www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`15/986,951
`
`05/23/2018
`
`Hirokazu KIMIYA
`
`ISHII-59229
`
`5760
`
`759°
`52°“
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`
`07/29/2019
`
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114-3108
`
`BECKHARDT, LYNDSEY MARIE
`
`1613
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/29/2019
`
`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):
`
`patdoeket@pearne.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0,7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/986,951
`Examiner
`LYN DSEY M BECKHARDT
`
`Applicant(s)
`KIMIYA, Hirokazu
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`1613
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 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). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f 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).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 04/22/2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a). This action is FINAL.
`
`2b) C] This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] 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)[:] 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 Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`1—10 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. 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
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10)[:] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)[:] The drawing(s) filed on
`
`is/are: a)D accepted or b)l:] 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):] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)D All
`
`b)I:l Some**
`
`c)C] None of the:
`
`1.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3.[:] 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)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190709
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Claims 1-10 are currently pending and under examination.
`
`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.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`Applicant’s Informational Disclosure Statement, filed on 02/04/2019, 02/22/2019
`
`and 03/28/2019 has been considered. Please refer to Applicant's copy of the 1449
`
`submitted herein.
`
`Terminal Disclaimer
`
`The terminal disclaimer filed on 04/22/2019 disclaiming the terminal portion of
`
`any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of
`
`15/986,906 has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been
`
`recorded.
`
`Examiner’s Note
`
`Unless otherwise indicated, previous objection/rejections that have been
`
`rendered moot in view of the amendment will not be reiterated. The arguments in the
`
`04/22/2019 response will be addressed to the extent they apply to current rejection(s).
`
`New Reiections:
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12 (b)
`
`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:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 3
`
`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.
`
`Claims 1-10 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 pre-AIA the
`
`applicant regards as the invention.
`
`Claim 1
`
`is directed to second fibers that contain water soluble first component as
`
`a main component and particulates that contain the second component that is capable
`
`of forming the hydrogel, wherein the second fibers contain the second component and
`
`the particulates contain the first component. These two statement seem to be at odds
`
`with each other and create unclear metes and bounds in the claim. For examination
`
`purposes the claims will be deemed to be directed to the second fibers containing the
`
`first component and the second component, with the first component in greater
`
`quantities and the particulate to contain the first component and the second component,
`
`with the second component contained in greater quantities.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be
`negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148
`
`USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining
`
`obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 4
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
`
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`Claims 1-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`JP 09-238738 (previously applied) in view of JP 2014-129314 (Applicant provided),
`
`US 4,196,245 (previously applied), Fischer (Applicant provided) and US
`
`2009/0289387.
`
`Regarding claims 1 and 7, the limitation of a stacked body comprising a fiber
`
`substrate layer that contains first fibers and an assembly that is stacked on the fiber
`
`substrate layer, wherein the assembly includes a water soluble first component as a
`
`main component and a second component that is capable of forming a hydrogel the
`
`‘738 publication teaches a cosmetic sheet used for moisturization of people’s skin
`
`[0001]. The moisturization cosmetic sheet supports a moisturizer to a fibrous sheet.
`
`The moisturizer which was chosen from hyaluronic acid, soluble collagen [0005]. The
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`cosmetic sheet is a nonwoven fabric such as a fibrous sheet, wherein the fibers are
`
`rayon [0008]. Soluble collagen and hyaluronic acid are widely used moisturizers for
`
`cosmetics [0009].
`
`Regarding claim 8, the limitation of wherein the first component is any of
`
`collagens is met by the ‘738 publication teaching collagen [0009].
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 5
`
`The ‘738 publication does not specifically teach a fiber assembly layer, wherein
`
`the fiber assembly includes a second fiber that contains a water soluble first component
`
`as a main component and particulates that contain a second component that is capable
`
`of forming a hydrogel, in a case where the second fiber contain the second component
`
`mass proportion of the second component contained in the particulates is greater than a
`
`mass proportion of the second component contained in the second fibers and a mass
`
`proportion of the first component contained in the particulates is less than a mass
`
`portions of the first component contained in the second fibers (claim 1).
`
`The ‘738 publication does not specifically teach an average fiber diameter D1 of
`
`the first fibers and an average fiber diameter D2 of the second fiber satisfy the
`
`relationship D1 is greater than D2 (claim 1).
