DETAILED ACTION
Specification
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because the first sentence refers to a “more improved screw,” and “is provided” is also stated in line 1. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Applicant is reminded of the proper content of an abstract of the disclosure.
A patent abstract is a concise statement of the technical disclosure of the patent and should include that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains. The abstract should not refer to purported merits or speculative applications of the invention and should not compare the invention with the prior art.
If the patent is of a basic nature, the entire technical disclosure may be new in the art, and the abstract should be directed to the entire disclosure. If the patent is in the nature of an improvement in an old apparatus, process, product, or composition, the abstract should include the technical disclosure of the improvement. The abstract should also mention by way of example any preferred modifications or alternatives.
Where applicable, the abstract should include the following: (1) if a machine or apparatus, its organization and operation; (2) if an article, its method of making; (3) if a chemical compound, its identity and use; (4) if a mixture, its ingredients; (5) if a process, the steps.
Extensive mechanical and design details of an apparatus should not be included in the abstract. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph within the range of 50 to 150 words in length.
See MPEP § 608.01(b) for guidelines for the preparation of patent abstracts.
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: the claim is toward a specific article (a screw) that has a certain amount of limitations. However, in line 7 states “the fastening objects in the fastened state are not positioned in the sharp head part,” which does not make sense, nor is it necessary within this claim. Perhaps the applicant wishes to relay that the objects once fastened together are located on the main screw part of the screw (as supported by Fig. 5 and par. [0022] of applicant’s specification).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over ES’553 (ES 2396553).
ES’553 discloses a screw 1 for fastening different materials comprising: a main screw part 2, 10 in which fastening objects which are made of different materials from each other in a fastened state are positioned, the main screw part having a constant outer diameter and formed with a screw thread 12 on an outer peripheral surface; a sharp head part 6 formed continuously from an edge of the main screw part and diametrically contracting toward a tip end 18; wherein the fastening objects in the fastened state are not positioned in the sharp head part, a cross-sectional shape of the sharp head part includes three vertexes 20 (Figs. 6-7), lines 26, 28 connecting the respective vertexes each have a curved shape projecting outward, and three ridge parts 22 formed by connecting the respective vertexes on an outer peripheral surface 14 of the sharp head part are helical toward the tip end along the same direction as a helical direction of the screw thread of the main screw part. See the document especially Figs. 6-12, and associated paragraphs.
However, with respect to the limitation “fastening objects which are made of different materials from each other in a fastened state” in lines 2-3, ES’553 teaches materials may be soft, hard, or universal. Therefore, it would be considered obvious for the fastening objects to be different materials in order to provide for a more universal screw.
See translated paragraph below:
The present invention is based on the object of improving a screw of the aforementioned type, such that the torsion for screwing is further reduced. At the same time it is intended to design the screw universally to screw it in several materials or specifically on the one hand to screw it into softer materials, such as wood and the like, in particular without pre-drilling and consequently automatically forming a hole, or on the other part to screw it in harder materials, for example plastics and metals, in particular in a hole for the extraction of the core.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
CA 2852286 teaches a crew element, comprising a threaded shank and a screw tip, which is configured on one shank end, and a screw head, which is configured on the opposite shank end and has a force-application means, and having a screw thread which runs on the threaded shank and the screw tip.
CA 2907690 teaches a threaded fastener having one or more prolate cross-section regions formed in the shank, and allowing securing elements in wood, composite or other material.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZAKIYA W BATES whose telephone number is (571)272-7039. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30am - 5pm.
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, Doug Hutton can be reached at 5712724137. 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.
/ZAKIYA W BATES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3674 7/24/2026
Prosecution Insights