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 .
Withdrawn Rejections
Any rejections and/or objections, made in the previous Office Action, and not repeated below, are hereby withdrawn due to Applicant’s amendments and/or arguments in the response dated August 26, 2026. However, new rejections may have been made using the same prior art if still applicable to the newly presented amendments and/or arguments.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 12 – 20, 23, 25 – 28 and 40 – 42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by Downs et al. (USPGPub 2005/0084641 A1).
Downs et al. disclose a film (Figures; Abstract) comprising: a long release film (Figures 1 – 3 and 6, #32); a plurality of adhesive film pieces which are provided on the release film and separated from each other (Figures 1 – 3, #34); and a non-adhesive region which is provided on the release film not to have the plurality of adhesive film pieces (Figures 1 – 3, #34, the spaces between the adhesive); and a half cut that is formed in the release film (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98), wherein the plurality of adhesive film pieces include a first adhesive film piece and a second adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region and a third adhesive film piece and a fourth adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94), and wherein a separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece is different from a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073), and wherein the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98), and the half cut is spaced apart from the first adhesive film piece and from the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98) as in claim 12. With respect to claim 13, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the release film, and wherein the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). Regarding claim 14, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the release film, and wherein the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in the width direction (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). For claim 15, the non-adhesive region has a first region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is longer than the adhesive film piece (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). In claim 16, the non-adhesive region has a second region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is shorter than the adhesive film piece (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). With regard to claim 17, the non-adhesive region has a third region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is shorter than the separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces in the first region (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). As in claim 18, a separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece is longer than a maximum length of the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece in a direction in which the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are separated from each other (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). With respect to claim 19, a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece is shorter than a maximum length of the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece in a direction in which the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are separated from each other (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). Regarding claim 20, a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece is shorter than the separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). In claim 23, the plurality of adhesive film pieces form a plurality of adhesive film piece groups arranged in the longitudinal direction of the release film, and wherein the arrangement of the adhesive film pieces is the same in the plurality of adhesive film piece groups (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). As in claim 25, the plurality of adhesive film pieces are separated from the edges of the release film in the width direction of the release film (Figures 1 – 5, #34). With respect to claim 26, the plurality of adhesive film pieces are arranged in one row in the longitudinal direction of the release film (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). Regarding claim 27, at least a part of the plurality of adhesive film pieces has a hole (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073, wherein the adhesive may take on a variety of shapes). For claim 28, the plurality of adhesive film pieces have the same shape (Figures 1 – 5, #34; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073). For claim 40, the half cut does not surround either the first adhesive film piece or the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements). In claim 41, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are located outside the half cut (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements). With regard to claim 42, at least the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece have the same shape, the half cut has the same shape as an outer shape of the adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece, and all of the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements).
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.
Claims 12 – 20, 22 – 30, and 40 – 42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tatsuzawa et al. (WO 2018/066411 A1) in view of Downs et al. (USPGPub 2005/0084641 A1).
This rejection is over the Tatsuzawa et al. (WO 2018/066411 A1) because this reference qualifies as prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102(b). However, for convenience, the column and line numbers of the English language equivalent US Patent No. 11,667,817 will be cited below.