`
`The ‘738 publication does not specifically teach wherein the average fiber
`
`diameter D2 of the second fibers and an average particle size D2 that satisfy the
`
`relationship D2 less than D3 (claim 2), wherein D1 is less than D3 (claim 3).
`
`The ‘738 publication teaches wherein at least a portion of the particulates are
`
`supported by the second fibers, wherein the second fibers are 500 nm or less (claims 4-
`
`5).
`
`The ‘738 publication does not specifically teach wherein the average particle size
`
`D3 of the particulates is 0.2 um or more (claim 6).
`
`The ‘314 application teaches a sheet like material formed from nanofibers and
`
`capsule that include a substance. The nanocapsule is capable of being in the nanofiber
`
`or may exist on the outside (abstract). The ‘314 publication teaches the sheet material
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`being formed of collagen and the capsule is formed with hyaluronic acid (claims 5-6).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 6
`
`The capsule is taught to be formed by electro field spinning with the capsule content
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`polymer in the solution (claim 9, [0011], [0022], [0028]). The ‘314 publication teaches
`
`the elected hyaluronic acid and thus would be capable of forming a hydrogel. The fibers
`
`are taught to consist of the nanofiber which is formed of collagen, and therefore would
`
`be the main component. The ‘314 publication teaching the fiber being several
`
`nanometers and the capsule being 300 to 5,000 nm ([0013], [0018]). As MPEP 2144.05
`
`recites “where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not
`
`inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine optimization” (claims 2,
`
`5 and 6). The ‘314 publication teaching collagen (claim 5). The ‘314 publication teaching
`
`the fiber to be formed of collagen and ceramide (claim 5) and the capsule formed of
`
`hyaluronic acid (claim 6).
`
`The ‘245 patent teaches composite nonwoven fabric used in surgical items,
`
`wherein the fibers have a diameter of up to about 10 microns (abstract). The fibers are
`
`taught to be spun bonded material made of most common material such as rayon
`
`(column 5, lines 55-65).
`
`The ‘245 patent teaches the rayon fiber diameter being up to about 10 microns
`
`(abstract, column 5, lines 55-65) and the ‘314 publication teaches the collagen fiber to
`
`be a few nanometers [0013], thus satisfying the relationship of wherein the first fiber
`
`diameter is greater than the second fiber diameter.
`
`In the case where the claimed
`
`ranges “overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art” a prima facie case of
`
`obviousness exists. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re
`
`Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQZd 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 7
`
`Fischer teaches electrospinning collagen and hyaluronic acid nanofiber meshes
`
`(title). The electrospinning is taught to include collagen and hyaluronic acid, which is
`
`interesting due to their roles in the extracellular matrix of humans and their ability to
`
`stimulate bone forming cells. The materials are processed into nanofiber scaffolds
`
`using technique called electrospinning (page viii, first paragraph). Collagen was taught
`
`as added to NaOH at least 12 hours before electrospinning to allow proper dissolution
`
`(page 33, third paragraph), thus teaching a pH adjusting agent being present (claim 7).
`
`The ’387 publication teaches two types of solutions are provided for an
`
`electrospinning process is performed to form a composite material. Each type of
`
`material forming the composite material is selected from the group including a fiber,
`
`particle and combination of fiber and particle (abstract). The particles are taught to be
`
`larger than the fiber formed (Figure 1c). Simultaneously preparing micro/nano fibers for
`
`multiple materials by the improved electrospinning technique and control the dimension
`
`of the prepared fibers so as to mimic natural extracellular matrix. Polymer micro/nano-
`
`fibers and particles can be simultaneously prepared [0011]. The electrospinning
`
`technique to quickly massively produce and blend micro and nanopolymeric
`
`fibers/particles/combinations of fibers and particles and therefore has an economic
`
`advantage [0012]. At least two types of solutions are provided where at least one of the
`
`solution forms the scaffold and at least one is pore forming, the solutions are filled into
`
`different needs to blend in the injection device [0013]. The fiber is taught to be 10 to
`
`2,000 nm and the particles is taught to be 1,000 nm to 200,000 nm [0026]. The type of
`
`each material component included in the composite material is related to the
`
`concentration of the corresponding solution, higher concentration is closer to a fiber.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 8
`
`The lower content is closer to a particle. The electric field intensity additionally forms
`
`the fiber or particle via voltage difference [0031]. The solutions are taught as electrically
`
`conductive blending injection device [0035] formed to a collection plate ([0037], [0041]).
