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 .
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 1-14 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 Claims 1-4, the limitation of “visual perception of the bulky additives” is subjective term that renders the claim indefinite, as the visual perception of an object can vary from person to person (MPEP §2173.05(b)(IV). The Specification further states “at least some of the bulky additives can be recognized with the naked eye as separate and individual components of the support layer”, but this definition still subjective as the ability to recognize separate additives can also vary from person to person. Therefore, it is uncertain what limitations are placed on the composite, which renders the claim indefinite.
Claims 2-14 are also rejected, due to their dependency on Claim 1.
Regarding Claim 8, the limitation of “haptic perception of the bulky additives” is subjective term that renders the claim indefinite, as the haptic perception of an object can vary from person to person (MPEP §2173.05(b)(IV).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Witek (EP3051023A1) teaches a multilayer laminate structure with a support layer filled with cork particles with sizes greater than 50 microns, covered with light-transmissive layers to protect the support layer.
Kaschub (DE102018217565A1) teaches a multilayer laminate that is translucent that covers a base support layer.
Imai (JP2009066967A) teaches a multilayer composite comprising a support layered covered with light-transmissive layers to protect the support layer.
Correspondence
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL ZHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-0358. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm, 8:30PM-10:30PM.
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/Michael Zhang/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1781
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