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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 7/31/2025 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
The Examiner acknowledges the remarks and amendments filed on 7/23/25. Claims 1, 2, 17, and 21 have been amended. Claims 10-16 have been canceled. Claims 17-27 are withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weaver USPN_5031483.
Regarding Claims 1-9, Weaver discloses see Fig. 1 – 10, a part (16), such as molds (Abstract) formed at least in part from a sheet (a non-pre-cut sheet, see column 6, line 57 - 61) of material, the part (16) comprising: a series of laminations (corresponding to three layers) (22) that includes at least a first layer (22) (given that it says “at least” means it can be in plurality; thereby teaching the newly added limitation of first layer having two pieces that can be fastened together (column 7, lines 5-10) and a second layer (22) formed from the sheet of non-porous material; a first through-hole (26) in the first layer (22); a second through-hole (26) in the second layer (22), the second through-hole (26) aligned with the first through-hole (26); a fastener (24) extending through the first through-hole (26) and through the second through-hole (26); and at least a portion of a coolant channel (52) extending through the first layer (22) and the second layer (22). As for the newly added limitation of the corresponding coolant channel extending in a direction that is parallel to the fastener hole, Weaver discloses:
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The red arrow is pointing to a specific portion of the coolant channel that is extending in an upward direction that is seemingly parallel to the fastener hole. Given that Weaver discloses that “an infinite variety of paths, straight or curved” can be used (column 8, lines 34-43), along with the figure above indicating a portion being parallel, this together provides sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out the claimed invention’s limitation of having a coolant channel extending in a direction that is parallel to the fastener hole, and thus anticipates this claimed limitation.
Additionally, given that multiple laminations (corresponding to layers) can exist, a third lamination’s hole would correspond to a third through-hole, aligning with the previous two through-holes and fastener. Weaver further discloses “It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as illustrative embodiments only of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, as well as various procedural changes, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention” (column 9, lines 59-64). Thus, it would’ve been obvious to change the diameter of the holes based on end-user specifications as is being claimed in instant Claim 6. Weaver further discloses how the coolant fluid is used to control the temperature (column 1, lines 38-51), as is being claimed in instant Claim 7. Weaver also discloses that adhesives can be used in addition to said fastener (column 7, lines 5-10), as is being claimed in instant Claim 8. Finally, Weaver discloses using passageways formed by contours for its coolant flow (corresponds to claimed slots) (column 8, lines 44-50), as is being claimed in instant Claim 9. The aforementioned Fig. 1 shows the coolant passageway channel (50) extending all the way to the bottom of the laminate and then rising all the way to being parallel to the hole 25 that is located on the opposite end of the stacked laminate, as is being claimed in instant Claim 9.
Response to Arguments
No arguments were presented.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TAHSEEN KHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-1140. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays-Saturdays 08:00AM-10:00PM.
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/TAHSEEN KHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1781 June 18, 2026
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