`
`It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before
`
`the filing date of the claimed invention to use the collagen fibers and hyaluronic acid
`
`capsules taught by the ‘314 publication on the cosmetic sheets taught by the ‘738
`
`publication because the ‘314 publication teaches the nanofiber layer and capsule to
`
`show the beauty effect (abstract) wherein the capsules are sized to permeate human
`
`skin [0019] and the beauty effect by collagen is expected as a cosmetic [0021]. One of
`
`ordinary skill in the art before the filing date of the claimed invention would have a
`
`reasonable expectation of success as the ‘738 publication teaches a cosmetic sheet
`
`containing collagen and hyaluronic acid as moisturizer components [0009] and the ‘314
`
`publication teaches the use of collagen and hyaluronic acid for a sheet with beauty
`
`effects (abstract) including lotions [0017].
`
`It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before
`
`the effective filing date of the claimed invention to form the nano fiber and capsule
`
`taught by the ‘314 publication via the joint electrospraying taught by the ‘387 publication
`
`as the ‘387 publication teaches economic gains in being able to quickly massively
`
`product a blend of polymer fibers and particle combinations [0012]. One of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made would have
`
`a reasonable expectation of success as the ‘314 publication teaches the formation of
`
`nanofiber by electro field spinning wherein the fibers may be collagen and the capsule
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 9
`
`may be hyaluronic acid, the ‘387 publication teaches the formation of both particle and
`
`fiber through an electrospinning process and Fischer teaches the electrospinning of
`
`both collagen and hyaluronic acid is known, thus it was known to use electrospinning
`
`with the ingredients and known to use electrospinning as a process of forming fibers
`
`and particles, rending it obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to use the
`
`electrospinning to form the collagen fibers and hyaluronic acid particles/capsules.
`
`The ‘387 publication teaches the solutions for the fibers and particles being
`
`emitted from the needles simultaneously and blending before forming on the collecting
`
`device, thus allowing for mixing of the fiber and particle forming components and
`
`providing a mechanism for materials being present in both the fiber and particle,
`
`however being present mainly as the fiber or particle, as the ‘387 publication teaches
`
`the materials for the fiber and particles and additionally teaches the use of solution
`
`concentration and voltage playing a role in fiber or particle formation (claims 14-15).
`
`The solution concentrations upon mixing and forming the particle or fiber would lead a
`
`distinct ration between the solution containing both fiber and particle polymer and that in
`
`the fiber formed mainly of the fiber polymer and particle formed manly of the particle
`
`polymer.
`
`Regarding claim 3, the limitation of wherein fiber diameter D1 and the average
`
`particle D3 satisfies D1 < D3 is met by the ‘245 patent teaches up to about 10 microns
`
`for fiber 1 and the ‘314 publication teaches the capsules being 300 to 5,000 nm,
`
`teaching 5 microns, thus teaching the fiber diameter may be less than the particle
`
`diameter.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 10
`
`Claims 9-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`JP 09-238738 in view of JP 2014-129314, US 4,196,245 Fischer and US
`
`2009/0289387 as applied to claims 1-8 above, and further in view of US
`
`2002/0197328 (previously applied).
`
`As mentioned in the above 103(a) rejection, all the limitations of claims 1-8 are
`
`taught by the combination of the ‘738 publication, the ‘314 publication and the ‘245
`
`patent.
`
`Regarding claim 10, the limitation of wherein the first component is any of
`
`collagens, at least either of the second fibers and the particulates further contain a third
`
`component other than the first and second component is met by the ‘314 publication
`
`teaching the composition including collagen and ceramide [0020].
`
`The combination of references does not specifically teach the elected hyaluronic
`
`acid salt (claim 9-10).