Tatsuzawa et al. disclose a film (Figures; Abstract) comprising: a long release film (Figure 2, #4); a plurality of adhesive film pieces which are provided on the release film and separated from each other (Figure 2, #5); and a non-adhesive region which is provided on the release film not to have the plurality of adhesive film pieces (Figure 2, spaces in between #2), wherein the plurality of adhesive film pieces include a first adhesive film piece and a second adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region and a third adhesive film piece and a fourth adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region (Figure 17C, #5), and wherein a separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece is different from a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27) as in claim 12. With respect to claim 13, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the release film, and wherein the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). Regarding claim 14, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the release film, and wherein the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in the width direction (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). For claim 15, the non-adhesive region has a first region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is longer than the adhesive film piece (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). In claim 16, the non-adhesive region has a second region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is shorter than the adhesive film piece (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). With regard to claim 17, the non-adhesive region has a third region in which a separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces is shorter than the separation distance between the adjacent adhesive film pieces in the first region (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). As in claim 18, a separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece is longer than a maximum length of the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece in a direction in which the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are separated from each other (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, line 18 – 27). With respect to claim 19, a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece is shorter than a maximum length of the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece in a direction in which the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are separated from each other (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C). Regarding claim 20, a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece is shorter than the separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C). For claim 22, the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the release film, and wherein a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece in the longitudinal direction is 20 mm or less (Column 11, lines 4 – 15; Figure 17C; Column 10, lines 40 – 55). In claim 23, the plurality of adhesive film pieces form a plurality of adhesive film piece groups arranged in the longitudinal direction of the release film, and wherein the arrangement of the adhesive film pieces is the same in the plurality of adhesive film piece groups (Figure 17C; Column 10, lines 40 – 55). With regard to claim 24, a separation distance between the adhesive film piece groups adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the release film is 20 mm or less (Column 11, lines 4 – 15). As in claim 25, the plurality of adhesive film pieces are separated from the edges of the release film in the width direction of the release film (Figures 2, 4, 12 – 14, and 16 – 18; Column 10, line 28 – 30). With respect to claim 26, the plurality of adhesive film pieces are arranged in one row in the longitudinal direction of the release film (Figure 2, 4, 12 – 14, 16, and 18; Column 10, lines 40 – 41). Regarding claim 27, at least a part of the plurality of adhesive film pieces has a hole (Figure 18; Column 9, line 51 to Column 10, line 17). For claim 28, the plurality of adhesive film pieces have the same shape (Column 10, lines 18 – 19; Figures 2, 4, 12 – 14, and 16 – 18). In claim 29, the adhesive film piece is conductive (Column 8, lines 9 – 11; Column 9, lines 4 – 16). In claim 30, the adhesive film piece contains conductive particles (Column 8, lines 9 – 11; Column 9, lines 4 – 16). However, Tatsuzawa et al. fail to disclose half cut that is formed in the release film, the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece, and the half cut is spaced apart from the first adhesive film piece and from the second adhesive film piece, the half cut does not surround either the first adhesive film piece or the second adhesive film piece, the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are located outside the half cut, at least the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece have the same shape, the half cut has the same shape as an outer shape of the adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece, and all of the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece.
Downs et al. teach a film (Figures; Abstract) comprising: a long release film (Figures 1 – 3 and 6, #32); a plurality of adhesive film pieces which are provided on the release film and separated from each other (Figures 1 – 3, #34); and a non-adhesive region which is provided on the release film not to have the plurality of adhesive film pieces (Figures 1 – 3, #34, the spaces between the adhesive), wherein the plurality of adhesive film pieces include a first adhesive film piece and a second adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region and a third adhesive film piece and a fourth adhesive film piece which are adjacent to each other through the non-adhesive region (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94), and wherein a separation distance between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece is different from a separation distance between the third adhesive film piece and the fourth adhesive film piece (Figures 1 – 5, #34, Figure 9, #94; Paragraph 0022, 0056, 0057, 0071, 0073), and wherein the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98), and the half cut is spaced apart from the first adhesive film piece and from the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98), the half cut does not surround either the first adhesive film piece or the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements), the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece are located outside the half cut (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements), and at least the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece have the same shape, the half cut has the same shape as an outer shape of the adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece, and all of the half cut is formed in the non-adhesive region between the first adhesive film piece and the second adhesive film piece (Paragraph 0062, wherein the perforations may be tear folds or lines; Figure 4, #54; Figure 5, #84; Figure 9, #98, wherein the tear lines may take a variety of arrangements) for the purpose of dispensing adhesive from a sheet (Abstract).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the half cuts in Tatsuzawa et al. in order to dispense adhesive from a sheet as taught by Downs et al.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 12 – 20, 22 – 30, and 40 – 42 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Please see the newly presented rejections in view of Downs et al.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Patricia L Nordmeyer whose telephone number is (571)272-1496. The examiner can normally be reached 10am - 6:30pm EST, Monday - Friday.
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/Patricia L. Nordmeyer/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1788
/pln/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1788 September 10, 2026
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