CTNF 19/196,960 CTNF 92159 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Note # 1 Examiner wishes to point out to applicant that claim(s) 1-20 is/are directed towards an apparatus and as such will be examined under the following conditions. The process/manner of using the apparatus and/or the material worked upon by the apparatus is/are viewed as recitation(s) of intended use and is/are given patentable weight only to the extent that structure is added to the claimed apparatus (See MPEP §§ 2114 II and 2115 for further details). Claim Objections 07-29-01 AIA Claim (s) 1 and 15-18 is/are objected to because of the following informalities : In line 10 of claim 1 , “a resin support” should be changed to --the resin support--. In line 13 of claim 1 , “a resin support” should be changed to --the resin support--. In line 2 of claim 15 , “a resin support” should be changed to --the resin support--. In line 3 of claim 16 , “feed frame supporting operably supporting” should be changed to -- feed frame supporting--. In line 8 of claim 16 , “take-up frame supporting operably supporting” should be changed to -- take-up frame supporting--. In line 11 of claim 16 , “support a second portion of a resin support” should be changed to -- support a second portion of the resin support--. In line 2 of claim 17 , “a resin support” should be changed to --the resin support--. In line 2 of claim 18 , “a resin support” should be changed to --the resin support --. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claim(s) 1-20 is/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. In the preamble, independent claims 1, 11, and 16 recite “an additive manufacturing apparatus” which is indefinite. The term “additive manufacturing” only appears on the preamble of the claims while the body of the claims do not limit the structure of the apparatus to additive manufacturing. Hence, the claims can multiple plausible interpretations including one interpretation in which the claimed apparatus is limited to additive manufacturing and another interpretation in which the claimed apparatus is not limited to additive manufacturing. As such, the scope of the independent claims 1, 11, and 16 is indefinite. Claim 1 recites the limitation “a feed module configured to support a first portion of a resin support , the first portion of the resin support supported by a feed mandrel operably coupled to a feed mounting panel” which is indefinite. Is the first portion of the resin support supported by the feed module or by the feed mandrel? The limitation can have multiple plausible interpretations including an interpretation in which the feed mandrel operably coupled to a feed mounting panel is not required. According to Applicant’s disclosure, the feed mandrel and the feed mounting panel are elements of the feed module. However, the limitation does not provide a clear relationship between the feed module, the feed mandrel, and the feed mounting panel. Thus, the limitation is also indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 1 recites the limitation “a take-up module configured to support a second portion of the resin support, the second portion of the resin support supported by a take-up mandrel operably coupled to a take-up mounting panel” which is indefinite. Is the second portion of the resin support supported by the take-up module or by the take-up mandrel? The limitation also can have multiple plausible interpretations including an interpretation in which the take-up mandrel operably coupled to a take-up mounting panel is not required. According to Applicant’s disclosure, the take-up mandrel and the take-up mounting panel are elements of the take-up module. However, the limitation does not provide a clear relationship between the recited the take-up module, the take-up mandrel, and the take-up mounting panel. Thus, the limitation is also indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 1 recites the limitation “a first stop positioned between the first portion of the resin support and the feed mounting panel” which is indefinite. The limitation attempts to define the position of the claimed entity (i.e. first stop) in terms of unclaimed entities (i.e., the resin support and the feed mounting panel are not positively recited, and therefore, they do not form part of the claimed invention). Thus, the limitation is indefinite. Claim 1 recites the limitation “a second stop positioned between the second portion of the resin support and the take-up mounting panel” which is indefinite. The limitation attempts to define the position of the claimed entity (i.e., second stop) in terms of unclaimed entities (i.e., the resin support and the take-up mounting panel are not positively recited, and therefore, they do not form part of the claimed invention). Thus, the limitation is indefinite. Claim(s) 2-9 is/are rejected as being dependent from claim 1 and therefor including all the limitation thereof. Claim 10 recites the limitation “a feed module configured to support a first portion of a resin support , the first portion of the resin support operably coupled with a feed spool supported by a feed mandrel” which is indefinite. Is the first portion of the resin support supported by the feed module or by the feed spool? The limitation can have multiple plausible interpretations including an interpretation in which the feed spool supported by a feed mandrel is not required. According to Applicant’s disclosure, the feed mandrel and the feed spool are elements of the feed module. However, the limitation does not provide a clear relationship between the feed module, the feed spool, and the feed mandrel. Thus, the limitation is also indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 10 recites the limitation “a take-up module configured to support a second portion of the resin support, the second portion of the resin support operably coupled with a take-up spool supported by a take-up mandrel” which is indefinite. Is the second portion of the resin support supported by the take-up module or by the take-up spool? The limitation can have multiple plausible interpretations including an interpretation in which the take-up spool supported by a take-up mandrel is not required. According to Applicant’s disclosure, the take-up mandrel and the take-up spool are elements of the take-up module. However, the limitation does not provide a clear relationship between the take-up module, the take-up spool, and the take-up mandrel. Thus, the limitation is also indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 10 recites the limitation “a first stop extending outwardly of the feed mandrel” which is indefinite. The limitation attempts to define the position of the claimed entity (i.e. first stop) in terms of an unclaimed entity (i.e., the resin support and the feed mandrel are not positively recited, and therefore, they do not form part of the claimed invention). Thus, the limitation is indefinite. Claim 10 recites the limitation “a second stop extending outwardly of the take-up mandrel” which is indefinite. The limitation attempts to define the position of the claimed entity (i.e., second stop) in terms of an unclaimed entity (i.e., the resin support and the take-up mandrel are not positively recited, and therefore, they do not form part of the claimed invention). Thus, the