`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`wwwusptogov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`13/408,824
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`02/29/2012
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`David OPIE
`
`069648—0404130
`
`1862
`
`98f“
`-
`7590
`-
`02’0“”
`-
`Plllsbury Wlnthrop Shaw Pltman LLP (Cruc1ble) —
`PO. Box 10500
`YANG, HE
`Mclean, VA 22102
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUIVIBER
`
`1733
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/06/2015
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`D0cket_IP @pillsburylaw.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`
` 13/408,824 OPIE ET AL.
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventorto File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`1733JIE YANG first“
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`-
`-
`
`Status
`
`1)IXI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 9/11/2014.
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)lX| This action is non-final.
`2a)I:| This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:I Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under EX parte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PT0_413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`—
`4) I:I Other'
`2) E Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date .
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20150130
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)|XI Claim(s) fl is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6 III Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`s M is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`) )
`
`_
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)|:l Claim(s
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`htt
`://www.usoto. ov/ atents/init events"
`h/index.‘s
`
`
`
`
`
`, or send an inquiry to PF"I-Ifeedback{<‘buspto.qov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|:I The drawing(s) filed on _ is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`b)I:I Some” c)I:I None of the:
`a)I:I All
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.I:I Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1. 114
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this
`
`application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action
`
`has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on
`
`9/11/2014 has been entered.
`
`Status of the Claims
`
`Claims 1-36 have been cancelled; claims 37 and 45 have been amended; claim
`
`51 is added as new claim; claims 37-51 remain for examination, wherein claims 37, 45,
`
`and 51 are independent claims.
`
`Status of the Previous Rejection
`
`The previous rejection of Claims 37, 45, and 51 under 35 U.S.C. 112, first
`
`paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement has been
`
`withdrawn according to the applicant’s amendments filed on 9/11/2014.
`
`The previous rejection of Claims 37-51 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) as being
`
`anticipated by Peker et al (WO 2004/012620 A2, thereafter WO’620) has been
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`withdrawn according to the applicant’s “Declaration under the rule of 131” filed on
`
`1/22/2014 and interview on 5/30/2014.
`
`The previous rejection of Claims 37-51 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) as being
`
`anticipated by Peker et al (WO 2004/012620 A2, thereafter WO’620) in view of Hosoe
`
`(US-PG-pub 2004/0211222 A1, thereafter PG’222) has been withdrawn according to
`
`the applicant’s “Declaration under the rule of 131” filed on 1/22/2014 and interview on
`
`5/30/2014.
`
`The previous rejection of Claims 37-39, 41, 44-47, and 50-51 under 35
`
`U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Horton, Jr et al (US-PG-pub 2002/0162605A1,
`
`thereafter PG’605) has been withdrawn according to the applicant’s
`
`amendment/remarks filed on 9/11/2014.
`
`The previous rejection of Claim 40 under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as unpatentable over
`
`PG’605 in view of Lin et al (US 5,797,443, thereafter US’443) has been withdrawn
`
`according to the applicant’s amendment/remarks filed on 9/11/2014.
`
`The previous rejection of Claims 42, 43, 48, and 49 under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as
`
`unpatentable over PG’605 in view of Otani et al (US 5,049,074, thereafter US’074) has
`
`been withdrawn according to the applicant’s amendment/remarks filed on 9/11/2014.
`
`However, in view of the Applicant’s amendments and newly recorded
`
`reference(s), a new ground rejection is listed as following:
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
`forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
`the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`Claims 37-39, 41, 44-47, and 50-51 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as
`
`unpatentable over Horton, Jr et al (US-PG-pub 2002/0162605A1, thereafter PG’605) in
`
`view of Scruggs et al (US 5,711,363, thereafter US’363).
