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 .
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
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 6-8, 13-14 and 16 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 6 recites the limitation "said sputtering layer" in lines 4-5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 7 recites the limitation "said polycrystalline ceramic body" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "said 1st and 2nd external electrodes" in lines 4-5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 13, line 1, replace “laminated ceramic electronic component” with –multilayer ceramic electronic component--.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "said copper layer" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "said 1st and 2nd external electrodes" in lines 4-5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-5, 9-12, 15, and 17 are allowed.
Claims 6-8, 13-14, and 16 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: In combination with the other claim limitations, the prior art does not teach or suggest a multilayer ceramic electronic component wherein said plurality of internal electrodes and said base layer are made of a polycrystalline material mainly composed of copper; and the average crystal grain size of said base layer is 1.2 times or more that of said plurality of internal electrodes (claim 1).
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: a method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising firing the intermediate body to form said base layer into a polycrystalline body having an average crystal grain size 1.2 times or more the average crystal grain size of said plurality of internal electrodes; and forming a plating layer on said base layer of said intermediate body after firing (claim 9).
JP 2014-170874 A – fails to teach a multilayer ceramic capacitor where a plurality of internal electrodes and base layer are made of a polycrystalline material mainly composed of copper; and the average crystal grain size of said base layer is 1.2 times or more that of said plurality of internal electrodes.
US 2008/0254968 A1 – fails to teach a multilayer ceramic capacitor where a plurality of internal electrodes and base layer are made of a polycrystalline material mainly composed of copper; and the average crystal grain size of said base layer is 1.2 times or more that of said plurality of internal electrodes
US 2022/0157528 A1 -- fails to teach a multilayer ceramic capacitor where a plurality of internal electrodes and base layer are made of a polycrystalline material mainly composed of copper; and the average crystal grain size of said base layer is 1.2 times or more that of said plurality of internal electrodes
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2011/0051315 – multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a polycrystalline ceramic material
US 2011/0141657 – multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising an external electrode including copper with a mean grain size of 3 um or less
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/ERIC W THOMAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847
ERIC THOMAS
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2847
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