2023DETAILED 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 .
Specification
The specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
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 and dependents (1-7), 8 and dependents (8-14) and 16 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 rejected because it is not clear how the residual sulfur is evaluated on a basis of the fuel sulfur content, the fuel rate of consumption, the hot meal quality and the clinker sulfur content. Clarification is required.
Claim 8 is rejected because it is not clear how an agglomeration rate of sulfur compounds is determined based on the residual sulfur. Clarification is required.
Claim 16 is rejected because it is not clear which technical features of the determining unit enable it to measure at least one of the values. Clarification is required.
Claims 15 and 17-18 are allowed. No prior art was found that suggested or taught the claimed sensor device for evaluating residual sulfur in a cement preheater of a cement kiln.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art teaches processes used in the production of cement with the use of preheaters.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CEPHIA D TOOMER whose telephone number is (571)272-1126. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday.
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, Prem Singh can be reached at 571-272-6368. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CEPHIA D TOOMER/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1771 18744944/20260721
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