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`
`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
`
`
`
`
`
`14/394,528
`
`10/15/2014
`
`Yumi Sato
`
`20154.0007USWO
`
`8050
`
`01’1”“ —HAMRE, SCHUMANN,MUELLER&LARSON,P.C. m
`7590
`52835
`45 South Seventh Street
`ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
`Suite 2700
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402- 1683
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`3728
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`01/11/2018
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/0r 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):
`PTOMail @hsml.com
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`
` 14/394,528 SATO, YUMI
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventorto File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`3728RAFAEL ORTIZ 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 0137 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 11/08/2017.
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:| This action is non-final.
`2a)IZ| 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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IXI Claim(s) 10-1215 and 18-32is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s) 18,19 and 24-31 is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6 III Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`10- 12 15 20-23 and 32 is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`* 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.‘
`
`
`
`3 , or send an inquiry to PRI-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)
`
`
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PT0_413)
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`—
`4) I:I Other'
`2) D 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 20180103
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 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 through 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.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 10-12 and 15 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over Myles (US 8,236,254) in view of Chatelier (US 2009/0084687), Baba
`
`(JP 2011117912) and Lee (US 7,387,204).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
` H9
`
`117
`
`iii?
`
`Claim 10
`
`Myles discloses a sensor storage container, comprising a bottomed cylindrical container
`
`body (109) having an opening in its top face; an opening/closing lid (110) provided to
`
`the opening of the container body in an openable and closable state; a hinge portion
`
`(115) that links the container body and the opening/closing lid around the peripheral
`
`edge of the opening of the container body, and that opens and closes
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`the opening/closing lid with respect to the container body; a lip (defined as flange that
`
`surrounds the cap as shown in the figure above) disposed on an opposite side with
`
`respect to the hinge portion of the opening/closing lid); a bottomed inner case (100)
`
`(see figure 1) that is provided inside the container body and has a vertical peripheral
`
`edge on an opening in its top face (see figure above); a linking body (105) that links the
`
`opening/closing lid with a portion on the hinge portion side of the opening in the inner
`
`case; and a plurality of sensors (120) stored vertically along a length direction of the
`
`inner case (see figure 3), the sensors being a plurality of flat pieces stored in the inner
`
`case (see figure 3). Myles discloses the container from where sensors are disposed
`
`having a flat bottom surface (see figure 3). Myles further discloses a state in which the
`
`opening/closing lid is open and a top face of the inner case is raised up to the opening
`
`of the container body, upper ends of the sensors are disposed beyond a vertical
`
`peripheral edge of the opening of the inner case at the outside of the opening (see
`
`figure 3). Myles does not disclose the plurality of sensors being superposed in the inner
`
`case, wherein an end of each of the sensors arranged at the bottom face side of the
`
`inner case is thinner than an opposing end of each of the sensors arranged at the
`
`opening side of the inner case in a state of being stored in the inner case. Myles does
`
`not disclose a sloped side face provided to the inner face of the inner case on the
`
`opposite side from the portion on the hinge portion side linked to the opening/closing lid.
`
`However, Chatelier discloses sensors (62) comprising layers of electrodes (64 and 66)
`
`(see [0050]), the layers of electrodes divided by a spacer (60) including a reaction area
`
`(61) (see [0051]), wherein the layer of electrode (66) further includes electrical contacts
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`(67 and 63) (see figures 1A, 2, [0050] and [0059]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one
`
`of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have substituted the
`
`sensors/test strips of Myles for the sensor of Chatelier since those sensors are
`
`equivalent type of test strip sensors in the art. Regarding the limitation of the portion of
`
`the sensor disposed at the bottom face side of the inner case being thinner than portion
`
`of the sensor disposed at the open end of the inner case, Chatelier, figure 5, discloses a
`
`test meter (100) used to interface with electrical contacts (67 and 63) for performing
`
`calculations capable of discriminating between blood and a control sample, as well as
`
`configured for data sorting and/or storage (see [0059]). Chatelier discloses a portion of
`
`the sensor which has electrical contact (67) being thinner than portion of the sensor
`
`which has electrode layer (64) and spacer (60) (see figure 1A).
`
`It would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have the
`
`thinner portion of the sensor, which includes the electrical contacts, disposed at the
`
`bottom of the inner case to prevent contact by the user with the electrical contacts of the
`
`sensor, preventing possible contamination of the electrical contact of the sensor.
