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 .
Remarks
This Office Action fully acknowledges applicant’s remarks filed 05/13/2026. Claims 4-8. 10-17 and 23-29 are pending. Claims 4-8 and 10-17 have been amended. Claims 23- 29 have been added. Claims 1-3, 9 and 18-22 have been canceled.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
1. Claims 23, 4-8, 10-16 and 25-29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0178097 to Tai et al. in view of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0059603 to Stering and U.S. Patent No. 5,624,638 to Negrotti.
Tai et al. teaches methods of designing membrane filters that involves applying pressure to a sample that is directed to pass through a filter [0010] and collecting experimental data that is used to design membrane filters on the basis of geometry in relationship to transfilter pressure and total filtration time.
Parameters that Tai et al. takes into consideration include inlet pressure, pressure drop across the membrane, filtration time and temperature. [0009]-[0012], [0043], [0059]-0062],[0070]. These parameters render inherent or otherwise obvious the use of at least pressure and temperature sensors.
While Tai et al. teaches testing membrane filters for purposes of designing filters, Tai et al, does not teach details of the embodiments of the testing set-up or testing system.
Stering teaches a system for testing the integrity of filters and refers to filters used in the pharmaceutical industry. [0036]
Stering teaches that “To carry out the integrity test on the filter device various fluid connections has to be manually connected and disconnected in order to fill, pressurize and drain the filter device,” [0004] indicating that systems to test filters can include various components that can be arranged and connected in various configurations.
Stering teaches that “the test apparatus includes a filter integrity testing device having a pressure sensor and/or a flowmeter. The test apparatus also has an inlet connector and an outlet connector.” [0006].
Stering teaches valves that are controlled by means of the filter integrity testing device. [0006]
Stering further teaches a microprocessor that can receive the measurement data generated by the pressure sensor 17 via a pressure data line 67a as well as the measurement data generated by the flowmeter 63 via a flow data line 67b. The measurement data can be stored to a storage medium and/or transmitted to an external data processing device. [0047].
Stering teaches that the filter material 13 can comprise various shapes, for example flat circular shapes or the shape of a filter candle. [0036].
Tai et al. teaches providing a source of sample fluid for testing and applying pressure to the sample fluid and maintaining a constant pressure drop across the filter [0011]. Tai et al. further teaches maintaining a constant flow rate [0134].
In order to monitor pressure and flow rate for purposes of collecting data and designing filters as taught by Tai et al., it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering to include a means to receive and store and calculate data in Tai et al. for automation purposes.
Moreover, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Tai et al. with an inlet and an outlet to the filter holder, a filter to be tested and one or more valves to control fluid flow and a fluid line network in view of Stering and arrange and connect these elements with multiple line sections as necessary, it being noted that the use of a plurality of parts is deemed obvious unless a new and unexpected result is achieved (See MPEP 2144 (VI)(B).
Providing Tai et al. with a data receiving instrument, to receive data from the sensors, which is preassembled on program-related or circuit-related basis concerning the reception of sensor data from the sensors, in view of Stering teaching a microprocessor would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to receive data from the sensors.
Prior to testing a particular filter, it is necessary that the system of Tai et al. be “preassembled.”
Stering teaches “data lines” [0011] and a microprocessor that receives data from a pressure sensor and a flowmeter, rendering it obvious to receive and record sensor data for any of the parameters taught by Tai et al. in view of Stering.
With regard to applicant’s filtration experiment system being designed to acquire, as part of the filtration experiment, sensor data as experiment data for at least one filter, said experiment data being able to be taken as a basis for selecting and/or dimensioning the filter of a target system according to predetermined scaling criteria, Stering teaches “the measurement data can be stored to a storage medium and/or transmitted to an external data processing device. [0047] Further as noted above, Millipore Sigma teaches testing filters for purposes of predicting filter area requirements for larger, production scale processes. It would have been obvious to use the data processing device or microprocessor of Stering to select and/or dimension, according to predetermined scaling criteria, an applicable filter of a target system for the respective filter of the filtration experiment system.
With regard to claim 1 being amended to recite recording sensor data as experiment data for at least one filter, as noted above Stering teaches receiving and recording sensor data.
As to applicant’s use of modules and blocks that are or can be arranged in a filtration experiment system, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations. (column 2, lines 2-7).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering to provide each and any component of a filter testing system in the form or modules or blocks that can be interconnected in any desired filter testing configuration in view of Negrotti teaching modules that can be configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures.
