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
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 1-12 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 1 recites the limitation "the outermost sealing layer" in line 19. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim since an outermost sealing layer has not previously been established.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the innermost intermediate composite reinforcing layer" in lines 19-20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim since an innermost intermediate composite reinforcing layer has not previously been established.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the outermost intermediate composite reinforcing layer" in line 21. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim since an outermost intermediate composite reinforcing layer has not previously been established.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the innermost outer composite reinforcing layer" in lines 21-22. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim since an innermost outer composite reinforcing layer has not previously been established.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL C MIGGINS whose telephone number is (571)272-1494. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 1-9 pm EST.
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, Aaron Austin can be reached at 571-272-8935. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MICHAEL C MIGGINS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1782
MCM
August 13, 2026
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