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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 11-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 1/14/2026.
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.
Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Zhou (20100326574).
Regarding claim 1, Zhou discloses the claimed method of mixing copper nitrate and water (0070), adding melamine (0116) and guanidine carbonate (0114) at room temperature (0112). The mixture can be heated (see examples). The mixing and heating of these components will inherently form the same compounds as claimed. As to limitations which are considered to be inherent in a reference, note the case law of In re Ludke, 169 USPQ 563; In re Swinehart, 169 USPQ 226, In re Fitzgerald, 205 USPQ 594; In re Best et al, 195 USPQ 430; and In re Brown, 173 USPQ 685, 688. The mixture is then dried (see examples).
Regarding claim 2, Zhou discloses the mixture being heated at 60 degrees C for 30 minutes (meets claimed limitation of “at least 20 minutes”) (see examples).
Regarding claim 3, the drying is performed at 110 degrees C. (see examples).
Regarding claim 4, the composition is subjected to 110 degree C temperature for more than 4 hours (0238).
Regarding claims 5 and 6, Zhou discloses the addition of a triazine fuel (0113).
Regarding claim 7, Zhou discloses the addition of alkali metal nitrates (0140).
Regrading claim 8, Zhou discloses the addition of molybdenum disulfide (0147).
Regarding claim 9 and 10, Zhou discloses the mixture being pressed into a pellet (meets tablet limitation) and used in an air bag device (0183-0184).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AILEEN BAKER FELTON whose telephone number is (571)272-6875. The examiner can normally be reached Monday 9-5:30, Thursday 11-3, Friday 9-5:30.
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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.
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/AILEEN B FELTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1734
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