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 .
Response to Amendment
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 Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 16-34 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.
Claim 16 recites the limitation “each of N” in line 18. It is uncertain whether “N” refers to the “N” recited in line 12 or a different undefined number.
Claim 16 recites the limitation “the array is configured to selectively switch pressurized water to one or more of the water inlets” in lines 21-22. The claim fails to recite structure to accomplish the function. The structure recited in the claim is not commensurate in scope with the function recited in the claim.
The term “adjacent” in claim 21 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “adjacent” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The term “adjacent” is defined as: near. The term “near” is also a relative term. The distance/location limited by the claim is uncertain.
The term “adjacent” in claim 22 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “adjacent” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The term “adjacent” is defined as: near. The term “near” is also a relative term. The distance/location limited by the claim is uncertain.
Claim 21 recites the limitation “an angle-specific 3D-printing process” in line 5. The preamble of the claim is directed to a method for building a horizontal array. It is uncertain whether claim 21 is directed to an angle-specific 3D-printing process or a method for building a horizontal array. Additionally, claim 21 fails to provide any angle-specific 3D-printing process steps.
Claim 22 recites the limitation “an injection molding process” in line 5. The preamble of the claim is directed to a method for building a horizontal array. It is uncertain whether claim 22 is directed to an injection molding process or a method for building a horizontal array. Additionally, claim 22 fails to provide any injection molding process steps.
Claim 23 recites the limitation “each of N” in line 4. It is uncertain whether “N” refers to the “N” recited in claim 16, line 12, in claim 16, line 18 or a different undefined number.
Claim 32 recites the limitation “an injection molding” in line 5. The preamble of the claim is directed to a method for building a horizontal array. It is uncertain whether claim 32 is directed to an injection molding process or a method for building a horizontal array. Additionally, claim 32 fails to provide any injection molding process steps.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed September 11, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant asserts that the claims have been amended to more particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention. The claims remain indefinite for the reasons set forth above.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER S KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-4905. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-3:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Arthur O Hall can be reached at (571) 270-1814. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER S KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752 CHRISTOPHER S. KIM
Examiner
Art Unit 3752
CK
