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 election with traverse of Group I (claims 23-37) in the reply filed on 4/20/2026 is acknowledged.
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 27-30 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.
Claim 27 is indefinite because "the component carrier" lacks positive antecedent basis, as claim 27 is dependent on claim 24 and claim 25 recites a component carrier. Claim 28 is indefinite because of its dependency. Claim 29 is indefinite because "the heated air" lacks positive antecedent basis. Claim 30 is indefinite because of the phrase "throughflow of fluid through the container" as there are no positive steps in claim 23 directed to any processing of fluid in the container which would further require "throughflow of fluid through the container".
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 –
Claim(s) 23-32, and 34-37 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Murillo et al. (US11084216B2).
Re claims 23-24, Murillo et al. teach a method of partially removing unreacted resin 15 (Fig. 2) adhering to components 11 produced by a lithographic generative manufacturing process (col. 1, lines 1-60) comprising: a) loading at least one container 33 with at least one component 11 (Fig. 1); arranging the container at one of a number of receiving positions (Figs. 2 and 6) of a centrifuge device 31a, that are eccentric with respect to an axis of rotation (x, fig. 2); centrifuging the at least one container by the centrifuge device, whereby the resins is detached from the component 11 (Fig. 2, element 11) and collecting the detachable resin in a collecting portion (i.e. detachable removable liner, col. 8, lines 1-20) of the container 33 ( abstract, claim 1 for example). Re claims 25-26, Murillo et al. teach a carrier platform 10 for the component 11, while the component is arranged in the container 33 (Fig. 2). Re claim 27, refer to element 32 (component carrier) is fixed to the collection vessel 33 via the rotor mount 32 (col. 6, lines 50-65). Re claim 28, refer to Fig. 2, wherein the component 11 or component carrier 10 is fixed to a side wall (i.e. 32) of the collection vessel 33 facing towards or away from the axis of rotation x of the centrifuge device. Re claims 29 and 32, refer to col. 7, lines 46-60 and Fig. 4, element 35. Re claim 30, in view of the indefiniteness, refer to Fig. 4, elements 34 and 37. Re claim 31, refer to col. 7, lines 45-55. Re claim 34, refer to col. 7, lines 45-55. Re claim 35, refer to Fig. 6. Re claims 36-37, refer to col. 8, lines 1-19.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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) 33 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Murillo et al. (US11084216B2).
Re claim 33, Murillo et al. teach loading at least one component in a first container 33 (Fig. 2) and arranging at least one further component 11 in a second container (i.e. opposite side) and further teaches as previously discussed using a heater to reduce the viscosity of the resin (col. 7, lines 55-60), but fails to teach heating each container at different temperatures. Furthermore, Fig. 6 teaches using a plurality of containers. Absent of a showing of criticality and/or unexpected results, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified processing parameters, such as controlling the temperature, depending upon such factors as the type of resin being used, the 3D object being centrifuged, the speed of centrifugation and the gas being supplied during centrifugation to warm the object and reduce the viscosity of the resin.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Diez et al. teach a method of producing a component by stereolithography. Feller et al. teach a centrifugal separator. Meenakshisundaram et al. teach a method for cleaning and post-curing additively manufactured objects.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Sharidan Carrillo whose telephone number is (571)272-1297. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 7:00am-4:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Michael Barr can be reached at 571-272-1414. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Sharidan Carrillo
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1711
/Sharidan Carrillo/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1711
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