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
Applicant’s response to election of species requirement filed 15 May 2026 is found to be persuasive. The species election requirement is withdrawn and Claims 1-20 are ready for examination.
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 1-7 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. In Claim 1, line 26, the limitation providing a third merger is unclear. In view of the first and second mergers, the grooves are understood to be arranged generally as depicted in Figure 4. The major groove of the first plurality of grooves and the major groove of the second plurality of major grooves intersect and overlap at points in the upper and lower intermediate regions. Continuing toward the center region, the paths of the major grooves separate, the major groove of the first plurality of grooves merging with a minor groove of the second plurality of minor grooves and the major groove of the second plurality of major grooves merging with a minor groove of the first plurality of minor groove, which merger is present at the center, leaving a space between indicated by a dotted line in the drawing figure. It appears that a merger encompassing two major grooves and two minor grooves is not present. Further, in line 39, the limitation providing a super groove width defined by the third merger is unclear. At the center, the major groove of the first plurality of major grooves overlaps the minor groove of the second plurality of minor grooves, so that the widths do not contribute the sum to the overall width of the super groove. The same is true for the major groove of the second plurality of major grooves the minor groove of the first plurality of minor grooves. The widths of the four grooves do not define a starting point for determining a width of a super groove. The scope of the claim is indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8-20 are allowed.
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Claims 2-7 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOHN ELLIOTT SIMMS JR whose telephone number is (571)270-7474. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 am - 5:00 pm - M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nicholas Weiss can be reached at (571) 270-1775. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOHN E SIMMS JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3711 8 June 2026
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