Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
In the first sentence of pargraph [0027], “dispersed granular” should be “dispersed granules”.
This paragraph also teaches the phases are “continuously distributed in meshes”. It is unclear what is meant by “in meshes”. 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 4 and 18 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.
These claims teach the phases are “continuously distributed in meshes”. It is unclear what is meant by “in meshes”. In view of this, these claims are indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 5-17, 19 and 20 are allowed.
Claims 4 and 18 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.
There is no teaching or suggestion in the art of record of a fluorescent ceramic comprising a luminescent phase comprising a plurality of luminescent crystal grains bonded together, a matrix phase comprising a plurality of matrix crystal grains bonded together, and pores, wherein the pores are distributed in both phases and between the phases. The art of record teaches fluorescent ceramic comprising a luminescent phase comprising a plurality of luminescent crystal grains bonded together, a matrix phase comprising a plurality of matrix crystal grains bonded together, and pores, wherein the pores are distributed between the phases. There is no teaching in the art of fluorescent ceramics of the pores also are distributed in both phases.
There is no teaching or suggestion in the art of record of the claimed process. The closest art is U.S. patent application publication 2012/0326344 which teaches essentially the same process as that claimed, except the ceramic raw material and the produced fluorescent porous ceramic does not have a matrix phase. There is no suggestion in the art to include a matrix raw material so as to form a fluorescent porous ceramic having both a fluorescent phase and a matrix phase. The rest of the art of record which teaches forming a fluorescent porous ceramic from a mixture of a matrix raw material, phosphor powder and pore-formers do not teach the claimed heat-treating step to remove the pore-former before sintering.
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.
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, Jonathan Johnson can be reached at 571-272-1177. 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.
/C Melissa Koslow/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1734
cmk
8/28/26
Prosecution Insights