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 – 20 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.
As to claim 1, applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the first flexible film insulation layer is usable to cover a part of an object to be detected. It is unclear from the claim language what is an object and how a part of an object is being detected. Applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the second flexible film insulation layer is usable to cover another part of an object to be detected. It is unclear from the claim language what is an object and how another part of an object is being detected. Applicant attempts to define the subject matter in terms of the result to be achieved ( determining whether there is leakage), but in so doing merely states the problem to be solved, without indicating the technical features or steps necessary for achieving this result. Due to lack of essential features or steps it is unclear how applicant is determining whether there is leakage. It is unclear where and what is the leakage that is being determined.
As to claim 11, applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the first flexible film insulation layer is usable to cover a pipeline to be detected. It is unclear how a pipeline is being detected. Applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the second flexible film insulation layer is configured to cover the pipeline to be detected. It is unclear how another pipeline is being detected. Applicant attempts to define the subject matter in terms of the result to be achieved ( pipeline to be detected), but in so doing merely states the problem to be solved, without indicating the technical features or steps necessary for achieving this result.
Claim 19 recites the limitations "the last section", “the middle”, “the first section” in lines 1 and 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
As to claim 20, applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the first flexible film insulation layer is usable to cover a pipeline to be detected. It is unclear how a pipeline is being detected. Applicant is claiming that the inner surface of the second flexible film insulation layer is configured to cover the pipeline to be detected. It is unclear how another pipeline is being detected. Applicant attempts to define the subject matter in terms of the result to be achieved ( pipeline to be detected), but in so doing merely states the problem to be solved, without indicating the technical features or steps necessary for achieving this result.
Claims 2 – 10 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Claims 12 – 19 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 11.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 - 20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
Prior Art of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant s disclosure.
Ikoma (11,561,190) is cited for its disclosure of a liquid detection sensor and liquid detector including a first electrode, an insulating layer and a second electrode.
SUBRAHMANYAM et al. (2022/0196507) is cited for its disclosure of cooling system leak detection improvements.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REENA AURORA whose telephone number is (571)272-2263. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00AM-5:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached at 5712705628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/REENA AURORA/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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