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 1-20 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 is construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the flow” lacks a positive antecedent basis. Since claims 2-15 depend upon an indefinite claim, either directly or indirectly, those claims are construed to be indefinite by dependency. Claim 8 is further construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the plurality of analysis times” lacks a positive antecedent basis. Claims 10 and 11 are further construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the determined property” lacks a positive antecedent basis. Claim 15 is construed to be indefinite because the recitations “the flow” and “the rotating substrate” (plural occurrences) lack a positive antecedent basis. Since claims 16-18 depend upon an indefinite claim, either directly or indirectly, those claims are construed to be indefinite by dependency. Claim 19 is construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the rotating substrate” (plural occurrences) lacks a positive antecedent basis. Since claim 20 depends upon an indefinite claim, either directly or indirectly, those claims are construed to be indefinite by dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowable over the prior art of record because the substrate method an chamber thereof with all the independently claimed features including flowing a liquid on an upper surface of a rotating substrate and stopping the flow to form a liquid layer having a trailing edge with analysis time determination is not found in the prior art of record, either singly or in combination such that a rejection would be proper and reasonable under current Office practice and procedure.
References A, B, N, cited with this action, are patent publications from the same inventive entity as the current application. References C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, cited with this action, teach substrate methods and chambers thereof.
Claims 1-20 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHEN MICHAEL GRAVINI whose telephone number is (571)272-4875. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 5:30 am to 5:00 (mid day flex) first F 6:00 am t0 11:00 am.
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, Craig Schneider can be reached at 571 272 3607. 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.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
/STEPHEN M GRAVINI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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