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 19 – 21 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.
The phrase “the cover layer is on a lower surface of the first and second flat portions, and a height of a lower surface of the curved portion is greater than a height of the lower surface of the first and second flat portions” in claim 19 is unclear, which renders the claim vague and indefinite. It is unclear from the specification what is meant by “the cover layer is on a lower surface of the first and second flat portions” as Figures 9A and 9B appear to show the cover layer (TPU) over the openings (OP) and the curved section (CSP) instead of the flat sections (PLA1 and PLA2) (Paragraphs 00170 – 00172 of Applicant’s specification). It is unclear where the Applicant believes the cover layer should be. It is also unclear what “a height of a lower surface of the curved portion is greater than a height of the lower surface of the first and second flat portions” means. As the thickness of the layer appears to be constant in both the flat sections and the curved section in Figure 9A. Does the thickness vary? How can the height of the lower surfaces vary?
Claims 20 and 21 are also are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, due to their dependency on the above rejected claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 – 18 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The closest prior art of record fails to teach or suggest the recited a display device. The independent claims identify the uniquely distinct features of a device display device that include a plurality of supporters between the openings adjacent to each other in the first direction; and a plurality of branches between the openings adjacent to each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the openings are defined by the branches and the supporters, and at least one of a lower surface of the branches or a lower surface of the supporters is provided with a plurality of air grooves defined therein. The closest prior art of record, KR 10-2664313; WO 2022/030789; Cao et al. (USPN 11,094,898), disclose different display devices, which either singularly or in combination, fail to anticipate or render obvious the above limitations.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record on the PTO-892 and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art is cited to show the state of the art with regard to display devices having supports with openings that are in intersecting directions..
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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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Alicia Chevalier can be reached at 571-272-1490. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Patricia L. Nordmeyer/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1788
/pln/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1788 June 17, 2026
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