CTNF 18/697,664 CTNF 69702 Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Priority 02-26 AIA Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 04/01/24 has been considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claims 14-20 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 14, line 1, “further comprising a step of forming at least two areas…and/or a structure…” This language is confusing. Is there a step of forming at least two areas and/or a step of forming a structure? Clarification is required. In claim 15, the claim recites “the formation” in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Further, the claim uses confusing language. Should “wherein the formation” be “further comprising a step of forming”? Is there a step of forming at least one force transmission path and/or a step of forming a structure? Clarification is required. In claim 16, is the deformation area different from the deformation section of claim 12? In claim 17, the claim recites “the free path line” in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 07-12-aia AIA (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. 07-15-03-aia AIA Claim s 12-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by US 2017/0210621 (SCHIEBEL ET AL) . Regarding claim 12: The reference discloses a method of making a 3-D object comprising a first solidification step forming a structure defining an area in the interior of the object (cavity) and a second solidification step of the liquid construction material in the defined area of the interior. See [0025] and [0032]. Regarding claim 13: The first and second solidification steps are by exposing the material with radiation, curing, etc. See [0018-22]. Regarding claim 14: More than one interior cavity can be formed. See Figure 2. Regarding claim 15-17: Deformation areas are formed by pressure or mechanical means. See claims 5 and 14. Regarding claims 18-19: The shapes of the areas may be spherical, cube, etc. See [0029]. Regarding claim 20: Force action can be used to couple two structures. See Figure 8. Regarding claims 21: See Figure 10. Regarding claim 22: See claims 9-13. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ELIZABETH EVANS MULVANEY whose telephone number is (571)272-1527. The examiner can normally be reached 8am-4:30pm M-F. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Mark Ruthkosky can be reached at 571-272-1291. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ELIZABETH E MULVANEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1785 Application/Control Number: 18/697,664 Page 2 Art Unit: 1785
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