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 § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Nakatani et al., WO 2022-191190.
Regarding claims 1-2, Nakatani discloses cellulose nanofiber [0001]. Paragraph 0009 discloses that the cellulose nanofibers have an average fiber diameter ranging from 3 nm to 500 nm. Additionally, paragraph 0009 discloses that the cellulose nanofibers have an aspect ratio of 30. Paragraph 0014 discloses a total amount of carboxyl groups of 0.4 to 3.0 mmol/g, which is encompassed within Applicant’s claimed range.
Regarding claims 3 and 5, paragraph 0027 discloses a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion containing the cellulose nanofiber [0029].
Regarding claim 4, paragraphs 0001-0002 discloses that the cellulose nanofibers can be used as a coating [film].
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CAMIE S THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-1530. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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/CAMIE S THOMPSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786
