DETAILED ACTION
Information Disclosure Statement
Applicant’s submission of an Information Disclosure Statement on 9/12/2024, 4/29/2025, 6/30/2025, and 8/13/025 has been received and considered.
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-3 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,112,596 (see below image of allowed claims 1-3). The current claims appear identical to claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,112,596. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
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Prior Art Analysis
Claims 1-3 distinguish over the prior art based on the same analysis set forth in the prosecution of related application 18/071,004, which is now U.S. Patent No. 12,112,596.
Conclusion
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/James S. McClellan/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715