DETAILED ACTION
This is in response to communication received on 3/25/26.
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The text of those sections of AIA 35 U.S.C. code not present in this action can be found in previous office actions dated 2/25/26.
Election/Restrictions
Claims 14-22 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Group II, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 3/25/26.
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 1-13 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.
A broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c).
In claim 1, it recites multiple broad limitations followed by a narrower range/limitation. These instances are recited here:
an aluminum content which is in the range between 1. 0 percent by weight and 3. 5 percent by weight and preferably in the range between 1.3 percent by weight and 2.8 percent by weight,
magnesium content which is in the range between 1.0 percent by weight and 3.0 percent by weight and preferably in the range between 1.2 percent by weight and 2.2 percent by weight
In claim 2, it recites multiple broad limitations followed by a narrower range/limitation. These instances are recited here:
target surface coating of the layer (10) per strip side being in the range of 20 g/m2 to 200 g/m2, preferably in the range of 30 g/m2 to 100 g/m2
target thickness of the layer (10) per strip side being in the range of 3 μm to 30 μm, preferably in the range of 4.5 μm to 15 μm
In claim 3, it recites the broad recitation of absolute local air humidity (f) in the range of 1 g/m3 to 300 g/m3, and the claim also recites preferably in the range of 1.08 g/m3 to 51 g/m3 which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation.
In claim 9, it recites multiple broad limitations followed by a narrower range/limitation. These instances are recited here:
the thickness (d) of the nozzle lip gap (17) is in a range between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.6 mm and 2 mm, particularly preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm…
the spacing (Z) is in a range between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 12 mm,
the strip speed (v) is in a range between 50 m/min and 200 m/min, preferably between 70 m/min and 150 m/min
In claim 10, it recites multiple broad limitations followed by a narrower range/limitation. These instances are recited here:
the bath temperature TB of the alloy melt bath (11) is in the range of 400 degrees Celsius< TB < 480 degrees Celsius, preferably in the range of 409 degrees Celsius< TB < 473 degrees Celsius, and particularly preferably in the range of 420 degrees Celsius< TB< 460 degrees Celsius
In claim 11, it recites the broad recitation of wherein the cylinder volume segments together have a volume in a range of 1 m3 to 10 m3, and the claim also recites preferably a volume of less than 2 m3 which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation.
The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
As for claims 4-8, and 12-13, as they depend from claim 1 and other rejected claims, they contain all the limitations thereof and are similarly rejected.
Appropriate correction is required.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure is as follows:
SOHN et al. US 2021/0010123
CAREY, II et al. US 2003/0089432
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KRISTEN A DAGENAIS whose telephone number is (571)270-1114. The examiner can normally be reached 8-12 and 1-5.
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/KRISTEN A DAGENAIS/Examiner, Art Unit 1717
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