Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0046] teaches the blank of the molding comprises a cylinder or a cube. It is unclear what is the actual shape of the blank, a cube or cylinder, or a shape that has a cubic or cylindric section.
The specification teaches aqueous ammonia acts as both a dispersant and a grinding aid in paragraphs [0059], [0060], [0079] and [0080]. It is unclear if the grinding aid and the dispersant used in the wet ball milling step must be different or if both can be aqueous ammonia.
Paragraphs [0075]-[0076] teach that the wet ball milling conditions to produce the second microwave ferrite material are that it is for a period of 15-25 hours and performed at a rotational speed of 30-70 r/min. Part b(1) in paragraph [0093] teaches that the wet ball milling conditions to produce the second microwave ferrite material are that it is for a period of 10-40 hours and performed at a rotational speed of 20-80 r/min. Thus the specification teaches two different wet ball milling conditions for producing the second microwave ferrite material. This discrepancy needs to be explained or corrected.
Finally, the specification teaches that during the sintering step (3) and the pre-sintering steps (a) and (II), oxygen in introduced. The pressure and/or amount of oxygen introduced into the sintering and pre-sintering atmospheres, which is air, is never disclosed. It is known in the magnetic ferrite art that the oxygen partial pressure during sintering and pre-sintering affect the magnetic properties of the ferrite. Thus it is unclear what is pressure and/or amount of oxygen introduced into the sintering and pre-sintering atmospheres in the examples and what pressure and/or amount of oxygen introduced into the sintering and pre-sintering atmospheres considered as part of the inventive process. Appropriate correction is required.
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 7, 9-12, 14 and 16-20 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.
Regarding claims 7, 9-12 and 16-20, the phrase "preferably" renders the claims indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation(s) following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claim 9 teaches “the sieving” in the last line of the claim. It is unclear if “the sieving” refer to the sieving in the granulation of step (2) taught in claim 9 or the sieving of step (2) taught in claim 3, from which claim 9 depends.
In addition, claim 9 is indefinite since the limitations of lines 6-10 further define aspects of granulation not found in claim 3. They further limit the granulation process found in lines 4-5 of this claim. Thus when the process of lines 4-5 is not performed or the binder does not comprise an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, there is no antecedent basis for “the binder” in lines 6 and 7, “the aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol” in lines 8-9 and “the pressure” in line 10.
Finally, claim 9 is indefinite as r what is meant by “a blank of the molding comprises a cylinder or a cube”. It is unclear what is the actual shape of the blank, a cube or cylinder, or a shape that has a cubic or cylindric section.
Claims 12 and 19 teach aqueous ammonia acts as both a dispersant and a grinding aid. It is unclear if the grinding aid and the dispersant used in the wet ball milling step must be different or if both can be aqueous ammonia. In view of this, the claims are indefinite.
Claims 14, 16, 18 and 20 teach that during the sintering step (3) and the pre-sintering steps (a) and (II), oxygen in introduced. The pressure and/or amount of oxygen introduced into the sintering and pre-sintering atmospheres, which is air, is never disclosed. It is known in the magnetic ferrite art that the oxygen partial pressure during sintering and pre-sintering affect the magnetic properties of the ferrite. Thus it is unclear what pressure and/or amount of oxygen introduced into the sintering and pre-sintering atmospheres considers as part of the inventive process. Since the metes and bounds of these claims are unclear, they are indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6, 8 and 13 are allowed.
Claims 7, 9-12, 17 and 19 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
There is no teaching or suggestion in the art of record of a microwave ferrite material for 5G radio frequency device comprising a first microwave ferrite material and a second microwave ferrite material, where the first microwave ferrite material is Y3-a-bBiaCabFe5-c-d-e-fNbcZrdIneMnfO12, wherein 0<a<0.5, 0<b<1.2, 0<c<0.3, 0<d<0.6, 0<e<0.6, 0<f<0.6, and b=2c+d-f’ and the second microwave ferrite material is Y3-g-hGdgCahFe5-i-j-k-nVhGejInkTinO12, wherein 0<g<0.5, 0<h<1.8, 0<i<0.3, 0<j<0.6, 0<k<0.6, 0<n<0.6, and h=2i+j+n.
Since the above ferrite is novel, the claimed method for making this ferrite is allowable.
The closest art is CN 112679204 and CN 103113095. CN 112679204 teaches a microwave ferrite material for 5G radio frequency devices wherein the taught ferrite formula includes the claimed first microwave ferrite material and CN 103113095 teaches a microwave ferrite material for 5G radio frequency devices wherein the taught ferrite formula includes the claimed second microwave ferrite material. There is no teaching or suggestion in the art to from a ferrite by mixing and sintering the ferrite of CN 112679204 and the ferrite of CN 103113095.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to C. MELISSA KOSLOW whose telephone number is (571)272-1371. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Tues:7:45-3:45 EST;Thurs-Fri:6:30-2:00EST; and Wed:7:45-2:00EST.
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/C Melissa Koslow/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1734
cmk
7/17/26
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