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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This is the first action on the merits for application 19/109136. Claims 1-6 are currently pending in this application.
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.
Claim(s) 1-6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by HIROKI (2020/0362941).
Regarding Claim 1, HIROKI teaches An article comprising an elastomeric main body (2) on the basis of at least one rubber compound [0016] with a surface (5) of the article that is susceptible to noise and wear and is provided with a textile covering (4)[0016], characterized in that the textile covering of the elastomeric article contains fibers of lyocell or consists entirely of fibers of lyocell [0017][0024].
Regarding Claim 2, HIROKI teaches wherein the textile covering has an average weight per unit area between 70 g/m2 and 350 g/m2 [0048].
Regarding Claim 3, HIROKI teaches wherein the textile covering is a knitted fabric [0038].
Regarding Claim 4, HIROKI teaches wherein it also contains at least one embedded reinforcing element (3).
Regarding Claim 5, HIROKI teaches wherein it is a band, strap, belt, hose, air spring bellows, expansion joint or a multilayered fabric web [0016].
Regarding Claim 6, HIROKI teaches wherein the belt is a drive belt [0016].
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HENRY Y LIU whose telephone number is (571)270-7018. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5:30 ET.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, ROBERT W HODGE can be reached at 5712722097. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
HENRY Y. LIU
Examiner
Art Unit 3654
/HENRY Y LIU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3654
