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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of group I, claims 16-27, in the reply filed on January 16, 2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 28-30 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on January 16, 2026.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive in view of the Restriction/Election. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Objections
Claim 25 is objected to because of the following informalities: the pressure unit “kg/cm2” should be changed to --kg/cm2--. 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 16-27 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 16 the phrase “multi-layer paper” renders the claim vague and indefinite, because it is unclear if the papers used in the process are multi-layer papers. This is because in the papermaking art a multi-layer paper is the one formed by the forming layers of furnish, which furnish could be the same or different using a multi-layer headbox or multiple headboxes. It seems that the term actually refers to multiple papers, which in the art is known as muti-ply papers. It is suggested to change the term to “multiple papers” or something similar.
Claim 19 the phrase “short time” is vague and indefinite, because “short” is a relative term and therefore, the metes and bounds of patent protection desired cannot be ascertained.
Claim 21 is vague and indefinite as to what would be considered “an accelerated rate.” The term is a relative term, which has not been defined in the specification and thus the metes and bounds of patent protection desired cannot be ascertained.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 16-27 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art does not teach nor fairly suggest a process of making shaped articles/products forming a multiply paper (the multilayer paper), which each paper ply having a plurality of free fiber ends on its surface(s) which are aligned transversely to the surfaces of the outer plies, using suction or feeding a gas mixture to said surface(s) and then shaping the paper with pressing molds, as claimed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure “Method for Producing Shaped Products from Multi-Layer Paper.”
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSE A FORTUNA whose telephone number is (571)272-1188. The examiner can normally be reached MONDAY- FRIDAY 11:30 PM- 9:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abbas Rashid can be reached at 571-270-7457. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOSE A FORTUNA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1748
JAF