`
`Regarding the limitation of the sloped side face being sloped from the opening side of
`
`the inner case at the opposite side from the hinge portion side towards a bottom face of
`
`the inner case, Baba discloses a container including a side wall (47) with a slope side
`
`face (48) on an inner face of the container, wherein the sloped side face is sloped from
`
`the opening side of the case at the opposite side of a hinge portion side towards a
`
`bottom face of the case (see figures 5A, 58, 6A and GB). Baba discloses the sloped
`
`side wall supports the biosensors and makes easier the removal of a single biosensor
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`(see [0052]-[0055]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time the invention was made to have modified the container that receives the
`
`sensors/test strips including a sloped side face as taught by Baba for easy finger
`
`gripping of the user when a sensor/test strip needs to be removed from the container.
`
`After Myles is modified by Chatelier and Baba, sensors disposed at one side of the
`
`bottomed inner, i.e. opposite side from the linking portion would be supported in a state
`
`inclined toward a lip side with respect to a vertical direction. For example, figure 6A
`
`from Baba discloses interior sidewalls of the container being sloped inwardly wherein
`
`the some of the sensors would be inclined toward a lip side while other sensors would
`
`be inclined toward a hinge, wherein the upper ends of the sensors pop up from the
`
`opening of the container body and released.
`
`In addition, after Myles is modified by
`
`Chatelier and Baba and by positioning the thinner and lower end of the sensors at the
`
`bottom face of the side of the inner case, the upper and thicker end sensors will
`
`naturally spread apart from each other because the sloped side face of Baba will make
`
`the lower thinner ends of the sensors to be closer than its upper and thicker ends. The
`
`lower ends of the sensors would be squeezed naturally, therefore the lower and thinner
`
`portion of the sensors would be closer to each other which makes the upper and thicker
`
`ends of the sensors to be to spread apart. Lee disclosure is provided as evidence
`
`which demonstrate that items placed vertically in at least an angle within a container,
`
`when a base where the items are place is raised up, then the items will spread apart
`
`naturally from each other.
`
`Claim 11
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`Myles further discloses the linking body (1 05) links the inner case and a portion (112) of
`
`the opening/closing lid that is away from the end on the hinge portion side (see figure
`
`2).
`
`Claim 12
`
`Chatelier further discloses each of the sensors includes a flat superposed portion
`
`(defined by portion that includes layers 66, 60 and 64) (as shown in figures 1A-1 C), and
`
`a non-superposed portion (defined by portion of layer 66 at area of electrical contacts
`
`67), wherein the flat superposed portion has a spacer (60), a cover (64), and a base
`
`(66), and an electrode (defined by layer 66 at area of electrical contact 67) that is
`
`exposed from the non-superposed portion on an end arranged towards the bottom face
`
`side of the inner case. After Myles is modified by Chatelier, the non-superposed portion
`
`would be disposed at the bottom face side of the inner case.
`
`Claim 15
`
`Myles further discloses the linking body (105) is flexible (see column 5 lines 29-30).
`
`4.
`
`Claims 20-23 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over Myles (US 8,236,254) in view of Chatelier (US 2009/0084687), Rush
`
`(US 2012/0080330) and Lee (US 7,387,204).
`
`Claim 20
`
`Myles discloses a sensor storage container, comprising a bottomed cylindrical container
`
`(109) body having an opening in its top face; an opening/closing lid (110) provided to
`
`the opening of the container body in an openable and closable state; a hinge portion
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`(115) that links the container body and the opening/closing lid around the peripheral
`
`edge of the opening of the container body, and that opens and closes
`
`the opening/closing lid with respect to the container body (see figure 2); a lip (defined as
`
`flange that surrounds the cap as shown in the figure above) disposed on an opposite
`
`side with respect to the hinge portion of the opening/closing lid); a bottomed inner case
`
`(100) (see figure 1) that is provided inside the container body and has a vertical
`
`peripheral edge on an opening in its top face (see figure above); a linking body (105)
`
`that links the opening/closing lid with a portion on the hinge portion side of the opening
`
`in the inner case (see figure 2); and a plurality of sensors (120) that are stored vertically
`
`along the length direction of the inner case (see figure 3), the sensors being a plurality
`
`of flat pieces stored in the inner case (see figure 3). Myles discloses the container from
`
`where sensors are disposed having a flat bottom surface (see figure 3). Myles further
`
`discloses a state in which the opening/closing lid is open and a top face of the inner
`
`case is raised up to the opening of the container body, upper ends of the sensors are
`
`disposed beyond a vertical peripheral edge of the opening of the inner case at the
`
