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 .
This communication is in response to the claims dated 4/28/2025.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Current Application:
1. A glass article, comprising:
a glass sheet comprising a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface;
an adhesive material disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet;
a hinge mechanism configured to cooperate with the second major surface of the glass sheet; and
a bendable display unit bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet and disposed between the glass sheet and the hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism defining a bend axis about which the glass sheet and the bendable display unit are configured to bend;
wherein the adhesive material is disposed around the bendable display unit such that the bendable display unit is hermetically sealed by the adhesive material.
2. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface, and wherein the adhesive material is bonded to the peripheral surface and to the rear surface.
3. The glass article of claim 2, further comprising at least one frame configured to cooperate with the second major surface of the glass sheet on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds the frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet, and wherein the adhesive material is not bonded to the hinge mechanism in a region between the hinge mechanism and the bendable display unit.
4. The glass article of claim 3, wherein the bendable display extends over the at least one frame.
5. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface, and wherein a gap is provided between the adhesive material and the peripheral surface and the rear surface.
6. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising an anti-splinter film bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet around the bendable display unit.
7. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising a spacer disposed on the rear surface of the bendable display unit or around the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit.
8. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising a backing sheet disposed between the adhesive material and the hinge mechanism, wherein the backing plate comprises an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy.
9. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising at least one frame on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds to the at least one frame and to the second major surface of the glass sheet.
10. The glass article of claim 9, wherein: the hinge mechanism comprises a protrusion that is in contact with the bendable display unit; or the hinge mechanism comprises a recess, wherein the at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit is surrounded by the recess.
11. The glass article of claim1,wherein the hinge mechanism divides the glass sheet into a first side and a second side, and wherein the first side is bendable from a planar configuration with respect to the second side to a bent configuration in which the first side bends 100 to 180° from planar.
12. An interior system of a vehicle, comprising:
a dashboard base positioned across a center line axis of the vehicle; and
a glass article attached to the dashboard base, the glass article comprising:
a glass sheet comprising a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface;
an adhesive material disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet;
a hinge mechanism configured to cooperate with the second major surface of the glass sheet via the adhesive material; and
a bendable display unit bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet and disposed between the hinge mechanism and the glass sheet, the hinge mechanism defining a bend axis about which the glass sheet and the bendable display unit are configured to bend;
wherein the bendable display unit is hermetically sealed between the adhesive material and the glass sheet.
13. The interior system of claim 12, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface, and wherein the adhesive material is bonded to the peripheral surface and to the rear surface.
14. The interior system of claim 13, further comprising at least one frame disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds the frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet, and wherein the adhesive material is not bonded to the hinge mechanism in a region between the hinge mechanism and the bendable display unit.
15. The interior system of claim 14, wherein the bendable display extends over the at least one frame.
16. The interior system of claim 13, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface, and wherein a gap is provided between the adhesive material and the peripheral surface and the rear surface.
17. The interior system of claim 16, further comprising a spacer disposed on the rear surface of the bendable display unit or around the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit.
18. The interior system of claim 16, further comprising at least one frame on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds to the at least one frame and to the second major surface of the glass sheet.
19. The interior system of claim 18, wherein: hinge mechanism comprises a protrusion that is in contact with the bendable display unit; or the hinge mechanism comprises a recess, wherein the at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit is surrounded by the recess.
20. The interior system of claim 12, wherein: the center line axis divides the vehicle longitudinally into a driver side and a passenger side, the hinge mechanism divides the glass sheet between a first side and a second side, the first side of the glass sheet is located on the driver side of the center line axis, and the bendable display unit is configured to transition between a curved configuration and a planar configuration when the second side of the glass sheet bends about the hinge mechanism.
U.S. Patent 12,302,516:
1. A glass article, comprising:
a glass sheet comprising a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface;
a hinge mechanism disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet, the hinge mechanism dividing the glass sheet into a first side and a second side;
a bendable display unit bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet and disposed between the glass sheet and the hinge mechanism;
an adhesive material disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet around the display;
wherein the first side is bendable about the hinge mechanism relative to the second side; and
wherein the bendable display unit is hermetically sealed within the adhesive material.
2. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface and wherein the adhesive material is bonded to the peripheral surface and to the rear surface.
3. The glass article of claim 2, further comprising at least one frame disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds the frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet and wherein the adhesive material is not bonded to the hinge mechanism in a region between the hinge mechanism and the bendable display unit.
4. The glass article of claim 3, wherein the bendable display extends over the at least one frame.
5. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface and wherein a gap is provided between the adhesive material and the peripheral surface and the rear surface.
6. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising an anti-splinter film bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet around the bendable display unit.
7. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising a spacer disposed on the rear surface of the bendable display unit or around the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit.
8. The glass article of claim 7, wherein the spacer comprises at least one of a rubber gasket, a honeycomb structure, or an air bladder.
9. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising a backing sheet disposed between the adhesive material and the hinge mechanism, wherein the backing plate comprises an aluminum alloy or a steel alloy.
10. The glass article of claim 5, further comprising at least one frame on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds to the at least one frame and to the second major surface of the glass sheet.
11. The glass article of claim 10, wherein; hinge mechanism comprises a protrusion, wherein the bendable display unit is in contact with the protrusion of the hinge mechanism; or the hinge mechanism comprises a recess, wherein the at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit is surrounded by the recess.
12. The glass article of claim 1, wherein the first side is bendable from a planar configuration with respect to the second side to a bent configuration in which the first side bends 10° to 180° from planar.
13. An interior system of a vehicle, comprising:
a dashboard base positioned across a center line axis of the vehicle, the center line axis dividing the vehicle longitudinally into a driver side and a passenger side; a glass article attached to the dashboard base, the glass article comprising:
a glass sheet comprising a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, wherein the first glass sheet comprises a first side and a second side, the first side being located on the driver side of the center line axis;
a hinge mechanism disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet, the hinge mechanism dividing the glass sheet between the first side and the second side; and
a bendable display unit bonded to the second major surface of the glass sheet and disposed between the hinge mechanism and the glass sheet; an adhesive material disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet around the bendable display unit;
wherein the display is hermetically sealed between the adhesive material and the glass sheet; and
wherein the bendable display unit is configured to transition between a curved configuration and a planar configuration when the second side of the glass sheet bends about the hinge mechanism.
14. The interior system of claim 13, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface and wherein the adhesive material is bonded to the peripheral surface and to the rear surface.
15. The interior system of claim 14, further comprising at least one frame disposed on the second major surface of the glass sheet on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds the frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet and wherein the adhesive material is not bonded to the hinge mechanism in a region between the hinge mechanism and the bendable display unit.
16. The interior system of claim 15, wherein the bendable display extends over the at least one frame.
17. The interior system of claim 14, wherein the bendable display unit comprises a front display surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the front display surface and the rear surface and wherein a gap is provided between the adhesive material and the peripheral surface and the rear surface.
18. The interior system of claim 17, further comprising a spacer disposed on the rear surface of the bendable display unit or around the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit.
19. The interior system of claim 17, further comprising at least one frame on a side of the hinge mechanism, wherein the adhesive material bonds to the at least one frame and to the second major surface of the glass sheet.
20. The interior system of claim 19, wherein; the hinge mechanism comprises a protrusion, wherein the bendable display unit is in contact with the protrusion of the hinge mechanism; or the hinge mechanism comprises a recess, wherein the at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the bendable display unit is surrounded by the recess.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,302,516. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because: (See above claim comparison table).
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 12,302,516 recites every limitations of claim 1 of the current application. There are slight difference in wordings and the order of the recited elements. (see above claim comparison table).
Claims 2-7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 2-7 of U.S. Patent No. 12,302,516. (See above claim comparison table).
Claims 8-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 9-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,302,516. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because: (See above claim comparison table).
Claims 9-20 of U.S. Patent 12,302,516 recites every limitations of claim 8-19 of the current application. There are slight difference in wordings and the order of the recited elements. (see above claim comparison table).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HUNG Q DANG whose telephone number is (571)272-3069. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10-6PM..
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Imani N Hayman can be reached at 571-270-5528. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HUNG Q DANG/Examiner, Art Unit 2841
/ANTHONY M HAUGHTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
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