DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 03/09/2026 has been entered.
Status of Claims
Claim(s) 1, 3-12, 14-20, 23 and 24 are currently pending.
Claim(s) 1, 3-5 ,11 and 15 have been amended.
Claim(s) 2, 13, 21 and 22 have been canceled.
Claim(s) 23 and 24 have been added.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see remarks filed 03/09/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 5 and 15 under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection(s) of claim(s) 5 and 15 under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, has been withdrawn.
The cancelation of claims 21 and 22 obviates the rejection of the claims under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph.
Claim Objections
Claims 7, 11, 17 and 19 objected to because of the following informalities: For proper form, it is suggested that claims 7, 11, 17 and 19 be amended as follows:
7. (Original) The system of claim 6, wherein the about 1 to about 15 application heads are configured to form one or more multifunctional composite panel in the system.
11. (Currently Amended) A system for fabricating at least one multifunctional composite panel, comprising:
one or more bases capable of supporting one or more multifunctional composite panels; and
one or more application heads disposed proximal the one or more bases;
wherein the one or more application heads are disposed above the one or more bases,
wherein the one or more application heads and the one or more bases are oriented parallel to one another such that a center of the one or more application heads and a center of the one or more bases share a vertical axis,
wherein the one or more application heads deposit a plurality of layers on top of the one or more bases to fabricate the one or more multifunctional composite panels,
wherein the one or more application heads and the one or more bases are configured to move relative to one another during fabrication of the one or more multifunctional composite panels, and
wherein the one or more application heads are configured to deposit the plurality of layers on top of the one or more bases in a direction along the vertical axis.
17. (Original) The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more application heads include between about 1 to about 15 application heads.
19. (Original) The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more application heads are capable of depositing one or more materials to form the plurality of layers in the one or more multifunctional composite panels.
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 23 and 24 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.
Regarding claim 23
The limitation “wherein the plurality of application heads is configured to deposit a plurality of alternating layers of inorganic materials and organic materials” is unclear and therefore renders the claim indefinite. Claim 1, from which claim 23 depends, recites “the plurality of application heads are configured to deposit the plurality of layers of the multifunctional composite panel.” It is not clear if the plurality of alternating layers recited in the instant claim correspond to the plurality of layers recited in claim 1. From inspection of the instant published specification, it appears that the plurality of alternating layers deposited by the plurality of application heads correspond to the plurality of layers recited in claim 1 (see para. 0007 of the instant published specification).
Examiner suggests amending the claim as follows:
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers of the multifunctional composite panel comprise a plurality of alternating layers of inorganic materials and organic materials.
Regarding claim 24
The limitation “wherein the one or more materials alternating layers of inorganic materials and organic materials” is unclear and therefore renders the claim indefinite. The claim appears to be incomplete. One of ordinary skill in the art cannot reasonably ascertain the scope of the claim. Appropriate correction and clarification is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 3-12 and 14-20 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claims 1 and 11
The prior art of record, whether alone or in combination, fails to teach or fairly suggest the following limitations:
(a) wherein the plurality of application heads are disposed directly above the base, and
(b) wherein the plurality of application heads are configured to deposit the plurality of layers of the multifunctional composite panel onto the base in a direction along the vertical axis,
in the context of other limitations recited in the claims.
As seen in Fig. 16 of Elsey, the applicator 101C is positioned at an intermediate position above the base 104. Accordingly, Elsey does not disclose the limitations (a) and (b) as required by the claims.
Wendt was cited for its teaching regarding the vacuum pressure within the volume of the enclosure.
Allen was cited for its teaching regarding depositing the plurality of layers directly on a mandrel.
Wendt and Allen, alone or in combination, do not alleviate the deficiencies in Elsey.
Accordingly, the claims are allowed.
Regarding claims 3-10, 12 and 14-20
Claims 3-10, 12 and 14-20 are allowed for their dependency on claims 1 and 11.
As allowable subject matter has been indicated, applicant's reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with. See 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP § 707.07(a).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MAYLA GONZALEZ RAMOS whose telephone number is (571)272-5054. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday, 9:00-5:00 - EST.
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/MAYLA GONZALEZ RAMOS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1721