`
`Regarding claims 37 and 45,
`
`n
`PG’605 teaches a process or
`
`
`
`manufacturing dental hardware, especia'
`'y medical
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`appliances by bulk meta"
`'ic glass (BMG). PG’605
`
`
`
`instruments
`
`and biomedical
`
`
`
`
`es for the
`provides samp'
`
`
`BMG implants without adding Ni
`
`
`
`(Paragraphs [0043 -[OO44]),
`
`which reads on the method companying
`
`
`
`
`" Ni
`"or
`manufacturing an object having a composition free 0
`
`placement into a region as recited in the ins
`
`
`
`
`
`:ant claims. PG’605
`
`teaches arc cast Zr-32.5Cu-5Ti—lOAl a:
`
`_loy into a water-cooled
`
`
`0
` 5 PG’605),
`
`
`
`
`(
`Example
`obtain amorphous artic'e
`
`
`
`copper mold to
`
`which reads on
`
`
`all or
`
`the essential process steps including:
`
`
`providing feed
`
`stock, heating, shaping,
`
`and mold quenching as
`
`recited in the
`
`instant claims.
`
`Qegarding around 1.2% or more
`
`elastic strain limit
`
`in the instant claims,
`
`which is recognized
`
`
`
`
`
`as material property depended on the material composition and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`
`
`heat treatment processes. Because PG’605 teaches the same BMG
`
`
`alloy without adding Ni manufactured by the same mold casting
`
`
`
`
`
`method (?xample
`
`
`of PG’605),
`
`the claimed property, around
`
`
`
`l.7% or more elastic strain limit, would be inherent exist in
`
`I]
`
`
`the QMG alloy 0'
`
`
`?G’605. This position is further evidenced by
`
`including higher elastic strain limit
`
`
`
`
`
`I]
`
`(paragraph [0047] o;
`
`
`
`?G’605). PG’605 does not specify heaoing the feedstock around
`
`the glass transition temperature with reaching to a viscous
`
`
`
`process 0: manufacturing bulk solidifying amorphous alloy
`
`
`
`
`
` ?G’605. PG’605 teaches that the mechanical properties of QMG
`
`
` fluid regime as recited in the instant claims. US’363 teaches a
`
`
`
`
`(AbstraCt and c'aims of US’363). US’363 teaches solid die-cast
`
`
`
`
`
`process to heating the alloy at a temperature such that their
`
`
`
`
`viscosity is greater than a specific point
`
`(Col.2,
`
`
`lines 8—37 0:
`
`
`
`I)
`
`
`US'363). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one o;
`
`
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to
`
`apply the heating process as demonstrated by US’363 in the
`
`
`process 0: PG’605 in order to obtain the desired solid die-cast
`
`articles (Col.2,
`
`
`lines 8-37 of US'363).
`
`Regarding claims 38, 39, and 46, PG’605 teaches applying
`
`
`
`water-cooled copper mold for article having a shape suitable for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`image (claim 1, Fig.l—7, and ixample
`of ?G’605), which
`
`
`MR:
`
`reads on the mold with a negative impression of
`
`,he desired body
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`
`
`
`
`sur ace "eatures (claim 38) and
`
`(claims 39 and 46).
`
`that mold is a permanent mold
`
`Regarding claims 41 and 47,
`
`the claimed super-cooled liquid
`
`
`region is recognized as a property 0: amorphous alloy. PG’605
`
`
`teaches the same BMG alloy without adding Ni manufactured by the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`same mold casting method (Rxamp'e
`O" PG’605,
`
`the claimed
`
`
`
`property,
`
`such as super—cooled
`
`
`'iquid region (ATsc) o: 900C or
`
`more would be inherent exist in the Zr/Ti base amorphous alloy
`
`
`
`
`
`free of Ni of PG’605.
`
`
`
`Regarding claims 44 and 50, PG’605 teaches dental hardware
`
`
`
`including "racture "ixation screws,
`
`rods, pins, etc.
`
`(paragraphs
`
`[0002] and [0005] of
`
`
`
`RG’605), which reads on the load bearing
`
`member as recited in
`
`: claims.
`
` the instan'
` RG’605 teaches a process or
`
`Regarding newly claim 51,
`
`
`manufacturing dental hardware,
`
`I]
`
`
`
`instruments
`
`
`especia"y medical
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and biomedical appliances by bulk meta"ic glass (BMG). PG’605
`
`
`
`
`provides samp'es for the
`
`
`BMG implants without adding Ni
`
`(Paragraphs [0043 -[0044]),
`
`which reads on the method companying
`
`
`
`
`manufacturing an object having a composition free 0" Ni
`"or
`
`placement into a region as recited in the instant claim. PG’605
`
`
`
`
`
`teaches arc cast Zr-32.5Cu-5Ti-10Al alloy into a water-cooled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`copper mold to obtain amorphous artic'e (Rxample
`O" PG’605),
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 7
`
`AnlJnn:1733
`
`which reads on all 0:
`
`the essential process steps including:
`
`
`providing feed stock, heating, shaping
`
`, and mold quenching as
`
`recited in the instant claims.