limitation is indefinite. Claim(s) 11-15 is/are rejected as being dependent from claim 10 and therefor including all the limitation thereof. Claim 16 recites the limitation “a feed mounting panel” in line 3 and in line 5 which make the scope of the claim indefinite. The number of feed mounting panels required by claim 16 is unclear. According to Applicant’s disclosure, only one feed mounting panel is disclosed. Thus, as currently written, the scope of claim 16 is indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 16 recites the limitation “a take-up mounting panel” in line 8 and in line 10 which make the scope of the claim indefinite. The number of take-up mounting panels required by claim 16 is unclear. According to Applicant’s disclosure, only one take-up mounting panel is disclosed. Thus, as currently written, the scope of claim 16 is indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim 16 recites the limitation “the feed mandrel rotatably about a second axis of rotation, wherein the second axis of rotation is parallel to the second axis of rotation” which is indefinite. The language “the second axis of rotation is parallel to the second axis of rotation” makes it difficult to ascertain the subject matter for which protection is sought. According to [0082], Fig. 4, and other Figures of Applicant’s published application, the feed mandrel is rotatably about only axis. Thus, as currently written, the limitation is indefinite because it is inconsistent with Applicant’s disclosure (See MPEP § 2173.03). Claim(s) 17-20 is/are rejected as being dependent from claim 16 and therefor including all the limitation thereof. Claims 1, 11, and 16 recite “additive manufacturing apparatus” in the preamble which is indefinite. The term “additive manufacturing” only appears on the preamble of the claims while the body of the claims do not limit the structure of the apparatus to additive manufacturing. Hence, the claims can multiple plausible interpretations including one interpretation in which the claimed apparatus is limited to additive manufacturing and another interpretation in which the claimed apparatus is not limited to additive manufacturing. As such, the scope of the independent claims 1, 11, and 16 is indefinite. Note #2 Claims 1-20 cannot be evaluated with respect to prior art at this time as the Examiner cannot reasonably apprised of the scope of the claimed invention and cannot make a proper comparison between the claims and the prior art due to the 112 (b) issues explained above. Prior Art made of Record Mellor (US 20200001398) discloses an additive manufacturing apparatus (P0002, 0028) comprising: a build module (build chamber 266: P0038, annotated Fig. 3; 266 is considered to be a module because it is shown/suggested as being an independent/removable component of the system: Fig. 1 and Fig. 3); a feed module (annotated 170F: annotated Fig. 3) configured to support a first portion of a resin support (170F is capable of supporting a first portion/end of a foil 400, the foil 400 reads on the claimed resin support because the claimed resin support is disclosed as being a foil; furthermore, the taught foil 400 is capable of functioning as a resin support: Fig. 1; 170F is considered to be a module because it is shown/disclosed as being an independent/removable component of the system: P0035, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3), the first portion of the resin support supported by a feed mounting panel (the first portion/end of the foil 400 supported by 172F which is/functions as a mounting panel: P0035, 0049, annotated Fig. 3); a take-up module (annotated 170T: annotated Fig. 3) configured to support a second portion of the resin support (170T is capable of supporting a second portion/end of the foil 400; wherein 170T is considered to be a module because it is shown/disclosed as being an independent/removable component of the system: P0035, Fig. 1, and Fig. 3), the second portion of the resin support maintained by a take-up mounting panel (the second portion/end of the foil 400 supported by 172T which is/functions as a mounting panel: P0035, 0049, annotated Fig. 3) and positioned on an opposing side of the build module from the feed module (Annotated Fig. 3, Fig. 7). PNG media_image1.png 597 640 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 369 442 media_image2.png Greyscale Klimczak (US 20190344498) discloses an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a build module (2), a feed module (31’) and a take-up module (31’’: Figs. 1-2 and accompanying text). Guimbretiere (US 20180162045) discloses an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a feed mandrel (C) operably coupled to a feed mounting panel, the feed mandrel configured for supporting a first portion of a resin support, and a take-up mandrel (B) operably coupled to a take-up mounting panel, the take-up mandrel configured for supporting a second portion of the resin support (Fig. 3 and accompanying text). Guimbretiere further discloses/shows a first stop (1S) positioned between the first portion of a resin support and the feed mounting panel, the first stop defining a first distance (D1) between an inner edge of the first portion of the resin support and the feed mounting panel; and a second stop (2S) positioned between the second portion of a resin support and the take-up mounting panel, the second stop defining a second distance between an inner edge of the second portion of the resin support and the take-up mounting panel (annotated Fig. 3). PNG media_image3.png 389 481 media_image3.png Greyscale Delmas (US 20220356026 ) discloses a relevant apparatus comprising a build module (804), a feed module (802) and a take-up modules (808: Fig. 8 and accompanying text). Robinson (US 6375451) discloses a relevant apparatus comprising a build frame (frame containing the casting base), a feed frame (frame containing the payout spool) and a take-up frame (frame containing take-up spool: C3, L28-38, and Fig. 1). Page (US 20140027553) discloses the technique of providing a stop (spacer 60) extending outwardly from a feed mandrel (40) such that the first stop (60) is positioned between an inner edge of a sheet and a feed mounting panel/wall (35a), the first stop defining a first distance between the inner edge of the first sheet and the feed mounting panel for improving centering/aligning of the sheet and preventing lateral drifting/walking (P00071, Figs. 1-2). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JERZI H MORENO HERNANDEZ whose telephone number is (571)272-0625. The examiner can normally be reached 1:00-10:00 PM PT. 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, Galen Hauth can be reached at 571-270-5516. 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. JERZI H. MORENO HERNANDEZ Primary Examiner Art Unit 1743 /JERZI H MORENO HERNANDEZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 2 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 3 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 4 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 5 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 6 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 7 Art Unit: 1743 Application/Control Number: 19/196,960 Page 8 Art Unit: 1743
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