DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Claims 8-16 withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention (group), there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 07/21/26.
Applicant's election with traverse of Group I in the reply filed on 07/21/26 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that a search for the subject matter of any one group would necessarily encompass a search for the subject matter of the remaining group and therefore there will be no serious burden. This is not found persuasive because the prior art applicable to one Group would not likely be applicable to another Group; and/or the Group are likely to raise different non-prior art issues.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
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 5 and 6 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.
The claim’s limitations “one or more metal elements of group 4 - 6 in the periodic table of elements” is indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter because the periodic table can be amended.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-4 and 7 are allowed.
Claims 5-6 would be allowable if rewritten 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.
Conclusion
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/OMAR FLORES SANCHEZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3724