`
`
`
`elastic strain limit
`
`
`
`Qegarding around 1.2% or more
`
`in the instant claim,
`
`which is recognized
`
`as material property depended on the material composition and
`
`heat
`
`treatment processes.
`
`
`Because PG’605 teaches the same
`
`BMG
`
`
`
`alloy wi
`
`method (
`
`Example
`
`
`of PG’605),
`
`the claimed property,
`
`ar
`
`
`thout adding Ni manufactired by the same mold casting
`
`
`
`
`
`Oind
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`l.7% or more elaStic strain limit,
`
`would be inherent exist
`
`in
`
`I]
`
`
`the QMG alloy 0'
`
`?G’605. This position
`
`is
`
`
`further evidenced by
`
`?G’605. PG’605 teaches that the mechan
`
`
`
`
`QMG
`ical properties 0'
`
`
`
`including higher elastic Strain limit
`
`(paragraph [0047]
`
`I]
` O;
`
`?G’605).
`
`
`PG’605 does not specify hea
`
`sing the
`
`
`feedstock around
`
`the glass transition temperature with reaching to a viscous
`
`claims.
`
`US’363 teaches a
`
`process 0:
`
`
`manufacturing bulk solidifying amorphous alloy
`
`
`
`(AbstraCt and c'aims of US’363).
`
`US’363 teaches solid die-cast
`
`
`
` fluid regime as recited in the instant
`
`
`
`
`process
`
`to heating the alloy at a tempera
`
`:ure such that their
`
`
`than a specific point
`
`(Col.2,
`
`lines
`
`8-37 of
`
`viscosity is greater
`
`US'363).
`
`
`Therefore,
`
`it would have been
`
`obvious
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`apply the heating process as demonstra
`
`the inven'
`
`
`
`:ed by US’363 in the
`
`I)
`:0 one 0;
`
`
`
`
`:ion was made to
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`
`process 0: PG’605 in order to obtain the desired solid die-cast
`
`articles (Col.2,
`
`
`lines 8-37 of US'363).
`
`Claim 40 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as unpatentable over PG’605 in view
`
`of US’363, and further in view of Lin et al (US 5,797,443, thereafter US’443).
`
`Regarding claim 40, ?G’605 in view of US’363 does not
`
`
`
`specify heating the feedstock above melt
`
`
`
`
`temperature 0:
`
`the bulk
`
`
`
`
`
`solidifying amorphous alloy. US’443 teaches a process of mold
`
`
`
`
`caSting article 0: a bu'k—soiidifying amorphous alloy (Title and
`
`
`
`abstract of US’443). US’443 teaches that heating the casting
`
`
`
`
`charge over the melting temperature and mold-casting to obtain
`
`amorphous article (Col.3,
`
`
`
`lines 11-22 and Col.4,
`
`
`lines 39-55 of
`
`I)
`
`
`US’443). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one o;
`
`
`
`
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to
`
`
`apply the heating over the melting temperature 0: casting alloy
`
`I)
`as demonstrated by US’443 in the process 0: PG’605in view or
`
`
`
`
`
`US’363 because US’443 clearly teaches overheating according to
`
`TTT crystallization curve 0:
`
`the alloy can improve the casting
`
`
`
`performance of
`
`
`the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy (Col.8,
`
`
`lines 58—67 and Fig.4-7 of US’443).
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`Claim 42, 43, 48, and 49 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as unpatentable
`
`over PG’605 in view of US’363, and further in view of Otani et al (US 5,049,074,
`
`thereafter US’074).
`
`Regarding claims 42, 43, 48,
`
`and 49,
`
`I]
`
`PG’605 in view or
`
`
`US’363 does not specify the chemical
`
`or thermal
`
`treatment
`
`(claims
`
`42 and 48)
`
`and the coating
`
`(claims 43 and 49)
`
` for the
`
`implant
`
`article.