`outside of the opening (see figure 3). Myles does not disclose the plurality of sensors
`
`being superposed in the inner case, wherein an end on the bottom face side of the inner
`
`case is thinner than the end on the opening side of the inner case in a state of being
`
`stored in the inner case. Myles does not disclose a sloped bottom face that is provided
`
`to the bottom portion of the inner case, wherein the sloped bottom face slopes
`
`downward from the hinge portion side of the bottom face of the inner case toward
`
`the end on the opposite side from the hinge portion side. However, Chatelier discloses
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`sensors (62) comprising layers of electrodes (64 and 66) (see [0050]), the layers of
`
`electrodes divided by a spacer (60) including a reaction area (61) (see [0051]), wherein
`
`the layer of electrode (66) further includes electrical contacts (67 and 63) (see figures
`
`1A, 2, [0050] and [0059]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`at the time the invention was made to have substituted the sensors/test strips of Myles
`
`for the sensor of Chatelier since those sensors are equivalent type of test strip sensors
`
`in the art. Regarding the limitation of the portion of the sensor disposed at the bottom
`
`face side of the inner case being thinner than portion of the sensor disposed at the open
`
`end of the inner case, Chatelier, figure 5, discloses a test meter (100) used to interface
`
`with electrical contacts (67 and 63) for performing calculations capable of discriminating
`
`between blood and a control sample, as well as configured for data sorting and/or
`
`storage (see [0059]). Chatelier discloses a portion of the sensor which has electrical
`
`contact (67) being thinner than portion of the sensor which has electrode layer (64) and
`
`spacer (60) (see figure 1A).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
`
`art at the time the invention was made to have the thinner portion of the sensor, which
`
`includes the electrical contacts, disposed at the bottom of the inner case to prevent
`
`contact by the user with the electrical contacts of the sensor, preventing possible
`
`contamination of the electrical contact of the sensor. Regarding the limitation of the
`
`sloped bottom face disposed on the bottom portion of the inner case, Rush discloses an
`
`insert (522) disposed in a container from where sensors/test strips (501 A) are disposed
`
`in superposed position (see figures 13A, 13B, 21A, 21 B, 22A and 228), the insert
`
`including a sloped surface for raising the test strips at different heights, so it would be
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`easier for the user to grip with a finger a single test strip when desired (see [0209]).
`
`Rush further discloses sloped inserts extending in different ways into the bottom surface
`
`of the container that receives and holds the test strips (see figures 13A, 13B, 21A, 21 B,
`
`22A and 228). After Myles is modified by Rush, the sloped bottom insert (522) would
`
`have a slope downward from the hinge portion toward the end on the opposite side from
`
`the hinge portion. After Myles is modified by Chatelier and Rush, sensors disposed at
`
`one side of the bottomed inner, i.e. opposite side from the linking portion would be
`
`supported in a state inclined toward a lip side with respect to a vertical direction. For
`
`example, figure 22A from Rush discloses the insert (522) being sloped wherein the
`
`some of the sensors would be inclined toward a lip side while other sensors would be
`
`inclined toward a hinge, wherein the upper ends of the sensors pop up from the opening
`
`of the container body and released.
`
`In addition, after Myles is modified by Chatelier and
`
`Rush and by positioning the thinner and lower end of the sensors at the bottom face of
`
`the side of the inner case, the upper and thicker end sensors will naturally spread apart
`
`from each other because the sloped bottom face of Rush would make the lower ends of
`
`the sensors to naturally squeezed by gravity, therefore the lower and thinner portion of
`
`the sensors would be closer to each other which makes the upper and thicker ends of
`
`the sensors to be to spread apart. Lee disclosure is provided as evidence which
`
`demonstrate that items placed vertically in at least an angle within a container, when a
`
`base where the items are place is raised up, then the items will spread apart naturally
`
`from each other.
`
`Claim 21
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`Myles further discloses the linking body (105) links the inner case and a portion (112) of
`
`the opening/closing lid that is away from the end on the hinge portion side (see figure
`
`2).
`
`Claim 22
`
`Chatelier further discloses each of the sensors includes a flat superposed portion
`
`(defined by portion that includes layers 66, 60 and 64) (as shown in figures 1A-1 C), and
`
`a non-superposed portion (defined by portion of layer 66 at area of electrical contacts
`
`67), wherein the flat superposed portion has a spacer (60), a cover (64), and a base
`
`(66), and an electrode (defined by layer 66 at area of electrical contact 67) that is
`
`exposed from the non-superposed portion on an end arranged towards the bottom face
`
`side of the inner case. After Myles is modified by Chatelier, the non-superposed portion
`
`would be disposed at the bottom face side of the inner case.
