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 .
This action is responsive to applicant’s amendment/remarks filed 11/18/25. Claims 1-21 are pending.
The amendment to the specification filed 11/18/25 is entered.
The Replacement Drawings filed 11/18/25 are entered/approved by the examiner.
The IDS statement filed 11/18/25 has been considered. An initialed copy accompanies this action.
The provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection over copending application serial number 18/899,760 is withdrawn in view of applicant’s remarks filed 11/18/25.
Likewise, the prior art rejection over US 2025/0101238 A1 is withdrawn in view of applicant’s remarks filed 11/18/25.
New Grounds of Rejection
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-9, 11-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over WO 2018/019813 A1.
WO 2018/019813 A1 discloses a composition comprising a carrier liquid having a b.p. of less than 120°C (e.g. water, ethanol), metal nanoobjects (AgNW) (page 6, lines 1-5; lines 17-18; lines 28-29), metal oxide nanoobjects, and one or more metal salts of the formula (Ma+)z(Rb-)y ((e.g. silver acetate)(page 3 lines 5-25; page 10, lines 19-24; page 11, lines 27-30). The percentages of components overlap with those instantly claimed (page 4, lines 14-23), and the reference additionally teaches the addition of one or more organic polymerizable monomers (e.g. alkyl or hydroxyalkyl acrylates) dissolved in the composition at 1-1000 wt% (page 23, line 30 to page 24, line 23), which percentages also overlap with the claimed amount(s).
In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990). With respect to instant dependent claims 11-15 and 20, the examiner submits that such properties would inherently result from the obvious selection of polymer matrix precursor species referenced above. With respect to dependent claims 16-17, the reference teaches the addition of surfactants and UV curing agents as know adjuncts (page 23, 35).
In view of the foregoing, the above claims have failed to patentably distinguish over the applied art.
The remaining references listed on forms 892 and 1449 have been reviewed by the examiner and are considered to be cumulative to or less material than the prior art references relied upon in the rejection above.
Allowable Subject Matter
Dependent claim 10 is allowed. The prior art above does not disclose or fairly suggest the instant Markush group of polymer matrix precursor components.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARK T KOPEC whose telephone number is (571)272-1319. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00a-5:00p EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Robert Jones can be reached at 5712707733. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARK KOPEC/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1762
MK
January 11, 2026