`
`The ‘328 publication teaches a sustained release drug composition including
`
`microparticles of hyaluronic acid (abstract), wherein the microparticles may be formed of
`
`hyaluronic acid or an inorganic salt thereof dissolved in water ([0008], [0011] and
`
`example 3).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to substitute a first
`
`polymer particle formed of hyaluronic acid as taught by the ‘314 publication with a
`
`second polymer particle formed of sodium hyaluronate as taught by the ‘328 publication
`
`(abstract, [0008], [0011] and example 3) with a reasonable expectation of success
`
`because the simple substitution of one known element for another would have yielded
`
`predictable results to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention. M.P.E.P.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 11
`
`§2144.07 states "The selection of a known material based on its suitability for its
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`intended use supported a prima facie obviousness determination in Sinclair & Carroll
`
`Co. v. lnterchemical Corp, 325 US. 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1945).” When substituting
`
`equivalents known in the prior art for the same purpose, an express suggestion to
`
`substitute one equivalent component or process for another is not necessary to render
`
`such substitution obvious. In re Fouf, 675 F.2d 297, 213 USPQ 532 (CCPA 1982).
`
`M.P.E.P. §2144.06.
`
`One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant
`
`invention would have a reasonable expectation of success in substituting sodium
`
`hyaluronate for hyaluronic acid in forming the particles or capsules taught by the ‘314
`
`publication because the ‘328 publication teaches the interchangeability of hyaluronic
`
`acid and sodium hyaluronate in forming particles intended for drug release ([0008],
`
`[0011] and example 3).
`
`Response to Arguments:
`
`Applicant’s arguments have been fully considered and are not deemed to be
`
`persuasive.
`
`Applicant argues the combination of the ‘738 publication, the ‘314 publication and
`
`the ‘245 patent (Kitson). The combination of references do not teach or suggest
`
`providing a stacked body having a fiber assembly including fibers and particulate each
`
`including a first component and a second component, wherein the fibers and particles
`
`have different mass proportions of teach the first and second components as compared
`
`to one another.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 12
`
`In response, Applicant is referred to the newly applied rejection above. The ‘387
`
`publication teaches the solutions for the fibers and particles being emitted from the
`
`needles simultaneously and blending before forming on the collecting device, thus
`
`allowing for mixing of the fiber and particle forming components and providing a
`
`mechanism for materials being present in both the fiber and particle, however being
`
`present mainly as the fiber or particle, as the ‘387 publication teaches the materials for
`
`the fiber and particles and additionally teaches the use of solution concentration and
`
`voltage playing a role in fiber or particle formation (claims 14-15). The solution
`
`concentrations upon mixing and forming the particle or fiber would lead a distinct ration
`
`between the solution containing both fiber and particle polymer and that in the fiber
`
`formed mainly of the fiber polymer and particle formed manly of the particle polymer.
`
`Applicant argues the ‘738 publication is directed to cosmetic sheet used for
`
`moisturization of skin and makes no mention of a fiber assembly including fibers and
`
`particulates each including the first and second components. The ‘314 publication is
`
`directed to a sheet like pack including a fiber layer and nano capsules. The fibers do
`
`not contain either of the components of the nano capsules. The ‘245 patent is directed
`
`to non-woven fabric and does not include anything considered particulates.
`
`In response, Applicant is referred to the newly applied rejection above. The ‘387
`
`publication teaches the solutions for the fibers and particles being emitted from the
`
`needles simultaneously and blending before forming on the collecting device, thus
`
`allowing for mixing of the fiber and particle forming components and providing a
`
`mechanism for materials being present in both the fiber and particle, however being
`
`present mainly as the fiber or particle, as the ‘387 publication teaches the materials for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
`
`Page 13
`
`the fiber and particles and additionally teaches the use of solution concentration and
`
`voltage playing a role in fiber or particle formation (claims 14-15). The solution
`
`concentrations upon mixing and forming the particle or fiber would lead a distinct ration
`
`between the solution containing both fiber and particle polymer and that in the fiber
`
`formed mainly of the fiber polymer and particle formed manly of the particle polymer.
`
`No claims are allowed.
`
`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
`
`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
`
`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
`
`extension fee 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 date of this final action.
`
`Examiner Contact Information
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to LYNDSEY MARIE BECKHARDT whose telephone
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/986,951
`Art Unit: 1613
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`Page 14
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`number is (571 )270-7676. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday,
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`Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 to 3pm.
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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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`(AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Brian-Yong Kwon can be reached on 571-272—0581. 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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`/LMB/
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`Examiner, Art Unit 1613
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`/DENNIS J PARAD/
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`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1612
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