Applicant’s claimed “blocks” are interpreted as being no different than modules that fall under the teachings of Negrotti in that they can be connected together in any desired configuration for purposes of conducting filtration testing experiments.
I.) Regarding applicant’s claim 23, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders all the elements of claim 23 obvious.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious.
II.) Regarding applicant’s claim 4, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 4 depends.
Claim 4 recites that the filtration experiment system comprises at least one pump or at least one
pneumatic pressure regulator and wherein at least one data receiving instrument is preassembled on a programming-related and/or circuit-related basis concerning the control of the pump and/or of the pneumatic pressure regulator.
As noted above, Tai et al teaches applying pressure to the sample fluid to be tested and therefore inherently includes a pump.
Alternatively, Stering teaches the use of a pump in filter testing.
It would have been obvious to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to include a pump to apply pressure to the sample fluid. Further Stering teaches automated control [0002]. It would have similarly been obvious to provide automatic control of the pump in Tai et al. as modified by Stering and Negrotti on a programming-related and/or circuit-related basis.
Preassembly is taught by Millipore Sigma and necessary before use of the system of Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 4 obvious.
IV.) Regarding applicant’s claim 5, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 5 depends.
Claim 5 recites that the at least one data receiving instrument is preassembled on a programming-related or circuit-related basis concerning the control of at least one valve of the valve arrangement for a filter wetting process, for a filter venting process, for a filtration experiment with the test medium or for a draining or flushing process.
Tai et al. teaches monitoring and controlling pressure and flowrate and obtaining measurements of these parameters. As noted above, Stering teaches valves and automatic control.
Further Stering teaches the valve unit can comprise wetting liquid pumping means ([0014]) and a venting port ([0018]) and a data storage medium. [0025]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to include a circuit-related basis concerning the control of at least one valve for a filter wetting process, for a filter venting process, for a filtration experiment with the test medium or for a draining or flushing process.
The system of Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti would be preassembled before use.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 5 obvious.
VI.) Regarding applicant’s claim 6, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 6 depends.
Claim 6 recites that the at least one data receiving instrument comprises a power supply, at least one data interface, a memory for storing raw sensor data and/or processed sensor data, a pneumatic inlet, at least one pneumatic outlet, a pneumatic pressure regulator and/or at least one pneumatic pump.
As noted above, Tai et al. teaches supplying, monitoring and controlling fluid pressure and fluid flowrate and obtaining data to perform calculations on filter parameters for purposes of designing filters. It would have been obvious include a power supply, a data interface, a memory for storing and processing sensor data, pneumatic inlet and outlet, a pressure regulator and a pneumatic pump to more efficiently control the experimental set up of Tai et al. and perform the data calculations that Tai et al. teaches for automation purposes.
Further Stering teaches a storage medium and database in an automated filter testing system that includes data obtaining pressure sensors and a pump.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 6 obvious.
VII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 7, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 7 depends.
Claim 7 recites that the filtration experiment system is preassembled on a sensor-related basis concerning a measurement principle, specifications or an installation position of at least one sensor of the sensor arrangement, or wherein the filtration experiment system is preassembled on a fluidics-related basis concerning an operating principle, specifications or an installation position of at least one filter of the filter arrangement, or wherein the filtration experiment system is preassembled on a fluidics-related basis concerning a type of actuation, specifications or an installation position of at least
one valve of a valve arrangement, or wherein the filtration experiment system is preassembled on a fluidics-related basis concerning specifications or an installation position of at least one line section of the fluid line network.
When the system of Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti is used, it would be preassembled before use as noted above on at least a sensor-related basis.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 7 obvious.
VIII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 8, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 8 depends.
Claim 8 recites further comprising forming, from at least one sensor of the sensor arrangement, at least one filter of the filter arrangement, at least one valve of a valve arrangement or at least one receptacle together with at least one line section of the fluid line network form an assembly module preassembled on a fluidics-related and/or sensor-related basis, an assembly module or multiple such assembly modules.
As noted above, Tai et al. in view of Stering teaches or renders obvious all the elements for testing filters as noted above. As further noted above, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to form, from at least one sensor of the sensor arrangement, at least one filter of the filter arrangement, at least one valve of a valve arrangement or at least one receptacle together with at least one line section of the fluid line network form an assembly module preassembled on a fluidics-related and/or sensor-related basis, an assembly module or multiple such assembly modules.
Therefore Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 8 obvious.
IX.) Regarding applicant’s claim 10, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 10 depends.
Claim 10 recites that an assembly module is free of filters and/or comprises electronics having at least one electrical circuit board, for receiving sensor data and/or for controlling at least one valve and/or for controlling a pump, and/or wherein an assembly module comprises a pump.