`
`US’O74 teaches a process 0
`
`dental
`
`imp:
`
`_ant with Ti based alloy
`
`
`
`l9, and Col.2,
`
`
`lines 54—62 of US’O74
`
`). US’O74 teaches treating
`
`
`manufacturing a
`
`Col.l,
`
`lines 14—
`
`
`
`(AbstraCt,
`
`
`
`
`the surface of the imp'ant
`in order to
`firmly bonded and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lines l7—47 of US’O74)
`
`
`including CV3
`
` fixed
`
`to the living body (Col.4,
`
`coating (Col.4,
`
`lines 48-64) and cement resin
`
`coating (Col.5,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lines 11—31 of US’O74). Therefore,
`
`i
`
`t would have been obvious to
`
`in the art at
`
`the time the invention was
`
`
`
`one 0
`
`made
`
`_ ordinary s
`
`
`
`fill
`
`
`
`to apply surface treatmen'
`
`
`
`: and/or cement resin coating on
`
`
`:ed by US’O74 in the process or
`
`the implant alloy as demonstra
`
`
`
`
`?G’605 in view 0:
`
`US’363 because US’O74 teaches that the
`
`treatment providing a threaded structure as a means
`
`to increase
`
`the bonding strength between the living body and dental
`
`implant
`
`
`
`(Col.l,
`
` f US’O74).
`lines 25-35 0:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`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
`obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory
`double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to
`be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of
`activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
`Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a
`terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with
`37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`Claims 37-51 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness type
`
`double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of copending application No.
`
`10/521,424, updated as US 7,560,001 B2.
`
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical,
`
`they are
`
`
`not patentable distinct from each other because the claims l-20
`
`
`
`
`o: copending application No.
`
`lO/521,424, updated as US 7,560,001
`
`
`
`
`
`32 teach an process 0: manufacturing composioes o: bulk-
`
`
`solidifying amorphous alloys including all 0“ the essential
`
`process steps,
`
`
`such as providing feed stock, heating, shaping,
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`and mold quenching,
`
`as recited in the instant claims.
`
`I)
`
`Claim 5 o;
`
`copending application No.
`
`
`sam sup r—
`lO/52l,424 t aCh s th
`
`
`cooled liquid regime 0'
`
`-
`
`larger than 900C. Ni is optional alloy
`
`
`element according claims 6-8 0:
`
`copending application No.
`
`lO/52l,424.
`
`Thus,
`
`no patentable distinction was
`
`
`
`instant c' aims
`in View 0
`
`,he claims 0:
`
`
`
` found in the
`
`
`
`copending application
`
`
`
`lO/52L, Stil'
`
`No.
`
`424,
`
`updated as US 7,560,00’
`
`
`Q2.
`
`
`
`claims
`regarding claim 5l,
`’-20 o: copending
`
`application No.
`
`lO/52l,424,
`
`process 0:
`
`manu:
`
`
`
`facturing composiues 0
`
`0.-
`
`updated as
`
`
`
`bulk—so"
`idi‘ying
`
`US 7,
`
`
` Q?
`560,00’
`
`teach an
`
`
` process steps,
`
`amorphous alloys
`
`including all
`
`the essential
`
`such as providing
`
`quenching,
`
`as recited in
`
`
`
`distinction was
`
`
`:ound in
`
`the ins
`
`shaping,
`
`and mold
`
`aim.
`
`Thus, no patentable
`
`
`
`
`
`aims
`in View 0" ,he
`
`c;
`
`C-
`
`
`
`
`
`cans
`
`the ins
`
`
`
`feed stock, heating,
`
`cans
`
`claims 0:
`
`copending application No.
`
`lO/52l,424, updated as US
`
`
` Q2.
`7,560,00’
`
`
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 9/11/2014 have been fully considered but they are
`
`moot in view of the new ground rejection above.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/408,824
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 1733
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to die Yang whose telephone number is 571 -2701 884.
`
`The examiner can normally be reached on IFP.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Roy King can be reached on 571-2721244. The fax phone number for the
`
`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
`
`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
`
`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
`
`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
`
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`
`/Jie Yang/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1733
`
`