear what is meant by a “saturated fatty acid chloride” given that the specification includes compounds that are not fatty-acid based, e.g., acetic acid chloride.
In claim 2, the language “a polylactic acid structure-including diol” is indefinite in that it is unclear whether such is defining a polylactic acid modified with structural units from a diol.
Allowable Subject Matter
The prior art of record fails to disclose, suggest or provide motivation to arrive at the presently claimed subject matter as recited by either of the independent claims 1 or 2.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ana L Woodward whose telephone number is (571)272-1082. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8am-5pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Heidi Kelley can be reached at 571-270-1831. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANA L. WOODWARD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1765
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