As noted above, Tai et al. in view of Stering teaches or renders obvious all the elements for testing filters as noted above. As further noted above, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to provide an assembly module that is free of filters and/or comprises electronics having at least one electrical circuit board, for receiving sensor data and/or for controlling at least one valve and/or for controlling a pump, and/or wherein an assembly module comprises a pump.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 10 obvious.
X.) Regarding applicant’s claim 11, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 11 depends.
Claim 11 recites wherein every assembly module on which a filter is arrangeable or arranged has precisely one associated filter.
As noted above, Tai et al. in view of Stering teaches or renders obvious all the elements for testing filters as noted above. As further noted above, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to provide every assembly module on which a filter is arrangeable or arranged with only one associated filter.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 11 obvious.
XI.) Regarding applicant’s claim 12, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 12 depends.
Claim 12 recites that the respective assembly module comprises at least one pneumatic interface, at least one hydraulic interface and/or at least one electrical interface.
As noted above, Tai et al. in view of Stering teaches or renders obvious all the elements for testing filters as noted above. As further noted above, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to provide an assembly module that comprises at least one pneumatic interface, at least one hydraulic interface and/or at least one electrical interface.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 12 obvious.
XII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 13, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 13 depends.
Claim 13 recites that a mechanical connection of two assembly modules to one another forms at least one pneumatic connection, at least one hydraulic connection and/or at least one electrical connection between the assembly modules by way of each pair of mutually corresponding interfaces.
As noted above, Tai et al. in view of Stering teaches or renders obvious all the elements for testing filters as noted above. As further noted above, Negrotti teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to include a mechanical connection of two assembly modules to one another forms at least one pneumatic connection, at least one hydraulic connection and/or at least one electrical connection between the assembly modules by way of each pair of mutually corresponding interfaces.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 13 obvious.
XIII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 14, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 14 depends.
Claim 14 recites that the filtration experiment system has a support and wherein only one receptacle is fixable or fixed to the support or only one or more sensors of the sensor arrangement are each fixable or fixed to a common support or only one or more assembly modules are each fixable or fixed to the common support.
It is well known in laboratory testing procedures to use various supports and stands to support items of testing equipment
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to use a support or stand to assembly the elements of the filter testing system together, including supporting a receptacle containing the fluid to be filtered to the support or stand.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 14 obvious.
XIV.) Regarding applicant’s claim 15, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 15 depends.
Claim 15 recites that in the mounted state, each pair of sensors fixed to a mounting plate has a filter arranged between them that is itself not fixed to the mounting plate.
Tai et al does teaches monitoring fluid pressure. Stering teaches pressure sensors.
Mounting plates and mounting stands and supports are well known for use in setting up laboratory testing equipment.
In Tai et al. as modified by Stering and Negrotti, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to use a mounting plate to assembly the elements of the filter testing system. Further, in order to monitor pressure drop across the filter, it would have been obvious to provide and mount press sensors on either of sides of the filter to monitor pressure drop across the filter.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 15 obvious.
XV.) Regarding applicant’s claim 16, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 15 obvious from which claim 16 depends.
Claim 16 recites that the mounting plate is part of a housing of a data receiving instrument.
As noted above, the use of mounting plates and mounting stands and supports are well known for use in setting up laboratory testing equipment.
Stering teaches an apparatus housing. [0051]
It would have been obvious to house the data receiving and processing means of Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti and incorporate the housing together with a mounting plate to set up the test system to protect any electronic components (data receiving instrument) from fluid contamination.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 16 obvious.
XVI.) Regarding applicant’s claim 25, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 25 depends.
Claim 25 recites at least one data receiving instrument is preassembled on a programming-related and/or circuit-related basis concerning the reception of sensor data from the sensor arrangement and/or wherein at least one data receiving instrument is preassembled on a programming-related and/or circuit-related basis concerning the capture and/or processing of sensor data from the sensor arrangement.
As noted above, providing Tai et al. with a data receiving instrument, to receive data from the sensors, which is preassembled on program-related or circuit-related basis concerning the reception of sensor data from the sensors, in view of Stering teaching a microprocessor would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to receive data from the sensors.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 25 obvious.
XVII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 26, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 26 depends.
Claim 26 recites that the expansion block comprises at least one interface element, the at least one interface element configured, in an installed state, to mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and electrically connect the expansion block to the block that is directly upstream of the expansion block and/or to the block that is directly downstream of the expansion block.
In Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti it would have been obvious to provide the modules or blocks with interfaces for any type of connection including mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and electrically with other elements, modules, blocks, etc. in any desired configuration envisioned to conduct filtration experimentation in view of Negrotti teaching modular components for multiple test configurations.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 26 obvious.
XVIII.) Regarding applicant’s claim 27, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 27 depends.
Claim 27 recites that the expansion block comprises at least one interface element, the at least one interface element configured, in an installed state, to mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and/or electrically connect the expansion block to the connection block and/or to the base block.
In Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti it would have been obvious to provide the modules or blocks with interfaces for any type of connection including mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and electrically with other elements, modules, blocks, etc. in any desired configuration envisioned to conduct filtration experimentation in view of Negrotti teaching modular components for multiple test configurations.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 27 obvious.
XIX.) Regarding applicant’s claim 28, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 26 obvious from which claim 28 depends.
Claim 28 recites that the interface element of the expansion block is configured to fluidically connect the expansion block to the block that is directly upstream and/or to fluidically connect the expansion block to the block that is directly connected upstream.
In Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti it would have been obvious to provide the modules or blocks with interfaces for any type of connection including fluidically, mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and electrically with other elements, modules, blocks, etc. in any desired configuration envisioned to conduct filtration experimentation in view of Negrotti teaching modular components for multiple test configurations.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 28 obvious.
XX.) Regarding applicant’s claim 29, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 26 obvious from which claim 28 depends.
Claim 29 recites that interface element of the expansion block is configured to electrically connect the expansion block to the block that is directly upstream and/or to electrically connect the expansion block to the block that is directly connected downstream.
In Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti it would have been obvious to provide the modules or blocks with interfaces for any type of connection including mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically and electrically with other elements, modules, blocks, etc. in any desired configuration envisioned to conduct filtration experimentation in view of Negrotti teaching modular components for multiple test configurations.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 29 obvious.
2. Claims 17 and 24 are rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti as applied to claim 23 and further in view of Millipore Sigma “Vmax® Constant Pressure Test for Sizing Aseptic Filters.”
I.) Regarding applicant’s claim 17, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 17 depends.
Claim 17 recites that the respective support and/or the respective stand is mechanically connected to the housing of a balance of the weighing arrangement.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti does not teach recites that the respective support and/or the respective stand is mechanically connected to the housing of a balance of the weighing arrangement.
Millipore Sigma teaches a filtration testing kit that is used to test filter for purposes of predicting filter area requirements for larger, production scale processes. (page 2).
Millipore Sigma also teaches a “lab stand or a retort stand.” (page 5)
Millipore Sigma further teaches a balance for weighing filtrate. (pages 5 and 7)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to provide supports and/or the stands that are mechanically connected to the housing of a balance of the weighing arrangement in view of Millipore Sigma teaching stands and a balance for weighing.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering, Negrotti and Millipore Sigma renders claim 17 obvious.
II.) Regarding applicant’s claim 24, as noted above Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti renders claim 23 obvious from which claim 24 depends.
Claim 24 recites that the filtration experiment system comprises at least one data receiving instrument for receiving sensor data from the sensor arrangement and/or comprises a weighing arrangement containing a balance.
Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti does not teach that the filtration experiment system comprises at least one data receiving instrument for receiving sensor data from the sensor arrangement and/or comprises a weighing arrangement containing a balance.
Millipore Sigma teaches a filtration testing kit that is used to test filter for purposes of predicting filter area requirements for larger, production scale processes. (page 2).
Millipore Sigma also teaches a “lab stand or a retort stand.” (page 5)
Millipore Sigma further teaches a balance for weighing filtrate. (pages 5 and 7)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before applicant’s effective filing date to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering and Negrotti to a weighing arrangement containing a balance as taught by Millipore Sigma.
Therefore, Tai et al. in view of Stering, Negrotti and Millipore Sigma renders claim 24 obvious.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 4-8, 10-17 and 23-29 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection that relies upon Negrotti that teaches a “Modular Laboratory Equipment And Coupling System” (Title) that provides a test kit, which is adapted for multipurpose use and is configured for individually performing a plurality of chemical tests and procedures consisting of interchangeable, multifunctional connecting apparatus which is simple and effective to employ in the arrangement of multiple test configurations. The teaching of modular laboratory elements that can be configured into different testing configurations, renders it obvious to modify Tai et al. in view of Stering to include modular or block elements that are be connected and configured into different configurations to test filters.
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.
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/M.S.G./Examiner, Art Unit 1798
/CHARLES CAPOZZI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1798
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