`
`Claim 23
`
`Myles further discloses the linking body (105) is flexible (see column 5 lines 29-30).
`
`5.
`
`Claim 32 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Myles (US 8,236,254), Chatelier (US 2009/0084687), Baba (JP 2011117912) and Lee
`
`(US 7,387,204) as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of Rush (US
`
`2012/0080330).
`
`Myles as modified does not disclose the inner case including a sloped bottom face that
`
`is provided to the bottom portion of the inner case. However, Rush discloses an insert
`
`(522) disposed in a bottom of a container from where sensors/test strips (501 A) are
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`disposed (see figures 13A, 138, 21A, 21 B, 22A and 228), the insert including a sloped
`
`surface for raising the test strips at different heights, so it would be easier for the user to
`
`grip with a finger a single test strip when desired (see [0209]). Rush further discloses
`
`sloped inserts extending in different ways into the bottom surface of the container that
`
`receives and holds the test strips (see figures 13A, 138, 21A, 21 B, 22A and 228).
`
`It
`
`would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was
`
`made to have modified the container that receives the sensors/test strips including an
`
`sloped insert in the bottom face of the container for easy finger gripping of the user
`
`when a sensor/test strip needs to be removed from the container. After Myles is
`
`modified by Rush, the sloped bottom insert would have a slope downward from the
`
`hinged portion side toward the end on the opposite side from the hinged portion side.
`
`After Myles as modified is further modified by Rush, the sensors would be in
`
`superposed position from each other. The modification of the teaching of Myles in view
`
`of either Baba or Rush is for the advantage of easy gripping of the sensors.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`6.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 11/08/2017 have been fully considered but they are
`
`not persuasive. Regarding applicant’s argument of the teachings of the prior art,
`
`examiner disagrees. Myles discloses the combination of the features of the cylindrical
`
`container including a lid, a hinge portion, a lip, a bottomed inner case, a linking body
`
`and the plurality of sensors. Myles only fails to teach the sloped side face, as recited in
`
`claim 10, the sloped bottom face, as recited in claim 20, and the structure of the sensors
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 13
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`in which the lower end of the sensors is thinner than the upper end. Myles also fails to
`
`disclose the position in which the sensors are disposed within the inner case. Chatelier
`
`is used for the teachings of the sensors in which one end of the sensors are thinner
`
`than the other end. Baba and/or Rush are used for the disclosure of either the sloped
`
`side face and the sloped bottom face, wherein Baba discloses a container including
`
`sensors disposed in the interior of the container, and wherein the interior includes a
`
`sloped side face. Rush discloses a container for carrying sensors, wherein the interior
`
`of the container includes an insert for supporting the sensors disposed within the
`
`container. After Myles is modified by Chatelier and Baba or Rush, sensors disposed at
`
`one side of the bottomed inner, i.e. opposite side from the linking portion would be
`
`supported in a state inclined toward a lip side with respect to a vertical direction. For
`
`example, figure 6A from Baba discloses interior sidewalls of the container being sloped
`
`inwardly, while figure 22A from Rush discloses the insert (522) having a V-shaped or
`
`inverted V-shaped, wherein when the sensors are disposed into the interior of the inner
`
`case, some of the sensors would be inclined toward a lip side while other sensors would
`
`be inclined toward a hinge, wherein the upper ends of the sensors pop up from the
`
`opening of the container body and released. Regarding applicant’s argument of the
`
`teachings of Lee, the examiner points out that the teachings of Lee is only as evidence
`
`that items placed vertically in at least an angle within a container, and when a base
`
`where the items are place is raised up, then the items will spread apart naturally from
`
`each other.
`
`It is believed that the combination of the teachings of Myles in view of
`
`Chatelier, Baba or Rush, and Lee is still valid and proper for a rejection to the claims.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
`
`Page 14
`
`Art Unit: 3728
`
`Conclusion
`
`7.
`
`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
`
`CFR1.136(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
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`TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
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`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the
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`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
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`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
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`the advisory action.
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`In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later
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`than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to RAFAEL ORTIZ whose telephone number is (571 )270-
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`5240. The examiner can normally be reached on 7:30 - 5:00 Monday to Friday.
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
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`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
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`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request
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`(AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/394,528
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 3728
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Gregory Pickett can be reached on 571 -272—4560. The fax phone number
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`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
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`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
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`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
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`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
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`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
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`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
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`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
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`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
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`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272—1000.
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`/J. Gregory Pickett/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3728
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`/RAFAEL ORTIZ/
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`Examiner, Art Unit 3728
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